Set III-2-abr-002. A collection of selected literary quotations associated with "Abrasax [ΙΑΩ]" as the main subject. The entries are organised chronologically, from the the earliest to the latest. The intentionally omitted textual fragments are indicated by an ellipsis placed inside angle brackets. The translator's notes and curator's commentaries are placed inside square brackets and indicated by the quartz colour. Direct mentions of the main subject are indicated by the azure colour. Direct mentions of snakes/serpents and their derivatives are indicated by the amber colour and complemented by references to the sources' original language and the words' lemmas. Important descriptive details that inform the artefacts' iconographic interpretation are indicated by the malachite colour.
------------------------------------------------- « ● Selected Classical Quotations ● » --------------------------------------------------
“
⟨...⟩ among the Jews Moyses referred his laws to the god who is invoked as Iao [ΙΑΩ] [Translator's note: This pronunciation seems to reflect a Hebrew form Yahu; cf. Psalm LXVIII, 4: "His name is Jah".].
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Diodorus Siculus
(c. 90-30 BC) |
Library of
History |
● I: xciv, 2 |
Charles Henry Oldfather |
Loeb Classical Library
(LCL 279) © Harvard
University Press, 1933 |
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“
⟨...⟩ quite recently in this city [Carthage] a new representation of our god [Jesus Christ] has been displayed, since a certain person, a criminal hired to dodge wild beasts in the arena, exhibited a picture with this inscription: "The God of the Christians, ass-begotten". It had ass's ears; one foot was a hoof; it carried a book and wore a toga. We laughed at both the name and the shape. But they at least ought at once to have adored a biform divinity, who have accepted gods with a dog's head or a lion's, gods with a goat's horns or a ram's, gods goat from the loins down, gods with serpents [serpens] for legs, gods with wings on their feet or their backs.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus
(c. 155-220 AD) |
Apology |
● XVI, 12-13 |
Terrot Reaveley Glover |
Loeb Classical Library
(LCL 250) © Harvard
University Press, 1931 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
The authority of that verse is based on an oracle of Apollo of Claros, in which another name is also given to the sun, who in these same sacred verses is called (among other things) Iaô [ΙΑΩ]. For when Apollo of Claros was asked, concerning the god called Iaô [ΙΑΩ] [Translator's note: Cf. Diodorus Siculus Library of History I, 94, 2, John Lydus [the Lydian, ca. 490-565 AD] On the Months IV, 53 (citing [Marcus Terentius] Varro [116-27 BC]). Derived from Yahu, a form of the sacred name of the Jewish God, "Iaô" appears in syncretizing contexts, as here, in Gnostic texts, and as a name to conjure with in the magical papyri.], which of the gods he should be considered, Apollo replied as follows (Anthologia Graeca App. c. 6 no. 135, 3:490 Cougny): Those who know the mysteries should conceal things not to be sought. But if your understanding is slight, your mind feeble, say that the greatest god of all is Iaô [ΙΑΩ]: Hades in winter, Zeus at the start of spring, the sun in summer, delicate Iacchos [= Dionysos] in the fall. Cornelius Labeo [fl. c. 200s AD?] sought out this oracle’s meaning, developing an interpretation of the godhead and his name that identifies father Liber and the sun as Iaô [IAW], in his book titled On the Oracle of Apollo of Claros (fr. 18 Mast.).
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Macrobius Ambro-sius Theodosius
(c. 390-400s AD) |
Saturnalia |
● I: xviii, 19-21 |
Robert Andrew Kaster |
Loeb Classical Library
(LCL 510) © Harvard
University Press, 2011 |
-------------------------------------------------- « ● Selected Gnostic Quotations ● » ---------------------------------------------------
“
But great clouds of light will descend, and more clouds of light will come down on them from the great eternal realms. Abrasax, Sa[m]blo, and Gamaliel will descend and rescue those people from the fire and wrath, and take them above the realms and domains of the powers, and [take] them away ... living ... and take them [away] ... the realms ... dwelling place of the great ... there with the holy angels and the eternal realms. The people will become like those angels, for they are not foreign to them. Rather, they labor with the incorruptible seed.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. late first century-early 100s AD) |
The Revelation
of Adam |
● The Creator Sends Fire, but the Genera-tion of Those People
Is Rescued: 75-76 |
Marvin Meyer |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
The rulers each created seven powers for themselves, and the powers each created six angels, until there were 365 angels. These are the names and the corresponding physiques: The first is Athoth, and has the face of a sheep. The second is Eloaios, and has the face of a donkey. The third is Astaphaios, and has the face of hyena. The fourth is Yao [Translator's note: Iaô [ΙΑΩ] is a form of Yahweh, the name of God, especially in Greek. Yao is a power of this world in some Gnostic texts and a son of Yaldabaoth in On the Origin of the World. In this section several of the names derive from Hebrew words, especially words that designate God.], and has the face of a snake [Coptic and hypothetical Greek lemmas needed] with seven heads. The fifth is Sabaoth, and has the face of a snake [Coptic and hypothetical Greek lemmas needed]. The sixth is Adonin, and has the face of an ape. The seventh is Sabbataios, and has face of flaming fire. This is the sevenfold nature of the week.
