Alchemy or alchymy is the art which in former times occupied the place of and paved the way for the modern science of chemistry (as astrology did for astronomy), but whose aims were not scientific, being confined solely to the discovery of the means of indefinitely prolonging human life, and of transmuting the baser metals into gold and silver.
Among the alchemists it was generally thought necessary to find a substance which, containing the original principle of all matter, should possess the power of dissolving all substances into their elements. This general solvent, or menstruum universale, which at the same time was to possess the power of removing all the seeds of disease out of the human body and renewing life, was called the philosophers stone, lapis philosopherum, and its pretended possessors were known as adepts. Alchemy nourished chiefly in the middle ages, though how old might be such notions as those by which the alchemists were inspired it is difficult to say. The mythical Hermes Trismegistus of pre-Christian times was said to have left behind him many books of magical and alchemical learning, and after him alchemy received the name of the hermetic art.
At a later period chemistry and alchemy were cultivated among the Arabians, and by them the pursuit was introduced into Europe. Many of the monks devoted themselves to alchemy, although they were latterly prohibited from studying it by the popes. But there was one even among these, John XXII, who was fond of alchemy. Raymond Lully, or Lullius, a famous alchemist of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, is said to have changed for King Edward I a mass of 50,000 lbs of quicksilver (mercury) into gold, of which the first rose-nobles were coined.
Among other alchemists may be mentioned Paracelsus and Basilius Valentinus. With the growth of chemistry, the recognition of the chemical elements as forming a large number of distinct substances, and the conception of the fixed unalterable nature of the atoms, attempts to transform the base metals into gold were largely abandoned as being unscientific. Research Alchemy
A caduceus was originally an enchanters wand, and later a herald's staff. It is most familiar in the hands of Hermes. Its first form was three shoots, of which two were intertwined, while the third formed the handle. The fully- developed form has, besides the rod itself, a pair of wings either at the top or in the middle, and two serpents intertwined. Research Caduceus
Alcibiades was an Athenian general and statesman. He was born in 450 BC and died in 404 BC.
An Athenian of high family and of great abilities, but of no principle, he was the son of Cleinias, and a relative of Pericles, who also was his guardian. In youth he was remarkable for the beauty of his person, no less than for the dissoluteness of his manners. He came under the influence of Socrates, but little permanent effect was produced on his character by the precepts of the sage. He acquired great popularity by his liberality in providing for the amusements of the people, and after the death of Cleon attained a political ascendancy which left him no rival but Nicias. Thus he played an important part in the long-continued Peloponnesian war.
In 415 he advocated the expedition against Sicily, and was chosen one of the leaders, but before the expedition sailed he was charged with profaning and divulging the Eleusinian mysteries, and mutilating the busts of Hermes, which were set up in public all through Athens. Rather than stand his trial he went over to Sparta, divulged the plans of the Athenians, and assisted the Spartans to defeat them. Sentence of death and confiscation was pronounced against him at Athens, and he was cursed by the ministers of religion. He soon left Sparta and took refuge with the Persian satrap Tissaphernes, ingratiating himself by his affectation of Persian manners, as he had previously done at Sparta by a similar affectation of Spartan simplicity.
He now began to intrigue for his return to Athens, offering to bring Tissaphernes over to the Athenian alliance, and latterly he was recalled and his banishment cancelled. He, however, remained abroad for some years in command of the Athenian forces, gained several victories, and took Chalcedon and Byzantium. In 407 BC he returned to Athens, but in 406, the fleet which he commanded having suffered a severe defeat, he was deprived of his command. He once more went over to the Persians, taking refuge with the satrap Pharnabazus of Phrygia, and here he was assassinated in 404 BC.
*Alcuin
Alcuin (real name Ealhwine) was an English theologian and scholar. He was born in 755 and died in 804. He was the confidant, instructor, and adviser of Charles the Great (Charlemagne). . He was educated and latterly had the management of the school at York. Alcuin having gone to Rome, Charlemagne became acquainted with him at Parma, invited him in 782 to his court, and made use of his services in his endeavours to civilize his subjects. To secure the benefit of his instructions Charlemagne established at his court a school, called Schola Palatinci, or the Palace School. In the royal academy Alcuin was called Flaccus Albinus. Most of the schools in France were either founded or improved by him; thus he founded the school in the abbey of St Martin of Tours, in 796, after the plan of the school in York. Alcuin left the court in 801, and retired to the abbey of St Martin of Tours, but kept up a constant correspondence with Charles to his death in 804. He left works on theology, philosophy, rhetoric, also poems and letters, all of which have been published. Research Alcibiades
Georg Hermes was a German theologian. He was born in 1775 and died in 1833. He studied theology at the University of Miinster; became teacher in the gymnasium of that city, and in 1807 professor of dogmatic theology in the university. When the Prussian government established the University of Bonn, Georg Hermes was appointed to the chair of Catholic theology in 1820. Here he distinguished himself by an ingenious effort to base the doctrines of the church on Kant's system of philosophy - an attempt known as Hermesianism. It aroused powerful opposition, being condemned as heretical by a papal letter of 1835. Research Georg Hermes
Hermes Trismegistus was a mythical personage, the reputed author of a great variety of works, probably written by Egyptian Neo-Platonists, who ascribed the authorship of the highest attainments of the humanmind to Thoth, the Egyptian Hermes; regarding him as the source of all knowledge and inventions, the Logos incarnate, thrice greatest. Clement of Alexandria mentions the contents of forty-two books of Hermes which were extant in his time. Of those which now remain the most important is the Poimandres or Poimander, a dialogue on nature, the creation, the deity, the soul, knowledge, and similar topics. Of the extant works none belongs, in all probability, to an earlier date than the 4th or perhaps the 3rd century. Research Hermes Trismegistus
James Harris was an English philologist. He was born in 1709 at Salisbury and died in 1780. In 1744 he published a volume containing three treatises - on Art, on Music and Painting, and on Happiness. His most celebrated work is Hermes, or a Philosophical Inquiry concerning Universal Grammar published in 1751. Entering Parliament for Christchurch in 1761, he held the offices of lord of the Admiralty and lord of the Treasury. He was a follower of George Grenville, with whom he retired in 1865. Research James Harris
Abderus was a son of Hermes and friend of Hercules. Hercules, loved Abderus and made him his armour-bearer. Hercules left Abderus to look after the man-eating mares of Diomedes, which ate him. Hercules founded the city of Abdera in Thrace in honour and memory of his friend Abderus. Research Abderus
In Greek mythology, Amphion was a son of Zeus and Antiope. He was the husband of Niobe. Amphion had great skill in music which he was taught by Hermes. He helped build the walls of Thebes, the stones moving themselves into position at the sound of his lyre. Research Amphion
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Abbreviations
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