Prisca Theologia

THEOLOGICAL Concept · ACTOR TERM

The Prisca Theologia (Ancient Theology) is a central Actor Term popularized by Marsilio Ficino during the Renaissance.

Lineage of Ancient Wisdom

Ficino posited a strict, historical chain of divine transmission. God imparted the ultimate truth to a series of ancient, pre-Christian sages, beginning with Zoroaster and Hermes Trismegistus, passing through Orpheus and Pythagoras, and culminating in Plato. This doctrine allowed Renaissance intellectuals to study pagan magic, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism without heresy, as they argued these texts were not demonic paganism, but orthodox prophetic anticipations of Christianity.