The Resume

(circa 216-circa 277)
Born in Al-Mada’in, Babylon
Name also written as Manes
Founded the religion Manichaeism
Wrote the sacred texts ‘The Shabuhragan,’ ‘The Fundamental Epistle,’ ‘The Great Gospel,’ and ‘The Book of Pictures’

Why he might be annoying:

The document considered the most reliable source of information about him is a Greek parchment written about a century after his death.
He had a vision of his ‘heavenly twin’ at ages 12 and 24.
The texts he wrote were either lost or survive only in fragments.
He claimed to be clairvoyant, including the ability to hear the voices of suffering plants.
His theology was inconsistent. (Or as a latter-day biographer put it, ‘He frequently failed to notice that the details he produced on the spur of the moment did not square with his teachings of the day before.’)
Accounts differ on whether he died in jail or was crucified.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was descended from royalty through his mother.
He was also a successful painter, and illustrated ‘The Book of Pictures’ to explain Manichean creation beliefs.
He was credited with performing miraculous healings and levitation.
Although he failed to convert the Persian ruler Shapur I, he did receive permission to preach throughout the empire. (Although, unfortunately for Mani, Shapur’s grandson became a diehard Zoroastrian and ordered the persecution of Mani and his followers.)

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 80]
• I Died in Jail
• I Died Under Mysterious Circumstances
• I Started My Own Religion
• I Was Crucified
• Known By a Single Name
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Painters
• Pre-Renaissance Painters
• Profiles 49838-50000 (Ranked: 49992)
• Religion's 100 Most Influential People (Ranked: 83)
• Religious Icons

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 21 Votes: 47.62% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 91.67% Annoying