On the Mysteries

...was the man from Syria, being able to speak and write, and Aedesius, Eustathius from Cappadocia, and from Greece, Theodorus and Euphrasius, men who excelled in virtue. And a multitude of others not much falling short of his power in words, so that it was wonderful that he sufficed for all and was abundant toward those absent. He did not associate much without his companions, asking on his own behalf, as much as he was revered; but mostly when with his companions, he did not follow his usual diet in his house, but in ancient conversation, delighting those present and flowing through them as if with nectar. Those who truly possessed him, with manifest enjoyments, I prayed to him continuously, and pleaded that he might say the things worthy of speech to him: "Why then, O teacher, do you fear to be alone, and not share more wisdom with us?" And yet, he is carried away to us in discourse. "I am from men, as I am able. To the gods, I am lifted from the earth more than ten cubits, as is conjectured; and your body and clothing turn to a golden color." When the prayer ceased, the body returned to its previous form like rain from the clouds upon the earth, and he made his company with us. Iamblichus did not laugh much at that time at those words; but saying to them, "He who has not deceived you is not ungrateful." And these things were so that they might be, and for the rest, nothing is carried around without you. Such were the things he showed. And to these writing came the teacher Chrysanthius to that man from Sardis, and to Aedesius, a student, and Aedesius among the others to Iamblichus, and to those who had said these things to him. He showed him a proof of the greatness of his divinity, rejoicing in these things.

The Sun appeared to the view of the horizon, when it rises together with the star called the Dog Sirius, the Dog Star, and it was the time of sacrifice. And the divine display was in one of his speeches; and as all things were well, upon the desire to sacrifice again, which was being prepared in...

...surpassed. Among these were Sopater the Syrian, of the highest eloquence in speaking and writing, Aedesius, Eustathius the Cappadocian, from Greece Theodorus and Euphrasius, men excelling in virtue, and many others not much inferior in the faculty of speaking, so that it might seem a wonder how one man sufficed for all, being equally courteous and kind to everyone: what is more, he did almost nothing for his own sake outside of his disciples and companions, moved by the religion of the divine: but mostly he consorted with his companions; following an easy and frugal way of life, setting a table of the ancient age: in the symposium he exhilarated those present, and filled them as if they were sprinkled with nectar: but those who burned with an indefatigable desire to hear him, and could not take their fill of that pleasure, they were constant dinner-guests, and, bringing forward those who excelled the others, they compelled him with these words. "Why so alone, divine teacher, do you act apart? Nor do you share any of your absolute wisdom with us? A rumor has come to us through your servants, that while you are pouring out prayers, you are seen to be snatched and lifted more than cubits from the ground, that your body and garment change into a golden color, and soon after the prayers are finished, the body returns to its former appearance, and then at last you descend to the earth, and come into the meeting and conversation with us." Having smiled at these words, although Iamblichus was not quite so prone to laughter, he replied in these words. "He was not refined or graceful who directed this deception at you, but from now on nothing will be done without you." He gave this proof of himself, which came from Chrysanthius the Sardian, his teacher Aedesius, who indeed was among the first of Iamblichus’ companions, one of those who used the former words with him.

The same man added these not obscure signs of the man's divinity.

The Sun illuminated the extreme ends of the horizon's circle, at which time he rises together with the celestial Dog sign: and now it was the time of the sacrifices, and soon after the rites were duly performed to...