Arguments of Celsus, Porphyry, and the Emperor Julian, Against the Christians

by Thomas Taylor

Thomas Taylor (15 May 1758 - 1 November 1835) was an English translator and Neoplatonist, the first to translate into English the complete works of Aristotle and of Plato, as well as the Orphic fragments. Thomas Taylor was born in the City of London on 15 May 1758, the son of a staymaker Joseph Taylor and his wife Mary (born Summers). He was educated at St. Paul's School, and devoted himself to the study of the classics and of mathematics. After first working as a clerk in Lubbock's Bank, he was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Society for the Encouragement of Art (precursor to the Royal Society of Arts), in which capacity he made many influential friends, who furnished the means for publishing his various translations, which besides Plato and Aristotle, include Proclus, Porphyry, Apuleius, Ocellus Lucanus and other Neoplatonists and Pythagoreans. His aim was the translation of all the untranslated writings of the ancient Greek philosophers. Taylor was an admirer of Hellenism, most especially in the philosophical framework furnished by Plato and the Neoplatonists Proclus and the "most divine" Iamblichus, whose works he translated into English. So enamoured was he of the ancients, that he and his wife talked to one another only in classical Greek. He was also an outspoken voice against corruption in the Christianity of his day, and what he viewed as its shallowness. Taylor was ridiculed and acquired many enemies, but in other quarters he was well received. Among his friends was the eccentric traveller and philosopher John "Walking" Stewart, whose gatherings Taylor was in the habit of attending. Taylor also published several original works on philosophy (in particular, the Neoplatonism of Proclus and Iamblichus) and mathematics. These works have been republished (some for the first time since Taylor's lifetime) by the Prometheus Trust. (wikipedia.org)

Genres: Religion, History, Classics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Ancient History

98 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1830

About the author

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Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the O.G.'s of literate Christian bashing are represented in this work. Sadly much of their work only has survived because Christian writers quoted them in their polemics against these 'heathens'. The rest of the works good Christians sent the flames, along with innumerable other works that our civilization is poorer for no longer having (ok, I can't prove this, but they probably had their hands in the mass destroying of literature from Antiquity, along with a bunch of Caliph's, and other people who have followed the timeless advice of destroying a peoples' past to destroy the people...... ah believers in abstract concepts.....).

I wish I had a real copy of this book, the google book version looks nice and all, but I'd really like my own copy, but not one with a lighthouse in Maine or wherever the fuck that picture is from on it.

[Valenfore Alestreneon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very, very good criticism of Christianity by people who lived during the days of Early Christianity. A must-read for all of those who oppose their tyranny.

[Galicius · Rating 1 out of 5]

This comment refers only to the Celsus which quickly comes across as ancient trash writing that is preserved only because it was refuted by Origen in 248 AD.

[John Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

What especially delighted me was finding in it the origin of Thomas Hardy's poem, of Panthera's lover (if I've got the spelling right. He was a Roman soldier, she the unlikely virgin, Mary) though I suppose it is more likely she was impregnated by Joseph on being betrothed. It's a bit rich claiming god the father's the father but as Augustine says, the more incredible, the greater the miracle and supernatural power behind it. Celsus then goes on she went off to labour in Egypt as the only way to keep herself and child. Wonderful and more plausible than a flight from Herod.

[Onyango Makagutu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book

[Miroslav · Rating 2 out of 5]

tak toto nesadlo... aj keď je knižka extrémne krátka a veľmi úzko zameraná, prakticky nič som sa nedozvedel

[Mads Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very essential historical piece which is almost entirely neglected.

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting work.