Michael Psellus on the Operation of Daemons

just laid down? Will it be said that such a supposition is irreconcilable with the immutability and permanency of the Divine laws? Will those who make such objection assert that the superficial knowledge they may have acquired of nature's laws warrants them in saying that they understand the Divine laws? Who can tell all the causes that lead to any one, even the most insignificant, event? And who can tell but that the laws of nature, without our perceiving it, are controlled by demonic agency? We only see a few of the links—we cannot see all the links of the chain that lead to any one result.

It may be proper to examine here the Heathen notion of the word daemon, by which means (original: "mutatis mutandis" with the necessary changes) we will be better able to understand its scriptural application. Its etymology conveys the idea either of an acute intelligence or of an appointed agent; but as these may exist separately, in distinct beings, or combined in the same being, it is obvious mere etymology cannot guide us to a safe conclusion in our inquiry. Homer applies the epithet daemons, in more than one instance, to the dii majorum gentium (the gods of the greater nations) (Iliad, v. 222); but whether he regarded the dii majorum gentium as an inferior order of beings, subordinate to a superior intelligence, or heroes advanced to this eminence, or merely applied this term as suitable—in its primary sense of an acute intelligence—to beings of the very first order, is somewhat doubtful. The scholiast seems to favor the view last mentioned (Hom. Iliad. Cantab. 1711, vers. 222). We cannot but be persuaded that Homer considered all the gods and goddesses of human origin, and occasionally gave glimpses of his opinion on this point, though he dared not openly to avow his sentiments. One very striking instance of this furtive way of insinuating his private opinions we have in the 22nd book of the Iliad, 74th line, where, speaking of a river in the Troade, he says, Ον Χανθον καλεουσι θεοι, ανδρες δε Σκαμανδρον, “Which the gods call Xanthus, but men Scamander”; Xanthus being the