An Apocalypse (Greek: ''apokálypsis''; "lifting of the veil" or "revelation") is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. ''The Apocalypse of John'' (Greek ''Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου'') is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. By extension, ''apocalypse'' can refer to any End Time scenario, or to the end of the world in general. It is a major misconception that Apocalypse means the end of the world; it is much closer to "the end of the world as we know it."

Characteristic feature

Dreams or visions

The disclosure of future events is made through a dream, as was the experience for the prophet Daniel, which is recorded in the book with his name, or a vision as was recorded by Saint John the Evangelist in the Book of Revelation. Moreover, the manner of the revelation and the experience of the one who received it are generally prominent.

The primary example of apocalyptic literature in the Bible is the Book of Daniel. After a long period of fasting, Daniel is standing by a river when a heavenly being appears to him, and the revelation follows (Daniel 10:2ff). John, in the New Testament Revelation (1:9ff), has a similar experience, told in very similar words. Compare also the first chapter of the ''Greek Apocalypse of Baruch''; and the ''Syriac Apocalypse of Baruch'', vi.1ff, xiii.1ff, lv.1-3. Or, as the prophet lies upon his bed, distressed for the future of his people, he falls into a sort of trance, and in "the visions of his head" is shown the future. This is the case in Daniel 7:1ff; 2 Esdras 3:1-3; and in the Book of Enoch, i.2 and following. As to the description of the effect of the vision upon the seer, see Daniel 8:27; Enoch, lx.3; 2 Esdras 5:14

Angels

The introduction of angels as messengers of the apocalypse is a standing feature. At least four types or ranks of angels are mentioned in biblical scripture: the Archangels, Angels, Cherubim and the Seraphim. God may give instructions through the medium of these heavenly messengers; they act as the seer's guide. God may also personally give a revelation, as is shown in the Book of Revelation through the person of Jesus Christ. The Book of Genesis speaks of the "Angel" bringing forth the apocalypse.

Future

Apocalyptic visions through the writing of these scriptures is how the prophets revealed God's justice as taking place in the future. This genre has a distinctly religious aim, intended to show God's way of dealing with humankind, and God's ultimate purposes. The writers present, sometimes very vividly, a picture of coming events, especially those connected with the end of the present age. In certain of these writings the subject matter is vaguely described as "that which shall come to pass in the later days" (Daniel 2:28; compare verse 29); similarly Daniel 10:14, "to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the later days"; compare Enoch, i.1, 2; x.2ff. So, too, in Revelation 1:1 (compare the Septuagint translation of Daniel 2:28ff), "Revelation ... that which must shortly come to pass."

Future history is not included in the vision, traditionally said to give the proper historical setting to the prediction, as the panorama of successive events passes over imperceptibly from the known to the unknown. Thus, in the eleventh chapter of Daniel, the detailed history of the Greek empire in the East, from the conquest of Alexander down to the latter part of the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (verses 3-39, all presented in the form of a prediction), is continued, without any break, in a scarcely less vivid description (verses 40-45) of events which had not yet taken place, but were expected by the writer: the wars which should result in the death of Antiochus and the fall of his kingdom. Modern scholars therefore date the composition of the book to about 167 BCE, when Antiochus Epiphanes sacked Jerusalem and desecrated the Holy Places. This serves as the introduction to the eschatological predictions in the twelfth chapter.

Similarly, in the dream recounted in 2 Esdras 11 and 12, the eagle, representing the Roman Empire, is followed by the lion, which is the promised Messiah, who is to deliver the chosen people and establish an everlasting kingdom. The transition from history to prediction is seen in xii.28, where the expected end of Domitian's reign – and with it the end of the world – is foretold. Still another example of the same kind is Sibyl lines, iii.608-623. Compare also ''Assumptio Mosis'', vii-ix. In nearly all the writings which are properly classed as apocalyptic the eschatological element is prominent. The growth of speculation regarding the age to come and the hope for the chosen people more than anything else occasioned the rise and influenced the development of apocalyptic literature.

Mystical symbolism

Mystical symbolism is frequent characteristic of apocalyptic writing. This feature is illustrated in the instances where gematria is employed either for the sake of obscuring the writer's meaning, or enhancing its meaning further as a number of ancient cultures used letters also as numbers (''i.e.'', the Romans with their use of "Roman numerals"). Thus, the mysterious name "''Taxo''," "''Assumptio Mosis''", ix. 1; the ''"Number of the Beast''" (666), of Revelation 13:18; the number 888 ('Iησōῦς), ''Sibyllines'', i.326-330.

