Poimandres (; also known as ''Poemandres'', ''Poemander'' or ''Pimander'') is the first tractate in the ''
Corpus Hermeticum'', named after its main character ''Poimandres'', the ''
nous
''Nous'' (, ), from , is a concept from classical philosophy, sometimes equated to intellect or intelligence, for the cognitive skill, faculty of the human mind necessary for understanding what is truth, true or reality, real.
Alternative Eng ...
'' of a supreme
deity
A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...
.
Etymology
Originally written in
Greek, the title was formerly understood to mean "shepherd of men" from the words
ποιμήν and
ἀνήρ. For example, this is how
Zosimus of Panopolis interpreted the name.
Others, such as
F. Ll. Griffith, proposed that it is actually derived from the
Coptic phrase ⲡⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲛ̅ⲧⲉ ⲣⲏ ''peime nte rē'' meaning "the knowledge of
Re" or "the understanding of Re". Yet another theory is that the name ultimately derives from the name of the popular deified Egyptian pharaoh
Amenemhet III, whose name was transliterated into Greek in various forms, including Πορεμανρῆς.
(Ποίμανδρος) of Greek mythology was the son of Chaeresilaus and Stratonice.
Description
The character Poimandres can be considered to be a sort of
deity
A deity or god is a supernatural being considered to be sacred and worthy of worship due to having authority over some aspect of the universe and/or life. The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' defines ''deity'' as a God (male deity), god or god ...
, or attribute of
God
In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...
as ''
nous
''Nous'' (, ), from , is a concept from classical philosophy, sometimes equated to intellect or intelligence, for the cognitive skill, faculty of the human mind necessary for understanding what is truth, true or reality, real.
Alternative Eng ...
'' or "mind" as expressed in the following translations.
John Everard translation:
:''Then said I, "Who art Thou?"''
:''"I am," quoth he, "Poemander, the mind of the Great Lord, the most Mighty and absolute Emperor: I know what thou wouldest have, and I am always present with thee."''
G. R. S. Mead translation:
:''And I do say: Who art thou?''
:''He saith: I am Man-Shepherd ''
οιμάνδρης', Mind of all-masterhood; I know what thou desirest and I'm with thee everywhere.''
Brian P. Copenhaver translation:
:''"Who are you?" I asked.''
:''"I am Poimandres," he said, "mind of sovereignty; I know what you want, and I am with you everywhere."''
Salaman, Van Oyen and Wharton translation:
[Salaman, Van Oyen, Wharton and Mahé,''The Way of Hermes'', p. 17]
:''"Who are you?" said I.''
:''He said, "I am Poimandres the
Nous
''Nous'' (, ), from , is a concept from classical philosophy, sometimes equated to intellect or intelligence, for the cognitive skill, faculty of the human mind necessary for understanding what is truth, true or reality, real.
Alternative Eng ...
of the Supreme. I know what you wish and I am with you everywhere."
See also
*
Hermes Trismegistus
**''
Hermetica'', writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus
**
Hermeticism
Hermeticism, or Hermetism, is a philosophical and religious tradition rooted in the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretism, syncretic figure combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. This system e ...
, philosophical systems based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus
References
External links
''Pœmandres, the Shepherd of Men''– Translation by G.R.S. Mead, 1906.
– Translation by John Everard, 1650.
''Pimander''– Latin translation by Marsilio Ficino, Milano: Damianus de Mediolano 1493.
''The Theological and Philosophical Works of Hermes Trismegistus''– translation by John David Chambers, 1882.
*
ttp://www.w66.eu/elib/html/poimandres.html Ἑρμου του Τρισμεγιστου ΠΟΙΜΑΝΔΡΗΣ– Greek text of the 'Poimandres'
''Hermetis Trismegisti Poemander''– Complete Greek text of Poemander and Latin translation, G. Parthey (ed.), 1854.
* ''Corpus Hermeticum'' – Critical edition and French translation; 4 vols.; eds. A.D. Nock & A.-J. Festugière. Paris: Belles Lettres, 1946–1954.
Creation myths
Hermetica
Ancient Greek pseudepigrapha
Ancient Greek philosophical literature
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