Alexandria is a sparkling jewel on the Mediterranean Sea. Here, in the early centuries AD, alchemy ascends to a Golden Age. Influences include the new Hermetic, Gnostic and
Neoplatonic thought systems, raising the practice of alchemy to soaring heights.
At the western edge of the Nile delta, Alexandria grows upon fertile land where fresh water flows to the sea. In many mythologies the mingling of fresh and sea water, such as the Sumerian Abzu, is the source of creation and life.
Greco-Egyptian Zosimos of Panopolis, writing c. 300 AD, provides one of the first definitions of alchemy. He calls it the study of
"the composition of waters, movement, growth, embodying and disembodying, drawing the spirits from bodies and bonding the spirits within bodies."
In Bronze Age Egypt, while alchemy does not exist as a practice, its processes are used, as in embalming and mummification. Alchemical symbols like the ouroboros appear from c. 1500 BCE. Egyptians know how to extract mercury, but don't show much use of it.
Egyptian Medicine
Egyptian medicine holds many of the secrets of later alchemists. At the temples, Greek physicians like Hippocrates come to study. Ancient Egyptian medicine is based on herbal remedies and concoctions of natural ingredients, often infused in wine.
Egyptian physicians know the antibiotic properties of garlic or honey. Frankincense resin is used as incense for its inflammatory properties, and the preservative nature of natron salt is a large part of the embalming process.
Duties of priests include as doctor, dream interpreter, magician and scribe. As alchemy rises in prominence many priests become alchemists, affirming the link to magic and medicine. Egyptian Thoth and Greek Hermes / Roman Mercury become gods of alchemy.
From this linking of Gods arises the long-lasting practice of Hermeticism, originating in the 2nd - 3rd century AD, or earlier. It's contemporary to movements of Neoplatonism and Gnostic belief.
Hermeticism
During the Hellenistic era, Hermeticism is a multi-patterned fusion of Egyptian mysticism and Greek philosophy, through the enigmatic figure of Hermes Trismegistus. This mystical tradition seeks to explore hidden truths and the nature of human divinity.
Hermeticism places strong emphasis on philosophical inquiry and spiritual contemplation, cultivating deeper understanding of the universe and one's place within it. Through esoteric knowledge and sacred rituals, followers aim to tap into the higher realms of consciousness.
Gnosticism
Gnosticism is a religious philosophical movement arising the first century AD. Incorporating mysticism, esoteric knowledge and dualism, Gnosticism challenges mainstream theology with a belief in hidden knowledge (gnosis) leading to spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
Influenced by Jewish mysticism and apocalyptic literature, Gnosticism explores the divine nature, the cosmos and human soul. Gnostic sects within Judaism investigate creation, intermediaries between God and humanity, and the divine spark in individuals.
Neoplatonism
Not to be left out, Neoplatonism of the 3rd century AD takes its share of both pagans and Christians, branching into at least two sects. Among the common ideas it maintains is monism, the doctrine that all of reality can be derived from a single principle, "the One".
The system can be divided between the invisible world and the phenomenal world, the former containing the transcendent, absolute One from which emanates an eternal, perfect, essence (nous, or intellect), which, in turn, produces the world-soul.
Due to alchemy book burnings by Emperor Domitian in the 3rd century AD, a large part of valuable knowledge and wisdom is lost. Precious texts and ancient alchemical secrets perish. Early Alexandrian alchemists and their works are known through writings of others.
A trove of knowledge opens up in 1993 AD, when many works of Zosimos come to light, found translated into medieval Arabic. Islamic alchemists are known for their meticulous documentation of alchemical wisdom and people, and adoption of Greco-Egyptian thought.
Mentions of Cleopatra the Alchemist of the c. 3rd century AD and the earlier Mary the Jewess appear in medieval Islamic alchemy writings and lists. Zosimos calls Mary the "first true alchemist". To Islamic writers she's the "Daughter of Plato" another term for white sulfur.
Cleopatra is central to "The Book of Comarius, Philosopher and High Priest Who Was Teaching Cleopatra the Divine the Sacred Art of the Philosopher's Stone." The identiy of Comarius is not known. The book is also called "Cleopatra and the Philosophers".
In the book, Comarius is largely focused on practical matters such as metals, colors, and apparatuses. A group of philosophers (scientists) is introduced. Cleopatra speaks to them of the knowledge she received from Comarius.
Inspired by Gnostic thought, Zosimos explains how humans learn the arts of metallurgy, which influences the development of alchemy:
The ancient and divine writings say that the angels became enamored of women; and, descending, taught them all the works of nature. From them, therefore, is the first tradition, chema, concerning these arts; for they called this book chema and hence the science of chemistry takes its name.
In esoteric or spiritual practice, the external processes of metallic transmutation, such as lead and copper into silver and gold, are driven by an inner process of purification and redemption. The alchemist ever seeks divine connection.
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