Similar to this discussion is the frequent prophecy of the length of time through which the events predicted must be fulfilled. Thus, the "time, times, and a half," Daniel 12:7 which has generally been agreed to be 3½ years in length by dispensationalists; the "''fifty-eight times''" of Enoch, xc.5, "''Assumptio Mosis''", x.11; the announcement of a certain number of "weeks" or days, which starting point in Daniel 9:24, 25 is "the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks", a mention of 1290 days after the covenant/sacrifice is broken (Daniel 12:11), 12; Enoch xciii.3-10; 2 Esdras 14:11, 12; ''Apocalypse of Baruch'' xxvi-xxviii; Revelation 11:3, which mentions "two witnesses" with supernatural power, 12:6; compare ''Assumptio Mosis'', vii.1. Symbolic language is also used to describe persons, things, or events; thus, the "horns" of Daniel 7 and 8; Revelation 17 and following; the "heads" and "wings" of 2 Esdras xi and following; the seven seals of Revelation 6; trumpets, Revelation 8; "vials of the wrath of God" or "bowl..." judgments, Revelation 16; the dragon, Revelation 12:3-17, Revelation 20:1-3; the eagle, ''Assumptio Mosis'', x.8; and so on.

As examples of more elaborate prophecies and allegories, aside from those in Daniel Chapters 7 and 8; and 2 Esdras Chapters 11 and 12, already referred to, may be mentioned: the vision of the bulls and the sheep, Enoch lxxxv and following; the forest, the vine, the fountain, and the cedar, ''Apocalypse of Baruch'' xxxvi and following; the bright and the black waters, ibid. liii and following; the willow and its branches, Hermas, "Similitudines," viii.

End of the age

In John's apocalypse, the Book of Revelation, he refers to the "unveiling" or "revelation" of Jesus Christ as Messiah. This term has come to mean, in common usage, the end of the world.

The simple pictures of the end of the age in the books of the Old Testament were images of the judgment of the wicked, as well as the resurrection and glorification of those who were given righteousness before God. The dead are seen in the Book of Job and in some of the Psalms as being in Sheol, awaiting the final judgment. The wicked will then be consigned to eternal torment in the fires of Gehinnom, or the Lake of Fire mentioned in Revelation.

The New Testament letters written by the Apostle Paul expand on this theme of the judgment of the wicked, and the glorification of those who belong to Christ or Messiah. In his letters to the Corinthians and the Thessalonians Paul expounds further on the destiny of the righteous. He speaks of the simultaneous resurrection and rapture of those who are in Christ (or Messiah).

Christianity had a Millennial expectation for glorification of the righteous from the time it emerged from Judaism and spread out into the world in the first century. The poetic and prophetic literature of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in Isaiah, were rich in Millennial imagery. The New Testament Congregation after Pentecost carried on with this theme. During his imprisonment by the Romans on the Island of Patmos, John described the visions he experienced, writing the Book of Revelation. Revelation chapter 20 contains several references to a thousand-year reign of Christ/Messiah upon the earth.

Modern Christian movements in the 18th and 19th centuries were characterized by a rise of Millennialism. Christian Apocalyptic eschatology was a continuation of the same two themes referred to throughout all of scripture as "this age" and "the age to come". Evangelicals have been in the forefront popularizing the biblical prophecy of a major confrontation between good and evil at the end of this age, a coming Millennium to follow, and a final confrontation whereby the wicked are judged, the righteous are rewarded and the beginning of Eternity is viewed.

Most evangelicals have been taught a form of Millennialism known as Dispensationalism, which arose in the 19th century. Dispensationalism sees separate destinies for the Christian Church and Israel. Its concept of a special Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church has become extremely popular, thanks in part to the ''Left Behind'' series of books and films. Dispensationalist interpretations find in biblical prophecy predictions of future events: the various periods of the church, for example, shown through the letters to the seven churches; the throne of God in Heaven and his Glory; specific judgments that will occur on the earth; the final form of Gentile power; God' re-dealing with the nation Israel based upon covenants mentioned in the Old Testament; the second coming proper; a one-thousand year reign of Messiah; a last test of Mankind's sinful nature under ideal conditions by the loosing of Satan, with a judgment of fire coming down from Heaven that follows; the Great White Throne Judgment, and the destruction of the current heavens and the earth, to be recreated as a "New Heaven and New Earth" ushering in the beginning of Eternity. A differing interpretation is found in the Post Tribulation Rapture.

One of the most complete exegetical works on the meaning of the Book of Revelation was written by Emanuel Swedenborg called the Apocalypse Revealed, first published in two volumes in Amsterdam in 1766. A more current book, utilizing the literal method of interpretation, is ''The Revelation Record'' by Henry M. Morris.

