Harmonics, Theurgy and Syncretism in the De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii of Martianus Capella

With Jay Bregman In his Neoplatonic allegory of the ascent of the human soul to the noetic realm, The Marriage of Philology and Mercury, Martianus Capella follows the polyvalent allegorical principles of Porphyry and the Theurgic Neoplatonists for whom gods and myths, disturbing on the surface, esoterically represent noetic forms and processes. Mercury and Philology symbolize the divine and human intellect and their marriage. Martianus uniquely applies Greek harmonic principles and intervals to the steps of Philology’s ascent through the spheres. The “natural music” in the grove of Apollo suggests the theurgic presence of the god. Harmony’s discourse on Greek music covers the modes and categories of Greek music. Martianus allegorical principles accord with the emperor Julian’s theology. His use of musical principles displays his grasp of theurgic and harmonic principles. Conférence donnée dans le cadre du Projet « Les Platonismes de l’Antiquité Tardive » et le cycle de conférences 2022-2023 « Interactions Philosophies et Religieuses : Les Principes ». Projet pluriannuel de recherches dirigé par Luciana Gabriela Soares Santoprete (CNRS – LEM), Anna Van den Kerchove (IPT), George Karamanolis (Université de Vienne), Éric Crégheur (Université Laval) et Dylan Burns (Université d’Amsterdam). For those who are not yet in our mailing list, to receive the zoom link of the conferences, please :  Send a message to sympa@services.cnrs.fr from the address you want to subscribe to the list; In the subject line of your message, type in: subscribe lesplatonismes  Leave the message body blank. You will receive a confirmation e-mail.

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