On the Chaldean Oracles

Migne referring to the Patrologia Graeca, a massive 19th-century collection of Greek patristic and Byzantine texts volume 122, column 1123 and following; in the manuscript Parisinus 1182 (= P), silk paper term: bomb. (bombycinus); a type of paper made from silk or cotton common in the 13th century from the end of the 13th century, on folio 160 recto, it is titled: By the same [Psellus], an Explanation of the Chaldean Sayings. original Greek: τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐξήγησις τῶν χαλδαϊκῶν ῥητῶν ^1) He sets forth individual oracles and subjoins an explanation: it is easily perceived from where he drew this. Proclus a famous 5th-century Neoplatonist philosopher is cited at column 1145c; several parts agree word-for-word with the Vatican excerpts of Proclus.

---

1. E. Patzig extracted the readings of the verses for me with the greatest kindness. This is the manuscript from which Sathas compiled the catalog of Psellus's books in Medieval Library original Greek: μεσαιων. βιβλ. vol. V, page 1 and following (who ought not to have said the book was from the 12th century on page 53. Cf. Omont, Inventory I 251). Cf. Heimbach, Anecdota II page LXIII. Regarding what I have discovered about the Roman manuscripts of these books, I owe almost everything to the distinguished friendship of J. Tschiedel and R. Wuensch. For it exists in:

1. Vaticanus graecus 1026 (= V), silk paper, 14th century (page 2) on folio 224 recto: A summary and concise exposition of the most learned oracles among (not "concerning") the Chaldeans original Greek: ἔκθεσις κεφαλαιώδης καὶ σύντομος τῶν παρὰ (non περὶ) χαλδαίοις λογιωτάτων λογίων (thus Mau according to Jahn VI, Wuensch slightly differently) (a second hand in the margin wrote: By Psellus) up to the words and Plato accepted (page 1154b in Migne, a second hand as it seems wrote above: those around Plotinus). Folio 224 verso: Explanation of certain oracles of the philosophy of the Chaldeans, mutilated at the end; for on the last folio, 229 verso, the oracle not the spirit etc. is explained (page 1137c). But the verses not bearing the fatherland (1141d) up to for not at once (1145b) are inserted between neither those of the (1125a) and do not lead out (1125c). Therefore, 1138c–1141c and 1148a–1149b are missing.

2. Vaticanus graecus 573 (= Δ), 15th century, folio 94 recto – 102 verso: Psellus's Explanation of the Chaldean Sayings. In the upper margin by the first hand: Elsewhere I found: A Sketch by Proclus the Lydian. — Folio 102 verso – 103 verso: By the same, an Exposition etc. (as in P).
From both manuscripts, Wuensch very diligently noted the readings of the oracles and the entire Exposition; however, I do not report any except the more significant ones.

3. Vaticanus graecus 951, paper, 16th century, folio 125 verso: Psellus's Explanation of the Chaldean Sayings, ending on folio 156 verso at the words that is, it has powers receptive of the whole arrangement, it is able (1141d). There follows on folio 157 recto by another hand in a new quire term: quaternione; a gathering of four folded sheets of paper or parchment: Psellus's Explanation of the Chaldean Sayings, ending on folio 167 recto at immediately to receive (1148a?). — Folio 167 recto: By the same, an Exposition etc., ending on folio 169 verso at subsisting for the sick (1149b). Therefore, something has been disturbed.

4. Vaticanus graecus 1011, paper, 15th century, folio 12^v: Magical oracles of the Magi descended from Zoroaster, explained by Pletho. George Gemistos Pletho, a 15th-century Neoplatonist who revived interest in these texts — Folio 18 recto – 28 recto: The most wise Psellus's Explanation of the same oracles. — 28 recto – 29 verso: By the same, an Exposition etc.

5. Vaticanus graecus 1378, paper, 15th or 16th century, folio 138 recto – 138 verso: Opinions of the Zoroastrians; by Psellus (it is nothing but the Exposition).

6. Vaticanus graecus 1411, parchment, 15th century, folio 26 recto – 32 recto: The most wise Psellus's Explanation of the so-called Chaldean Oracles. — Folio 32 recto – 33 recto: By the same, an Exposition etc.

7. Vaticanus graecus 1416, folio 92 recto – 116 recto: The most wise Psellus's Explanation of the oracles of Zoroaster. — Folio 116 verso – 119 recto without title: Exposition.

8. Ottobonianus 153, paper, 15th century, after several blank leaves, folio 260 recto begins in the middle of Psellus's(?) treatise on the Chaldean Oracles. Folio 268 recto: The most wise Psellus's Explanation of the same oracles; folio 272 verso: By the same, an Exposition etc.

9. Urbinas graecus 78, paper, 15th century, among other small works of Psellus, folio 81 verso – 82 verso: the booklet which I am about to edit below.