The Gnostics and Their Remains

by Charles William King | 1887 | 164,958 words

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Summary: This book synthesizes mid-19th century knowledge of Gnosticism through early Christian polemics, the Pistis Sophia, and Roman-era artifacts. It argues the Gnostics comprised diverse beliefs about Jesus and cosmology, and it explores their influence on later religious and magical traditions.

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Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the The Gnostics and Their Remains in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

+ Part I. Gnosticism and its Sources

. Gnosticism and its Origin

. Pistis-Sophia

. The Book of Enoch

. Gnosticism in its Beginning

. Influence of Judaism on the Ancient World

. The Zendavesta

. The Kabbala and the Talmud

. Indian Sources of Gnosticism.--Manes

. Buddhism

. Basilides

. Machinery of the Gnosis

+ Part II. The Worship of Mithras and Serapis

. I. Origin of Mithraicism

. II. The Mithraic Sacraments

. III. A Roman Mithras in His Cave

. IV. Mithraic Talismans

. V. Gnostic Sacraments and Initiations as Connected with the Mithraic

. St. Augustine on Gnosticism

. I. The Figured Representations of Serapis

. II. The Probable Origin of Serapis

. III. Monuments of the Serapis Worship

. The Caduceus, and its Symbolism

. Death, as Depicted in Ancient Art

. Tomb-Treasures

. I. The Evil Eye

. II. On a Ceraunia of Jade Converted into a Gnostic Talisman

+ Part III. Abraxas, Abraxaster, And Abraxoid Gems

. The Agathodæmon Worship

. The Chnuphis Serpent

. I. Abraxaster, or Borrowed Types

. II. Abraxoids, or Gems Confounded with the True Gnostic

. III. The True Abraxas Gems

. Gnostic Plaque

. IV. The God Abraxas as Described by the Christian Fathers

. V. ''Abraxas''--Etymology of

. VI. Abraxas--Its Numerical Force

. The Abraxas Religion

. The Ineffable Name in the Hindoo Form

. Abraxas-Gems, Their Materials, Workmanship, and Nature

. Legends and Formulæ

+ Part IV. The Figured Monuments of Gnosticism

. Gnostic Siglæ, Symbols, Legends Explained

. The Name ΙΑΩ

. Abraxas, New Type of

. Original Purpose of These Formulæ

. Gnostic Theogony

. The Scheme of the Ophites

. The Cause of Sin

. State After Death of the Uninitiated

. Future Punishments

. Talismanic Leaden Scrolls

+ Part V. Templars, Rosicrucians, Freemasons

. Masonic Origins

. The Earliest Masonic Document

. No Relation of Modern Masons to Mediæval Guilds

. Masons’ Marks

. Origin of Modern Freemasonry

. The Rosicrucians

. Idols of Baphomet

. The Assassins

. The Sufis

. Diffusion of Oriental Culture

. Profession of Continence

. The Transmission of Gnostic Symbols

. The Illuminati

. Woodcuts in the Text

+ Description of the Plates

. Plate A. Various Types of the God Abraxas

. Plate B

. Plate C

. Plate D. Sigils of the Cnuphis Serpent

. Plate E. Monuments of the Serapis Worship

. Plate F. Ancient Egyptian Types Adapted to Gnostic Ideas

. Plate G. Egyptian Types (continued)

. Plate H. Egyptian Types (continued)

. Plate J. Subjects Connected with the Mithraic Mysteries

. Plate K. Mithraic (continued)

. Plate L. Mithraic (continued)

. Plate M. General Talismans

. Plate N. General Talismans (continued)

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Last Updated: 25 February, 2025