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Cologne Mani Codex

The Cologne Mani Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780) is a miniature parchment codex containing a Greek biography of Mani, presenting him as a follower of the Elcesaites and a visionary from his youth.|||Miniature parchment codex (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm), 192 pages. Found in Egypt, acquired by the University of Cologne in 1969. Radiocarbon dated to the 4th–5th century CE.|||Original composed in the 4th century CE. Greek version believed to be based on a lost Syriac original.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||The most important biographical source for the life of Mani. Presents his youth among the Elcesaites (a Jewish-Christian baptismal sect), his visions, and his break with the sect to found his own religion.|||Cameron, R. & Dewey, A. J. The Cologne Mani Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780): Concerning the Origin of His Body. Scholars Press, 1979.|||Henrichs, A. " The Cologne Mani Codex Reconsidered." Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 83 (1979): 339–367.|||Koenen, L. & Römer, C. Der Kölner Mani-Kodex. Papyrologica Coloniensia, 1988.|||Cologne Mani Codex — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Mani_Codex|Background and scholarly discussion.;; Cologne Mani Codex — University of Cologne|https://www.uni-koeln.de/|Information from the Papyrussammlung.

Collection: Mandaean & Manichaean Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Original composed in the 4th century CE. Greek version believed to be based on a lost Syriac original.

Language & Manuscripts

Miniature parchment codex (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm), 192 pages. Found in Egypt, acquired by the University of Cologne in 1969. Radiocarbon dated to the 4th–5th century CE.

Why It Matters for Study

The most important biographical source for the life of Mani. Presents his youth among the Elcesaites (a Jewish-Christian baptismal sect), his visions, and his break with the sect to found his own religion.

" I, Mani, was born in the land of Babylon, and from my youth I was chosen for the truth." — Cologne Mani Codex (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Cameron, R. & Dewey, A. J. The Cologne Mani Codex (P. Colon. inv. nr. 4780): Concerning the Origin of His Body. Scholars Press, 1979.
Henrichs, A. " The Cologne Mani Codex Reconsidered." Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 83 (1979): 339–367.
Koenen, L. & Römer, C. Der Kölner Mani-Kodex. Papyrologica Coloniensia, 1988.