„
“
In his thought he [Yaldabaoth] united the seven powers with the authorities that were with him. When he spoke, it was done. He named each of the powers, beginning with the highest: First is goodness, with the first power, Athoth. Second is forethought, with the second power, Eloaios. Third is divinity, with the third power, Astaphaios. Fourth is lordship, with the fourth power Yao [Iaô [ΙΑΩ]]. Fifth is kingdom, with the fifth power, Sabaoth. Sixth is jealousy, with the sixth power, Adonin. Seventh is understanding, with the seventh power, Sabbataios.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(before c. 180 AD) |
The Secret Book
(Apocryphon)
of John |
● Yaldabaoth's World Order: 11
● Yaldabaoth's World Order: 12 |
Marvin Meyer |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
The attendants are Isauel and Audael and [A]brasax ⟨...⟩
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. late 100s-early 200s AD) |
Zostrianos |
● Spiritual Ascent Through the Aeons:
The Glories Enable Salvation, 47 |
John Douglas Turner |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
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“
When the ruler [Yaldabaoth] saw his greatness, he saw only himself and nothing else except water and darkness. He thought that only he existed. His [thought] was completed by means of the world, and it appeared as a Spirit moving to and fro over the waters. When the Spirit appeared, the ruler separated the watery substance to one region and the dry substance to another region. From matter the ruler created for himself a dwelling place and called it heaven, and from matter he created a footstool and called it earth. After this the ruler had a thought in accordance with his nature, and he created an androgynous being by means of the word. He opened his mouth and cooed to him. The child opened his eyes and saw his father, and he said to him, "EE" so his father called him Yao [Translator's note: A form of the ineffable divine name Yahweh. In Greek Yao is spelled Iaô [ΙΑΩ] and the first letter (iota) is pronounced like a long e (or y), hence the baby talk "EE".].
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. late 200s-early 300s AD) |
On the Origin
of the World |
● Yaldabaoth Creates Heaven and Earth and Produces Sons: 100-101 |
Marvin Meyer |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
The Father nodded approval, and the entire Fullness of the Luminaries agreed. The attendants appeared: first, great Gamaliel, for the first great luminary Harmozel; great Gabriel, for the second great luminary Oroiael; great Samblo, for the great luminary Daveithe; great Abrasax [Translator's note: Abrasax, here and below, is the name of a cosmic power in several traditions, including Gnostic traditions. The numerical value of the name Abrasax in Greek is 365, and thus it corresponds to the number of days in the solar year. The name Abrasax may come from the Hebrew Arba ("four", for the tetragrammaton of four-letter name of God, YHWH) Sabaoth ("hosts", "armies", shortened in the name), and thus Abrasax may reflect the meaning "Lord of hosts".], for [the great luminary] Eleleth. Partners for the attendants appeared by the will and good pleasure of the Father: memory, for the first, great Gamaliel; love, for the second, great Gabriel; peace, for the third, great Samblo; life eternal, for the fourth, great Abrasax.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 200s-300s AD) |
The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (Gospel of the Egyptians) |
● Partners and Attendants for
the Luminaries:
52-53 |
Marvin Meyer |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
⟨...⟩ those receiving the great generation, the incorruptible mighty people of great Seth, the attendants of the Four Luminaries, great Gamaliel, great Gabriel, great Samblo, great Abrasax ⟨...⟩
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 200s-300s AD) |
The Holy Book of the Great Invisible Spirit (Gospel of the Egyptians) |
● Seth Establishes Baptism Through Jesus: 65-66 |
Marvin Meyer |
The Nag Hammadi Scriptures © Harper
Collins, 2007 |
---------------------------------------------- « ● Selected Greek Magical Quotations ● » ----------------------------------------------
“
Iaō [ΙΑΩ] and you, Michaēl, who rule heaven's realm, I call, and you, archangel Gabriēl. Down from Olympos, Abrasax, delighting in dawns, come gracious who view sunset from the dawn, Adōnai.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM I |
● 300-305 |
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
I conjure you, the powerful and mighty angel of this animal in this place; rouse yourself for me, and perform the NN [deed] both on this very day and in every hour and day; rouse yourself / for me against my enemies, NN, and perform NN deed (add the usual), "for I conjure you by Iaō [ΙΑΩ] Sabaōth Adōnai Abrasax, and by the great god, Iaeō" ⟨...⟩
„
“
⟨...⟩ I adjure you by the Egg. I am Adam the forefather; my name is Adam. Perform for me the NN deed, because I conjure you by the god Iaō [ΙΑΩ], by the god Abaōth, by the god Adōnai, by the god Michaēl, by the god Souriēl, by the god Michaēl, by the god Gabriēl, by the god Rafaēl, / by the god Abrasax ⟨...⟩ by the lord god, Iaiōl ⟨...⟩
„
“
Snakes [Greek lemma needed] in your dens, attend the cry and be afraid. May you in awe [keep] silence, daimons 'mid the shades. / The world itself's astonished by the secret words.
