Early Literature (From 1st - 4th Centuries)

Early Syriac literature was produced in Mesopotamia, especially in and around Edessa, by pagans, agnostics, Jews and Christians. Over sixty inscriptions, mostly pagan, and a few papyrus from the first three centuries have come down to us. The language of these is midway between Official Aramaic (i.e., the Aramaic that we received from official documents) and literary Syriac, and represent the early development of the Syriac language.

The literature of the first three centuries consists mostly of anonymous texts whose date and origin cannot be established. By the year 200, the books of the Old Testament were translated from Hebrew, probably by Syriac-speaking Jews and early Jewish converts. The earliest form of the New Testament, the Diatessaron, a harmony of the Gospels, appeared at the same time. A full translation of the Greek New Testament followed. To this period also belong the Odes of Solomon, 42 short lyrical poems; the story of the 'Aramean Sage' Ahikar, a narrative set in the time of the Assyrian king Sennacherib (740-681 BC); and the Acts of Judas Thomas, a narrative of the Apostle's mission to India.

The fourth century witnessed the first major writings that survived till this day. Of the writings of the 'Persian Sage' Aphrahat, twenty-three Demonstrations survive, twenty-two of which are alphabetic acrostics. Amongst the topics discussed are faith, love, prayer, war, humility, the Sabbath, and food. Another work of this period is the anonymous Book of Steps, dealing with spiritual direction.

The most celebrated writer of this period, however, is Ephrem the Syrian. He is the theologian-poet par excellence, and "perhaps, the only theologian-poet to rank beside Dante". Ephrem produced a wealth of theological works in prose and artistic poetry. His fame resulted in many writings of later centuries to be attributed to him. Of his genuine works, however, we have received many commentaries, expositions, refutations, letters, and above all poetry.

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