Sylvia Rose
Stephanus of Alexandria: the Last Intellectual
Stephanus of Alexandria (c. 580 - 640 AD) is a Christian philosopher bringing Alexandrian thought to Byzantine society. Despite moving to...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 214 min read
Olympiodorus Younger: the Last Neoplatonist
Olympiodorus the Younger, a prominent figure in late antiquity, is known as the last of the Neoplatonist pagans in Alexandria, Egypt. On...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 205 min read
The Great Library of Alexandria
The Great Library of Alexandria on the balmy shores of the Mediterranean and the Nile delta is a center of intellectual activity by c....
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 187 min read
Alchemy and the Art of Gold-Making
"Lead is the ancestor of all metals. For gold is not a metal, gold is light. Lead requires only four periods of two hundred years each,...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 174 min read
Hermeticism & Alchemy in Alexandria
Hermeticism and alchemy fall in love in ancient Alexandria , Egypt. Their relationship begins almost 2000 years ago and still prevails...
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Sylvia Rose
Jul 154 min read
Tria Prima: Birth & the Power of Three
In alchemy, triads, threes, triangles, trinities and trios have strong spiritual significance, often associated with mystical number...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 233 min read
Classic Elements & Concept of the One
The perception of the four elements defines the way a person sees the natural world and one's place within it. These fundamentals are...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 234 min read
Alchemy: Four Elements + The One
The Four Elements of nature magic and philosophy, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, arise from ancient Greek thinkers around the 6th century...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 215 min read
Colors of Alchemy: Rubedo Magnum Opus
Four color stages are required to reach the Magnum Opus, the Great Work or the Philosopher's Stone of the alchemist. These are nigredo...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 205 min read
Parabalani: Medics & Murderous Mobs
The parabalani (parabolini) range throughout Alexandria from the plague times of the 3rd century AD to the 6th century of Justinian....
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 207 min read
Hypatia: Scholar & Martyr Alexandria
Hypatia is a Neoplatonist philosopher and mathematician c. 350 - 415 AD in Alexandria. She's both a scholar and teacher. Daughter of a...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 186 min read
Khaos: Primal Goddess of Greek Myth
In the beginning, nothing exists but Khaos (Chaos). A female primordial entity, she personifies the time before creation, and exists...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 155 min read
Aesculapian Snakes: Nature & Lore
The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is a species of nonvenomous snake native to Europe. Among the largest European snakes, the...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 135 min read
Asclepius: Greek Medicine Snake God
Asclepius (Aesculapius) is a Greek hero and Divine Physician, god of medicine in ancient Greek myth. Son of Apollo, he learns healing...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 124 min read
Ruby, Rubies: Passion, Blood and Fire
Ruby is one of the five cardinal gems, together with diamond, amethyst, sapphire and emerald. From bright pink to deep blood red,...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 75 min read
Narcissus the Freedman Imperial Rome
Tiberius Claudius Narcissus plays a major role in the court of Roman Emperor Claudius (r. 41 - 54 AD). A former slave, he gains great...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 66 min read
Slaves Unchained: Freedmen of Ancient Rome
Freedmen in ancient Rome (liberti or libertini) belong to a social class of former slaves given freedom and rights. Roman slaves are used...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 67 min read
Messalina: Death & Desire in Ancient Rome
Valeria Messalina, known as Messalina, is a provocative figure in Roman history. She's notorious for her strong sexual appetites and...
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Sylvia Rose
Jun 59 min read
Poppaea Sabina: Child Bride to Roman Empress
Poppaea Sabina is a beautiful, ambitious woman embroiled in the plots and schemes of Imperial Rome. She manipulates her way to the bed of...
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Sylvia Rose
Mar 115 min read
Black Pigments of Ancient Artisans
Black is among the first pigments in the palette of early humans. By Paleolithic times, black defines lines, shadows and meaning. Black...
60 views
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