Hermes the Wise
deity sky Arabic alchemical tradition single tradition · 1
Hermes the Wise is a deity originally from Babylon who later established himself in Egypt after the dispersion of the peoples from Babel. He is credited in Arabic sources as the first to speak of the science of alchemy, teaching the fabrication of gold and silver from strange metals. Hermes is associated with wisdom, commerce, and the transmission of esoteric knowledge.
When
- First attested
- 1000 CE
- Attested period
- 1000 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Attributed to al-Nadím in the late 10th century CE.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- wicked angels
Mentioned by
Sources
encyclopedia (1)
- peer reviewed
Source passages
“"the first to speak of the science of the work was Hermes the Wise, who was originally of Babylon, but who established himself in Egypt after the dispersion of the peoples from Babel."”
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