Iamblichus: on the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians.
San Diego, CA: Wizards Book Shelf, Secret Doctrine Reference Series, 1997. Reprint. Hardcover. Octavo. xxvi + 376pp. Green faux leather with gilt title etc to cover and spine, b&w frontispiece, new "Bio-bibliographical Glossary". A volume from the Secret Doctrine Reference Series which reprints works which were important to Mme. Blavatsky, and upon which she relied or quoted heavily from when writing "The Secret Doctrine." Iamblichus was one of the most important of the group of Neo-Platonists that embraced magical practices, and a devoted student of the works of the mystic and mathematician, Pythagoras. In this work - once considered a magical text of great significance - Iamblichus presents a detailed discussion on Theurgy and the higher development of the self, framed in the terms of an exchange with Porphyry. The translator, Thomas Taylor (1758 - 1835), was a leading exponent of Neo-Platonic thought, and was largely responsible for it's rediscovery in English-speaking esoteric circles, by his translations of Iamblichus, Proclus, Porphyry and other Neoplatonists and Pythagoreans. Taylor, a one time bank-clerk who devoted himself to the classics, was said to be such a devotee of Hellenic paganism that he and his wife spoke only to one another in classical Greek, and his translations were for decades those most commonly used. Light bumps to upper corners, else a tight, bright and unmarked near Fine copy. (no dust jacket issued). Item #65613
ISBN: 091351070x
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