The Hermetica are a body of theological-philosophical texts written in late antiquity, but long believed to be much older. Their supposed author, Hermes Trismegistus, was thought to be a contemporary of Moses, and the Hermetic philosophy was regarded as an ancient theology, parallel to the received wisdom of the Bible. This first English translation based on reliable texts, together with Brian P. Copenhaver's comprehensive introduction, provide an indispensable resource to scholars in ancient philosophy and religion, early Christianity, Renaissance literature, and history, the history of science, and the occultist tradition in which the Hermetica have become canonical texts.
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'A highly readable and reliable translation. Because it also embodies in its text and in its very extensive commentary the critical scholarship of the last ninety years, Copenhaver's translation will remain the canonical English version of the seventeen treatises of the Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius for a long time to come … Copenhaver's introduction, which runs some sixty pages, is a wonderful summing-up of the history, literature and problems of Hermeticism from antiquity to the present day … The commentary is virtually an encyclopedia of the scholarship … with generous citations of the relevant literature on Neoplatonism, Christian Gnosticism, the Bible and classical religious history thrown in to complete the picture.' British Journal for the History of Science
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Brian P. Copenhaver's translation of the body of mystical texts known as the Hermetica is the first based on reliable sources, and his comprehensive introduction provides an indispensable resource for scholars.
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[1] Once, when thought came to me of the things that are and my thinking soared high and my bodily senses were restrained, like someone heavy with sleep from too much eating or toil of the body, an enormous being completely unbounded in size seemed to appear to me and call my name and say to me: "What do you want to hear and see; what do you want to learn and know from your understanding?" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
[1] Once, when thought came to me of the things that are and my thinking soared high and my bodily senses were restrained, like someone heavy with sleep from too much eating or toil of the body, an enormous being completely unbounded in size seemed to appear to me and call my name and say to me: "What do you want to hear and see; what do you want to learn and know from your understanding?" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By debugger#77
Format:Paperback
While I am strictly no student of the Hermetica and cannot critically comment on the quality of the actual translation with relation to other academic texts, I have found this to be an invaluable source material. It is one of the few contemporary translations that I have found to be accessible. The author has written an extensive introduction which places the Corpus Hermeticum nicely within its historical and religious context. He considers much of the extant academic information available at the time in the construction of his introduction. How much this has influenced his translation, I cannot say. In addition, there is a very useful appendix of additional notes which should aid both student and lay reader alike.
I appreciate the translation, found it lucid and would consider this an invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to understand this branch of late antique thought within the history of religious ideas. Serious students of the Hermetica may wish to supplement this with the additional translations and sources that the author continualy references in his introduction.
I appreciate the translation, found it lucid and would consider this an invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to understand this branch of late antique thought within the history of religious ideas. Serious students of the Hermetica may wish to supplement this with the additional translations and sources that the author continualy references in his introduction.
34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Only 90 or so pages of this book comprise the actual translation. The long introduction is illuminative and absolutely necessary to show how these writings may have influenced early Christian and Platonic thinkers. The 150 pages found after the translation are exhaustive notes that would be of use only to scholars.
Moreso than the Bible, these writings expound on the natures of god and the desirability of adoration of the creator. Although pre-Christian, the most lock jawed modern day fundamentalist will find little that is objectionable here. Copenhaver's introduction makes it clear as to why these pre-Christian writings found favor with many early Christian thinkers. There is no hocus pocus in this book on Hermetica -- a word which is often associated with occult. Thanks to Copenhaver for the English translation.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The legendary "Corpus Hermeticum" (CH) is a motley collection of religious, philosophical and magical texts, composed during the Hellenistic period in Egypt. The main character is Hermes Trismegistus, a mythical figure based on the Greek god Hermes and his perceived Egyptian equivalent Thoth. In Europe, the CH became widely known during the Renaissance. Today, it's mostly associated with occultists and New Age believers.
The CH is highly eclectic. It resembles Plato's dialogue "Timaeus" and later Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism. There are similarities with Orphic hymns and the Sibylline oracles. Some scholars also believe that it contains authentic Egyptian influences. Many Christians have been mystified by the utterances of Hermes Trismegistus, no doubt because they occasionally resemble the creation story in the Book of Genesis or sound "monotheist". One Church Father, Lactantius, used the CH as a source of prophecies about Jesus Christ (!).
The last couple of decades, the New Age movement have in made ideas similar to those of the CH part of popular culture. Due to this, the Hermetic message sounds pretty old hat. God is both transcendent/"monotheist" and immanent/"pantheist". The soul is immortal and somehow divine. The body is a prison for the soul, and souls are trapped in it because of desire for the world of matter. Ideas resembling reincarnation and karma are also taught. The main characters frequently get mystical visions and theophanies. The goal is to become deified.
Sounds familiar?
This book contains translations of Corpus Hermeticum I-XVIII and the Latin Asclepius. "Only" the more philosophical texts of the CH have been included. The more practical treatises on alchemy or astrology have been left out.... Read more ›
The CH is highly eclectic. It resembles Plato's dialogue "Timaeus" and later Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism. There are similarities with Orphic hymns and the Sibylline oracles. Some scholars also believe that it contains authentic Egyptian influences. Many Christians have been mystified by the utterances of Hermes Trismegistus, no doubt because they occasionally resemble the creation story in the Book of Genesis or sound "monotheist". One Church Father, Lactantius, used the CH as a source of prophecies about Jesus Christ (!).
The last couple of decades, the New Age movement have in made ideas similar to those of the CH part of popular culture. Due to this, the Hermetic message sounds pretty old hat. God is both transcendent/"monotheist" and immanent/"pantheist". The soul is immortal and somehow divine. The body is a prison for the soul, and souls are trapped in it because of desire for the world of matter. Ideas resembling reincarnation and karma are also taught. The main characters frequently get mystical visions and theophanies. The goal is to become deified.
Sounds familiar?
This book contains translations of Corpus Hermeticum I-XVIII and the Latin Asclepius. "Only" the more philosophical texts of the CH have been included. The more practical treatises on alchemy or astrology have been left out.... Read more ›
By Mark Stipanovsky
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is one of those books I stumbled across because it had been mentioned in so many other books I had stumbled - and am still stumbling across...
Anyway, interesting stuff - am none the wiser - and I'm still really interested in this learning journey I seem to be on - unfortunately the "lost wisdom of the pharaohs" is still lost on me...
Anyway, interesting stuff - am none the wiser - and I'm still really interested in this learning journey I seem to be on - unfortunately the "lost wisdom of the pharaohs" is still lost on me...
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