See also

Abomination of Desolation

Big Crunch

Big Rip

Big Freeze

Big Bounce

Book of Revelation

Christian eschatology

Dajjal, Muslim false mesiah (anti-christ) figure

Death

Dream dictionary

Gog and Magog

Islamic eschatology

Kali Yug, Hindu view

Kalki, Hindu prophetic figure

Mahdi, a figure in Islamic eschatology

Omnicide

Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

Qiyamah, Muslim view

Ragnarök

Siege of Jerusalem (70)

Summary of Christian eschatological differences

Year 6000

Film and television

''9''

''2012''

''Angel''

''Buffy The Vampire Slayer''

''The Age of Stupid''

''Apocalypse Revelation''

''The Book of Eli

''Dragon Ball Z''

''Knowing''

''Legion''

''The Rapture

''Resident Evil Apocalypse''

''Revelations''

''The Road''

''The Seventh Sign''

''Southland Tales''

''Supernatural''

''Survivors''

''Terminator Salvation''

''Thank God, It's Doomsday

'' Power Rangers RPM

''Jericho''

Literature

English Apocalypse Manuscripts

''Good Omens'', a novel

''The Lost Symbol'', a novel

''The Road'', a novel

Painting

''Apocalypse Series (Kanso), paintings

References

External links

It's the End of the World: 8 Potential Armageddons

Category:Apocalypticism Category:Eschatology Category:Greek loanwords Category:War in mythology Category:Christian genres Category:Christian terms

ar:أبوكاليبس bs:Apokalipsa bg:Апокалипсис cs:Apokalypsa de:Apokalypse eo:Apokalipso (ĝenro) hr:Kraj svijeta id:Apokalips it:Apocalisse he:אפוקליפסה kn:ಅಪೋಕ್ಯಾಲಿಪ್ಸ್ lt:Apokalipsė nl:Apocalyps no:Apokalypse ja:黙示 nn:Apokalypse pl:Apokalipsa simple:Apocalypse sk:Apokalypsa sl:Apokalipsa sh:Apokalipsa fi:Apokalypsi sv:Apokalyps ta:திருவெளிப்பாடு

name	Fleshgod Apocalypse
background	group_or_band
origin	Rome, Italy
genre	Technical death metal, symphonic metal, brutal death metal
years active	2007–present
label	Willowtip, Candlelight, Nuclear Blast
associated acts	Hour of Penance, Eyeconoclast
website	http://www.fleshgodapocalypse.com/
current members	Tommaso RiccardiPaolo RossiCristiano TrionferaFrancesco PaoliFrancesco Ferrini
past members	}}

Fleshgod Apocalypse is an Italian technical death metal band.

Biography

Fleshgod Apocalypse was formed during 2007 and recorded their first demo the same year. The demo was re-released the following year on a split CD with fellow Italian bands Septycal Gorge, Modus Delicti, and Onirik. Fleshgod Apocalypse then signed to Neurotic Records. In early 2008 the band toured Europe, supporting bands like Behemoth, Origin, Dying Fetus, Hate Eternal, Suffocation, Napalm Death and many more.

In May 2008, the band recorded its first full-length album, ''Oracles''. In December of that year the band decided to part ways with Neurotic Records and signed with Willowtip Records, who released ''Oracles'' in 2009.

Shortly after the release of ''Oracles'' in 2009, the band had a lineup change, with a new member, Tommasso Ricardi taking over vocals and rhythm guitar, which were previously handled by Francesco Paoli, as Paoli took over the drums at this time.

In 2010, Fleshgod Apocalypse released a new EP entitled ''Mafia''. It includes four new tracks and a cover of the track "Blinded by Fear" by At the Gates.

Until 2010, current Fleshgod Apocalypse drummer Francesco Paoli was simultaneously in his former band Hour of Penance doing vocals, as well as drumming in Fleshgod Apocalypse. Also in 2010, another new member, Francesco Ferrini, was added to the band to play keyboards. Ferrini had previously played session keyboards on ''Oracles'' and ''Mafia''.

In May 2011, the band signed a worldwide deal with German record label Nuclear Blast Records. The band has set the release date for their forthcoming second album, entitled ''Agony'', as August 9, 2011. The iTunes version of ''Agony'' also includes a cover of the track Heartwork by Carcass.

Fleshgod Apocalypse is part of the 2011 Summer Slaughter Tour in North America alongside co-headliners Whitechapel and The Black Dahlia Murder. The band is set to go on tour in the US with Polish band Decapitated in late 2011.

