MAGIC IN THE ANCIENT WORLD by Fritz Graf, Franklin Philip (Trans) ( 9780674541535 )

Item Details

Title:

MAGIC IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

By:

Format:

Paperback

List price:	£31.95
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ISBN 10:

0674541537

ISBN 13:

9780674541535

Publisher:

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Pub. date:

8 September, 1999

Series:

Revealing Antiquity v. 10

Pages:

320

Description:

There is widespread evidence of belief in the efficacy of magic in the ancient world. This text aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to ancient magic, surveying magical beliefs and practices from the 6th century BC to late antiquity, describing rites and explaining the theory behind them.

Synopsis:

This text aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to ancient magic. It gives direct access to the sources but selects the important, characteristic examples. Ancient Greeks and Romans often turned to magic to achieve personal goals. Magical rites were seen as a route for direct access to the gods, for material gains as well as spiritual satisfaction. In this survey of magical beliefs and practices from the 6th century BC to late antiquity, Fritz Graf attempts to shed light on ancient religion. Evidence of widespread belief in the efficacy of magic is pervasive: the contemporaries of Plato and Aristotle placed voodoo dolls on graves in order to harm business rivals or attract lovers. The Twelve Tables of Roman Law forbids the magical transference of crops from one field to another. Graves, wells, and springs throughout the Mediterranean have yielded vast numbers of Greek and Latin curse tablets. And ancient literature abounds with scenes of magic, from necromancy to love spells. Graf explores the important types of magic in Greco-Roman antiquity, describing rites and explaining the theory behind them.He characterizes the ancient magician: his training and initiation, social status, and presumed connections with the divine world. With analysis of underlying conceptions and accounts of illustrative cases, Graf gives a picture of the practice of magic and its implications. He concludes with an evaluation of the relation of magic to religion. The book offers a look at ancient Greek and Roman thought and an understanding of popular recourse to the supernatural.

Publication:

Imprint:

Harvard University Press

Returns:

Returnable

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