The So-Called Hymn of the Pearl

Abstract

The most famous piece of poetry in syriac literature is the of the pearl. The hymn can be found in the syriac version of the apocryphal acts of Thomas edited by W. Wright in the original syriac version 1. A greek translation of the hymn is available in the greek version of these acts edited by Lipsius and Bonnet 2. Finally a summary of the hymn in greek is found in Nicetas of Thessalonica 3. The hymn was very often edited separately. In these cases many conjectures were made in the syriac text 4. As the hymn is easily available it is not necessary to reproduce the text of this hymn again.