A

HIS T O R Y O F MA G IC A N D
EX PER IM ENTA L SCIEN C E

D U R I N G T HE FI RST T HI RT EEN
C ENT U R I E S O F O U R E RA

BY LY NN TH O R N D IKE

CO L U M B IA U N IVE RS I TY P R ESS

N EW Y O RK AND L O ND O N
 C O NT ENTS

PREFACE
A BB REVI ATI ON S
DES I GN ATI O N OF MA N U s CRI P T S
L I S T OF W OR K S FREQ UEN TL Y CI TED BY AUTH OR A ND DATE OF

P UBL I CATI ON O R B R I EF T I T L E XV I I
CH APTE R

I . I N TROD U CTI ON

BOOK I . T HE R O MAN E MP I RE

FOREWORD

PL I N YS ’
NATU RA L HI S TORY
I . Its P l a c e in th e Hi st o r y o f S c i e n ce
II . I ts Exp e r ime nta l T e n de n cy
P l ny s Ac c o unt o f Ma g c
i i
’
I II .

IV . T he S c i e nce Of th e Magi
V Pl iny s Mag ic al S c i e n c e
’
.

S EN ECA AND P TOLE M Y: NATU RAL D I VI N ATI O N A ND

TROL OGY

M n a nd His T ime s
I The
. .

II His Me di c i n e a n d Exp e r i me nt al S ci e n c e
.

I II His Att itu de To w a r d Ma g ic

.

A N CI EN T APPL I ED S C I E N CE A N D MA GI C : V I TRUVI U S ,

HERO , A N D TH E G REE K AL C H EM I S TS
PL U TARCH S E S S A Y S ’

AP U L EI U S OF MADA U RA
P H L OS TRA T U S S L I F E OF A POL L O N I U S OF T Y A N A
I
’

L I TERARY A N D P H I L OS OP H I CA L ATTA C K S U P O N S U P ERS TI

T I O N : C I CERO FA VORI N U S S EX T U S E M P I RI CU S L U CI A N
, , ,

S P U R I O U S MY S TI C WR I TI N G S OF HER M ES O RP H EU S A N D , ,

Z O ROA S TER
 C O N TEN TS
CHAP TER PAG E

II . N Eo-P LATON I S M A ND I TS R EL ATI O N S To AS TROLOGY AN D

I2. AEL I A N , S OLI N U S , AND HORA P OL L O

B O OK II . E ARLY C HRI S TI AN THO U G HT

FOREWO RD
T H E B OOK OF E N O CH
P H I LO J U DA EU S
T H E G N O S TI C S
T H E C H R I S TI A N AP O CR YP H A
T H E R E CO G N I TI O N S OF CL E M E N T AND S I MO N MAGU S
T H E CO N F ES S I O N OF C YPR I A N A N D S OM E S I M I LA R S TORI ES
O RI G E N AN D CEL S U S
O TH ER CH RI S TI A N D I S CU S S I O N OF MA GI C BE FORE AU GU S
TI N E

21 . CH RI S TI A N I TY AND NAT U RA L S C I EN CE : B A S I L, EP I P HA
NIU S A N D TH E P H Y S I OL OG U S
,

22 . A U GU S TI N E O N MA G I C A N D A S TROL OG Y
23 . T H E F U S I O N OF P A GA N A N D C H RI S TI A N TH O U G HT IN
T H E F O U RT H A N D F I FT H CEN T U R I ES

B O O K III . T HE E AR LY MI D DL E AG ES
T H E S T OR Y N ECTA N E B U S , OR
OF TH E AL E XA N DER L EGEND
I N TH E EA RL Y MI DDL E A GES
P OS T CL A S S I CA L
-
MEDI C I N E
P s EU Do L I TERA T
-
U RE IN NAT U RA L S CI EN CE
Y
O T H ER E A RL MEDI EVA L L EA R N I N G : B OET H I US , I S I DORE ,
B EDE, G REG OR Y
A RA BI C O CC U LT S C I EN CE OF T H E N I N TH CE N TU RY
Y
L A T I N A S TRO L O G A N D D I V I N ATI ON , E S P EC I ALL Y I N THE
N I N T H , T E N T H , A N D EL EVE N TH CEN T R I ES U
G ER B ERT A N D TH E I N TROD U CTI ON OF A RA B I C A S TROL OG Y
A N GL O S A xO N , S A L ERN I TA N
—
AND O T H ER L ATI N MEDI
CINE IN MA N U S CRI PTS FRO M TH E N I N TH To TH E
T WEL FT H U RYC EN T
CO N S TA N TI N U S A F RI CA N U S ( c 1 0 1 5 1 087 ) .
-

TR EA T I S ES O N T H E A RTS B EF ORE T H E I N TRODU CTI O N OF

AR A B I C AL C H E M Y
MARB OD
I N DI c ES
G e n e r al
B iblio g ra p h i cal
Ma n u s c r ip ts
 C ON TEN TS

B O O K IV . T HE TWELFTH CE NTU RY
CHAP TER PAGB

35 . T H E EA RL Y S CH OLA S TI cs : P ETER A B EL ARD A ND HU GH

36 . AD ELARD OF B AT H

37 WI LL I A M OF C O N C H ES

38 . S O M E T W EL FT H C E N TU R Y TR A N S LATORS , C H I EFL Y OF
A S T RO L OGY FR O M T H E ARA B I C

39 B ER N A RD S I LVE S TER ; A S TROL OG Y A ND G EO M A N CY

40 . S A I N T HI L DEGA RD OF B I N GE N

41 . J OH N OF S AL I SBU RY
42 . DA N I EL OF MORL EY A N D ROGER OF HEREF ORD
AL EX A N DER N EC K A M ON TH E NA TU RES OF T H I N GS
MO S E S MA I M O N I DES
HERM ETI C B OO K S IN TH E MI DDLE AGES
K I RA N I DE S

47 . P RES TER J OH N A N D THE MA RVEL S OF I N DI A

T H E P s EU Do -ARI S T OTL E

49 . S OL O M O N A N D TH E AR S N OTORI A
A N CI EN T AND MEDI EVAL DREA M B OO K S
-

BOOK V . T HE T HI RTEENT H C ENTU RY

FOREWORD
MI C HA EL S COT
WI LL I A M OF A U VERG N E
TH OM A S OF CA N TI M PR E
B A RT H OL O M EW OF E N GL A N D
RO B ERT G ROS S ETES TE
V I N CE N T OF B EA U VA I S
EA RL Y
T H I RT EEN T H C E N T R U Y
MEDI C I N E : G I L B ERT
E N GL A N D A N D W I LL I A M O F E N GL A N D
P ETR US HI S PA N U S
AL B ERTU S MA G N U S
I . i
L fe
II As. a Sc i e nt ist
I I I His Al l u s io n s t o Magic
.

I V Ma r v e l o u s V ir tue s in N a tu r e
.

V Att it u de T o w a r d A s t r o l o gy
.
 C O N TEN TS

C HAP TER

60 . T H O M A S AQ UI NAS
61 . R OG ER B A CO N
I . L fe i
i ici sm o f an d P a r t in Me di e v al L e ar ni ng
II C r t
.

I I I Exp e r i m e ta l S c i e n c e
. n

I V Attitu de T o w a d M g i c a n d As t r o l ogy
. r a

62 . T H E S P EC U L U M A S TRO N O M I A E
63 . TH REE TREATI S ES A S CR I B ED TO AL B ERT
64 . EX P ERI M EN T S A N D S ECRET S : MEDI CA L A N D B I OL OG I CAL
65 . EX P ER I M EN T S A N D S ECRETS : C H E M I CA L A N D MA G I CAL
66 . P I CA TRI X
67 . G U I DO B ON A TT I A ND B A RTH OL OM EW OF P A R MA
68 . AR N A L D OF V I L L A N OVA
69 . Y
RA M O N D L U LL
70 . P ET ER OF ABA N O
Cu m A S COL I
’
71 . D

72 . CO N CL U S I ON

I N DI C E S
G e n e r al
B i bl i o g r ap h i cal
Manus c r ip ts
 P R EFA C E

T his w o rk has b een l o n g in pr ep ar a ti o n— e ve r si n c e in

1 9 0 2 1 9 0 3 P r o f e ss o r J a m e s Ha rv e y R o bi n s o n
-
w h e n my
,

m i n d w as still in the m aki n g , sugg e st e d th e study o f m agic

in m e di e va l u n iv e rsiti e s as t he subj e ct o f my t he sis f o r th e
m a st e r s d e gr ee a t Co lu m bi a Un ive rsity— an d h as b e en
’

f o r e s had o w e d by o t he r public ati o n s s o m e o f w h ic h ar e

,

list e d u n d e r my nam e in t he pr e li m i n a ry bibli o gr aph y .

S i n c e t h is w as s et up in typ e t h e r e ha v e a ls o app ea r e d
G al en : the Man an d His T i m e s in Th e S cien tific M o n thly,
,
“ ”
J an u ary , 1 9 2 2 ; Ea rly Christi an ity a n d Natur a l S ci enc e ,
“
in Th e B ibli cal R e vie w July 1 9 2 2 ;
, ,
T h e L ati n P s e ud o
A rist o tle an d Me di e v a l O ccult S ci e n c e , in The J o ur na l o f
”

E n glis h an d G er ma nic P hil o l o gy A pril , 1 9 2 2 a n d n o t e s o n

,

Da n i e l o f Mo rl e y a nd G un d is s a lin us in Th e E n glis h His

tor ica l R e vie w . Fo r p e r m issi o n t o m ak e u se o f t h e s e p r e
vi o n s publica ti o n s in the p r e s en t w o rk I am i n de bt e d t o the
e dit o rs o f t he p e r i o dic a ls j ust m e nti o n e d an d a ls o t o th e
,

e dit o r s o f The Co lu m bia U n iv er s i ty S tu dies in His tor y,

E c o n o m ics an d P u blic L a w, Th e A m er ica n H is tor ica l R e

,

view Clas s ica l P hil o l o gy Th e M o n is t, N a tur e , The P hil o

, ,

s ophic al R e vie w a n d S cie n ce

,
T he f o r m , h o w e v e r , o f t h e s e
.

p r e vi o us public ati o n s has o ft en been alt e r e d in e m b o dyi n g

t he m in t h is b o o k , an d t ak en t o ge t he r t he y c o n stitut e but
, ,

a f r a cti o n o f it B o o k I gr eatly am pli fi e s the a cc o u n t o f

.

m a gic in the R o m a n E m pir e c o n t a i n e d in m y d o ct o r a l dis

s e r tat io n . O v e r t e n y ea r s a go I pr e p a r e d an a cc o u n t o f
m a gic a n d sci e n c e in t he tw e l f t h an d t h irt e e n th c e n turi e s
ba s e d o n m at e ri a l ava ila bl e in pri n t in libr a ri e s o f t h is
c o u n try a n d a rr an ge d t o pically but I did n o t publish it , a s it
,

s ee m e d a dvi sa bl e t o supple m en t it by study a br o ad a n d o f

t he m a n usc r ipt m a t e ri a l an d t o a d o pt a n a rr a n ge m en t by
,

a ut h o rs
. The r e sult is B o o ks I V an d V o f th e pr e s e n t w o r k .

My e x am i n ati o n o f m an usc r ipts ha s b ee n d o ne e sp e ci ally

at t he B r itis h Mus e u m w h o s e rich c o ll e cti o n s
,
p e r haps be
,

c aus e s o m e w hat i nacc e ssibly c at al o gu e d hav e b een l e ss us e d

,

by studen ts o f m e di e va l le ar n i n g t han such librari e s as the

1X
 PREFA CE

B o dle i an and Bibli o th equ e Na ti o nal e I have w o rk e d a ls o .

,

h o w e ve r at b o t h O x f o rd a n d P a ris at Mu n ich Fl o r e n c e
, , , ,

B o l o gn a an d e ls e whe r e ; but it ha s o f c o urs e bee n i m p o ssibl e

,

t o ex am i n e a l l th e t h o us a n ds o f m an uscripts b e a ri n g up o n
t he subj e ct a n d t he w a r pr e v e n t e d m e f r o m visiti n g s o m e
,

libr a ri e s such a s the i m p o rt an t m e di ev al c o lle cti o n o f Am

,

p l o n iu s at E r f urt H o weve r a f a irly wid e surv e y o f t he

.
,

c at a l o gu e s o f c o lle cti o n s o f m an uscripts has co n vi n c e d m e

t hat I have r ea d a r e pr e s en t ative s e l e cti o n S uch cl a ssifi e d .

lists o f m e di e va l man uscripts a s Mr s Do r o thea S i n ge r .

h a s u n d ert a k e n f o r th e Britis h I sl e s S h o uld gr eatly f acilit a t e

t h e f utur e l a b o rs o f i n v e stiga t o rs in t h is fi e ld .

A lt h o ugh w o rki n g in a r ath e r n e w fi e ld I h av e b ee n a ide d ,

by e diti o n s o f m e di e va l writ e rs pr o duc e d by m o d e r n

scho la rs hip an d by va ri o us se ri e s b o o ks a n d a rticl e s t en d
, , ,

in g at l ea st in th e s am e dir e cti o n as m i n e
, , S o m e suc h .

public ati o n s hav e app ea r e d o r c o m e t o my n o tice t o o l at e

f o r u s e o r e v e n f o r m e n ti o n in the t e x t : f o r i n st an c e an o t h e r ,

e diti o n o f t h e D e m e dica m e n tis o f Ma rc e llus E m p ir ic u s by

M N i e d e r m an n ; th e pri n ti n g o f the Twelve E xper imen ts

.

with S na k es kin o f J o hn P a uli n us by J W S J o hn ss o n in . . .

s o cie te X
’ '
B ul l cl l f l I I 6 cl hris t
’

l 2 5
r an c7 7 tf
h
'

. . . c , .
; e . . .
-

d e ta il e d studi e s o f S an t e Fe rr a ri o n P e te r o f A b an o ; a n d
A Fr an z D ie k ir chlich en B en edik tio n e n im M ittelal ter
.
, ,

1 9 09 2 v o ls ,
The br ee di n g pla ce o f the e e l ( to w h ich I
.

a llud e a t I , 4 9 1 ) is n o w a s a r e sult o f r e c e n t i n v e stiga ti o n by

,

Dr J S chm idt , pl ac e d a b o ut 2 5 0 0 m il e s f r o m t he m o u t h
“
. .

o f t he En glis h Ch a n n e l a n d 5 00 m il e s n o rt h e a st o f t h e —

”
L ee w a rd I sl a n ds ( D is c over y, O ct , 1 9 2 2 , p 2 5 6 ) i n st ea d . .

o f in th e Me dit e rr a n ea n .

A m an wh o o n c e wr o t e In D ubl i n c o m pl a i ne d o f the
1

di fficulty o f c o m p o si n g a l e a r n e d w o rk s o f a r f r o m t he
B o dl e i a n a n d Britis h Muse u m a n d I hav e o f t e n f e lt t he ,

s ame way Whe n a bl e t o visit f o r e ign c o ll e cti o n s o r the

.

la rge st libr ari e s in t his c o u n try o r wh en b o o ks ha v e be e n ,

s en t f o r m y u s e f o r a li m it e d p e ri o d I ha v e sp e nt all t he ,

a v a il a bl e ti m e in th e c o ll e cti o n o f m a t e ri a l w hic h ha s b e e n ,

writt e n up la t e r as o pp o rtu n ity o ffe r e d Natur a lly o n e t hen .

fi n ds man y s m a ll a n d s o m e i m p o r tan t p o i nts w hic h r equi r e

v e ri fi c ati o n o r f urt he r i n ve stigati o n but w hich m ust be ,

p o stp o n e d u n til o n e s n ex t v a c ati o n o r trip abr o a d by w hich

’

ti m e s o m e o f the s m all e r p o i n ts a r e a pt t o be f o rgo tt en .

H Co tto n Five B o o k s f Ma cca bees

‘
.
, o ,
183 2 , pp . ix -
X .
 P RE FA CE

O f such l o o s e t h r ea ds I f ea r t hat m o r e r e m a i n t han c o uld

be d e sir e d A n d I ha v e s o o f t e n c augh t m ys e l f in the ac t o f
.

m isi nt e rpr e t ati o n m ispl a c e d em p ha sis an d o t he r m ist ak es ,

, ,

t hat I hav e n o d o ubt t he r e a r e o t he r e rr o rs a s w e ll as

o m issi o n s wh ic h o th e r sc ho l a r s will b e a bl e t o p o i n t o ut a n d
wh ich I t r ust t he y will De spit e th is p r o sp e ct I hav e b een
.
,

bo ld in a ffi r m i n g m y i n d e p e n d e n t o pi n i o n o n an y p o i n t
w he r e I have o n e , e ve n if it c o n flicts wit h t hat o f sp e ci alists
o r puts m e in t he p o siti o n o f criticizi n g m y b e tt e rs .Co n
st an t qu e sti o n i n g criticis m n ew p o i n ts o f vi e w , an d c o n flict
, ,

o f O pi n i o n a r e e ss e n ti a l in t he pursuit o f trut h .

A f t e r s o m e h e sit a ti o n I d e cide d b e c a us e o f the e x pen s e ,

,

t he l e n gt h o f the w o rk , a n d the i n cr e a si n g u n f a m ili arity o f

r ead e rs wit h G r ee k a nd L ati n a s a rul e n ot to give in the
,

f o o t n o t e s t he o rigi n a l l an gu a ge o f p a ss a ge s us e d in t he
t ex t I have , ho w e ve r usu ally suppli e d the L ati n o r G r eek
.
,

w he n I hav e m a d e a f r e e tr an sla ti o n o r o n e wit h w h ich I

f e lt t ha t o t he rs m igh t n o t a gr ee But in such c as e s I ad v is e
.

critics n o t t o r e j e ct m y r e n d e ri n g utt e rly wit ho ut s o m e f ur

t he r e xam i n ati o n o f the c o n t ex t an d li n e o f th o ught o f the
a ut ho r o r tr e a tis e in qu e sti o n , si n c e th e w o rdi n g o f p a r t icu

la r p ass a ge s in t ex ts a n d m a n uscripts is li a bl e t o be c o rrupt ,

an d S i n c e m y purp o s e in qu o ti n g p a rticul a r p a ss a ge s is t o

illustr a t e the gen e r a l attitud e o f the aut ho r o r tr eatis e I n .

d e scribi n g m an uscripts I ha v e e m pl o ye d qu o ta ti o n m a rk s
w hen I k n e w f r o m p e rs o n al ex am i n ati o n o r o the rwis e t hat
the L a ti n w as t ha t o f t h e m a n uscript its e l f , a n d h a v e
o m itt e d qu o t a ti o n m a rks w h e r e th e L a ti n s ee m e d r a t h e r t o

be t ha t o f the d e scripti o n in th e c a t a l o gu e U su a lly I ha v e

.

l e t the f aulty sp e lli n g a n d syn t a x o f m e di e va l c o pyists st an d

wit ho ut c o m me n t But as I am n o t an ex p e rt in p ala eo g
.

r ap hy an d h av e e x am i n e d a l a rge n u m b e r o f m an uscripts

pri m a rily f o r t h e i r sub s t anc e the r ea d e r s ho uld n o t r e ga rd

,

m y L ati n qu o t ati o n s f r o m t he m as e x a ct tr a n slit e r ati o n s o r

c ar e f ully c o n sid e r e d t ex ts He s h o uld a ls o r e m em b e r t hat
.

the r e is littl e u n i f o r m ity in th e m an usc r ipts t h e m s e lv e s .

I h av e tri e d t o r e duc e t he bulk o f th e f o o t n o t e s by t h e

bri e f e st f o r m s o f r e f e r e n ce c o n sist e n t w ith cl ea r n e ss— c o n
sult lists o f a bbr e vi ati o n s an d o f w o rks f r e qu e n tly ci t e d by
a ut ho r a n d d at e o f public a ti o n a n d by u s e o f a pp e n dic e s
—

at t h e cl o s e o f c e r t a i n c h apt e rs .

W ith i n th e li m its o f a pr e f ac e I m ay n o t e n u me r ate all

t h e libr ari e s wh e r e I ha v e b ee n p e r m itt e d t o w o r k o r w h ic h
 P REFA CE

h ave ge ne r o usly s e n t b o o ks s o m e ti m e s r ar e vo lum e s to — —

C le v e l an d f o r m y u s e o r all the libr a ri a n s w ho h av e p e rs o n

,

a lly a ssist e d m y r e s ea rc he s o r c o urt e o usly a n d c a r e f ully a n

s w e r e d m y writt e n i n quiri e s o r t he o t h e r sc h o l a rs w h o h a v e ,

a id e d o r e n c o u r a ge d t h e pr e p a r ati o n o f t h is w o rk but I ,

h o p e t he y m ay f e e l t h at t h e i r ki n d n e ss h as n o t b ee n in v a i n .

I n libr a ry m att e rs I h a v e p e r ha ps m o st f r e qu en tly i m p o s e d

u p o n the go o d n atur e o f Mr Fr e d e ric C E r b o f t h e Co . .

lum bi a Un ive rsity L ibr a ry Mr G o rdo n W T haye r in , . .

,

c ha rge o f the J o hn G Wh it e c o lle cti o n in the Cl e ve la n d .

P ublic L ibr a ry an d Mr G e o rge F S tr o n g libr a ri an o f

, . .
,

A d e lb e rt Co ll e ge We st e r n R e s e rv e Un iv e rsity ; a n d I c ann o t
,

f o rbear t o m en ti o n the i n t e r e st s ho w n in m y w o rk by D r .

R L P o o l e at t he B o dl e i a n
. . Fo r l e tt e rs f a cilit a ti n g m y .

studi e s abr o a d b e fo r e the w ar o r applic ati o n f o r a p a ss p o rt

i mm e di at e ly a ft e r the w ar I am i n d e bt e d t o the Ho n .

Ph il a n de r C K n o x th e n S e cr e t a ry o f S t at e t o Fr e d e rick
.
, ,

P K e ppe l the n A ssista n t S e cr e t a ry o f War t o D r s J

.
, , . .

Frankli n J am e s o n an d Cha rl e s F Th wi n g an d to P r o f e ss o rs .
,

He n ry E B o ur n e an d Hen ry Cr e w
. P r o f e ss o rs C H . . .

Ha ski n s L C K a rpi n ski W G L e utn e r W A L o cy

1
, . .
, . .
, . .
,

D B Ma cd o n a ld L J P a et o w S B P l at n e r E C R ich
. .
, . .
, . .
, . .

ar dso n J a m e s Ha rve y R o bi n s o n David E ugen e S m it h

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D A r cy W T ho m ps o n A H T h o r n dik e E L T ho r n dik e
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m an uscript o r pr o o f an d o ff e r e d he lp f ul sugge sti o n s Th e .

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m e by P r o f e ss o rs B P B o url a n d C D L am b e rt o n a n d . .
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w o rk A f t e r r e c e ivi n g suc h e x p e rt a id a n d s o u n d c o u n s e l
.

I m ust a ssu m e al l th e d e e p e r guilt f o r such f aults a n d i n dis

c r e t io n s a s t h e b o o k m a displ a y
y .

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an d m y ch ap t e r o n Mich a e l S co t we r e w r itt e n qu it e
indep e n dently .
 ABB R EV IAT IO N S

Abhandl .
Abhan dlu n ge n zur G e s ch icht e der Mathema
tischen W iss e n scha f t e n begr ii ndet vo n M ,
.

Can t o r T e ubne r L e ipzig

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A dditi o n a l Man uscripts in th e Britis h Mus eu m .

Manuscript c o ll ecti o n o f Amp l o n ius R at in ck a t

E r f urt .

Ant e N ic e n e F at he rs Am e ri can R e pri nt o f the

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A ct a s an ct o ru m .

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li n g M B aum gartne r et al Miin ster 1 8 9 1

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B o dl e i an L ibr a ry O x f o rd , .

Britis h Mus e u m L o nd o n , .

Bibli o t hequ e N ati o nal e Paris , .

A ugustus B o r gn e t e d B A lb e rti Magn i O p er a , . .

o m n i a P a ris 1 8 9 0 1 8 9 9 in 3 8 v o ls
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Br ew er Fr R o ger i B ac o n O p e r a qu ae d am hact enus in

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e dit a e d J S Br e w e r L o n d o n
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Bridge s The O pus Ma ius o f R o ge r B a c o n e d J H , . . .

Bridge s I I I O x f o rd 1 8 9 7 ; I I I 1 9 00
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CCAG Catal o gu s c o dic um as t r o l o go r um G r aeco r um , ed .

F Cu mo n t W Kr o ll F B o ll e t a l 1 8 9 8
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l io gr ap hical S o ci e ty o f Ame ric a N e w Y o r k , ,

19 19 .

Co d ex L ati nus Mo nacen s is ( L ati n M S at Ma

n ic h ) .
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CS EL Co rpus s c r ip to r um ecc l es ias t ic o r um l ati no rum ,

Vi en na 1 8 66 , .

Ca m bridge U n i v e rsity ( us e d t o disti n guis h MS S

in c o ll e ge s h avi n g th e s am e n am e s as tho s e at
O x f o rd ) .

Cam bridge U n iv e rsity L ibr a ry .

D icti o n ary o f N ati o n al Bi o gr ap hy .

E n cycl o p e di a Brita n n ic a 1 1 t h e diti o n , .

E a rly E n glis h T e x t S o ci e ty P ublic a ti o n s .

E n glis h Hist o ric a l R evi e w .

E n cycl o p e di a o f R e ligi o n an d E t h ics ed J , . .

Ha sti n gs et al 1 9 0 8 .
,

Hist o ire L ittér a ir e de l a Fr an c e .

H ist o rische Z e itsch ri f t Mu n ich 1 8 5 9 , ,

Me dic i G r aec i e d C J K iihn L e ipzi g 1 8 2 9, . . .

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c o n ta i n i n g the w o rks o f G a l en D i o sc o ride s , ,

e tc .

Mo n u m en t a G e r maniae .

Man uscript .

Man uscripts .

R e rurn I tal ic a r um s c r ip to r es ab an n o ae r ae ch ris

t ia n ae 5 0 0 a d 1 5 00 , e d . L A . . Mur ato ri ,
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17 5 1 .

P l in u S e c un di Natur alis Hist o ri a ( P li n y s

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N atur a l Hi st o ry ) .

Mign e , P a tr o l o giae cursus c o m pl etus , se ri e s

gr ae c a .

Mign e P atr o lo giae cursus c o mpletus s e ri e s

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l ati n a .

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S e ri e s e d Wa c e an d S c ha ff 1 8 9 0 1 9 00 1 4
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v o ls .

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isc hen A lt e r tu m swiss e n scha f t .

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R o lls S e ri e s o r R e ru m B r itann icar um m e d u
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ae vi s c r ip t o r e s 99 w o rks in 2 44 ,

do n , 1 8 58- 189 6 .
 A B B R E VI A TI O N S

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altc hristlic he n L it e r atur , ed . G e bha rdt un d

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Individu al m an uscripts usu a lly bri e fly d e signat e d in

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o m it th e m a rks w h e r e th e L a ti n s e e m s r a t h e r t o be t h a t o f

the d e scripti o n in the m an uscript c a t a l o gu e o r o th e r s o urc e o f

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shall hav e o cc asi o n to r e f er to by n ame .
LIS T OF WO R K S F REQUENTL Y CIT ED BY
A U T HO R A N D DA T E O F P U B L I CA T I O N
OR B RI E F TITL E
Fo r m o r e d e ta il e d bibli o grap hy o n s p e ci fi c t o pics and fo r
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phi e s r e f e r e n c e s an d app e ndic e s to i n dividu al cha pt e rs I

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a ls o i n clud e he r e s o m e w o rks o f g e n e r a l i n t e r e st o r o f r a t h e r

curs o ry c ha ra ct e r w h ich I ha v e n o t ha d o cc a si o n to m en ti o n
e ls e w h e r e ; an d I usu a lly a dd f o r purp o s e s o f di ff e r e n ti a ,

ti o n o th e r w o rks in o ur fi e ld by an a utho r than th o s e w o rks

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by h im w h ich ar e f r e qu en tly cite d O f the m an y h ist o ri e s o f .

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ti o n A l m o st witho ut ex c epti o n the y have t o be us e d with
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the gr eat e st c a uti o n .

A b an o P e t e r o f Co n cili a t o r diff e r entiar um p hilo so ph o r um

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p r a e c ip ue m e dico r um ,
et 14 7 2 ,
1 4 7 6 , 1 5 2 1 , 1 5 2 6 , etc .

De ve nen is , 1 4 7 2 , 1 4 7 6 , 1 4 8 4 , 1 4 9 0 , 1 5 1 5 , 1 5 2 1 , e tc .

Abe l , e d O r ph ica , 1 88 5
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1 8 9 9 3 8 v o ls , .

xvii
 v
x iii MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI EN CE

A llbutt , S ir T Cli ff o rd . . The Hist o ric a l R e l ati o n s of Me di

ci ne an d S urge ry to th e E n d of th e S i x t ee n th Cen tury,
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do n 1 9 0 2 5 3 p p f r o m J o ur n a l o f the O x f o rd Un iv e r
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s ity Ju n i o r S c i e n tific C lub May 1 9 02 be i n g the n i nth , , ,

R o b e rt B o yl e L e cture .

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bri e f p age s The Ha rv e i an O r ati o n d e liv e r e d be fo re

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t h e R o y a l Co ll e ge o f Ph ysici an s .

All e n dy R F L A lc h im ie e t l a Méd e ci n e ; Etude sur l e s

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t hé o ri es he rm étiqu e s d an s l his to ir e de la m éde ci ne ’

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Pa ris 1 9 1 2 1 5 5 pp , , .

An z W Zur Fr age n a c h de m Urspru n g de s G n o stizis m u s

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L e ipzig 1 8 9 7 , .

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P a ris 1 8 7 1 1 8 8 0 3 4 v o ls
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Aur ife rae a rtis q u am ch e m iam vocan t an t iquis s im i a uct o r e s ,

B as el 1 5 7 2 , .

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ti s 1 8 7 6 1 8 7 8 2 v o ls
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bach He id elbe rg 1 4 8 8 a nd o the r e diti o n s

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 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE

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pus in S itzb He id e lbe rg Ak a d P hil o s Hist Class e

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2 ) N o 1 8 2 8 pp
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, . . .

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, . . .
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C re m o n e s e tr a dutt o r e de l s e c o l o du o d e ci m o e di G h e
r a r do da S abbio n etta a s tr o n o m o de l s e c o l o de cim o te r z o ,

R o me ,
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CXX I V De ll a vit a e d e ll e o p e r e di L eo n a rd o P is a no
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r epri n t e d 1 8 8 7 .

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R evu e Hist o ri qu e vo l 6 5 ( 1 8 9 7 ) 2 4 1 9 9 , .
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Hist o ire de l a divi n ati o n d an s l an t iqu it é 1 8 7 9 - 1 88 2

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, ,

4 v o ls .

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, .

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“
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’ ’
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littér a tur e Pa ris 1 8 4 7 1 8 5 6 4 f o li o v o ls

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tri n e s B o rd e au x 1 8 6 1
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a n d critic a l an d e x pl a n a t o ry n o t e s in c o n j u n cti o n with

m an y sc ho l a rs O x f o rd 1 9 1 3 2 l a rge v o ls , , , .

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t el a i m .

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’
, .
,

no t s e en .

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.

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phisch d a rge st e llt in J an us I ( 1 8 4 6 ) 1 5 2 ff , ,

.

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n atu r h ist o risc h e r A bbildu n g D r e sd en 1 8 5 6
‘

, .
,

Han dbuc h de r B u ch e rk un de f ii r die a lt e r e Me dic in z ud ,

e diti o n L e ipzig 1 8 4 1 lik e the f o re go i n g slighte r than

, , ,

th e titl e l ea ds o n e t o h o p e .

e d Mac e r Fl o ridus de v ir ibus h e r ba r um un a cum Wal a

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i ridi S tr abo n is O th o n is Cr e m o n e n s is e t I o an n is Fo lcz ,

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T r a ité de s p o is o n s de Ma imo n ide 1 8 6 5 , .

 WO RK S FRE Q UEN TL Y CI TE D xxi ii
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bibli o t hequ e n ati o n al e S o us l e s n u m ér o s 8 8 2 3 1 8 6 1 3 et -

f a is a n t sui t e a la sé r i e d o nt la c a t a l o gu e a été publié e n

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2 48 .
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D en ifl e e t Cha t e l ai n , Cha rtul ar ium Un ive rsit atis Pa r is ie ns is ,

P a ris , 1 8 8 9 1 8 9 1 , 2 v o ls -
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s o urc e s e a rli e r t han A gr i pp a I n the si xt e en t h c en tury .

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19 12 .

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a u s ge w a hl t e K a pit e l a u s Buc h I de n atu r is re ru m b e e n

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chem ica l chem ica l an d p ha r m ac e utica l b o o ks in the co l

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L o re 1 8 9 0 , .

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G a r in e t H ist o ire de l a Ma gi e e n Fr an c e
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B e rli n .

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xx vi MA G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE

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F o r s chun gen ube r die l at e i n ischen .

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1 9 0 9 1 9 1 1 2 v o ls -
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ic e t o m e .

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49 1 8 ; XXV -
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“ ”
T he D e A rt e V e n a n di c um Av ibu s o f th e Em pe r o r
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XXX 5 6 6 9
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Ce n tu r y in Am e ric an Hist o ric a l R e vi e w XXV ( 1 9 2 0 )
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60 3 -
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xx v ii i MA GI C AN D EXP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE

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l e cti o n o f M S S in t he Fitzwilli am M us e u m 1 9 1 2 , .

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Co rpus Ch risti Co lle ge Cam bridg e 1 9 1 2 2 v o ls , , ,
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A D e scriptiv e Catal o gu e o f the M S S in t he L ibr a ry o f

G o nvill e a n d Ca ius C o ll e ge 1 9 0 7 1 9 0 8 2 v o ls ,
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A De scriptiv e Ca t al o gu e o f th e M S S in the L ibr a ry o f

P e m br o k e C o ll e g e 1 9 0 5 , .

A D e scriptiv e Cat a l o gu e o f t he M S S in t he L ibr a ry

o f P e t e r h o us e 189 9 , .

A De scriptiv e Cat a l o gu e o f th e M S S in the L ibr a ry o f

S t J o hn s Co ll e ge Cam bridge 1 9 1 3
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A De scriptiv e Cat a l o gu e o f th e M S S in t he L ibr ar y o f

S id n e y S uss e x Co ll e g e Ca m bridge 1 8 9 5 , , .

The A n ci en t L ibr a ri e s o f Can t e r bury a n d Do v e r 1 9 0 3 ,

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The We st e r n M S S in the L ibr a ry o f Emm a n u e l Co l

l eg e 1 9 0 4 , .

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1 846

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B e itra ge ,
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S te in e g , 19 12

J o el ,
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S O p h o r um I bid an d a ls o e d C C I We bb O x f o rd
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1 9 09 .
 WO RK S F RE Q UEN TL Y CI TE D

J o r et , Les pl an t e s d an s l
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2 vo l s ,

P a ris , 1 8 9 7 an d 1 9 0 4 .

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tr a ducti o n s l ati n e s d A r is to te P a ris 1 8 1 9 2 n d e di ’

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ti o n 1 8 4 3 , .

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re l l e e n o ccid e n t e t p r i n cip a l e m e n t e n F r a n c e p en d an t l a

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wick 1 8 6 9 1 8 7 5 ,
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5 7
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d el p h i a 1 9 1 3 , .

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L angl o is Ch V ,
L a c o n n a iss a n c e de l a n a tur e e t du m o n d e
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au m o y en age d a pr es q u e l qu e s écrits f r an ca is a l us a ge
’ ’

des l aic s P a ris 1 9 1 1 , ,

.
XXX MA G I C AN D EXPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE

Maitr e B e rna rd in Bibl , . de l Eco le de s Chart e s , L I V

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Hist o ry o f the R is e a n d In flu en c e o f t he S pirit o f R a

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Z e it en an bis in die G e gen w a rt ; d e utsc he auto ri s i e rt e

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h ist o ric a l tre at m e n t i s sc an ty .

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p a r l A ca dém ie Ro yal e de B elgi qu e v o l 6 5 Brus se ls

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o n th e o cc a si o n o f th e c o m m e m o r ati o n o f t h e s e v en t h

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T o ply , R vo n S tudi e n zur G e sc hicht e de r Anat o m i e im

. .

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18 9 8 .

Un ge r F Die P flan ze als Za ube rm itt el Vi en n a 1 8 5 9

, , , .

Vacant A et Mangeno t E D icti o nn a ir e de th é o l o gi e

, .
, .

c at ho li qu e P aris 1 9 09 , ,

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,

S p eculu m his to r ial e 1 4 7 3 ,

.

S p e culu m n atur a l e An th K o bur ge r N urn b e rg 1 4 8 5 , . , , .

Vo ssius G J De U n ive r s ae Mathe se o s n atur a et co n s titu

, . .

ti on e lib e r Am ste rdam 1 6 50 , , .

Wals h J J Me di e v al Me dici ne 1 9 2 0 2 2 1 pp
, . .
, , .

O l d T i me Ma k e rs o f Me dici n e ; the st o ry o f the stu

d e nts an d t e ac he rs o f the sci e n c e s r e l at e d to m e dici ne
duri n g the m iddl e a ge s N ew Y o rk 1 9 1 1 P o pul a r , , . .

T he P o p e s and S ci en c e 1 9 0 8 , .

We bb C C I S e e J o hn o f S a lisbury
, . . . .

We bst e r Hutt o n R e st Days 1 9 1 6

, .
, .

We d e l T C The Me di ev al Attitud e to w ard A str o l o gy

, . .

pa rticul a rly in En gl a n d Y al e Un iv e r sity P r e ss 1 9 2 0 , , .

We llm ann Max e d Di o sco rid e s de m ate ri a m e dic a 1 9 0 7

, . .
, ,

1 9 06 .

Die S ch ri f t de s D io s k ur ide s Hep i di rk av a

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p ua xosv, 19 14 ,

Wh it e , A D . Wa r f a r e o f S ci e n c e with
. A Hist o r y of th e

T h e o l o gy in Ch ris t en d o m N ew Y or k 1 8 9 6 2 v o ls , , , .

Wick e r s he i m e r E r n e st Figur e s m édic o a str o l o giqu e s de s

, .
-

n e uv i e m e d ix 1e m e e t o n z i e m e si ecl e s in T r a n sa cti o n s
’

, ,

o f th e S e v ent e e nt h I n t e r n ati o n al Co n gr e ss o f Me dici n e ,

 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI M EN TA L S CI E N CE

S e cti o n XX III Hist o ry , of Me dici ne , L o n d o n, 19 13 ,

p 3 1 3 ff
. .

Willi am o f Auve rgn e O p e ra o m n i a Ven ice 1 5 9 1 .

, , .

With i n gto n E T Me dica l Hist o ry f r om the Earl i e s t

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. .

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W right Tho m a s P o pul ar T r ea tis e s o n S ci e n c e written

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duri n g the m iddle a ge s in An gl o S ax o n An gl o N o r -

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m an an d E n glis h L o n d o n 1 8 4 1
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e d A l ex an d e r N e ck am D e n atur is r e rum in R S vo l
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Wul f , M de . . Hist o ry of Me di ev a l P hil o s o p h y , 1 9 09 ,

E n glish tra n sl ati o n .

Wust e n f e ld F G e sch icht e de r A r a bisch en A er zte und

, .

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Y ul e S ir He n r y T h e B o o k o f S e r Ma rc o P o l o t h ird e diti o n
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r evis e d by Hen ri Co r di e r 2 v o ls L o nd o n 1 9 0 3 ,
.
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h ist C l a ss e K gl S a ch s G e se ll d W iss V I I
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6 2 7 1 0 3 0 ; V II I
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 A
H I ST O RY O F M A G I C
E X PE R I M E NTA L S C I EN C E
 MA GI C A N D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

a dequ at e surv ey o f th e h ist o ry o f e ithe r m a gic o r exper i

m en t al sci e n c e e x ists f o r th is pe ri o d a n d c o n side r abl e u se ,

o f m an u s cript m a t e r i a l h a s b e e n n ec e ss a ry f o r t h e m e di e va l

p e ri o d Ma gic is he r e un d e rsto o d in the bro ad e st sen s e o f

.

t he w o rd as i n cludi n g a l l o cc ult a rts a n d sci e n c e s s up e r s ti

, ,

ti o n s an d f o lk l o r e I s hall e n d e av o r to j u s ti f y th is use
,
-
.

o f t he w o rd f r o m t he s o urc e s a s I pr o c ee d My id e a is .

t hat m a gic an d e x p e ri m en t al sci e n c e h av e be en c o nn e ct e d

in t he ir d ev e l o p m e n t ; t ha t m a gici an s w e r e p e rh aps th e
fi rst t o ex p e ri m en t ; an d t ha t the hist o r y o f b o th m agic a n d
ex p e ri m e n t a l sc i e n c e c an be be tt e r u n d e rst o o d by studyi n g

t he m t o ge the r I a ls o d e sir e to m ak e cl e a re r than it has

.

b ee n t o m o st sc ho l a rs the L ati n l e a r ni n g o f the m e di ev a l

p e ri o d w ho s e l ea di n g pe rs o n aliti es eve n a r e gen e ra lly i na c
,

cur a t ely k n o w n an d o n p e rha ps n o o n e p o i n t is illu mi nati o n

,

m o r e n e e d e d th an o n t ha t c o v e r e d by o u r i n v e stigati o n T h e .

subj e ct o f l a ws a ga i n st m a gic p o pul a r pr a ctic e o f magic , ,

t he witch cr a f t d e lusi o n a n d p e rs e cuti o n l ie o utsid e o f th e

sc o p e o f t his b o o k 1
.

At fi rst m y pl an w a s t o li m it t h is i n ve stigati o n t o t he
tw el fth an d t h irt ee nt h c e nturi e s the ti m e o f gr eate st ,

m e di ev a l pr o ductivity but I b e c am e c o n vi nc e d tha t t h is

,

pe ri o d c o uld be be st u n d e rst o o d by vi e wi n g it in the s e tti n g

o f the G r e e k L a ti n a n d ea rly Ch risti a n writ e rs t o w ho m
, ,

it o w e d s o m uch I f the stud e nt o f the Byz anti n e Empire

.

n ee ds to k n o w o l d R o m e th e stud e n t o f th e m e di e v a l c h urc h
-
,

t o c o m pre hen d ea rly C h ri s ti an ity th e stud e n t o f R o man c e ,

l an gu a ge s to u n d e rst a n d L a ti n still m o r e m ust the r e a de r

,

o f Co n st a n ti n us A f ric a n u s V i n c e n t o f B eauv a is G uid o

, ,

B o na tti an d Tho m a s A q ui n as be f am ili a r with the P li n y

,
,

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, , ,

a n d A lbum a s ar fr o m w ho m t h e y dr e w I t w o uld i n d e e d be .

d ifli cul t t o dra w a li n e a n yw h e r e be tw ee n t he m T he an ci e n t .

