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Iamblichus: On the Mysteries · 187 of 218 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Chapter VIII-aa

The following testimony of an anonymous Greek writer, prefixed to the manuscript of this treatise, which Gale published, proves that this work was written by Iamblichus: Ιστεον οτι ο φιλοσοφος Προκλος υπομνηματιζων τας του μεγαλου Πλωτινου εννεαδας, λεγει οτι ο αντιγραφων εις την προκειμενην του Πορφυριου επιστολην, ο θεσπεσιος εστιν Ιαμβλιχος· και δια το της υποθεσεως οικειον και ακολουθον, υποκρινεται προσωπον Αιγυπτιου τινος Αβαμωνος· αλλα και το της λεξεως κομματικον και αφοριστικον, και το των εννοιων πραγματικον, και γλαφυρον, και ενθουν, μαρτυρει τον Προκλον καλως και κριναντα, και ιστορησαντα. i. e. “It is requisite to know that the philosopher Proclus, in his Commentary on the Enneads of the great Plotinus, says that it is the divine Iamblichus who answers the prefixed Epistle of Porphyry, and who assumes the person of a certain Egyptian of the name of Abammon, through the affinity and congruity of the hypothesis. And, indeed, the conciseness and definiteness of the diction, and the efficacious, elegant, and divine nature of the conceptions, testify that the decision of Proclus is just.” That this, indeed, was the opinion of Proclus, is evident from a passage in his Commentaries on the Timæus of Plato, which has escaped the notice of Gale, and which the reader will find in a note on the fourth chapter of the eighth section of the following translation. 23 . In the original κατα τας κοινας εννοιας , which Gale erroneously translates contra communes opiniones . 24 . Damascius περι αρχων says, “that difference not existing, there will not be knowledge.” And, “that the contact as of one with one is above knowledge.” Likewise, “that the intellectual perception of the first intelligible is without any difference or distinction. ετεροτητος μη ουσης, μηδε γνωσις εσται. Et συναφη ως ενος προς εν, υπερ γνωσιν . Alibi, διακριτος η του πρωτου νοητου νοησις . 25 .
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Themes
Apophatic Theologytheology

Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.

The text notes that 'the intellectual perception of the first intelligible is without any difference or distinction,' emphasizing the ineffability of divine knowledge.

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Body As Obstacleanthropology

The material body viewed as a prison, tomb, or source of error that hinders spiritual knowledge and return.

The passage cites Damascius that 'the contact as of one with one is above knowledge,' implying material distinction hinders true divine understanding.

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Cosmic Consciousnessanthropology

A state of awareness transcending ordinary human consciousness, often involving unity with the universe or higher dimensions.

The text references Damascius's statement that 'the intellectual perception of the first intelligible' transcends ordinary knowledge.

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Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The testimony attributes the work to a divine figure who assumes an Egyptian persona, indicating concealment beyond ordinary identity.

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Evil As Privationtheology

Augustinian and Plotinian doctrine that evil has no positive being of its own but is a lack, distortion, or absence of the good — denying ontological dualism while preserving moral seriousness.

Damascius's statement that 'difference not existing, there will not be knowledge' aligns with the doctrine that evil or lack of unity prevents true knowing.

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Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The text emphasizes 'intellectual perception' and 'efficacious... nature of the conceptions' as the basis for divine knowledge.

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Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The commentary notes that the work contains 'conceptions... efficacious, elegant, and divine,' suggesting esoteric liberating truth.

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Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

The mention of 'Enneads' (Nine Ones) suggests a numerological significance to the divine structure.

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Opposites Transcendedanthropology

The dissolution of binary oppositions (male/female, inner/outer, above/below) as a mark of spiritual completion.

Damascius states that 'difference not existing' is necessary for knowledge, indicating the dissolution of binary oppositions in higher reality.

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Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The testimony uses the paradoxical claim that 'the divine Iamblichus' answers Porphyry's epistle while assuming an Egyptian persona.

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Return To Sourcesoteriology

The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.

The commentary references Damascius's view that 'the intellectual perception of the first intelligible' is above knowledge, implying a return to primordial unity.

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Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

The testimony cites Proclus's commentary on Plotinus's Enneads, which centers on the pursuit of divine knowledge and self-understanding.

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