Discography

Full-length albums

''Oracles'' (2009)

''Agony'' (2011)

EPs

''Promo '07'' (2007)

''Da Vinci Death Code'' split (2007)

''Mafia'' (2010)

Band members

;Current members

Tommaso Riccardi - vocals, guitars (2009–present)

Paolo Rossi - bass, clean vocals (2007–present)

Cristiano Trionfera - guitars, vocals (2007–present)

Francesco Paoli - drums, guitars, vocals (2007–present)

Francesco Ferrini - piano (2010–present)

References

External links

Category:Italian heavy metal musical groups Category:Technical death metal musical groups Category:Musical quintets

de:Fleshgod Apocalypse it:Fleshgod Apocalypse no:Fleshgod Apocalypse pl:Fleshgod Apocalypse

name	Dimmu Borgir
landscape	Yes
background	group_or_band
origin	Oslo, Norway
years active	1993–present
genre	Symphonic black metal, black metal
label	ex-No Colours, ex-Spikefarm, ex-Cacophonous, ex-Century Media, recent-Nuclear Blast
associated acts	Old Man's Child, Cradle of Filth, Ov Hell, Carpe Tenebrum, Brujeria, The Kovenant, Mayhem, Arcturus, Chrome Division, Code, Susperia, Dødheimsgard, Nile, Borknagar, Nachtmystium, Ragnarok, Angelcorpse, God Dethroned, Vesania, Vader, Infernal Method, Ved Buens Ende
website	www.site.dimmu-borgir.com
current members	ShagrathSilenozGalder
past members	(see below) }}

Dimmu Borgir () is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. ''Dimmu borgir'' means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir. The band has been through numerous line-up changes over the years; guitarist Silenoz and vocalist Shagrath are the only founding members remaining.

Biography

''For All Tid and Stormblåst'' period

Dimmu Borgir was founded in 1993 by Shagrath, Silenoz, and Tjodalv, the band released an EP in 1993 entitled ''Inn i evighetens mørke'' ("Into the Darkness of Eternity" in English). This short EP sold out within weeks, and the band followed up with the 1994 full length album ''For All Tid'' ('For All Time' in English) This album featured vocal contributions by Vicotnik of Ved Buens Ende and Dødheimsgard and Aldrahn of Dødheimsgard and Zyklon-B. The initial lineup consisted of Shagrath playing drums with Tjodalv on guitar and Silenoz contributing lead vocals. This line-up changed before the release of ''Stormblåst'' (translates to "Storm Blown") on Cacophonous Records in 1996, an album considered by many to be their finest. It is also the last album which features all lyrics written and sung in Norwegian. This album was criticized by Allmusic because of bad sound quality and inaccessibility to wide audience.

''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'' period

After ''Stormblåst'', keyboardist Stian Aarstad left the band due to his obligation to serve in the Norwegian army, thus being unable to participate in the 1996 recording of ''Devil's Path''. That period was also marked by the departure of bassist Brynjard Tristan and the arrival of Nagash. Stian Aarstad returned for the recording of 1997's ''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant''. While on tour to support the album, he had trouble attending rehearsals and being on tour, and was subsequently fired. ''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'' was a huge success for the band, and was their first release signed to Nuclear Blast, a German record label. The album was recorded in the Abyss Studios, owned by Hypocrisy's frontman Peter Tägtgren. After the release of ''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'', the band went on tour with In Flames, Dissection and other bands who had penetrated to the scene at the time.

''Spiritual Black Dimensions'' and ''Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'' period

After the tour for ''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'', the band recruited new members Mustis on keyboards and Astennu on lead guitar. Dimmu Borgir's following full-length albums ''Spiritual Black Dimensions'' in 1999 and 2001's ''Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'', both met critical acclaim. However, another line-up change occurred between the two albums; Nagash quit and was replaced by new bassist/singer ICS Vortex, and Tjodalv left due to his family commitments, and to form the subsequent band Susperia, only to be replaced with Nicholas Barker, of Cradle of Filth. Astennu was fired from his guitar duties as well, and was replaced by Galder. ''Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'' is marked as bands one of biggest penetration on wider scene.

''Death Cult Armageddon'' and ''Stormblåst MMV'' period

Despite the regular video play on MTV2 and Fuse TV that their follow-up album would receive, the band stated that they were not "commercially-oriented," and instead, they 'simply wished to spread their message to more people'. In 2003, Dimmu Borgir recorded ''Death Cult Armageddon''. ''Death Cult Armageddon'' was recorded with the Prague Philarmonic Orchestra, conducted by Adam Klemens. All orchestrations were arranged by Gaute Storaas (who had previously worked with Dimmu Borgir on the album ''Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'') In 2004, Dimmu Borgir performed on the mainstage at Ozzfest.