1
Th at fi e ld h a s a l r e a dy b ee n s oon to be by P r o f e s s o r
e dit e d
t r e a t e d by J o s e p h Ha n s en , Z a u G eo r g e L B u r r f r o m H C L ea s
’
. . .

b er wa hn , I n qu is itio n u n d Hex e n m a te r ia l s .S ee al s o a wo r j us t k
pr o z e s s im Mit te l a l te r 1 9 00 , a n d , p ublis h e d by Mis s M A Mur r a y . .
,

w il l b e f ur t h e r il l u m in at e d b y A Th e Witc h- Cu l t in Wes t e r n E u
His tor y of Witch c r af t in E ur op e , r op e ,O x f o r d, 1 9 2 1 .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N

a utho rs a r e gene ra l ly ext an t o nl y in t he ir med i e v al f o rm ;

in s o me c as e s t he r e is r e as o n t o susp e ct t ha t t he y h av e
u n de rgo ne a lt e ra ti o n o r a dditi o n ; s o me ti m es ne w w o rks
w e re f at he r e d up o n th em I n any ca s e t hey ha ve be en p r e
.

s e rv e d t o us bec a us e the m iddl e age s studi e d a n d c he ris he d

t hem an d t o a gr eat ex t en t m a d e t hem t he ir o w n I b e gi n
,
.

wit h the first c e n tu r y o f o u r e r a b e c aus e Christi an t ho ught ,

be gi n s t hen an d t hen a pp ea r e d P li n y s N a tur a l His tor y

,
’

w hic h s eem s to m e t he be st st arti n g p o i n t o f a surv e y o f

an ci en t sci e n c e a n d m agic I Cl o s e wit h the t h irt e e n th
1
.

c en tury o r m o r e strictly sp eaki n g in the c o urs e o f th e f o ur

, , ,

t e e n th b e ca u s e by t he n th e m e di ev a l r eviv a l o f l e a r n i n g h ad
,

sp e nt its f o rc e Att e n ti on is c e ntr e d o n m a gic a n d ex p er i

.

m e n t al sci en c e in w e st e rn L ati n lit e r a tur e an d l e a r n i n g ,

G r e e k a nd A ra bic w o r ks b e i n g c o n s id e r e d as t he y c o n
tribut e d t he re t o a n d v e r n a cul a r lit e ra tur e b e i n g o m itte d as
,

e it h e r d e ri v e d fr o m L a ti n w o rks o r u n l ea r n e d a n d un s c ie n

t ifi c .

Ve ry pro babl y I hav e tri e d to c o v e r t o o m uch gr o un d How t o

t i h
an d h av e m a d e s e ri o us o m issi o n s I t is pr o ba bly tru e t ha t
ii igi cff
ll
.

i s r

f o r the h ist o ry o f t ho ugh t a s f o r t h e h ist o r y o f a r t the e vi th ught o .

de n c e a n d s o urce m ate ri a l is m o r e a bu n d an t t h an f o r p o liti

cal o r e c o n o m ic h ist o ry But f o rtu n at ely it is m o re re li a bl e
.
,

si n ce t h e pursuit o f trut h o r b e auty d oe s n o t e n c o ura ge

d e c e pti o n an d pr e judic e as d o e s the pursuit o f we a lth o r
p o we r Als o the hist o ry o f t ho ugh t is m o r e u n ifi e d an d
.

co n sist e n t st e a di e r an d m o r e r e gul a r t h a n t he fluctu ati o n s

, ,

a n d di v e rsi t i e s o f p o litic a l h ist o r y ; a n d f o r t h i s r e a s o n its

gen e ral o utli n e s can be di sc e r n ed w it h r ea s o n a bl e sur en e ss

by th e ex am i n a ti o n o f e ve n a li m it e d n um be r o f e x amp l e s ,

pro vid e d t he y a r e pr o p e r ly s el e ct e d f r o m a pe r i o d o f s uf
fi c ien t dur ati o n Mo r e o v e r it s eem s t o m e t ha t in t he
.
,

pre s en t s t a ge o f r e s e a rch i n t o a n d k n o wl e dge o f o ur subj ect

t r e at m e n t th e s c ie n ce of t he
1
S o me my
of f r ie n ds fi
s c ie n t i c a of
ha ev u r ged me to b e g in w ith g e n uin e A r i s t o t l e p er s e, a l th o ug h
A r is to tl e , a s b e in g a m u c h a b l e r k
in t h e co u r s e o f t h is b o o I S h al l
sc ie n tis t th a n P l in y b u t t h is w o u l d s a y s o m e t h in g o f h is m e d ie a l in v
k k
,

t a e u s r at h e r t o o f ar b a c in fl ue n c e a n d m o r e e s p e c ial ly o f t he
v
t im e a n d I ha e n o t f e l t e qua l t o P s eudo -A r is to t l e .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP.

s o u n d e r c o n clusi o n s an d e ven m o r e n o v el o n e s can be drawn

by a wid e c o m pa r a tive surv e y t han by a m i n ute ly i n t en s iv e
an d e xha ustiv e study o f o n e m a n o r o f a f e w y e a rs The .

d an ge r is o f writi n g f r o m t o o n a rro w a vi e w p o i n t magn i -

,

f yin g u n duly the i m p o rt a n c e o f s o m e o n e m an o r theo ry ,

a n d f a ili n g t o e v a lu a t e th e f a cts in t h e ir full h ist o r ic a l

s e tti n g N o m e di e v a l write r whe the r o n sci e n c e o r m agic

.

c an be u n d e rst o o d by h i m s e l f but m ust be m e asure d in

,

r e sp ec t to his surro u n di n gs an d an t e c e d en ts .

S o m e m ay t h i nk it stran ge t h at I a ss o ci at e m a gi c s o
cl o s e ly with the h ist o ry o f tho ught but the wo rd c o me s ,

fr o m the Magi o r wis e m en o f P e rsi a o r B a byl o n to w ho se ,

l o r e an d pr a ctic e s the n am e w as a ppli e d by the G r ee k s an d

Ro man s o r p o ssibly w e m ay tr ac e its e ty mo l o gy a littl e
,

f a r t he r ba ck t o the S u m e ri an o r T ur a n i an w o rd img a o r
u ng a m e an i n g d e e p o r pr o f o u n d
,
T he e xa ct m ean i n g o f
.

“ ”
the w o rd ,
m agic w a s a m att e r o f m uc h u n c e rt a i nty e v en
,

in cl a ssic a l a n d m e di ev al ti m e s a s w e s ha ll s e e
,
T he re ca n .

be n o d o ubt ho w e v e r t h a t it w a s t he n a ppli e d n o t m e r e ly
, ,

t o a n o p e r a tiv e a rt but a ls o to a m a s s o f id e a s o r d o ctri n e

, ,

a n d t ha t it r e pr e s e n t e d a w a y o f l o o ki n g a t t he w o rld Th is .

sid e o f m agic has s o m e ti m e s be e n l o st sigh t o f in h asty o r

a ssu m e d m o d e r n d e fi n iti o n s w h ic h s e em t o r e ga rd m a gic a s

m e r e ly a c o ll e cti o n o f rit e s an d f e ats I n th e c a s e o f pri m i

.

tiv e men an d s av a ge s it is p o s sibl e tha t littl e tho ught ae c o m

a n ie s t he ir a cti o n s But u n til t he s e a cts a r e b a s e d up o n
p .

o r r e l at e d t o s o m e i m agi n a tiv e purp o sive an d rati o na l

, ,

th i n ki n g the d o i n gs o f e a rly m an c an n o t be disti n guis he d

,

a s e it h e r r e ligi o u s o r sci e n ti fi c o r m a gic a l B eav e rs build

.

d am s birds build n e sts an ts e x c ava t e but t he y hav e n o

, , ,

m a gic j ust a s t he y hav e n o sci e n c e o r re li gi o n Ma gic im .

pli e s a m en t a l st at e an d s o m ay be vi e we d fr o m the st an d
p o i n t o f the hist o ry o f t ho ught I n pr o c e s s o f ti me a s the
.
,

l ea r n e d an d e duc a t e d l o st f a it h in m agic it w as d e grad e d ,

t o th e l o w pr a ctic e s a n d be li e f s o f th e ign o ra n t an d vulgar .

I t w as t his u s e o f the t e r m t h a t w a s t ak en up by an t h r o
p o l o g is t s a n d by t h e m a p p li e d t o a n a l o g o us d o i n gs a n d
 I N TR O D U C TI O N

no ti o n s o f pri m itive m en and sav a ge s But w e m ay go t o o .

f a r in r e ga rdi n g m agic a s a pur ely s o ci a l p r o duct o f t r iba l

s o ci ety : m a gici an s m ay be in S ir J am e s Fr a z e r s w o rds 1 ’

the o n ly pr o f e ssi o n a l cl a s s am o n g t h e l o w e st s av a ge s but

“
,

n o t e t ha t t h e y r a n k a s a l ea rn e d pr o f e ssi o n f r o m t he st a rt .

I t will be c h i e fly t h r o ugh th e writi n gs o f l e a r n e d m e n t h a t

s o m eth i n g o f the ir l at e r h ist o ry an d o f the gr o wt h o f
i n t e re st in ex p e r i m e n t a l sci en c e will be t r a c e d in t his w o rk .

L e t m e a dd t ha t in t his i n ve stig ati o n al l a rts o f di v i n a ti o n ,

i n cludi n g a str o l o gy will be re ck o n e d a s m a gic ; I h av e be en

,

quit e u n able to s ep a r a te the two e it he r in fa ct o r l o gic as I ,

s hall ill ustr a t e r epe a te dly by p articul a r c as es 2 -

.

Ma gic is v e ry o l d an d it will p e rh a ps be w e ll in th is in
,

t r o ducto r y c ha pt e r t o pr e s e n t it to th e r ea d e r if n o t in its ,

i n fancy f o r its o rigi n s a r e m uc h disput e d an d pe r haps

—

a n t e c e d e a l l r e c o rd a n d e sc a p e a l l o bs e r v ati o n a t l e a st s o m e —

c enturi e s be f o re its R o m an an d m e di e v al d ays S ir J G . . .

Fr a z e r in a p a ss a ge o f The G o lden B o ugh to wh ich w e

,

“
hav e a lr ea dy r e f e rr e d r em arks t h at s o rc e r e rs a r e f o u n d
,

in e v e ry s a v a g e trib e k n o w n to us ; a n d a m o n g the l o we s t
sa v a g e s t he y a r e the o n ly pr o f e ssi o n al cl as s t ha t
e x ists L e n o rm an t a ffir m e d in h is Cha l dean Magic a n d
” 3
.

“
S or cer y t hat all m agic r e sts up o n a syst em o f r eligi o us
4

”
be li e f but r e c en t s o ci o l o gists an d an th r o p o l o gists hav e
,

1
F r a z e r h as , o f co u r s e , r e p eat of th e P r o f e s s io n al O c c up at io n s
e d l y m a d e t he
p o in t t h a t m o d e r n ( r e p r inte d in h is S o u r c e B o o k f or
s c e n ce o u tg r o w t h f rom S o c ia l O r ig ins 4 th e dit io n , p p
i 15 an .

v
,

p r i m i ti e m a g ic Ca r v eth R e a d ,
. 2 81 in w h ic h h e dis p ut e s
Th e O r ig in o f M an 1 9 2 0 in h is , , He r be r t S p e n c e r s th e s is that t h e
’ “

c h a p te r o n
“
Mag ic an d S c ie n c e ”
m e d ic in e m a n is th e s o u r c e a n d
-

“
c o n t e n d s t h at in n o c a s e is o r ig in o f t h e l e a r n e d a n d a rt is t ic
v
S c ie n c e de r i e d f r o m Mag ic (p . o c c up a tio n s
”
d o e s n o t r e all y co n
,

b ut t his is m a in l y a l o g ica l fl ic t w it h F r a z e r s s t a t e m en t s in ce
’

a nd id e a l d is t in c t io n s in c e , he f o r T h o m a s t h e m e dic in e m a n is -

”
a d m it s t h a t
“
f o r ag e s s c ie n c e is a p r ie s t r a t h e r t h a n a m a g ic ia n .

in t h e h a n d s o f w iz a r ds
“
”
.
k
Th o m a s r e m a r s l a t e r in t h e s am e
I a m g l a d t o s e e t h a t o th e r bo o k (p
“
F u r t h e r m o r e , th e
k
.

w r i t e r s o n m a g ic a r e t a in g t h is w h o l e at t e m p t o f t h e s a ag e to v
View ; f o r in s t an c e E , D o u tt é , .
c o n t r o l t h e o u t s ide w o r l d , s o f a r
Magie e t r e l ig io n da ns l A f r iqu e ’

a s it co n t a in e d a t h e o r y o r a do c
da N o r d A l g e r 1 9 09 p 3 5 1
, , , . .
t r in e , w a s b a s e d o n m ag ic
”
.

8
G o l de n B o ug h 18 9 4 I 42 0
W I Th o m as Th e R e l at io n o f
, , , .

Mag ic
“ ‘
. .
, C ha ld ea n an d S o r ce r y .

t h e M edic in e Ma n t o t h e O r ig in
-
18 7 8 , p 70. .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER IMEN TAL S CI EN CE CH AP .

i n cli ne d to re ga rd m a gic a s o lde r than a beli e f in go ds At .

a n y r a t e s o m e o f t h e m o st pri m itiv e f ea tur e s o f h ist o ric a l

r e ligi o n s s e em to hav e o rigi n at e d f ro m m agic Mo r eo v e r .

,

r e ligi o us cults rit es an d p ri e st ho o d s a r e n o t the o n ly t h i n gs

, ,

t ha t have been de cl a r e d i n f e ri o r in a n ti q uity t o m a gi c a nd

l a rge ly i n d e bt e d t o it f o r t he ir o rigi n s Co mbar ie u in his .

M us ic an d M agic a ss e rts that th e i n c an t a ti o n is u n iv e rs ally

1

e m pl o y e d in a l l th e circu m s t a n c e s o f pri m itiv e li f e an d

t ha t f r o m it by the m e dium it i s tru e o f r e ligi o us p oetry all

, ,

m o d e r n m usic ha s d e v e l o p e d T he m a gic i nc an t ati o n is .

,
“ ”
in S ho rt the o ld e st f a ct in the h ist o ry o f C iviliz ati o n
, .

A lt ho ugh t h e m a gici an c han ts witho ut t h o ugh t o f ae st he tic

f o rm o r an a rtistic a lly a ppr e ci ativ e a udi e n c e ye t h is sp e ll ,

c o n ta i n s in e m bryo all t ha t l a t e r c o n s titut e s the a r t o f m u s ic 2

.

M Pa ul Huv e l in a f t e r a ss e rti n g with si m il ar c o n fi d enc e

.
,

t hat p o e try 3
t he pl a stic a rts m e dici ne m at hem ati c s a str o n
4
, , , ,
“ ”
o m y a n d c h e m ist r y
,
h a ve e a sily disc e r n a bl e m a gic s o urc e s ,

sta t e s tha t he will d em o n stra t e t hat the s am e is tru e o f l aw 5

.

V e ry r e cently h o w e v e r th e r e h a s b een s om e th i n g o f a r e ac
, ,

ti o n a ga i n st th is t en d e n cy to r e gard the li f e o f pri m itive

m an a s m a d e u p e n tir e ly o f m a gic an d t o tr ac e b a ck ev e ry
pha s e o f ci v iliz a ti o n to a m a gic a l o rigi n But R R Ma r e tt . . .

still s ee s a h igh e r st an d a rd o f v a lu e in pri m itive m an s m agic ’

t han in h is w a r f a r e an d bruta l e x pl o ita ti o n o f his f ell o ws

“
a n d b e li ev e s t h a t th e h igh e r pl a n e o f e x p e ri e n c e f or wh ich
man a st a n ds is o n e in wh ic h spiritu a l e nl a rgem en t is app r e
” 6
c ia te d f o r its o w n s ak e .

O f the fi ve cl a ssics i n clud e d in th e Co n f uci an Cano n ,

The B o o k o f Ch ang es ( I Ching o r Y i K ing ) r e ga rd e d by -

,

1
J ul e s Co m b a r ie u L a m us iqu e ,
Ar t ,
Lo n do n , 1 9 00, Ch ap te r x x ,
e t l a m ag ie P a r is , 1 9 09 p
, , . v .
“
A r t a nd Ma g ic
”
J C ap ar t,
. .

P r im itive Ar t in E g yp t
2
I bid p p 1 3 14
.
, .
-
. .

A m o ng th e e a r ly A r ab s
P Huve l in , Ma gie e t dr o it in
5
”
is m ag ic al
.

p o et r y utte r an ce
divi d u e l, P a r is , 1 9 07 , in A n n e e
’

( Macdo n a“ l d ( 1 9 09 ) p an d .

S o c io l og ique X, 1 -4 7 1 ; s ee to o
t h e p o e t a w iz a r d in l e ag u e w ith
,

” h is L es ta ble ttes m agique s e t l e

s p ir it s ( N ic h o l s o n A L iter a r y ,
dr oit r o ma in , Mac o n , 1 90 1
His to r y o f th e A r a bs 1 9 14 p
.

.
, ,

R R Ma r e tt, P s yc h o l o gy
‘ ”
a nd
“
S ee S R e in a ch , L A r t e t l a
’
. . .

Ma gie in L A n thr o p ol ogie XIV

.

F o l k -L o r e , 1 9 2 0 , Ch ap t e r i n
’
on

v
, ,
“
a nd Y Hir n , O r ig ins o f
. P r im it i e V a l u e s .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N 7

s o me as the o ld e st w o rk in Ch i n e s e lit e r atur e an d d a t e d

back as ea rly as 3 000 B C in its rudi me nt a ry f o r m app ea rs ,

t o ha v e b e en a m et ho d o f divi n ati o n by m e a n s o f e ight

p o ssibl e c o m bi n ati o n s in tripl et s o f a li ne an d a br o k en li n e .

T hus if a be a li n e a nd b a br o k e n li n e w e m a y ha v e aa a
‘

, , ,

bbb aa b bba a bb baa a ba and ba b

, , ,
P o ssibly t he r e is a
, , ,
.

c o nne cti o n with the u s e o f k n o tt e d c o rds w h ich Ch i n es e ,

w rit e rs st at e p r e c e d e d writt en cha r act e rs lik e the m e tho d

, ,

us e d in a nc i e n t P e ru Mo r e c e r t a i n w o uld s e em the r e s em .

bl an c e to t h e m e di ev al m etho d o f divi n a ti o n k n o w n as
geo m an cy wh ich w e shall e n c o un te r l ate r in o ur L a ti n
,

a u th o rs Ma gic a n d a str o l o gy m igh t o f c o urs e b e tr ac e d

.
, ,

all t h r o ugh Ch i n e s e h ist o ry an d lit e r a tu r e But c o n t en ti n g .

,

o urs e lv e s with t h is si n gl e e x am pl e o f th e a n tiquity o f such

a rts in t he civiliz a ti o n o f th e f ar e a st l e t us tu r n t o o th e r ,

a n ci e n t cultur e s w h ich h a d a cl o s e r an d m o r e u n m ist ak abl e

i nfluen ce up o n the w e st e r n w o rld .

O f t he a n ci e n t E gypti an s Budg e writ e s T he b e li e f in ,

m agic i n flu e n ce d t h e ir m i n ds f r o m the e a rli e st to the

l at e st p e ri o d o f thei r h isto ry in a m an n e r w h ic h a t ,

th is s t age in the h ist o ry o f the w o rld is ve ry di fficult to ,

” 1
un d e rst an d T o t h e o r di na ry h ist o ric a l stud e n t th e e vi
.

d e n c e f o r th is a ss e rti o n d o e s n o t s e em quit e s o o v e rwh el m

in g a s the E gypt o l o gists w o uld h av e us t hi n k I t l o o ks .

thi nne r w hen w e b e gi n t o spr ea d it o ut o v e r a str e tc h o f f o ur

E A Wallis B u dge , Eg yp tian be r s priic h e f iir M u tter u n d K ind,
1
. .

Magi c, 189 9 , p vii S o m e o th e r . . 1 90 1 . F .L G r iffi th a n d H

k
. .

w o r s o n m ag ic in Eg yp t a r e : Th o m p s o n , Th e D e m o tic M ag ica l
G r o fi , Etude s s u r l a s o r c e l ler ie, P apyr us o f L o n d o n a nd L e ide n ,
m e m oir e s pr és e n te s a l in s titu t S e e a l s o J H B r e as t e d,
’ ’ ’
1 9 04 . . .

e gyp tie n , C a ir o , 1 8 9 7 ; G B us s on , . D e v e l op m e n t o f R e ligi o n and

Ex tr ait d u n m e m o ir e s u r l o ri
’
Th o ug h t i n A n cien t E g yp t, N e w
’ ’

g in e eg yp tie n n e d e l a K a bba l e in
’

,
k
Yo r , 1 9 12 .

C o mp te R e nd u du C o ng r es S ci e n T h e f o ll o w in g l a t e r but b r ie f e r
tifi qu e I n ter n a tio na l d es Ca th o t r e a t m en t s a d d litt l e t o B udg e
liqu es , S cie n c es R e lig ie u s e s P a r is , ,
A l f r e d W ie de m an n , M a g ie u nd
1 89 1 , p p 2 9 - 5 1 A do l f E r m an , L if e
. . Z a u be r e i im A l te n Aig
yp te n , L e ip
in A n c ie n t E g yp t E n g l is h t r an s l a z i g, 1 9 0 5 , an d D ie A m u l e tt e d e r
vv
,
“
t io n 189 4
, d e s c r ib e s
, i idl y t h e a l t e n Ai gyp t e r , L e ip z ig 1 9 1 0, bo th ,
”
m ag ical c o n c e p tio n s an d p r a c t ic e s . In D er A l te O r ie n t ; A l e x an dr e
F L G r ifli th , S to r ie s o f th e Hig h
. . Mo r e t , L a m agie da n s l Eg yp te ’

P r ie s ts o f M e mp his O x f o r d, 1 9 00, ,
a n c ie n n e P a r is , 1 9 06 in M u s é e
, ,

c o n t a in s s om e a m u s in g d e m o t ic G u im e t An na l e s B ibl io th e qu e d e
’

, ,

t al e s o f m ag ic ia n s E r m an , Z a u . vu l ga r is a tio n XX 2 4 1 8 1
. .
-
.
 M A GI C A ND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

t ho u s an d yea rs a n d it sc a rc e ly s e em s sci e n tific to a dduc e

,

d e ta ils f r o m me di ev a l A r a bic t al e s o r f r o m the l at e G r eek

ficti o n o f the P s e ud o Ca l lis the n e s o r f r o m p a pyri o f the
-

C h risti a n e r a c o nc e r n i n g t he m a gic o f e a rly E gypt An d .

it m ay be qu e sti o n e d w he t he r tw o st o ri e s p r ese rv e d in the

We s tca r p a pyrus writt en m an y c e n tu r i e s a fte rwa rds ar e
, ,
“
alo n e su ffic i e n t to pro v e t h a t alr ea dy in the F o urt h Dyn a sty
t h e w o rki n g o f m agic wa s a r e c o gn iz e d a rt a m o n g the
” 1
E gypti an s .

A t an y r at e w e a r e t o ld t hat the b e li e f in m a gic n o t o n ly

“
w a s pr e dy n a stic a n d pr e h ist o ric but w a s o ld e r in E gypt ,

” 2
t han the b e li e f in G od In t he l at e r r e ligi on o f the E gyp
.

ti an s a l o n g with m o re l o f ty a n d i n t e ll e ctu a l c o nc e pti o n s

, ,

m a gic w a s still a p ri n cipa l i n gr e di en t 3

T h eir m yth o l o gy .

wa s a ff e ct e d by it a n d t he y n o t o n ly c o m b a t e d de m o n s
1
‘

with m agic al f o r m ul ae but b e li ev e d th a t th e y c o uld t e rri f y

a n d c o e rc e t he v e ry g o ds by t he s a m e m e t ho d c o mp e lli n g ,

t hem to app e a r to vi o la t e th e Co urs e o f n atur e by m ir a cl e s

, ,

o r t o a d m it th e h u m a n s o u l to a n e qu ality wit h t he m s e lv e s
5
.

Magic w a s as e ss en ti al in the f utur e li f e a s he re o n ea r t h

a m o n g th e livi n g Man y if n o t m o st o f the O bs e rv an c e s
.
, ,

a n d o b j e cts c o nn e ct e d wit h e m b a l m i n g a n d buri a l ha d a

m a gic purp o s e o r m o d e o f o p e r ati o n ; f o r i n st an c e the ,

m a gic e ye s pl ac e d o v e r th e o p en i n g in the sid e o f the bo dy

“

” 6
th r o ugh wh ic h the e m b al m e r r em o v e d the i n t e sti ne s or ,

t h e m a n n iki n s an d m o d e ls o f h o us e s buri e d wit h t he d e ad .

I n t he pr o c e ss o f em ba l m i n g the wr a ppi n g o f e a c h b an d a ge
“
w a s a cc o m pa n i e d by th e utt e r a n c e o f m a gic w o rds
7
I n th e .

”
o ld e st c ha pt e r o f h u m an t h o ugh t e x t an t t he P yr am id —

”
1
B u dge p 1 9 At pp 7. . . B udge , p ix . .

1 0 B u dg e da t e s t h e W e s t c a r P ap y B u dge , p p x iii-x iv
8
. .

‘
r u s a b o ut 1 5 5 0 B C an d Ch e o p s ,
. . Fo r m a g ical m yth s s ee E Na .

o f w h o m th e t al e is t o ld , in 3 8 00 vill e , Th e O ld E gyptia n Faith,

B C I t is n o w c u s t o m a r y t o d a t e
. . En g l is h t r a n s l a t io n by C Ca mp .

t h e F o u rt h D yn a s ty, t o w h ic h be ll 1 9 09 , p 2 3 3 e t s e q
, . .

“
C h e o p s b e l o ng e d , ab o ut 2 9 00-2 7 5 0 B u dg e , p p 3 4 ; L e n o r m ant ,
-

C ha lde a n Ma g ic , p 1 00 ; Wie de
.

B C B r e a s t e d His t o r y o f Eg yp t
. .
, , .

pp . 1 2 2 -
, k
3 spea s o f a fol t al e k m a nn p p 1 2 , I 4, 3 1 . .

p r e s e r e d in t h e P a p y r u s W e s tc a r
v “
S o l abe ll e d in th e E gy p t ia n
s o m e n in e c e n t u r ie s a f t e r t h e Mu s e um a t Ca ir o .

“
f a ll o f th e Fo u r th D yn a s ty . B udge , p 1 8 5 . .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

sle ep o r the pr e p a r ati o n o f f o o d I t co n stitut e d the v e ry .

a tm o sp he r e in w h ic h th e m e n o f th e ea rly o ri e n t a l w o rld

live d Wit ho ut the s avi n g an d sal ut a ry i n flue n c e o f suc h

.

m a gic al a g e n ci e s c o n s ta n tly i nv o k e d the li f e o f an a n ci e n t ,

” 1
ho us e ho ld in the E ast w a s u n t h i n k a bl e .

Mo st o f the m a i n f eature s a n d v ar i e ti e s o f m a gic k no w n

t o uS a t o th e r ti m e s a n d pl a c e s a ppe a r s o m e w h e r e in the
c o urs e o f E gypt s l o n g hist o ry F o r o n e t hi n g w e fi nd the
’
.

a scripti o n o f m a gic p o w e r to w o rds an d nam e s T he p o w e r .

o f w o rds ,
s a ys Budge w as t ho ught t o be pr a ctica lly un
,

“
li m it ed an d the E gypti an s i n v o k e d t he ir a id in the s m alle s t
,

as w e ll as in t h e gr e a t e st e v en ts o f th e ir li f e
” 2
Wo rds .

“
m igh t be spo k e n in wh ic h c a s e t he y m ust be utt e r e d in a
,

p ro p e r t o n e o f vo ic e by a duly qu alifi e d m an o r the y m ight ,

b e writt e n in w h ic h c a s e th e m a t e ri al upo n w h ic h t he y w e r e
,

written m igh t be o f i m p o rt an c e In sp e aki n g o f m o rtu a ry

3
.

m a gic w e h av e a lr ea dy n o t e d the e m pl o y m e n t o f pict ur e s ,

m o d e l s m an n iki n s an d o t he r i m a ge s fi gur e s an d o b j e cts

, , , , .

Wax fi gur e s w e re a ls o us ed in s o rc e ry an d am ul ets a re

4
,

f o u n d f r o m the fi r s t a lt ho ugh t he ir p a rticul a r f o rm s s ee m

,

to h a v e alt e re d with di ffe re n t p e ri o ds S c a ra b s a r e o f

5
.

o urs e the m o st f a m ili a r e x am pl e .

E gypti an m e dici n e w a s f ull o f m a gic a nd ritu al a n d

“
its t he rap eusis c on sist e d m a i n ly o f c o ll ecti o n s o f i n ca n
” 6
t a tio n s a n d w e ird r an d o m m i x ture s o f r oo ts an d r e fus e .

A lr e a dy w e fi nd the r e cip e an d the o ccult vi r tu e c o n c e pti o n s ,

the e l a b o ra t e p o lypha rm acy an d the a cc o mp an yi n g h o cus

p o cus w hich w e s ha ll m ee t in P li n y an d the m iddl e a ge s .

The E gypti a n d o ct o rs u s e d he rbs f r o m o t he r c o u ntri e s an d

pre fe rr e d c o m p o u n d m e dici ne s c o n t a i n i n g a do z e n in gre di
e n ts t o si m pl e m e dici n e s A lr e a dy w e fi n d suc h ma gic
7
.

B re a s te d pp 2 0
9 1
-
. . c an His to r ic al A s so c iatio n 1 9 19 ,
.

B udg e , p p x i, 1 7 0 - 1
. . S ee also B Ho lm es a n d P G
. . .

“
B u dg e , p 4
. . K itte r m a n , M e dicine in An c ie n t
4
B udg e , p p 6 7 7 0, 7 3 , 7 7
.
-
. E g yp t ; th e Hier a tic Ma te r ia l ,

B udg e , p p 2 7 - 2 8, 4 1 , 6 0
. . C in c in n ati, 1 9 14 , 3 4 p p , r e p r in te d .

°
F r o m t h e a b s t r a c t o f a p ap e r f r o m Th e L an ce t C linic -
.

o n The His to r y o f E gyp tia n M e di Se H L L ii i D ie u ber die

‘
e r
. n g, .

c in e r e a d by T W in g at e To dd at
, . m edic inis c h e n K e n n tn is s e d e r c l
t h e a n n ua l m e e tin g o f t h e A m e r i te n Ai g yp te r be r ic h te n d e n P apyr i
 I N TR O D UC TI O N

l o gi c as that the ha ir o f a bl a ck ca l f will k ee p o n e f r o m

gro wi n g gray A lrea dy the pa rts o f an i m als a r e a f av or it e
1
.

i n gr e di en t in m e dic al c o m p o un ds e sp eci a lly t ho s e c o n n e ct e d ,

wit h the o rgan s o f g en e ra ti o n o n w hic h a cc o u n t t he y we r e ,

pre s umably l o o k e d up o n as li f e givi n g o r tho s e w h ich w e r e -

,

r e c o mm en d e d m ai n ly by the ir n a sti n e ss an d w e r e pr o b ably

tho ugh t to ex p e l the dem o n s o f dis e a s e by the ir dis a gr e eabl e
pr o p e rti e s .

I n a n ci e n t E gy pt h o w ev e r dis ea s e s e e m s no t t o hav e
, ,

b een id e n tifie d wit h po ss e ssi o n by d em o n s t o the e x t en t t h at

it w as in an ci en t A ssyri a an d B a byl o n i a W h il e B re ast e d .

“
a s s e rts t ha t dis e as e w a s due to ho stil e spirits an d a ga i n st
” 2
t he s e o nly m a gic c o uld a va il Budge c o n t en t s hi m s e l f with
,

“
the m o r e c a uti o us st at e m en t t h at t he r e is go o d r e a s o n f o r
t hi nki n g t ha t s om e dis ea s e s w e re attribut e d t o e vil

spirits en t er i n g hu m an b o di e s but the t ex ts

do n o t affo rd m uc h i n f o rm a ti o n ” 3
o n t h is p o i n t C e rt a i n ly .

the b e li e f s in e vil spirits a n d in m agic do n o t a lw ays h a v e

to go t o ge t he r a n d m a gic m igh t be e m pl o y e d a g a i n st dis ea s e
,

w hethe r o r n o t it w as as crib e d t o a d em o n .

I n the c a s e o f m e dici n e as in t ha t o f r e ligi o n B r e a st e d

t ak e s the vi e w th at th e am o un t o f m a gic b e c am e gr e ate r in
the Middl e an d N ew Ki n gd o m s t h a n in th e O l d Ki n gd o m .

Th is is tru e s o f ar a s the am o u n t o f sp a c e o ccupi e d by it in

ex t a n t r e c o rds is c o n c e r n e d But it w o uld be r a sh to a ssume
.

that th is m a rks a de cli ne f r o m a m o r e r a ti o n al an d sci en ti fi c

attitud e in th e O l d Ki n gd o m Y e t Br e a ste d r a th e r giv e s
.

t his i m pre ssi o n w hen he writ e s c o n c e r n i n g the O ld Ki n gd o m

t hat m a ny o f its r ec ip e s w e r e us e f ul an d r a ti o n a l tha t ,

“
m e dici n e w as a lrea dy in the po ss e ssi o n o f m uc h e m piri ca l
wisd o m di spl ayi n g cl o s e a n d a ccu r at e o bse rv a ti o n an d
, ,

that what pr e clud e d any pr o gr e ss t o w a rd r ea l sci e n c e w as

“

the b e li e f in ma gic w hich l at e r b e ga n t o d o m i n a t e a ll th e

,

v g li h
er c en m it d m di S h ifen e i cZ it h if t f gypt S p h
. c r n e sc r . a . r ac e,
te n gr ie ch u mis c he r A u tor e n XI I 106 M A R u ffe r ,
'

. . rb , p . . . .

L e ip z ig , 1 888 A l so Jo r et, I
. P a l a e o pa th o l og y of E g yp t ,
1 9 2 1.

( 97) 3
1 8 1 0 -
1 1, an d t h e a r t ic l e
1
His t o r y of E gyp t, p 1 0 1 . .

2
t h e r e c it e d by G Eb e r s , E in K y
. I bid p 102
, . .

phir e cep t aus d e m P apyr us Eber s , B u dge , p 206 . .

 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE CH AP

” 1
practic e o f the physici an B e rt he l o t pr o b ably pl ac e s the
.

e m p h a sis m o re c o rr e ctly w he n h e st a t e s t ha t th e l a t e r m e dic al

p apyri i nclud e tr aditi o n a l r e cip e s f o un de d o n an em

“
,

ir ic is m w h ic h i s n o t a lw a ys c o rr e ct m ystic r e m e di e s b a s e d
p , ,

upo n the m o st biz a rr e a n a l o gi e s a n d m agic pr a ctic e s that ,

”
d ate back t o the re m o t e st an tiquity T he r e c e n t e ff o rts
.
2

o f S e t h e a n d W ilc k en o f E lli o t S m it h Mull e r an d Ho o t e n

, , ,

t o S ho w t ha t th e a n ci e n t E gypti an s p o sse ss e d a c o n sid e r abl e

a m o u n t o f m e dic a l k n o wl e dge a n d o f surgic al a n d d e n t a l

skill ha ve b ee n he ld by T o dd to r e st o n sligh t an d dubi o u s

,

e v id e n c e I n d e e d s o m e o f th is e vid e n c e s e e m s r ath e r t o
.
,

sugge st the ritu alistic pr a ctic e s still em pl o ye d by un civil

iz e d A f ric an trib e s C er t a i n ly the e vid e n c e f o r a ny r ea l
.

sci en tific dev e l o p m en t in an ci en t E gypt h as b een v e ry

m e a ge r c o m p ar e d with th e abu n d an t i n dic ati o n s o f the p r eva
l en c e o f m a gic 3
.

E a rly E gypt w a s the ho m e o f m an y a rt s an d i n dustri e s ,

but n o t in s o a dvan ce d a sta ge a s h a s s o m eti m e s b e en s ug

ge st e d Bl o w n gl a ss f o r e x amp l e w as u nk n o w n u n til l a t e
.
, ,

G r e e k a n d R o ma n ti m e s a nd the supp o s e d gl a ss bl o w e rs
,
-

d e picted o n the ea rly m o n u m en ts a re r ea lly s m ith s e n ga ge d

in s tirri n g t h e i r fir e s by bl o wi n g t h ro ugh r ee ds tipp e d with
Cl a y O n the o th e r han d P r o f e ss or Br e ast e d i n f o r m s me
1 ‘

.
,
“
t ha t the r e is n o b a sis f o r B e rthe l o t s st a te m en t th at e ve ry ’

s o rt o f ch em ic a l pr o c e ss a s w ell as m e dic al tr e atm en t w a s

e x ec ut e d with an a cc o m p an i m e n t o f r e ligi o us f o r m ul ae of ,

pr aye rs an d i n ca n t ati o n s r e ga rd e d a s e s s e n ti a l t o the succ e ss

,

” 5
o f o p e r a ti o n s a s w e ll a s th e cure o f m a la di es .

Al che my
.
A lc he m y p e r h a ps o rigi n a t e d o n t he o n e han d fr o m the
pr actic e s o f E gypti a n go lds m it h s an d w o r k e rs in m e t als ,

w h o e x p e ri m e n t e d with a ll o ys a n d o n the o t he r ha n d f r o m
6
,

‘ ”
Zg is tor y of E gyp t p 1 0 1
r c h é o l o g ie et yis to ir e des
. . P e t r ie , E gyp t, in E B , p .
73 .

is:
5

006 E
8
P r o f e s s o r B r e a s t e d, h o w e e r , v di an A r t, 1 9 2 0, p 1 1 , f o r a c o m
f e e l s t h a t t h e c o nt e n t s o f t h e n e w
.

“ ”
b i n a t io n o f e x a c t s c i e n c e , r i tual ,
Ed w m S m i t h P a p y r u s w il l r a ise
.

an d p o we r 1“ t h e w o r k
o u r e s t i m a t e o f t h e w o r th o f Egyp
O f t h e a n c re nt A r ya n c r a f ts m e n
t ia n m e d ic in e an d s u r g e r y : l e tte r
.

“
t o me o f J a n 2 0, 1 9 2 2
. . B e r th e l o t pp . vi-vu .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N 13

t he theo ri e s o f the G r e ek ph il o s o p he rs c o n c e rn i n g w o rld

gr o u n ds fi rst matt e r an d the e l e m e n ts
, ,
1
The w o rds .
,

a lc hem y an d c he m istry a r e d e riv e d ulti m at e ly f r o m the

,

n am e o f E gy pt it se l f K a m t o r Qem t m e an i n g lit e r a lly bl a ck

, , ,

an d a ppli e d to the N il e m u d The w o rd w as a ls o a ppli e d

.

t o the bl ac k p o wd e r pr o duc e d by q uicksil v e r in E gypti an

m e t a llurgic a l pr o c e ss e s This p o wd e r Budge s ays w as sup
.
, ,

p o s e d to be the gro un d o f all m e t als an d t o p o s se ss m a r

“
v e l o u s virtu e an d w a s m ystic a lly id e n tifi e d wit h th e b o dy
,

whic h O siris p o s s e s se d in the u n d e r w o rld a n d b o t h w e r e ,

” 2
t ho ught to be s o urc e s o f li f e an d p o w e r T he a n al o gy to .

the s a cr am e n t o f t he m a ss an d t he m a r v e l o us p o w e rs
a scribe d t o t he h o st by m e di ev a l pr e a c h e rs lik e S t e ph en o f

B o urb o n sc a rc e ly n ee ds r em ar k T he l at e r writ e r s o n .

a lc he m y in G r e e k a ppe a r to h a v e bo rr o w e d S ign s a n d p h r a s e

o l o gy f r o m t he E gypti a n pri e sts an d a r e f o n d o f sp eaki n g,

o f t h e ir a r t as t he m o n o p o ly o f E gypti an ki n gs a n d pri e sts

w ho c a rv e d its s e cr e ts o n an ci e nt st e l e s a n d o b e lisks In .

a tr eatis e d a ti n g f r o m th e t w e l f th dyn a sty a scrib e r e c o m

m e n ds to his s o n a w o rk en titl e d Che m i bu t t h e r e is n o ,

pr o o f t hat it w a s c o n c e r n e d wit h chem istry o r alche my 3

.

T he p a pyri c o n t a i n i n g tr e atis e s o f a lc hem y a r e o f t he t hi rd

c entu r y o f the Christi an er a .

E vid en c e s o f divi n ati o n in ge n e ral an d o f a st r o l o gy in

p a rticul a r do no t a pp ea r as ea rly in E gypt i a n r e c o rds as
e x am pl e s o f o th e r v a r i e t i e s o f m a gic Y e t the e a rly d a t e .

at w h ic h E gypt h a d a c a l e n d a r sugg e sts a st r o n o m ic al i n t e r

es t a n d e v e n t ho s e w h o d e n y t ha t s e v e n pl a n e ts w e r e dis
,

t in guis h e d in t he T igr is E up h r a t e s Va ll e y u n til the l as t

-

m ill e n n iu m be f o r e Ch rist a d m i t t hat t he y w e r e k n o w n in

,

Egypt a s f a r b ac k a s th e O l d Ki n gd o m a l t ho ugh t h e y d e n y ,

the e x ist en c e o f a sci e n c e o f a str o n o m y o r a n a r t o f astr o l o gy

t he n A dr eam o f Tho tm e s I V is p r e s e r ve d f r o m 1 4 5 0 R C
4
.
.

o r t he r eab o uts a n d t h e i n c an t ati o n s e m pl o y e d by m a ici an s

,
g
1
B e r he l o t ”
t 78 ; E
2 47 -
. B e r th e l o t p 10. .