„
“
⟨...⟩ Lord of the [sunrise], risen fiery, Titan, I call [you], flaming messenger of Zeus, divine Iaō [ΙΑΩ]; and you, too, who rule in heaven's realm, O [Rafaēl], who joy in sunrise, be a gracious god, O Abrasax; and you, O greatest one, O heav'nly one, I call, and [you, Michaēl], your helper, / who saves [his people's lives], the perfect eye of Zeus, and who has both exalted nature and brought forth nature in its turn from nature.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM III |
● 71-78
● 145-151
● 203-206
● 210-217 |
J. M. Dillon,
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
Take an unbaked [brick] and and with a bronze stylus draw an [ass] running, and on its face "Iaō [ΙΑΩ] Iō", and on its neck in the shape of a little bell "Ēoēoē", and on its back "Lertheminō", and on its breast "[S]abaōth", and under his hooves "Abrasax". / Smear it with the blood of Typhon and a pig and with juice of an onion.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM IV |
● 3255-3260 |
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
Your true name has been inscribed on the sacred stele in the shrine at Hermopolis where your birth is. Your true name: Osergariach Nomaphi. This is your name with 15 / letters, a number corresponding to the days of the raising moon; and the second name with the number 7, corresponding to those who rule the world [seven planets], with the exact number 365, corresponding to the days of the year. Truly: Abrasax. I know you, Hermes, and you know me. / I am you, and you are I. And so, do everything for me, and may you turn to me with Good Fortune [Tyche] and Good Daimon [Agathodaemon], immediately, immediately; quickly, quickly.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM VIII |
● 43-52 |
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
Invoke the great name in a time of great stress, in major and pressing crises. If not, you will blame yourself. In addition say three times the "Iaō [ΙΑΩ]", then the great name of god.
„
“
The serpent-faced [Greek lemma needed] god will come in and answer you. When you dismiss [him], make an offering of / the skin of a serpent [Greek lemma needed].
„
“
A little ring [useful] for every [magical] operation and for success. Kings and governors [try to get it]. Very effective. Taking an air-colored [light-blue-grey] jasper, engrave on it a snake [Greek lemma needed] in a circle with its tail in its mouth, and also in the middle of [the circle formed by] the snake [Greek lemma needed] [Selene] having two stars / on the two horns, and above these, Helios, beside whom Abrasax should be inscribed; and on the opposite side of the stone from this inscription, the same name Abrasax, and around the border you will write the great and holy and omnicompetent [spell], the name Iaō [ΙΑΩ] Sabaōth. And when you have consecrated the stone, wear it in a gold ring, when you need it, [provided] you are pure [at that time], and you will succeed in everything you may wish. You are to consecrate the ring together with the stone in the rite used for all [such] objects. A similar engraving in gold, / too, is equally effective.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM XII |
● 153-154
● 159-160
● 201-211 |
W. C. Grese, Morton Smith (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
You are the number of [the days of] the year, Abrasax.
„
“
Then, looking down at the earth, the god gave a loud hiss and the earth was opened, receiving the echo. It gave birth to a creature of its own, the Pythian serpent [Greek lemma needed], who foreknew all things through the utterance of the god. Its name is great and holy ⟨...⟩ When he appeared, the earth heaved and was raised much higher, but the celestial pole stayed unmoved, so when they were about to collide, the god said "Iaō [ΙΑΩ]", and everything was fixed in place / and a great, supreme god appeared who established the things that were before in the cosmos and the things yet to be, so that none of the aerial bodies was thenceforth out of place. Phobos, seeing someone stronger than himself, opposed him saying, "I am prior to you". He, however, said, "But I fixed all things [in their places]". So the / [first] god said to the serpent [Greek lemma needed], "You come from en echo, but this god from an utterance. Now an utterance is better than an echo. However, [he said to Iaō [ΙΑΩ]], "the power of you, who appeared last, will derive from both, so that all things may be fixed in their places". And he was thenceforth called by the great and marvelous name Danoup Chratōr / Berbali Balbith Iaō [ΙΑΩ]. And wishing to give honor also to the one who had assisted him, as having appeared together with him, the first god gave him precedence of the nine gods and possession of power and glory equal to theirs. / And he was called [by name derived] from the nine gods, as having taken away, along with their power, also the initials of their names, ⟨...⟩ and from the seven planets ⟨...⟩ when written forwards and backwards this is great and marvelous. But the greatest name ⟨...⟩ is great and holy (of 27 letters) ⟨...⟩
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM XIII |
● 155-156
● 532-560 |
Morton Smith (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
[Abrax]as, a daimon famous by your cosmic name, who rule earth's [axis], starry dance, the Bears' cold light.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM XXIII |
● 34-36 |
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
And whenever your perform this spell, have an iron ring with yourself, // on which has been engraved Harpokrates sitting on a lotus, and his name is Abrasax.
