pseudepigraphical

Pseudepigraphical is an adjective describing writings that are falsely attributed to a claimed author, or to the practice of such attribution. The term derives from the Greek pseudes meaning false and epigraphē meaning writing. It is commonly used in religious studies to refer to ancient texts known as pseudepigrapha.

Historically, pseudepigraphical works are associated with Jewish and early Christian literature dating roughly from the 2nd century BCE to the 4th century CE. These texts often imitate the voice of respected authorities— apostles, patriarchs, or prophets—and present theological, ethical, or visionary material as though authored by them. The attribution may be explicit in the title or implied by stylistic imitation. Scholarly assessment focuses on provenance, historical context, and how the false attribution affects interpretation and authority.

Examples commonly described as pseudepigraphical include certain apocryphal gospels and epistles, as well as other writings such as the Gospel of Peter, the Epistle of Barnabas, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs. The pseudepigraphical label helps scholars distinguish these works from canonically accepted writings and from wholly anonymous texts.

In modern usage, pseudepigraphical can also describe contemporary works published under a famous name without the actual author’s consent or knowledge. In scholarly contexts, the term emphasizes issues of authorship, transmission, and authority, rather than the veracity of the content itself.