In 2005, the band did a complete re-recording of the ''Stormblåst'' album, featuring Hellhammer of Mayhem fame as the session drummer. The album also featured a DVD with a live performance from the 2004 Ozzfest tour.

''In Sorte Diaboli'' period

Dimmu Borgir's eighth studio album, ''In Sorte Diaboli'', was released April 24, 2007. A special edition version was released in a boxed case with a DVD, backward-printed lyrics, and a mirror. The album artwork was released on February 14, 2007 on a promotional webpage for the album. This album features the drumming of "Hellhammer" Jan Axel Blomberg of Mayhem. Blomberg left the band in mid tour in 2007 because of a neck injury that resulted in limited movement of his right arm. With the release of this album, Dimmu Borgir became the first black metal band with a number one album in their native country.

In 2009, members ICS Vortex and Mustis independently announced their departure from Dimmu Borgir. Mustis released a statement claiming his disfavor with the band, stating that he was not properly credited for his writing contributions to the band's music, mentioning possibly taking legal action.

Dimmu Borgir soon after confirmed the pair's dismissal from the band, releasing a statement explaining why the two were fired. Shagrath, Silenoz, and Galder wrote, "Funny then, how the new album is halfway finished written already by the rest of us without any of these guys' input, still having all those elements we're known for."

''Abrahadabra'' period

Dimmu Borgir's ninth studio album, ''Abrahadabra'', was released on September 24, 2010 in Germany, September 27, 2010 for the rest of Europe, and October 12, 2010 in North America. Silenoz explained that the growing periods of time between albums was because the band had stopped writing music while touring, which was affecting the quality of the music. He described the new album as having an "eerie and haunting feel to it," adding that the material is "epic," "primal," atmospheric and ambient. A promotional image released with the statement showed Shagrath returning to the keyboards. The album features an ensemble orchestra, the ''Kringkastingsorkestret'' (the Norwegian Radio Orchestra), as well as the Schola Cantorum choir, totaling more than 100 musicians and singers. Gaute Storaas, composer of the orchestral arrangements, released a statement on his role in working on the album. “Their music is epic, thematic and symphonic already from the creation; they are clearly having an orchestral approach to composing. My role in this is sometimes just to transcribe their themes, sometimes to take their ideas, tear them apart and build them back up in ways that are true to the band's intentions. The music must also be both interesting and playable for the musicians, and hopefully, meet the quality standards of the orchestral world.”

On July 8, the band confirmed that they had tapped Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (Therion, Dream Evil) to replace bassist/clean vocalist ICS Vortex on the band's upcoming album, "Abrahadabra", and world tour. On August 25 it was announced that Snowy Shaw has left Dimmu Borgir to rejoin Therion. On September 17, 2010 Dimmu Borgir released the song "Born Treacherous" from their upcoming album Abrahadabra on their official MySpace page. Then on September 24 the band announced they would stream Abrahadabra in its entirety until 7 p.m. EST that evening. The keyboards and bass are currently played by Gerlioz from Apoptygma Berzerk and Cyrus of Susperia respectively, and the clean vocals are sampled. On May 28, 2011 Dimmu Borgir gave a very special one-off show at the Oslo Spektrum with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Schola Cantorum choir. A live album and DVD of the show titled "Forces of the Northern Night" with an accompanying documentary is scheduled for release later this year.

Influences

Dimmu Borgir's older releases (since 1992 to 1999) are strongly influenced by Darkthrone, Mayhem, Bathory, Emperor, Celtic Frost, Immortal, Venom and Iron Maiden. The band became more progressive and symphonic through the years. Significant experimentation started approximately around 2000, during the era of Spiritual Black Dimensions (due to the addition of Vortex's clean vocals, and the variety of musical ideas from then-new member Mustis,) as well as Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia due to addition of influences from symphonic composers such as Antonín Dvořák, Enya, Richard Wagner and Frédéric Chopin.

Discography

To see other releases:

;Full-length albums

''For All Tid'' (1994)

''Stormblåst'' (1996)

''Enthrone Darkness Triumphant'' (1997)

''Spiritual Black Dimensions'' (1999)

''Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia'' (2001)

''Death Cult Armageddon'' (2003)

''Stormblåst MMV'' (2005)

''In Sorte Diaboli'' (2007)

''Abrahadabra'' (2010)

Band members

Current

Shagrath (Stian Tomt Thoresen) – drums (1992–1995), guitars (1995–1997), vocals (since 1995), bass (2005)

Silenoz (Sven Atle Kopperud) – lead vocals (1992–1995), rhythm guitars (since 1992), bass (2005)

Galder (Tom Rune Andersen) – lead guitars (since 2000)

Daray (Dariusz Brzozowski) – drums, percussion (since 2008)

