Hermetica : the Greek "Corpus Hermeticum" and the Latin "Asclepius" in a new English translation, with notes and introduction

The Hermetica are a body of theological-philosophical texts written in late antiquity, but believed during the Renaissance (when they became well known) to be much older. Their supposed author, a mythical figure called Hermes Trismegistus, was thought to be a contemporary of Moses. The Hermetic philosophy was regarded as an ancient theology, parallel to the revealed wisdom of the Bible, supporting biblical revelation and culminating in the philosophy of Plato, Plotinus and others in the Platonic tradition. This new translation is the only English version based on reliable texts of the Greek Corpus Hermeticum and the Latin Asclepius. Professor Copenhaver's introduction and notes provide a context of interpretation taking into account recent advances in Hermetic scholarship, making this accessible edition 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. 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.--publisher's Description. Corpus Hermeticum, English / -- Asclepius, English. Brian P. Copenhaver. Includes Bibliographical References (p. Lxii-lxxxiii) And Indexes. "The Hermetica are a body of mystical texts written in late antiquity, but believed during the Renaissance (when they became well known) to be much older. Their supposed author, a mythical figure named Hermes Trismegistus, was thought to be a contemporary of Moses. The Hermetic philosophy was regarded as an ancient theology, parallel to the revealed wisdom of the Bible, supporting Biblical revelation and culminating in the Platonic philosophical tradition. This new translation is the only English version based on reliable texts, and Professor Copenhaver's introduction and notes make this accessible and up-to-date edition an indispensable resource to scholars."--Amazon.com HERMETICA Contents Preface Introduction Hor and Manetho The world of the Hermetica Technical and theoretical Hermetica Hermetic collections Hermes and his readers A new English Hermetica Bibliography and abbreviations Corpus Hermeticum I Corpus Hermeticum II Corpus Hermeticum III Corpus Hermeticum IV Corpus Hermeticum V Corpus Hermeticum VI Corpus Hermeticum VII Corpus Hermeticum VIII Corpus Hermeticum IX Corpus Hermeticum X Corpus Hermeticum XI Corpus Hermeticum XII Corpus Hermeticum XIII Corpus Hermeticum XIV Corpus Hermeticum XVI Corpus Hermeticum XVII Corpus Hermeticum XVIII Asclepius Notes Indexes [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?"