Iamblichus: On the Mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians.
London: Bertram Dobell, 1895. Second Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xxvi + 366 pp (ii pp adverts). Navy cloth with printed paper spine label. 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 - now largely forgotten but 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. Spine label darkened and a little foxing with some light chipping to extreme edges. A few light marks to the cloth, spine label darkened and a little rubbed, some tiny tears to the cloth at the head and tail of spine, corners lightly bumped and rubbed with some very light fraying. Inside (endpaper) hinge cracking but holding well, small, old, owner's address label on front free endpaper, pages a little dusty. All considered pretty typical modest wear for a volume of this vintage. Overall a tight, clean, better-than VG copy. Item #66029
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