Cyrus (Terje Andersen) – bass guitar (since 2010)

Gerlioz (Geir Bratland) – keyboards, synthesizer (since 2010)

Former

Tjodalv (Ian Kenneth Åkesson) – lead guitars (1992–1995), drums, percussion (1995–1999)

Stian Aarstad – keyboards, piano (1992–1997)

Brynjard Tristan (Ivar Tristan Lundsten) – bass (1992–1996)

Nagash (Stian Arnesen) – bass, backing vocals (1996–1999)

Astennu (Jamie Stinson) – lead guitars (1997–1999)

Mustis (Øyvind Mustaparta) – keyboards, piano (1998–2009)

ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) – bass (1999–2009), clean vocals (1998–2009)

Nicholas Barker – drums, percussion (1999–2005)

Hellhammer (Jan Axel Blomberg) – drums, percussion (2005–2007)

Session

Jens Petter – lead guitars (1996–1997)

Kimberly Goss – keyboards (1997–1998)

Aggressor (Carl-Michael Eide) – drums, percussion (1997)

Archon – lead guitars (2000)

Reno Kiilerich – drums, percussion (2003–2004)

Tony Laureano – drums, percussion (2004–2005, 2007–2008)

Secthdamon (Odd Tony Ingebrigtsen) – bass (2007)

Snowy Shaw (Tommie Helgesson) – bass, clean vocals (2010)

References

External links

Official fan site

Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups Category:Norwegian heavy metal musical groups Category:Norwegian symphonic black metal musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 1993 Category:Symphonic black metal musical groups Category:Spellemannprisen winners Category:Musical sextets *

ar:ديمو بورجير bn:ডিমু বরগীর bs:Dimmu Borgir br:Dimmu Borgir bg:Диму Боргир cs:Dimmu Borgir da:Dimmu Borgir de:Dimmu Borgir et:Dimmu Borgir el:Dimmu Borgir es:Dimmu Borgir fa:دیمو بورگیر fr:Dimmu Borgir gl:Dimmu Borgir hr:Dimmu Borgir is:Dimmu Borgir it:Dimmu Borgir he:דימו בורגיר ka:Dimmu Borgir la:Dimmu Borgir lb:Dimmu Borgir lt:Dimmu Borgir hu:Dimmu Borgir mk:Dimmu Borgir nl:Dimmu Borgir ja:ディム・ボガー no:Dimmu Borgir nn:Dimmu Borgir oc:Dimmu Borgir pl:Dimmu Borgir pt:Dimmu Borgir ro:Dimmu Borgir ru:Dimmu Borgir sq:Dimmu Borgir simple:Dimmu Borgir sk:Dimmu Borgir sl:Dimmu Borgir sr:Диму Боргир fi:Dimmu Borgir sv:Dimmu Borgir te:డిమ్ము బోర్‌గిర్ th:ดิมมูบอร์เกียร์ tr:Dimmu Borgir zh:霧都魔堡樂團

This is a list of people whose names in English are commonly appended with the phrase "''the Great''", or who were called that or an equivalent phrase in their own language. Other languages have their own suffixes such as ''e Bozorg'' and ''e azam'' in Persian and Urdu respectively.

In Persia, the title "the Great" at first seems to be a colloquial version of the Old Persian title "Great King". This title was first used by the conqueror Cyrus II of Persia.

The Persian title was inherited by Alexander III of Macedon (336–323 BC) when he conquered the Persian Empire, and the epithet "Great" eventually became personally associated with him. The first reference (in a comedy by Plautus) assumes that everyone knew who "Alexander the Great" was; however, there is no earlier evidence that Alexander III of Macedon was called "''the Great''".

The early Seleucid kings, who succeeded Alexander in Persia, used "Great King" in local documents, but the title was most notably used for Antiochus the Great (223–187 BC).

Later rulers and commanders began to use the epithet "the Great" as a personal name, like the Roman general Pompey. Others received the surname retrospectively, like the Carthaginian Hanno and the Indian emperor Ashoka the Great. Once the surname gained currency, it was also used as an honorific surname for people without political careers, like the philosopher Albert the Great.

As there are no objective criteria for "greatness", the persistence of later generations in using the designation greatly varies. For example, Louis XIV of France was often referred to as "The Great" in his lifetime but is rarely called such nowadays, while Frederick II of Prussia is still called "The Great". A later Hohenzollern - Wilhelm I - was often called "The Great" in the time of his grandson Wilhelm II, but rarely later.

