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A very good book, full of insights. -- David Graeber The Nation [Graf's] combination of scholarly knowledge, caution and a willingness to test the boundaries of his arguments (this third is rarely combined with the first two) makes this the most successful general introduction to the problems and scope of Greco-Roman magical practices...He provides much intelligent solidity where the subject has often prompted an over-sympathetic obsessiveness and wildness. -- Simon Goldhill London Review of Books This will be a very helpful introduction to the subject. Society for Old Testament Study Fritz Graf's imaginative contributions to the study of myth and ritual are deservedly well known; in this work, Graf brings his own scholarship, and that of participants in a series of seminars...to bear on the hitherto rather neglected field of magic in antiquity. The result is an accessible, clear and well-annotated guide to the complex world of the ancient magician, which serves both as a valuable introduction to the field and as an invaluable resource for further research and debate. -- Michael Lambert [Fritz Graf] draws upon a wide range of evidence, including papyri recipes, curse tablets, 'voodoo dolls,' trials of alleged magicians, and observations made by ancient authors, to reconsider, as a 'historian of religion,' the changing forms and functions of magic in Greece and Rome. Clearly written, scholarly, and at times stimulatingly controversial, the book should appeal to a variety of readers, from those approaching the subject for the first time to experts in the field. -- Hugh Parry Phoenix Fritz Graf...is well known for his work on Greek religion. His book on magic in the ancient world...contains a great deal of very interesting material, ably discussed; it is a substantial and controversial contribution to the study of a fascinating and controversial subject. -- Jasper Griffin New York Review of Books
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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.
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4 reviews
52 of 52 people found the following review helpful
A Fine Study
14 April 2000
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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 Tredara@ncweb.com
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Magic and religion are related......
29 Oct 2005
Format:Paperback
What is the difference between religion and magic? Fritz Graf says there is none. Graf a professor of Classics at Princeton University, has been described by his fellows as one of the world's most knowledgeable experts on Ancient Greek religion, and in this book he defends his title in reviewing the Presidendanz material-a collection of ancient texts (papyri) housed in Paris and developed during the Greco-Roman period. Graf also discusses artifacts from Attica and other areas in the Roman empire where thousands of binding tablets and `Voodoo' dolls have been discovered in recent years. Graf suggests the Presidendanz texts are as important for Greco-Roman religion as the Qumran scrolls for the Jewish religion, and the Nag-Hammadi texts for Gnosticism.
Graf suggests that Frazier, being a good Hellenist (all scholars knew Greek and Latin in those days) got it wrong when he divided magic from religion (pursuit of spiritual knowledge). According to Frazier, while the former seeks to manipulate the Gods, the latter seeks to know their will. Graf says the ancient Greeks did both-using magical techniques such as creating `binding' tablets and using portents for divination. Graf divides the magic-religious practices associated with binding into two categories: 1/ binding" for the purpose of control and 2/ seeking to undo the binding or restrictions placed on a victim by a magician or sorcerer. Graf suggests the practice of exorcism practiced by Christians is an example of the latter kind of magic.
Graf explores external influences affecting the Greco-Roman religion by examining linguistic terms associated with magical-religious practices, and he notes the connections between the words and practices of the early Christians and the `Pagan' Greeks. He suggests the term "magic" has Persian roots, and that both Christianity and the Greco-Roman religion were influenced by practices from the East. Because he reputedly could raise the dead and perform other `miracles' as could many Egyptian and Persian seers, Jesus was considered one of the magi.
Graf suggests that Frazier, being a good Hellenist (all scholars knew Greek and Latin in those days) got it wrong when he divided magic from religion (pursuit of spiritual knowledge). According to Frazier, while the former seeks to manipulate the Gods, the latter seeks to know their will. Graf says the ancient Greeks did both-using magical techniques such as creating `binding' tablets and using portents for divination. Graf divides the magic-religious practices associated with binding into two categories: 1/ binding" for the purpose of control and 2/ seeking to undo the binding or restrictions placed on a victim by a magician or sorcerer. Graf suggests the practice of exorcism practiced by Christians is an example of the latter kind of magic.
Graf explores external influences affecting the Greco-Roman religion by examining linguistic terms associated with magical-religious practices, and he notes the connections between the words and practices of the early Christians and the `Pagan' Greeks. He suggests the term "magic" has Persian roots, and that both Christianity and the Greco-Roman religion were influenced by practices from the East. Because he reputedly could raise the dead and perform other `miracles' as could many Egyptian and Persian seers, Jesus was considered one of the magi.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Great intro to the historical magical studies
20 July 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In this book, Prof. Graf sets out the basic outlines for the study of magic in the ancient world. This is not an in-depth book (for that, see links below), but it gives the reader enough to begin asking questions.
Basic words for magic and magician are covered as well as the forms of initiation, defixions, and the like. As a brief survey this is not very detailed, but it's probably the best intro to the field that I've seen. The sense of humor livens the book up and even more advanced students will appreciate his history of the study and the controversy over Frazer's approach.
This book is light reading, and it is accessible to a non-specialist. Highly recommended.
After reading this book, people may find the following books helpful:
Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion
Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: Texts
Greek and Roman Necromancy
Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World
Basic words for magic and magician are covered as well as the forms of initiation, defixions, and the like. As a brief survey this is not very detailed, but it's probably the best intro to the field that I've seen. The sense of humor livens the book up and even more advanced students will appreciate his history of the study and the controversy over Frazer's approach.
This book is light reading, and it is accessible to a non-specialist. Highly recommended.
After reading this book, people may find the following books helpful:
Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion
Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: Texts
Greek and Roman Necromancy
Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World
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