„
“
Lizard, lizard, / as Helios and all the gods have hated you ⟨...⟩
„
“
Lizard, lizard, let Helios and all men hate you because she, NN, says that the mummy of the god ⟨...⟩ has been removed and devoured by you. ⟨...⟩ image of Typhon ⟨...⟩ image of Abrasax Anax[iboa], / image of [Iaō [ΙΑΩ]; do not let] her, NN, come through the gateway from whatever hour Helios brightens the earth for the whole time ⟨...⟩
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM LXI
(PDM lxi) |
● 32-33
● 45-46
● 50-57 |
E. N. O'Neil (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
Great [god] in heaven revolving the world, the true god, Iaō [ΙΑΩ]! Lord, ruler of all, Ablanathanalba, grant, grant me this favor, / let me have the name of the great god in this phylactery, and protect, from every evil thing, me, whom NN bore, [NN] begot.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM LXXI |
● 1-8 |
Morton Smith (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
Charm to restrain anger, which is to be spoken three times: "I am the soul of darkness, Abrasax, the eternal one, Michaēl, but my true name is Thōouth, Thōouth. Restrain the anger and / wrath [of him, NN] toward me, NN, [with] the authority of the great god Neouphneiōth".
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM LXXIX |
● 1-7 |
R. F. Hock (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
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“
I, Abrasax, shall deliver. Abrasax am I! Abrasax Abrasichōou, help little / Sophia-Priskilla. Get hold of and do away with what comes to little Sophia- / Priskilla, whether it is a shivering fit - get hold of it! Whether a phantom - get hold of it! Whether a daimon - get hold of it! / I, Abrasax, shall deliver. Abrasax am I! Abrasax Abrasichōou. Get hold of, get hold of / and do away with ... what comes to little Sophia-Priskilla on this very day, / whether it is a shivering fit - do away with it! Whether a daimon - do away with it!
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PGM LXXXIX |
● 1-27 |
Roy Kotansky, following Erik J. Knudtzon (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
-------------------------------------------- « ● Selected Demotic Magical Quotations ● » --------------------------------------------
“
A ring to cause praise: You bring a ring of iron and you bring a white stone which is in the shape of a grape [which] grows / as a fresh plant in the water, there being [a] daimon with a face [of] a falcon ... together with the snake [Greek lemma needed] tail, there being a nemes headdress (?) in (?) the ... eye whose face goes to the ... Write / this name on it ... saying "Abraxam Philen ... Chni ...", put a limb of a lion under it together with a piece of gold; put them under it; and / make ... it.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PDM xii |
● 6-20 |
Janet H. Johnson (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
--------------------------------------------------------------------- « ● ● ● » ---------------------------------------------------------------------
“
To inquire opposite the moon: you should do it as a vessel inquiry alone or [with] a youth. If you are the one who is going to inquire, you should equip your eye with green eyepaint and black eye paint. You should stand on a high place on the top of your house. You should speak to the moon when it fills the sound-eye on the 15th day, you being pure for three days. You should recite this spell opposite the moon seven or nine times until he appears to you and speaks to you: "Hail, Saks Amoun Saks Abrasaks, for you are the moon, the great one of the stars, he who formed them! Listen to these things which I said! Walk in accordance with the [words] of my mouth! Reveal yourself to me, Than / Thana Thanatha" (another [manuscript] says "Thei"); this is my correct name". Nine [times] of saying it until she [the moon] reveals herself to you.
„
| Author: |
Work/Anthology: |
Verse/Fragment: |
Translator(s): |
Collection & Publisher: |
Anonym
(c. 100s-400s AD) |
PDM xiv |
● 695-700 |
Janet H. Johnson (General Editor: Hans Dieter Betz) |
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
© The University of Chicago Press, 1992 |
|
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