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Definitions of Hermes to Asclepius

The Definitions of Hermes Trismegistus to Asclepius is a collection of Hermetic definitions and teachings preserved in Armenian manuscripts and a Greek manuscript in the Bodleian Library.|||Armenian manuscripts (6 copies, 13th–16th centuries). Greek manuscript in the Bodleian Library (Codex Clarkianus 11).|||Composed in Greek in the 2nd–3rd century CE.|||Not canonical in any tradition.|||Presents a collection of Hermetic definitions and teachings on the nature of the divine, the cosmos, and the human being. Important for understanding the philosophical content of Hermeticism.|||Mahé, J.-P. Hermès en Haute-Égypte. Presses de l'Université Laval, 1978–1982.|||Salaman, C., van Oyen, D., & Wharton, W. D. The Way of Hermes. Inner Traditions, 2000.|||Definitions of Hermes — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_Hermes_Trismegistus_to_Asclepius|Background and discussion.;; Hermetica II — Cambridge University Press|https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/hermetica-ii/|Litwa's translation and commentary.|||" God is the mind of the cosmos, and the cosmos is the body of God." — Definitions of Hermes to Asclepius (paraphrase)

Collection: Hermetic Literature Canon: varies

Canon Status

Not canonical in any tradition.

Date & Provenance

Composed in Greek in the 2nd–3rd century CE.

Language & Manuscripts

Armenian manuscripts (6 copies, 13th–16th centuries). Greek manuscript in the Bodleian Library (Codex Clarkianus 11).

Why It Matters for Study

Presents a collection of Hermetic definitions and teachings on the nature of the divine, the cosmos, and the human being. Important for understanding the philosophical content of Hermeticism.

" God is the mind of the cosmos, and the cosmos is the body of God." — Definitions of Hermes to Asclepius (paraphrase)

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

  • " God is the mind of the cosmos, and the cosmos is the body of God." — Definitions of Hermes to Asclepius (paraphrase) " God is the mind of the cosmos, and the cosmos is the body of God." — Definitions of Hermes to Asclepius (paraphrase)

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Mahé, J.-P. Hermès en Haute-Égypte. Presses de l'Université Laval, 1978–1982.
Salaman, C., van Oyen, D., & Wharton, W. D. The Way of Hermes. Inner Traditions, 2000.
Definitions of Hermes — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definitions_of_Hermes_Trismegistus_to_Asclepius|Background and discussion.;; Hermetica II — Cambridge University Press|https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/hermetica-ii/|Litwa's translation and commentary.