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The signs of gods (1)

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Topics (move over topic to see place in topic list)

02 Religious and ideological symbols and iconographic motifs



05 Scientific knowledge and scholarly lore




01 Religious and ideological doctrines and imagery



Keywords
astrology
Greece
omens
Period
4th century CE
Roman Empire
Channel
Helleno-Roman philosophers and scholars


Text
Iamblichus, De Mysteriis 3.16.137-138:
Moreover, the movements of the stars come close to the eternal revolutions of heavenly bodies, not only locally, but also in their powers and emissions of light. They are moved in whatever way the gods in the sky command. For since the purest and highest point of the air is apt for being kindled into fire, at once the gods give a sign and it is immediately kindled. But if someone thinks that certain emanations of heavenly bodies are transmitted to the air, even he will not have conceived anything different from things frequently done in the divine craft. And the union and sympathy of the all and the simultaneous motion, as in a single living being, of parts farthest away as though they were near by, cause the sending down of these signs from the gods to human beings, first through the heaven and then through the air, with the greatest possible brightness.


Source (list of abbreviations)
Iamblichus, De Mysteriis 3.16.137-138

Bibliography

Clarke, Dillon and Hershell 2003, 159-161Clarke, Emma C., John M. Dillon and Jackson P. Hershbell. Iamblichus, De Mysteriis. Translated with an Introduction and Notes. Writings from the Graeco-Roman World 4. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature 2003.

Amar Annus


URL for this entry: http://www.aakkl.helsinki.fi/melammu/database/gen_html/a0001137.php


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