Summary

Ancient alchemy can be defined as the “art” (τέχνη) of transforming matter through a specific set of dyeing technologies, which were devised by ancient practitioners in their workshops. This craft is often referred to as a “sacred and divine art” in Byzantine anthologies of alchemical texts transmitted in Greek manuscripts. The earliest textual sources date to the first centuries ce when alchemical writings were produced in Graeco-Roman Egypt by authors such as Pseudo-Democritus (1st century ce) and Zosimus of Panopolis (3rd–4th century ce). Ancient alchemists did not simply record recipes and practical instructions; they also offered theoretical explanations for the properties of the dyeing substances applied to metals, quartz, and wool. Through chromatic transformations, they sought to “transmute” (i.e., transform) base metals like copper or tin into gold and silver or turn quartz into a variety of gemstones.