Top 10 Facts about Mary the Jewess

A portrait drawing photo of Mary the Jewess by Michael Maier – Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Facts about Mary the Jewess

Mary, also known as Maria the Jewess or Maria the Prophetess, was a renowned alchemist who lived in Alexandria during the first to third centuries A.D. She is mentioned in the works of Zosimos of Panopolis and other authors in the Greek alchemical tradition. 

She is considered to be one of the first alchemical writers, with her works dating back to no later than the first century. Mary is known for her contributions to the field of alchemy and her influence on the development of the discipline. In the article are the top ten facts about Mary the Jewess.

1. She is considered the first true alchemist

Mary the Jewess was a highly respected alchemist who lived in Alexandria, Egypt during the early common era. She made significant contributions to the field of alchemy and was well-regarded within the Greek alchemical tradition.

Zosimos of Panopolis, a renowned Greek alchemist, held her in high regard and valued her works. Mary is often considered to be the first true alchemist of the Western world and served as a pioneer for those who would practice this enigmatic and often misunderstood discipline in the future.

2. She made crucial contributions to the field of Chemistry

Mary the Jewess, a pioneering alchemist, is renowned for her contributions to the field of chemistry through the development of various chemical apparatus. These include the bain-marie, a double boiler that facilitates the gentle heating of substances without direct contact with a heat source, and the kerotakis, a furnace used to heat substances to high temperatures. These innovative creations highlight Mary’s aptitude and proficiency in chemistry and alchemy.

3. Metals had different genders!

Mary the Jewess held a conviction that metals possessed distinct genders and that the union of these genders through alchemical processes could yield a new entity. This belief was rooted in the perception that metals possessed animistic qualities, including bodies, souls, and spirits, which could be manipulated through the arcane art of alchemy. This ideology played a crucial role in Mary’s alchemical practices and had a lasting impact on the evolution of alchemy in the Western world.

4. She was one of the first alchemical writers

As an early alchemical writer, Mary the Jewess played a vital role in the development of alchemy in the Western world. Her ideas and works have been widely studied and admired by alchemists for centuries.

Her contributions to the field, including the invention of various chemical apparatus and her unconventional beliefs about the nature of metals, have earned her a place of great esteem within the annals of chemistry and alchemy. Mary is widely regarded as the first true alchemist of the Western world, and her legacy continues to influence the practice of alchemy to this day.

5. Mary incorporated lifelike attributes into metals

Mary the Jewess incorporated into her descriptions of metal attributes reminiscent of those possessed by living beings, such as bodies, souls, and spirits. This belief was founded on the idea that metals possessed an animistic nature and could be imparted with qualities akin to those of living entities. This belief was central to Mary’s alchemical practices and had a lasting impact on the evolution of alchemy in the Western world.

It was influenced by the ancient Greek concept of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and the belief that all matter was composed of these elements in varying proportions. Mary’s incorporation of such attributes into her descriptions of metals reflects this belief and highlights the holistic, interconnected nature of her alchemical practices.

6. She was invented by Zosimos of Panopolis in his writing

The primary source for the existence of “Mary the Jewess” within the context of alchemy is the writings of Zosimos of Panopolis, who wrote about her in the 4th century. Zosimos’ writings are considered a primary source because they are firsthand accounts of Mary and her work in alchemy. Mary is described as having lived in the past and as “one of the sages,” indicating that she was an influential figure in the history of alchemy.

7. What is this Kerotakis?

Thank you for explaining the function and history of the kerotakis. The kerotakis is a fictional device used to heat substances and collect vapours in the practice of alchemy. It is described as an airtight container with a sheet of copper on its upper side, and its joints are designed to form a tight vacuum seal.

The kerotakis is said to be based on the process of gold formation that occurs within the earth, and it was later modified by the German chemist Franz von Soxhlet to create the Soxhlet extractor. The term “hermetically sealed” is derived from the use of sealed containers, like the kerotakis, in the hermetic arts.

8. What is a Tribikos?

The tribikos was a type of alembic, a device used to distil substances, equipped with three arms. It is not certain if Mary, the ancient alchemist was the inventor of the tribikos, but she is credited with providing the first known description of the instrument in her writings.

Despite being a historical device, the tribikos are still in use today in some chemistry laboratories. According to Mary’s recommendations, which were recorded by the ancient alchemist Zosimos, the tubes of the tribikos should be made of copper or bronze and have a thickness similar to that of a frying pan. Additionally, she suggested that the joints between the tubes and the still-head should be sealed with flour paste to ensure a secure and airtight connection.

9. Mary is credited to have made a contribution to the Bain-marie

A bain-marie, also known as a water bath or double boiler, is a device that is used to heat materials gently and evenly or to keep them warm over an extended period. It consists of an outer container filled with a working fluid, such as water, and an inner container in which the material to be heated or cooked is placed.

The inner container is typically smaller and fits inside the outer container, and is equipped with a handle for ease of handling. In some cases, the bain-marie may also include a base for added stability.

The heat source, which is typically located beneath the outer container, serves to heat the working fluid, which in turn transfers the heat to the inner container and its contents. This method of heating is useful for cooking delicate dishes or melting ingredients, as it helps to prevent scorching or burning.

10. Mary is not the only one mentioned in Zosimos of Panopolis in his descriptions of certain devices

Agathodaemon was an alchemist from late Roman Egypt who is known for his descriptions of elements and minerals, including a method for producing silver. He is only referenced in fragments found in medieval alchemical treatises, such as the Anepigraphos.

Pseudo-Democritus is the name given to the anonymous authors of various Greek texts that were falsely attributed to the ancient philosopher Democritus. These texts, such as On Sympathies and Antipathies and Artificial Substances, contain important information on alchemical practices.

Lastly, Hermes Trismegistus is a legendary figure who is a combination of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. He is believed to be the author of the Hermetica, a collection of pseudepigraphical texts that form the basis of the philosophical system known as Hermeticism. These texts were referenced by Zosimos of Panopolis in his writings on alchemy.