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Semitic Magic: Its Origins and Development - Couverture rigide

Thompson, R Campbell

 
9781161376838: Semitic Magic: Its Origins and Development

Synopsis

Semitic Magic: Its Origins and Development by R. Campbell Thompson is a comprehensive study of the history and evolution of magic in the Semitic world. The book explores the origins of Semitic magic, tracing its roots back to ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon, and follows its development through the various cultures and civilizations of the Middle East, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Jews.Thompson examines the various forms of Semitic magic, including divination, incantation, and ritual, and explores the role of magic in the everyday lives of the people who practiced it. He also delves into the beliefs and practices of the different Semitic religions, such as the worship of the gods and goddesses of the ancient Near East, and how these beliefs influenced the development of magic.The book includes translations of ancient texts and inscriptions that provide insight into the beliefs and practices of the Semitic people, as well as illustrations and photographs of artifacts and objects related to Semitic magic. Thompson's thorough research and analysis make this book an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the history of magic and the ancient Near East.1908. This is the third volume of Luzac's Oriental Religions Series. The theories discussed in this book are based on a study of that intricate demonology which has gradually developed throughout the lands of Western Asia. The study of tabu from the Assyrian side had been comparatively neglected and the evidence gleaned from the cuneiform writings shows that it existed in practically the same form in Mesopotamia as in other countries. The material the author could gather was imperfect and the relative scientific value of what was actually known on the subject is proportionate to the amount of evidence which may be afforded at some later date by documents in the British Museum that were not released for this book.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

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Présentation de l'éditeur

Excerpt from Semitic Magic Its Origins and Development

The theories put forward or maintained in this book are based on a study of that intricate demonology which has gradually developed throughout the lands of Western Asia. The earliest written records of this magic are found in the cuneiform incantation tablets from Assyria; and, aided by the various stepping-stones afforded by Rabbinic tradition, Syriac monkish writings, and Arabic tales, we can trace its growth and decadence through three thousand years down to its survival in modern Oriental superstition. Furthermore, the parallels afforded by Aryan and Hamitic nations show how close the grooves are in which savage ideas run, and that the principles of magic are, broadly speaking, coincident in each separate nation, and yet, as far as we know, of independent invention. All these superstitions combine to throw light on many of the peculiar customs of the Old Testament, and help to explain the hidden reason why these customs existed. From a study of the characteristics of the evil spirits, which the Semite believed to exist everywhere, certain deductions can be made which bear intimately on our knowledge of the origins of certain tabus and the principle of atonement.

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