Ineffable Initiations and Golden Asses: Apuleius of Madauros and the Metamorphoses
Apuleius is a fascinating figure, and a hugely important writer in the esoteric tradition. He may have been named Lucius Apuleius, but the only evidence we have of the ‘Lucius’ is the name of the narrator of his most famous work, the Metamorphoses.
Primary Sources
Republic, Laws, and Timaeus
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.'
On Paradoxical Machines
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
cotton ms vitellius c iii
This manuscript acts as a bridge between the practical herbalism of antiquity and the superstitious safeguards of the Middle Ages. It presents a world where medicine is a matter of both physical chemistry and cosmic alignment, requiring the user to time harvests by the sun and ignore the use of iron
Herbal and Book of Medicine from Animals
The texts of Pseudo-Apuleius, Pseudo-Dioscorides, and Sextus Placitus function as a guide to the medical world of the late antique Mediterranean. You will encounter a system where biology and magic occupy the same space. The authors categorize hundreds of specimens, detailing not just their physical
De Civitate Dei
The Complete Works of Plato Translated by Marsilio Ficino
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
The Complete Works of Plato
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
The Complete Works of the Divine Plato
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
The Works of Apuleius
Apuleius remains one of the most enigmatic voices of the Roman Empire, serving as a vital bridge between Platonic philosophy and the ancient mystery cults. This collection brings together his most influential works, showcasing his unique perspective as a 'half-and-half Numidian' intellectual who nav
On the God of Socrates
In 'De Deo Socratis,' Apuleius provides a daring ontological blueprint of the cosmos, arguing that the vast space between the perfect gods and 'complaining' humanity is teeming with life. Writing with the flair of a master rhetorician, he introduces the concept of daemons as a 'middle nature'—beings
Timaeus (Greek text with commentary)
R.D. Archer-Hind’s edition of the Timaeus offers a radical reinterpretation of Plato’s later philosophy, arguing that this dialogue represents the culmination of Platonic metaphysics where the dualism of mind and matter is finally resolved. By identifying Being with a Universal Mind, the text presen
Timaeus
This text argues that the physical world is not an independent reality but a symbolic refraction of a universal soul. It solves the ancient deadlock between Herakleitos, who saw only constant change, and Parmenides, who saw only immutable stillness. By reconciling these opposites through the concept
The Republic
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
Works of Plato (Republic, Timaeus, Critias)
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
Apuleius: Apology and Florida
Apuleius: Apology and Florida offers a rare, firsthand glimpse into the legal and social tensions of the second-century Roman Empire. Facing a capital charge of sorcery, Apuleius argues that his scientific interest in anatomy and natural history is a mark of philosophical devotion rather than crimin