O v Li p p m a n n pp 1 1 8 -
43
‘
L i p p m ann 1 8 1 -2
pp
. .
. .
.
’ ,
B udg e , p p 19 .
—
20 . a n d t h e a u t ho r it ie s t h e r e c ite d .
 MA GI C AN D EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP

in o rd e r to pr o cur e divi n i n g dre am s f o r t he i r cu s t o m er s

a tt e st th e cl o s e c o nn e cti o n o f divi n a ti o n a n d m a gic B eli e f
1
.

in lucky an d u n lucky d a ys i s s ho w n in a p apyrus c a l en d a r o f

“
a b o ut 1 3 0 0 B C a n d w e s ha ll s ee l at e r t ha t E gypti an
2

”
Days c o n ti n u e d to b e a f a v o rit e sup e rstiti o n o f the m iddl e
a ge s . T abl e s o f th e risi n gs o f st a rs w h ic h m ay h av e a n a str o
l o gic al sign ific an c e h av e b e en f o u n d in gr av e s an d the r e w e r e ,

go ds f o r e v e ry m o n th ev e ry day o f th e m o n th an d eve ry, ,

h o ur o f t he day 3
S uc h n u m b e rs a s s e ve n a n d tw e lv e a r e f r e
.

qu e n tly em p hasiz e d in the t o m bs an d e ls e whe re a nd if the ,

v a ult e d c e ili n g in the t en th c ham b e r o f t he t o m b o f S etho s

is r e ally o f his ti m e w e s e e m to fi n d t he sign s o f the z o di ac
,

u n d e r the n i n e t ee n th dyn a sty I f B o ll is c o rr e ct in sugge st .

in g t ha t the z o di a c o rigi na t e d in the tr an s f e r o f an i m a l go ds

t o the sky n o fi tt e r pl a c e t ha n E gypt c o uld be f o u n d f o r
4
,

th e t r a n s f e r But t he re h av e n o t yet b e en disc o ve re d in

.

E gypt lists o f o m e n s an d a pp ea r an c e s o f c o n st e ll ati o n s o n

d ays o f dis a ste r such a s ar e f o u n d in th e lite r a tur e o f th e
T ig r is E uph r a t e s v a ll e y an d in th e R o m an h ist o ri an s Budge
-
.

spe aks o f the s ev e n Ha tho r go dd e ss e s w h o pr e dict the de a th

“
that the i n fan t m ust s o m e ti m e d ie an d affi r m s th at th e ,

E gypti an s b e li ev e d th a t a m a n s f ate w a s d e cid e d b e

’

” 5
f o r e he w a s b o r n an d t ha t h e h a d n o p o w e r t o a lt e r it
,
.

“
But I c ann o t a gr e e th a t we h av e go o d r ea s o n f o r a ssign i n g
” 6
the birt hpl a c e o f t he h o r o sc o p e t o E gypt si n c e the evid en c e ,

s eem s to be li m it e d to the a lm o st m e di e v al P s e ud o Ca llis -

the n e s a n d a G r e e k h o r o sc o p e in t he B r itish Mus e u m t o wh ic h

is att ach e d the l e tte r o f an a str o l o ge r urgi n g his pupil to
study th e an ci e n t E gypti an s c a r e f ully T he l at e r G r eek an d .

L a ti n tr a diti o n th a t a str o l o gy w a s th e i n v e n ti o n o f th e divi n e

m e n o f E gypt a n d B a byl o n pr o b ably h as a b a sis o f f act but ,

m o r e c o n t e m p o r a ry e vid e n c e is n ee d e d if E gypt is to c o nt e st
th e Cl a i m o f B abyl o n t o pr e c e d e n c e in t h at a r t .

A n n a l e s d u s er vice des a n tiquites

’
1
B udg e , p p 2 14 5
Wie dem ann
. .

“
B u dg e , p p 225 8 , d e l Eg ypte I
’
7 9 90
-
. .

‘
p .
9 . F B o l l i n N e u e J a hr b
. .

‘
Wie de mann pp .
p 10 8
5
. .

S e e a l s o G D a r e s s y, U n e a n ci e n n e
. B udge , p p 2 2 2 -3 . .

°
lis te d e s dec o n s e g yp tie ns , in
’
B u dg e , p . 229 .
 I N TR O D UC TI O N

I n th e writte n re ma i n s o f B abyl o n i an and A ssyri an

civiliz ati o n t he m a gic cu n e i f o rm t abl ets pl ay a l a rge p a r t
1

an d giv e us t he i m p r e ssi o n t ha t f e a r o f d e m o n s w a s a l e a d

in g f e atur e o f A ssy r i an a n d B a byl o n i an r e ligi o n an d t h at

da ily t ho ught an d li f e w e r e c o n st an tly a ff e ct e d by m a gic .

T he bulk o f the r e ligi o us an d m agic a l t e x t s a r e pr e s e rv e d in

t he libra ry o f A ssurban ip al ki n g o f A ssyri a f r o m 66 8 t o ,

62 6 B C But h e c o ll e ct e d his libra ry f r o m the an ci en t

.

t e m pl e ci t i e s the sc ri be s t ell us t ha t t he y a r e c o pyi n g v e ry

,

an ci e n t t ex ts a n d th e S u m e r i a n l a n gu a ge is still la rge ly
,

e m pl o y e d E ridu o n e o f th e m a i n c e n t e rs o f e a rly S u
2
.
,

“
m e r i an cultur e w a s a n i mm em o ri al ho m e o f a n ci e n t wis
,

” 3
do m t hat is t o s a y m a gic
, I t is ho w e v e r di fficult in
,
.
, ,

the libr a ry o f A ssurb an ip a l t o disti n guis h w h at i s B a by

l o n i an f ro m w hat is A ssyri an o r w ha t is S um e ri an f r o m
wha t is S e m itic T hus w e a r e t o ld t ha t w i t h t he e x c e pti o n
.

o f s o m e v e ry a n ci e n t t e x ts t he S u m eri a n lit e ra tu r e c o n
, ,

sisti n g l a rge ly o f religi o us m at e ri a l such a s h ym n s an d

i n ca n t ati o n s S ho ws a n u m b e r o f S em itic l o an w o rds an d
,

gramm a tica l S em itis m s a n d in m an y ca s e s a l tho ugh n o t

, ,

a lw a ys is quit e p at en tly a tran sl ati o n o f S em itic id e a s by

,

S e m itic pri e sts i n t o the f o rm a l r e ligi o us S um e ri a n l an

” 4
gu a ge .

T h e ch i e f p o i n t in disput e o v e r w h ich gr ea t c o n tr o v e rsy ,

has t ak e n pl a c e r e c e nt ly a m o n g G e r m a n sc h o l a rs is a s t o ,

the a n tiqui ty o f b o t h a st r o n o m ic a l k n o wl e dge a n d a stro l o gi

c a l d o ctri n e i n cludi n g a st r a l t he o l o gy am o n g the d w e ll e rs
, ,

in t he T igris E up h r at e s r e gi o n -
B r i efl y such w r ite rs as .
,

Wi n ckl e r S t ii ck en a n d J e r e m i a s he ld t hat t he r e ligi o n o f

, ,

the e a rly B a byl o n i an s w as l a r g e ly b as e d o n a str o l o gy a n d

tha t a ll t he ir th o ught w as pe rm e a t e d by it a n d t hat the y ,

ha d pro ba bly by a n ea rly d a t e m a d e a str o n o m ic a l o bs e r v a

ti o n s an d a cqui r e d a str o n o m ica l k n o w l e dge w h ich w as l o s t
S m w k S m iti M g i
a
1
o e or th sbj t f on Th m p
e su ec o pp o s on , e c a c, .

m gi
a c an d l ig i
re t my d x x vi
on , a s r o n o v ii ; F y p p 7 0
an x -
x xx osse ,
. 1 -
2 .

a
a s t r o l o gy in B abyl o n ia an d Fa r n e l l , G r e e ce an d B a byl o n ,

A s s yr ia w il l be f o u n d in A p p e n dix p . 1 02 .

“
I a t th e cl os e o f t h is c h ap t e r . P r in c e S um e r , an d S um e r i
an s in E B
. .
 MA G I C A N D E XPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP ’

in the d e cli ne o f the ir c ul tur e O pp o si ng th is vi e w such .

,

sc ho l a rs as Kugl e r B e z o ld B o ll an d S ch i apa r e lli h a ve

, , ,

s ho wn the l a ck o f c e rt a i n e viden c e f o r e ithe r an y c o n s id

e r able a str o n o m ic a l k n o wl e dge o r a str o l o gic a l t h e o ry in t he

T igri s E uph r at e s Va lle y u n til th e l a t e a pp ea r a n c e o f the

-

Chald ean s I t i s e ve n d e n i e d t h at the s e v en p l an e ts w e re

.

disti n guis he d in the e arly pe ri o d m uch l e ss the sign s o f the ,

z o di ac o r th e pl an et a ry w eek wh ic h la st t o ge the r with any

1
, ,

r ea l a dvan ce in astr o n o m y is r e s e r ve d f o r the Hell en i s ti c

,

p e ri o d .

Y et the pr o m i n en c e o f the n u m be r s ev en in myt h re ,

l igio n an d ma gic is i n disput a bl e in the t h ird m ill e nn iu m

,

b e f o r e o ur e r a Fo r i n st anc e in the o l d B abyl o n i an e pic o f

.
,

crea ti o n t he r e a r e s ev e n wi nds s e v en spirits o f sto rm s se v en

, ,

e vil dis e a s e s se v en divisi o n s o f the u n d e rw o rld cl o s e d by

,

s ev en d o o rs s ev en z o ne s o f the upp e r w o rld and sky and

, ,

so on . We a r e t o ld h o w e v e r t h at the sta ge d t o we r s o f
, ,

B abyl o n i a wh ich a r e s a id to h ave sym b o liz e d fo r m ille n

,

n ium s t he s a cr e d He bd o m a d did no t alw ays h av e s e ve n

,

st age s But the n u mb e r s e ven was u n do ubte dly o f f re quent

2
.

o ccurr e n c e o f a s a cr e d an d m ystic c ha ra ct e r an d virtu e an d

, ,

p e r f ecti o n w e r e a s cribe d to it And n o o n e has succ ee d e d .

in givi n g a n y s atis f act o ry e x pl an ati o n f o r t h is o t he r t h an

t he rul e o f t he s ev en pl an e ts o v e r o u r w o rld T h is a ls o .

a ppli e s t o the s a n ctity o f th e n u m b e r s e v en in the O l d T e st a

m e n t a n d the e mp ha sis up o n it in He si o d the O dyss ey

3
, ,

a n d o t h e r e a r ly G r e e k s o urc e s
1 ‘
.

1
Web s te r ,
R es t D a s
y , pp 2 1 5 22,
-
. a n thr o p G es e l ls ch in
. . Wien ,
XXI
w ith f u r t h e r b ibl io g r ap h y S ee . 2 2 5 -7 4 ; see also Heh n ,

O rr 28 3 8 , f o r a n in t e r
-
S ie be nz a hl und S a bba t be i de n
e s t in g d is c u s s io n in En g l is h o f th e B a byl o n ie r n a n d im a l t en Te s ta
p r o b l e m o f t h e o r ig in o f s o l a r a n d m e n t 1 9 07
, J G Fr a z e r
. . .

l un a r z o d ia c . I , 1 40, h a s a n in t e r e s ti n g p a s s a ge
o n t h e p r o m in e n c e o f t he n u mbe r
2
L ip p m a nn p p .168 -
9 .

‘
A l th o u gh S c h iap a r e l li, As tr o n s e en v k
a l i e in t h e J e h o is tic a n d v
o my in th e O l d Te s ta m e n t, 1 9 0 5 , in t h e B aby l o n ia n n a r r ati e
”
of v
pp . v , 5 , 49 5 1 , 1 3 5 , d e n ie s t h at
-
th e fl
oo d .

t h e f r e qu e n t u s e o f t h e n u m b e r
‘
Web s te r , R es t Days , pp 2 1 1-2 . .

v
s e e n in t h e O l d T e s t a m e n t is in P ro f e s s o r W e b s te r , w h o in dl y k
a n y w a y c o n n e c te d w ith t h e p l an r e ad t his c h ap t e r in m an u s c r ip t ,
e ts.
”
v
I h a e n o t s e e n F vo n . s ta t e d in a l e tt e r t o m e o f 2 J ul y
A n d r ian , D ie S ie be nza hl im G eis 19 2 1 t h a t h e r e ma in e d c o n in ce d v
tes l e be n d er Vb l k e r , in Mitte il d
“
, . t h at t he mys t ic p r o p e r t ie s a s
 MA GI C AND EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

s um ably illicit an d h en c e n o t publicly p r e s e rv e d in an —

i n c ant a ti o n w h ich w e s ha ll s o o n qu o t e s o rc e ry is c a ll e d e vil

“ ”
a n d is s a id t o e m pl o y i mp ur e t h i n gs but r a the r de fen —

sive m ea sure s agai n st them an d e xo rci s m s o f ev il dem on s 1

.

But d o ubtl e ss th i s c o u n t e r m agic r e fl e cts the o rigi n al p ro

ce dur e t o a gr e a t e x t e n t I n a s m uch a s dis ea s e s ge n e r a lly
.

w e r e re ga rd e d as due t o d em o n s w h o ha d to be e xo rciz e d ,

by i nca n t a ti o n s m e dici n e w as si m ply a br an c h o f m a gic

, .

E vil s p i r its w e r e a ls o h eld r e sp o n sibl e f o r disturba n c e s

in n a ture a n d f r e qu e n t i n c an t a ti o n s w e r e t ho ugh t n e c e ss a ry
,

t o k ee p t h em f r o m ups et ti n g th e natur a l o rd e r e n tir e ly 2

.

T h e v a ri o us i n c an ta ti o n s a r e a rr a n ge d in s e ri e s o f t abl et s
the M a kl u o r bur n i n g Ti i o r h e a d a c h e s A s ak ki ma r s ii ti o r
, ,

f e v e r L a ba r tu o r h ag d em o n a n d N is k a ti o r r a isi n g o f t he
,
-
,

h an d . B e sid e s t he s e t abl e ts t he r e a r e n u m er o us c e r emo n i a l

a n d m e dic a l t ex ts w h ic h c o n t a i n m agic a l pr a ctic e Al so
6
.

h ym n s o f pr a is e an d r e ligi o us e pics w h ic h at fi rs t sigh t o ne

wo uld n o t cl assi f y a s In c a n t a ti o n s s e e m to ha ve ha d t he ir
“
m a gic a l use s an d F ar n e ll sugge sts t ha t a m a gic o rigi n f o r
,

t he pra ctic e o f t he o l o gic a l e x e ge sis m ay b e o bscure ly

” 4
tra c e d .G oo d spi r its a re re pr e s e n t e d a s e m pl o yi n g m a gi c
a n d e x o rcis m s a g a i n st t h e d em o n s As a l a st r e s o rt w hen
5
.

g o o d spirits as w e ll a s hu m an m agic h ad f a ile d to c he ck the

d e m o n s th e a id m ight be r e quisiti o ne d o f the go d E a re
, ,

“
ga rd e d a s the r ep o sit o ry o f all sci ence an d who al o ne w as
p o ss e ss e d o f the m agic s e cr e ts by m eans o f w h ic h t he y c o uld
” 6
b e c o n qu e re d an d re puls e d .

T he i n c an t ati o n s t he m s e lv e s sh o w t h at o t he r f a ct o rs th an
t he p o w e r o f w o rds e n t e r e d i n t o t he m a gic a s m ay be illus ,

t rate d by q u o ti n g o n e o f t h e m .

A ris e ye gr ea t go ds , h ea r my c o m pla i n t ,
G r an t m e j ustic e t ak e c o g n iz an c e o f m y
,
c o nditi o n .

I h av e m a d e an i m a ge of my s o rc e re r an d s o rc e r e ss ;
1 ‘
Fo s sey, p 16 . . G r ee ce and B a byl o n, p .

’
L e n o r m a nt , p p 3 5 , 14 7 , 158
L e n o r ma nt , p p 1 46- 7
. . 6
6
Th o m p s o n , S e mitic Magic
. .

pp .

v
,
6
x xx iii- xx x ix . I bid, p . 1 58 .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N

I hav e hu mbl e d myse l f b e fo r e yo u a nd bri ng t o yo u my

c aus e ,

B e c aus e o f the e vil t h ey have d o n e ,

O f t he i m pur e th i n gs w h ic h the y h av e han dl e d .

May s he d ie ! L e t m e li v e !
May he r ch a rm he r witch cr a f t he r s o rc e ry be bro k en
, , .

May th e pluck e d sprig o f t he bin u tre e puri f y m e ;

May it r e l e as e m e ; may th e evil o do r o f my mo ut h be
sc att e r e d to the wi n d s .

May the m as h ta kal he rb w hich fills the ea r th cl e an s e m e .

B e f o re yo u le t m e s h i ne lik e th e k a n kal he rb ,

L e t m e be brilli a n t an d pur e a s the la r du h e rb .

T he c ha r m o f t he s o rc e r e s s is e v il ;
May h er w o rds r e tur n to he r m o uth he r t o n gu e be cut o ff , .

B e c aus e o f he r witc hc r a f t m ay the go ds o f n ight s m it e her ,

T he t h r e e w a tc he s o f the n igh t bre ak he r evil c h a r m .

May he r m o ut h be w ax ; he r t o n gu e ho n ey ,
.

May the w o rd c a usi n g m y m is f o rtu ne t hat s he h as sp o ken

diss o lv e lik e w ax .

May the Cha rm s he ha d w o u n d up m e lt like h o n e y ,

S o t ha t he r m agic k no t be cut in tw a i n h e r w o rk de ,

” 1
st ro ye d .

It is evid en t f ro m this i nc ant ati o n tha t u se was m a d e

o f m a gic i m a ge s a n d k n o ts an d o f the pr o p e r ti e s o f tr e e s
,

a n d he rbs Ma gic i ma ge s w e re m a d e o f cl ay w ax t all o w

.
, , ,

a n d o t h e r sub s t anc e s a n d w e r e e m pl o y e d in v a ri o u s w a ys .

Thu s dire cti o n s a r e gi v e n f o r m a ki n g a t a ll o w i m a ge o f a n

e n em y o f t he ki n g an d bi n di n g its f a c e with a c o rd in o rd e r

t o d e priv e t he p e rs o n w ho m it r e pr e s e n ts o f sp e e c h a n d will
p o w e r Im age s w e r e a ls o c o n struct e d in o rd e r t h at dis e a s e
2
.

d e m o n s m igh t be m a gic a lly tr an s f e rr e d i n t o t he m an d 6

,

s o me ti m e s the i m a ge s a r e sl a i n a n d bu r i e d I n th e a bo ve .
1
‘

i n c an ta ti o n the m a gic k n o t w as e m pl o ye d o n ly by th e s o r
c e r e ss but F o s s e y st at e s that k n o ts w e re a ls o us e d as
,

‘
1
J a s tr o w
R e ligi on of B a byl o n
, I bid .
, p . 16 1 .

a nd A s s yr ia p p 2 83 -4
,
. .

‘
Z
imm e r n , B eitr ag e , p 1 7 3 . .
‘
Fo s se y, p 3 99 . .
 MA GI C AND E XPE RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

c o u n t e r c h a r m s a g a i n s t the d e m o n s
- I n th e a b o ve i n can .
1

tatio n t he n am e s o f he rbs w e re l e f t un tran sl at e d an d it is

n o t p o ssibl e t o s ay m uc h c o n c e r n i n g t h e p h a r m a cy o f t he

A s s yri a n s an d B a byl o n i an s b e c a us e o f o u r l ac k o f a l e x ic o n
f o r t he ir b o t an ic a l a n d m i n e r a l o gic al t e rm i n o l o gy 2
Ho w .

ev e r ,
f r o m w ha t sc h o l a rs hav e b e e n abl e t o tr an sl at e it
a pp e a rs t ha t c o m m o n r a t h e r t han r a r e an d o utl an dis h s ub

st an c e s w e r e the o ne s m o st e m pl o ye d W i ne and o il salt .

,

a n d d a t e s a n d o n i o n s an d s a li v a a r e th e s o rt o f t h i n gs us e d
,
.

T he r e is a lso e vid en ce o f th e e m pl o ym e n t o f a m a gic w an d 3

.

G e m s an d a n i m a l subst an c e s w e r e us e d a s w e ll a s he rbs ; a ll
s o rts o f p liilte r s w e r e c o n c o ct e d ; an d v a ri e d rit e s and c e re
m o n i e s w e r e e m pl o y e d such as abluti o n s a n d f um igati on s .

In the a cc o u n t o f th e a r k o f th e B abyl o n i a n N o ah w e a r e
t o ld o f the magic sign ific anc e o f its va ri o us p arts ; thus the
m a st a n d c abi n c e ili n g w e r e m ad e o f c e d ar a w o o d that ,

c o u nt e r acts s o rc e ri e s 4
.

O n e r e m a rk a bl e c o r o ll a ry o f the s o c a ll e d I t ali an Renai s -

s an c e o r Hu m an istic mo v em en t a t th e cl o s e o f the m iddl e

a ge s wit h its to o e x clusiv e gl o ri fi cati o n o f a n ci e n t G r e ec e

an d R o m e ha s b e en t he str a n ge n o ti o n t h a t t he a nci e n t

He ll ene s we re u n usu ally fr ee f r o m m agic c o m p ar e d with

o t h e r p e ri o ds a n d p eo pl e s I t w o uld h av e b ee n to o m uch t o
.

cl a i m an y such i mm un ity f o r th e pri m itive R o m an s who s e ,

e n tir e r e ligi o n w as o rigi n a lly littl e e ls e th an m a gic a n d wh o s e

d a ily li fe public an d private w as h e dge d in by supe rstiti o us

, ,

O bs e rv an c e s a n d f e a r s But the y to o w e r e suppo s e d to

.
, ,

hav e ris e n l at e r u n d e r th e i n flu e n c e o f He ll en ic cultur e to

a m o r e e n light e n e d st a ge o n ly t o r e l a p se a g a i n i n t o m agic
5
,

in the d e cli n i n g e m pir e an d m iddl e a ge s u n d e r o ri e n t a l

i n flu e n c e In cid e n t a lly le t m e a dd t hat t h is n o ti o n that in
.

the pas t o ri e n t a ls w e re m o r e sup e rstiti o us an d f o nd o f

1
Fo s s ey, p 83 . . f o rm .

“
I bid , pp 8 9 9 1
. . F K uchl e r ,
-
. .
6
L e n o r mant, p . 1 9 0.
B e itr cig e z u r K e n n tn is der A s s yr
’

‘
I bid , p 1 5 9
.

B a byl M e diz in ; Te x te m it Um
.
. . .

S o e nl ight e ne d in f act th at th ey
6
s c h r if t, U e be r s e tzu ng u n d K a m
m e n tar , L e ip zig , 1 9 04 , t r e at s o f sp o ek w it h s o m e s c o r n o f t
t we nty f a c s imil e p ag e s o f c un e i
“
v ” “ ”
l e ity a n d l i es o f th e
 I N TR O D U C TI O N

m a rve ls than w e st e rne rs in the s am e sta ge o f civiliz ati o n

a nd t ha t t h e o ri e n t m u st n e e ds be t he s o urc e o f e v e ry sup e r

s t it io u s cult a n d r o m an tic t a l e is a glib a ssu m pti o n w h ic h I

d o n o t i n t e n d t o m a k e an d w h ic h o u r sub se qu e n t i n v e stiga
ti o n will sc arc e ly subst an ti at e But t o r e tu r n to the sup .

p o s e d i mm u n ity o i the Helle ne s f r o m m agic ; s o f ar h as this

hyp o t h e sis b e e n c a rri e d t ha t t ex tu a l c ritics ha v e r e p e a t e dly
r e j e ct e d p assa ge s as l a te r i n t e rp olati o n s o r e v e n c a ll e d en tir e
tr e atis e s s p uri o us fo r n o o the r r ea s o n t han t ha t t h e y s eeme d
t o t h e m t o o sup e rstiti o us f o r a r e put abl e cl a ssic a l a ut h o r .

E v e n s o sp e ci aliz e d a n d r e c e n t a stud e n t o f a n ci e n t a stro l

o gy sup e r s titi o n a n d r e ligi o n a s Cu m o n t still cli n gs to t h is
, ,

dubi o us ge n e ra liz ati o n an d affir m s t ha t the li m pid He ll e n ic “

ge n ius a lways turn e d a w ay f r o m the m isty sp e cul a ti o n s o f

” 1
m a gic But as I sugge st e d s o m e si x t e e n ye a rs si n c e
.
, ,

“
the f an t astic al n e ss o f m e di e v a l sci e n c e w a s du e to
‘
t he
cl ea r light o f He lla s as w e ll as to th e gl o o m o f th e d ark
’ ‘

a ge s
2 ’
.

I t is n o t di ffi cult to c a ll t o m i n d e v id en c e o f th e pr e s e n c e
o f m a gic in He ll e n ic r e ligi o n lit e r a tu r e a n d h ist o r y O ne
, , .

ha s o n ly t o t hi n k o f t he m an y m a rve l o us m e t a m o rpho s e s in
G r ee k myth o l o gy an d o f its c o u n tl e ss o t he r a bsurditi e s ; o f
th e witc h e s C irc e an d Me d e a a n d t he n e cr o m a n cy o f
, ,

O dyss e us o r th e pri e st m a gici an o f A p o ll o in th e I lia d wh o

-

c o uld st o p the pl a gu e if he wishe d ; o f the l u cky an d u n lucky

,

d ays a n d o t he r a gricul tur al m agic in He si o d The n t he r e3

.

w e re the S p a rt an s W ho s e s o c all e d c o n stituti o n an d m e th o d

,
-

o f e duc a ti o n m uc h a d m ir e d by t he G r e e k p h il o s o p he rs w e re
, ,

l a rge ly a r e t e nti o n o f t he li fe o f t he pri m i ti v e trib e with its

r itu a l a n d t a b o o s O r w e r e m e m be r He r o d o tus an d h is
.

ch ildis h d e light in am bigu o us o r a cl e s o r h is t a l e o f s e c e d e r s

f ro m G e l a br o ugh t b ack by T e l l n e s si n gl e ha n d e d be c aus e -

he w a s po ss e s se d o f c e rt a i n mys t e ri o us visibl e sy m b o ls o f
“

the p o w e rs b e n e a t h t he e a rt h w h ic h w e r e d e e m e d to be o f

E E S ik
1 6
O i t l R l ig i
r en a i R m
e o ns n F lk l
o an i th . e s, o -
or e n e
Wo r k s
.

P ag a n is m, C h ic ag o , 19 1 1 , p . 189 . a nd D a ys o f H es io d , in
Th e C l a s s ic a l R e vie w V I I
.

2
T ho r n di k e p . 63 .
390
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

w o n d e r w o rki n g p o w e r
-
We r e c a ll X en o p ho n s pu n e
.
’

t il io us re c o rds o f s acri fi c e s divi n a ti o n s s n ee z e s a n d dr e am s ;

, , ,

N ic ias a s a f r a id o f e clips e s as i f he ha d b ee n a S p a rt a n ; a n d
,

t he m att e r o f f a ct m e n ti o n s o f c ha r m s p h ilt e rs an d i n c an
- —
, ,

t a t io n s in e v e n suc h e n light e n e d writ e rs as E uripid e s an d

P l at o . A m o n g the titl e s o f an ci e n t G r ee k c o m e di e s
m a gic is r e pr e s e n te d by the G o e tes o f A rist o ph an e s the ,

Man dr ago r iz o m e n e o f A l ex is the P har ma c o man tis o f An ,

a xan d r ide s , the Cir ce of A n ax ilas , and t he The ttal e of

Mena n d e r When w e c an didly e sti m at e the sign i fi c an c e o f

.
2

such e vid en c e a s t his w e r e aliz e t hat the He ll e n e s w e r e n o t

,

m uc h l e ss i n cli n e d t o m a gic t h an o t he r p eo pl e s an d p e ri o ds ,

a n d t ha t w e n e e d n o t w a it f o r T h eo critus a n d th e G r ee k

r o man c e s o r f o r t he m a gic a l pa pyri f o r pro o f o f the

e x ist e n c e o f m a gic in a n ci e n t G r ee k civiliz a ti o n
6
.

I f a str o l o gy a n d s o m e o t he r o ccult sci e n c e s do n o t

a pp ea r in a d e v e l o p e d f o r m u n til th e He ll e n istic p e ri o d it ,

is n o t be c aus e the e a r li e r p e ri o d w a s m o r e e nlight e n e d but ,

b e c a us e it wa s l e s s l e a rn e d An d the m agic w h ic h O s than e s .

is s a id t o hav e i n tr o duc e d t o the G r eek w o rld ab o ut t he

ti m e o f the P e rsi an w a rs w a s no t s o m uc h a n i nn o va ti o n
a s a n i m pr o v e m e n t up o n t he ir c o a rs e a n d a n ci e n t rit e s o f
4
G o e tia .

T his m a gic l
t wh ich e x ist e d f r o m the sta rt in
e e m en

G r ee k cultur e is n o w be i n g tr a c e d o ut by stud e n ts o f an t h r o
p o l o gy a n d e a rly r e ligi o n a s w ell a s o f t he cl a ssics Miss .

J ane E Ha rris o n in The mis a s tu dy of the s o cial o rigins

.
, ,

of G r e e k r e l igio n sugg e sts a m a gic a l e x pl an a ti o n f o r m an y

,

a m yt h a n d f e stiv al a n d e v e n f o r the O lym pic g am e s an d

,

G r ee k dr am a 5
T he l a st p o i n t h as b e e n d e v e l o p e d in m o r e
.

B J v
”
1
F m
re e Hi t y f S i ily I
an , s or G
o I t li
c M gi
, , . e on s, r aec o —
a an a c,
1 0 1 - 3 , c it in g He r o d o tu s V II ,
15 3 .
p .
93 in A n th r op o l o gy a n d th e
Ap u l ei C l as s ics e d R Ma r e tt ; a nd th e
2
B ut l e r a nd O we n , , . .

A po l o gia , n o te o n 3 0, 3 0 . a r t ic l e
“
Mag ic in E R E
”
.

6
Fo r d e ta il s c o n c e r n in g o p e r a
‘
k
I th in t h a t t his s e n t en ce is a n
v
ti e or ul ga r v m ag ic am o ng a p p r o x im a t e q u o ta t io n f r o m s o m e

t h e an c ie nt G r e e s s e e Hub e r t , k a n c ie n t a u th o r , p o s s ibl y D io g e n e s
M agia, in D a r e m b e rg - S agl io ; A bt , v
L a e r tiu s , but I h a e n o t b e e n abl e
D ie Apo l o g ie d e s A pu l eius vo n t o fi n d it .

M a da ur a u n d d ie a n tik e Z au I E Har r is o n, Th e mis , Cam

!"
. .

ber ei , G ie s s e n , 1 9 08 ; and F . br idg e , 1 9 12 T h e c hap te r h e ad

.
 I N TR O D UCTI O N

d e ta il by F M Co rn f o r d s O r igin of A ttic Com edy w he r e

. .
’
,

m uc h m a gic is d e t e ct e d m a squ e r a di n g in the c o m e di e s o f

A rist o p ha n e s 1
A n d Mr A B C o o k s e e s the m agici an in
. . . .

Z e us w ho t r a n s fo rm s hi m s el f t o pursu e h is am o u r s an d
, ,

c o n t e n ds t ha t the re a l pr o t o typ e o f t he he ave n ly w ea t he r

“

”
ki n g w as t he e a rt hly m a gici an o r r a i n m ak e r t ha t the -
,

r e Ho m e ric
“ ”
p
-
fi x e d e pit h e ts o f Z e us r e t a i n e d in the

Ho m e ric p o e m s a r e s i m ply r e d o l en t o f t he m a gici an an d

“ ”
,

t ha t the cult o f Z e us L yk aio s w a s c o nn e cte d with the b e li e f

in w e r w o lv e s 2
In still m o r e r e c e n t publica ti o n s D r R e n d e l
. .

Ha rris h as c o nn ect e d G ree k go ds in t h e ir o rigi n s wit h t he

6

w o o dp eck e r an d m istl e t o e a ss o ci at e d the cult o f A p o ll o ,

with the m e dici n a l vi r tu e s o f m ic e a n d s n ak e s an d in o th e r ,

w ays e m phasiz e d the i m p o rt an c e in e a rly G r e e k r e ligi o n a n d

culture o f the m agic pr o p e rti e s o f an i m a ls a n d he rbs .

The s e writ e rs ha v e pr o b ably pr e ss e d t he ir p o i n t t o o f ar ,

but at l ea st t he ir w o rk s e r ve s as a r e a cti o n a ga i n st t he o l d
attitud e o f i n t e ll e ctu a l id o l atry o f th e cl a ssics T he ir vi e ws .

m ay be o ff s e t by t ho s e o f Mr F a rn e ll w ho st at e s t ha t .
,

“
w h il e the k n o wl e dge o f ea rly B abyl o ni an m a gic i s b e gi n
n i n g t o be c o n sid e r a bl e w e c ann o t s ay t h a t w e k n o w ,

an yt h i n g d e fi n it e c o n c e r n i n g the p r a ctic e s in t h is d e p a rt m en t

o f t he He ll e n ic a n d a dj a c e n t p eo pl e s in th e e a rly p e r i o d
”
wit h w hich w e a r e d e a li n g A n d a ga i n
“
But w h il e B aby .
,

lo n i an m a gic p r o cl a i m s its e l f l o udly in the gr e a t r eligi o us

lite ratur e an d h ighe st t e mpl e ritu al G r e e k m agic is ba r e ly ,

m e n ti o n e d in the o ld e r lit e r a tur e o f G r e e c e pl ays n o pa r t ,

at al l in t he hy m n s a n d c an o n ly wit h di fficulty b e dis

,

c ov e re d as l at e n t in the h ighe r ritual A ga i n B abyl o n i an .

,

i g b i fly
n s r egg t t h gum
su t es R it l F me ar p envd i : on ua or s r e ser e n
“
1 Hym
. f th K
n t o ; 2 G e k t g dy ; 9 D im
o ur e e s t . ree ra e . a on o
D ith y r a m b Agtbuevov an d D r am a ;
, ,
O l ym p ian ; 10 . The O l ym p ia n s ;
3 . K o ur e t es , T hu n de r Rit e s a n d - 11 Th e m is
. .

Ma na ; 4 a Magic a n d T a bu , b
. . .
1
F . M
Co r n f o r d , O r ig in o f
.

Me dic in e bir d an d Me dic in e in g ;

- -
k A tti c C o m edy 1 9 14 s e e e s p e c ia l l y
, ,

5 T o te m is m , S a c r am e nt , a n d S ac
.
PP 1 0, 1 3 , 5 5 , 1 5 7 2 02 2 3 3 , , .

r ifi ce ; 6 D ithy r a m b S p r in g Fe s
. ,
2
A B C oo , . . e us k Z
C a mb r idg e , ,

t iva l , a n d Ha g ia T r ia da S a r co p h 19 14 1 34 5 , 2 4 66 7 6
'

pp , . 1 1 - - -
, .

R e n d e l Ha r r is , P ic u s w h o is
6
a gu s ; 7 O r ig in o f t h e O l ym p ic
.

G a m e s ( abo u t a y e a r da im o n ) 8 -
. a ls o e us , Z
19 1 6 ; Th e A s c e n t o f
D aimo n a n d He r o w it h Ex c u r s us , O ly m p u s 1 9 1 7 , .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

m a gic i s e ss en ti ally d emo n i a c ; but w e have n o evid e nc e that

t he p r e Ho m e ric G r ee k w as d e m o n ridd e n o r t ha t d em o n
- -
,

o l o gy a n d e x o rcis m w e r e l e a di n g f a ct o rs in his c o n sc i o us n e ss

E v en Mr F a r n e ll a d m it s h o w e v e r t hat
”
a n d p r a ctic e . .
, ,

the e a rli e st He ll en e as t h e l a t e r w as f ully s e n sitiv e t o the

“
, ,

” 1
m a gic o divi n e e ffic a cy o f n a m e s
—
N o w t o b eli e v e in the
.

p o w e r o f n am e s b e fo re o n e b e li e v e s in t he ex ist en c e o f
d em o n s is the b e st p o ssibl e e vid e n c e o f th e a n tiquity o f
ma gic in a s o ci e ty S i n c e it i n dic a t e s t ha t th e sp eak e r ha s
,

c o nfi d en c e in t he o pe ra tive p o w e r o f his o w n w o rds wit ho ut

an y spiritu a l o r divi n e a ssi st a n c e .

Mo r e o v e r in o n e s e n s e the a dv o c at e s o f G r e ek m a gic
,

hav e n o t go n e f a r e n o ugh The y h o ld t h a t m a gic li e s b a ck

.

o f the c o m e di e s o f A rist o p han e s ; w ha t t h e y m igh t c o n t en d

is t ha t it wa s als o c o n tem p o r a ry with t he m 2

T he y ho ld .

t ha t c l a ssic a l G ree k r e ligi o n had its o rigi n s in m agic ; w ha t

t hey m ight a r gu e is t hat G re e k p h ilo s o p hy n e ve r f r ee d
“
its e l f f r o m m agic T h a t E m p e d o cl e s b e li e v e d h i m s e l f
.

“
c ap abl e o f m a gic a l p o we rs is s ays Z e ll e r pr o v e d by h is ,

”
o w n writi n gs He h i m s e l f d e cl a r e s th at h e p o sse ss e s th e
.

p o w e r to he al o l d age an d sickn e ss to r a is e an d c alm the ,

wi n ds to sum m o n r a i n an d dr o ugh t an d t o r e c a ll the

, ,

I f th e p r e Ho m e ric fi x e d e pith e ts o f
” 6
d ea d to li f e .
-

Z e us ar e r e d o l en t o f m agic P l at o s Timae us i s e qu a lly r e d o

,
’

l e n t o i o ccul t sci e n c e an d as tr o l o gy ; an d if w e se e the

w ea t he r m aki n g ma gici an in t he O lym pi an Z e us o f P h idi as
-
,

w e c an n o t e x pl a i n a w ay th e v aga ri e s o f the Timaeu s a s

fligh ts o f p o e tic i m a gi n ati o n o r try to m ak e o ut Ar ist o tl e
a m o d e r n sci e n tist by m util a ti n g t he t e x t o f t h e His to r y of

A nimals .

1
Fa r n e l l , G r e e c e a n d B a byl on, A n ci e n ts in F o l k - l o r e 189 0, a n d
, ,

p p” 9 , 7 9
. 2 2 1 8 -
. E H K l at s c h e , The S upe r na tur a l
. .

S e e E r n e s t R ie s s , S up er s tition s in th e Tr ag e dies of E u r ipi des , in

a nd P o pu lar B e lief s in G r e e k U nive r s ity of N e br as k a S tudies ,
Tr ag edy, in Tr a n s a c tio n s o f th e 19 19 .

A m eri c a n P hi l o l ogica l As s o c ia s e e Z e l l e r P r e -S o cr a tic P hi

a
,

tio n , vo l 2 7 p p 5 3 4 ; a nd l os op hy, I I 1 1 9 - 2 0, f o r f u r
—
. .

O u An cie n t s up e r s titio n, i bid 2 6 . t h e r b o a s t s b y E m p e do c l e s h im s e l f

4 55
0 -
A l s o J G Fr a z e r ,
. . . a n d o t he r v
m a r e l s att r ibute d to
S o m e P opu l ar S up e r s titio ns of th e h im by l ate r a ut h o rs .
 MA GI C AND E XPERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

a nd r o sc o pe but like it ex a lts the i m p o rt an c e o f the

th e ho ,

sta rs a n d sugge sts t he ir c o n tr o l o f hu m an li f e A n d w hen .

at th e cl o se o f h is R epu blic P l a t o sp eaks o f t h e h a rm o n y o r

m usic o f th e S p h e r e s o f t he s e v e n pl an e ts a n d the e ight h

“
sphe r e o f the fi x e d sta rs an d o f th e spi n dl e o f N ec e ssity ,

o n w h i ch a ll th e r e v o lu t i o n s tur n he sugge st s t ha t w he n ,

o n c e t he hu m an s o ul h a s e n t e r e d up o n t h is li f e its d e sti n y ,

is hen c e f o rt h subj e ct to t h e Co urs e s o f the st a rs When in .

“
th e Timae us h e s a ys Th e r e is n o di fficulty in s ee i n g th a t
,

h p e r f e ct n u m b e r o f ti m e f ulfills t h e p e r f e ct y ea r w h e n a l l
te
t h e e ight r e v o luti o n s a r e a cc o m plis h e d t o get he r an d
” 1
a tt a i n t h e ir c o m pl e ti o n a t th e s am e ti m e h e s eem s t o ,

sugge st the a s tro l o gic a l d o ctri n e o f the ma gn us annus tha t ,

h ist o ry b e gi n s to r e p e a t its e l f in e v e ry d e t a il w h en t h e

h ea v e n ly b o di e s h av e al l r e ga i n e d t he ir o rigi n al p o siti o n s .

“
F o r A rist o tl e to o t he st a rs w e r e b e i n gs o f sup e r h u m an
, ,

i n t e llige n t e i n c o rp o rat e d e iti e s T he y app ea re d t o him a s

, .

the pur e r f o r m s t ho s e m o r e lik e th e d e ity a n d f r o m t hem

, ,

a pu r p o siv e r a ti o n a l i n flu e n c e up o n the l o w e r li f e o f t he

ea rt h s eem e d to pr o c e e d a t h o ugh t w h ic h b e c am e t he r o o t
—
,

o f m e di e va l a str o l o gy
” 2
Mo r e o ve r his t heo ry o f th e
“
.
,

subo rdi n at e go ds o f the sphe re s o f t h e pl anets p ro

” 6
v ide d f o r a l a t e r d em o n o l o gy .

A sid e f r o m bits o f p hysi o gn o m y a n d o f P yt ha go re an

sup e rstiti o n o r m ysticis m A rist o tl e s H is tor y of A nima ls
, ,
’

c o n t a i n s m uc h o n the i n flu en c e o f the st a rs o n an i ma l li fe ,

t he m e dic i n e s e m pl o y e d by an i m a ls an d t h e ir f ri en ds h ips ,

a n d e n m iti e s a n d o t h e r f o lklo r e a n d ps eu d o sci en c e But

4 -
, .

Tima e us ,
1
p .
39 r e e c te d
j as s p ur io us , T ho r n see
J o we tt, II I , 4 5 8 . di e k pp 62 3 .T E -
. . .

L o n e s , A r is to tl e s R e s e ar c h es in
’
a
W Wi ndel ban d His tor y
‘
, o f N a tu r a l S cie n ce , L o n d o n , 1 9 12 ,
P hil os o p hy E n g l is h t r an s l a tio n by 0
A r i s to tl e s
a
2 74 pp , di s c u s s e s
J H Tu f t s , 1 89 8’ p 14 7
.

' ‘ . ’

v
m e t h o d o f in e s tiga tin g t h e n at u
Win delba n d His tor y
”
a n d a l a r g e n u m be r
‘
r a l s c ie n c e s ,
, o f A”
A r l S tO tl e S S Pe Cl fi C S tat e m ent s
.
’
cie n t P h il os o ph y E n g lis h t r an s l a Of
,

t io n by H E Cu s h m a n , 189 9
. , ,
s h o w ing w h e th e r t h e y w e r e c o r
r e c t o r in co r r e c t T h e b e s t t ra n s
.

