Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians [Hardcover]

Iamblichus (Author), Thomas Taylor (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0913510513 | ISBN-13: 978-0913510513 | Publication Date: March 1984

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

Taylor's translation of Iamblichus' Greek text into English was first published in 1821. The Syrian-born Iamblichus (third century) is considered one of the great Neoplatonist philosophers. In this work, divided into 10 sections, he gives a complete canon of pagan religious thought and belief and explains their background. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wizards Bookshelf (March 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913510513
• ISBN-13: 978-0913510513
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,548,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important surviving ancient Pagan texts!, March 19, 1999

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[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians (Hardcover)

"On the Mysteries" by Iamblichus is one of the, if not THE most important surviving ancient Pagan text from the late Classical world. Iamblichus was considered to be one of the great Neoplatonist philosophers and Theurgists. His works continued to inspire debate for centuries after his death, and was lauded by philosophers and condemned by the Church in the Middle Ages. In this work Iamblichus gives not only a complete Canon of pagan religious thought and belief... he explains the "whys" behind it all. He works to provide the sense and logic behind ancient spiritual beliefs and practices. The Emperor Julian, the last Pagan Emperor of Rome (360 AD) considered Iamblichus to be divinely inspired. The Emperor Julian studied this work for years and used it as the basis for his own writings, which are also available from Amazon.com. Anyone researching the subjects of ancient paganism, philosophy or theurgy will find this book to be an invaluable addition to their library. The translator of this ancient work, Thomas Taylor, does an excellent job of providing footnotes and commentary which makes the text even more accessible. Highly recommended!

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In fear and love to unify the name..., June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians (Hardcover)

In this work are collected the neoplatonist Porphyry's "Letter to Anebo" (in which he voices modern-sounding criticisms of religious ritual) and his student Iamblichus' answer to these criticism (which takes the form of an elaborate rationale and defense for these sacramental practices as legitimate *philosophical* means of establishing union with the divine). This work is of interest because 1) it articulates an authentic philosophical understanding of the role of ritual as it is is related to the neoplatonic goal of re-unification with the divine oneness 2) certain of its important arguments remain relevant to contemporary discussion in the philosophy of religion, 3) and it holds historical interest in that it was influential on all subsequent neoplatonism.

Particularly interesting (and most enduringly relevant) is Iamblichus' argument for the impropriety of Porphyry's admission of the existence of the gods (though Iamblichus of course holds that gods are real). The problem with Porphyry's concession is that it treats gods as ontic beings either having or lacking existence like other beings, rather than what neoplatonists held them to be, the ontological source of being holding all being in existence through its own. Of ontological being, Iamblichus argues, we are comprehended in it, and cannot therefore ascribe or refute its existence; we are in it and are all that we are through it, and cannot speak of it at all unless granted some vantage point as a gift from the beyond (hence the rituals Iamblichus prescribes as the divine self-revelation given to humans for establishing that vantage point). A rather sophisticated and modern-sounding argument (and one quite natural to the ideas under consideration) for how empirical-sounding proofs and disproofs for the existence of the divine are misguided about what it means for a god to be a god, and for how the ritual practices prescribed in religions are integral to their philosophical significance rather than negotiable packaging, of perhaps inestimable value to contemporary theistic apologetic.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "You have mail", August 7, 2000

By 

John McConnell (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Iamblichus on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians (Hardcover)

As usual, Thomas Taylor's highly sympathetic inveighing adds considerable charm to a classic pagan text. And if you want familiarity with high paganism this book certainly should be on your study list. The crucial issue explored here is Theurgy. As Taylor remarks, it appears to have been an element of orthodox ancient religion that has become lost to modernity. Theurgists presumably were able through long years of training to invoke angels and deities. One is reminded of the communion of saints in the Apostles Creed. Similar ideas also arise in connection with the purported grimoire of Pope Honorious, the Heptameron, and in the ceremonial magic of the Golden Dawn and Joseph Lisiewski.

A very humorous technique employed by Iamblichus is to set up his text as a dialogue-by-mail from the Greek philosopher Porphyry to the Egyptian priest Anebo; the Greek's assertions and questions are followed by the Egyptian's replies. And as the Egyptians considered themselves far superior to the Greeks in all matters philosophical and mystical and magical and religious, it comes as no surprise at all that the Egyptian priest corrects the Greek on every occasion:

"It must be granted that there are gods", Porphyry opens.

"Not so", counters the Egyptian priest. "An innate knowledge of the Gods is built into the very fabric of our very being, and so to frame the question thus, as though it could be disputed, is in error." (This of course is a throwback to The Divine Pymander in which it is asserted that "Whatever can be seen has a creator".)

If you wish to seriously study and appreciate this classic text of high paganism, you should obtain a copy of Manly P Hall's taped lecture on it from the Philosophical Research Society, Los Angeles, CA. Similarly, you might wish to consult the works of Donald Tyson and Israel Regardie. Also, the Prometheus Trust now publishes the collected works of Thomas Taylor in attractive volumes.