Iamblichus: De Mysteriis (Writings from the Greco-Roman World) [Hardcover]

Emma C. Clarke (Author), John M. Dillon (Author), Jackson P. Hershbell (Author), N. Festa Iamblichus (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9004127208 | ISBN-13: 978-9004127203 | Publication Date: February 2004

This volume presents the first modern English translation of Iamblichus’ De mysteriis alongside the standard critical edition of the text by Édouard Des Places (Les Belles Lettres, 1966). Iamblichus provides a unique insight into the mystical side of late Neoplatonism, arguing that the only good is union with the gods and that the only route to this divine union is theurgy—religious ritual demonstrating supernatural power. The process of sacrifice, the activities of angels and demons, the meaning of divine possession, and the functioning of oracles are all examined in this extraordinary defense of theurgic mysticism against contemporary critics such as Porphyry. Clarke, Dillon, and Hershbell bring this famous and fascinating text to light through their introduction and extensive notes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emma C. Clarke teaches at The Latymer School in North London, England.

John M. Dillon is Regius Professor of Greek at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Jackson P. Hershbell is Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of Minnesota.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 382 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004127208
• ISBN-13: 978-9004127203
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,369,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exoteric Manual of Theurgy receives a much needed updating, May 4, 2004

By 

Nama Shivaya "NS" (Richmond, Virginia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iamblichus: De Mysteriis (Writings from the Greco-Roman World) (Hardcover)

Before this English translation of Iamblichus' only surviving defense of theurgy, scholars and those few others, curious about such matters had only Taylors' version to refer to. (While I am aware of A. Wilders' translation it suffers from far too many errors to be of much real value). Now Clarke, Dillon, and Hershbell have gifted us with what is sure to be the standard for years to come. That is not to say that Thomas Taylor was not a super-Damion among men. His translation no doubt will remain for years. This due to the fact that Taylor truly understood Theurgy as few other scholars.
So why the need for a new critical translation? Besides the fact that more extant manuscripts were examined than ever before in its preparation, this is a near transparent reading of Iamblichus' intent with clarity and fidelity. Unlike Proclus and many other Platonic fathers, Iamblichus according to Eunapius did not possessed a silver tongue. His writing is at times both tortured and unconventional. Somehow our current team has managed to negotiate many of the traditional Iamblichean hurdles.
The De Mysteriis is a brief examination of noetic or abiding principles of the soul together with proceeding and returning principles. Add to this that based upon the the focused questions from Porphyry, Iamblichus takes on some of the more difficult questions left unanswered by Plotinus. Questions such as the descent of the soul; whether or not the charioteer or One of soul remains undescended. In adddition Iamblichus deals with material sacrifice and its relation to the unmovable Gods, appearances of sound and light and their relation to the quale of beingness, epopteia and the art of Telestai. All these thorny questions and still more Iamblichus tackles in De Mysteriis.
An absolute must for all Scholarch-mystae!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent translation, but..., September 30, 2008

By 

Natureboy (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Iamblichus: De Mysteriis (Writings from the Greco-Roman World, V. 4.) (Paperback)

I was very excited to get my copy of this classic work. From all the reviews I read I thought this would be the best version being more accurate in the translation than the previous one. However, I think the translation is a little too literal in some cases which tends to obscure the meaning of the text unless you are familiar with the colloquialisms they are translating. For example they use the phrase "necessity of the Gods" in reference to magical work where other translations use the word "spell" as in magical spell. Although the phrase gives an interesting insight into the thinking of Iamblichus, "necessity of the Gods" doesn't help the lay reader understand what he is talking about in that section.

Overall it is a good translation, but make sure to read other translations as well to get some insight into what Iamblicus is actually trying to say.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and readable., June 18, 2011

By 

Richard Miller - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Iamblichus: De Mysteriis (Writings from the Greco-Roman World, V. 4.) (Paperback)

Finally an English Translation of Iamblichus' letters On The Mysteries that is both readable and profound. Well done!
Along with the works of Plato, Plotinus, and Proclus this work can easily be considered as a cornerstone of the great Pythagorean-Neoplatonic tradition. Unlike Plato Iamblichus is writing here on esoteric subjects without the usual veils that hide the Mysteries from the uninitiated public. This is probably due to the fact that he is writing in the form of letters to Porphyry, a highly developed student in his own right, and not to the general public.
Except for the distracting not very useful footnotes this translation along with its very informative Introduction is nearly perfect. I recommend it highly.