Julianus’s Treatise on Sacred Images – The Original Text

Julianus’s on Sacred Images– Greek To English

A statue of Serapis, representing Greco-Egyptian syncretism

1A. “Let ‘sweats’ (physical life) of the gods come into being (γινέσθωσαν, echoing the creation in Genesis), Selene (the Moon), being present in the goddess (ἐν τῇ θεᾷ) in a state of femininity (οὔσης), and in that which is feminine, and also in the steadfast (στερεῷ) [or “fixed”] sign of the zodiac (<ζῳδίῳ>), and Aphrodite auspicious (ἀγαθοτυχούσης).

1B.  But let these not be present in one (μόνῳ) Scorpion (Σκορπίῳ). And during the corresponding risings (ἀνατολὰς) the ascensions, like dawn, that are signs of new beginnings, let them come into being (γινέσθωσαν) (Genesis).

2. “Of the enigmatic character of the divine statue (ἀγάλμα, agalma, a word also found in the Septuagint to denote a crafted image or idol), such as Zeus with a ram face (κριοπροσώπου), or Isis with a cow head (βουκεφάλου), or one of lion form (λεοντομορφου), or simply one that is circular (κυκλικοῦ) or unadorned (ἀπλάστου). These are the riddles of Egyptian wisdom that reveal hidden (κρυπτομένους) or shadowed (ἐπισκιαζομένους) aspects of the stars, whenever they have likeness with what is sought (τὸ ζητούμενον); or you see Hermes the “turned-away” (ἀπόστροφον) who signifies this.”

3.  “Let these ‘sweats” (lives) be made (καθιδρύσεις ἔσονται) if the gods are chthonic (καταχθόνιοι, of the earth and underworld), with Selene, Aphrodite, and Zeus bearing mutual witness (μαρτυρεῖσθων ὑπ’ ἀλλήλων) to it; and let Kronos also testify to them in harmony.

4. Regarding the male gods (ἀρρένων), let us cause Helios (Ἥλιος) to “sweat” (live) (καθιδρύσωμεν) in God; and if the statue is that of Ares (Ἄρεως, if the image is of the warrior), then let us regard Ares (τὸν Ἄρη σκεψώμεθα); but if it is Kronos, then consider Kronos (τὸν Κρόνον), for the same word (ὁ αὐτὸς λόγος) applies to all.”

5A. “When the gods are of the airy or celestial kind (ἀερίων), let the vernal or first quarter (τὸ ἐαρινὸν τεταρτημόριον) be observed, and of the heavenly ones (οὐρανίων) the summery quarter, for those that encircle (περιγείων) the autumn, and for those of lakes or the sea (λιμναίων ἢ θαλασσίων) the winter season.”

5B.  “And the revelations (ἀναδείξεις) the unveiling and fulfillment (τελουμένων, the completion of a divine act) occur in this manner.

6. “Delay the enshrining whenever the zodiacal signs are “fixed” (στερεά) and “many rising” (πολυανάφορα), the witnessing planets (οἱ μαρτυροῦντες) firmly support (στηρίζωσι) the election, and the Moon’s contacts (αἱ συναφαί τῆς Σελήνης) are both numerous and favorable (καλαί).”

7. But when the houses (οἱ τόποι) or the planets that signify the god’s face (οἱ σημαίνοντες τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ θεοῦ) are seen to be under spear‑bearers (ὑπὸ δορυφόρων ὁρῶνται), the image already installed (ὁ ἱδρυθεὶς) will even bring forth another god (ἕτερον θεόν).

8. If it is with spears (δορυφορηθεὶς) at the midheaven (μεσουράνημα) by Helios (Ἥλιος) and Hermes (Ἑρμῆς) while those two are in the ninth sign (ἐν τῷ θʹ ὄντων) and Selene (Σελήνη) is co‑present, the statue will be eminent in its oracles. But when Hermes is separating (Ἑρμοῦ ἀπορρέοντος), retrograde (ἀναποδίζοντος), afflicted in mute signs (ἐν ἀφώνοις κακουμένου) or will be harmed (ἢ κακοῦσθαι μέλλοντος), the oracles will stop.

9. When Ares is opposed to them, the divine statue will burn in fire. If Hermes is added to him [Ares/Mars], it will be plundered (καλπήσεται) by soldiers or bandits. When the malefics are in their own signs (ἐν ἰδίοις ὄντες), whether harming (οἱ κακοῦντες) or being harmed (οἱ κακούμενοι) by their dispositors (ὑπὸ οἰκείων), such harm is foretold (ταῦτα τολμηθέσεσθαι μαντεύονται) not only against the images but also against their owners. (οὐ μόνον αὐτοὶ σκεπτέοι ἀλλὰ καὶ οἱ δεσπόται αὐτῶν), for like produces like (τὸ γὰρ ὅμοιον ἀποτελέσουσιν).

10. In all cases let the Lot of Fortune (ὁ τῆς τύχης κλῆρος) be examined (ὁράσθω).

Source: Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum Graecorum (CCAG VIII 4, 62-66) edited by Franz Cumont and Franz Boll