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Episode 137·March 16, 2022·iamblichus

The Esoteric Iamblichus

In this episode we explore different elements of esoteric discourse (understood according to our standing definition, to be found in the SHWEP glossary) in the work, and even the teaching-practice, of Iamblichus. Under discussion are:

Listen on SHWEP33 sources in collection · 32 translated

Primary Sources

Republic, Laws, and Timaeus

Plato · -375 · Greek · 706 pages

In this profound synthesis of 'Republic,' 'Laws,' and 'Timaeus,' Plato bridges the gap between the earthly and the divine. He argues that virtue is not merely a behavior, but a liberation of the soul achieved through alignment with the celestial sphere and the internalizing of 'common conceptions.'

69% translated

Twenty-four Dialogues of Plato

Plato · 895 · Greek · 869 pages
Fully translated

On Paradoxical Machines

Anthemius of Tralles · 950 · Greek · 432 pages

In 'On Paradoxical Machines,' Anthemius of Tralles offers a rare synthesis of high Euclidean theory and the practical grit of Byzantine engineering. As one of the master architects of Constantinople, Anthemius argues that the most profound challenges of the physical world—from the construction of bu

Fully translated

The Hermetic Corpus

Hermes Trismegistus · 1450 · Latin · 319 pages

Ott.lat.2074 is a breathtaking intellectual odyssey that bridges the gap between ancient Hermetic mystery and the rigorous structuralism of the Middle Ages. The text presents a world where the 'First Cause' is pursued through every available lens: the precision of Aristotelian categories, the negati

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Problemata (Problems)

Pseudo-Aristotle · 1450 · Greek · 420 pages

In this extraordinary synthesis of Neoplatonic philosophy and ancient medical praxis, Iamblichus presents the human body as a microcosm governed by the same harmonic principles as the stars. Moving beyond simple biography, the text offers a 'regimen according to reason,' tackling everything from the

Fully translated

The Divine Pymander

Hermes Trismegistus (trans. Marsilio Ficino) · 1493 · Latin · 68 pages

The Divine Pymander is a foundational pillar of Hermeticism, offering a visionary exploration of how humanity can transcend the shackles of Fate through Gnosis. Translated by the legendary Marsilio Ficino for the Medici court, this text presents the 'Prisca Theologia'—a primordial wisdom that prefig

Fully translated

On the Mysteries

Ficino · 1497 · Latin · 40 pages

In this masterwork of Neoplatonic synthesis, Marsilio Ficino navigates the treacherous waters between Epicurean indulgence and Stoic austerity. He argues that the human soul is not merely a passenger in the body, but an indivisible spark capable of transforming physical sensation into intellectual '

Fully translated

On the Mysteries of the Egyptians

Iamblichus; Proclus; Porphyry; trans. Marsilio Ficino · 1497 · Latin · 381 pages

This work defends traditional religious practice against the skepticism of philosophers like Porphyry. Iamblichus asserts that the gods are not swayed by human emotions, but rather that rituals align the human soul with a pre-existing divine order. He defines the universe as a singular, living organ

Fully translated

On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians

Iamblichus | Proclus | Porphyry · 1516 · Latin · 550 pages

Edited and translated by the Renaissance visionary Marsilio Ficino, 'Mysteries of Egypt' brings together the most influential voices of late antiquity—Iamblichus, Porphyry, and Proclus—alongside the mystical revelations of Hermes Trismegistus. The text argues that divine knowledge is not a product o

Fully translated

The Complete Works of Plato Translated by Marsilio Ficino

Plato; Ficino, Marsilio (translator) · 1518 · Latin · 796 pages

This collection serves as a portal to the mind of Plato as seen through the eyes of one of the 15th century's most influential thinkers. Ficino treats philosophy not as a sterile academic exercise but as a medicine for the soul. He constructs an argument for the harmony between pagan wisdom and Chri

Fully translated

The Divine Pymander, Asclepius, and On the Mysteries

Hermes Trismegistus | Jamblichus | Proclus · 1532 · Latin · 237 pages

This monumental synthesis of Hermetic and Neoplatonic thought offers a radical roadmap for the soul’s ascent from the sensory 'multitude' to the intellectual 'One.' By weaving together the revelations of Hermes Trismegistus with the rigorous defenses of Iamblichus and the metaphysical depth of Procl

Fully translated

Pymander. Asclepius. On the Mysteries of the Egyptians. On Plato's Alcibiades, on the Soul and the Daemon. On Sacrifice.

