Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

The Horoscope of Islām and The Alchemical Stone: Maria Papathanassiou on Stephanos of Alexandria, Part II

In Part II we explore two of Stephanos' works: the astrological piece entitled Apotelesmatikē pragmateia, with its katarchic ‘Horoscope of Islam’, and his influential, vexing, and beautiful alchemical work, On the Great and Holy Art of Gold-Making. Come for the visions of the future, stay for the secret 72-letter name of the philosophers' stone.

Philosophy and Occult Sciences at Constantinople: Maria Papathanassiou on Stephanos of Alexandria, Part I

We speak with Maria Papathanassiou about Stephanos of Alexandria: the last known Platonist/Aristotelean philosopher trained at Alexandria, a politically-connected courtier at Herakleios' Constantinople, a Christian, an astrologer, an alchemist, and more.

Esoteric Orthodoxy in East Rome: Jonathan Greig on Maximus the Confessor

Maximus the Confessor, Μάξιμος ὁ Ὁμολογητής (late sixth century – 13 August 662), was an erudite monk, theologian, and philosopher of the East Roman empire; during his eventful life he travelled the soon-to-be-Arab territories of North Africa and the Near East (as well as visiting Rome, currently under the theoretical control of Constantinople via the […]

Introducing the Apocalypse of the Pseudo-Methodios, with Christopher Bonura

Christopher Bonura introduces us to the Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodios, a seventh-century Syriac prophetic universal history. Come for the Arab conquests reflected in Christian revelation, stay for the apocalyptic Roman emperor.

Jewish Apocalypse in the Seventh Century: Martha Himmelfarb on the Sefer Zerubbabel

In this interview we explore a crucial document of seventh-century Judaism: the Sefer Zerubbabel, an apocalyptic ‘future history’ allegedly written in the past. The Temple will descend, the evil Armilus (son of Satan and a statue) will wreak havok, and two messiahs will arise to redeem Israel.