‘
Fo r a num be r o f e x amp l es , l at io n o f t h e His to r y of A n ima ls
w hi ch m i gh t b e co n s i de r ably m u l is by D A r c y W Th o m p s o n , O x
.
’

k v
.

t i p l i e d i f bo o s V I I - X a r e n o t f o r d 1 9 10, w ith a l u ab l e n o t e s .
 I N TR O D U C TI O N

t he o ld e st e xt ant m an uscript o f t hat w o rk d a t e s o n ly f r o m

th e tw e l f t h o r th i r t ee n t h c e n tury a n d l a cks th e t en t h b oo k .

E dit o rs o f t he t ex t ha v e a ls o r e j e ct e d bo o ks s e v e n a n d n i ne ,

the l a tt e r p a r t o f b o o k e ight a n d h a v e q u e sti o n e d v ari o us

,

o t h e r p a ss a ge s Ho w e ve r t he s e ex purga ti o n s sav e th e f ace

.
,

o f A rist o tl e r a t h e r t han o f He ll e n ic sci e n c e o r p h il o s o p h y

g e n e r a lly a s the spuri o us s ev en t h b o o k is hel d t o be dr aw n

,

l a rge ly f ro m Hippo cra tic writi n gs a nd t he n i nth f ro m

Theo ph r a stus 1
.

T h e r e is an o t he r p o i n t t o be k ep t in m i n d in an y co m
p a ris o n o f E gypt an d B a byl o n o r A ssyri a with G r ee c e in
th e m att e r o f ma gic O u r e vid en c e pr o vi n g the gr e at p a rt
.

pl a ye d by m a gic in t he an ci en t o ri en t al civiliz ati o n s c o m e s

dir e ctly f ro m t hem t o u s wit ho ut i n t e r ven i n g t am p e ri n g o r
a lt e r ati o n e x c e pt in t he c a s e o f the e a rly p e ri o ds But .

cl a ssic a l l it e r a tur e a n d phil o s o phy c om e t o us a s e dit e d by

A l ex an d r i an libra ri an s 2
a n d ph il o l o g e rs a s c e n s o r e d an d
,

s e l e ct e d by Ch risti an and Byz an ti n e r e ad e rs a s c o pi e d o r ,

tran sl a te d by m ed i ev a l m o n ks an d I t a li an h um an ists An d .

th e qu e sti o n i s n o t m e re ly w ha t hav e th e y a dd e d ? but a ls o

, ,

wha t ha v e t he y a lt e re d ? what h a v e the y r e j e ct e d ? In st e a d

o f qu e sti o n i n g supe r s titi o us p a ss a g e s in e x t an t w o rks o n

t he gr o u n d t h a t t h e y a r e l at e r i n t e r p o l a t i o n s it w o uld v e ry ,

lik e ly be m o r e t o the p o i n t t o i n s e rt a go o dly n u m b er o n

t he gro u n d t h a t t h e y h av e b een o m itt e d a s p a ga n o r id o l a
tr o us sup e rsti t i o n s .

S upp o s e w e tu r n t o t h o s e writi n gs w hic h hav e b ee n

un ea r t h e d j ust a s t h e y w e r e in a n ci e n t G r e e k ; t o the p apyri ,

th e l e a d t abl e ts the s o c a ll e d G n o stic gem s

,
-
Ho w d o e s the .

pr o p o rti o n o f m a gic in the s e c o m p a r e with t h a t in th e

i n dir e ctly tr an s m itt e d li te rary r e m a i n s ? I f it is o bj ect e d
t ha t th e m a gic p a pyri a r e m a i n ly o f l a t e d at e an d t hat
6

S e e t h e e dit io n o f th e His tor y

1
t h e l ib r a r y o f A s s u r ban ip al .

“
o f A n ima ls by D itt m e y e r A lis t o f m ag ic p ap yr i a n d o f
p V i i w he r e
.
, v
a r i o u s m o n o g r ap h s p u b l i c a t io n s up t o a b o u t 1 9 00 d e a l
w il l b e f o un d m e n t io n e d . in g w it h th e s am e is v
g i en in
2
P e r h ap s p u r e lite r at u r e w a s Hub e r t ’
s a r t ic l e on M agia in
v
o e r - e mp h as i z e d in t h e Mu s e u m
.

D a r e m b e r g - S agl io , p p 1 5 03 -4 S e e
. .

a t A l e x an d r i a , a n d m a g i c t e x t s i n al s o S ir He r be r t T h o m p s o n a nd
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RIMEN TA L S CIE N CE C H AP .

the y fo u n d in E gy pt it m ay he r e pli e d t hat the y a re

ar e ,

a s o l d a s o r o ld e r t h an an y o th e r m an uscripts w e h av e o f

cl a ss ic a l lit e r a tur e an d t h at its Ch i e f st o r e ho u se t oo was -

, ,

in E gypt a t A l ex a n dri a A s f o r t h e m a gic a l curs e s writt en

.

o n l ea d t a bl e ts the y d a te f r o m th e f o urt h c en tury b e fo re

1
,

o u r e r a t o the si x t h a f t e r an d f o urt e e n c o m e f r o m A th en s ,

a n d si x t e e n f r o m Cn idus as a g a i n st o n e f r o m A l ex an dri a

a n d e l e v e n f r o m Ca rt hag e An d a lt h o ugh s o m e displ a y .

e x tr e m e illit e r a cy o t h e rs ar e writt e n by pe rs o n s o f r a n k
,

a n d e duc a ti o n An d w ha t a w e a lth o f a str o l o gica l m an u

.

scripts in the G r e e k l an gu age ha s b e e n u n ea rt he d in Eur o

p ean libr a r i e s by t he e dit o r s o f the Ca tal ogus Co dicu m
G r ae c o r um A s tr o l og or um ! 2
An d o cc as i o nal ly ar c hae o lo
gists r e po r t the disc o v e ry o f m a gic al appa ra tus o r o f r ep r e
3

s e nt atio n s o f m agic in w o r ks o f a rt .

I n t hus c o n t e n di n g t h at He ll e n ic cul tur e w as n o t f r ee

f r o m m a gic a n d th a t e v e n th e ph il o s o ph y a n d s ci en c e o f th e
an ci en t G r e e ks S h o w tr a c e s o f sup e rstiti o n I w o uld n o t h o w , ,

e ve r ,o bscur e th e f a ct th a t o f e x t a n t lit e r a ry r e m a i n s th e

G r e e k a r e th e first t o pr e s e n t us with an y v e ry c o n sid e r abl e

b o dy e ithe r o f system atic r ati o n al sp e cul a ti o n o r o f cl a ssi fi e d
c o ll e cti o n o f o bs e rve d f a cts c o n c e r n i n g n atu r e D e spit e th e .

r apid pr o gr e ss in r e c e n t y ear s in k n o wl e dge o f pr e h ist o ric

m an a nd E gy pti an a n d B a byl o n i a n ci v iliz ati o n the He ll e n ic ,

F L G r ifli th , Th e Mag ica l D e

. . l en t , D e fi x io n u m ta bu lae , et c .
,

m o tic P a pyr u s o f L o n d on a n d P a r is , 1 90 4 , 5 68 p p R W u n sc h ,
v
. .

L e ide n, 3 o l s , 1 9 09 1 9 2 1 ; C a ta
.
-
D e fi x io nu m Ta be l l a e A t tica e, 1 89 7 ,
l og u e of D e m o tic P apyr i in t he a n d S e thia n is c h e V e r fl u c hu ng s ta
J o h n R yla n ds L ibr ar y M a n c he s , f e l n a us R o m ( 39 42 0
0 -

t e r w ith f a c s im il es a n d c o m p l e te
, L e ip z ig , 1 8 9 8
v
.

t r a n s l a tio ns 1 9 09 , 3 ols G r en f e ll
,
“
p 1 5 9 s ay s , A c o r p u s o f
.
2
S in c e 18 9 8 a r io u s o l u m es v v
.
,

t h e m a g ic a l p a p yr i w as p r o j e c t e d
v
a n d p a r t s h a e a p p e a r e d u n de r t h e
e d it o r s hip o f C u m o n t K r o l l , B o l l ,
in G e r m a ny by K P r e is e n dan z ,

be f o r e th e w a r a nd a Cz e c h
.

v
O li ie r i B a s s i a n d o t h e r s
, , Muc h .

o f t h e m a t e r ia l n o t e d is o f c o u r s e
,

s c h o la r , Dr Ho p f n e r , is e ngag e d
.

k p o s t c l a s s ica l a n d B y z a n t in e , a n d
-

u p o n t h e d i ffi c u l t t a s o f c l uc i
o f C h r is t ia n a u th o r s hip o r A r a
d a t in g t h e m
bic o r ig in
.

1
W C B attl e , Mag ica l Cur s es
.
.

Wr itte n o n L e a d Ta bl e ts in
.

,
6
Fo r e x a mp l e , s ee R . Wun sch ,
Tr a ns a c t io ns of th e A m e r ic a n A n tik e s Z a u be r g er dt a us P er
P h il o l og ica l A s s o c ia tio n XXV I gamon in J ahr b d k a is e r l
v
, , . . .

p p l iv l iii, a s yn o p s is o f d e u ts c h a r c h ae o l I n s tit , s upp l V I

-
.

v
Ha r a r d dis s e r tat io n
. . . .

a A u do l .
p 19 .
 I N TR O D U CTI O N

titl e to the pri m acy in ph il o s o p hy a n d sci en ce has ha rdly

b ee n c all e d in qu e sti o n an d n o e arli e r w o rks hav e bee n
,

disc o ve r e d t ha t can c o m p a r e in m e dici n e w it h tho se a scrib e d

to Hipp o cr at e s in bi o l o gy with t ho s e o f A rist o tl e a n d
,

T heo ph r a stus o r in m a t he m atics an d p hysics wit h t ho s e o f

,

E uclid and Arc h i m e d e s Un d o ubt e dly suc h m en and writ

.

i ngs had t he ir pre d e c e s s o rs pr o bably the y o w e d s o m e th i n g

,

to a n ci e n t o ri e nt a l civilizati o n but t aki n g t he m a s w e hav e , ,

the m the y s e em to be m a rk e d by gr e a t o rigi n al p o we r

,
.

What eve r m ay l ie c o nc eal e d be nea t h the sur fa c e o f the p a st ,

o r w ha t e v e r sign s o r h i nts o f sci e n tific i n v e stig a ti o n an d

kn o wl edge w e may t hi n k w e can d et e ct a nd r e a d b e tw een

th e li n e s as it w e r e in o the r ph a s e s o f o ld e r civiliz a ti o n s
, , ,

in t he s e w o rks s o lid be gi n n i n gs o f e x p e ri m en t a l and m a t he

mat ical sci e n c e st an d u nm ist ak a bly f o rt h .

“
An e xtr ao rdi n a rily l a rge pr o p o rti o n o f the sub j e ct
“
m a tt e r o f the writi n gs o f A rc h i m e d e s s ays He a t h r e p r e , ,

s en ts e ntir ely ne w disc o ve ri e s o f h is o wn Th o ugh his .

r an ge o f sub j ects w as a l m o st e n cycl o p aedic e m br a ci n g ,

geo me t r y ( pl ane an d s o lid ) a rithm e tic m e c han ics hydr o , , ,

sta tics a nd a str o n o m y he w a s no c o mpile r n o write r o f

, ,

t ex t b o o ks
-
His o bj e ctiv e is a lw ays s o m e n e w t h i n g
.
,

s o me d efin it e a dditi o n t o the s um o f k n o wl e dge an d his co m ,

p e te o rigi n a lity c an n o t f a il to strik e an y o n e w ho r e a ds his

l
w o rks i n t e llige ntly witho ut an y c o rr o b o rative e vid en c e S tIChl
,

as is f o u n d in t h e i n tr o duct o ry l e tt e rs pr e fi x e d t o m o st o f

t hem . I n s o m e o f h is subj e cts A rc h i m e d e s h a d n o f o r e

ru nners e g in hydr o st atics whe r e he i n v en t e d the wh o l e
, . .
, ,

sci en c e an d ( s o f a r a s m athem atic a l d e m o n s tr ati o n w a s

,

” 1
c o nc e r n e d ) in h is m e c han ic a l i n ve stiga ti o n s A rist o tle s .
’

His tor y o f A nima ls is still h ighly e st ee m e d by h ist o r i a n s o f

bi o l o gy and o ft en e vide n c e s a l a rge am o un t o f pe rs o na l
2 “

T L Hea th , Th e Wo r k s of
1
A r isto tl e s R es ear c he s in N a tur a l
’
. .

Ar c him e des , Camb r idg e , 189 7 , p p . S c ien ce, Lo ndo n , 1 9 12 P r o f e s s o r .

x x x ix -x l . W A Lo cy, a utho r o f B io l o gy
. .

a n d I ts M a k er s , w r it e s m e ( May
“
O n A r is t o t l e a s a B io l o g is t
’

s e e t h e He r be rt S p e n c e r l e c tu r e by 9 1 9 2 1 ) t h a t in h is o p in io n G H .

D A r c y W Th o m p s o n O x f o r d,
, .

’
.
, L e w es , Ar is to tl e ; a Chap ter f r o m
1 9 13 , 3 1 p p Also T E L one s ,
. . . th e His to r y of S cien ce, Lo n do n,
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI M E N TA L S CI E N CE C HA P

” 1
o bs e rvati o n s gr eat accura cy an d m i nute i n q uiry a s
, , ,

in his a cc o u n t o f the v a scul a r syst em 2

o r o bs e rv a ti o n s o n

t he e mb r y o l o gy o f t h e c h ick
6 “
Mo st w o n de r f ul o f all .
,

p e r haps a r e t ho s e p o r ti o n s o f his bo o k in w h ic h he sp e aks o f

,

fis he s t he ir div e r s iti e s t he ir structure t he ir w an d e ri n gs a n d

, , , ,

t he ir f oo d He r e w e m ay r e a d o f fi s he s th at ha ve o nly
.

re c en tly bee n r e disc o v e r e d o f stru cture s o n ly l at e ly r e inve s

,

” 4
t igat e d o f ha bits o nl y o f l a t e m a d e kn o w n
, But o f the .

a c h i e v e m en ts o f He ll en i c p h il o s o p h y a n d He ll e n istic sc i e n c e

t he r e a d e r m ay be s a f e ly a ss u m e d a lr ea dy t o hav e s o me
n o ti o n .

But in cl o si n g t h is bri e f pr e li m i n a ry sk e tc h o f t he pe ri o d
be f o r e o u r i nv e stigati on pr o p e r be gi n s I w o uld t ak e ex ce p ,

ti o n to the t en d en cy pr ev al e n t e sp e ci a lly a m o n g G e rm an
,

scho l a rs to c en t e r in an d c o n fi n e t o A rist o tle an d the

,

He ll e n istic age al m o st all pr o gr e ss in n atura l sci en c e ma d e

b e f o r e m o d e r n ti m e s T he c o ntributi o n s o f the Egypti an s
.

an d B abyl o n i an s a r e r e duc e d t o a m i n i m u m o n t he o n e h an d ,

w hil e o n t he o the r the sci e n ti fi c writi n gs o f t he R o man

186 4 , d w e ll s to o mu c h o n Ar is Th e A ris to t e l ian a c c o u n t o f th e
t o t l e s e r r o r s a n d im p e r f e c t io n s ,
’
v k
a s c u l a r s y s t e m is r e m a r a bl e f o r
v
a n d in s e e r a l in s t a nc e s o m it s t h e it s w eal th o f d e ta il s , f o r it s g r e at
qu o t at io n o f im p o rt a n t po s i t i e
.

v a c c u r a cy in m a n y p a r t ic u l a r s , a n d
v
o b s e r a t io n s , o cc u r r in g in th e f o r it s e x t r e m e o b s c u r ity in o th e r s .

c h ap t e r s f r o m w h ic h h e m a e s h is k I t is s o f a r t r ue to n at ur e t ha t it
qu o t a t io n s o f e r r o r s P ro f es so r
.

’
v
is c l e a r e ide n c e o f m in u t e l n
L o c y al s o d is ag r ee s w it h L e w e s q u ir y, b ut h e r e a n d t h e r e so
e s t im at e of D e g e n e r a tio n e a s r e m o te f r o m f ac t a s t o s ugges t
A r is to t l e s m as t e r p ie c e a n d th in s
“
’
k t h a t t hin g s o n c e s e e n h a e b ee n v
t ha t n a tu r a lis t s w il l g e t m o r e h a l f f o r g o tte n , o r th a t s up e r s t i
S atis f ac t io n o ut o f r ead in g t h e fl
t io n w a s in c o n ic t w ith t h e r e s ul t
His to r ia an im a liu m t h an e ith e r
”
o f o b s e r at io n v T h e a c c o un t o f
.

t h e D e g e n e r a tion e o r D e par tibu s . v

t h e e s s e l s c o n n ec t in g t h e l e f t a r m
Th o m p s o n p 14 , c al l s
. v
w ith t h e li e r a n d t h e r ight w ith
“
v
A r is t o t l e a e r y g r e at n a tu r al is t
”
. t he s p l e e n vv
is a s u r i i n g e x
a m p l e o f m y s t ic a l o r s u p e r s t i tio u s
1
Th is q u o ta t i o n is f r o m P r o
f e s s o r L o cy s l e t t e r o f May 9 , be lie f
’
I t is p o s s ibl e t ha t t h e
.

192 1 . a s c r ip t io n o f t h r e e c h a mb e r s to
2
T he q uo tat io n s a r e f r o m a n o te fl
t h e h ea r t w as a l s o in u en c e d by
by P r o f e s s o r D A r cy W T h o m p t r a dit io n o r m y s tic is m , muc h in
’
.

his t r a n s l at io n o f t h e t h e s a m e w a y a s P l a to s n o t io n o f
’
s on on
His to r ia a n i m a l iu m, I I I , 3 T h e . t h e t h r e e c o rp o r e a l f a c ul tie s
”
.

v
n o t e g i e s s o g o o d a g l im p s e o f
”
P r o f e s s o r L o cy cal l e d m y a t
b o th t h e m e r it s a n d d e f e c t s o f t h e t e n tio n t o it in a l e tt e r o f Ma y 17 ,
A r is to t e l ian t e xt as it h a s r e ac h ed 19 2 1 . S e e al s o Th o m p s o n
u s t ha t I wil l q uo t e it h e r e m o r e p . 14 .

‘
f ul ly : Th o mp s o n p . 19 .
 I N TR O D UC TI O N

Em pire , w hic h a r e ex t an t in f ar gre a t e r abun d anc e than

tho s e o f the He ll en istic p e ri o d ar e r e gar d e d a s i n fe r i o r i m ita
,

ti o ns o f gre at aut ho rs wh o s e w o rks a r e n o t e x t a n t ; P o si

do n ius f o r e x am pl e t o w ho m it h a s b ee n the f a s h i o n o f th e
, ,

write rs o f G e rm an diss e rta ti o n s t o a ttribut e t his t hat an d , ,

e v e ry t heo ry in l a t e r writ e rs But it is c o n tr a ry to th e l aw

.

o f gr a du a l an d p a i n f ul a cquisiti o n o f sci e n ti fi c k n o w l e dge

a n d i m pr o v e m e n t o f sci e n tific m e t h o d t h a t o n e p e ri o d o f a

f e w c e n turi e s s ho uld t hus ha v e disc o v e r e d e v e ryt h i n g We .

h av e disput e d t he si m il a r n o ti o n o f a go ld e n a ge o f e a rly
E gyp ti a n sc i en c e f r o m w h ic h the M iddl e an d N e w Ki n g
d o ms d ecli n e d a n d h av e n o t he ld t ha t e it he r the E gypti an s
,

o r B a byl o n i a n s h ad m a d e g r e a t a d v a n c e s in sci e n c e be f o r e

th e G r e e ks But t hat is n o t s ayi n g t ha t they had n o t m a d e

.

s o me a dv an c e A s P r o f e ss or K arpi n ski ha s r e c e n tly w r itt en :

.

To d e n y t o B a byl o n t o E gypt an d t o I n di a t h e ir p a rt
“
, , ,

in t he d e v e l o p m e n t o f sci e n c e a n d sci en tific t h i n ki n g is t o

d e f y the t e sti mo n y o f the an ci en t s supp o rt e d by the dis ,

c o ve r ie s o f the m o d e r n a ut ho riti e s T he e ff o rts w h ic h ha v e

.

been m a d e to ascrib e to G r ee k i n flu e n c e t he sci e n c e o f E gypt ,

o f l a t e r B a byl o n o f I n di a a n d t h a t o f t h e A r abs do n o t
, ,

a dd to t he gl o ry t ha t w a s G r e e c e Ho w c o uld the B a by .

l o n i an s o f the go ld en age o f G r ee c e o r th e Hi ndus a littl e ,

l at e r hav e t ak en o ve r the d ev el o p m en ts o f G r e ek astro n

,

omy ? T h is w o uld o n ly ha v e be en p o ssibl e if t he y ha d

a rriv e d a t a st a t e o f d e v e l o p m e n t in a str o n o m y w h ic h w o uld

hav e e n abl e d t hem pr o p e rly t o e sti m at e an d a ppr e ci a t e t h e

w o rk w h ich w a s to be abs o rb e d The a d m issi o n t h a t
.

t he G r e e k a str o n o m y i m m e di a t e ly a ff ect e d the a str o n o m ic a l

t heo ri e s o f In di a c a rri e s wit h it the i m plic ati o n t h a t t his
sci e nc e had a tt a i n e d s o me wha t the s am e l ev e l in I n di a a s in
G re ece Wit ho ut s e ri o us qu e sti o n i n g w e m ay as su m e that
.

a f u n d a m e n t a l p a rt o f t h e sci e n c e o f B a byl o n a n d E g pt
y
a n d I n di a d e v e l o p e d duri n g t he ti m e s w h ic h w e t h i n k o f a s
,

” 1
G r ee k w as i n dige n o us sci e n c e
, .

1
L C K ar p in s i,
. . k Hin du S c ie n c e , in Th e A mer ica n Ma the ma tica l
Mo n thly, XXV I 2 9 8 - 3 00 .
32 MA G I C A ND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP . 1

No r am I r e a dy
d m it t hat the gr eat sci en tists o f the
to a

e a rly R o m an E m pir e m e r e ly c o pi e d fr o m o r w e r e disti n ctly ,

i n fe ri o r t o t he ir He ll en istic p r e d e c e ss o rs A rist a rchus may

,
.

h av e h eld th e he li o c en tric t he o ry but P t o l em y m ust hav e

1

b een a n a bl e r sci e n tist an d hav e supp o rte d his i n c o rre ct

hypo t he sis wit h m o r e a ccur a t e m ea sur e m en ts a n d c a lcul a
ti o n s o r the a n ci e n ts w o uld hav e a d o pt e d the so un d e r vi e w .

An d i f He r o ph ilus h ad r ea lly d e m o n str at e d the circul a ti o n

o f th e bl o o d s o k e e n a n i n t e llige n c e a s G a l e n s w o uld n o t
’
,

h av e c a st his disc o ve ry a sid e An d if P t o l e m y c o pi e d

.

Hipp a rc hus a r e w e to i m agi n e tha t Hipp a rch us c o pi e d f r o m

,

n o o ne ? But o f the i n ce s s an t tr a di t i o n f r o m a ut ho rity to

a ut ho rity an d ye t o f t he gr a du a l a ccu m ul a ti o n o f n ew m att er

f ro m p e rs o na l o bs e rv a ti o n a n d expe ri e n c e o u r e n sui n g sur

ve y o f t h irt ee n c e n tu r i e s o f t h o ugh t a n d writi n g will a ff o r d

m o r e d e t a il e d illustr ati o n .

1
Si r Th m o H th A i tar
as ea th , fix d tr s m i u m v d
e e s ar s re a n n o e
c h us f S m
o th
a A i t
os , e d t h t th
nc e n th anv lv u d a e ea r re o es ro n
C po i u
er n c s: hi t ya f G k
s or th o i th i
r ee mf s un
e f n e c r cu e r e n ce o a
t
as r ono my t A i to h t i l
r s ar c usSu h o v id
c rc e
”
m . c e e nc e s ee s

g e th e r wi th A r is ta r c hu s s tr e a tis e , s c a r ce l y w a r r a n t a p p l yin g t h e
’
to
”
O n the S iz es a nd D is ta n ces o f t itl e o f Th e A n c ie n t C o p e r n ic u s
th e S u n an d M o o n, a n ew G r ee k Heath
”
to A r is ta r c h u s An d
.

t e x t w i th tr an s l a tio n a n d n o te s ,
“
k
t h in s t h a t S c h ia p a r e l li ( I pr e cur
O x f o r d, 1 9 1 3 , a d m it s t h a t s o r i di Cope r nic o n e ll a n tic hi ta,
’
o ur
t r e at is e d o e s n o t c o n t a in a n y s ug an d o t h e r p ap e r s ) w e n t to o f a r
g e s t io n o f an y bu t t h e g e o ce n t r ic in a s c r ibin g t he C o p e r n ic a n hy
vi w e of th e v
un i e r s e ,
w h e r e as p o t h e s is t o H e r ac lide s o f P o n t u s .

A r c him ede s t e l l s u s t ha t A r is t a r O n A r is t o tl e s a n s w e r t o P y th ag
’

c h u s w r o t e a bo o k
o f h yp o t h e s e s , o r e a n s w h o de n ie d t h e g e o c e n t r ic
o n e o f wh ich w a s t h at th e s un an d the o ry see O rr pp . 1 00- 2 .
34 MA G I C A N D EXP E RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE

J as tr o w Mo r r is ,
T h e R e l g io n
. i of B a byl o n i a an d As syr i a B o ston , ,

1 89 8 . Re v is e d a n d e n l a r ge d as R e l ig io n B abyl o n i e n s un d As
i
s yr e n s , G ie s s e n , 1 9 04 .

J e r e mi as . B a byl o n . A s s yr . V o r s t e l l u ng e n vo n de m L e b e n n ach

T o de , L e ip z ig , 1 88 7 .

Ho ll e un d P a ra d i e s, a n d o th e r w or ks .

K n u dtz o n , J A . . A s syr i s che G e b et e an de n S o nn e ngo tt, L e i p z i g,

1 89 3 .

L a g ra n ge , Etu de s s u r l e s r e l ig i o n s s é mi ti qu e s , P a r i s , 19 05
M J . . .

L a n g do n S S ume r ia n a n d B a byl o n i a n P s a lms , P a r i s , 1 9 09

, . .

Re i s n e r G A ,S um e r i s c h B a byl o n is c h e Hymn e n , B e r l i n , 1 8 9 6
. .
-
.

Ro be r ts o n S m i th , W L e ct u r e s o n th e Re l i g i on o f th e S e mi te s , .

L o n do n , 1 9 07 .

R o s ch e r , L e x icon ,
for v a i ou s
r a r t cl e si .

i
Z mme r n . B a byl o n is c h e Hymn e n un d G e b et e in Aus w ah l , 3 2 p p .
,

1 9 05 ( De r A l t e Or i e nt ) .

i
B e t r ag e zur K e nntn is s de r B abyl Re l g . i i on ,
i i
L e p z g, 1901 .

O n the a str o no m y an d a stro l o gy of t he B abyl o n i an s o ne

m ay c o n sult
B e z ol d , C . A st r o n o mi e , Himme l s ch a u und A s t r a ll e h r e be i de n
B abyl o n iern .
( S itzb Ak a d He i de lb e r g
. .
,
1 9 1 1 , Abh .

B o iss ie r . A . Doc ume n ts a s syr e n s i r e l at i fs a ux p r é s ag e s , P ar is ,

1 8 9 4 - 1 89 7 .

i x de t exte s r e l ati fs a l a di v i nat i on a s syro babyl o n ie nne

Ch o -
,

G e n e v a 1 9 0 5 1 9 06 ,
-
.

C ra i g J A
, A s t o l o g i c a l A s t r o n o mi c al T e xt s L e i p i g 1 8 9 2
. . r -
,
z , .

C umo nt F B abyl o n u n d die g i e c h i s ch e A s t o l o g i e

, .
( Ne ue r r .

J ah r b f ii da s k l s s A lt e rt u m XX V II
. r a .
, ,

Epp i g J a n d S t r a s s me i e r J N
n , .
, A s t o n o mi s c h es au s B abyl o n , . . r ,

1 8 89 .

G in z e l , F K . . D ie a s t r o no m s che n i K e ntn is s e de r B a byl o n ie r ,

19 0 1 .

He hn J , . S i e be n z a hl und S a bbat be i de n B abyl o n i e r n un d im

Alte n T e s t a me nt , 1 9 07 .

e ns e n , P . K o s mo l o g ie de r B abyl o n i e r , 1 8 9 0 .

e r e mia s . Da s A l te r de r b a byl o n i s c h e n A st r o n omi e , 1 9 08 .

Ha n dbuc h de r a lt o r ie nt a l s c h e n i G e is te s k u l tu r ,
19 13 .

K ugl e r , F X . . D ie B a byl o n i s ch e Mo ndr e c h n u n g ,

1 9 00 .

S te r n ku n de un d S te r n d i e n st in B a be l, F r e ibu r g, 1 9 07 - 1 9 1 3 . To
be co mp l e t e d in f o u r v ol s .

Im B an n k eis r B ab e l s , 1 9 10 .

O p p e r t, J . Die a st r o n o m s ch e n i Ang abe n de r i

a s s yr s c h e n K e il in
 A P P E ND I X I

s ch r i f te n ,
in S it zb d . . Wi e n . A k ad . Math N at Cl a s s e
-
.
,
188 5 , pp .

8 9 4 9 06 -
.

U n te xt e B a byl o n ie n a s t r o n o m iqu e e t s a t r a du c t io n g r e c qu e p a r
Cl P to l é me é , in Z e it s c h f A s s y r io l V I
. . . .
pp . 1 03 - 2 3 .

S ayc e , A H Th e a s t r o n o my a n d as t r o l o gy
. . o f t h e B a byl o n ia n s ,

i
w t h t r a n s l at i o ns of t h e ta bl e t s r e l at n g i t o th e j
s ub e c t, in T r a n s
a c t io n s o i the S oc i ety of i
B b lic a l A r c h a e ol o gy , I II 145

3 3 9 th e fi r s t a n d u nt il r e c e n tly i
b e s t gu de t o t h e s u bj e c t
th e .

S c h ia p a r e l l , G i . V . i
I P r mo r d i e d 1 P r o g r e ss i
de ll As t r o n o m
’
ia
p r e s s o i B a b il o n e s , B o l o g n a , 1 9 08 i .

A st r o n o my in t h e O l d Te s ta me n t, 1 9 05 .

S t ii c k e n , A st r a l myth e n , 1 89 6 - 1 9 07 .

Ch L A s t r o l og ie c h al dé e nn e , P a ri s , be
’
V ir o l l e au d, . 1 9 05 to
c o mp l e t e d in e i g ht p a r ts , t e xts a n d t r a n s l at io n s .

Win c kl e r , Himm e l s u n d We l te n bil d de r B abyl o n ie r al s G r u n dl age

de r We lta n s c ha uung u nd Mytho l og i e a ll e r V Olk e r , in D e r al te
Or i ent , III , 2 -
3 .
BO O K I . T HE R O MA N E MP IR E

P li n y s Na tur a l Hist o ry
’
.

I . pla c e in the h ist o r y o f sci en c e

I ts .

II I ts e x p e ri m e n t a l t e n d e n cy
. .

I II P li n y s a cc o u n t o f m a gic
’
. .

IV Th e sci e n c e o f th e M agi
. .

V P li n y s m a gic a l sci e n c e
.
’
.

S en e c a an d P t o l em y : N a tur a l D ivi n a ti o n an d
A str o l o gy .

G al e n .

I . Th e m a n an d h is ti m e s .

II His m e dici n e an d e x p e ri m e n t al sci en c e

. .

III His a ttitud e t o w a rd m a gic

. .

A n ci en t A ppli e d S ci en c e a n d Magic .

P lut a rch s E ss ays

’
.

Apul e ius o f Mad aur a .

L ife Apo ll o nius f

’
P hilo s t r a tu s s o f o Tya na .

L it e r a ry an d P h il o s o ph ic a l A tt acks u po n
S up e rstiti o n .

T he S puri o us Mystic Writi n gs of He r m e s ,

O rph e us , an d Z o r o a st e r .

N eo P l at o n is m
—
a n d its R e l a ti o n s to A str o l o gy
an d T he urgy .

Ae lian , S o l in us , and Ho r ap o llo .

 BOO K I . T HE R O MA N E MP IR E

F O RE W O RD

A TRI O o f gr eat n am e s P li n y G al en an d P t o l em y st an d o ut
, , , ,

a b o v e a l l o th e rs in th e h ist o ry o f sci e n c e u n d e r th e R o m a n

Em pir e . I n th e u s e o r criticism w h ich th e y m ak e o f ea rli e r

writ e rs an d i n ve stigat o rs th ey ar e als o o ur ch i e f s o u r c e s f o r
t he sci e n c e o f th e pr e c e di n g He ll e n istic p e r i o d By the ir .

v o lum i n o us n e ss the ir ge n e r o us sc o p e in gr o un d c o v e r e d a n d
, ,

the ir br o ad lib e r al p e r s o n al o utl o o ks the y hav e p a i n t e d in

, , , ,

c o l o rs f o r the m o st p a r t i m pe rishabl e e x t e n si v e c an va ss e s ,

o f t h e sci e n tific S pi r it a n d a c q uisiti o n s o f th e ir o w n ti m e .

P li n y pursu e d p o litics a n d lit e r a tur e a s w e ll as n a tur a l sci

ence ; P t o l em y w a s a t o n c e m a t h e m a tici an a str o n o m e r , ,

physicist an d g eo gr aph e r ; G al en k n e w ph il o s o phy a s w e ll

,

as m e dici n e . T h e tw o l a tt e r m e n m o r e o v e r m a d e o rigi n al
, ,

c o n tributi o n s o f th e ir o w n o f the v e ry fi r st o rd e r to sci e n tific

kn o w l e dge an d m e th o d It is ch a r a cte r istic o f th e h om o
.

ge n e o u s a n d wid e spr e a d cultur e o f th e R o m an Em pi r e th at

the s e th r ee r epr e s en t a tiv e s o f di ffe r e n t alth o ugh o v e rl ap ,

pi n g fi e lds o f sci e n c e w e r e n ative s o f the th r ee c o n ti n en ts

,

t hat en cl o s e the Me dit e r r an e an S e a P li n y w a s b o rn at Co m o

.

whe r e I t aly ve rge s o n tr an s alpi n e l an ds ; P t o l em y b o r n s o m e ,

whe r e in E gypt did his w o rk a t A l ex an dri a ; G al en c am e

,

f r o m P e rgam u m in A si a M i n o r Fi n ally th e s e m en w e r e
.
, ,

a f t e r A rist o tl e th e t h r e e a n ci e n t sci e n tists w h o di r e ctly o r

,

i n dir e ctly m o st p ow e r f ully i n flue n c e d the m iddl e a ge s T hus .

th ey illum i n at e p a st pr e s en t an d f utur e
, , .

We shall the r e f o r e o p en the pr e s en t s e cti o n o f o ur ih

v e s t iga t io n by c o n sid e r i n g in tur n c h r o n o l o gic a lly P li n y , ,

P t o l e my a n d G al en c o upli n g h o w e v e r wit h o u r c o n sid e r a

, , , ,

ti o n o f P to l emy the w o rk o f S e n e ca o n N a tur al Q u es tio ns

39
 F O RE WO RD

wh ich sh o ws th e s am e c o m bi n ati o n o f n atural sci en ce and

n a tur a l divi n ati o n N e x t w e s ha ll c o n sid e r s o m e r e pr e s en t a
.

t ive s o f a n ci e n t appli e d sci e n c e an d its r e l a ti o n s to m a gic an d

,

the m o r e m isc e ll an eo us writi n gs o f P lut a rch A pul e ius an d

, ,

Ph il o s t r atu s s L if e of Apo ll o n ius of Tyan a

’
. Fro m the ho s
p it ab l e a ttitud e t o w a rd m a gic an d o ccult sci en c e displ ay e d by

the s e l a st writ e rs we sh al then turn b ack a ga i n to c o n sid e r

’

s o m e e xam pl e s o f lit e r a ry an d ph il o s o ph ic a l a ttacks upo n

sup e rstiti o n b e f o r e pr o ce e di n g l a stly t o spuri o us m ystic
,

writi n gs o f the R o m an Em pir e N e o P l at o n ism and its r e

,
-

l atio n s to a st r o l o gy a n d the urgy an d the w o rk s o f Ael ian

, ,

S o l in us , an d Ho rap o ll o .
42 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

of hum an sa a l iv — T h e hu man Ab s en c e o f m e dical c o m p o unds

o p e r at o r —

— S m a t h e t ic m a ic
y p g A n t i p a t h ie s b e t—
w e e n a n i m a l s —
L o e an d h a t r e d v
be tw e e n inan ima t e o bj ec ts S ym p at hy b e twe e n a n im ate a n d inan imate
—

j
o b e ct s Li e c u r e s l i e
— k Th e p r inc ip l e ko f
—
a s s o c ia t io n — M ag ic t r an s f e r
o f dis e a s e—
A m ul e t s P o s i t io n o r d ir— e c t io n —
T h e t im e e l e m e nt —
Ob
v
s er an c e o f nu m b e r R e l a t i o n b e t w e
—
e n o p e r a t o r a n d p a t ie n t—
I n c a nt a
tio n s Attitu de t o w a ds
— r l o e c h ar m s a n d bi r t v
h -
c o n t r o l —
P l iny a n d
a s t r o l o gy— Ce l e s t ial p o r te nt s — T h e s t ar s an d th e wo rld of n atur e
’
A s tr o l o g ic a l m e dic in e— Co n c l u s io n : m ag ic un ity o f P liny s s up e r s tit io n s .

“
S a l ve , p
ar e ns r er u m o mnium N a tur a , te qu e n o bis
”
Q uir itiu m s o l is ce l e br a ta m es s e n um er is o mnibus tu is f ave !

—
Cl os ing w o r ds o f th e N a tur a l His tor y .
1

I . I ts P la ce in th e His tor y o f S cien ce

WE sho uld h ave to s ea rch l o n g b e f o r e fi n di n g a b e tte r st art

ing p o i n t f o r t h e c o n sid e r ati o n o f the u n i o n o f m a gi c wit h
-

t he sci en c e o f th e R o m an E m pir e a n d o f t he w ay in w h ich ,

that u n i o n i n flu en c e d the m iddl e a ge s than P li ny s N atur al ,

’

His to ry T h e f o r e g o i n g s e n t e n c e with wh ich y e a rs a go

.
2
,

I o p e n e d a c hapt e r o n the N a tur al His tor y o f P li ny the

E ld e r in m y bri e fe r pr e li m i n a ry study o f m a gic in the i n t e l
l e ctu a l h ist o ry o f the R o m an Emp i re s e em s a s tru e as ,

ev e r ; an d a lt h o ugh I t he re c o n sid e r e d h is c o n f u s i o n o f m agi c

an d sc i e n c e a t s o m e l e n gt h I do n o t s ee h o w I c a n m ak e th e ,

pr e s en t w o rk w ell r o u n d e d an d c o m pl et e with o ut i n cludi n g

-

in it a ye t m o r e d et a il e d a nalysis o f the c o n t en ts o f P li ny s
’

bo o k .

P li n y s N a tur al His tor y w h ich a pp e a r e d a bo ut 7 7 A D

’

, . .

a nd is d e dic a t e d t o t he E m pe r o r T itus is p e r h a p s the m o s t ,

1 “
Fa r e w e l l , N a tur e , p a r e nt o f w hic h is s up e r io r to bo th th e G e r
a l l t hin g s , a n d in t h y m an if o l d ma n e dit io n s in it s e xp l an at o r y
m u l t ip l ic ity bl e s s m e wh o , a l o n e n o t es a n d s ub j e c t inde x , a n d w h ic h
of t h e R o ma n s , h as s ung t hy also a p p a r e n tl y a n te da t e s the m
”
p r a is e . in s o m e r e a d in g s s ugge s t e d f o r
“
Fo r t h e L at in t e x t o f t h e d o ubt f ul p a s s ag e s in t h e t e x t .

N a tu r a lis His to r ia I h a e u s e d th e v T h r e e m o d e s o f di iding t h e v

e dit io n s o f D D e tl e f s e n , B e r l in ,
. N a tu r a l His to r y in t o c h ap te r s ar e
1866 - 188 2 an d L J an u s , L e ip z ig ,
. in dicat e d in t h e e dit io n s o f J a n us
v
,

1 8 7 0, 6 ol s in 3 ; 5 . ols in 3 v . . and De tl e f s e n I S h al l e m p l o y
v
.

Th e r e is , h o w e e r , a g o o d En glis h t h a t f o u n d in t h e e a r l ie r e dit io n s
t r an s l a t io n o f th e N a tur a l His to r y , o f Ha r do u in V a l p y , L e m a ir e , a n d
,

w it h a n in t r o du c t o r y e s sa y, by Aj a s s o n , an d p r e f e r r e d in th e
. k
J B o s t o c a n d H T Ril e y , L o n . . En gl is h t ran sl atio n o f B o s to c k
v
do n , 18 5 5 , 6 o l s ( B o h n L ibr a r y ) ,
. a nd Ril e y .
 P LI N Y S N A T URAL
’
HI S T O RY

i mp o rt ant si ngl e s o urc e e x t ant f o r the histo ry o f an ci en t

civiliz ati o n Its t hi r ty s ev en b o o ks writt en in a ve ry co m
.
-
,

p act styl e c o n stitute a v a st c o ll e cti o n o f th e m o st m is cel

,

l an eo u s i n f o r m ati o n Whe the r o ne is i nv e stigati n g anci ent

.

p a i n ti n g sculptur e an d o the r fi n e ar ts ; o r th e ge o gr aphy o f

, ,

the R o m an Em pi r e ; o r R o m an triu m p h s gl a di a t o r i a l c o n ,

t e sts an d the at r ica l e x h ibiti o n s ; o r the i n dustri a l p r oc e ss e s

,

o f a n tiquity ; o r Me dit e rr an e an tr a d e ; o r I t a li an a gricultur e ;

o r m i n i n g in a n ci e n t S p a i n ; o r t h e h is t o ry o f R o m an c o i n

age ; o r t he fluctu a ti o n o f pric e s in a n tiquity ; o r t he R o m an

a ttitud e t o w a r ds usu r y ; o r t h e p a g an a ttitud e t o w a rds im

m o rt a lity ; o r the n a tur e o f a n ci e n t b e v e r a ge s ; Of t he r e lig

"

i o us us age s o f the an ci en t R o m an s ; o r any o f a nu m be r o f

o t h e r t o pics ; o n e will fi n d s o m e t h i n g c o n c e r n i n g al l o f t h em

in P li ny . He is ap t b o t h to d e pic t such c o n diti o n s in his

o w n ti m e an d t o tr a c e t h em b a ck t o t he ir o rigi n s Fu rt he r .

m o r e he r e p ea ts m a n y d e tail e d i n cid e n ts o f i n t e r e st t o the

p o litic al o r n a rra tiv e h isto ri an o f R o m e as w e ll as t o the
stude nt o f the e c o n o m ic s o ci a l artistic an d r e ligi o us li fe o f
, , ,

a n tiquity P r o b ably t h e r e is n o pl a c e w he r e a n is o l a t e d p o i nt
.

is m o r e lik ely to be run d o w n by t h e i n ve stigat o r an d it is ,

re gr ett abl e tha t e x ha usti v e an alytic al i n dic e s o f the w o rk

a r e n o t a v a il a bl e We m ay add t hat al t ho ugh the w o rk is
.
,

supp o s e dly a co ll ecti o n o f f acts P li n y c o n triv e s to i n tro duc e

,

m an y m o r a l r e fl e cti o n s an d sh a r p c o m m e n ts o n th e lux ury ,

v ic e a n d u n i n t e lle ctu a l Cha r a ct e r o f h is ti m e s sugge sti n g

, ,

Juvena l s pi ctur e o f d e gen e r at e R o man s o ci e ty an d his o wn

’

l o f ty m o ra l st an d a rds .

