(155-233 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Also known as Bar-Daisan. A Gnostic Christian poet from the Syrian city-state of Edessa (now called Urfa, or Sanliurfa, in southern Turkey), possibly of the Valentinian lineage. Some scholars refer to him as “the last of the Gnostics” because he may have been the last major teacher to attempt to
Comments Off on Bardesanes(c. 105 – c. 165 e.v) by T. Apiryon Alexandrian founder (probably of Carthaginian birth) of the Valentinian sect of Gnostics during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antonius Pius. Valentinus may have studied with Basilides in Alexandria, he also claimed additional secret teachings from someone named Theodas, who was allegedly a disciple of Paul.
Comments Off on Valentinus(c. 100 – c. 139 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Syrian or Egyptian founder of the Basilidean sect of Christian Gnostics in Alexandria during the reigns of the Roman Emperors Hadrian and Antonius Pius. What we know of Basilides and of his system we know by virtue of the reports of his enemies, primarily Irenaeus of
Comments Off on Basilides(c. 582-507 b.c.e.) by T. Apiryon Added to the list of Saints in 1929/30 e.v. Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, music theorist, initiate of the Orphic Mysteries and religious cult leader. See Part III of The Heart of the Master. Pythagoras was born at Samos, the great-grandson of the philosopher Hippasos. In his studies, he travelled
Comments Off on Pythagoras(c. 216-276 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Also known as Mani or Manichaeus; Persian philosopher and religious teacher, founder of the Gnostic religion of Manichaeism (see Chapter 201 of Liber Aleph). Crowley’s placement of Mani in this position is curious. Mani was a later teacher than Basilides, Valentinus and Bardesanes. Also, whereas these teachers considered themselves
Comments Off on Manes(flourished c. 35 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Samaritan founder of the Simonian sect of Gnostics, contemporary of the Apostles and of Philo Judaeus of Alexandria. Little is known of Simon or the Simonians, most of the information we have about him is from his enemies, and is probably highly distorted. They described him variously as
Comments Off on Simon Magus(born c. 4 b.c.e., vanished c. 96 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Also known as Apollon, and Apollonius of Tyana. Cappadocian philosopher of the Pythagorean school. See Part III of The Heart of the Master. Born into the noble family of Tyana, Apollonius was educated by a Pythagorean philosopher in Tarsus. In his later youth, disgusted
Comments Off on Apollonius TyanaeusAlgernon Charles Swinburne(1837-1909 e.v.) by T. Apiryon English lyric poet and critic; Crowley’s primary poetic influence. Viewed by many of his contemporary Victorians as blasphemous and depraved, Swinburne is now recognized as one of England’s greatest poets and critics, and as one of the greatest parodists of all time. His intoxicating poetry, whether in English,
Comments Off on SwinburneFrançois Rabelais(1494-1553 e.v.) by T. Apiryon French Franciscan (later Benedictine) friar, classical scholar, physician, humanist and humorist, the author of the monumental, revolutionary satire Gargantua and Pantagruel, contemporary of Ulrich von Hutten and Paracelsus, and one of the greatest writers in the history of Europe. The works of Rabelais are included in Section 2 of
Comments Off on RabelaisMarcus Valerius Martialis(c. 43-117 e.v.) by T. Apiryon Also known as Martial. Roman poet, satirist, and master of the epigram; contemporary of Apollonius of Tyana. One of the great influences on Crowley, the satyric poet. Martial was born of Celtic stock in the little Spanish town of Bilbilis, and came to Rome at the age
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