Overview
The International Micrologus Conference: Hermes and the Sciences will bring together leading scholars of Hermetism, ancient philosophy, and intellectual history to explore the intersections between religion, science, and magic in the ancient and medieval worlds.
Organized by Antonella Sannino, with the collaboration of the Waterloo Institute for Hellenistic Studies (WIHS), SISMEL, Antonio Manieri, David Porreca, and the Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaevalis (Turnhout: Brepols), this conference continues the long-standing Transcultural Conferences of the UAI tradition of fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Location: University of Naples “L’Orientale” | Dates: June 9th – 11th, 2026
Scientific Committee
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Charles Burnett
Irene Caiazzo
Agostino Paravicini Bagliani
Michela Pereira
David Porreca
Antonella Sannino
Nicolas Weill-Parot
Thematic Areas
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Theoretical Hermetism
Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft
Alchemy
Astrology
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Special attention will be given to the roots of Hermetic traditions in the Hellenistic period, whose complex interplay of Greek, Egyptian, and other cultural influences laid the groundwork for the later development of Hermetism in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Roundtable Session
A roundtable session will be dedicated to the presentation of the first English translation of the Latin philosophical Hermetic texts of the Middle Ages, which have remained largely inaccessible to non-specialists until now. This initiative highlights the ongoing relevance of Hermetic thought and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in making these sources available to a wider scholarly audience.
The discussion will bring together experts in Hermetism, medieval philosophy, and textual transmission to reflect on the challenges and implications of rendering these complex works accessible to an international academic audience. The session will underscore how the translation project bridges disciplines—combining philology, intellectual history, and digital humanities—to promote renewed engagement with the Hermetic tradition from its Hellenistic roots to its medieval reinterpretations.
Speakers:
Brett Bartlett, Lucia Bellizia, Monica Brinzei, Charles Burnett, Irene Caiazzo, Daniel De Smet, Tim DeNecker, David Juste, Antonio Manieri, Roberto Melisi, Lauri Ockenström, Michela Pereira, Agostino Paravicini Bagliani, David Porreca, Vajra Regan, Liana Saif, Antonella Sannino, Matteo Stefani, Nicolas Weill Parot.