Cleopatra the Alchemist
Encyclopedia
Cleopatra the Alchemist was an Egypt
ian alchemist
and author. The dates of her life and death are unknown, but she was active in Alexandria
in the 3rd century or the 4th century.
Cleopatra is a pseudonym
for an author, whose real name has been lost. She is not the same person as Cleopatra VII, none-the-less she may be referred to as Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt in some later works. One example of this can be found in Basillica Philosophica by Johann Daniel Mylius
(1618), where her seal is pictured alongside the motto: "The divine is hidden from the people according to the wisdom of the Lord". Cleopatra is also used as a character within the dialogue of the alchemical texts themselves.
Cleopatra was a foundational figure in alchemy, pre-dating Zosimos of Panopolis
. Michael Maier
names her as one of the four women that knew how to make the philosopher's stone
, along with Maria the Jewess, Medera, and Taphnutia. Cleopatra was mentioned with great respect in the Arabic encyclopedia
Kitab-Fihrist from 988. She is most noted for the text Chrysopeia of Cleopatra which contains many emblem
s later developed and used within gnostic and hermetic
philosophy
. An example is the serpent of Eden as a symbol of knowledge, Ouroborus, and another is the eightbanded star. Her work also contained several descriptions and drawings of the technical process of furnace
s. She is sometimes credited with the invention of the alembic
.
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian alchemist
Alchemist
An alchemist is a person who practices alchemy. Alchemist may also refer to:-People and groups:*The Alchemist , a hip hop music producer and rapper*Alchemist , an Australian progressive metal band...
and author. The dates of her life and death are unknown, but she was active in Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
in the 3rd century or the 4th century.
Cleopatra is a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
for an author, whose real name has been lost. She is not the same person as Cleopatra VII, none-the-less she may be referred to as Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt in some later works. One example of this can be found in Basillica Philosophica by Johann Daniel Mylius
Johann Daniel Mylius
Johann Daniel Mylius was a composer for the lute, and writer on alchemy. Born at Wetter in Hesse, he went on to study theology and medicine at the University of Marburg. He was the brother-in-law and pupil of Johann Hartmann ....
(1618), where her seal is pictured alongside the motto: "The divine is hidden from the people according to the wisdom of the Lord". Cleopatra is also used as a character within the dialogue of the alchemical texts themselves.
Cleopatra was a foundational figure in alchemy, pre-dating Zosimos of Panopolis
Zosimos of Panopolis
Zosimos of Panopolis was an Egyptian or Greek alchemist and Gnostic mystic from the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th century AD. He was born in Panopolis, present day Akhmim in the south of Egypt, ca. 300. He wrote the oldest known books on alchemy, of which quotations in the Greek language...
. Michael Maier
Michael Maier
Michael Maier was a German physician and counsellor to Rudolf II Habsburg, a learned alchemist, epigramist and amateur composer.- Biography :...
names her as one of the four women that knew how to make the philosopher's stone
Philosopher's stone
The philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
, along with Maria the Jewess, Medera, and Taphnutia. Cleopatra was mentioned with great respect in the Arabic encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge....
Kitab-Fihrist from 988. She is most noted for the text Chrysopeia of Cleopatra which contains many emblem
Emblem
An emblem is a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept — e.g., a moral truth, or an allegory — or that represents a person, such as a king or saint.-Distinction: emblem and symbol:...
s later developed and used within gnostic and hermetic
Hermetic
* Hermeticism, a magical and religious movement stemming from the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus* Hermeticism , a literary movement in poetry started in Italy* Hermetics, the deliberate use of esoteric imagery...
philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. An example is the serpent of Eden as a symbol of knowledge, Ouroborus, and another is the eightbanded star. Her work also contained several descriptions and drawings of the technical process of furnace
Furnace
A furnace is a device used for heating. The name derives from Latin fornax, oven.In American English and Canadian English, the term furnace on its own is generally used to describe household heating systems based on a central furnace , and sometimes as a synonym for kiln, a device used in the...
s. She is sometimes credited with the invention of the alembic
Alembic
An alembic is an alchemical still consisting of two vessels connected by a tube...
.