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Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not
used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad
quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are
images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to
keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the
original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain
imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made
available for future generations to enjoy.
Throughout its first three centuries, the growing Christian
religion was subjected not only to official persecution but to the
attacks of pagan intellectuals, who looked upon the new sect as a
band of fanatics bent on worldwide domination even as they
professed to despise the things of this world. Prominent among
these pagan critics was Porphyry of Tyre (ca. 232-ca. 305 C.E.),
scholar, philosopher, and student of religions. His book Against
the Christians (Kata Christianon), was condemned to be burned by
the imperial Church in 448. It survives only in fragments preserved
by the cleric and teacher Macarius Magnes.
This new translation of the remains of Against the Christians, by
renowned biblical scholar R. Joseph Hoffmann, reveals a work of
deft historical and literary criticism. Porphyry's trenchant
comments extend to key figures, beliefs, and doctrines of
Christianity as he roundly attacks the divinity of Jesus, the
integrity of the apostles, the Christian concept of God, and the
Resurrection. Porphyry dismisses the gospels as the work of
charlatans and Jesus himself as a criminal and failure. In short,
the gospels, as a collective account of the life and deeds of
Jesus, are hardly worth the reverence with which an increasing
number of Christian converts of Porphyry's own day have begun
treating them.
Critical notes by the translator provide a running commentary to
the text. A lively introduction and comprehensive epilogue describe
the "buildup" to the pagan critique of Christianity, and help put
Porphyry's work in historical perspective.
Accessible to the general reader, and a valuable scholarly tool as
well, this new translation of Against the Christians proves a
worthy addition to both classical and patristic studies.
The Syriac treatise published in the present volume is in many
respects a unique text. Though it has been preserved anonymously,
there remains little doubt that it belongs to Porphyry of Tyre.
Accordingly, it enlarges our knowledge of the views of the most
famous disciple of Plotinus. The text is an important witness to
Platonist discussions on First Principles and on Plato's concept of
Prime Matter in the Timaeus. It contains extensive quotations from
Atticus, Severus, and Boethus. This text thus provides us with new
textual witnesses to these philosophers, whose legacy remains very
poorly attested and little known. Additionally, the treatise is a
rare example of a Platonist work preserved in the Syriac language.
The Syriac reception of Plato and Platonic teachings has left
rather sparse textual traces, and the question of what precisely
Syriac Christians knew about Plato and his philosophy remains a
debated issue. The treatise provides evidence for the close
acquaintance of Syriac scholars with Platonic cosmology and with
philosophical commentaries on Plato's Timaeus.
And His Auxiliaries To The Perception Of Intelligible Natures, With
An Appendix, Explaining The Allegory Of The Wanderings Of Ulysses.
This book contains a translation of the Introduction to the
Tetrabiblos written by famous third century philosopher Porphyry.
It is a sort of Astrological Dictionary, defining most of the
technical terms used by the Greek astrologers of the Classical
Period. The volume also contains a translation of the short
treatise on astrological technical terms by Serapio of Alexandria.
About the translator: James Herschel Holden, M.A. is the Research
Director of the American Federation of Astrologers and has been
especially interested in Classical and Medieval astrological works.
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[The Enneads]; Volume 1 (Hardcover)
Plotinus Enneades English; Created by Ca 234-Ca 305 Porphyry; McKenna Stephen 1872-1934
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R885
Discovery Miles 8 850
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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