The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

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Episode 190: Edward Watts on the Age of Justinian and the Closing of the Athenian Academy

We discuss the life, times, and reign of Justinian, ‘probably the most consequential Roman emperor, at least since Constantine, and maybe since Augustus.’ He transformed the empire; nothing would be the same after his reign. Said reign also saw the closure of the Athenian academy and a number of crucial crises within Christianity, all of which are essential for the history of western esotericism.

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Oddcast episode

Members only: Into the Hellenic Underground with Levan Gigineishvili

We discuss further with Dr Gigineishvili, exploring the extraordinary intellectual scene of high-mediæval Georgia. We discuss Origenistic heresies in Petritsi's thought. We then turn to the importance of Petritsi's work for any future edition of Proclus' Elements.

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Oddcast episode

Levan Gigineishvili on Ioane Petritsi and the Mediæval Georgian Proclus-Reception

We discuss the work of Ioane Petritsi (eleventh to twelfth centuries), a Georgian intellectual whose translation of, and commentary on, the Elements of Theology of Proclus is a historical anomaly in a number of ways. It turns out that everything in Proclus' metaphysics – even the henads – could and did make it through into a Christian work in twelfth-century Georgia. Come for the surprising story of a radical Georgian intellectual, stay for the Georgian origins of the medieval Christian saint, the Buddha.

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Oddcast episode

Jonathan Greig on the East Roman Proclus Reception, Sixth to Fifteenth Centuries

We discuss the long, convoluted, and often tendentious reception of Proclus and Proclean ideas in the eastern Roman empire. From late-antique debates about the nature of being and participation, through medieval reappropriations of philosophy, through to the radical debates of Plethon and Scholarios in the final days of the empire, Proclus emerges as a curiously-persistent figure of many guises.

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Podcast episode

Members only: Stephen Rego on the Nous in Proclus, Part II: Metaphysics and Myth

We enter into the dynamic architecture of Proclus' noētos kosmos, a non-spatial place where all of reality unfolds triadically through gods and goddesses, metaphysics and myth working in exquisite harmony.

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Podcast episode

Members only: Edward Butler on Proclus, Part II: On (the Metaphysics of) Polytheism and Monotheism

We discuss further with Dr Butler, looking at polytheism, monotheism, and some of the metaphysics underlying both options.

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Listen to the Introduction

An introduction to the podcast, discussing briefly what we mean by ‘western esotericism’. This episode also answers the burning question, ‘What’s so “secret” about The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast?’ and features a short quiz to test your knowledge of western esoteric history.

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Recently posted

Episode 190: Edward Watts on the Age of Justinian and the Closing of the Athenian Academy

Members only: Into the Hellenic Underground with Levan Gigineishvili

Levan Gigineishvili on Ioane Petritsi and the Mediæval Georgian Proclus-Reception

Jonathan Greig on the East Roman Proclus Reception, Sixth to Fifteenth Centuries

Members only: Stephen Rego on the Nous in Proclus, Part II: Metaphysics and Myth

Members only: Edward Butler on Proclus, Part II: On (the Metaphysics of) Polytheism and Monotheism

Listen to the Introduction

Become a Member

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