Die sieben Posaunen. Predigt una Apocalypse am Anfang des Predigerordens

The commentaries on the Apocalypse written by Dominican authors in the first eighty years after the foundation of the Order pay particular attention to preaching, and to the figure of the preacher. This motive is already present in the very first commentary, the Expositio in Apocalypsim by Jordan of Saxony. The topic further developed as part of apocalyptic expectations as witnessed in two other commentaries on the book of Revelations by Hugh of St. Cher. In the later explanations, written by Peter of Tarentaise, and by Nicholas of Gorran, there is a shift of emphasis regarding the Joachite influence. After the scandal of the “Eternal Gospel”, triggered by Gerardo di Borgo di San Donnino, the Dominicans probably realized the dangerous implications of such exegesis. Yet, the Apocalypse and apocalypticism were at the centre of interests within the first generations of Friars Preachers, and not just an obsession of marginal figures.