Magic has fascinated and intrigued people throughout history. From the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia to the modern world, magic has been a subject of curiosity and wonder. The practice of magic varies across cultures and time periods, but its underlying concept remains the same: the manipulation of supernatural forces to achieve various outcomes. In ancient times, magic was deeply intertwined with religious and spiritual beliefs. Priests and priestesses who were believed to have special connections with the gods would perform rituals and spells to invoke their powers. These rituals were often used for healing, protection, or divination purposes.
"Decorated Mummy Case" (Ptolemaic Period, 300–50 BC), автор – UnknownInstitute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum
When researching the stories, choosing the objects and creating the narrative for Harry Potter A History of Magic , we have encountered magic round every corner. Making magic work often involved a combination of ritual actions, symbolic imagery, performative recitation, written texts, and appropriate material ingredients.
These rituals were often used for healing, protection, or divination purposes. Ancient societies considered magic to be a natural part of life and relied on it for guidance and assistance. As civilizations advanced, so did the belief and practice of magic.
Ten Strange Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Magic
When researching the stories, choosing the objects and creating the narrative for Harry Potter: A History of Magic, we have encountered magic round every corner.
Here we explore 10 strange things you might not know about magic, unravelling strange myths and weird traditions, and being charmed by the mysterious world of witchcraft and wizardry.
1. Making yourself invisible is easy… provided you know the right words
Forget the fact you don’t have an invisibility cloak to hand, according to one 17th-century manuscript, known as The Book of King Solomon called The Key of Knowledge, you could make yourself invisible simply by reciting the following words:
“Stabbon, Asen, Gabellum, Saneney, Noty, Enobal, Labonerem, Balametem, Balnon, Tygumel, Millegaly, Juneneis, Hearma, Hamorache, Yesa, Seya, Senoy, Henen, Barucatha, Acararas, Taracub, Bucarat, Caramy, by the mercy whitch you beare towardes mann kynde, make me to be invysible.”
These instructions are found in a chapter headed ‘Howe experyments to be invysible must bee preparedd’. The writer and scholar, Gabriel Harvey, owned this manuscript, and one account of his life states that he largely disappeared from view in the final decades of his life: maybe the invisibility charm worked for him!
"A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary A phoenix rising from the ashes, in a bestiary" (13th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 4751.
2. A phoenix takes 9 days to rise from the ashes
Phoenixes are one of the most famous mythological birds and Dumbledore’s feathered friend Fawkes was a much-loved character in the books. Their behavior and life cycle was often described in medieval bestiaries (encyclopedias about animals real and imagined). In one tradition, it was said that the phoenix was native to Arabia, lived for 500 years, and in its old age would create its own funeral pyre from branches and plants. It would then fan the flames with its own wings, in order to be consumed by the fire, before rising again from the ashes after 9 days. This legendary ability has often been compared to the Resurrection of Christ.
"‘The signification of lines and other marks in the hands’, in Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy" (1775)Первоисточник: C.194.a.825(2).
3. Moles on the buttocks are especially auspicious
The Old Egyptian Fortune-Teller’s Last Legacy, published in London in 1775, contains lots of dubious advice on how to predict your future. We’re used to tea leaves in cups, but one other way to tell the future was by interpreting the moles on your face and body. For example, did you know that “a mole on the buttock denotes honor to a man and riches to a woman”? On another page, headed: "The signification of lines and other marks in the hands", we receive the news that certain lines denote “a trusty and faithful person”, while others indicate, “Let the party take care to avoid deep water”!
"Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal" (1789)Первоисточник: 1601/42.
4. Nicholas Culpeper was a witch
Nicholas Culpeper’s Herbal, first published in 1652, is one of the most influential books to identify the medical uses of different plants. But Culpeper was frowned upon by the medical establishment. He was an unlicensed apothecary, and he came into frequent conflict with the College of Physicians, not least because he wrote in English (for the benefit of the masses) rather than the more traditional Latin. In 1642, Culpeper was apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft, the penalty for which was death. Today, we would describe him as a ‘hedge witch’, a wise man or woman adept at providing remedies for illnesses and ailments.
"Kitāb mawādd al-‘ilāj (Arabic version of Dioscorides, Materia medica)" (14th century)Первоисточник: Or 3366.
5. Need to harvest a mandrake? Then find yourself a dog
A lesson in Herbology now – in the Middle Ages, it was believed that mandrakes could cure headaches, earache and gout. At the same time, it was supposed that this plant was hazardous to harvest, because its roots resembled the human form; when pulled from the ground, its shrieks could cause madness. This is why medieval plant-collectors devised an elaborate method to harvest mandrakes. The best way to obtain one safely was to unearth its roots with an ivory stake, attaching the plant to a dog with a cord. A horn should then be sounded, drowning out the shrieking while at the same time startling the dog, causing it to drag out the mandrake. Another piece of advice was to stuff your ears with clods of earth before attempting to pull the mandrake from the ground!
