410 The Seventh Vision of Daniel A new translation and introduction by Sergio La Porta The Seventh Vision of Daniel (henceforth, 7Dan) is a lengthy vision composed in the late fifth century which predicts the destruction of the Roman Empire, the coming of the An- tichrist, and the end of the world. The work is preserved only in Armenian and is known from five manuscripts. Although the work was originally written in Greek, the title was attached to the text in its Armenian version. As the biblical book of Daniel frequently ap- pears divided into six visions in Armenian Bibles, this extra-biblical vision was considered the seventh.1 The early date of the original composition of this text renders it important for our understanding of the development of the Daniel apocalyptica.2 Contents3 7Dan begins with a brief account of the circumstances of Daniel’s vision. It asserts that three years after all the other visions had been granted to Daniel, the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to reveal the following vision to Daniel. The initial vision foretells disasters that will befall various cities and provinces in the eastern Empire as well as Rome. Following this prophecy, the text presents an overview of Byzantine history from the city’s founding up until the reign of Zeno. Although the identity of many of the emperors and a num- ber of the enigmatic historical references have been deciphered, many allusions remain obscure. The author explicitly mentions the Emperors Theodosius II and Marcian, and refers to Theodosius I through a pun on his name. The author depicts the reign of Theodosius II as a time of prosperity for the Empire, but that the first problems will originate at this time. The ‘groanings’ mentioned are a likely reference to the beginnings of the Christological controversies, to which the author refers more explicitly during the reign of Marcian. From his comments, it is clear that the author of 7Dan was a supporter of the decision at Chalcedon. The historical narrative is presented in greater detail beginning with the reign of Leo I to whom the text refers as ‘the beast’. Leo I himself is praised as a strong ruler, but the text predicts that many catastrophes will befall Byzantium during his reign. The author describes the wars between both parts of the Empire and the Goths and Huns in allegori- cal terms of beasts, dogs, pups, lions, and dragons. He may refer to Gaiseric’s attack on Rome in 455 and his defeat of Imperial forces in 468. The author devotes much time to the 1. Kalemkiar, “Die siebente Vision,” 111; Macler, “L’apocalypse arménienne,” 289; DiTommaso, The Book of Daniel, 101 and citations in n. 48. 2. On the term, ‘apocalyptica’, see DiTommaso, “The Early Christian Daniel Apocalyptica.” 3. See also the summary in DiTommaso, The Book of Daniel, 102-3.