| Physical description |
ix, 422 pages : maps ; 22 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 403-416) and index. |
| Contents |
Map of Sicily and southern Italy -- Map of Egypt --I. Philosophy. 1. Back to the Roots. 2. Aither. 3. Aer. 4. The Riddle. 5. The Sun -- II. Mystery. 6. An Introduction to Sicily. 7. The Phaedo Myth: The Geography. 8. The Phaedo Myth: The Sources. 9. The Phaedo Myth: The Structure. 10. Plato and Orpheus. 11. The Mixing-Bowl. 12. 'Wise Men and Women'. 13. Central Fire. 14. A History of Errors -- III. Magic. 15. The Magus. 16. From Sicily to Egypt. 17. The Hero. 18. Death on Etna. 19. Sandals of Bronze and Thighs of Gold. 20. Pythagoreans and Neopythagoreans. 21. 'Not to Teach but to Heal'. 22. Nestis. 23. 'Conceal My Words in Your Breast'. 24. From Empedocles to the Sufis: 'The Pythagorean Leaven' -- App. I. Parmenides and Babylon -- App. II. Nergal and Heracles -- App. III. Empedocles and the Isma'ilis. |
| Summary |
This is the first book to analyze systematically crucial aspects of ancient Greek philosophy in their original context of mystery, religion, and magic. The author brings to light recently uncovered evidence about ancient Pythagoreanism and its influence on Plato, and reconstructs the fascinating esoteric transmission of Pythagorean ideas from the Greek West down to the alchemists and magicians of Egypt, and from there into the world of Islam. |
| Subject |
Empedocles.
|
|
Pythagoras and Pythagorean school.
|
| ISBN |
0198149883 (alkaline paper) £37.50 |
|
0198150814 (paperback) |
|