I n d e e d P li n y s ti tl e N a tur alis His tor ia o r a t l e a st th e

’

, , ,

c o mmo n E n gl ish tr a n sl a ti o n o f it N atura l Hist o r y has

“
,
”
,

b ee n criticiz e d a s to o li m i te d in sc o pe an d th e w o rk h as b e en ,

d e sc r ib e d as rathe r a v a st en cycl o pe di a o f an ci e n t k n o w l
” 1
e dge an d b e li e f up o n a l m o st e v e ry k n o w n subj e ct .

P li n y hi m s e l f m e n ti o n s in h is p r e fa c e t he G r e e k w o rd
“ ”
e n cycl o pe di a a s i n dic a ti v e o f his sc o p e N e v e rt h el e ss h is .
,

wo rk is pri ma rily a n a cco u n t o f n a tu r e r at he r t han o f civili

B t k
‘
d R il y
os oc I x vi
an e , .
 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

i
z at o n , an d m uch
its i n f o r m ati o n c o n c e rn i n g such mat
of

t e rs a s the a rt s an d busi n e s s is i n cid en t al Mo st o f its bo o ks .

b ea r such titl e s as A quatic A n i m als Ex o tic T r e es Medi , ,

ci ne s f r o m F o re st T r ee s T he N atu r e s o f Me t als A f te r an
, .

i n tr o duct o r y b o o k c o n t a i n i n g the pr e fa c e an d a t able o f c o n

t en ts an d lists o f a utho riti e s f o r e ac h o f the subs e qu en t
bo o ks the s e c o n d b o o k t re ats o f the u n ive rs e he av en ly
, ,

bo di e s m e te o r o l o gy a n d the c hi e f c han ge s such a s e a rt h

, , ,

qu ake s an d tid e s in the l an d an d w at e r f o rm i n g th e e a rth s

,
’

sur f a c e A f te r f o ur b oo ks d ev o t e d to ge o gr a phy the s ev

.
,

e n th d e a ls wit h m a n a n d hu m a n i n v e n ti o n s F o ur m o re fo l .

l o w o n t e rr e stri a l an d a qu atic a n i m als birds a nd i n se cts , , .

S i x t ee n m o r e a r e c o n c e r ne d wit h pl a n ts tre e s vi ne s an d , , ,

o t he r v e get a ti o n an d t h e m e dici n a l si m pl e s d e riv e d fr o m

,

t he m Fiv e b o o ks discus s the m e dici na l s i m pl e s de riv e d

.

f r o m a n i m al s i n cludi n g th e h u m an b o dy ; a n d the l a s t five

,

b oo ks tre a t o f m e ta ls an d m i n e ra ls an d the a rts in w h ich

t hey ar e empl o y e d I t is t hus evid e n t t hat in t he m a i n P li n y
.

is c o n c e r n e d with na tur a l sci en c e an d t hat if his w o rk is a , ,

m i n e o f m isc e ll aneo us h ist o ric a l i n fo r m a ti o n it s ho uld e v en ,

“
m o r e pr o v e a ric h tr e a sur e h o us e q u o n ia m -
u t ai t D—
o ,

”1
m iti us P is o ,
the s a u r os opor te t es s e n o n
-
libr o s for
-
an in
v e s tiga tio n c o nc e rn e d as i nti m at e ly as is o urs with the h is
t o ry of sci en c e .

The N a tur a l His tor y is

gr e a t st o reho us e o f mis in fo r
a

m a ti o n as w e ll a s o f i n f o rm ati o n f o r P li ny s cr e dulity an d
’
,

l a ck o f discri m i n a ti o n harve st e d the t a r e s o f l e gen d an d

ma gic a l o n g wit h the w heat o f h ist o ric a l f act an d an ci e n t
sci en ce in h is vo lu m i no us gran a ry Th is m ay put o the r h is .

t o r ic al i nv e stiga t o rs up o n t h e ir gu a rd in a cc e p t i n g its st at e
m e nts but o n ly i n c r ea s e s its v a lu e f o r o u r purp o s e
, Pe r .

h aps it is ev e n m o r e v a lu a bl e as a c o ll e cti o n o f an ci e nt e r
r o r s t han it is a s a r e o sit o ry o f an ci e n t sci e n c e I t t o uc he s
p .

upo n man y o f the v ari e ti e s a nd illustr a t e s m o st o f t he cha r

,

a c t e r is t ics o f m a gic
, Mo r e o v e r P li n y o f te n me n ti o n s the
.
,

Magi o r m agici an s an d discus se s m agi c ex pr e ssly at s o me

” -

N H P r e f ace
1
, .
 P LI N Y S N A T UR A L HI S T O R Y
’

45

l en gt h in t he o p en i n g c ha pt e rs o f h is t h irti et h b o o k o n e o f —

t he m o st i m p o rt an t p a ss a ge s o n th e t h em e in a n y an ci en t
writ e r .

P li n y the E ld e r as w e l ea r n fr o m his o w n st a t e m en ts in
,

the N a tur al His to r y a n d f r o m o n e o r tw o l e tt e rs c o n c e r n i n g

him writt e n by h is n e p he w P li n y the Y o u n ge r w h o m he
, ,

a d o pt e d w e n t t h r o ugh th e usu a l m ilit a ry f o r e n sic a n d o ffi

, , ,

cial c a r e e r o f th e R o m a n o f go o d f a m ily a n d sp e n t h is li f e
,

l arge ly in the s e r v ic e o f the em p e r o rs He visit e d v a ri .

o u s Me dit e rr an e a n l an ds suc h a s S p a i n A f ric a G r e e c e a n d

, , , ,

E gypt a n d f o ugh t in G e r m an y
,
He w as in c h a rge o f
.

th e R o m an fl e e t o n th e w e st c o a st o f I t a ly w h e n h e m et his
d e a t h at the a ge o f fi f ty s ix by su ff o c ati o n a s he w as tryi n g
-

to r e s cu e o t he rs f r o m t he f u m e s a n d v a p o rs f r o m th e e rup
ti o n o f Mo un t V e su v ius .

O f P li n y s writi n gs the N a tur al His tor y is a l o n e e x t an t

’

but o t he r titl e s hav e be e n pr e s e rve d w h ich s e r v e t o S ho w his

gr e at lite r ary i n dustry a n d t he ex t e n t o f his i n t e r e st s He .

wr o t e o n the u s e o f th e j av eli n by c av alry a li fe o f h is ,

f ri e n d P o m p o n iu s a n a cc o u n t in tw e n ty b o o ks o f a l l th e
,

w a rs wa ge d by the R o m an s in G e rm an y a r at he r l o n g w o rk
,

o n o r a t o r y c a ll e d Th e S tu de n t a gr amm a tic a l o r p h il o
,

l o gic al w o r k in e igh t b o o ks e n titl e d D e du bio s er mo n e an d ,

a c o n ti n u a ti o n o f th e His to r
y o f A u fi dius B a ssus in th irty
o n e b o o ks Y e t in the d e dic a ti o n o f t he N a tur a l His tor y t o
.

the e m pe r o r T itus h e st at e s t h a t h is d a ys w e r e t ak e n up with

o ffi ci a l busi n e ss an d o n ly h is n igh ts w e r e f r e e f o r lit e r a r y

l ab o r Th is stat em en t is supp o rt e d by a l e t te r o f h is n e phe w

.

te lli n g ho w he us e d to study by c an dl e light bo t h l at e at -

night a n d b e f o r e d ayb r ea k P li n y t h e Y o un ge r n a r r at e s s ev
.

e r a l i n cid e n ts t o illustr a t e h o w j e a l o us a n d e c o n o m ic a l o f

e v e r y sp a r e m o m e n t h is u n cl e w a s He w o uld dict a t e o r
.

hav e b o o ks r ea d to h im w h il e lyi n g d o w n o r in t h e b at h a n d ,

o n j o u r n e ys a s e cr e t a r y w as a lw a ys by h is sid e wit h b o o ks

a n d t abl e ts I f t he w e a t he r w a s v e ry c o ld t h e a m an u e n si s
.
,

wo r e gl o v e s s o th a t his han ds m igh t n o t b ec o m e t o o n um b

t o wri t e P li n y alw ays t o o k n o t e s o n w h a t h e r e a d a n d at
.

,
46 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

h is d ea th l e f t h is n e p he w o n e hu n dr e d an d si x ty n o t eb o o ks
writt e n in a sm a ll ha n d o n b o t h sid e s .

S uc h w e r e th e c o n di t i o n s u n d e r wh ich an d th e m e th o ds ,

by w h ic h P li n y c o m pile d his e n cycl o p e di a o n n at u r e N o

, .

si n gl e writ e r e ith e r G r e e k o r L a ti n h e t e lls us had e v e r be

, ,

f o r e at te m pt e d s o e x t e n siv e a t a sk He a dds t h at he tr ea ts
.

o f s o m e tw e n ty t h o us a n d t o pics gl e an e d f r o m t he p e rus a l o f

a bo ut tw o t ho us an d v o lu m e s by o n e hu n dre d a ut ho rs 1
.

Jud gi n g f r o m his bibli o gr ap hi e s an d cit ati o n s ho w e v e r he , ,

w o uld s eem to hav e utiliz e d m o r e th an o n e hu n dr e d au

t ho rs But p o ss ibly h e ha d n o t r e a d all t he writ e rs m en
.

t io n e d in his bibli o gr ap h i e s He affirm s t h a t pr e vi o us stu

.

d en ts hav e ha d a cc e ss to but f e w o f the v o lu m e s w h ic h he

has us e d a n d t ha t he a dds m a n y t h i n gs u n k n o w n to h is
,

a n ci en t a ut ho riti e s a n d r e c e n t ly disc o v e r e d O cc a si o n a lly .

he s h o ws a n acqu a i n t a n c e wit h b e li e f s a n d pr a ctic e s o f t h e

G auls a nd D ruids T hus h is w o rk a ssu m e s t o be s o me t h i n g
.

mo re t ha n a c o m pil a ti o n f ro m o t h e r b o o ks He s ays h o w .
,

e v e r t h at n o d o ubt h e h a s o m itt e d m uch

, si n c e h e is o n ly ,

h u man an d has h a d m a n y o t he r d em an ds up o n his ti m e He .

a d m its t h a t h is s ubj e ct is d r y ( s t e r ilis m at e r ia) an d d o e s n o t

l en d its e l f t o lit e r a ry e x h ibiti o n s n o r i n clud e m att e r s s tim u

,

l ati n g to writ e ab o ut a n d pl ea sa nt to r ea d a bo ut lik e ,

sp e ech e s an d m ar v e l o us o ccu r r en c e s an d v ari e d i n cid en ts .

N o r d o e s it p e r m it p urity a n d e l e ga n c e o f dic ti o n si n c e o n e ,

m ust at ti m e s e m pl o y th e t e rm i n o l o gy o f rustic s f o r e ig n e rs , ,

a n d e v e n b a r b a ri a n s Furt he r m o r e it is an a rdu o us t a sk
“
.
,

t o giv e n o v e l t y t o w h a t is a n ci e n t a ut h o rity t o w ha t is n e w
, ,

i nt e r e st to wha t is o bs o l e t e light to w ha t is o b s cure c ha r m

, ,

”
t o w ha t is l o a t h s o m e a s m a n y o f h is m e dici n al s i m pl e s
—

“
u n d o ubt e dly a r e cre dit t o w ha t is dubi o us
—
.

I t is a gr e a t c o m f o rt t o P li n y h o w e v e r in h is i m m e n s e
, ,

t a sk w he n m an y l a ugh at h im a s w a sti n g h is ti m e o ve r
,

w o rt hl e ss t r ifl es t o r e fl e ct t ha t he is b e i n g spur n e d al o n g
,

with N a tur e 2
. I n a n o t h e r p a ss a ge he c o n tr a sts th e bl o o d
3

1
N H Pr e fa ce
, .
a
N H II, 6
'
, .

“
N H XXI I 7, , .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S TO R Y 47

an d sl a ug h t e r o f m ilit a r y h ist o ry wit h t h e b e n e fits b e st o w ed

up o n m an ki n d by a s t r o n o m e rs I n a th i r d p a ss a ge h e .
1

l o o ks ba ck r e gr e t f ully at t he w id e spr e a d i n t e r e s t in sci en c e

am o n g t h e G r e e ks a l t h o ug h ,
t h o s e w e r e ti m e s o f p o litic a l

disun i o n a n d stri fe an d a l tho ugh c o m m u n ic ati o n b e t w e en

di ff e re n t l an ds w a s i n t e r r upte d by pi r a cy a s w ell a s w a r ,

w h e r e as n o w with the w ho l e e m pir e at p e ac e n o t o n ly is

, ,

n o new sci e n tific i n quiry u n d e r t a k e n but m e n d o n o

,
t e v e n

t h o r o ughly s t udy t he w o rks o f the an ci en ts an d a r e i n t en t ,

o n the a cquisiti o n o f luc r e r a t h e r t h a n l e a r n i n g T h e s e an d .

o t h e r p a ss a ge s w h ic h m igh t b e cit e d a tt e s t P li n y s d e v o ti o n
’

t o sci e n c e .

I n P li n y w e als o d e t e ct sign s o f th e c o n flict b etw e e n

sci e n c e an d r e ligi o n I n a si n gl e chapt e r o n G o d h e s a ys
.

pr e tty m uc h a ll t hat the churc h f at he r s l ate r re p e a t e d at

m uc h gre at e r l e n gt h a ga i n st p a ga n is m a n d p o lyt h e is m But .

his di s cussi o n w o uld h a r dly s a tis f y a Chr isti an He a ss e r t s .

that it is G o d f o r m an t o a id his f e ll o w m an a n d t h is is
“
,
2

”
t h e p at h t o e t e r n a l gl o ry but he tur n s t his n o bl e s e n ti m en t
,

t o j usti f y de ifi ca t io n o f t he e m p e r o rs w ho ha v e d o n e s o m uc h
f o r m a n ki n d He qu e sti o n s w he the r G o d is c o n c e rn e d with
.

hu m an a ff a irs ; slyly sugge sts t h a t i f s o G o d m ust b e t o o ,

busy to pun ish all cri m e s pr o m ptly ; an d p o i n ts o ut tha t

t he r e a r e s om e thi n gs w h ich G o d c a nn o t do He c ann o t .

c o m m it suicid e as m e n ca n n o r a lt e r p a st e v e n ts n o r m ak e
, ,

twic e t en an yth i n g e ls e t han tw e n ty P li n y t h en c o nc lud e s : .

“
By wh ic h is r e v e al e d in n o u n c e rt a i n wis e the p o w e r o f
”
Natur e a n d t ha t is w ha t w e c a ll G o d
, I n m a n y o t he r p a s
.

s a ge s he e x cl a i m s a t N a tur e s b e n ign ity o r pr o vid e n c e He

’
.

b eli ev e d t ha t the s o ul h ad n o s ep a ra t e ex ist en c e f r o m t he

b o dy a n d that a ft e r d eath t he r e w as n o m o r e s e n s e l e ft in
,
3

b o dy o r s o ul than wa s the r e b e f o r e bi r th T he h o p e o f p er .

”
s o na l i mm o rt ality h e sc o r n e d a s pu e ril e r a vi n gs pr o d uc e d
“

by the f ear o f d ea th an d he b e li e ve d still l e ss in th e p o ssibility

,

o f any r e surr e cti o n o f th e b o dy I n s h o rt natur a l l aw m e

.
, ,

1
NH II 4 6
, , . iu va r e m o r tal e m .

NH II 5 N H V II 5 6
2
, , . D e us e st m o r tali 6
, , .
48 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

cha nical f o rc e , f a cts

c ap abl e o f sci en ti fic i nve stigati o n
a nd

w o uld se em to be all t ha t he will a dm it and to suffi c e to

s atis f y his str o n g i n t e ll e ct Y e t w e s hall l at e r fi n d h im h av
.

ing t h e gr e at e st di ffi culty in disti nguis h i n g b etw e en sci enc e

a n d m a gi c an d givi n g cr e d e n c e t o m a n y d e t a ils in sci en ce
,

w h ich s ee m t o u s quit e a s sup e rstiti o us as the pagan bel i e f s

c o nc e rn i n g the go ds w hich he r e j ect e d But if any r ead e r .

is i n cli n e d to b el ittl e P li ny f o r t h is l e t h im fi rst st o p and

,

t hi n k ho w P li ny w o uld ridicul e s o m e m o d e rn sci entists f o r

t he ir r e ligi o us b e li e f s o r f o r the ir spi ritu ali sm o r psych ic r e
,

s earc h .

I t is d e sir a bl e h o w e v er t o f o rm s o m e e sti m a t e o f P li ny s
’
, ,

fi tne ss f o r his t a sk in o rd e r to j udge ho w a ccura t e a pictur e

o f an ci en t sci e n c e h is w o rk is He d o e s n o t s eem to hav e
.

h a d m uc h d e t a il e d tr a i n i n g o r e x p e ri en c e in the n atur a l sci

e nce s h i m s e l f He writ e s no t a s a n a tur a list w ho has o b
.

s e rv e d wid e ly an d pr o fo un dly the phen o m en a an d o p er a

ti o n s o f n a ture but as an o m n iv o r o us r ea de r an d vo l um in
,

o us n o t e t ak e r w h o o w e s his k n o wl e dge l a rg e ly t o b o o ks o r
-

“
hea rs a y a lt ho ugh o cc a si o n ally he s a ys I k n o w i n st ea d o f
,

t he y s ay o r giv e s the r e sults o f h is o wn o bs er vati o n a n d

,

ex p e ri e nc e I n the ma i n h e is n o t a sc i e n tist h i m s el f but

.

o n ly a h ist o ri a n o f s ci e n c e o r n a tur e ; a f t e r al l his titl e , ,

N a tu r a l His tor y is a v e ry fi tti n g o n e

,
T he qu e sti o n o f
.
,

c o urs e a ris e s wh e th e r he h a s suffi ci e n t sci en ti fi c tr a i n i n g to

,

e v a lu a t e pr o p e rly the w o rk o f t he p a st Ha s h e r e a d the

.

b e s t autho rs ha s he n o t e d t he ir b e st p a s sage s ha s h e u n d e r
, ,

st o o d t he ir m ean i n g ? Do e s h e r e p ea t i n f er i o r t he o ri e s an d
o m it the c o rr e ct e r vi e ws o f c e rt a i n Al e x an dri a n sci en tists ?

T he s e q u e sti o n s a r e h a rd to a n sw e r O n h is be h al f it m a y
.

be s a id that he d ea ls littl e wit h a bstrus e sci e nti fi c t heo ry a n d

m a i n ly wit h si m pl e subst an c e s an d g eo gr aph ic a l pl ac e s mat ,

t e rs in w hic h it s e em s di fficult f o r h im to go f a r a stray .

S ci enti fi c s p e ci alists w e r e n o t nu me r o us in th o s e d ays an y ,

w ay a n d sci e n c e had n o t ye t s o f a r a dv a n c e d a n d r am ifi e d
,

t hat o n e m an m igh t n o t ho p e to c o v e r the e n tir e fi e ld an d

do it subst a n ti a l j ustic e P li n y t he Y o u n ge r w a s p er ha ps
.
 MA GI C AND E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

t r d a r i v e r in A ra bi a
en e e But whe re S h o uld P li ny tur n
.
1

f o r s o b e r truth ? T he S t o ic Ch rysippus pr a t e d o f a m ul e ts 2

tr e atis e s a s crib e d t o the gr e a t ph il o s o p he rs Dem o critus an d

Pyt ha go r a s w e r e f ull o f m a gic ; an d in t h e w o rks o f C ic e r o
6

h e r ea d o f a m an w h o c o uld s ee f o r a dist an c e o f o ne hun

dre d an d thi rty fi ve m il e s an d in Va rr o t ha t t h is ma n st an d
-
, ,

in g o n a S icili an pr o m o n t o ry c o uld c o u n t t he n u mb e r o f ,

S h ips s a ili n g o ut o f t he h a rb o r o f Ca rt h a ge
1 ‘
.

T he N a tur a l His tor y h a s b ee n c r iticiz e d a s p o o rly a r

r an ge d an d l acki n g in sc i en tific cl a ssifica ti o n but th is is a ,

criticis m w hic h can b e m a d e o f m an y w o rks o f the cl assi

c al p e ri o d T he ir pr e s e n t a ti o n is a pt to be r am bli n g an d
.

discu r siv e r at he r th an l o gica l an d syst em a tic E v en A ris .

to tl e s H is tor y of A n ima ls is d e sc rib e d by L e w es

’ 6
a s un -

cl a ssifi e d in its a rran gem e n t an d c a re l e ss in its s el e cti o n o f

m a t eri al I have o f t e n t h o ught t h a t t he scho l a stic c enturi e s
.

did m an ki n d at l e a st o n e s er vic e th at o f t ea ch i n g l e ctur e rs ,

a n d writ e rs h o w t o a rr an ge t h e ir ma t e ri a l P li ny s e em s .

r a the r in a dvan c e o f his ti m e s in supplyi ng full tabl es o f

c o n ten ts f o r the busy em p e r o r s c o nven i enc e Val e rius S o ’
.

r an u s s ee m s t o h av e b e e n t he o n ly pr e vi o us R o m an writ e r to

do t h is O ne i n dic ati o n o f ha st e in c o m p o siti o n an d f a ilur e

.

t o si f t a n d c o m p a r e h is m at e ri a l is the f act t ha t P li n y s o m e
ti m e s m ak es o r i nclud e s c o n tr a dict o ry st at em en ts pr o bably ,

t ak en fro m di ff e r en t a uth o riti e s O n the o the r hand he n o t .

,

i n f r e que n tly a llud e s to previ o us pa ss a ge s in his o w n wo rk ,

t hus s ho wi n g t ha t he ha s his m at e ri al f a irly w e ll in hand .

P li ny o n c e s a id t ha t t he r e wa s n o bo o k s o bad but w ha t
s o m e go o d m igh t b e go t f r o m it an d t o the m o d e rn r eade r
6 -
,

he s ee m s a l m o st i ncr e dibly cr e dul o us an d i n discri m i nat e in

1
N H XXXI I , 4
, . r ite B o uch é - L ec l er c q a dds , h o w
.

2
XXX 30 , . v
e er,
“
R ie n n y fi t : D é m o c r ite
’

6
B o u ch é L e c l e r c q -
p . v
d e int l e g r and docteur de 18 .

5 19 n o t e s h o w e e r t h at A ul u s
, , v , m ag ic .

G e l l iu s ( X 12 ) p r o te s te d ag a in s t
,
‘
N H, V II , 2 1 .

P l in y s c r e du l it y in a cc e p tin g s uc h 6
H L e we s , Ar is to tle ; a
’
G .

k
.

Cha pte r f r o m the His tory of

“
w o r s a s g e n uin e a nd t h at Co l u
m e ll e ( V I I 5 ) c ite u n c e r t ain, S c ie n c e L o n d o n 1 864
, , .

B o l u s de Men de s c o m m e l aut e u r 6
L e tt er s o f P lin y th e Yo ung er ,
’

d e s br oii w ma r a at t r ibu é s 5 D é m o c I I I , 5 , e d K e il , L e ip zig , 189 6

'
‘
. . .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S TO R Y

h is s el e cti on o f m ate ri a l an d t o l ack a ny st and ard o f j udg

,

m en t be tw ee n the tru e an d t he f a ls e Y et he o f te n a ssum e s

.

a n a ir o f sc ep ticis m an d c en sur e s o t he rs s ha rply f o r t he ir

”
cr e dulity o r ex agge ra ti o n T is str a n ge
.
’
h e r e m a rk s ,

at pr opo s o f s o m e t a l e s o f m e n tr a n s f o r m e d i n t o w o lv e s f o r

n i n e o r t e n y ea rs
“
h o w f a r G r e e k cr e dulity has go n e
,
No .

” 1
l ie is s o i m pud e n t th a t it l a cks a v o uch e r O n c e he e x
.

pre ss e s his d e t e r m i na ti o n t o i n clud e o nly tho s e po i nts o n

wh ich his a uth o riti e s ar e in agr eem en t 2
.

O n the w ho l e w h il e t o us to day the N a tur a l His tor y

,
-
A gu ide tc
a n ci e n t
s ee m s a dis o rd e rly an d i n discri m i nat e c o n gl o m e rati o n o f s ci en ce .

f act an d ficti o n its d e f ec ts a r e pr o bably t o a gr ea t ex t e n t

,

t ho s e o f its age a n d o f the writ e rs f r o m w ho m it h as bo r

r o we d I f it d o e s n o t r e fl e ct t he h ighe st a ch i e vem en ts an d
.

cl e a re s t t hi nki n g o f the be st sci entists o f an tiquity an d be —

it s aid that the r e ar e a n umb e r o f t he He ll en istic a ge o f

who m we s ho uld k no w l e ss than we do but f o r P li n y it —

pr o b a bly is a f a irly f a it hf ul e pit o me o f sci en c e an d e rr o r

c o n c e r n i n g n atur e in h is o w n ti m e an d the c e n turi e s p r e
c edi n g A t an y r a te it i s th e b e st p o rtrayal tha t h a s r eache d
.

us Fr o m it w e c an get o ur b a ckgr o u n d o f the c o n f usi o n

.

o f ma gic an d sci e n c e in th e He ll e n istic age a n d t hen r e v ea l ,

a ga i n st th is s e tti n g th e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t he m b o t h in t he
-

c o urs e o f the R o m an Empir e a n d m iddl e age s P li n y gi ve s .

s o m an y it e m s up o n e ac h p o i n t a n d is s o m uc h full e r t han
,

the ave r a ge a n ci e n t o r me di e v a l b o o k o f sci e nc e t hat he ,

s erv e s as a r e fe r e n c e b o o k be i n g the lik e li e st pl a c e to l o o k

,

t o fi n d duplic at e d s o m e st at e m e n t c o n c e r n i n g n a tur e by a
l at e r writ e r Th is o f c o urs e s ho ws tha t such a st at em en t
.

did n o t o rigi n at e with t he l at e r writ e r but is n o t a sur e S i gn

,

that he c o pi e d f r o m P li n y ; the y m ay b o th hav e us e d the s am e

a ut ho riti e s as s ee m s the c a s e wit h G r ee k a ut ho rs l a t e r in the
,

em pir e w h o pr o b a bly did n o t k n o w o f P li n y s w o rk

’
.

I n the m iddl e a ge s h o w e v e r P li n y ha d an u n d o ubt e d

, ,
His
dir e ct in fl uence 3
Manuscripts o f the N a tur al His tor y a r e
m e di e v al
.
in fl u en c e .

N H V III , 3 4 d e s P l in ius i m M itte l a l ter , in

1
, .

S ite b B aye r A k a d P hil os P hil o l

. .
-
.

k
.

‘
Ruc . D i e Na tur alis His tor ia Cl as s e ( 1 9 08 ) p p 2 03 -3 18 .Fo r .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

n u me r o us al tho ugh in a sc arc e ly l e gibl e c o n diti o n o wi n g t o

,

c o rr e ct i o n s an d e m e n d a ti o n s w h ic h e n h a n c e t h e o b scurity o f

the t ex t an d p e r ha ps d o P li n y gr a v e i n j ustic e in o t he r r e
s pe c ts
1
.A ls o m a n y m an uscripts c o nt a i n o n ly a f ew b oo ks
o r f r a gm e n ts o f t h e t ex t s o t ha t i t is p o s s ibl e t ha t m an y
,

m e di ev a l sc h o l a r s k n e w t he ir P li n y o n ly in p ar t 2
Th is .
,

h o w ev e r c an sc a rc ely be a rgu e d f r o m t he ir fa ilur e t o in

,

e lud e m o r e f r o m h im in t he i r o w n w o rks ; f o r t h a t m igh t

be due to t he ir k n o wi n g t he N a tur al His tor y s o w e ll t hat

t he y t o o k its c o n te n ts fo r gr ant e d an d tri e d to i n clud e o the r
m ate ri a l in t h e ir o w n w o rks I n a l a t e r ch apt e r w e S h a ll tr ea t
.

o f The M e dicin e of P liny a tr e a tis e d e riv e d f r o m th e N a t ,

ur a l His to r y P li n y s ph r a s e r er u m n a tu r a fi gur e s a s th e
’
.

titl e o f s ev e r a l m e di ev a l e n cycl o p e di a s o f s o m ewhat S im il ar

s cope .A n d his o w n n am e w a s to o w e ll k n o w n in th e m iddl e
a g e s t o e sc a p e h avi n g a w o rk o n th e p h il o s o ph e r s st o n e
’

a scrib e d t o h im
3
.

c itat io n s P l in y by w r it e r s o f
of R o b e r ti Cr ik e l a de n s is P rio r is O x
t h e l at e R o m a n e m p i r e a n d e a r l y o n ie n s is e x c e r p t a e x P l in ii His

middl e ag e s , s e e P a n c k o uc k e , t o r ia N a tu r a li, 12 - 13 th c e ntur y,

B ibl io th equ e L a tin e - Fr an cais e, v o l . in a l a r g e En g l is h h an d, g i in g v

CV I e x t r a c t s e x te n din g f r o m B o o II k
k
.

Co n ce r nin g th e M S S s ee D et to B o o IX
1
.

l e f s e n s p r e f a c e s in e ac h o f h is
’
O f B all io l 1 2 4 , f o l s 1 - 1 3 8 , C os
.

v
fi r s t fi v e o l um es a n d h is f u ll e r m ogr ap hia m u n di, by J o h n F r e e ,
d is s e r tat io n s in J a hn s N e u e J a h r b b o r n a t B r is t o l o r L o n d o n , f e l l o w
’

7 7 , 6 53 11, R he in M us , XV , 2 65 ff ;
.
a t B a llio l C o l l e g e , O x f o r d, l a t e r

XV II I , 2 2 7 ff , 3 2 7 . p r o f e s s o r o f m e dic in e a t P a du a
D e tl e f s e n s e e m s t o h a e m a de v a n d a d o c t o r a t R o m e, a l s o w e ll

n o u s e o f En gl is h M S S , b ut a v
in s t r uc t e d in c i il l a w a n d G r e e , k
f o lio o f t h e c l o s e o f th e 1 2 th c e n
“
Co x e w r it es , Th is w o r is n o th k
t ury a t N e w Co l l e g e , O x f o r d, in g but a s e r ies o f e x c e r p t s f r o m
c o n ta in s t h e fi r s t n in e t e e n b o o s k P lin y s N a tu r a l H is to r y b e g in n in g
’

o f t he N a tu r a l His to r y and i s w ith t h e s e c o n d a n d l e a ing o ff v

d e s c r ibe d by C o x e a s
“
e r y w e ll v w it h t h e t w e n t ie t h
”
. I wo n de r if
w r itt e n a n d p r e s e r e d v v
J o h n F r e e m ay n o t ha e u s e d t h e
v
.

N o r d o e s D e tl e f s e n m e ntio n L e ery MS o f th e fi r s t n in et ee n
Man s 2 63 , 12 th c e n tur y , c o n t ain in g k
boo s m e nt io n e d in th e f o r e g o in g
k
a ll 3 7 bo o s e x c e p t t h a t t h e l a s t n o t e , s in c e t h e s e co n d bo o k
o f th e

k
bo o is in co m p l e t e , an d w ith a f u l l N a tu r a l His to r y is o f te n r e c o n e d k
a s th e fi r s t
p a g e m in iatu r e ( f o l I ov ) s h o w .
.

in g P l in y in t h e ac t o f p r e s e n t in g I n B a llio l 14 6A, 1 sth c e n tur y,

his w o r k
t o V e s p a s ia n E s c o r ia l .
fol 3
. t h e N a tur a l His tor y ap
-
I
Q 4 a n d R - I 5 a r e t w o o th e r
- -
p e a r s ih e p it o m e , w ith a p r o l o gu e
p r a c t ic al l y co m p l e t e t e x t s o f t h e O p e n in g , I , R e g in a ld ( R e ti na l
f o u r te e nt h c en tury w hic h D e tl e f v
d u s ) , s e r a n t o f Ch r is t , p e r u s ing
s e n f a il e d t o u s e .
k
t h e b o o s o f P l in y
S e e M R J a m e s , E to n Ma nu
‘ 6
. . B o l o g na , 9 5 2 , 1 sth c e ntury,
s cri p t s , p 63 , M S 1 34 , B 1 4
. . . f o l s 1 5 7 -60, T r ac tatus o p tim us in
.
 P L I N Y S N A T UR A L
’
HI S TO R Y

Tha t the N a tur al His tor y w a s

w e ll kn o wn as a who l e at
le a st by t he cl o s e o f the m iddl e a ge s is s ho w n by the n um e r
o u s e diti o n s s om e o f t hem m agn ificen tly pri n t e d w hich
, ,

we r e turn e d o ff f ro m the I t a li an pr e ss e s i mm e di a tely a f t e r

t he i n v e n ti on o f pri n ti n g In the Magl iabe c hia n L ibr a ry
.

o f Fl o r e n c e a l o n e a r e e diti o n s pri n t e d a t V e n ic e in 1 4 6 9 a nd

1 4 7 2 at R o m e in 1 4 7 3 a n d P a r m a in 1 4 8 1 a ga i n at Ve n ic e
, ,

in 1 4 8 7 1 4 9 1 a n d 1 4 9 9 no t t o m e n ti o n I t a li a n tr an sl ati o n s
, , ,

w hic h a pp ea r e d at Ve n ic e in 1 4 7 6 an d T he s e e di
ti o n s w e r e a cc o m pan i e d by s o m e publis he d criticis m o f
P li n y s st a te m e n ts si n c e in 1 4 9 2 a pp e ar e d a t F e rr a r a a tr e at
’

is e O n the E r r or s of P liny an d O ther s in M e dicin e by N ic h

o l a s L eo n ic e n us o f Vic e n z a wit h a d e dic a t i o n t o P o liti an
2
.

But t wo y ea rs l at e r P li ny f o u n d a d e f en d e r in P an dulp h
Co lle nuc ius .
6

But P li n y s f utur e i n flu e nc e will c o m e o ut r ep eat e dly in

’

l ate r Chapt e rs We sha ll n o w i n quir e fi rst w hat sign s o f

.
, ,

ex pe ri m e nt al sci e n c e h e s h o ws e it he r d e riv e d f r o m t he p a s t
,

o r a dd e d by h i m s e l f S e c o n d w ha t h e d e fi n e s a s m a gic a n d
.
,

w hat he has to s ay a bo ut it Th ird h o w m uc h o f w ha t he .

,

s upp o s e s t o be n atur a l sci e nc e m ust w e r e ga rd as e ss e n ti a lly

ma gic ?

II . I ts E xper imen tal Ten dency

I t is pro b ably o nly a c o i n cid e nc e t hat t wo me di ev al m anu

s cripts cl o s e t he N a tur al H is to r y in t he m idst o f th e s e v e n ty
“
sixth chapt e r o f the l a st bo o k wit h the wo rds E xper imen ta ,

” 4
p l ur i bus m o d is co ns ta n t P r im um p o n d e r e But a l .

t ho ugh f r o m the v e ry n ature o f his w o r k P li ny m ak e s ex

t en sive u s e o f autho riti e s he n o t i n f r eq u en tly m an i fe sts a
,

realiz ati o n as o ne d ea li n g with the f acts o f n atur e s ho uld p f

, ,

th e i m p o rt an c e o f o bs e rv a ti o n a n d e x p e ri en c e a s m e a n s o f

quo e x p o s uit e t ap e r t e d e c l a r a vit a na F l o r e n tia e a ds ervan tur , 1 7 9 3

p l in ius p h il o so p hu s quid s it l a p is 1 7 9 5 , I I , 3 7 4 -8 1
.

p h il o so p h ic u s e t e x q ua m at e r ia D e e r r o r ibu s P lin ti e t a lior um

a

”
d e b e t fi e r i e t qu o m o d o . in me dic ina F e r r ar a , 149 2
, .

‘ ‘
FO SS I, Ca ta l og us c o dicu m P l inia n a d e f e ns io , 1 4 9 4 .

s ae c u l o X V impr es s or um qui in
4
E s c o r ial Q I -4 , and R- I -5 , b o th
p ublica B iblio th e ca Mag lia b e chi o f th e 14 th c e n tur y .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C R A P:

r e a ch i n g the truth T he cl a i m s o f m any R o m an s o f h igh

.

r an k to h av e c a rri e d the ir a rm s as far as Mo u n t A tl a s wh ich ,

P li ny d e cl a r e s h as b ee n r e p ea t e dly s ho w n by e x p e ri e n c e t o
b e m o st f all aci o u s l ea ds h im to t he f urt he r r e fl e cti o n th at
,

n o w h e r e is a l a ps e o f o ne s c r e dulity e a si e r t han w h e r e a
’

dign ifie d autho r suppo rts a f als e st at em en t In o th e r p a s

1
.

s age s he c alls ex pe ri e n c e t he b e st t ea ch e r in all th i n gs an d2

,

c o ntr asts u n f av o ra bly g a rrulity o f w o rds an d sitti n g in

sc ho o ls wit h go i n g t o s o litud e s and s eeki n g h erbs at the ir
a ppr o pri a t e se a s o n s T ha t up o n o ur gl o b e t he l an d is e n
.

t ir e l y surr o u n d e d by w at e r d o e s n o t r e q uir e he s a ys inves , ,

t igatio n by a rgu m e n ts but is n o w kn o w n by e x pe ri en c e 6

.
,

An d if the s al am a n d e r r e ally e x ti n guis he d fi r e it w o uld h av e ,

b een tri e d at R o m e l o n g ago 4

O n the o t he r h an d w e fi n d
.
,

s om e a ss e rti o n s in the N a tur al His to r y wh ich P li n y m igh t

e a sily h av e t e st e d h i m s e l f an d f o u n d f a ls e such as h is st a t e ,

m e n t t ha t an e gg S he ll c an n o t be br o k en by f o rc e o r any
-

w e igh t u n l e ss it is tippe d a littl e to o n e S ide S o me ti m es he

5
.

gi v e s h is p e rs o na l e x pe ri en c e but als o m en ti o n s expe ri en c e

6
,

in m a n y o t h e r c o nne cti o n s .

T he w o rd em pl o y e d m o s t o f t he ti m e by P li n y to d e n o te
ex pe ri e n c e is e xper im e n tu m I n m a n y pa ss a ge s the w o rd
7 -
.

d o e s n o t i n dic at e an yt h i n g lik e a purp o sive pr ea rr an ge d , ,

sci en tific ex p e ri m e n t in o ur s en s e o f t ha t w o rd but si mply ,

th e o rdi n ary ex p e ri e n c e o f da ily li f e

6
We a r e a l s o t o ld .

wh at exper ti o r m en o f e x p e ri en c e advis e In a n u mb e r o f
9
, ,
.

pa ss age s h o w ev e r exper imen tum is use d in a s en s e s o me

, ,

I
N H, V , I, 12 . 41 ; V II , 5 6 ; V I I I 7 ; XI V , 8 ;,

2
XXV I 6, usu
“
e fli c ac I S S I m o XV I , 1 ; XV I , 6 4 ; XV I I , 2 ; XV I I ,
3 5 ; XX II , 1 ; XXI I , 4 3 ; X XI I ,
,
”
r e r u m o m n i u m m a g i s t r o ; XV I I ,
2 , 12 ,
“
q ua r e e x p e r iment is o p t im e 4 9 ; X X I I , 5 1 ; X X V , 7 ; X X X I V,
c r ed it u r
.
”
3 9 an d 5 1 . Ex p e r ie n ce is a l s o th e
6
I I , 66 id e a in t h e tw o f o l l o w ing p a s s ag e s ,
al th o ugh t h e w o r d exp er ime n tu m
.

“
XXI X , 2 3
c o u l d n o t s m o o thl y b e r e n de r e d a s
.

6
XXI X, 1 1 “ ”
°
.

” e x p e r ie n c e in a lite r al t r a n s l a
XXV , 5 4 , co ramque n ob is ; t io n : V I I , 5 0 A cc e dun t e x p e r i
XXV , 106 , n o s e am R o m a n is e x
“ ,

” m e n ta e t e x e m p l a r ece n t i s s i m i
p e r i m en t i s p e r u s u s d i g e r e m u s “
.

c en s u s . XXV I II , 4 5 , N e e
S o me tim e s a n o th e r te r m, as u r o s a ut bis o n t e s h a b ue r un t G ra e c 1
v
us u s i n n o te 2 ab o e , i s e m p l o ye d .
in e x p e r im e n t is
“
”
.

6
S e e II , 4 1, 1-2 ; I I, 1 08 ; V II, XV I , 2 4 ; XXII , 5 7 ; XXV I , 60 .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S T O R Y

Wha t m o r e cl o s ely a pp r o a c hi n g o u r ex p e ri m e n t The s e ar e .

c a s e s w he r e s o m e t h i n g is b e i n g t e s t e d Fo r i n st an c e a .
,

m e t ho d o f d e t e r m i n i n g w het he r a n e gg is f r e s h o r r o tt en by
putti n g it in w at e r an d wa tch i n g if it fl o a ts o r si nks is c a ll e d
a n expe r im en tu m
1
T h at h o rs e s w o uld w h i n n y at n o o t h e r
.

p a i n ti n g o f a h o rs e than that by A p e ll e s is sp ok en o f a s illius

e xpe r im e n tu m ar tis a t e st o f o r t e sti m o n y t o h is a r t
2
, ,
The ,
.

expr e ssi o n r e ligio n is exper im e n to is a ppli e d t o a r e ligi o us

t e st o r o rd ea l by w h ic h the virgi n ity o f Cl audi a w as v i n di

cate d .
3
Th e w o rd is a ls o us e d o f w ays o f t e lli n g if u n gu e n ts
a r e go o d a n d if wi n e is b e gi n n i n g t o turn ; an d o f v a ri o us
4 6

te sts o f the g en ui n en e ss o f drugs gem s e a rth s a n d m et als ,

6
, ,
.
‘

I t is a ls o twic e us e d o f l e tt i n g d o w n a light e d l a m p i n t o a
huge wi n e c a sk o r i n t o w el ls t o disc o v e r if t h e r e is d an ge r at
th e bo tt o m f r o m n o x i o us v a p o rs 7
I f t he l a m p w a s e x
.

t in gu is he d it w as a S ign o f pe ril to h u m an li f e
, P li n y f u r .

t he r sugge sts purp o sive exp e ri m en t ati o n in sp eaki n g o f

ex per im e n ta to disc o v e r w a t e r u n d e r gr o u n d an d in gr a f t
6

in g tr ee s 9
.

