The Corpus Hermeticum are the texts and teachings ascribed to the legendary Egyptian sage, priest, and philosopher Hermes Trismegistus. When translated and published by Ficino in 1471 these texts were heralded as the very source of pure, perennial wisdom. In the subsequent years, these ideas went on to have a massive impact upon what is now called western esotericism. Just what are these teaching? What is the history of the text? How did this pagan wisdom survive into modernity? In this episode of Esoterica we introduce the Corpus Hermeticum, Hermes Trismegistus & Hermetic Philosophy.

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Dillion - The Middle Platonists: 80 B.C. to A.D. 220 - 978-0801483165
Copenhaver - Hermetica - 978-0521425438
Litwa - Hermetica II - 978-1107182530
Salaman, van Oyen, Wharto, Mahe - The Way of Hermes - 978-0892811861
van Bladel - The Arabic Hermes - 978-0195376135
Fowden - The Egyptian Hermes - 978-0691024981
Festugière - La révélation d'Hermès Trismégiste - 978-2251326740