Hermes Trismegistus|Jamblichus|Proclus · 1532 · Latin · 336 pages

This seminal volume brings together the core texts of the Hermetic and Neoplatonic traditions, asserting a unified lineage of 'ancient theology' (Prisca Theologia) that flows from Hermes Trismegistus to Plato. Readers will encounter bold claims about the human condition: that we are 'twofold' beings

Fully translated

On the Mysteries of the Egyptians - Pimander - Asclepius

Iamblichus / Hermes Trismegistus / Porphyry · 1532 · Latin · 556 pages

This volume serves as a primary manual for understanding the mechanics of theurgy and the nature of the soul. It moves beyond simple philosophy to outline how ritual acts as a bridge between the mortal realm and the intelligible world. The authors argue that the soul is not a prisoner of the body bu

Fully translated

The Complete Works of Plato

Plato (Ficino translation) · 1557 · Latin · 718 pages

This monumental edition of Plato’s *Opera Omnia* is more than a translation; it is a sacred bridge between Greek antiquity and Renaissance humanism, curated by Marsilio Ficino to harmonize philosophy with divine religion. Within these pages, readers will find the 'divine' Plato—a thinker who argues

Fully translated

On the Mysteries (De Mysteriis)

Iamblichus / Marsilio Ficino · 1570 · Latin · 558 pages

This volume presents the definitive Neoplatonic defense of ritual as a tool for spiritual transformation. It shifts the focus from mere intellectual debate to the practical application of sacred symbols. Iamblichus posits that man exists as a unique bridge between the material and the eternal. The t

Fully translated

The Complete Works of the Divine Plato

Plato; trans. Marsilio Ficino · 1590 · Latin · 916 pages

This 1590 edition of Plato’s 'Complete Works' serves as a spiritual and intellectual map of the human condition, viewed through the transformative Neoplatonic lens of Marsilio Ficino. Synthesizing classical dialectic with religious piety, the text argues that the ultimate end of man is to achieve a

Fully translated

Divine Pymander. Asclepius

Hermes Trismegistus · 1657 · English · 418 pages

The 'Divine Pymander' and 'Asclepius' represent a breathtaking synthesis of Greek philosophy and Egyptian mysticism, offering a roadmap for spiritual regeneration. Attributed to the thrice-greatest messenger of knowledge, Hermes Trismegistus, the text presents a bold vision of a universe ordered by

Fully translated

Complete Plato (Thomas Taylor trans.)

Plato | Taylor, Thomas (trans.) · 1804 · English · 2850 pages

Thomas Taylor’s 'Complete Plato' is a monumental achievement that offers more than a mere translation; it provides the 'key' to the Platonic system through the profound insights of ancient Neoplatonic commentators. Taylor argues that philosophy is a divine discipline designed to lead the soul away f

Fully translated

On the Pythagorean Life (De Vita Pythagorica)

Iamblichus; M.T. Kiessling (ed.) · 1815 · Greek/Latin · 601 pages

This work presents Pythagoras not merely as a mathematician, but as a semi-divine reformer who sought to align human life with the order of the cosmos. It details a rigorous path of purification through music, diet, and strict communal ethics. Readers will encounter a tradition that treats education

Fully translated

On the Pythagorean Life

Iamblichus · 1815 · Greek/Latin · 415 pages

This expansive 1815 collection serves as the definitive gateway to the Pythagorean tradition, weaving together the biographies of Iamblichus and Porphyry with profound scholarly commentary. Readers will encounter a Pythagoras who is part scientist and part shaman—a man who disciplined his soul throu

Fully translated

Life of Pythagoras (Iamblichus)

Iamblichus; Thomas Taylor (trans.) · 1818 · English · 356 pages

In this classic translation by Thomas Taylor, Iamblichus presents Pythagoras as a semi-divine figure whose 'Pythagoric Life' serves as a blueprint for human excellence. The text moves beyond simple biography to synthesize ancient mysteries from Egypt and Babylon with a rigorous ethical framework tha

Fully translated

On the Mysteries (Thomas Taylor trans.)

