The Gnostics and Their Remains

In 1864, C. W. King opened a window onto one of the most fascinating and enigmatic spiritual worlds of antiquity: Gnosticism. The result of years of study of rare historical and archaeological sources, this pioneering work reveals the origins, beliefs and secret rituals of the Gnostic sects that flourished on the fringes of early Christianity, weaving together Greek philosophy, Eastern mysticism and forgotten heresies.

But this is not merely an essay: it is a journey into the very relics of that lost world. King examines Gnostic amulets, engraved gems and talismans with the eye of a scholar and the passion of a collector, offering the reader a vivid and tangible picture of a spiritual culture buried by time.

Published at a time — Victorian Britain — marked by a growing fascination with the occult and esotericism, The Gnostics and Their Remains was not merely a publishing success: it laid the foundations for modern research into heterodox religious movements and ancient symbolism. An essential classic for anyone wishing to explore the hidden roots of Western spirituality.