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 ...
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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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Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World to cart. $24.00, very good condition, Sold by Ancient World Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Toronto, ON, CANADA, published 2003 by Harvard University Press.
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Very Good+ 0674541537. 1 page corner creased. Mild creasing to spine. Sticker residue to front wrap.; Revealing Antiquity; 1.05 x 8.51 x 5.8 Inches; 320 pages; 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 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. 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. And he characterizes the ancient magician: his training and initiation, social status, and presumed connections with the divine world. With trenchant analysis of underlying conceptions and vivid account of illustrative cases, Graf gives a full picture of the practice of magic and its implications. He concludes with an evaluation of the relation of magic to religion. Magic in the Ancient World offers an unusual look at ancient Greek and Roman thought and a new understanding of popular recourse to the supernatural.
Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World (Revealing Antiquity, No. 10 to cart. $15.24, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World to cart. $17.00, very good condition, Sold by Mayer Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wooster, OH, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World to cart. $19.50, very good condition, Sold by Reformed Episcopal Seminary rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Oreland, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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Very good. Very clean pages, tight binding. Text in English, German. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 313 p. Revealing Antiquity, 10. Audience: General/trade.
Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World to cart. $19.51, very good condition, Sold by TextbookRush rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Grandview Hts, OH, UNITED STATES, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World (Paper) to cart. $31.64, new condition, Sold by Books2anywhere rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World (Paper) to cart. $33.62, new condition, Sold by Paperbackshop International rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Fairford, GLOS, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Add this copy of Magic in the Ancient World to cart. $40.22, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1999 by Harvard University Press.
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New. 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. Translator(s): Philip, Franklin. Series: Revealing Antiquity. Num Pages: 320 pages. BIC Classification: 1QDAG; 1QDAR; HBJD; HBLA; HRKP; HRQX2. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 217 x 140 x 18. Weight in Grams: 370. 1999. Reprint. Paperback.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
