CRITIQUE

Artapanus, as cited in Eusebius’s "Preparation for the Gospel" (book 9, chapter 4), writes that Moses was the inventor of letters among the Egyptians; and for that reason, he was worshipped by them with divine honor and called Mercury.

Plato says that he discovered letters as a "medicine for memory and wisdom" original: "μνήμης καὶ σοφίας φάρμακον", that is, a remedy for memory and wisdom, in the Phaedrus and the Philebus.

Cicero, in book 3 of "On the Nature of the Gods," says that Mercury presided over Egypt and gave laws and letters to the Egyptians.

Diodorus Siculus, in book 1, relates that Mercury taught the Greeks "the matters concerning interpretation" original: "τὰ περὶ τὴν ἑρμηνείαν", the method of explaining the thoughts of the mind, and for that reason he was called Hermes original: "ἑρμὴν", which is to say, "The Interpreter," by them. Iamblichus is the source for the claim that Egyptian writers, believing all things were invented by Mercury, inscribed his name upon their own books. Iamblichus, book 1, "On the Mysteries."

This man, however, was very ancient and most learned in every branch of teaching; so much so that his knowledge of many things and arts bestowed upon him the surname Trismegistus Thrice-Greatest. He wrote books, and many indeed, pertaining to the knowledge of divine matters, in which he asserts the majesty of the supreme and singular God; and he calls him by the same names that we do, God and Father; and lest anyone should seek his name, he said that He was "nameless" original: "ἀνώνυμον", because He does not need a proper name on account of His very unity. Lactantius, book 1, chapter 6.

There are many mysteries in him [Mercury] and secrets of our law, even though it is handed down that he was an Egyptian and not initiated into the true sacred rites. Lipsius, Letters, Century 1, Miscellaneous Letter 99. But to set aside the secular authors, the Sacred Writers also agree here. Let it be permitted to count the Thrice-Greatest original: "Termaximum" among them, whose philosophy agrees greatly with the Mosaic philosophy (in many respects indeed). Lipsius, Stoic Physiology, book 1, Dissertation 6.

Regarding the entire book which began to be circulated under the name of Trismegistus several centuries ago, we do not hesitate to declare and confirm with every assurance that it is "falsely attributed" original: "ψευδεπίγραφον", insofar as it is a mere fabrication of some Christian or, to put it better, a semi-Christian. Furthermore, as to who this Mercury was, or when he lived, I omit to inquire. It is well established that the invention of letters and of all sciences was usually attributed to him. Casaubon, Exercise 1 on the Apparatus of the Annals of Baronius, Section 10.

At a certain time, Hermes Trismegistus, having observed in Egypt that a certain sacred animal dedicated to Serapis Serapis was a Greco-Egyptian deity of the sun and healing urinated twelve times throughout the day at always equal intervals of time, concluded that the Day ought to be divided into twelve hours. From that point, this number of hours was kept for a long time; later, the day was divided into twenty-four hours. Polydore Vergil, On the Discovery of Things, book 2, chapter 5.

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He flourished before Christ in the year 944 BC.

Homer lived in 907 BC. Hesiod published the specimens of his art publicly 37 years before Homer. John Selden, The Arundel Marbles. Regarding the age of Homer and Hesiod, however, there is no agreement among the ancients.

He was born in Ascra, a village of Boeotia, from which he was also called the Ascraean. Sent by his father (who had moved to Ascra after being driven out of Cyme) to tend the sheep, he dreamed while sleeping that he had suddenly become a Poet. He wrote poems: the Shield, the Theogony, "Works and Days" original: "Εργα καὶ Ἡμέρας", an "advisory" original: "παραινετικὸν" — a style of instructional or moralizing literature and moral book, as well as agricultural poems: for he who...