1577 - Theurgy, Daemons, and Divine Pimander, A 16th-Century Esoteric Library
This pocket-sized Leiden edition represents a veritable treasure trove of late antique Neoplatonic and Hermetic wisdom, gathering cornerstone texts that profoundly influenced Renaissance magic, philosophy, and theology. Anchored by Iamblichus's indispensable De Mysteriis Aegyptorum (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians), the volume offers the Syrian Neoplatonist's vigorous defense of theurgy – divine ritual practice – as a means of achieving henosis (union with the divine). Written partly as a response to his student Porphyry's skepticism, De Mysteriis provides invaluable insights into the religious and philosophical practices of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians, arguing for the efficacy and necessity of traditional rites.
The significance of this volume extends far beyond Iamblichus, however. It functions as a compact library of foundational esoteric thought, including crucial works by Proclus, Iamblichus's successor as head of the Platonic Academy in Athens. Proclus's commentaries on Plato's Alcibiades, exploring the nature of the soul and the daemonic realm, are presented alongside his treatises on sacrifice and magic, delving deeper into the practical and theoretical aspects of Neoplatonic ritual. Further enriching the collection are Porphyry's own explorations of the divine and daemonic, Michael Psellus's influential Byzantine classification of demons, and, critically, the Pimander and Asclepius – two pillars of the Corpus Hermeticum attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, texts revered during the Renaissance as sources of primordial divine revelation.
Published by the esteemed Jean de Tournes (Ioannes Tornesius), this 1577 edition presents these influential works, primarily in the celebrated Latin translations facilitated by Marsilio Ficino, in a convenient 16mo format designed for personal study and contemplation. The presence of the Tornaesius device marks it as a product of a respected press. The volume holds immense scholarly and historical value, offering a direct link to the most important Neoplatonic and Hermetic currents.
De Mysteriis Aegyptorum, Chaldaeorum, Assyriorum. [WITH:] Proclus in Platonicum Alcibiadem de Anima, atque Daemone. Idem de Sacrificio & magia. Porphyrius de diuinis atq; daemonilo Psellus de Daemonibus. Mercuris Trismegisti Pimander. Eiusdem Asclepius. Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]: Apud Ioan. Tornesium Typogr[aphum] Regium. 16mo (Sextodecimo). [1] 543 [1]. Publisher's device on the title page, woodcut vignette on the final page. Bound in old paper-backed boards. Repairs evident on the title page. Text block itself remains intact, though exhibiting age-toning and wear consistent with pocket-sized volumes of this era.
This pocket-sized Leiden edition represents a veritable treasure trove of late antique Neoplatonic and Hermetic wisdom, gathering cornerstone texts that profoundly influenced Renaissance magic, philosophy, and theology. Anchored by Iamblichus's indispensable De Mysteriis Aegyptorum (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians), the volume offers the Syrian Neoplatonist's vigorous defense of theurgy – divine ritual practice – as a means of achieving henosis (union with the divine). Written partly as a response to his student Porphyry's skepticism, De Mysteriis provides invaluable insights into the religious and philosophical practices of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians, arguing for the efficacy and necessity of traditional rites.
The significance of this volume extends far beyond Iamblichus, however. It functions as a compact library of foundational esoteric thought, including crucial works by Proclus, Iamblichus's successor as head of the Platonic Academy in Athens. Proclus's commentaries on Plato's Alcibiades, exploring the nature of the soul and the daemonic realm, are presented alongside his treatises on sacrifice and magic, delving deeper into the practical and theoretical aspects of Neoplatonic ritual. Further enriching the collection are Porphyry's own explorations of the divine and daemonic, Michael Psellus's influential Byzantine classification of demons, and, critically, the Pimander and Asclepius – two pillars of the Corpus Hermeticum attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, texts revered during the Renaissance as sources of primordial divine revelation.
Published by the esteemed Jean de Tournes (Ioannes Tornesius), this 1577 edition presents these influential works, primarily in the celebrated Latin translations facilitated by Marsilio Ficino, in a convenient 16mo format designed for personal study and contemplation. The presence of the Tornaesius device marks it as a product of a respected press. The volume holds immense scholarly and historical value, offering a direct link to the most important Neoplatonic and Hermetic currents.
De Mysteriis Aegyptorum, Chaldaeorum, Assyriorum. [WITH:] Proclus in Platonicum Alcibiadem de Anima, atque Daemone. Idem de Sacrificio & magia. Porphyrius de diuinis atq; daemonilo Psellus de Daemonibus. Mercuris Trismegisti Pimander. Eiusdem Asclepius. Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]: Apud Ioan. Tornesium Typogr[aphum] Regium. 16mo (Sextodecimo). [1] 543 [1]. Publisher's device on the title page, woodcut vignette on the final page. Bound in old paper-backed boards. Repairs evident on the title page. Text block itself remains intact, though exhibiting age-toning and wear consistent with pocket-sized volumes of this era.
This pocket-sized Leiden edition represents a veritable treasure trove of late antique Neoplatonic and Hermetic wisdom, gathering cornerstone texts that profoundly influenced Renaissance magic, philosophy, and theology. Anchored by Iamblichus's indispensable De Mysteriis Aegyptorum (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians), the volume offers the Syrian Neoplatonist's vigorous defense of theurgy – divine ritual practice – as a means of achieving henosis (union with the divine). Written partly as a response to his student Porphyry's skepticism, De Mysteriis provides invaluable insights into the religious and philosophical practices of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians, arguing for the efficacy and necessity of traditional rites.
The significance of this volume extends far beyond Iamblichus, however. It functions as a compact library of foundational esoteric thought, including crucial works by Proclus, Iamblichus's successor as head of the Platonic Academy in Athens. Proclus's commentaries on Plato's Alcibiades, exploring the nature of the soul and the daemonic realm, are presented alongside his treatises on sacrifice and magic, delving deeper into the practical and theoretical aspects of Neoplatonic ritual. Further enriching the collection are Porphyry's own explorations of the divine and daemonic, Michael Psellus's influential Byzantine classification of demons, and, critically, the Pimander and Asclepius – two pillars of the Corpus Hermeticum attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, texts revered during the Renaissance as sources of primordial divine revelation.
Published by the esteemed Jean de Tournes (Ioannes Tornesius), this 1577 edition presents these influential works, primarily in the celebrated Latin translations facilitated by Marsilio Ficino, in a convenient 16mo format designed for personal study and contemplation. The presence of the Tornaesius device marks it as a product of a respected press. The volume holds immense scholarly and historical value, offering a direct link to the most important Neoplatonic and Hermetic currents.
De Mysteriis Aegyptorum, Chaldaeorum, Assyriorum. [WITH:] Proclus in Platonicum Alcibiadem de Anima, atque Daemone. Idem de Sacrificio & magia. Porphyrius de diuinis atq; daemonilo Psellus de Daemonibus. Mercuris Trismegisti Pimander. Eiusdem Asclepius. Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]: Apud Ioan. Tornesium Typogr[aphum] Regium. 16mo (Sextodecimo). [1] 543 [1]. Publisher's device on the title page, woodcut vignette on the final page. Bound in old paper-backed boards. Repairs evident on the title page. Text block itself remains intact, though exhibiting age-toning and wear consistent with pocket-sized volumes of this era.