An ornate engraved title page for Heinrich Khunrath's "Amphitheater of Eternal Wisdom." The central title is framed within a large oval wreath of oak leaves and acorns. At the top of the wreath is a circular portrait of the author, Heinrich Khunrath, bordered by the motto "Surely these things are not without the divine power of the gods (Elohim)." Above the portrait, the Hebrew Tetragrammaton (the four-letter name of God, YHVH) is visible within a radiant sun among the clouds, with the word "By persevering" beneath it.

To the left of the wreath stands a large obelisk-like pillar labeled "Sun," topped with a flame. To the right stands a matching pillar labeled "Moon," topped with a radiant triangle containing symbols. Both pillars are inscribed with Latin, Greek, and Hebrew text and set against a rocky landscape.

At the bottom center, a small mountain labeled "Mercury" is situated below a coat of arms with the motto "Envy is the companion of virtue." Additional Hebrew text and the word "mediating" are positioned between the coat of arms and the mountain. The entire page is weathered with significant foxing and includes several archival markings, including a stamp from the "Paris School of Pharmacy" and various handwritten shelf numbers.

PARIS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY
Archive Refs: 5272 R3 3272

The Heavens original Hebrew: שמים (Shamayim)

BY PERSEVERING.

SURELY THESE THINGS ARE NOT WITHOUT THE DIVINE POWER OF THE GODS (ELOHIM). A reference to Virgil’s Aeneid, suggesting that the author’s work is divinely inspired.

NEITHER HAUGHTILY. NOR TIMIDLY.

AMPHITHEATER

OF ETERNAL WISDOM

THE ONLY TRUE ONE,

CHRISTIAN-KABBALISTIC, Kabbalah: A school of thought in Jewish mysticism; here Khunrath applies it to a Christian context.

DIVINE-MAGICAL,

and also

PHYSICO-CHEMICAL,

THRICE-ONE, UNIVERSAL:

arranged by

HEINRICH KHUNRATH OF LEIPZIG:

Faithful lover of Theosophy, and In this 17th-century context, "Theosophy" refers to direct knowledge of the divine and the hidden nature of the universe.
DOCTOR of both MEDICINES: Referring to both the medicine of the body and the spiritual medicine of the soul (Alchemy).

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! original: "Hallelu-IAH!"

Fie on the devil!

SCARCELY ONE IN THOUSANDS. Suggesting that the wisdom within is understood by very few.

Let the flanks of Momus be burst. original: "Rumpantur et ilia Momo." Momus was the Greek god of satire and mockery; Khunrath is defying those who would mock his work out of envy.

CHAOS original Greek: ΧΑΟΣ OF THE GREAT STATE. MAY IT BE PRESENT, THROUGH PRAYING, IN HONORABLE MEMORY. THAT WHICH IS BELOW: SUN. WISDOM OF GOD original Hebrew: חכמה אל (Chokhmah El) THROUGH WORKING, FOR PRAISEWORTHY IMMORTALITY. JUST AS THAT WHICH IS ABOVE: This and the note on the left are a reference to the "Emerald Tablet," a foundational text of alchemy which states: "That which is below is like that which is above." MOON.

THE LORD original Hebrew: יהוה (YHVH)

GOD original Hebrew: אלהים (Elohim)

through the mediation of

The Heavens original Hebrew: שמים (Shamayim)

M E R C U R Y.

WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY: FOR TEN YEARS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PRINTING.

Hanau, 1609