Martianus Capella on Dæmons

[sdi]

Those beings whom we see to be of fiery and flaming substance, passing from the ether itself and the cycle of the highest sphere down to the solar circle, they are called the very gods—also known as the celestials—and they arrange the secrets of the hidden causes (of all things). For they are purer, and the prayers over human cares do not concern them at all; they are called "unaffectable" (apatheis). It is most certain that Jupiter rules there.

But below the course of the Sun, down to the lunar orb, there are deities (numina) of secondary blessedness and unequal power, by whom nevertheless prophecies, dreams and prodigies are created. They divide the admonishing innards in haruspicy, and they send voices and speak in augural omens; they also give advice to queriers by the course of a star, a missile of lightning or a prodigious marvel.

Now, each one of them serves some one of the higher gods, and by the decision of the latter and the obedience of the former, there was appointed one general Genius presiding over all, and a specific genius for each mortal, whom they have also called Præstes, because he presides (praesit) over all their deeds. For on the one hand, supplications are made to the genius of the people when the general one is invoked, and on the other hand, each person pays respect to their own ruler, and he is called genius because, when any human being is born, he is quickly joined to it. This guardian and most faithful brother protects the souls and intellects of all people, and because he relates the secrets of their thoughts to the power above, he can also be called an angel.

The Greeks call all of these "dæmons" from being distributed (apo tou daiomenou), but in Latin people are wont to call them "mediators" (medioximi). Although they have a less bright and resplendent nature than those celestials show—as you can see—yet they are not so corporeal as to be grasped by the human eye.

Here, then, are the Lares, and here dwell the purer souls after the bond with the body's organs (is dissolved), although, if they are carried up by the excellence of their merits, they can often overleap the sphere of the Sun and the boundary of flame.

(Martianus Capella on the Marriage of Philology and Mercury, as translated by Martiana, with some minor editing for readability by yours truly)

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Following this, Martianus describes how demigods and heroes fill the space between the atmosphere and the moon, while humans and animals and so on live on the land; but the above is the interesting part and anyway I didn't want to quote beyond what I'm permitted under Fair Use.

This is a vision of dæmons very different than the Platonic one—and, I think, less accurate—but fascinating nonetheless and helpful in understanding various myths and legends.

Comments

[boccaderlupo]

Very intriguing find! Thank you.

[sdi]

You bet!