Hermes Trismegistus
/ˈhɜːrmiːz ˌtrɪsməˈdʒɪstəs/noun
A legendary Greco-Egyptian sage formed by the syncretism of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth, regarded as the author of Hermetic writings.
Did you know?The name became central to Hermeticism because late-antique writers attributed works such as the Corpus Hermeticum and Emerald Tablet to this supposedly primordial sage, though the texts were composed by multiple authors.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Egypt
Egyptian
Djehuty
“Thoth, the ibis-headed god associated with writing, knowledge, measurement, and sacred speech”
Hellenistic Period
Greek
Hermēs Trismegistos
“Hermes the Thrice-Greatest; a Greek-Egyptian identification of Hermes with Thoth”
2nd–3rd Century CE
Greek
Ἑρμητικὰ
“Hermetic writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, concerning theology, cosmology, astrology, and the soul”
4th–5th Century CE
Latin
Hermes Trismegistus
“The Latin form used by Christian-era writers discussing the Egyptian sage and his supposed revelations”
15th Century
Renaissance Latin
Hermeticus
“Hermetic; relating to the writings and philosophical tradition associated with Hermes Trismegistus”
16th–17th Century
English
Hermetic
“Relating to occult philosophy, alchemy, or sealed and hidden knowledge”