The Mystagogue, or the Origin of Ancient Mysteries and Hieroglyphs

A decorative horizontal printer's ornament featuring symmetrical scrolls and floral motifs at the center and ends.

of the sections contained herein.

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First Section.

Original Religion of the Peoples page 1

Second Section.

Cause of Idolatry 3 German: "Abgötterey." This refers to the practice of worshiping idols or false gods, a common theme in Enlightenment-era studies of religious history.

Third Section.

On the Origin of Hieroglyphs 10

Fourth Section.

On the Origin of the Mysteries 14 The "Mysteries" refer to secret religious rites or cults of the ancient world, such as those of Eleusis or Isis, which required a formal initiation.

Fifth Section.

Investigation into whether the Mysteries existed before the Dispersion of the Peoples 15 The "Dispersion of the Peoples" (Zerstreuung der Völker) refers to the biblical narrative of the Tower of Babel, used here as a chronological marker for early human history.

Sixth Section.

Origin of the Egyptian Mysteries 22

Seventh Section.

History of the Subjects of the Egyptian Mysteries 25

Eighth Section.

Initiation into the Egyptian Mysteries 41 German: "Einweihung." This describes the process or ritual through which a person became a member of a secret religious society.