From the book
Stobaeus, Volume I
John Stobaeus · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Orientation
At a Glance
- The wordMystēria can designate mystery rites or sacred secrets.
- In StobaeusMomus fears that the human creature will boldly inspect nature’s beautiful mysteries through its inquisitive senses.
- In this edition“Mysteries” preserves both uses, with the immediate sense explained.
- A place to beginNature’s mysteries are objects of potentially intrusive human inquiry.
- English renderings
- mysteries; sacred secrets
Meaning
Mystēria can designate mystery rites or sacred secrets. Figurative use may apply the language of restricted disclosure to nature.
Use in the book
Momus fears that the human creature will boldly inspect nature’s beautiful mysteries through its inquisitive senses. Elsewhere heavenly mysteries provide the counterparts of earthly sacred rites. The first stresses concealed objects of inquiry; the second explicitly relates heavenly and earthly sacred order.
Places to read
- I.49.44.52Nature’s mysteries are objects of potentially intrusive human inquiry.
- I.49.44.79Heavenly mysteries correspond to earthly rites.
Translation in this edition
“Mysteries” preserves both uses, with the immediate sense explained.
Source note
Wachsmuth, volume I, printed pp. 399–400, 406–407. The passages do not identify a particular mystery cult or provide enough detail to reconstruct its ceremonies.