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Title: Magic in the Ancient World by Fritz Graf, Franklin Philip ISBN: 0674541537 Publisher: Harvard Univ Pr Pub. Date: October, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $18.00

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Average Customer Rating: 4

Rating: 4
Summary: A Fine Study
Comment: This volume presents a good overview of the place of 'magic' in the Greek and Roman worlds. It should be interesting to modern practitioners as well as to students of history and culture.

The book begins by examining the meaning of the term 'magic', especially as related to the term 'religion'. Beginning with the ways of the Magi, and its development through the 'mystery cults' and influences from Egypt, Persia and the Graeco-Egyptian papyri, the author traces the growth and change of the idea of magic in classical culture.

The book then considers the figure of the magician, and the place of magical arts. It uses interesting classical sources, including a well-documented trial for sorcery of a Roman scholar. Two chapters address the rites if initiation of magicians, and the large body of evidence for the use of curse tablets and images.

The book emphasizes magic as a personal and individual approach to the spiritual, and how that brought magicians under suspicion by religious authorities. It discusses the development of the literary image of the mage.

I found the book to be satisfyingly scholarly, yet well written and engaging. The author shows a quiet humor that helps make this a very good book on a fascinating topic.

Ian Corrigan [email protected]