Rulers

Abbas I of Persia (1571–1629), Shah of Iran

Akbar (1542–1605), ruler of the Mughal Empire of South Asia, mainly India

Alain I of Albret (1440–1522), French aristocrat

Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), King of Macedonia, Persia, Greece, Egypt, and all of Mesopotamia

Alexander I of Georgia (1386–1446), King of Georgia

Alfonso III of León (c. 848-910), King of León, Galicia and Asturias

Alfred the Great (848/849-899), King of Wessex

Antiochus III the Great (c. 241–187 BC), ruler of the Seleucid Empire

Ashoka the Great (c. 304–232 BC), Indian emperor of the Maurya dynasty

Ashot I of Iberia “the Great”(died 826/830), presiding prince of Iberia (modern Georgia),

Askia Mohammad I (c. 1442–1538), ruler of the Songhai Empire

Bhumibol Adulyadej (born 1927), King of Thailand

Bolesław I Chrobry (967-1025), sometimes called "the Great", first King of Poland

Bruno the Great (925–965), Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia (also listed in the following section)

Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (1736–1809), founder and ruler of the Rattanakosin Kingdom (in what is now Thailand)

Cnut the Great (c. 985 or 995-1035), King of Denmark, England, Norway and parts of Sweden

Casimir III the Great (1310–1370), King of Poland

Catherine the Great (1729–1796), Empress of Russia

Chandragupta II (reigned 375-413/415), also known as Vikramaditya, ruler of the Gupta empire in India

Charlemagne (died 814), King of the Franks and Emperor of the Romans

Chulalongkorn (1853–1910), King of Siam (now Thailand)

Chlothar II (584-629), King of Neustria and King of the Franks

Conrad, Margrave of Meissen (c. 1097-1157), Margrave of Meissen

Constantine I (c. 272-337), Roman emperor

Cyaxares the Great (c. 625-585 BC), third king of Media

Cyrus the Great (c. 600 BC or 576 BC–530 BC), founder and ruler of the Persian or Achaemenid Empire

Darius the Great (550 – 486 BC), third ruler of the Persian Empire

Devapala (died 850), ruler of the Pala Empire in the Indian subcontinent

Dionysius I, Greek tyrant of Syracuse

Ferdinand I of León and Castile (c. 1015–1065), King of León and Count of Castile

Frederick the Great (1712–1786), King of Prussia

Genghis Khan (1162?-1227), founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire

Gero (c. 900–965), ruler of Marca Geronis, a very large march in Europe

Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden (1594–1632), King of Sweden, founder of the Swedish Empire, and noted military leader

Gwanggaeto the Great, King of Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea

Hanno the Great, the name of three leaders of Carthage, in the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd centuries BC

Henry I, Duke of Burgundy (946–1002)

Henry IV of France (1553–1610), King of France and King of Navarre

Herod the Great (73/74 BC-4 BC), King of Judea

Hugh the Great (898-956), Duke of the Franks and Count of Paris

Hugh Magnus of France (1007–1025), co-King of France

Hugh I, Count of Vermandois (1057–1101)

Humphrey I de Bohun (died c. 1123), Anglo-Norman aristocrat

Ivan III of Russia (1440–1505), Tsar of Russia

John I of Portugal (1358–1433), King of Portugal and the Algarve

John II of Aragon (1398–1479), King of Aragon and, through his wife, King of Navarre

Justinian I (483-565), Byzantine Emperor

Kamehameha I (c. 1758-1819), first King of Hawai'i

Kanishka (died c. 127), ruler of the Kushan Empire in Central Asia and parts of India

Kvirike III of Kakheti (1010–1029), King of Kakheti in eastern Georgia

Kublai Khan (1215–1294), Mongol ruler in the 13th century and Emperor of China; founder of the Yuan Dynasty

Llywelyn the Great (c. 1172–1240), Prince of Gwynedd and de facto ruler of most of Wales

Louis I of Hungary (1326–1382), King of Hungary, Croatia and Poland

Mangrai the Great (1238–1317), Lanna, northern Thailand

Emperor Meiji (1852–1912), Emperor of Japan

Mircea I of Wallachia (1355–1418)

Mithridates II of Parthia (died 88 BC), ruler of the Parthian Empire (in present day Iran)

Mithridates VI of Pontus (134 BC–63 BC), ruler of Pontus and the Bosporan Kingdom

Mstislav I of Kiev (1076–1132), Grand Prince of Kievan Rus

Narai (1633–1688), King of Ayutthaya (in what is now modern Thailand)

Naresuan (1555–1605), King of Ayutthaya

Odo the Great (died c. 735), Duke of Aquitaine

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor (912-973)

K'inich Janaab' Pakal (603-683), ruler of the Mayan city-state of Palenque

Parakramabahu I of Polonnaruwa (1123–1186), King of Sri Lanka

Peter Krešimir IV of Croatia (died 1075), King of Croatia

Peter the Great (1672–1725), Tsar of Russia

Peter III of Aragon (1239–1285), King of Aragon and King of Sicily

Pompey (106 BC-48 BC), military and political leader of the late Roman Republic, rival of Julius Caesar

Radama I (1793–1828), first king of greater Madagascar

Raja Raja Chola I (c. 947-1014), Indian emperor of the Cholas.

