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Episode 138·April 7, 2022·iamblichus

The Great Theurgy Debate: Porphyry's Letter to Anebo, Iamblichus' Response, and the Question(s) of Ritual

In a digression-filled survey, we attempt to give some idea of Porphyry's Letter to Anebo, of Iamblichus' responses to that Letter, and the general theological/practical approach found in the De mysteriis, antiquity's greatest philosophic manifesto for addressative ritual practice.

Listen on SHWEP35 sources in collection · 34 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 Enneads

Plotinus · 1200 · Greek · 693 pages
Fully translated

The Enneads

Plotinus · 1200 · Greek · 331 pages

The Enneads is a towering achievement of late antiquity that reshaped the trajectory of Western and Near-Eastern thought, influencing everything from Christian theology to Islamic mysticism. Plotinus presents a bold metaphysical hierarchy—the One, the Intellect, and the Soul—arguing that true happin

Fully translated

The Enneads

Plotinus · 1455 · Greek · 267 pages

The Enneads is a monumental achievement in Western philosophy, serving as the bridge between classical Hellenic thought and the burgeoning spiritual traditions of Late Antiquity. Plotinus offers a unique perspective on reality, viewing the physical world as a mere 'image of an image' while positing

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The Enneads of Plotinus

Plotinus (copied by John Skutariotes for Ficino) · 1460 · Greek · 363 pages

The 'Plotini Enneades' is the foundational pillar of Neoplatonism, presented here in a historic 1460 copy transcribed by the renowned scribe John Skutariotes. Plotinus offers a transformative perspective on reality, arguing that the material world is but a shadow of the 'Intelligible Realm' and that

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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 '

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Enneads (1580 Greek-Latin, Ficino trans.)

Plotinus | Ficino, Marsilio (trans.) · 1580 · Latin · 850 pages
Fully translated

The Enneads

Plotinus | Ficino, Marsilio (trans.) · 1580 · Greek · 860 pages

The Enneads represents the pinnacle of Neoplatonic thought, a monumental synthesis where logic meets mysticism. Through the lens of Marsilio Ficino’s Renaissance commentary, Plotinus’s work is presented as a 'philosophical bait' designed to lead the intellectual mind toward religious faith through p

Fully translated

The Enneads

Plotinus · 1580 · Latin · 996 pages
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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

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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 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

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Select Works of Porphyry

Porphyry · 1823 · English · 299 pages

Select Works of Porphyry offers a rigorous and poetic manual for spiritual transcendence that remains strikingly relevant today. Porphyry presents a radical defense of 'ethical vegetarianism,' arguing that the slaughter of animals is historically and spiritually linked to human warfare and moral dec

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Plotini Opera Omnia cum Ficini commentariis

Plotinus; Marsilio Ficino (trans.) · 1835 · Latin · 544 pages

Plotini Opera Omnia represents the pinnacle of Neoplatonic thought, blending the original 3rd-century mystical insights of Plotinus with the intellectual fire of the Renaissance philosopher Marsilio Ficino. This text serves as a rigorous bridge between the classical logic of Plato and the burgeoning

Fully translated

Complete Works of Aristotle (Aristotelis Opera Omnia)

Aristotle · 1837 · Greek · 201 pages

Aristotle’s 'Rhetoric' is far more than a manual for oratory; it is a profound exploration of human psychology and the ethical foundations of social life. By defining rhetoric as the counterpart to dialectic, Aristotle elevates persuasion from mere emotional manipulation to a structured art based on

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Theurgia, or The Egyptian Mysteries (includes Letter to Anebo)

Iamblichus & Porphyry · 1911 · English · 290 pages

Theurgia presents a heated debate between the philosopher Porphyry and the Egyptian priest Abammon. Porphyry challenges the logic of rituals and the nature of gods who seem subject to human commands. Abammon retorts that divine knowledge is innate and that theurgy is not about changing the gods, but

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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

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The Enneads of Plotinus Vol. I

Plotinus / Stephen McKenna · 1917 · English · 178 pages

The Enneads of Plotinus, translated with poetic intensity by Stephen McKenna, stands as the foundation of Neoplatonism and a bridge between classical Greek logic and Western mysticism. Plotinus offers a bold metaphysical hierarchy—The One, the Intellectual-Principle, and the Soul—arguing that our tr

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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