Magic in the Ancient World (Revealing Antiquity)

Fritz Graf, Franklin Philip (translator)

ISBN 10: 0674541510 / ISBN 13: 9780674541511

Edité par Harvard University Press, 1997

A propos de cet article

Tan cloth with trace wear and slightly bumped spine ends and corners. Jacket in new archival mylar sleeve has trace wear; flaps not clipped. Binding sound, spine lightly cocked, text clean. Tiny pen mark to ffep. Not illustrated. No prev owner names, stickers or stamps. Not ex-library. 313 pp.

N° de réf. du vendeur 002544

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Magic in the Ancient World (Revealing Antiquity)
• Éditeur: Harvard University Press
• Date de parution: 1997
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0674541510
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780674541511
• Reliure: Hardcover
• Édition: 1st Edition
• Impression: 1st Printing
• État de l'article: Very Good
• État de la jaquette: Near Fine
• Poids: 2 livres
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • History
  • Occult

A propos de ce titre

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.

Présentation de l'éditeur

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 for spiritual satisfaction. In this fascinating survey of magical beliefs and practices from the sixth century B.C.E. through late antiquity, Fritz Graf sheds new light on ancient religion.