Mo st o f the t e sts a nd ex p e ri enc e s thus f ar m en ti o n e d

ha ve b e en pr ac tic al o p e r a ti o n s c o n n e ct e d wit h h usb a n d r y an d
i n dustry But P li n y r e c o u n ts o n e o r tw o o t he rs w h ich s e em
.

t o h av e b e e n dict a t e d s o l e ly by sci e n tific cu r i o sity He cl a ssi .

fi e s th e f o ll o wi n g as ex penim e n ta : 1°
th e si n ki n g o f a w e ll to
pr o ve by its c o m pl e te illum i n ati o n tha t th e s un c a sts n o
sh a do w at n o o n o f the sum m e r s o lstic e ; th e m a rki n g o f a
d o lph i n s t ail in o rd e r to th r o w s om e ligh t up o n its l e n gth
’

o f li f e sh o uld it e v e r be c aptur e d a ga i n a s it was th r ee

, ,

h u n d r e d y ea rs l a t e r p e rh aps th e e x p e r i m e n t o f l o n g e st
—

du ra ti o n o n r ec o rd ; a n d the ca sti ng o f a m an i n t o a pit o f

11

X 75
2 ,

XXXV 3 0
.

, .
2 2 and 7 6 ; s u c h p h r a s e s a s s in ce ri
e xp e r im e n tu m an d v er i e x p er i
3
V II 35
, . m e n tu m a r e u s e d f o r test o f
4
XI I I 3 , .
g e n u in e n e s s
”
.

”
6
XI V 2 5 , . XX I II , 3 1 ; XXXI , 28 .
6
XV II 4 ; XX 3 an d 7 6 ; XXI I
, , ,
6
XXXI , 2 7 .

2 3 ; XXI X 1 2 ; XXX I I I
, 1 9 an d , XV II 2 6
. .

4 3 a nd 4 4 a n d 5 7 XXXI V 2 6 a n d , I I, 7 5 .

48 : X XXV I 3 8 a n d 5 5 ; XXXV I I I X, 7
11
, , .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

s e rpents at R o m e to d e t erm i n e if he wa s r ea lly i mm une fr om

th e ir s t i n gs 1
.

E xpe r ime n tu m is e m pl o y e d by P li n y in a m e dic al s e ns e

1
w h ic h b e c o m e s ve ry c o m m o n in the m iddle age s He c alls .

s o m e r e m e di e s f o r t o o tha ch e an d i n fl a me d ey e s c er ta exper i
m e n ta sur e e x pe r i en ce s
—
2
L a te r exper imen tum c am e to be
.

a ppli e d t o a l m o st a n y r e cipe o r r e m e dy P li n y i n d e e d .
, ,

S p e a ks o f the d o ct o rs as l ea rn i n g a t o u r risk a n d ge tti n g

e x pe ri e n c e t h r o ugh o u r d ea t h s I n a n o the r p a ss age he

3
.

“
stat e s m o r e f av o r a bly tha t t he r e is n o en d to ex p e ri m enti n g
” 4
wit h e v e ryth i n g s o that e v en po i so n s a r e f o rc e d to cure us .

He als o bri e fly m en ti o n s th e m e dic a l se ct o f E mpirics o f ,

w ho m we s hal l hea r m o r e f r o m G a l e n He s ays that th e y .

s o n am e t h e m s e l v e s f r o m e x pe r i e n c e s an d o rigi n a t e d a t
5

Agr ige ntum in S icily u n d e r Ac r o n a n d E m p e d o cl e s .

P li n y is puzzl e d ho w s o m e t h i n gs w h ic h he fi n ds s t at e d
“
in a ut h o rs f am o us f o r wi s d o m w e r e e v e r l e a r ned by ex
p e r ie n c e f o r e x
,
a m pl e t h a t t h e st a r fi s h
,
h a s suc h fi e ry f
-
er v o r

that it bur n s e ve ryt hi n g in the s e a w h ich it t o uc he s an d di ,

ge sts its f oo d i n st an tly Th at a d am an t c an be bro ken o nly

6
.

by go at s bl o o d he t h i nk s m ust ha ve b ee n divi ne ly r eveal e d

’
,

f o r it w o uld h a rdly ha v e b ee n disc o v e r e d by Chan c e an d he ,

can no t i m agi n e t ha t an yo n e w ou ld e v e r hav e tho ught o f

t e sti n g a subst a n c e o f i m m e n s e v a lu e in a fluid o f o ne o f the
f o ul e st o f an i m als 7
I n s e ve r a l o th e r p as s a ge s h e sugge sts
.

c hanc e a ccid e n t dr eam s o r divi n e r e ve l a ti o n as th e w ays

,
8
, ,

in w h ic h the m e dic i n a l virtu e s o f c e rt a i n si m pl e s w e re dis

c o ve r e d R ec en tly f o r ex am pl e it w as di s c o v e r e d tha t the
.
, ,

ro o t o f the wild ro s e is a r e m e dy fo r hydr o p ho bi a by the

m o t he r o f a s o ldi e r in the pr a e t o ri a n gu ard w h o w a s w a r ne d ,

‘
1
XXV I I I 6 , . XXV ,
17 . 1 . a de o n ull o
o m n ia e x p e r ie n difi n e ut c o g e re n
a
XXV HI I4 ”
t ur e t ia m v e n e na p r o de s s e
’
.

XXI X XXI X, 4 a b e xp e r im e n
6 6
, Dis cunt p e r ic ul is
8 .

”
n o s t r is e t e x p e r im e n ta p e r m o r t e s t is s e c o g n o minan s e mp ir ic e n .

a g un t .
”
“
k
B o s t o c a n d Ril e y t r an s
°
IX 8 6 , .

l at e t h e l a s t c l a u s e A n d t h e y e x
, XXXV I I , 1 5 .

p e r im e n ta l iz e b y p ut t ing u s t o A cc o r ding t o G al e n, a s we sh al l
d e at h An o t h e r p o s s ibl e t ra n s l a h e a r l a t e r t h e Emp ir ics r e l ie d 3
,
“
ti on A n d th e i r e x p e r im e nts go o d d e al up o n ch an ce exp er i ence
is,
c o st l i esv . a nd d r e a m s .
 MA GI C AND E XPERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

II I . P liny s A cc o un t
’
o f M agic .

P li ny suppli e s s o m e a cc o u n t o f the o rigi n an d sp read o f

m a gic but a r a t h e r c o n f us e d a n d p o ssibly u n r e li abl e o n e a s
1
,

he m e n ti o n s t w o Z o r o a st e rs s e p a ra t e d by a n i n t e rv a l o f fi ve
o r s ix t h o us an d ye a rs a n d t w o O s th an es e s o n e o f w ho m
, ,

a cc o m p an i e d X e rx e s a n d t h e o t h e r A l ex a n d e r
, in t he ir r e ,

s p ec t ive e x pe diti o n s He s a ys i n d ee d t ha t it is n o t Cl ear

.
, ,

whe the r o n e o r tw o Z o r o a ste rs ex iste d I n any c a s e m agic .

h a s fl o uris h e d gr e a tly t h e w o rld o v e r f o r m an y c e n turi e s ,

a n d w as f o u n d e d in P e r si a by Z o r o a st e r S o m e o t he r m a .

g i c ia n s o f M e di a B a,byl o n i a a n d A ssy r
, i a a r e m e r e n a m e s t o

P li n y ; l at e r he m en ti o n s o th e rs lik e A p o l l o be che s an d Da r
d an us A ltho ugh he t hus d e riv e s m agic f r o m the o ri ent he
.
,

a pp ears t o m a k e n o disti n cti o n a s w e s ha ll fi n d o t he r writ e rs

,

d o i n g b e tween the M agi o f P e rsi a an d o rdi n a ry m a gici an s

, ,

n o r d o e s h e e m pl o y th e w o rd m a gic in tw o s e n se s He m ak es .

it eviden t ho w e ve r t ha t t he r e hav e b een o th e r m en who hav e

, ,

re ga rd e d ma gic m o re f a v o ra bly than h e d o e s .

P li n y n ex t tr a c e s t he S pre a d o f m a gic am o n g the G r eeks .

He m a rv e ls at t he l ack o f it in the I li a d an d th e abu n d an ce

o f it in the O dyss e y He is u n c e rt a i n w het h e r t o cl a ss O r
.

p h e u s a s a m a gici a n a n d m e,
n ti o n s T h e ss a ly a s f a m o us f o r

its witc he s at l ea st a s e a rly as the ti m e o f Men an d e r who

n am e d o n e o f h is c o m e di e s a f t e r t h em But he r e ga rds the
.

O s th a n e s w ho a c co m p a n i e d X e r x e s a s t he pri m e i ntr o duc e r

o f m a gic t o t h e G r ee k sp e a ki n g w o rld -
w hich stra ightw a y ,

w en t m a d o v e r it I n o r d e r to l ea r n m o r e o f it th e ph il o s
.
,

o p her s P y thago r a s E m p e d o cl e s D e m o critus an d P l at o

, , ,

w en t i n t o dist an t e x il e a n d o n t he ir r e tur n diss e m i n a t e d t he i r

l o re P li n y r e ga r ds t he w o r ks o f De m o critus a s the gr e a t e st
.

si n gl e f act o r in t ha t diss e m i n ati o n o f th e d o ctri n e s o f m a gic

w hich o ccu r r e d at a b o ut t he s am e ti m e t ha t m e dici n e w a s
be i n g d e v el o p e d by the w o r ks o f Hipp o c r a t e s S o me .

1
I n th e o p e n ing c h ap t e r s o f Boo k XXX , u nl e s s o th e r w is e in dic ate d by
s p ec ifi c c it a t io n .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR A L
’
HI S T O R Y

r e gard e d the b o o ks o n m agic a sc r ib e d t o Dem o critus a s

spu r i o us but P li n y i n sists t hat the y a r e ge n ui n e
,
.
1

O utsid e o f the G r e e k sp e a ki n g w o rld w h en c e o f c o urs e

-
,

m a gic spr e a d t o R o m e P li n y m en ti o n s J e w is h m a gic r ep r e

, ,

s en t e d by such n am e s a s Mo s e s J ann e s an d L o tap es But , , .

h e h o lds t ha t m a gic did n o t o r igi n a t e a m o n g the He b r e ws

u ntil l o n g a f t e r Z o r o a s te r He a ls o sp e aks o f the m agic o f
.

Cyprus ; o f t h e D ruids w h o w e r e t h e m a gici an s di v i n e rs

, , ,

an d m e dici n e m en o f G a ul u n til th e e m p e r o r T ib e rius sup

p r e ss e d t hem ; a n d o f dist an t B r ita i n T h us disc o rd a n t n a

2
.

ti o n s an d e v e n t ho s e ign o r an t o f o n e an o t he r s ex i ste n c e ’

a gr e e t he w o rld o v e r in t h e ir d e v o ti o n t o m a gic F r o m w ha t .

P li n y t e lls us e ls e w he r e o f th e S cyth i a n s w e c an s e e t ha t th e
n o m a ds o f t he R ussi a n st e pp e s an d T urk e st an w e r e d ev o t e d

t o m agic t o o .

I t ha s b e e n s h o w n t ha t P li n y r e ga rd e d m a gic a s a m ass
o f d o ctri n e s f o r m ul a t e d by a si n gl e f o u n d e r a n d n o t as a

gr a du a l s o ci a l e v o luti o n j ust a s the G r e eks a n d R o m an s a s

,

c r ibe d t he ir l a ws a n d cust o m s t o s o m e si n gl e l e gisl a t o r He .

a d m its in a wa y h o we v e r , t h e gr e at a n tiqui t y Cl a i m e d by
,

m a gic f o r its e l f a ltho ugh he qu e s t i o n s ho w th e bulky dict a

,

o f Z o r o a st e r a n d Da rd an us c o uld h a v e b e e n h a n d e d d o w n by

m emo ry duri n g s o l o n g a p e ri o d T h is r em a rk a ga i n s h o w s .

ho w littl e h e t h i n ks o f m a gic a s a s e t o f s o ci a l cust o m s a n d

a ttitud e s p er p e tu a t e d t h r o ugh c o n st a n t a n d u n i v e rs a l p r a c

tic e f r o m ge n e ra ti o n to g en e r a ti o n Y e t w ha t h e s ays o f its .

wide spr ea d pr e v al en c e am o n g u n c o nn e ct e d p e o pl e s go e s to
pro ve t his .

P li n y has a cl ea r e r c om pre he n si o n o f the e x t e n si v e sc o p e

o f m a gic an d o f its e ss e n ti a l c h a r a ct e r i s t ics a t l e a st a s it w a s ,

“
N 0 o n e s ho uld w o n d e r h e s a ys t h a t it s a u
” “
in h is day .
, ,

tho rity has b e e n v e ry gr ea t si n c e a l o n e o f th e a r t s it ha s

,

1
Aul us G e l l iu s , X , 12 , a nd k
w r o t e t h e w o r s o f a l c h e m y at
Co l um e l l a , V I I , 5 , d is p ut e th is t r ib u t e d t o D e m o c r it u s a s w e l l as
( B o u c hé -
L e cl e r cq, L As tr o l og ie
’
k
th e b o o s o f m ed ic a l a n d m a g ic a l
g r e c qu e, p 5 1 9 )
. B e r th e l o t ( O r i r ec ip e s w h ic h a r e q u o t e d in t h e

g ine s d e l a l c h imi e, p 14 5 ) b e l ie e s
’
. v G e op o nica a n d t h e N a tur a l His
ia a D em o c r i t a n s c h o o l at th e b e
o
to r y .

g i n n i n g o f t h e C h r is t ia n e r a w hic h XV I
2
, 93 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

em br ac e d and u n ite d with its e l f the t h ree o t he r s ubj ect s

”
whic h m ake the grea t e st a pp eal t o the hu man m i n d namely , ,

me dici n e r e ligi o n an d the a rts o f divi n a ti o n e sp e ci ally a s

, , ,

t ro lo gy . Tha t h is p h r a s e ar tes ma the ma ticas ha s r e fe r en c e

“
t o a stro l o gy is s ho w n by his i mme di at e ly c o n ti n ui n g si nce ,

t he re is n o o ne who is no t e age r t o l ea r n the f utur e ab o ut

h i m s e l f an d w ho d o e s n o t t h i n k th a t t h is is m o s t truly r e
“
veale d by the sky But m a gic f urt he r pr o m is e s to r eve al
.

the futur e by w at e r an d s ph e r e s an d a ir a n d st a rs an d l amp s

an d ba si n s a n d t h e bl a d e s o f ax e s a n d by m an y o t he r

m e t ho ds b e sid e s c o n f e r e n c e s wit h s ha d e s f r o m the i n f e r n a l

,

”
r e gi o ns . T h e r e c an t he r e f o re be n o d o ubt t ha t P li n y r e
ga rds the va ri o us a rts o f divi n ati o n a s p a rt s o f m agic .

While we hav e hea rd P li n y a ss e rt in g ene r al the cl o s e

c o nn e cti o n b e tw e e n m a gic a n d r e ligi o n the c h a r a ct e r o f the
,

N a tur al His to r y w h ic h d e a ls wit h n atur a l r at he r t han r e

,

l igio us m att e rs d o e s n o t l ea d h im t o en t e r i n t o m uc h f urt he r

,

d et ail up o n th is p o i n t His o cc a si o n a l m e nti o n o f r e ligi o us

.

u s a g e s in h is o w n day h o w ev e r supp o rts o u r in f o r m ati o n

, ,

f r o m o t he r s o urc e s th a t the o rigi n al R o ma n r e ligi o n was

ve ry l ar ge ly c om po s e d o f m agi c f o r c e s rul e s an d ce re , ,

m o n i al.

N early ha l f t he b oo ks o f the N a tura l His tor y d e al in

wh o l e o r in p a rt with r e m e di e s f o r dis ea s e s and it is the r e ,

f o r e o f the r e l a ti o n s b etw e e n m a gic a n d n atur a l sci e n c e an d ,

m o r e p a rticul a rly b e tw ee n m a gic a nd m e dici n e t ha t P li ny ,

giv es us the m o st d e t a il e d i n f o r m ati o n In d e e d he a ss e rts .

,
“ ” “
t hat no o n e d o ubts t ha t m agic o rigi n ally sprang f r o m
m e dici n e a n d cr ep t in u n d e r the s h o w o f pr o m o ti n g he a lth
a s a l o f ti e r an d m o r e s a cr e d m e dici n e
”
Ma gic an d m e di
.

ci ne have d ev e l o p e d t o ge the r an d th e l att e r is n o w in i mm i

,

ne n t d a n g e r o f b e i n g o v e rw he l m e d by t he f o lli e s o f m agic ,

w hic h hav e m a de m en d o ubt w he the r plants p o ss e ss a ny

m e dici n a l pr o p e rti e s .

I n the o pi n i o n o f m an y ho w e v e r m a gic i s s o u n d an d
, ,

b e ne fici al le a rn i n g I n a n tiquity an d f o r t hat m att er at

.
,

a l m o st a l l ti m e s t he he ig h t o f lit e r a ry f am e an d gl o ry ha s
,
 MA G I C AND E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

fo r ab o lis hi ng t ho s e m o n str o us rit e s o f hu m an s acri fi c e in ,

wh ic h to sl a y a m an w as t ho ugh t m o st pi o us ; nay mo r e to ,
” 1
e at m en w as th o ugh t m o s t w h o l e s o m e .

P li n y n e v e rt he l e s s l ays l e ss str e ss up o n the m o ra l a rgu

m e n t a ga i n st m a gic as c r i m i n a l o r i n d e c e n t t han he d o e s
upo n the i n t e ll e ctu a l o bj e cti o n t o it a s u ntru e an d un sci en ti fic .

I n d e e d s o f ar a s d e c e n cy is c o n c e r n e d h is o w n m e dici n e will
, ,

be s e e n to be f a r f r o m prudi s h w h il e h e e ls e w he re giv e s in
,

st an c e s o f m agici an s gu a rdi n g a ga i n st de fil e m e n t 2
Mo re .

o v e r a m o n g the m e t h o ds e m pl o y e d an d th e r e sults s o ugh t

,

by m agic w h ich he f r e qu ently m e n ti o n s t he r e ar e c o m p ar a

t ivel y f e w t h at a r e m o r a lly o bj e cti o n abl e a lt h o ugh the y s e e m ,

w it ho ut e x c e pti o n f als e But m an y o f t he ir r e cip e s aim at

.

the cur e o f dis e a s e an d o t h e r w o rthy o r at l ea st a d m issibl e , ,

o bj e cts . P o s sibly P li n y h as s o m e w ha t c e n s o r e d t he ir l o r e
a n d tri e d t o e x clud e a ll cri m i n a l s e cr e ts but his c en sur e ,

s e em s mo re i n t e ll e ctu al t han m o ral Fo r i n st an c e he fi lls.

,

a l o n g c hapt e r wit h ex tr a cts fr o m a tr e a tis e o n th e virtu e s o f

t he c h am e l e o n a n d its p a rts by De m o critu s w ho m he r e gards ,

a s a l e a di n g p u r ve y o r o f m a gic l o r e I n o pe n i n g th e c h a p
6

“
te r P li n y h a ils wit h gr e at pl e a sur e t he o pp o rtu n ity t o ex
“ ”
p o s e t h e li e s o f G r e e k v a n ity but a t its cl o s e he e x pr e ss e s
,

a wish t ha t D e m o critus h i m se l f ha d b e e n t o uc h e d wit h t he

branch o f a p a l m w hich he s a id pr e v en ts i m m o d e r at e l o quac

“
ity Pli n y then a dds m o r e c ha rita bly It is e vid en t that
.
,

this m an w ho in o t he r r e sp e cts w as a wis e an d m o st us e fu l

,

m em b e r o f s o ci e ty h as e rr e d f r o m t o o gr e a t z e al in s ervi n g
,

hu man ity .

P li n y h i m s e l f f a ils t o m a i n t a i n a c o n sist e n tly s c e ptic al at

t itude t o w a rds m a gic His ex a ct a ttitud e is o f t e n ha rd to de
.

t e rm i ne O ften it is di ffi cult to s ay w het he r he is sp eaki n g

.

in so b e r e a rn e st o r in a t o n e o f ligh t an d e a sy pl e a s antry
a n d s a rc a s m a s in th e p a ss ag e j ust cit e d c o n c e r n i n g D e m o c
,

ritus A n o the r puzzli n g p o i n t is h is f r e qu en t e x cus e t hat

.

he wi ll list c e rt a i n a ss e rti o n s o f the m a gici a n s in o rd e r to

‘
XXX 4 , .
2
XXV II I ,
19 ; XXX 6
, .
a
XXV I I I, 29 .
 P L I N Y S N A T URAL HI S TO R Y
’

ex po se c o n fut e t hem But r e ally h e usu ally si mply s et s

or .

t he m f o r t h app a re n tly ex p e cti n g th at t he ir i nhe r en t a n d

,

p a t ent a bsurdi t y will pr o v e a suffici ent re f ut ati o n o f t hem .

O n the r a r e o cc a si o n s w h en h e u n d e rt ak e s t o i n dic a t e in
w ha t the a bsurdity c o n sists his r e as o n i n g is sc a r c e ly sci e n tific
“
o r c o n vi n ci n g T hus h e affir m s t ha t it is a pe culi a r pr o o f
.

o f t he v a n ity o f t he m a gici a n s t h at o f a l l an i ma ls t h e y m o st

a d m ir e m o l e s w ho a r e c o n d e m n e d by n a tur e in s o m a ny w ays ,

t o p e rp e tu al bli n d n e ss a n d t o dig in th e d ark n e ss a s if t he y

” 1
w e r e buried A n d h e a ss a ils the b e li e f o f th e magi t hat
.
2

a n o wl s e gg is go o d f o r dis e a s e s o f t he sc a lp by a ski n g
’
,

“
Who I beg c o uld e v e r h av e s e e n an o w l s e gg si n c e it is
, ,
’
,

a pr o di gy t o s ee t h e bird its e l f ? ”
Mo r e o v e r he s o m eti m e s ,

cit e s a ss e rti o n s o f th e m a gici an s witho ut any c e n sur e a po l ,

o gy o r e x pr e ssi o n o f disb e li e f ; a n d t he r e ar e m an y o t he r
,

pa ss age s w h e r e it is practic ally i m po ssibl e to t e ll whe the r he

is citi n g the m a gici an s o r n o t S o m eti m e s he will a pp a re ntly
.

c o nti n u e t o r e f e r to them by a pr o n o un in c h a pt e rs w he re
t he y h av e n o t b ee n m en ti o n e d by n am e at al l 3
I n o t he r .

pl ac e s he will i m p e rc e ptibly c e a s e to qu o t e the m agi an d

a f t e r a n i n t e rv a l p e r h a ps a s i m p e rc e ptibly r e su m e cit ati o n o f

t he ir d oc tri n e s 4
I t is a ls o di fficult to d e t e rm i n e j ust w h
.

writ e rs like D em o critus an d P yt ha go r a s ar e to b e r e garde d

a s r e pr e s e n t a ti v e s o f m a gic an d w h en t h e ir st at e m en ts ar e

a cc e pt e d by P li n y a s t h o s e o f s o u n d p h il o s o p h e r s .

P e r h aps d e spit e P li n y s o cc a si o n a l br a v e e ff o rts t o with

’

stan d an d e ve n ridicul e the a ss e rti o n s o f th e m agici an s h e ,

c o uld n o t f r ee h i m s e l f f r om a s e c r e t liki n g f o r th em a n d
m o re t han ha l f be li e v e d t he m At an y r a t e h e b eli e v e d v e ry
.

si m il a r th i n gs E v en m o r e lik e ly is it t ha t pr e vi o us w o rks
.

o n n atur e w e r e s o f ull o f suc h m at e ri a l a n d th e r e a d e rs o f

his o w n day s o i n t e re st e d in it t ha t he c o uld n o t but i n clud e

,

XXX 7 w m t l k b k th
1
, . h pt s
e us oo ac re e c a er
3
XXI X ,
26 . f o r t h e a n t ec e d e nt o f e o r u m .

6
Fo r in s tance , XXX, 2 7 , h e XXXV I I , 14 h e s ay s t h at h e is
4
,

m e n t io n s th e m ag i b ut n o t in ,
“
g o in g t o co n f u t e th e u n s p e a a b l e
”
k
XXX 2 8 N o r a r e t h e y m e n t io n e d
, . n o n s e n s e o f t h e m a g ic ia n s con
in XXX, 2 9 , b ut in XXX, 30
“ ”
c e r n in g g e m s , b u t m a e s n o s p ek
p l u r a e o r um r e m e dia p o n e m u s c ifi c c it a t io n f r o m t h e m u n t il t h e
s e e m s to re f e r t o t h e m, a l th o ugh v
t hirt y - s e e n t h c h ap t e r o n j as p e r .
 MA GI C AND E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HA P.

much of it . O n c e he
pl ai n s t ha t c e rt a i n sta tements ar e
ex
1

sc a rc e ly to be t ak e n s e ri o usly yet sh o uld n o t be o m itte d be

, ,

c aus e t hey have b een tran s m itt e d f r o m the p a st Ag ai n he .

“
be gs the r e a d e r s i n dul ge n c e f o r si m il a r van iti es o f the
’

” “
G r eeks ,b e ca use t h is to o has its v a lu e tha t w e s ho uld
” 2
k no w what ev e r m ar ve ls the y h a ve tr an s m itt e d T he truth .

o f t he m a tt e r pr o b a bly is t h a t P li n y r e j e ct e d s o m e a ss e rti o n s

o f t he m agi ci an s but f o u n d o t h e rs a cc e pt a bl e ; t h a t h e ge ts

h is o cc asi o n al a ttitud e o f sc e ptici s m an d ridicul e o f t he ir

d o ct r i n e s f r o m o n e s et o f a utho riti e s an d his m o men ts o f ,

u n qu e sti o n i n g a cc ept an ce o f t he ir st at eme nts f ro m o the r

a ut h o rs o n w h o m he r e li e s Ve ry lik e ly in the bo o ks which
.

h e us e d it o f te n w a s n o Cl e ar e r th an it is in th e N a tur al
His to r y whe t he r a st atem e n t w a s to be a scrib e d to the magi
o r no t . Ve ry p o ssibly P li n y w as as c o n f us e d in his o wn
m i n d c o n c e r n i n g t he e n tir e busi ne ss a s he s ee m s t o be t o us .

He c o uld n o m o r e k eep m agic o ut o f h is N a tur al His tor y

t han p o o r Mr D ick c o uld k e e p Cha rl e s the First s hea d o ut
.
’

o f h is b o o k O n e f a ct at a n y r at e st an ds o ut cl early th e
.
,

pr o m i n e nc e o f m agic in his e n cycl o p e di a an d in the l e a rn i n g

of his a ge .

IV . Th e S cie n ce o f the Magi

L et us now f urt h e r
i P li n y s pictur e o f magic
e x am n e
’
,

n o t a s he e x pr e ssly d e fi n e s o r c e n sur e s it but as he r e fl e cts ,

its o wn a ss e rti o n s an d pu r p o s e s in h is f a irly n u m e r o us cit a

ti o n s f r o m its lit e r a tur e an d p e r haps its pr a ctic e He re I .

s hall ra t he r strictly li m it m y surv e y to t ho s e st at em ent s

wh ich P li n y d efi n it e ly a scrib e s by n am e to the magi o r m agic
art . The m o st striki n g f a ct is th a t t he m agici a n s a r e cite d
a ga i n a n d a g a i n c o n c e rn i n g th e supp o s e d pr o p e rt i e s virtu e s , ,

a n d e ff e cts o f t h i n gs in n a tur e h e rbs a n i m a ls an d st o ne s

—
, ,
.

T he s e vi rtu e s a r e it is tru e o f t e n e m pl o y e d in an e ff o rt to
, ,

pr o duc e w o n de r f ul r e sults an d o f te n to o t h ey a r e c o mbi ne d

,

wit h so m e f an ta stic rit e o r sup e rstiti o us c e r em o n i al p e r

f o r m e d by a hum an a ge n t But in m an y ca se s e it he r no
.

”
1
XXX 47 , . XXXV I I, 1 1.
 MA G I C AND E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE
‘

C H AF .

ti e d in t hr ee o r f o ur k n o ts with a pr aye r that th e p ati en t m ay

r e c o v e r t o u n ti e t h e k n o ts
1
.

P li n y d o e s n o t e v e n o bj e ct t o t he m arv e l o us r e sults which

t he ma gi t h i nk c an be ga i n e d by u s e o f h e rbs u n til t o w ards
the cl o s e o f his tw e n ty f o urt h b o o k al t h o ugh a lre a dy in his
-
,

tw en ti e th an d tw en ty fi r s t b o o ks suc h p o w e rs h av e be en-

cl ai m e d f o r he rbs as t o m ak e o n e w e ll fav o re d a n d en abl e -

o n e t o att a i n o n e s d e sir e s o r t o gi v e o n e g r a c e a n d gl o r y
2 ’ 3
.
,

A t th e e n d o f his tw e n ty fo urt h b o o k h e st at e s t h a t P ythag

4 -

o r a s an d D em o critus f o ll o wi n g th e m agi a scrib e t o h e r bs

, ,

u n usu a lly m a rv el o us virtue s such a s to f r e e z e w ate r i n v o k e ,

spirits f o rc e t h e guilty t o c o n fe ss by f righten i n g them with

,

a pp a r iti o n s a n d i m p a rt th e gi f t o f di v i n a ti o n
,
E a rly in his .

t wen ty fi fth b o o k P li n y sugge sts t hat s o m e i n cr e dibl e e ff e cts

- 6

ha ve b e en a ttribut e d t o he rbs by th e m agi an d t he ir discipl e s ,

a n d in a l a t e r c h a pt e r he d e scrib e s th e m agi as s o m a d ab o ut
6

v e rva i n t ha t t he y t h i nk t ha t if t he y a r e a n o i n t e d with it ,

the y can ga i n t he i r wis he s dri v e aw ay f ev e rs an d o the r dis ,

e as es , a n d m a k e f ri e n ds h ips T h e h e rb s h o uld be pluck e d .

a b o ut the risi n g o f th e d o st a r w h e n t h e r e is n e ithe r s un

-
g
no r moo n Ho n e y a n d ho n eyc o m b s ho uld be o ffe r e d t o ap
.

pe as e the e a rt h ; t he n the pl an t s h o uld be dug a r o u n d with

ir o n with the l e f t h an d a n d r a is e d a l o f t By th e ti m e h e .

r each e s h is t w e n ty si x th b o o k P li n y s c o ur a ge h a s ris en s o
-
’
,

to sp eak e n o ugh t o c a us e h im a t l a st t o e n t e r up o n q uit e a

,

“
tir a d e a ga i n st m a gic al v an iti e s w h ic h hav e b e en c a rri e d s o
” 7
f a r t h at t he y m igh t d e str o y f a it h in h e r bs e n tir e ly As .

e x am pl e s h e m e n ti o n s h e rbs supp o s e d t o dry up riv e rs an d

s w am ps o p en b ar r e d d o o rs at th e ir t o uch tu r n h o stil e a r m i e s
, ,

t o fligh t an d supply all th e n e e ds o f th e a m b a ss a d o r s o f th e

,

P e rsi an ki n gs He w o n d e rs w hy suc h he rbs h a v e n e v e r

.

b e e n e mpl o y e d in R o m an w a r f a r e o r It ali an dra i n age .

P li n y s o n ly o bj e cti o n t o m a gi c h e rbs t he r e f o r e s e e m s t o be
’

t he e x c e ssiv e p o w e rs w h ic h a r e cl a i m e d f o r s o m e o f t he m .

1
XXI I 2 9 , .

XX 3 0
2
.
,
ll
XX I 3 8 , .

‘
XXI V 99 , an d 102 .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S T O R Y 67

He a dds t hat it w o uld be stran ge t hat t he c r edulity w hich

a r o s e f r o m such w h o l e s o m e b e gi nn i n gs ha d r e a c h e d suc h a .

pitc h if hum a n i n ge n uity o bs e r ve d m o d e r ati o n in anyt hi n g

,

a n d if th e m uc h m o r e r e c e n t sys t e m o f m e dici n e w h ic h A s

c l e p ia de s f o u n d e d c o uld n o t b e s h o w n t o h a v e b een c a rri e d

e v e n b e y o n d th e m a gici a n s He r e a ga i n w e s ee P li n y f a il in g
.

to r e c o gn iz e m a gic a s a pri m itiv e s o ci a l p r o duct an d r e ga rd

in g it a s a d e ge n e r a ti o n f r o m a n ci e n t sci e n c e r a th e r t han
sci e n c e as a c o mp ar a ti v e ly m o d e rn d eve l o p m e n t f ro m it .

But he m ay w e ll be righ t in th i n ki n g tha t m an y p articul a r

f ar f e tch e d r e cip e s an d rit e s w e r e th e l a te a rtifici al pr o duct
-
,

o f o v e r sch o l a r ly m a gici a n s
-
T h us h e br a n ds a s f a ls e an d
.

m agic a l th e a ss e rti o n o f a r e c e n t gr amm ar i an A pi o n th a t , ,

th e h e rb c yn o ce ph al ia is divi n e an d a s a f e gu a rd aga i n st
po is o n but kills the m an w ho upr o o ts it en tir e ly
,
1
.

I n a f e w c a s e s P li n y o bj e cts to t he a n i m als o r pa rts o f

a n i m a ls e m pl o y e d by th e m a gi a s in t h e p a ss a g e a lr ea dy c it e d
,

w he re he c o m pl a i n s t hat t h e y ad m ir e m o l e s m o r e t han a n y
o t he r an i m a ls But h is as s e rti o n is i n co n sist en t si n c e he
2
.
,

ha s a lr e a dy affi r me d t hat t hey ho ld th e hy e n a in m o st a dm i

r a ti o n o f all an i m als o n the gr o u n d t ha t it w o r ks m agic up o n
m en .
6
T he ir pro m is e o f r e adi e r f av o r wit h pe o pl e s an d
ki n gs t o t ho se w ho an o i nt t h em s e l v e s with li o n s fat e spe ’
,

c ially t hat b e t w e en t h e e y e b r o ws h e criticiz e s by d e cl a ri n g

,

th at n o f at ca n be f o u n d the r e He a ls o t w its th e magi f o r

4
.

m agn i fyi n g the i m po rt a n c e o f s o n a sty a cr e atur e as the tick 5

.

Th ey a r e a ttr a ct e d t o it by t he f a ct t ha t it h a s n o o utl e t t o
its b o dy an d can liv e o n ly s e v en d ays e v en if it f a sts .

Whe the r t he r e is any a stro l o gic a l sign ific anc e in the nu mb e r

s e ve n h e r e P li n y d o e s n o t s ay He d o e s i n f o r m us ho w
.
,

e v e r t h a t t he c r ick e t is e m pl o ye d in m a gic be c a us e it m o v e s
,

ba ckw a rd A v e ry biz a rr e o bj ect em pl o y e d by th e D ruids

6
.

an d o t h e r m a gici an s is a s o rt o f e pr o duc e d by th e h issi n g

gg
o r f o am o f s n ak e s 7 T he bl o o d o f t he b a silisk may al so be
.
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

cl a ss e d a s a ra rity App a r e ntly an i m a ls in s o m e w ay un

.

usu a l ar e p re f e rr e d in m a gic like a black s he e p but th e 1

, ,

l o gi c in the r ea s o n s giv en by P li n y f o r t he ir s e l e cti o n is n o t

cl ea r in e v e ry i n st a n c e I n s o m e o the r c a s e s n o t critici ze d.

by P li n y w e hav e pl a i n ly e n o ugh sym pat he tic m agic o r the

2

pri n ciple o f lik e cu r e s lik e as w hen the m ilt o f a c a l f o r s he e p ,

is us e d to cure dis e a s e s o f th e hu m an spl een .

T he m a gici a n s h o w e v e r do n o t sc o r n t o u s e f a m ili a r
, ,

a n d ea sily o bt a i n a bl e a n i m a ls lik e t h e go a t a n d do g a n d c at .

T he live r a n d du n g o f a c a t a puppy s bra i n s the bl o o d an d

’

, ,

g e n it a ls o f a do g an d the ga ll o f a bl a ck m a l e do g a r e am o n g
,

t he an i m al subst a n c e s e m pl o y e d S uc h subst an c e s a s t ho s e
3
.

j ust n ame d a r e e qually in d em an d f r o m o the r a n i m als Mi 4

.

n ut e p a rts o f an i m a ls a r e f r e qu e n tly e m pl o y e d by t he m agi

c ian s suc h a s th e t o e o f a n o w l t h e liv e r o f a m o us e giv e n

, ,

in a fig t h e t o o t h o f a liv e m o l e the st o n e s f r o m y o u n g
, ,

"
swal l ow s gizz ards t he ey e s o f riv e r crabs ,
6
S o m e ti me s .

t h e p a r t em pl o y e d is r e duc e d t o a s he s p e r ha ps a r e lic o f ,

s a crifici al cust o m T hus f o r t o o t ha c he the m agi i n j e ct i n t o

.

th e e ar n ea r e r the t o o t h t he a s he s o f t he h ea d o f a m a d do g
an d o il o f Cyp r us w h ile t he y pr e scribe f o r a ffe cti o n s o f
,

t he si n e ws t he a s he s o f an o wl s h e a d in ho n i e d wi n e wit h
’

lily r oo t 6
O t he r livi n g cr ea tur e s w h ic h P li ny m en ti o n s as
.

us e d by the m agi a r e th e s al am an d e r ea rt hw o rm bat sc a r ab , , ,

wit h r e fl ex h o r n s liz a rd t o rt o is e be d bug f r o g an d s e a

, , ,
-
, ,

urc h i n T he dr a go n s t a il wr app e d in a gaz e ll e s ski n an d

7
.
’ ’

b o u n d o n with d ee r si n e ws cur e s e pil e psy an d a m ix tur e

8 -
,

o f t he dra go n s t o n gu e e y e s ga ll a n d i n t e sti ne s b o il e d in
’

, , , ,

o il ,c o o l e d in the n igh t a ir a n d rubb e d o n m o rn i ng a n d ,

e v e n i n g f r ee s o n e f r o m n o ctur n a l a pp a riti o n s
9
, .

S o m e ti m e s the p a rts o f a n i m a ls a r e b o u n d o n o ut s id e
t he p a ti e n t s b o dy s o m e ti m e s the i n j ur e d p o r ti o n o f his b o dy
’

1
XXX 6 , .
7 ; XXX , 27 ; XXXI I 3 8 . .

2’
XXV I II 5 7 , ; XXX 1 7 , . XXX 8 an d 3 6 ; s ee al s o
6
,
6
U se of g o at , X XV I I I 5 6, 63 , , XXV I I I 60 ; XXXI I 1 9 an d 2 4
. ,
.

8
7 79 ;
-
X XV I I I 66 ; p up p y,
c at , ,
1
XX I X 2 3 ; XXX 18 , 2 0, 3 0, , ,

XXI X 3 8 : d o g XXX 2 4 49 XXXI I 1 4 18 , 2 4

°

xxv m 6 0 6 6 7 7 ; XXI X 2 6
.
, , ,
.
, ,
i
, , , , . XXX 2 7 , .

“ ”
XXV I I I 66 ; XXI X, 1 5 ; XXX,
,
X XX 2 4 ,
.
 MA G I C AND E XPE R I MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

given w h ich h as b een ro ast e d o n a f un e r al pyre an d the ,

a n i m a l s gall s ho uld n o t be a ll ow e d t o t o uc h t h e gr o u n d
1
.

P li n y o cc a si o n a lly sp e a ks in a v a gu e g e n e r a l w ay o f h is
cit ati o n s f r o m t he ma gi c o n c e r n i n g the virtu e s o f par ts o f
“ ”
a n i m a ls a s li e s o r n o n s e n s e o r p o rt e nt o us but he d o e s n o t ,

sp e cific a lly criticiz e the ir pr o c e dur e a ny m o r e t han he did

t he i r m et ho ds o f em pl o yi n g he r bs an d he d o e s n o t criticiz e ,

t he ir pr o m is e d r e sults a s m uc h as he did be f o r e In d e e d a s .
,

w e ha v e a lr ea dy i n dic a t e d th e o b j e ct in a m aj o rity o f c a se s
,

is pur e ly m e dici n a l T h e purp o s e o f o the rs is p a st o r al o r

.

a gricultur a l such as pr e v e n ti n g g o a ts f r o m st r a yi n g o r c a us
,

ing swi n e to f o ll o w yo u 2
T he bl o o d o f t he b asilisk ho w
.
,

e ver , is s a id to pr o cur e an s w e rs to p e titi o n s m a d e t o the

p o w e r f ul an d prayers a ddr e ss e d to th e go ds an d t o act ,

a s a s a f e gu a rd a g a i n st p o is o n o r s o rc e ry ( ven eficior um
ama le ta )
6
.In vi n cibility i s pr o m is e d th e w ea r e r o f the h e ad
a n d t a il o f a dr a g o n h a irs f r o m a li o n s f o r e h ea d a li o n s
’ ’
, ,

ma rr o w the f o am o f a wi nn i n g h o rs e a d o g s cl a w b o un d
’

, ,

in d ee rski n an d th e m uscl e s a lt e r n at e ly o f a d e e r a n d a
,

gaz e lle A w o m an wil l t e ll s e cr e ts in he r sl e ep if the he art

.
4

o f a n o w l is a ppli e d t o h e r righ t br ea st an d p o w e r o f divi n a ,

ti o n is ga i n e d by e a ti n g th e still palpit ati n g h e a rt o f a m o l e 6

.

I n the c a s e o f st o n e s the n am e s a r e a ga i n a s in th e c a s e ,

o f h e rbs o f littl e sig n ific an c e f o r u s The a cc o m pan y

6
.
,

in g ritu al is sligh t T h e r e ar e o n e o r tw o susp e n si o n s

.

f r o m t he n e ck o r e ls ew her e by suc h m e an s a s a li o n s m ane

’

th e h a ir o f t he hy e n a will n o t do at al l n o r t he h a ir o f the —

cyn o c epha lus an d swall o w s f eathe rs T he re i s s o m e us e o f

7 -
’
.

i nc ant ati o n s wit h the st o n e s a s e tti n g o f ir o n f o r o n e st o ne , ,

bu r i al o f a n o t he r b en ea t h a tr e e t hat it may n o t dull t he axe ,

an d pl a ci n g a n o t he r o n t h e t o n gu e a f t e r ri n si n g t he m o ut h

with ho n e y at c e rt ai n d ays an d ho urs o f the m o o n in o rd e r t o

a cqui r e the gi f t o f divi n ati o n I n d ee d the r e sult s pr o m ise d
8
.
,

XXV I II 6 3 c e r nin g s t o n e s to t h e m agi in t h e

1
, .

