Iamblichus on the mysteries of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, and Assyrians

by Iamblichus

Is arduous, rough, ineffable, sublime;

And the strong massy gates, through which we pass

In our first course, are bound with chains of brass.

Those men the first who of Egyptian birth

Drank the fair water of Nilotic earth,

Disclosed by actions infinite this road,

And many paths to God Phœnicians show’d.

This road th’ Assyrians pointed out to view,

And this the Lydians and Chaldeans knew.”

For Εβραιων in this oracle I read Χαλδαιων, because I have no doubt that either Aristobulus the Jew, well known for interpolating the writings of the Heathens, or the wicked Eusebius as he is called by the Emperor Julian, have fraudulently substituted the former word for the latter.