Agathodaemon (Agathodiamon) is an alchemist of ancient Alexandria. A snake god protector of the sparkling port city bears the same name. A contemporary of Zosimos and Cleopatra the Alchemist, Agathodaemon works c. 300. He keeps careful records of his experiments.
Alchemists have a fluid esoteric language, based on symbols and signs, obscure references and cryptic drawings. Due to the desire to preserve alchemical secrets, practitioners often write in code. The student must learn a complex and fluctuating language.
Thus translation is tricky and various interpretations can arise. Overall some basic references shine through. The symbol for silver is almost always a crescent moon ☽ . It also symbolizes the White Queen of alchemy, and through her, mercury.
Agathodaemon the alchemist takes his name from the ancient snake god. He lives and works in late Roman Egypt, according to alchemical texts from the 3rd century AD. He's recognized for detailed descriptions of elements and minerals, and his methods of creating silver.
Silver Making (Argyropoeia)
Silver-making, or argyropoeia, is a popular effort with alchemists, along with gold-making (chrysopoeia). Silver is uncommon in its raw state, often the byproduct of smelting lead, zinc, gold or copper. Extracted or treated with zinc, it may seem the base metal turns into silver.
Silver is extracted by adding zinc to molten lead bullion. Zinc reacts quickly and completely with gold and silver, forming insoluble compounds. These float to the top of the bullion and are skimmed off. Zinc can also be used to give copper metal a silver color.
Known by c. 2500 BCE, the cupellation process involves heating crushed ore on a porous bed of bone ash until it melts. Lead and other impurities are absorbed into the bone ash, and the molten silver is drawn off.
Silver creation happens when copper metal is added to solution of silver nitrate (AgNO3). Copper replaces silver in the solution, forming blue copper nitrate (CuNO3) Solid silver crystals form on the surface of the copper. The reaction is quick; one can see the crystals grow.
It's also possible to make copper look like pure silver by exposing the copper to a soluble mercury salt. The pure silver look lasts several weeks.
Fiery Poison (Igneum venenum)
One of the notable creations of Agathodaemon is a 'fiery poison.' This is identified by modern scholars as arsenic trioxide, a highly toxic substance.
Agathodaemon explains the 'fiery poison' is produced by combining a specific mineral, like realgar or orpiment, with natron (naturally occurring sodium carbonate). The resulting product is then dissolved in water to form a clear solution.
He describes how when he introduces a piece of copper to the solution, the copper turns a deep green color. Since orpiment and realgar are both arsenic ores, the green hue observed on the copper would indicate the formation of copper arsenite in the arsenic trioxide solution.
He is mentioned many times by both Zosimus and Olympiodorus the alchemist. It is believed Agathodaemon wrote a Memorandum on the oracle of Orpheus. However, it's also possible this is a fictional person, who doesn't exist in reality.
The findings of Agathodaemon are foundational elements for future application of poison, particularly arsenic and similar substances. Poisons hit their stride with the Roman Empire, as an easy way to eliminate rivals or roadblocks.
Historical documentation of his existence only emerges in later works. His legacy may be obscured by the decline of alchemy. Original writings are subject to loss or poor preservation. Much of Zosimos' work, for example, is discovered 1993 AD due to its translation to Arabic.
Numerous fragments of alchemical and magical writings attributed to Agathodaimon the alchemist from Alexandria are preserved as quotations in later Arabic treatises.
The snake god Agathodaemon is a deity of wisdom, fertility, medicine and protection. As multiple gods he's also a popular household entity. In ancient times, after a meal a few drops of wine are poured on the ground for him.
The wealth of knowledge accumulated by the Alexandrians eventually finds its way to the Arab world, where it plays a pivotal role in the progression of alchemical practices in Islamic countries. Muslim alchemists are fascinated by the Greek works and build upon them.
The term "alchemy" has Arabic origins, highlighting Arab scholars' contributions to Western alchemical knowledge. This transfer of knowledge enriched the field and promoted diverse understanding through cross-cultural exchange.
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