2
XXV I II 5 6 ; XXI X,, 15 . f o l l o w in g c h ap te r s : XXXV I , 34
“
XXI X I 9 . . XXXV I I 3 7 4 0 4 9 5 1 5 4 5 6 60,
, . , . . . .
‘
XXI X 2 0 , . 70 73
,
“
XXI X 2 6 ; XXX 7
, , .
7
XXXV I I 5 4 and 40 , .

‘
P l iny a s c r ibe s s ta te me n t s c on
6
XXXV II, 4 0 60 5 6 7 3 , , ,
.
 P L I N Y S NA T UR AL HI S TO R Y
’

ar e all m arv el o us sto n e s ben e fit public sp e ak e rs a d m i t

. T he ,

to the pr e s e n c e o f r o y a lty c o u n t e r a ct f a sci n a ti o n a n d s o r

,

c e ry a v er t ha il t hun de rb o lts st o r m s l o custs an d sc o rpi o n s ;

, , , , ,

c h ill bo ili ng w ate r pr o duce f am il y disco rd r e n d e r at h l e t e s

, ,

i nvi n cibl e qu en c h a n ge r an d vi o l en ce m ak e o n e i n v isibl e

, , ,

e v o k e i m a ge s o f the go ds an d s h ad e s f r o m t he i n f e r n a l r e

gi o n s .

We ha ve ye t t o m enti o n a gr o up o f m a gic a l r e cipe s an d O th er

r em e di e s w h ich P li n y f o r s o m e r e as o n c o ll e cts in o n e c hap 21 ?

te r
1
but w h ic h h ardly f a ll un d e r an y o n e he a d A w he t
a .

st o n e o n w h ich i r o n t o o ls a r e s h ar p e ne d if pl ac e d witho ut ,

his k n o w l e dg e u n d e r the pill o w o f a m a n w h o h as b ee n p o i

s o n e d will c a us e h im t o r e v ea l a ll the cir cu m st an c e s o f the
,

cri m e I f yo u tur n a m an w ho has b e e n struck by lightn i n g

.

o v e r o n h is i n j ur e d sid e he will sp e a k a t o n c e ,
T o cu r e tu .

m o rs in the gr o i n t ie s e v e n o r n i n e k n o ts in the r em n an t
,

o f a w ea v e r s w eb n am i n g s o m e wid o w a s e a c h k n o t is ti e d
’
.
,

The p a i n is a ssu age d by bi n di n g t o t h e bo dy t he n a il t ha t

ha s b ee n tr o d o n T o ge t rid o f w a rts o n the t w e n ti e th day
.
,

o f t he m o o n l ie fl at in a p a t h ga zi n g a t t he m o o n s tr e tc h the ,

h a n ds ab o v e the he a d an d r ub the w a rts wit h a n yt h i n g t h at

c o me s to han d A co rn may be extr act e d succ e ss f ully at
.

the m o me nt a sta r s hoo ts Hea da c he m ay be r eli ev e d by a

.

l i n i m e n t m ad e by p o uri n g vi ne ga r o n d o o r h i n ge s o r by
bi n di n g a han gman s n o o s e ab o ut the pati e n t s t em pl e s T o
’ ’
.

disl o dge a fi s h bo n e stuck in the t hr o at plu n g e the f e et i n t o

-
,

c o ld w at e r ; t o disl o dge s o m e o t he r s o rt o f b o n e pl a c e b o n e s ,

o n t h e h e a d ; t o disl o dge a m o rs e l o f br e a d stu ff bit s o f ,

br ead i nt o b o t h ea rs We m ay a dd f r o m a n e ighb o ri n g
.

c hapt e r a v e ry m agic al r e m e dy f o r f e v e rs a lt ho ugh P li n y ,

” 2
ca lls it the m o st m o d e st o f t h e ir pr o m is e s
“
T o e a n d fin .

g e r n a il p a r i n gs m i x e d wit h w ax ar e t o be att ache d e r e s un

ris e to ano the r p e r so n s d o o r in o rd e r t o tr an s f e r the dis ea se
’

fr o m the pati en t t o him O r the y m ay be pl ace d n ea r an .

an t h ill in which c a s e th e fi rst a n t w h o tri e s t o dr a g o n e in

-
,

1
XXV I II 12 , , Mago r um h aec ‘XX
VI I I, 23 .

c o mmen ta s unt .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP

sid e t he hill s ho uld be captur e d and susp end e d f ro m t he p a

t ie n t
’
ck
s ne .

S uc h is th e pictur e de riv e f r o m n u m e r o us p ass age s in

we
th e N a tur a l H is to r y o f th e m a gic a r t its m at e ri a ls an d rit e s , ,

the e ff e cts it s e e ks t o pr o duc e an d its g e n e r a l a ttitud e ,

t o w a rds na ture B e s id e s the n atura l m at e ri a ls e m pl o y e d an d

.

t he ma r v e l o us r e sults s o ught w e h av e n o t e d th e f r e qu e n t
,

u s e o f lig a tur e s suspe n si o n s a n d am ul e ts t he o bs e r vanc e o f

, , ,

a str o l o gic a l c o n diti o n s o f c e rt a i n ti m e s an d n u m be rs rul e s

, ,

f o r plucki n g h e rbs an d tyi n g k n o ts str e ss o n th e u s e o f th e ,

right o r l e f t han d in o the r w o rds o n p o si ti o n o r dire cti o n

—
, ,

s o m e em pl o ym e n t o f i ncan t a ti o n s s o m e s a crifice an d f u m i,

g a t io n s o,m e s p e ci m e n s o f sy m p a t h e tic m a gic o f t h e t h e o ry ,

“ ”
tha t lik e cure s lik e an d o f o t he r type s o f m agic l o gic
, .

V . P l iny s
’
M agical S cien ce

We m ay no w turn t o th e still m o re n ume ro us p assa ges o f

th e N a tur al His to r y w h e r e th e magi ar e n o t cit e d a n d c o m
p a r e the virtu e s t he r e a scrib e d to the t h i n gs o f na tur e an d
the m e t ho ds e m pl o y e d in m e dici n e an d a gricultur e with
t ho s e o f the m agici an s We s hall fi n d m an y st r iki n g r e s em
.

bl an c e s an d s hall s o o n c o m e to a r ealiz ati o n t ha t the r e i s m o r e

m a gic in th e N a tur a l His to r y w h ich is n o t attribut e d t o the
m agi t ha n t he r e i s t ha t is P li n y did n o t n e e d t o w a r n us t h at
.

m e dici n e had b ee n c o rrupt e d by m a gic ; h is o wn m e dici ne

pr o v e s it It is t h is f act t ha t virtu a lly h is e n ti r e w o rk is
.
,

cramm e d wit h m a rv el o u s pr o pe rti e s a n d f an ta stic c e r em o

n i a l w h ic h m a k e s it s o di fficult in s o m e pl a c e s to t e ll w he n
,

he be gi n s t o dr a w m at e ri a l f r o m the magi an d w he n he
l e a ve s o ff By a d et a il e d a nalysis o f t his r em a i n i n g mat e
.

ri al w e sh all n o w a tt e m pt to cl a ssi f y the substan c e s o f w h ic h .

P li n y m ak e s u s e a n d the virtu e s w h ic h he a scrib e s t o t he m ,

t he rit e s a n d m e t ho ds o f pr o c e dur e by w h ic h t he y a r e e m
pl o ye d an d c e rt a i n sup e rstiti o us d o ctri n e s an d no ti o n s
,

w hic h a r e i n v o l v e d We s h all t hus fi n d t ha t al mo s t p re

.

c is ely t he s am e f a ct o rs are pr e s e n t in his sci e n c e a s in th e

l o re o f the m agici an s .
 MA G I C A ND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

ing of m e rcy , an d s o o n .
1
S i m il arly th e
li o n h a s n o bl e c o ur
a ge a n d a s e n s e o f gr a titud e w h il e t h e li o n e ss is wily in th e
,

d e vic e s by wh ic h s h e c o nc e als he r am o urs with the p ard 2

.

A n u mb e r o f the d evic e s o f fis he s t o e sc a p e h o o ks an d n ets

ar e r e p ea t e d by P li n y fr o m O v id s Ha lie u tic o n ex t an t ’
,

o n ly in f r a gm e n ts T h e cr o c o dil e o p e n s its j a w s t o hav e

3
.

its t e eth pick e d by a f ri en dly bird ; but s o m e ti m e s whi l e this

o p e r a ti o n is b e i n g p e r f o r m e d th e ic hn e u m o n d a rts d o w n its “

t hr o at lik e a j a ve li n an d ea ts a w ay its i n t es ti n e s ”4
P li n y .

a ls o m a r v e ls a t t he cl e v e r n e ss displ ay e d by t he dr a g o n a n d

the e l e p h an t in t he ir c o m b ats wit h o n e an o t h e r 5

w h ic h ho w , ,

e v e r a l m o st i n v a ri a bly t e r m i n a t e f a t a lly t o b o t h c o m ba t a n ts
, ,

t he e l e p ha n t f a lli n g e x h au s t e d in t he dr a go n s c o ils an d
’

crus hi ng the s e r p e n t by its we i ght O t he rs s ay t ha t in the .

h o t su mme r the dr a g o n s t h irst f o r the bl o o d o f t h e el e phan t

wh ic h is v e r y c o ld ; in the ir c o m ba t the e l e p han t f alls dr a i n e d
o f its bl o o d a n d crus h e s the dr a go n w ho is i nt o x ic a t e d by

t he s am e .

The dr a go n s a pp a r e n t k n o wl e dge t ha t the e l e ph a n t is

’

c o ld bl o o d e d l e ads us to a ki n dr ed t o pic the r e m e di e s us e d

-
,

by an i ma ls a n d o f t e n disc o v e r e d by m e n o nly by s e e i n g ani

m a ls u s e t he m T h is n o ti o n c o n ti n u e d in t h e m iddl e a ge s
.
,

a s w e sh a ll se e a n d o f c o urs e it did n o t o rigi n a t e wit h P li n y

, .

“
A s he s a ys hi m s e l f T he an ci e n ts h av e r e c o rd e d t h e r e m e
,

di e s o f wild b e a sts an d s ho wn ho w t he y a r e heal e d ev en w h e n

” 6
p o is on ed . A ga i n st a c o n it e the sc o rpi on e at s wh it e h ell e
b o r e a s an antid o t e w h il e the pant he r em pl o ys hu m an e x
,

c re m en t
7
. A n i m als pr e pa re t h e m s e lv e s f o r c o mb ats with .

po is o n o us s n ak e s by e ati n g c e r t a i n he rbs ; the w ea se l eats

r ue t he t o rt o is e a n d d e e r u s e tw o o t h e r pl an ts w h il e fi e ld
, ,

m ic e w ho h av e b e e n stun g by s n a k es e at c o ndr io n f
8
T he .

h awk t e a rs o p en the hawkw ee d an d spri nkl e s its eye s wit h

th e j uic e 9
.T he s e rpen t t a ste s f e nn e l when it s he ds its o ld

°
XXV II ,
2 ; XV I I I ,
1 .

7
XXV I I ,
2 ; V II I , 41 .

XX 5 1
,
and 6 1 ; XXII , 3 7 an d

5
XX ,
26 .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL HI S T O R Y
’

75

ski n .
1
S ick b s cu r e t he m s e l v e s by a di e t o f a n ts
e ar S w al .
2

l o ws r e st o r e the sigh t o f t he ir yo un g wit h che lid o n i a o r s wal

l o w w o r t a n d t h e h ist o r i a n X an t hus s a ys t ha t t h e dr a go n
- 3
,

r e st o r e s its d ea d o ff spri n g t o li f e w it h a n he rb c a ll e d ba lis 4

.

The h ipp o p o t am us w as th e o rigi n a l disc o v e r e r o f bl e e di n g 5

,

o p e n i n g a v e i n in h is l e g by w o u n di n g h i m s e l f o n s h a rp r e e ds

a l o n g t he s h o r e a n d a f t e rw a rds c he cki n g th e fl o w o f bl o o d
,

by pl a st e ri n g the pla ce with mud 6

P li n y ho w e ve r st at e s
.
, ,

in o ne p a ss a ge t h a t a n i m als hit up o n a ll t he s e r e me di e s by
c han c e a n d e v e n h av e t o r e disc o v e r t h e m by a ccid e n t in e a c h
”
n ew cas e si n c e he c o n ti n u e s in c o n f o rm ity with r e c en t
“
, ,

“
an i m a l psyc ho l o gists r e a s o n and pr a ctic e c ann o t be tr an s
,

” 7
m itte d b e tw ee n wild b easts .

Y e t in a n o t he r pa ss a ge P li n y d e pl o r e s the spit e f ul n e ss
o f th e do g w h ich w h il e m e n a r e l o o ki n g will n o t pluck th e
, ,

he r b by w h ic h it cu r e s it s e l f o f s n a k e bit e 8
P r o b ably P li n y .

is usi n g di ff e r en t a ut ho riti e s in t he t wo p a ss age s T heo .

p h r as t u s t h e ,pu p il o f A rist o tl e h a d w ritt e n a w, o rk o n

J eal o us A nim als Mo r e ex cus abl e th an the spite f ul n e ss o f

.

the do g is th e attitud e o f the dr a go n f r o m w h o s e br a i n t he ,

g e m d r a c o n i tis - m ust b e t a k e n w h il e t h e d r a g on is a li v e a n d

pr e f e r ably a sl ee p Fo r if the dra go n f e els t hat it is m o r

.

t a lly w o u n d e d it t ake s r e v en ge by sp o ili n g t h e gem

,
9
E le .

p h a n t s k n o w t h a t m e n h u n t t h e m o n ly f o r t h e ir tu s ks a n d ,

s o bury t he s e w h e n t h e y f a ll o ff
10
.

An i m als hav e m a rv e l o us vi r tu e s o f t he ir o w n o t he r t h an
t he m e dici n a l us e s to w h ic h m e n h av e put t he m F o r in .

st anc e the m e re gl an c e o f the ba silisk is fat a l an d its b r ea th

, ,

bur n s up v e get ati o n an d br eaks r o cks 11

But t he m e dici n al .

e ff e cts wh ic h P li n y a scrib e s t o an i m a ls an d p a rts o f a n i m als

1
V I I I 4 ; XX 9 5
,
1 ,
ti .
fi t ti m en s t v m a e a n un c u no o
’
XXI X 39 , . na s ci qu o n ia m f e r is r a t io e t u s u s
‘ ”
XXV 5 0 , . in t e r s e t r ad i n o n p o s s it ? Per
‘
l‘
XXV 5 , . v
h a p s P l in y w o u l d h a e de n ie d t h e
V I I I , 4 0 ; XXV I I I , 3 1 . in h e r it an c e o f a c quir e d c h a r a ct e r
°
Fo r f u r th e r r e m e die s u s e d by is t ics .

an im a l s s e e V I I I , 4 1 ; XXI X , 14 , X XV 5 1
8
.
,
”
3 8 ; XXV , 5 2 - 5 3 XXV I I I , 8 1 XX XV I I 5 7
'

. .
,

XXV I I , 2
' 1°
q uo d c e r te. VI I I , 4.

‘1
c as u r e p e r tum qu is dub it e t et q uo VIII , 33 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

are w e ll n igh i n fi n it e M an y an i m a l subst an c e s will ha v e to

.

b e i n tr o duc e d in o th e r c o n n e cti o n s s o th a t w e n ee d m en ti o n
n o w but a v e ry f e w : th e h e a ds a n d bl o o d o f fli e s h o n e y in ,

wh ich b ee s hav e di e d cin er e gen italis as ini ch icks in the , ,

e gg a n d t h ric e s e v e n c e n tip e d e s dilut e d wit h Attic h o n e y }

,

th is l a st a pr e scripti o n f o r a sthm a an d to be t ak e n th r o ugh a

r e e d b e c a us e it bl ack en s e ve ry dish by its c o n tact A no the r .

p a ss a ge a d v is e s ea ti n g a r at o r s h r e w m o us e in o rde r to b ear a -

baby wit h bl a ck e ye s 2
T he s e it e m s a r e e n o ugh t o c o n vi n c e
.

us that th e an i m a ls an d p a rts o f an i m als em pl o ye d by the

m agici an s w e r e n o t o n e wh it m o r e biz arr e a n d n a us e a ti n g
than the o th e rs f o u n d in the N a tur al His tor y n o r w e r e the ,

cur e s wh ich the y w e r e ex p e cte d t o w o rk an y m o r e i m pr o b abl e .

In o rd e r t o illustr a t e h o w e v e r th e d e lic a t e disti n cti o n s wh ich

, ,

w e r e i ma gi ne d to ex ist n o t o n ly b etween the virt u e s o f di f

f e r en t p a rts o f t he s am e a n i m a l but a ls o be tw e e n slightly ,

v ari e d us e s o f t he s a m e p a rt w e m ay no te tha t s ca l e s ,

scr ap e d f ro m the t o pm o st p art o f a t o rt o is e s s he ll an d a d ’

m i n ist e r e d in dri n k c h e ck s ex u a l d e sir e c o n sid e ri n g w h ich , ,

it is as P li n y r em a rks the m o re m a rv e l o us t ha t a p o wd e r
, ,

m a d e o f th e e n tir e s h e ll is r e p o rt e d t o a r o us e lust 3
But l o ve .

tu r n s r e a dily to hatr e d in m a gic a s w e ll a s in r o m an ce a nd ,

it is n o t h i n g ve ry u n usu a l as w e s h all fi n d in o t he r autho rs , ,

f o r t he s am e t h i n g o n sligh t pr o v o c a ti o n to w o rk in e xactly
o ppo sit e w a ys .

P ig gr ea s e P li n y s o m ew he r e i n fo rm s us p o ss e ss e s e sp e
, ,

c ia lly str o n g vi r tu e b ec a us e t ha t an i m a l f ee ds o n the r o o ts

,

” 4
o f h e rbs Fr o m the virtu e s o f an i ma ls the r e f o r e let us
.
, ,

tu r n to t ho s e o f he rbs 5
P li n y m et o n e v e ry h an d a ss e rti o n
.

o f t he ir w o n d e r f ul p o w e rs T h e e m pir e build e rs o f R o me .
-

e m pl o ye d t he s a cr e d he rbs s ag m in a a n d ve r be nae in t he ir e m

bas s ie s a n d l e ga ti o n s T he G a uls t o o u se th e v e rbe n a in

.
, ,

XXI X
1
34 ; XXX, 1 0, 1 9 ;
, th e m e is Jo r e t L es pla n tes dans
,

XXV III , 46 ; XXI X, 1 1 ; XXX, ’

a n tiqu ite ,
P a r is , 1 9 04 ; s ee a l s o F
’

l .

16. Me n tz , D e pl an tis qu as a d r e m
“
XXX 46 , . m a g ica m f a ce r e c r e did e r un t v e t
'
XXXI I 14 , . e r es L e ip z ig, 1 7 05 , 2 8 p p ; F
, . .
‘
XXV I I I 3 7 , . U ng e r , D ie P fla nz e a ls Z a u be r
‘
A r e ce n t wor k on th e g en e r a l mitte l, V ie nn a, 1 85 9 .
 78 MA GI C A N D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

S o me pl ac e it in bi rds n e sts to pr ev en t the v o r aci o us ne st

’

li n gs f r o m str an gli n g Bitt e r a l m o n ds pr o vid e an o the r .

am usi n g c o m bi n a ti o n o f e ff e cts E a ti n g fi v e o f t h em p er .

m its o n e t o dri n k wi t h o ut e x p e ri e n ci n g i n t o x ic ati o n but i f ,

f o x e s e at t h em t he y will die u n l e ss t he y fi n d w at e r nea r by

t o dri n k The r e a r e s o m e h e rbs w hi c h h av e a m e dici n al
1
.

e ff e ct i f o n e m er e ly l oo ks a t t h em In tw o c a s e s the
2
, .

ma sculi n e o r f e m i n i n e va ri e ty o f a he rb is us e d to s e cur e
th e birth o f a c h ild o f th e d e si r e d s ex 3
.

T ha t the plucki n g o f he rbs a n d diggi n g up o f r o o ts w as

a pr o c e ss v e ry a p t t o be a tt e n d e d by m a i c a l pr o c e dur e w e
g
fi n d abu n d an t e vid e n c e in th e N a tu r al His to r y O f t en .

pl an ts s ho uld be pluck e d b e f o r e su n r is e T wic e P li n y t e lls

4
.

us t hat the p eo ny s ho uld be upr o o t e d by n ight l e st the w o o d

pec k e r o f Ma rs try t o pick the digge r s ey e s o ut 5
T he
’
.

st ate o f th e m oo n i s an o th e r po i n t t o be o bser ve d and 6

,

o n c e an h e rb is t o be g at h e r e d b e f o r e t h u n d e r is h ea rd A
7
.

c o m m o n i n stru cti o n is to pick the pl an t with the l e f t han d 8

,

a n d o n c e wit h t h e t hu m b a n d f o u r t h fin g e r o f th e l e ft h an d
9
.

O n c e the righ t h an d s h o uld b e str e tch e d c o v e rtly a f t e r th e

f a s h i o n o f a pi ckp o ck e t th r o ugh th e l e f t sl e ev e in o rd e r t o
pluck the pl an t 0
S o m e ti m e s o n e f a c e s e ast in plucki n g
.
1

h e rbs ; s o m e ti m e s w e st ; a ga i n o n e is c a r e f ul n o t t o f a c e the
,

w ind S o m e ti m e s th e gat he r e r m ust n o t gl an c e b e h i n d hi m

11
. .

S o m e ti m e s h e m ust f a st b e f o r e he t ak e s the pl an t f r om the

gr o u n d ; 12
a g a i n h e m ust o bs e r v e a st at e o f c h a stity
13
.

S o m e ti m e s h e s ho uld b e b a r e f oo t an d cl o th e d in w h it e ;
a g a i n h e s h o ul d r em o v e e v e ry stitc h o f cl o t h i n g an d e v e n h is

ri n gs .
14
S om eti m e s the u s e o f i r o n i m pl em e n ts is f o rbidd e n ;
a g a i n g o ld o r s o m e o t h e r m at e ri a l is p r e scrib e d ; o n c e th e
15

h e r b is t o b e dug with a n a il S o m eti m e s circl e s a re tr a c e d

16
.

“
‘
XX II I 7 5 , . XXI I I 5 9 ,
.

”
a
XX IV 5 6 5 7 ,
-
.
XXI V 62 , .

'
XXV 1 8 : XXV I I I “
XXV 2 1 9 4
gn
, , .
, ,
‘
XX 1 4 ; XX IV 8 2 ;
, , 92 . u
XXI V 6 3 a n d ” 8 0

xxv I O ; xxv n 60
'
°
. ,
.

’
X XV XX I V 6 2 ; XXI I I 59
, ,
.

xx 4 9 ; XXI 8 3 ; XXIII 5 4 ;
v
,
XXII I 8 1 ; XXI V 6 62 ,
, , ,
1 16 .

, ,

XXI V 63 ; XXV 5 9 ; XXV I 1 2

, , ,
. XXV I 1 2 . .
 P LI N Y S
’
NA T URA L HIS T O R Y 79

a b o ut the pl an t with the po i n t o f a sw o r d O f t en t he .

1

pl an t m ust n o t t o uch t he gr ou n d a ga i n a f te r it is picke d 2

,

pre sum a bly f r o m a f e a r tha t its virtu e w o uld r un o ff lik e an

e l e ctric curr e n t P li n y a llud es a t l e a st t h r ee ti m e s t o t he
3
.

pra ctic e o f he r ba lists o f r e t a i n i n g p o rti o n s o f th e he rbs

t he y s e ll a n d t h en if the y a r e n o t p a id in f ull r e pl an ti n g
, , ,

t he h e rb in t he s am e sp o t wit h the id ea t ha t t he re by t h e dis

ea s e will r e tur n t o pl a gu e th e d e li n qu e n t p a ti e n t Fr e .

qu ently o n e is dir e ct e d to st at e w hy o n e plucks the he rb o r

f o r w ho m it is i n t en d e d I n o n e c a s e t he digge r s ays 4
. ,

Th is is the h e rb A r ge m o n w h ic h M i n e rv a disc o v e r e d w as
“

” 5
a r e m e dy f o r s wi ne w ho t a s t e it In a n o t h e r ca s e o ne .

s ho uld s alut e the pl an t an d extr a ct its j u ic e b e fo r e s ayi ng a

w o rd ; t hus its virtu e will be m uch gr e at er I n o th er ca s e s
6
.
,

a s a n o ffe ri n g t o a pp ea s e th e ea r th th e s o il a b o ut th e pl an t ,

is s o ak e d wit h hydr o me l t h r e e m o n t hs b e f o r e plucki n g it ,

o r t he h o l e l e f t by pulli n g it up is fill e d wit h di ff e r en t ki n ds

o f gr ai n S o m e ti m e s o n e s acrific e s b e fo r e han d w ith br e a d

7
.

a n d wi ne o r pr a ys t o t he g o ds f o r p e r m issi o n t o ga t h e r t h e

he rb 8
. T h e cust o m s o f the D rui ds in gath e ri n g h e rbs a re
m e n ti o n e d m o r e t ha n o n c e 9
I n gat h e ri n g the s a cr e d m is .

tl e t o e o n the si x t h day o f t h e m o o n t h e y h o ld s a crific e s a n d

a b an qu e t b e n e at h t he tr ee T w o wh it e bul l s a r e th e v ic
10
.

ti m s a pri e st cl a d in w hit e cuts the m istl et o e wit h a go ld en

sickl e an d r e c e i v e s it in a whit e cl o ak 11
.

To P li n y s disc ussi o n o f he r bs w e m ay a pp e n d s o m e
‘ ’

spe ci m e n s o f the e m pl o ym e n t o f m a gic pro ce dur e in a gri

culture an d o f the sup e rstiti o n s o f the p ea s an try in wh ic h
h is p age s a bo u n d T o gu a r d ag a i n st dis e a s e s o f gr a i n the
.

s ee ds be f o r e pl ant i n g s ho uld be st ee p e d in wi n e the j uic e ,

o f a c e rt a i n h e r b t he gall o f a c o w o r hu m an uri n e o r
, , ,

XXI 1 9 ; XXV 2 1 9 4
1
, , , .
6
XXV 9 2 , .

X X I II
2
71 81 ; XX I V , 6 ;
, ,
7
XXI 1 9 ; XXV 1 1
XXV II 62
, , .

“
,
XX I V 62 ; XXV , 2 1
.

‘
XXI 8 3 ; XXV 109 ; XXV I ,
, ,
, .

XXI V 62 6 3 ,
—
.

3 XX 11 XV I 9 5
, 16 ; XXI I I 54 ; XXI V, , , .

82 °
X XV I I 1 13 , .
11
S ee XXI V 6 fo r , , o th e r
XXI V 1 1 6 , . met ho ds of k
p l uc ing t h e m is tl e toe .
 MA G I C AND EXPERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE CR A P )

s ho uld be t o uc he d with the s ho ul der s o f a m o l e the ani 1 —

m al w ho s e u s e by the magi w e hea rd P li n y ridicul e O ne .

sh o uld s o w at th e m o o n s c o n j u n cti o n B e f o r e the fi eld

’
.

i s h o e d a f r o g sh o uld be c a rri e d a r o un d it an d th en buri e d

,

in th e c e n t e r in an e a rt he n v e ss e l But it sho uld be disi m

.

t e r r e d b e f o r e ha rv e st l e st th e m ill e t be bitt e r Birds may .

be k e pt a wa y f r o m the gr a i n by pl a nti n g in the f o ur co r

n e rs o f t he fi e ld an he rb w ho s e n am e is u n f o rtu n a t e ly un

k n o wn to P li n y 2
Mic e ar e k e pt o ut by th e a she s o f a
. .

we a s e l m ild e w by l aur e l br an che s c at e rpill a rs by pl aci n g

, ,

the skull o f a f e ma l e b ea st o f burd e n up o n a stick in the

ga rde n T o w a rd o ff f o gs an d st o rm s f ro m o rcha rds an d
3
.

vi n e ya rds a f ro g m ay be buri e d a s dir e ct e d ab o v e o r liv e ,

c r a bs m ay be bur n t in the tr ee s o r a p a i n t e d gr a p e m a be
, y
c o n s e c r at e d 4
. S us pe n di n g a f r o g in the gran ar y pr e s e rve s
t he c o r n st o r e d the r e 5
. T o ke e p w o lve s a wa y c atch o ne ,

bre ak its l e gs att ac h it t o the pl o ughs ha r e and t hus sc atte r

, ,

its bl o o d ab o ut the b o un d a ri e s o f the fi e ld ; t hen bu ry the

c a rc a ss a t the st a rti n g po i n t - 6
O r c o n s e cr a t e at the al t a r
.

o f the L ar t h e pl o ugh s h a r e with w h ic h t he fi rst furr o w w a s

tr a c e d F o xe s will no t t o uc h p o ultr y who h av e e at en the

.

dri e d liv e r o f a f o x o r who we a r a bit o f its ski n a b o ut

t he ir n e cks Fe rn will n o t spri n g up a ga i n i f it is mo w e d
.

with the e dge o f a r ee d o r upro o t e d by a pl o ughs har e up o n

w h ich a r e e d ha s b ee n pl ac e d O f the use o f i nca nta ti o n s
7
.

in a gricultur e w e s h all tr e a t l a t e r .

P li n y app e a rs to hav e m uc h l e ss f a ith in t he po ss e ssi o n

o f m a rv e l o us virtu e s by g e m s t ha n by he rbs a n d p a rts o f an i

m a ls. He n o t o n ly c ha r act e riz e s th e p o w e rs attribut e d to

“
g ems by the magi an d Dem o critus a n d P yth ago ra s as te r
” 8
ribl e li e s and u n s peak abl e n o n se n s e ; but r e fr a i n s fro m
“

“
me n ti o n i n g m an y suc h h i m s e l f o r i n s e rts a c a uti o us if
” ” 9
O f the gem
“
we b e li e ve it o r i f they t e ll the t ruth .

“
XXVI II 8 1
ig V III , 4 5
e e a l s o XXV 6
.

7
, .

8
XI X’ 5 8
B .

‘
XV I I I , 7 0 .
XXXV I I I 4 7 3. .

XV III , 7 3 . XXXV I I 5 5 56 ,
-
.
 MA G I C AND E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

cl o s ely aki n to m a gic the pr o c e dure in an ci en t me tallurgy

m igh t b e T he a n ti m o n y s h o uld be c o ate d w ith co w fl ap
.
-

a n d bur n t in f ur n a c e s th en q u e n c h e d in w o m an s m ilk an d
’
,

po un d e d in m o r t a rs with an a dm i xture o f r a i n wat e r 1 -

.

Va ri o us p arts a n d pr o ducts o f the hu m an bo dy ar e

cre dite d wit h re m a rk abl e V irtu e s a s the m en ti o n j ust m a d e
o f w o m a n s m ilk sugg e sts O t he r p a ss a ge s r e c o mm en d
’
.

m o r e e sp e ci a lly t h e m ilk o f a w o m an j ust de liv e r e d o f a

m al e ch ild but m o st o f a ll tha t o f the m o t h e r o f t wi n s
,
2
.

S ed n ihil f acil e re per ia tur m ulier u m [I r afluvia m agis m on

ficum
s tr i , as P li n y
pr o c e e ds to illustr a t e by n um e r o us ex
a m pl e s G r e a t virtu e s a r e a ls o attribut e d to the uri n e p ar
3
.
,

t ic ul a r ly o f a c ha st e b o y A f e w o t he r i n st an c e s o f r em
4
.

e di e s dr a w n f r o m t h e h u m a n b o dy a r e e a r w a x o r a o w
p
-

d e r e d t o o t h a ga i n st sti n gs o f sco rpi o n s a n d bite s o f s n ake s “

,

a m a n s ha ir f o r the bit e o f a do g t h e fi rst h a irs f r o m a

’

b o y s hea d f o r go ut D is e a s e s o f wo m en a r e pr e ven te d by
’ 6
.

w eari n g c o n st an tly in a br a c e l e t th e fi rst t o o th a bo y l o s e s ,

p r o vid e d it h a s n o t t o uc h e d th e gr o u n d S i m ply tyi n g tw o .

fi n ge rs o r t o e s t o ge the r is r e c o m m e n d e d f o r tum o rs in the

gr o i n c a ta rr h a n d s o re e y e s O r the eye s m ay be t o u ch e d
, ,
7
.

th ric e with w at e r in w hic h the fee t ha v e b e en wa s he d .

S cr o f ul a a n d t h r o a t dise a s e s m ay be cur e d by t he t o uc h o f
the h an d o f o n e w h o has di e d an e a rly d e at h alt ho ugh s o m e ,

a ut ho riti e s do n o t i n sist up o n t he circu m st an c e o f e a rly

d e at h but dir e ct tha t the c o rps e be o f the s am e s ex a s the

p ati e n t a n d t h at t he dis ea s e d sp o t be t o uche d with the ba ck
o f th e l e f t d e a d h an d .

O f a l l fluids an d e x cr e ti o n s o f the hu m an b o dy th e s aliv a

is p e rhaps us e d m o st o f t en in an ci en t an d m e di e v al m e dici n e ,

a s th e cust o m o f spitti n g o n c e o r t h ric e in a d m i n ist e ri n g o t h e r

r eme di e s o r p e r fo rm i n g c e r em o n i e s go e s to pr o v e T he .

spittl e o f a f a sti n g p e rs o n is the m o r e effic a ci o us In a .

c hapt e r d e v o t e d p articul arly to the pr o p e rti e s o f hu man

XXXIII 3 4 ,
. 18 - 1 9 .

“
XX 5 1 ; XXV I II 2 1
, , . XX V III 8 , .

“
"
VII 1 3 ; XXV I II 2 3
, , . XXV I I I 9 , .

‘
XX 33 ; XXI I 3 0 ; XXV I I I
, , ,
7
XXV II I , 9 -
1 1.
 P LI N Y S NA T UR AL
’
HI S T O R Y

sa liva P li ny lists m an y dis e a s e s an d w o e s w h ic h it all evi

a t es I n t h is c o nn e cti o n he m a k e s t h e f o ll o wi n g a bsurd
1
.

a ss e rti o n w h ich h e n e v e r t h e l e ss d e cl a r e s is e a sily t e st e d by

“
e x p e ri m e n t I f a p e r s o n r e p en ts o f a bl o w giv en f r o m a
.

dist an c e o r han d to han d l e t h im spit i n t o the p a l m o f the

- —
,

h an d wit h w h ic h he s truck an d th e p e rs o n w h o h as b e e n ,

struck will f e e l n o r e s e n t m e n t T his is o f t e n pr o v e d by .

b e a sts o f burd en w ho ar e i n duc e d t o m e n d t he ir p ac e by

th is m e t ho d a f t e r the us e o f th e w h ip ha s f a il e d P li ny .

a dds ho w e v e r t ha t s o m e p e r s o n s try t o i n cr e a s e t he f o rc e
, ,

o f t he ir bl o ws by t h us spitti n g o n t he h an ds b e f o r e han d .

He als o m en ti o n s as c o u nt e r c h ar m s a ga i n st s o rc e ry t he -

pra ctic e s o f spitti n g i n t o o n e s u r i n e o r right sh o e o r wh en ’

cr o ssi n g a da n ge r o us sp o t .

T h e i m p o rt an c e o f t he hu m an o pe r a t o r a s a f a ct o r in
the p e r f o rm an c e o f m a rv e ls be t he y m e dic a l o r m a gic a l is , ,

a tt e st e d by th e f r e q u e n t i n j u n cti o n s o f c h a stity virgi n ity , ,

n udity o r a st a t e o f f a sti n g upo n p e rs o n s c o n c e r n e d in

,

P li n y s pr o c e dur e S o me ti m e s t he y a r e n o t t o gl an c e be
’
.

h i n d t he m s o m e ti m e s t he y a r e t o sp e a k t o n o o n e duri n g
,

the o p e r a ti o n P li n y a ls o m e nti o n s m e n w h o ha v e a sp e ci a l
.

c a p a city f o r w o n d e r w o rki n g suc h a s P yrrhus the t o uc h o f

-
, ,

wh o s e to e h ad heali n g po w e r t h o s e w ho s e ey e s e x ert stro n g

2
,

f a sci n ati o n w ho l e trib e s o f s e r p e n t c h a r m e rs an d v e n o m

,
-

cure rs a n d o the rs w ho se m e r e pr e s e n c e a ddl e s t he e gg s be

,

n e at h a s e tti n g h e n T he po w e r o f w o rds sp o k en by m e n
3
.

will be c o n sid e r e d s ep arat e ly un d e r the h ea d o f i n c an ta ti o n s

Whil e P li ny a ttribu t e s the m o st e x tr e m e m e dici na l vir
tu e s t o si mpl e s he ex clud e s f r o m h is N a tur al His to ry the
,

st r ange an d el a bo r a t e c o m p o u n ds w h ich w e r e n e v e r t he l e ss
s o p o pul a r in th e p h a r m a cy o f h is a ge O f o n e si m pl e .
,

las er he s ays t h a t it w o uld be a n i m m e n s e t a sk t o a t t em pt

,

to list al l th e us e s t hat it i s sup po s e d t o h a v e in c o m po u n ds

4 -
.

His p o siti o n is t ha t th e si m pl e r e m e di e s a l o n e a r e the dir e ct

wo rk o f n a tur e w h il e the m i x tur e s t abl e ts pills pl a st e rs
, , , , ,

XXV I I I 7 , .
3
XXV I I I 6, .

2
V II, 2 . XXI I 49
, .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CHAP .

was he s a r e a rti fici a l i nv en ti o n s o f the ap o the c a ri e s O nce .

when he de sc ribe s a c o m po u n d c a ll e d He r m e s ias wh ic h

“ ”

a ids in t he g e n e r a ti o n o f go o d a n d b e a uti f ul c hildr e n it ,

s e em s t o b e b rr o w e d by D em o critus f r o m th e m a i
o
g
1
Fur .

t he r mo r e P li n y t h i nks t hat h e a lt h ca n be su ffici e n tly p r e

,

s e rv e d o r r e st o r e d by n ature s si m pl e r em e di e s Co m ’
.

p o u n ds a r e the i nv e n ti o n o f hu m an c o n j e cture av a ric e a n d , ,

i m pud e n ce S uc h c o n j e ctur e is o ft e n f a ls e n o t suffi ci e ntly

.
,

t aki n g i nt o a cc o u n t th e n a tur a l sym pat hi e s an d antip athi e s

o f t he n u m e r o us i n gr e di e n ts O f t e n c o m p o u n ds a r e in ex
.

plic a bl e P li n y a ls o d e pl o r e s r e s o rt to i m p o rt e d drugs fr o m
.

I n di a A r abi a an d the R e d S ea w he n t he r e a r e h o m e ly
, , ,

r em edi e s at han d f o r t he po o r e st m an 2
.

We hav e j ust he a rd P li ny r e f e r t o the sym p a th i e s a nd

an tip a t h i e s o f n atur a l si m pl e s a n d he o f t e n e x pl a i n s th e
,

m a rv e l o us e ff e cts o f n atu r a l o bj e cts up o n o n e a n o t he r by

th is r e l ati o n o f l o v e an d ha tr e d f ri en ds hip o r r e pugn an c e , ,

disco rd o r c o n c o rd w h ic h e x ists be tw een t hem w hic h the ,

G r e e ks c a ll sym p a t hy o r a n tip a t hy a n d w h ic h He r acl e itus ,

was p e rha ps th e fi rst ph il o s o p he r to i n s ist u po n 3

S ome .

m o d e r n stud en ts o f m a gic h av e tri e d to a cc o u n t f o r al l m agic

o n t h is t he o ry a n d P li n y st at e s t ha t m e dici ne a nd m e dici n e s
,

o rigi n at e d f r o m it
4
.

T h is r e l a ti o n s h ip ex ists b e tw e e n a n i m als d e e r an d ,
—

s nak e s fo r ex am pl e S o great a f o rc e is it t hat st a gs trac k

,
.

s n ake s to t he ir ho l e s an d e x tr a ct t hem t henc e de spit e al l -

re sist anc e by the p o w e r o f the ir br e at h T hi s antip athy .

c o n ti n u e s a f te r de at h f o r the s o v e r e ign r em e dy f o r s nak e

,

bite is the r enne t o f a f aw n kill e d in its m o t he r s w o m b ’

,

w hil e s e rp en ts fl ee f r o m a m an who w e a rs the t o o th o f a

d e e r But an tip athy m ay c han ge to sym p athy f o r P li n y
. ,

a dds t ha t in s o m e c a se s c e rt a i n p a rts o f d e e r tr e at e d in c e r

ta i n ways a ttr act s e rpents Th is fo rc e o f an ti pat hy is in

5
.

I X, 88 ; XXI V , 1 ; XXV I II,

‘ 8
XXI V , 1 02 .

t h is p a r a gr ap h I h a ve c o m 2 3 ; XXXII , 1 2 ; X XXV II , 1 5 ; e t c
’
In .

v
bin e d ie w s e x p r e s s e d by l y in
o

‘
XXI V 1 XXI X 17
th r ee diff e r e n t p as sage s : XXI I,
.
, ,

'‘
49 and 5 6 ; XXI V , 1. V II I 5 0 ; XXV I II
, , 42 .
 M A G I C A ND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

sp o n ta neo usly ge ne r a t e d f ro m it T h at the wild c abb age is .

ho stil e to d o gs i s e vid en c e d by the st at em en t o f E p ich ar m u s

t hat it cur e s the bit e o f a m ad do g but kills a do g i f he eats
it wh en giv e n to h im with m e a t S n ak e s hat e the as h tr ee
1
.
-

s o t ha t if t he y a r e h emm e d in by its f o li a g e o n o n e sid e an d

,

fi r e o n th e o t he r t he y fl ee by pr e fe r e nc e i n t o th e fl ame s
,
?

B e t o n y t oo is s o antip at hetic to s n ak e s t ha t t he y l a sh them

, ,

s e lve s to d eath w hen a c ircle o f it is dr aw n a bo ut them 3

.