"Pierre Pomet, A Compleat History of Druggs" (1748)Первоисточник: 546.k.19..
6. Some of the best bezoar stones are found in the stomachs of goats
We all remember the bezoar Harry used to save Ron’s life after he sipped the poisoned mead in Professor Slughorn’s office, but what actually are they? Bezoars are a mass of undigested fibre formed in the stomach of certain animals, and are believed to be an antidote to poison. They were first introduced into medieval Europe by Arabic physicians. Wealthy collectors (including kings and popes) were willing to spend considerable sums to acquire the best ‘stones’. In A Compleat History of Druggs (first published in French in 1694), it was reported that the medicinal strength of a bezoar depended on the animal that produced it. For instance, those found in the guts of cows were nowhere near as good as those which came from the so-called ‘bezoar goat’. One of our colleagues recently acquired a bezoar stone from a llama, sourced from Bolivia. We hope we never need to try it out.
"Abū al-Qāsim al-‘Irāqī, Kitāb al-aqālīm al-ab‘ah (Book of the Seven Climes)" (18th century)Первоисточник: Add MS 25724.
7. This early alchemical illustration is in fact… a record of an ancient Egyptian monument
The Book of the Seven Climes, written in the 13th century by Abū al-Qāsim Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-‘Irāqī, focuses on alchemical illustrations. This picture was supposedly taken from a ‘Hidden Book’ attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage-king of ancient Egypt. He was believed to have mastered the secrets of alchemy and recorded them in hieroglyphs on the walls of tombs. Unbeknown to Al-‘Irāqī, this image actually reproduces an ancient monument erected in memory of King Amenemhat II, who ruled Egypt around 1922–1878 BC.
"Unicorns, in Pierre Pomet, Histoire générale des Drogues, traitant des plantes, des animaux et des mineraux" (1694)Первоисточник: 37.h.7..
8. A unicorn can have two horns
In recent years unicorns have appeared in our hair, on our toast and on our clothes, but our fascination for the horned horse goes back centuries. In 1694, Pierre Pomet, a French pharmacist, published his Histoire générale des Drogues. One of its illustrations shows five different species of unicorn, among them the camphor (a horned ass from Arabia) and the pirassoipi. The pirassoipi’s most distinctive feature is its twin horns (surely this is cheating), as seen in the lower left-hand corner of this image. Pomet reported that this two-horned unicorn was as large as a mule and as hairy as a bear. He also noted that unicorn horn was “well used, on account of the great properties attributed to it, principally against poisons”.
Texts written by Robert Ritner, Kiersten Neumann, Kate Grossmann, and Tasha Vorderstrasse were adapted from the following Oriental Institute Publications:
In the medieval period, magic took on a darker connotation, often associated with witchcraft and sorcery. This was a time of great fear and suspicion, and those accused of practicing magic were often persecuted and executed. The fear of witchcraft led to the infamous witch trials, where countless innocent lives were lost. However, not all forms of magic were viewed with fear and hostility. Some cultures embraced magic as a form of entertainment and performance. Magicians would dazzle audiences with illusions and tricks, creating a sense of awe and wonder. These performances became a popular form of entertainment, and magicians like Houdini and David Copperfield gained worldwide fame. In the modern world, magic has evolved into many different forms. With the rise of technology, magic has found a new medium through television and the internet. Shows like "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" and "Masters of Illusion" have brought magic back into the mainstream, captivating audiences with their mind-bending tricks and illusions. The main idea is that magic has evolved and transformed throughout history but has always remained a subject of fascination and intrigue. Whether used for religious purposes, persecuted as witchcraft, or performed as a form of entertainment, magic has left its mark on every culture and time period. Despite the advancements of science and technology, people still find wonder in the unexplainable and the possibility of supernatural forces at work. Magic continues to capture our imagination and challenge our perception of what is possible..
Reviews for "The Role of Magic in Ancient Civilizations: From Egypt to Mesopotamia"
1. Amy - 1 out of 5 stars - This book was a complete disappointment. The plot was confusing, and the characters were one-dimensional. I had high hopes for a magical journey across different ages, but it fell completely flat. The writing felt forced and unnatural, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Save your time and money and skip this one.
2. Greg - 2 out of 5 stars - I had heard such great things about "Magic across the ages," but unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The characters were also forgettable, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. Overall, it was a mediocre read that didn't deliver the magic it promised.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I struggled to get through "Magic across the ages." The writing style was choppy and failed to create a cohesive narrative. The transitions between different time periods were abrupt and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The character development was also lacking, and I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short, leaving me ultimately unsatisfied.
4. Michael - 3 out of 5 stars - "Magic across the ages" had an interesting premise, but it fell short in its execution. The storytelling was inconsistent, with some chapters dragging on while others felt rushed. The character development was minimal, and I didn't feel a connection to any of them. While there were some enjoyable moments, they were too few and far between to redeem the overall reading experience. It had the potential to be a captivating story, but unfortunately, it missed the mark.