Iamblichus | Taylor, Thomas (trans.) · 1821 · English · 405 pages

In this foundational work of Neoplatonic thought, Iamblichus (writing as the Egyptian priest Abammon) offers a powerful rebuttal to the idea that religion is merely a human invention or a series of emotional delusions. By framing divine knowledge as an innate, eternal part of the soul's essence that

Fully translated

Lives of the Sophists and Fragments of the Histories

Eunapius of Sardis · 1849 · Greek · 685 pages

Eunapius of Sardis provides a defiant look at the fourth century through the lives of men he considers divine. He presents philosophers not as mere academics but as wonder-workers and living libraries who bridged the gap between humanity and the gods. The text combines intimate biographical details

Fully translated

Works of Plato

Plato · 1858 · English · 585 pages

Plato’s 'The Laws' represents a monumental shift in the philosopher's journey, moving from the idealism of his youth toward a rigorous, practical exploration of legislation and social order. Translated by George Burges in 1880, this edition provides a meticulous 'literal version' that preserves the

Fully translated

The Dialogues of Plato (Jowett Translation)

Plato · 1871 · English · 673 pages

This monumental work brings together the brilliance of Plato and the rigorous scholarship of B. Jowett, the Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford. By presenting Plato’s theories alongside comprehensive analyses and introductions, Jowett provides a bridge between the Classical Athenian Academy and mode

Fully translated

Dialogues of Plato, Vol. 1 (Ion, Symposium, Phaedrus, Cratylus)

Plato · 1875 · English · 532 pages

This volume collects the essential conversations that define Western philosophy. You will follow Socrates as he forces his peers to examine their own ignorance instead of hiding behind popular opinions. The text argues that virtue is knowledge, yet it frequently concludes with the humbling admission

Fully translated

The Republic

Plato · 1894 · Greek · 520 pages

Most people act justly only because they fear the consequences of getting caught. Plato guts this assumption by creating a theoretical city where justice is defined not by laws, but by the internal harmony of the individual soul. He argues that political stability requires rulers who hate power and

Fully translated

Works of Plato (Republic, Timaeus, Critias)

Plato · 1902 · Greek · 562 pages

Plato, the architect of Western philosophy, invites readers into a series of intellectual battles that remain startlingly modern. In these pages, he dismantles the cynical view that 'might makes right' and proposes a revolutionary vision of an ideal state where gender is no barrier to leadership and

Fully translated

Works (Laws, Definitions)

Plato · 1907 · Greek · 618 pages
Fully translated

Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Phaedrus

Plato · 1913 · Greek · 615 pages

This collection captures the final days of history's most famous provocateur. Socrates turns his own trial into a masterclass on how to live and die with integrity. He dismantles the hollow arguments of his accusers and shows that true wisdom starts with the admission of ignorance. The text forces y

Fully translated

Greek Magical Papyri (Papyri Graecae Magicae)

Karl Preisendanz (ed.) · 1928 · Greek · 234 pages

Karl Preisendanz’s monumental edition of the Greek Magical Papyri offers an unfiltered gaze into the 'working library' of the ancient magician. Far from mere superstition, these texts present a sophisticated theurgy where practitioners employ 'voces magicae,' animal sacrifice, and solar liturgies to

Fully translated

Papyri Graecae Magicae (Complete)

Karl Preisendanz (ed.) · 1928 · Greek · 220 pages

The 'Papyri Graecae Magicae' offers an unparalleled window into the 'lived religion' of late antiquity, presenting a gritty, practical manual of sorcery far removed from abstract philosophy. This collection assembles a dizzying array of rituals—ranging from the high theurgy of self-deification to th

Fully translated

The Eighth Book of Moses

Various · 2005 · Greek

The Eighth Book of Moses is a masterpiece of Greco-Egyptian syncretism, blending Hebrew tradition with Hermetic ritual to present a unique vision of divine creation and human empowerment. At its heart lies a startling cosmogony: a deity whose laughter creates light, water, and the soul itself. The t

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