Note 331 — Chapter III · THE ORIGIN OF GNOSTICISM

See the letter of Porphyry to Anebo quoting Chaeremon. That this practice was peculiar to the Egyptian magicians is stated by Iamblichus, de Mysteriis, Bk IV. c. 7. A good instance is given by Maspero, “Sur deux Tabellae Devotionis” in Ét. Égyptol. 1893, t. II. p. 297, where a magician threatens, if his prayer be not granted, to go down into the secret places of Osiris and destroy his shroud.