Thrice Greatest Hermes, Volume 3

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Thrice Greatest Hermes, Volume 3

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A scholarly compilation of Hermetic fragments and early references illuminating the lesser-known texts of the Trismegistic tradition. This volume presents excerpts from Stobaeus, commentary on Church Fathers, and analysis of ancient theological associations, offering a vital collection for understanding the sources of Hermes Trismegistus.

Summary up to 500 words

George Robert Stowe Mead's *Thrice Greatest Hermes, Volume 3* stands as a pivotal academic resource for understanding Hermeticism, specifically focusing on fragments preserved by the ancient compiler Stobaeus. The text centers on excerpts from the 'Sermons to Tat,' a dialogue between Hermes and his son Tat that explores profound themes of piety, philosophy, and the nature of the soul. Mead meticulously reconstructs the historical context of Trismegistic literature, challenging modern theories that view Greek philosophy as solely a native product. Instead, he presents overwhelming evidence that the 'matter' of Greek philosophy was derived from hoary Egyptian wisdom, while the 'form' was shaped by Greek genius. Major figures such as Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian are analyzed to demonstrate how Hermes was revered in antiquity as the master of physics and the Logos, often grouped with Asclepius. The volume highlights the distinction between the immortal rational soul and the mortal animal body, the ineffability of God, and the cosmic order governed by Fore-knowledge and Necessity. Through detailed analysis of patristic citations and references to Egyptian priestly libraries, Mead illustrates how Hermes was considered the first teacher of reincarnation and the author of sacred scriptures. The work concludes with a synthesis of these references, affirming the enduring influence of Egyptian wisdom on Western thought and the close association of Hermes with the demiurgic Ptah and other divine figures in Hellenistic theology.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/george-robert-stowe-mead_thrice-greatest-hermes-volume-iii.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy