Les Mysteres d'Egypte
Paris: Société d'Edition Les Belles Lettres, 1966. First edition. Softcover. Octavo. 222, [4]pp. Uncut. Original printed wrappers with printer's device on covers and title-page. The Theurgia, or De Mysteriis Aegyptiorum (On the Mysteries of the Egyptians), was attributed to Iamblichus Chalcidensis, a Neoplatonic philosopher who studied under Porphyry. Porphyry is known to have had a disagreement with Iamblichus over the practice of theurgy, and the Mysteries consists mainly of Iamblichus' responses to the criticisms of his teacher. Proclus, writing 100 years after Iamblichus, seems to have ascribed to him the authorship of the Mysteries. However, the differences between this book and Iamblichus' other works in style and in some points of doctrine have led some to question whether Iamblichus was the actual author. Still, the treatise certainly originated from his school, and in its systematic attempt to give a speculative justification of the polytheistic cult practices of the day, it marks a turning-point in the history of thought where Iamblichus stood. Minor age wear on wrappers with spine age-toned. Sporadic pen underlining (only on Greek text). Text in French and Greek. Wrappers in overall good to very good, interior in very good condition. g. Item #26380
Price: $65.00