Theurgic Ripples in the Empire—The Legacy of Iamblichus
The New Antiquity January 1, 2026 Koutsoukos Marios
This chapter examines Iamblichus' Response to Porphyry, arguing that he redefined religious practice by emphasizing theurgy as a method for divine communication and spiritual ascent. It contends that Iamblichus influenced Emperor Julian, who adopted theurgic practices in his effort to revive traditional polytheism and unify the Roman Empire under a renewed religious framework. Julian's brief reign illustrates the practical application of Iamblichean theurgy in political and spiritual spheres.