The tradition of Hermes Trismegistus : the Egyptian priestly figure as a teacher of Hellenized wisdom / edited by Christian H. Bull.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bull, Christian H., editor.

Series:

Religions in the Graeco-Roman world

Religions in the Graeco-Roman world, 0927-7633 ; VOLUME 186

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hermes, Trismegistus.

Hermes.

Physical Description:

XVI, 532 pages : 1 illustration ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2018].

Summary:

In The Tradition of Hermes Trismegistus, Christian H. Bull argues that the treatises attributed to Hermes Trismegistus reflect the spiritual exercises and ritual practices of loosely organized brotherhoods in Egypt. These small groups were directed by Egyptian priests educated in the traditional lore of the temples, but also conversant with Greek philosophy. Such priests, who were increasingly dispossessed with the gradual demise of the Egyptian temples, could find eager adherents among a Greek-speaking audience seeking for the wisdom of the Egyptian Hermes, who was widely considered to be an important source for the philosophies of Pythagoras and Plato. The volume contains a comprehensive analysis of the myths of Hermes Trismegistus, a reevaluation of the Way of Hermes, and a contextualization of this ritual tradition.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Tradition of Hermes Trismegistus.

ISBN:

9789004370814

9004370811

OCLC:

1028823821