Timeline of Hermeticism
Key events, publications, and movements.
The core philosophical treatises (CH I-XVIII) are composed in Roman Egypt, blending Greek philosophy with Egyptian temple traditions.
The period in which the majority of the Greek Corpus Hermeticum was likely composed in Roman Egypt.
Zosimos, a practicing alchemist and Hermetic priest, provides the first clear evidence of the Hermetica being used in a ritual-internalization context.
John of Stobi preserves massive fragments of the "Way of Hermes," including the Kore Kosmou (Virgin of the World), which would otherwise be lost.
Justinian closes the Academy in Athens; Damascius and other Neoplatonists (some carrying Hermetic texts) flee to the Sassanid court.
The earliest Arabic Hermetic synthesis, containing the Emerald Tablet, is attributed to Balinas.
The community at Harran adopts the name "Sabians" and identifies Hermes (Idris) as their prophet to achieve "People of the Book" status under Al-Ma'mun.
The Ikhwan al-Safa (Brethren of Purity) compile their encyclopedia, synthesizing Neoplatonism, Pythagoreanism, and Hermeticism.
The first Latin translations of the Tabula Smaragdina appear, marking the beginning of the Medieval Hermetic tradition in Europe.
Commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici, Marsilio Ficino translated the Greek manuscript of the Corpus Hermeticum (Pimander) into Latin, sparking the Renaissance revival of Hermetic philosophy.
Commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici, Marsilio Ficino translated the Greek manuscript of the Corpus Hermeticum (Pimander) into Latin, sparking the Renaissance revival of Hermetic philosophy.
Marsilio Ficino publishes the first Latin translation of the Corpus Hermeticum (CH I-XIV), initiating the Renaissance Hermetic revival.
Marsilio Ficino publishes the first Latin translation of the Corpus Hermeticum (CH I-XIV), initiating the Renaissance Hermetic revival.
John Dee publishes the Monas Hieroglyphica in Antwerp, a complex mystical treatise explaining his unified symbol of the cosmos.
John Dee publishes the Monas Hieroglyphica in Antwerp, a complex mystical treatise explaining his unified symbol of the cosmos.
The publication of the Fama Fraternitatis catalyzed the Rosicrucian movement, proclaiming a general reformation of divine and human understanding.
The publication of the Fama Fraternitatis catalyzed the Rosicrucian movement, proclaiming a general reformation of divine and human understanding.
Isaac Casaubon demonstrates that the Hermetica are not ancient Egyptian but post-Christian, utilizing philological evidence.
Isaac Casaubon demonstrates that the Hermetica are not ancient Egyptian but post-Christian, utilizing philological evidence.
Johann Valentin Andreae is believed to have authored this allegorical alchemical romance, serving as the third and final foundational Rosicrucian text.
Johann Valentin Andreae is believed to have authored this allegorical alchemical romance, serving as the third and final foundational Rosicrucian text.
Ashmole's work systematically gathered the scattered manuscript traditions of English alchemy, ensuring their survival for later generations.
Ashmole's work systematically gathered the scattered manuscript traditions of English alchemy, ensuring their survival for later generations.
Digby argued for the efficacy of weapon-salve and sympathetic magic based on a naturalistic philosophy of effluvia and atomic action, blending hermetic ideas with the new mechanical philosophy.
Digby argued for the efficacy of weapon-salve and sympathetic magic based on a naturalistic philosophy of effluvia and atomic action, blending hermetic ideas with the new mechanical philosophy.
Richard Reitzenstein publishes Poimandres: Studien zur griechisch-agyptischen und fruhchristlichen Literatur, founding modern philological research.
Richard Reitzenstein publishes Poimandres: Studien zur griechisch-agyptischen und fruhchristlichen Literatur, founding modern philological research.
Jung argued that the alchemical process of transmuting base matter into gold was an allegory for the psychological process of individuation.
Jung argued that the alchemical process of transmuting base matter into gold was an allegory for the psychological process of individuation.
A.-J. Festugière publishes his four-volume masterpiece La Révélation d'Hermès Trismégiste, providing a comprehensive "Greek" reading.
A.-J. Festugière publishes his four-volume masterpiece La Révélation d'Hermès Trismégiste, providing a comprehensive "Greek" reading.
Yates's book firmly established the importance of the 'Hermetic tradition' as a major intellectual force in the early modern period, profoundly influencing subsequent scholarship.
Yates's book firmly established the importance of the 'Hermetic tradition' as a major intellectual force in the early modern period, profoundly influencing subsequent scholarship.
Frances Yates publishes Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, bringing Hermeticism into the mainstream of intellectual history.
Frances Yates publishes Giordano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition, bringing Hermeticism into the mainstream of intellectual history.
Garth Fowden publishes The Egyptian Hermes, arguing for the local Egyptian context of the tradition.
Garth Fowden publishes The Egyptian Hermes, arguing for the local Egyptian context of the tradition.
The Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism is published, establishing the field as a formal academic discipline.
The Dictionary of Gnosis and Western Esotericism is published, establishing the field as a formal academic discipline.
Hanegraaff traces the invention of 'esotericism' as a polemical category, showing how it was excluded from standard academic disciplines during the Enlightenment.
Hanegraaff traces the invention of 'esotericism' as a polemical category, showing how it was excluded from standard academic disciplines during the Enlightenment.