The Dissertations of Maximus Tyrius

meaning, like the curtains original: "Επι των λεγομενων τελετων, τα μεν αδυτα ην, ως δηλοι και τουνομα, τα δε παραπετασματα προβεβληνται, αθεατα τα εν τοις αδυτοις φυλατλονται." Modernized: "Regarding the so-called mysteries, the adytum (innermost sanctuary) was, as the name itself implies, a place that cannot be entered; and curtains are cast before it, so that the things within the adytum are guarded from being seen." — Psellus in Allegory of the Sphinx. that guarded the adytum The innermost sanctuary of a temple, accessible only to the initiated. of temples from the profane eye. They did not see that all behind the veil is luminous, and that there, divine spectacles See my "Dissertation on the Mysteries." everywhere present themselves to the view. This task was reserved for men who were born, indeed, in a baser age, but who, being allotted a nature similar to their leader, were the true interpreters of his mystic speculations. The most conspicuous of these are the great Plotinus, the most learned Porphyry, the divine Jamblichus, the most acute Syrianus, Proclus—the consummation of philosophic excellence—the magnificent Hierocles, the concisely elegant Sallust, and the most inquisitive Damascius. By these men, who were truly links of the golden chain of deity A Neoplatonic concept referring to the unbroken succession of divine influence and philosophical truth from the First Principle down to humanity., all that is sublime and all that is mystic in the doctrines of Plato (and they are replete with both these in a transcendent degree) was freed from its obscurity.