| Pestilence | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Pestis |
|
First Appearance |
Jewish Encyclopedia (1906) |
|
Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
Under another interpretation, the first Horseman of the Apocalypse is called Pestilence and is associated with infectious disease and plague. It appears at least as early as 1906 in the Jewish Encyclopedia. This particular interpretation is common in popular culture references to the Four Horsemen.
The origin of this interpretation is unclear. Some translations of the Bible mention "plague" (e.g. the New International Version) or "pestilence" (e.g. the Revised Standard Version) in connection with the riders in the passage following the introduction of the fourth rider; cf. "They were given power over a fourth of the Earth to kill by sword, famine, plague, and by the wild beasts of the Earth." in the NASB. However, the original Greek does not use the word for "plague" or "pestilence" here, simply "death" (θάνατος). The use of "pestilence" was likely drawn from other parts of the Book of Revelation and included here as another form of death. Also, whether this passage refers to the fourth rider only or the four riders as a whole is a matter of debate.
Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, in his 1916 novel The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (filmed in 1921 and 1962), provides an early example of this interpretation, writing, "The horseman on the white horse was clad in a showy and barbarous attire... While his horse continued galloping, he was bending his bow in order to spread pestilence abroad. At his back swung the brass quiver filled with poisoned arrows, containing the germs of all diseases."
According to the interpretatio graeca, he is Pestis, daimon of pestilence and plague.
Public Domain Appearances[]
Public Domain Novels[]
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1916)
- Jewish Encyclopedia (1906)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Uncle Sam Quarterly #5
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921 film)