Wierszowane Sybille i pieśni o końcu świata w drukach kramarskich z przełomu XIX i XX w.

Abstract

In this chapter I present a detailed analysis of leaflets containing songs about the end of the world and the final judgment, which in Polish tradition often took on the form of the prophecy of the ancient oracle Sibyl. In the first part of the text I describe the source materials and reconstruct the scheme, according to which the end of the world is pictured in the songs. Further considerations apply biblical and apocryphal sources of particular topics and themes; special attention is paid to the rich and complex tradition of Sibylline books. In conclusion I point out that in the analysed songs there are two models of portraying the end of the world, which correspond to the two types of apocalyptic images: the older, associated with the concept of a mythical cyclic time (returning apocalypse) and younger, associated with the concept of linear time (final apocalypse).