Rajendra Chola I (reigned 1014–1044), Tamil King of India

Ramesses II (reigned 1279 BC – 1213 BC), considered the greatest pharaoh of Ancient Egypt

Ram Khamhaeng (around 1237 to 1247-1298), King of Sukhothai (in present day Thailand)

Ramon Berenguer III, Count of Barcelona (1082–1131), also Count of Provence and various other counties

Rhodri the Great (c. 820–878), King of Gwynedd (in present day Wales)

Roman the Great (after 1160-1205), Grand Prince of Kiev

Saladin (c. 1138-1193), Kurdish Sultan of Egypt and Syria, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, and victor over the Crusaders

Samudragupta (c. 335–375), ruler of the Gupta empire in the Indian subcontinent

Sancho III of Navarre (c. 992-1035), King of Kingdom of Navarre

Sargon of Akkad (died c. 2215 BC), ruler of the Akkadian Empire

Sejong the Great (1397–1450), Korean king

Shapur II (309-379), king of the Sassanid Empire, Persia

Simeon I of Bulgaria (864/865-927), ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire

Stephen III of Moldavia (1433–1504), Prince of Moldavia (Romania)

Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia (c. 1308-1355), King of Serbia and Emperor of the Serbs and Greeks

Taksin (1734–1782), King of the Thonburi Kingdom (Thailand)

Timur (1336–1405), better known as Tamerlane, founder of the Timurid Dynasty

Theobald II, Count of Champagne (1090–1151), Count of Blois and of Chartres as Theobald IV, Count of Champagne and of Brie

Theodoric the Great (454-526), King of the Ostrogoths, regent of the Visigoths and a viceroy of the Byzantine Empire

Theodosius I (347-395), Roman emperor

Tigranes the Great (140-55 BC), Emperor of Armenia

Tiridates III of Armenia (285-339), King of Armenia

Umar (c. 586 to 590–644), second caliph of the Muslim Empire

Valdemar I of Denmark (1131–1182), King of Denmark

Valentinian I (364-375), Roman Emperor

Vladimir I of Kiev (c. 958-1015), ruler of Kievan Rus

Vytautas (c. 1350-1430), archduke of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy

William I, Count of Burgundy (1020–1087), Count of Burgandy and Mâcon

William V, Duke of Aquitaine (969-1030), also Count of Poitou

Xerxes I (519-465 BC), King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire (Persia)

Yu the Great (c. 2200-2100 BC), legendary ruler in ancient China

Religious figures

Abraham the Great of Kashkar (ca. 492-586), monk and saint of the Assyrian Church of the East

Abraham Kidunaia (died c. 366, hermit, priest, and Christian saint of Mesopotamia

Albertus Magnus (1193/1206–1280), medieval German philosopher and theologian

Anthony the Great (c. 251–356), early Christian saint of Egypt

Babai the Great (c. 551–628), Assyrian church leader

Basil of Caesarea (330-379), Greek bishop and theologian

Bruno the Great (925–965), Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Lotharingia (also listed in the previous section)

Euthymius the Great (377-473), abbot and Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox saint

Gertrude the Great (1256-c. 1302), German Benedictine, mystic, theologian and Roman Catholic saint

Pope Gregory I (c. 540-604)

Hiyya the Great, 3rd-century rabbi, Palestine

Pope John Paul II (1920–2005)

Pope Leo I (c. 391 or 400-461)

Macarius of Egypt (c. 300-391), Egyptian hermit

Pope Nicholas I (c. 800-867)

Photius I of Constantinople (c. 810–c. 893), Eastern Orthodox saint and Patriarch of Constantinople

William of Maleval (died 1157), founder of the Catholic congregation of Williamites

Other

Beli Mawr, a figure in medieval Welsh literature and genealogies

Emmy the Great, folk singer

Matteo Rosso the Great, Roman politician and father of Pope Nicholas III

Prokop the Great, Hussite general in Bohemia

See also

Epithet

List of monarchs by nickname

List of nicknames of European Royalty and Nobility: G-I

James, son of Zebedee, also known as James the Greater, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus

Ajax (mythology), called Ajax the Greater

Notes

Category:Monarchs Great, List of people known as The Category:Greatest Nationals Category:Epithets

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