S c o rpi o n s c anno t su r vive in t he a ir o f S icily 4

P e r haps .

a n tip a t hy is a ls o t h e e x pl a n a ti o n o f P li n y s a bsurd s t at e
’

m e n t t ha t l o a ds o f a ppl e s a n d p e a rs e v en if t h e r e a r e o n ly ,

a f e w o f t h e m a r e v e ry h ea vy f o r b ea sts o f burd e n
,
5
He r e .
,

ho w e v e r th e c o n diti o n m ay b e r e m e di e d an d p e r hap s a r e
,

l at io n s h ip o f sym pa t h y e st a bli s he d by s ho wi n g the b e a sts

h o w fe w f ruit t he r e r e a lly a r e o r by givi n g t he m s o m e to
c at . T ha t sym p a t hy m ay e v e n a tt ac h t o pl a c e s o r r e ligi o us
circum stan c e s P li n y i n fe rs f r o m the b e li e f tha t th e pri e ste ss
o f the ea rt h a t A e gir a wh e n a b o ut t o d e sc en d i n t o the c a v e
,

a n d pr e dict dri n ks wit ho ut i n j ury bull s bl o o d w h ic h is sup

’

p o s e d to be a f at al p o is o n 6
.

T ha t lik e cur e s lik e o r m o r e pr ecis e ly an d pa ra d ox ic al ly

,

tha t the c a us e o f th e dis ea s e will cur e its o w n r e sult is an ,

o t h e r n o ti o n w h ic h P li n y s m e dici n e s h a r e s wit h m a gic

’
.

T h is is s ee n in the u s e o f p a rts o f th e m a d do g to cur e its

bit e o r in rubbi n g th igh s c ha fe d by ho rs e ba ck ridi n g with
7
,
-

t he f o am f r o m a h o rs e s m o ut h T h e bit e o f t he sh r e w
8 ’
.

m o us e t o o is b e st he a l e d by i m p o siti o n o f the v e ry a n i m a l
, ,

wh ich bit yo u but an o the r sh r e w m o us e will do an d the y

,
-

a r e k e pt r e a dy in o il a n d m ud f o r t h is purp o s e T h e sti ng
9
.

o f th e pha l a n giu m m a y b e cur e d by m e r e ly l o o ki n g a t an

o th e r i n s e ct o f t ha t sp e ci e s w h e t he r it be d e a d o r a liv e ,
.

Fr o m c a s e s in wh ich the cur e f o r th e dis e a s e is id en tic al

wit h its c aus e it is but a s ho rt st e p to r eme di e s si m il ar to
‘
XX 3 6, .
6
XXV I I I 4 1 , .

” ”
XV I 2 4 , . XXI X 3 2 , .

“ “
XXV 5 5 , . XXV I I I 6 1 , .

”
‘
XXXV I I 5 4 , . XXI X, 2 7 .

“
XXII I 6 2 ; XXI V , ,
I .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S T O R Y

or in s o me ss o ci a t e d with the a il m e n t It s ee m s o b
w ay a .

vi o n s to P li ny t hat st o ne in th e bl a dd e r c an be b r o k e n by
“
the h e rb o n w hic h gr o w w h a t l o o k e x a ctly lik e p e ar ls In .

t he c a s e o f n o o t h e r h e rb is it s o e vid e n t f o r w h a t m e dici n e
it is i n te n d e d ; it s sp ec i e s is such tha t it c an be r e co gn iz e d
”1
at o n c e by sigh t wit h o ut b o o k k n o wl e dg e S i m il a rly .

ophites a m a r bl e with s e rp e n ti n e str e a ks is us e d a s a n am u

, ,

l e t a ga i n st s n ak e bit e ?
M ith rid at e s disc o v e r e d th at the
-

bl o o d o f P o n t ic ducks s h o uld be m i x e d in an tid o te s b e c a us e

-

they li v e o n p o is o n He li o tr o p e s ee d l o o ks like a sc o rpi o n s

.
3 ’

t a il ; if sc o rpi o n s a r e t o uche d with a sprig o f he li o tro p e the y

die a n d t h e y will n o t e n t e r gr o u n d w h ic h h a s be e n ci r cu m
,

scribe d by it T o a cc e l e r a t e a w o m an s d e li v e r y he r l o v e r
4
.
’

s ho uld tak e o ff his b e lt an d gi r d he r wit h it then u n ti e it , ,

s ayi n g t ha t he h as bo un d he r a n d will u n l o o s e h er a n d then ,

he sho uld go a w a y ?
A n e pil e ptic m ay b e cu r e d by dri v i n g
a n ir o n n a il i n t o th e spo t whe r e his h e a d r e st e d w h en h e f ell

in the fit ?

O the r i n stan c e s o f a ss o ci a ti o n ar e w h e n th e r e m e dy em
pl o ye d is s om e p a r t o f an an i m a l wh o is f r e e f r o m th e dis ea s e
in qu e sti o n o r m a rk e d by an o pp o sit e st at e o f h ealt h G o a ts .

a n d g a z e ll e s n e v e r h a v e o p h t ha l m i a h e n c e v a r i o us p o r ti o n s
,

o f t he ir b o di e s a r e pr e sc r ib e d f o r e ye dis ea s e s E a gl e s c a n
7
.

ga z e a t the s un t he r e f o r e t he ir g all is e ffic a ci o us in e ye

,

s a lv e s 8
. The bird c a ll e d o ssi f r a ge h a s a si n gl e i n t e sti n e
wh ich dige sts a n yth i n g ; th e e n d o f th is i n t e sti n e s e rv e s a s
an a m ul e t a ga i n st c o lic a n d i n dig e sti o n m ay be cur e d by
,

me r e ly ho ldi n g the cr o p o f th e bird in o n e h an d But do n o t .

9

ho ld it to o l o n g o r y o ur fl e s h will w a st e a w a y T he vi r us .

o f m a r e s is a n i n gr e di e n t in a c a n dl e w h ic h m a k e s he a ds o f
_

h o rs e s s e em t o a ppe a r w h e n it bu r n s ; °
w h il e in k o f th e
1

s e pia is us e d in a c a n dl e w h ic h c a u s e s E th i o pi a n s t o be

s e e n w hen it is lighte d 11
The s e m a gic c a n dl e s a r e b o rro w ed
.

1
XXV I I 7 4 , .
7
XXV I I I 4 7 , .

”
XXXV I , 1 1 .
°
XXI X 3 8
XXV 3
.
3 ,

XXX 2 0
°
’
‘
XX I I 2 9 , .

“
XXV I I I 9 , .
XX V III 49 , .

“
XXV III , 1 7 .
11
XXXII 5 2 , .
 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP.

by P li ny fro m the w o rks o f An ax ilaus an d we shall fi nd ,

t hem a f eature o f m e di eval c o lle cti o n s o f e xp e ri ments .

E a rt h f r o m a c a rt w h e el rut i s t ho ugh t a r em e dy a ga i n st
-

the bit e o f t he s h r e w m o us e be c a us e t h a t cr ea tur e is t o o to r

-

pid to cro ss suc h a rut ; an d P li ny b e li e ve s t hat no n e o f

1

the virtu e s a ttribut e d t o m o l e s by the m agici an s i s m o re

pro babl e t han t hat t he y ar e an antid o te to the bit e o f the
s hr e w m o us e w h ich s hu n s e ve n ruts whe r eas m o l e s burr o w
-
, ,

f r e e ly th r o ugh the s o il ?
P li n y fin ds i ncre dibl e t he a ss er ti o n
m a d e by s o m e t ha t a s h ip will m o v e m o r e sl o wly if it has
the righ t f o o t o f a t o rt oi s e a b oa rd ? but th e l o gi c o f the
-

m a gic s ee m s e vid e n t e n o ugh .

I n P li ny s m e dici ne t he r e a re a n u m b e r o f ex am pl e s o f
’

w ha t may be c all e d m a gic tran s f e r in w h ic h the a im o f the ,

pr o ce dur e is n o t to cur e the dis ea s e o utrigh t but to rid the

p a ti en t o f it by tr an s f e rri n g it f r o m him to s o me o the r a ni
m al o r o b j e ct I n t e sti n al dis e a s e m ay be tr an s f e rr e d to
.

puppi e s who h ave no t yet o pe ne d t he i r e ye s by pr e ssi n g them

t o the b o dy an d givi n g t he m m ilk f r o m t he p a ti en t s m o ut h
’
.

T he y will d ie o f the dis ea s e w he n its c a us e an d e x act n atur e

,

m ay be d e t e rm i n e d by diss e cti n g t he m But fin a lly the y .

m ust be buri e d 4
G ripi n g pai n s in th e b o w els wil l a ls o p ass
.

to a duck t hat is h e ld a ga i n st the a bd o m en O ne may be .

rid o f a c o ugh by spitti n g in a f ro g s mo uth o r cur e c at a rr h ’

by kissi ng a m ul e altho ugh in t he s e c ase s we ar e l e ft un i n

5
,

f o r m e d wh e th e r the dis e a se p a ss e s t o the an i ma l But if a .

p e rs o n who has b ee n stu n g by a sc o rpi o n wh isp e rs the n e ws

in th e ear o f a n a s s t he ill will be tr an s fe rr e d to the ass
?
,

A b o il m ay be r e m o ve d by rubbi n g n i n e gr a i n s o f b ar l e y
a r o u n d it e a c h gr ai n t h ric e wit h t h e l e f t h a n d
,
a n d the n ,

th r o wi ng t hem all i n to the fi r e 7

Warts ar e b an ished by.

t o uc hi n g eac h wit h a gra i n o f the c h ickpe a an d t hen tyi n g

t he gra i n s up in a li n e n cl o t h an d t h ro wi n g t he m b e h i n d
o ne
?
I f a r oo t o f a sp ho d e l is a ppli e d t o s o r e s an d the n h un g .

‘
XXIX 2 7 , .
ls
XXXI I 2 9 ; XXX, ,
11 .

“
3
XXX 7 , . XXV II I 42 ,
.

'
XXXI I 14 , .
'
XXI I 6 5 , .

t‘
‘
XXX 2 0 and
,
14 .
XXII 7 2 , .
 MA G I C AND E XPER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H A P.

o ne
’
s ho us e ho ld if st a r is s m e a re d with the bl o o d o f
, a s e a-

a f o x a n d a tt a c h e d t o th e li n t e l o r d o o r p o st with a c o p e r
p
-

n a il N o t o n ly is a w r eat h o f h e r bs w o r n f o r hea d a c he ?
1
.

but a sprig o f p o pl a r he ld in the han d pr e ve n ts c hafi n g be

tw ee n the t h igh s ?
O f t e n o b j e cts a r e pl a c e d u n d e r o n e s
’

pillo w e sp e ci a lly f o r i n s o m n i a but an y psych o l o gic a l e f

,
4
,

f e e t i s pr e clud e d in t he c a s e w h e r e t h i s is to be d o n e wit ho ut
t he p a ti e n t s k n o wl e dge A ll s o rts o f sp e cifica ti o n s a r e
’
?

giv en as t o t he c o l o r a n d ki n d o f stri n g cl o th ski n bo x , , , ,

n a il ri n g br a c e l e t a n d th e lik e in wh ic h s h o uld b e pl a c e d
, , , ,

o r wit h w h ich s h o uld be b o u n d o n th e v a ri o us g em s h e rbs , , ,

a n d p a r ts o f a n i m als w h ic h s e rv e a s am ul e ts But w hen .

we a r e t o ld t ha t a r e m e dy f o r h e a d a c h e w h ic h a lw ays he lps
ma ny c o n sists o f a littl e bo n e f r o m a s n a il f o u n d be twe e n
t w o c a rt rut s p a ss e d t h r o ugh g o ld silv e r a n d iv o ry a n d
, , , ,

a tt a c h e d t o t h e b o dy with do g ski n ; o r t h a t o n e m ay bi n d -

o n t he hea d wit h a li n e n cl o t h t he h e a d o f a s n a il d e c a pit at e d

wit h a r ee d w hen f ee di n g in the m or n i n g e spe ci a lly at f ull

m o o n ; w e f e e l t ha t w e h a v e p a ss e d b e y o n d m e r e a m ul ets
6
,

liga tur e s an d susp e n si o n s to m o r e e l ab o r a te m i n uti ae o f

,

magic pr o c e dure .

P o siti o n o r dir e cti o n is o f t e n an i m p o rt an t m att e r in

P li n y s a s in m a gic c e r e m o n i a l I t p e r ha ps c o m e s o ut m o st
’
.
, ,

f r e qu e n tly in his sp e cifica ti o n o f righ t o r l e f t An a c h i n g .

t o o th s ho uld be s ca r ifi ed wit h t he l e f t eye t o o t h o f a do g ; a -

spid e r w h ic h is pl a c e d wit h o il in the ea r s ho uld be c aught

wit h the l e ft han d ; e pil e psy m ay be cur e d i f a virgi n
7

t o uche s the su ffe r e r w it h he r right t hu m b ; f o r o pht ha lm i a

8

o f t he righ t e ye susp e n d the right e ye o f a f r o g f r o m the

p ati en t s n e ck a n d the l e ft e ye f o r the l e f t e ye ; f o r lum

’

,
9

b ago t e a r o ff an ea gl e s f ee t a w a y f r o m the j o i n t an d u se’

,

th e right f o o t f o r the righ t sid e an d t he l e f t f o r p a i n in the

l e f t sid e 10
But w e ha ve m et o t he r ex a m pl e s a lr ea dy an d
. ,

1
XXXI I 16 ; al s o XX, 39 , .

XXI I 3 0 , .

a
XX I V 3 2 3 8 , , .

‘
XX 7 2 8 2 , , .

“
XXV I 69 , .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR A L
’
HI S T O R Y

als o c a s e s o f the us e o f the uppe r o r l o w e r p ar t o f t h is o r

t ha t a cc o rdi n g to the c o rr e sp o n di n g l o c a ti o n o f a n a c hi n g
t o o t h in the upp e r o r l o w e r j aw T r a ci n g circl e s w it h a n d
.
1

a bo ut o bj e cts f a ci n g t o w a r ds t h is o r t ha t p o i n t o f the c o m
“

pa ss the p r o h ibiti o n a ga i n st gl an ci n g b e h i n d o n e a n d the

, ,

stre ss l a id up o n fi n di n g t h i n gs o r killi n g a n i m a ls b e tw ee n
t he ruts o f c a r t w h e e ls a r e o th e r ex am pl e s o f t a ki n g i n t o
,

c o n sid e r ati o n p o siti o n an d dir e cti o n w h ich w e ha v e a lr e a dy

m e t wit h i n cid e n t a lly t o the tr e a t m e n t o f o t he r t o pic s T he .

pr e sc r ipti o n o f a pl a n t wh ich ha s gr o w n o n t he h e a d o f a
sta tu e an d o f an o t he r whic h ha s t a k e n r o o t in a si e v e th r o w n
i n t o a he dge a ls o s ee m to t ak e m e r e p o siti o n l a r ge ly i n t o
2

a cc o u n t m o r e s o t ha n the a cc o m p a n yi n g r e c o m m e n d a ti o n
,

o f a n he rb g r o wi n g o n t h e b a n ks o f a str e a m an d o f a n o t h e r

gr o wi g up o n a du n ghill
n 3
.

T he e l e m en t o f ti me is a ls o i m p o rt an t O p e r a ti o n s s ho uld .

be p e r f o r m e d b e f o r e su n r is e e a rly in t h e m o r n i n g a t n igh t
, , ,

and s o on T he m o o n i s e sp e ci a lly r e ga rd e d in suc h d ir e c

.

ti o n s 4
. W he n w e a r e i n f o r m e d t hat su ff e r e r s f r o m qu a r t an
f e v e r s ho uld be ru bb e d al l o v e r with th e f at o f a t o rt o is e ,

we a r e a ls o t o ld t ha t t he t o r t o is e will b e f a tt e st o n the fi f
t ee n th da y o f t he m o o n an d t ha t th e p a ti e n t s h o uld be
a n o i n t e d o n t h e s i x t ee n th But t h is w ax i n g an d w a n i n g o f
?

th e t o r t o is e wi th th e m o o n is p r i m a r ily a m a tt e r o f a str o l o gy
an d pl a n e t a r y i n flu e n c e u n d e r w h ic h hea di n g w e s h a ll a ls o
,

l at e r sp eak o f P li n y s o bs e r van ce o f the risi n g o f the do g

’

st a r .

O bs e rvan c e o f n u m b e r i s a n o t he r f e a tur e in P li n y s c e r e
’

mo n i al o f w h ic h w e h av e a lr e a dy m e t i n st a n c e s
, He a ls o .

a llud e s t o t he wri t i n gs o f P y t h a g o r a s o n th e subj e ct a n d a s

c r ibes t o D e m o c r i t us a w o r k o n th e n u m be r f o ur P li n y s
’
.

r ecip e s f r e qu e n tly r e c o m m e n d t hat t h e o p e r a ti o n be t hr ic e

r e p eat e d I n th e c a s e o f cu r i n g s c r o f ul a by th e a sh e s o f
.

V ip e r s he p r e scrib e s t h r e e fi n ge r s t he r e o f t a k e n in dri n k f o r

XXX 8 7 5 . 7 9 ; XXII , 7 2 ; XX II I , 7 1 ;
1
S ee als o , .

2
XX I V ,
1 06 an d 1 09 . V II I , 4 7 ; XXI X, 3 6 ; XXX I I,
a
XX I V ,
1 07 an d 1 10 . 1 4 2 5 3 8 46
, . .

4
S o me e x a mp le s are : XV I I I , XXXI I I 4 . .
92 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I M EN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

t hric e s e ve n d ays I n a n o t he r a pplic ati o n o f a G a llic he rb

.
1

with o l d axl e gr e as e wh ich ha s n o t t o uche d iro n n o t o n ly

-
,

m ust the p ati en t S pit th ric e t o the right but th e r em e dy is ,

m o r e e ffi c a ci o us if th ree m e n r epr e s e n ti n g t h r ee di ff e r e nt
n a ti o n s a n o i n t t he right sid e w it h it T he virtu e o f the
?

n u m b e r o n e is n o t h o w e v e r e n tir e ly sligh t e d
, , Im p o rt an c e
.

is a tta che d t o the d ea th o f a st a g f r o m a si n gle w o u n d ?

S o m e ti m e s t h re e an d o ne a r e j o i n e d in t h e s am e o p e r a ti o n ,

a s w h e n c h ild birth is a id e d by h urli n g t h r o ugh th e h o us e

-

a st o n e o r w ea p o n by wh ic h t h r ee an i m a ls a m a n a bo a r , , ,

a n d a b e a r h av e be e n kill e d with si n gl e bl o ws
, O n e o f t he
.

disc o v e ri e s o f P ytha go ra s w h ic h s e ld o m f ails is t hat an o dd

n u m b e r o f v o w e ls in a c hild s giv e n n am e p o rt e n ds l am e
’

n e ss bli n d n e ss an d lik e i n c a p a cit a ti o n o n th e righ t sid e o f

, ,

its b o dy a n d an e ve n n um b e r i n j u r i e s o n the l e ft side

, ,
4
.

I n a cr o w n o f s m il ax f o r he a d ac he t he r e s ho uld be a n o dd
n u m b e r o f l e a v e s ? a n d in a di e t o f s n a ils pr e scrib e d f o r

st o m a ch tr o ubl e an o dd n u m b e r a r e t o be eat e n ?
Fo r a
h e a d wa s h te n gr e e n liz a rds a r e b o il e d in te n s ex tar n o f
-

a n d f o r a n a pplic a ti o n t o p r e v e n t e y e l a s h e s f r o m gr o w
7
o il ,

ing a gain w h e n t h e y h av e b ee n pull e d o u t fi f t e e n f r o gs a r e

i m p a l e d o n fi f t e en bulrus he s ?
T h e p e r s o n w ho h as ti e d o n
a c e rt a i n a m ul e t is t he r e a f t e r ex clud e d f r o m t he p ati e n t s
’

sight f o r fi ve da ys ?
An d s o o n
T h i s l a st it em sugge sts a f urt he r i n t a n gibl e f a ct o r in
P li n y s pr o c e dur e t he d o i n g o f t h i n gs t o o r f o r the p a ti e n t
’

wit ho ut his k n o wl e dge But t his an d a ny o t he r i n c o rpo r e a l

.

r el ati o n s hips ex isti n g b e tw e e n o p e r a t o r a n d p ati e n t s ho uld

p e rha ps be cla ss e d u n d e r the hea d o f sym p a thy an d a n
t ip athy .

Cl o s e ly
ki n to the p o w e r o f n u m be rs is t hat o f w o rds
a .

P li ny o n c e s ays o f a n i n c an t a ti o n e m p l o y e d to av e r t ha il
st o r m s t hat he w o uld n o t d a r e in s e ri o us n e ss t o i n s e rt its
94 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI M EN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

l ar supe rstiti o n f ro m R o m an r e ligi o n an d f r o m the annal s

, ,

o f h ist o ry He d o e s n o t d o ubt t hat R o m an s in the p a st

.

hav e b e li e v e d in the p o w e r o f w o rds a n d th i n ks t hat if w e ,

a cc e pt s e t f o rm s o f pra y e r a n d r e ligi o us f o rm ul ae w e m ust ,

a ls o a d m it t h e f o rc e o f i n can t a ti o n s But he a dds t hat the .

wis e st i n dividu a ls be li ev e in n e it he r .

P li n y s r e cip e s an d o p e r a ti o n s a r e m a i n ly c o nne ct e d
’

with e it he r m e dici ne o r a gricultur e but he a ls o i ntr o duc e s ,

a s w e ha v e s ee n m a gic a l pr o c e dur e e m pl o y e d in c h ild birt h -

,

s a f e gu a rds a ga i n st p o is o n s an d r e ptil e s a n d c o u nt e r c harm s ,

-

a g a i n st s o rc e r y He m o r e t han o n c e av e rs t ha t l o ve c ha rm s
.
—

( am a tor ia ) lie o utsid e his pr o vi n c e in o n e pa ss ag e all e gi n g

1
,

a s a r ea s o n t h a t t he illustri o us ge n e r a l L ucullus w a s kill e d

by o ne but he i n clude s a gr e at m any o f t hem n ev e rthel e ss

2
,
?

S o me h e r bs a r e s o e m pl o y e d b e c a us e o f a re s e m bl a n c e in
s hap e to the s e x u a l o rgan s a no t he r i n st an c e o f a ss o ci ati o n
4
,

by si m il ar ity P li n y de cl a r e d a ga i n st a bo rtiv e drugs as w e ll

.

a s l o v e c h a r m s ? but cit e d f r o m th e C o m m e n tar ies o f Cae c il

-

ius o n e r e cip e f o r birth c o n tr o l f o r the b e n e fit o f o ve r fe cun d

- -

w o m en c o n sisti ng o f a ligature o f two littl e w o rm s f o un d

,

in t he b o dy o f a c e rt a i n sp e ci e s o f spid e r a n d b o u n d o n in
d ee r ski n b e f o r e sun ris e A f te r a ye a r the virtu e o f t his
-
.

c harm expir e s ?

P li ny d e v o t e s but a s m all fr a cti o n o f his w o rk to the

st a rs a nd heav e n s as a ga i n st t erre stri al p hen o m en a an d ,

t he re f o r e ha s l e ss o cc a si o n to sp ea k o f a stro l o gy t han o f
m a gic Ho w e v e r ha d he be e n a gr e a t b e li e ve r in a str o l o gy
.
,

h e d o ubtl e ss w o uld hav e d e v o t e d m o r e sp a c e to the st a rs a n d

the ir i n flu en c e o n te rr e stri a l phe no me n a He r e c o gn iz e s n o n e .

the l e ss a s w e hav e s ee n t ha t m agic an d a str o l o gy a r e in

, ,

‘
XXV I I ,
T he s sa l a m h e r b a m qu alis s it d e
35 . Ca ta nan ce n m emo r Lu c ull um im pe r ato r e
.

c l a r iS S I m u m a m at o r i o p e r i s s e
m
s cr ibi a n o bi s s up e r va c u u m e s t, s
A f e w e x a m p l e s a r e : XX, 1 5
cum s it u sus e iu s ad a m a t o r ia XXI V , 1 1 42 ; XXV I , 64 ,
,

t an t u m . XXV I I , 9 9 P hy t e u m a .
XXV I I , 4 2 9 9 ; XXV I I I , 7 7 , 80 ;
,

qu al e s it d e s c r ib e r e s up e r vac uum XXX, 4 9 ; XXXI I , 5 0 .

h ab eo c u m s it u s u s e i u s t antum ad ‘
” XXI I 9
a m a t o r ia
.

“
XXV , 7
.

‘
XXV , 7 Ego n e c a bo rt i a
. v
d ico ac n e a mato r ia quide m,
°
XXI X , 27 .
 P L I N Y S N A T UR AL
’
HI S T O R Y

t im ate ly r e l at e d
t hat t he re is n o o ne w ho is n o t e a ge r
an d

to l ea rn h is o wn f utur e an d w h o d o e s n o t t h i n k t ha t t h is is
”1
s ho wn m o st truly by th e he av e n s P a re n t h e tic ally it m ay
.

be r e m a rk e d t hat the ge n e ra l lit e r a tur e o f the ti m e o n ly c o n

firm s t h is a ss e rti o n o f the wid espr ea d pr ev a l en c e o f a stro l
o gy ; a llusi o n s o f p o e ts i m ply a t e c hn ic a l k n o wl e dge o f the

a r t o n t he ir r e a d e rs p a rt ; t he v e ry e m p e r o rs w h o o cc a si o n

a lly b an ishe d a str o l o ge rs f r o m R o m e t h em s e lv e s c o n sult e d

o t he r a d ep ts I n a no t he r pa ss a ge P li n y spe aks o f m e n who

.

a ssi gn e v e n ts e a c h t o its st a r a cc o rdi n g t o t he rul e s o f n a

“

tiv itie s a n d b e li ev e t ha t G o d d e cr e e d the futur e o n c e f o r a ll

a n d h a s n e v e r i n t e r f e r e d wit h the c o urs e o f e v e n ts si n c e
?

T h is w ay o f t h i n ki n g has c a ugh t l ea r n e d a n d vulga r a lik e in

its curren t an d has l ed to such f urt he r m e tho ds o f divi n a
ti o n a s tho s e by lightn i n g o ra cl e s har uspic e s a n d e v e n such
, , ,

pe tty a ugurie s a s f r o m s ne e z e s an d s h i f ti n g o f the f e et .

Furt he rm o re in P li ny s list o f m en pr o m i n en t in the v ari o us

’

a rts a n d sci e n c e s w e fi n d B e r o sus o f w ho m a st a tu e w a s

e r e ct e d by t he A t h e n i an s in h o n o r o f his skill in a st r o l o gic a l

pr o gn o stic ati o n ?
I n a n o t he r pl a c e w he r e h e sp e a ks f o r a
“ ”
m o m e n t o f the sci e n c e o f th e st a rs P li n y disput e s th e the
o r ies o f B e r o sus N echep s o an d P e t o s ir is t ha t l en gt h o f
, ,

h u m an li fe is o rd e r e d by the st a rs an d a l s o m a k e s t he t r it e
,

o bj e cti o n t o th e d o ctri n e o f n a ti v iti e s t ha t m a st e rs a n d

sl ave s ki n gs an d beggar s a r e bo r n at the s am e m o m e n t He

,
?

a ls o is r a th e r i n cli n e d t o ridi cul e t he e n o r m o us figu r e s o f

or ye a rs s et by E pige n e s a n d B e r o sus a n d
C r ito de mu s f o r the dur a ti o n o f a st r o n o m ic a l o bs e r v a ti o n s
“
r ec o rd e d by the B abyl o n i an s Fr o m suc h pa ss a ge s w e get
.

the i m pre ssi o n t ha t a str o l o gy is wid e ly a cc e pt e d a s a sci en c e

but t hat the a r t o f n ativiti e s a t l e a st is n o t r e ga r d e d by P li n y
1
XXX 1 O th g , . n l tti
e
”
e ne r a II 5
a A t q , v t . s ro ue s uo e e n us
t u de t o a s t r o l o g y o f t h e p r ece dm g a ds x n a t
g n a s c e n di l e g ibu s s e m e l
A ug u s t an A ge an d I t s p o e t s s ee qu e mn e s
In o f u tu r o s u m q u a m d e o
H . W G a r r o d, Mo nili As tr o n o mi
.
d e c r e t u m in
”
r e l iqu o m ve r o o t ium
c an Li be r 11, O x f o r d, 1 9 1 1, p p . da f u r .

k
l x v- l xx iii, b ut I t hin h e o ve r e s t i 8
V II , 3 7 .

m a t e s t h e p r o b abl e e ff e ct o f t h e ‘
V II 5 0
e d ic t o f 1 6 A D up o n t h e p o e m o f
.

“
Man il ius . V I I, 5 7 .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE “
C H AP .

with f av o r But it w o uld n o t be s a f e t o s ay t ha t he d eni e s

.

the c o n tr o l o f th e st a rs o v e r h uma n d e sti n y . I n d e e d in o ne

,

c hapt e r he d e cl ar e s t hat the a str o n o m e r Hipp a rc hus can

n e ve r b e pr a is e d e n o ug h b e c a us e m o r e t han a n y o t h e r m an

he pr o v e d t he r e l ati o n s h ip o f m an wit h the st a rs a n d t h at

o ur s o uls a r e p art o f t he sky
?
When P li n y disput e s the
vulga r n o ti o n t ha t e a ch m an has a st a r v a ryi n g in bright
ne ss a cc o rdi n g to h is f o rtu n e risi n g w h e n h e is bo r n an d
, ,

f a di n g o r f al li n g w he n h e di e s h e is n o t a tt a cki n g e ve n the
,

d o ctri ne o f n ativiti e s ; he is d enyi n g that the st a rs a r e co n

tr o lle d by man s f at e ra the r t han t ha t m an s li fe is o rde r e d
’ ’

by the st ars ?

I f P li n y thus l e av e s us u n c e rt a i n a s t o the r el a ti o n o f
m an to the st a rs w e a ls o r e c e iv e c o n flicti n g i m pr e ssi o n s
,

f r o m his discussi o n o f v a ri o us c e l e sti al p he n o m e n a r e ga rd e d

a s p o rt e n t o us . I n o n e pa ss a g e he sp eaks o f the d e bt o f

gr atitud e o w e d by m an ki n d t o t ho se grea t a str o n o m ic al

g en ius e s w h o hav e f ree d m en f r o m t he ir f o r me r s upe r s t i
ti o us f ea r o f e clips e s ?
But h e ex pl a i n s thu n d e rb o lts as
“
c e l e sti al fi r e vo m it e d f o rt h f r o m the pl an e t Ven us a n d b ea r
in g o m en s o f t he f utu r e .
” 4
He als o give s i n stan c e s fro m
R o m an h ist o ry o f c o me ts w h ic h sign a l e d dis a st e r a n d he ,

e x po u n ds th e t he o ry o f t he ir si gn i fyi n g th e f utur e .
“
What
t he y po rt en d m ay be d et e rm i ne d f ro m the direc ti o n in w h ich
the y m o ve an d the heav en ly b o dy w ho s e p o w e r t he y r e
i
ce ve a n
,
d m o r e p a rticul a rly fr o m t h e s h a p e s t h ey a ssu m e

a dn t h e ir p o siti o n in r e l a ti o n to t h e sig n s o f t h e z o di a c I
. n

d e e d P li n y ev e n give s e xam pl e s o f o m i no us e clips e s o f the

,

s un a lt ho ugh it i s t r u e t h a t t h e y w e r e a ls o o f u n usu a l
,

l en gt h He als o t ells us that m an y o f the c o m m o n pe o ple

?

“
still b e li e v e d t ha t w o m en c o uld pro duc e e clips e s by s o r
c er ie s a n d he rbs
?

1
I I, 2 4 .

I I , 6, N o n t anta c ae l o s o c 1e ta s
no b is c u m e s t u t n o s t r o f a t o m o r

t a l is s it ibi quo que s ide r u m f ul

”
ga r .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

pl o y e d by Chal d e an s in t he ir c e r em o n i e s is i n ti m at e ly c o n ,

n ec te d wit h th e st a rs
?
He is o pen ly i n cr e dul o us ab o ut th e
g e m g l a s s a /
I e tr a sh a pe d lik e a hu m an t o n gu e an d supp o s e d
,

t o f a ll f r o m t he sky duri n g an e clips e o f t he m o o n a n d t o

be i n v a lu abl e in s e l e n o m an cy ?

P li n y t e lls ho w t he ph ysici an C ri na s o f Ma rs e ill e s m a d e

a f o rtu n e by r e gul a ti n g di e t a n d o bs e rvi n g h o u rs a cc o rdi n g

t o th e m o ti o n o f t h e sta rs But he d o e s n o t sho w m uch

?

f a it h in a st r o l o gica l m e dici n e h i m s e l f r e j e cti n g en tir e ly the ,

e l a b o r a t e cl a ssific a ti o n o f dis e a se s a n d r e m e di e s w h ic h t he

a str o l o g e rs h a d by h is ti m e a lr e a dy w o rk e d o ut f o r th e

r e v o luti o n s o f the s un an d m o o n in the t w e lv e si gn s o f the

z o di ac ?
I n h is o w n r e ci pe s h o w e ve r a stro l o gic a l co n s id
, ,

e r a t io n s a r e s o m e ti m e s o bs e rv e d a s w e hav e a lr e a dy s e e n
, ,

e sp e ci a lly t he r isi n g o f t he do g st a r an d the p h a s e s o f the

-

moo n . P li n y i n d e e d st a t e s t ha t the do g st a r e xe rts an e x

, ,
-

“
t e n si v e i nflu e n c e upo n the ea rt h A s f o r the m o o n t h e
.
-
,

bl o o d in the hu m an bo dy a u gm e n ts an d d e crea s e s with it s

wax i n g an d w an i n g as sh e ll fi s h an d o the r th i n gs in n atur e
-

do ?
I n d e e d pa i n st ak i n g m e n o f r e s e a r c h h ad disc o ve re d
,

t hat e ven the e n tr a ils o f the fi e ld m o us e c o rr e sp o n d e d in -

n u m b e r t o t he d a ys o f t he m o o n t ha t t he a n t st o pp e d w o rk
,

ing duri n g t he i n t e rlu n a r d a ys a nd t ha t dis e a s e s o f t he e y e s

,

o f c e rt a i n b e a sts o f burd e n a ls o i n cr e a s e d a n d d e cr ea s e d

with the m oo n 7
But o n the w ho l e P li ny s m e dici n e and
.
’

sci en c e d o n o t s e e m n ea rly s o i m m e rse d in a n d s atur a t e d

with a str o l o gy as with o th e r f o rm s o f m a gic Th is gap .

w a s f o r the m iddl e a g e s am ply fi ll e d by th e a utho rity

o f P t o l e m y o f w ho s e b e li e f in a str o l o gy w e s ha ll tr e a t in
,

t h e n e x t c hapt e r .

We hav e tri e d to an alyz e the c o n te n ts o f the N a tur al

His to r y bri n gi n g o ut c e rt a i n m a i n divisi o n s an d u n d e rly
,

in g pri n cipl e s o f m a gic in P li n y s a gricultu r e m e dici n e a n d

’
, ,

n a tur a l sci e n c e T h is is ho w e v e r a n a rti fi ci a l and di fficult

.
, ,

1
XXXV I I ,
28 .

”
XXXV II , 59 .

a
XXI X, 5 .

‘
XXX 2 9, .
 P LI N Y S
’
NA T URA L HI S T O R Y 99

t a sk si nc e it is n o t e a sy to s ev e r m at e r i a ls f r o m c e r em o n i a l
,

o r t he virtu e s o f o bj e c t s f r o m th e r e l a ti o n s o f sy m pa t hy

o r a ntip at hy b e tw e e n t h e m O f t e n the s am e p a ss a ge m igh t

.

s e rve to illustr at e s e v e ra l p o i n ts T ak e f o r e x am pl e the

.

f o ll o wi n g s e n t e n c e : T hr a s yl lu s is a ut ho r ity t ha t n o t h i n g
“

is s o ho stil e to s e rp en ts as cr a bs ; s w i n e wh o a r e stun g cur e

them s elve s by this f o o d an d whe n the s un is in Can c e r
, ,

” 1
s er pents ar e in pai n . Her e w e h av e at o n c e an tip athy ,

the r eme di e s us e d by a n i m als t h e r ea s o n i n g c h a r a ct e r istic

, ,

o f m a gic f r o m a s s o ci a ti o n a n d si m il a rity a n d t he be li e f in
, ,

a str o l o gy. An d t h is c o n f usi o n to illustr a t e w h ic h a hu n d r e d

,

o t he r e x am pl e s m igh t be c o ll e ct e d f r o m th e N a tur al His

to r y d em o n str a t e s h o w i n diss o lubly i n t e rw o v e n a r e a l l th e

,

vari e d th r eads that w e h ave b ee n t r a ci n g T hey al l go .

n a tur a lly t o ge t h e r, t he y be l o n g t o th e s a m e l o n g p e ri o d
o f t ho ught t he y r e pr e se n t t he s am e st a g e in m e n t a l d e v e l o p
,

m en t the y a l l a r e p a rts o f m a gic

, .

1
XXXII , 19 .
 CHA PT E R I I I

S E N E CA A N D P T O L E M Y: N A TU R A L DIV I N A TI O N A ND
A S TR O L O G Y
N a tu r a l Q u e s tions — N atu r e s ubs titut e
’
S en eca s s tudy as an e th ical

for e x is t in g r e l ig io n —
Limit e d fi e l d of S en e c a
’
s wo r k —
Ma r v e l s a c c ep t e d ,

qu e s tio n e d, or de n ie d —
B e l ie f in n a t ur a l v
di in atio n an d a s tr o l o gy

v
D i inatio n f r o m t h u n de r P to l e m y— His two c h ie f w o r s— His math e
—
k
m at ical m eth o d A t titu de t o w ar ds auth o r ity an d o b s er atio n— T h e
—
v
v
O p tic s — Me die a l t r an s l a t io n s o f A l mag es t— Te tr a bibl os o r Q ua dri
fl
pa r titum A g en uin e r e e c t io n o f P to l e m y s ap p r o al o f a s tr o lo gy
—
’
v
V a l id ity of A s t r o l o gy — I n fl u e n ce of the s tar s n o t in e v it able— A s t r o l o gy
as n a tu r a l s c ie n ce— P r o p e r t ie s of th e p l a n e t s— R e m ain ing co n te nt s of

Boo k O n e — B oo k Tw o : r eg io n s— v
N ati ities— Futur e in flue n ce of th e
Te tr a bibl os .

Wh en the s tars twin kl e thr o ugh the l o ops o f tim e .

—
B yr an .

IN t his c ha pte r we s hall pr e fac e the m a i n t hem e o f P t o l emy

a n d h is s a n cti o n o f a str o l o gy by a c o n sid e r ati o n o f an o t h e r

a n d e a r li e r a nci e n t writ e r o n n a tur al sci en c e who w a s

v e ry f a vo r a bl e to divi n a ti o n o f the f utur e n am e ly the , ,

f amo us p hil o s o p h e r st at e s m an m an o f l e tt e rs a n d tut o r o f

, , ,

N e r o L ucius A nn a e u s S en e c a I n p o i n t o f ti m e his N a tur a l

,
.

Q u es t io n s o r P r o,
bl e m s o f N a tu r e is a w o rk slig h tly ant e ,

d ati n g e ve n the N a tur a l H is tory o f P li n y but it is ha rdly ,

o f suc h i m p o rt a n c e in t h e h ist o ry o f sc i e n c e as t he m o r e

v o lu m i n o us w o rks o f the t h r ee gr ea t r e pr e s e n t ativ e s o f

an ci e n t sci e n c e P li n y G a l e n a n d P t o l e m y
, ,
N e v e rt he l e ss
, .

S e n e c a w a s w e ll k n o w n a n d m uc h cit e d in the m iddl e a ge s

a s a n e t h ic a l o r m o ra l p h il o s o p h e r a n d t he titl e N a tur a l , ,

Q ue s ti o ns w as t
,
o b e e m pl o y e d by o n e o f th e fi rst m e di e v a l
pi o n e e rs o f natur a l sci e n c e A de l a rd o f B a t h S e n e c a in ,
.

a ny c a s e is a n am e o f w h ic h a n ci e n t sci e n c e n e e d n o t be

as ham e d He t e lls us t hat in his y o ut h he had al r e ady

.

I OO
 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE
'

CHAP
.

N a tur al His to r y i n clude m e dici n e a n d th e i n dustri a l a rts ;

,

n e it h e r d o e s h e lik e P li n y cit e th e l o r e o f th e magi

, , Th e .

phe n o m en a o f w hic h he tre ats a r e m a i n ly m e t eo r o l o gic a l

m an i f e st at i o n s suc h a s wi n ds r a i n h a il s n o w c o m e ts r a i n
, , , , , ,

bo ws an d w ha t he r e ga rds as a lli e d subj e ct s e a rt hqu ak e s

, , ,

spri n gs a n d riv e rs P e r haps he w o uld n o t hav e r e ga rd e d

,
.

the study o f v e ge t abl e s a n i m als an d m i n e r a ls a s s o l o f ty

, ,

a n d subli m e a pursuit A t an y r a t e in c o n s e qu en c e o f t he
.
,

r estrict e d fi e ld w h ic h S en e c a c o v e rs we fi n d v e ry littl e o f
th e m a rv e l o us m e dici n a l a n d m a gic a l pr o p e r ti e s o f pl an ts ,

a n i m a ls an d o t h e r o bj e cts
, o r th e sup e rstiti o us pr o c e dur e
,

which fill th e p a ge s o f P li n y .

S e n e c a n e v e rt he l e ss h as o cc asi o n t o r e p ea t s o m e t all
st o ri e s suc h as t ha t the rive r A lphe us o f G r e e c e reapp e a rs
,

a s th e A r e t h us a in S icily a n d t he r e e v e ry f o ur ye a rs c a sts

up filt h f r o m its d e pth s o n the v e ry d ays w he n victi m s a r e

sl aught e r e d at the O lym pic gam e s ?
He a ls o affirm s t hat
livi n g be i n gs a r e g en e r a t e d in fi r e ; he beli eve s in suc h e f
f ee ts o f light n i n g a s r e m o vi n g the v e n o m f r o m s n ak e s
w hich it strik e s ; an d h e r e c o un ts the o ld s t o ri e s o f fl o ati n g
isl an ds an d o f w a t e rs wit h the virtu e o f turn i n g w h ite
s hee p bl a ck O n the o the r han d he qu a lifi e s by the ph r a se s
?
, ,

“
“
it is be li ev e d a n d t he y s ay the a ss e rti o n s t ha t c e rt a i n ,

w at e rs pr o duc e f o ul ski n dis eas es an d t ha t dew in p articu

-

l a r if c o ll e ct e d in a n y q u a n tity h as t h is e vil pr o pe rty ; an d

, ,

he d o ubts w h e t h e r b a t h i ng in th e N il e w o uld e n abl e a w o man

t o b e a r m o r e c h ildr e n
?
He ridicul e s the cust o m o f the
city w h ic h h ad public w a tchm en appo i n t e d to w arn the in
h a bit a n ts o f t h e a ppr o a c h o f h a il st o r m s s o t ha t t he y m ight -
,

a v e rt t h e d a n g e r by ti m e ly s a crific e o r si m ply by pricki n g

t he ir o w n fi n ge rs s o th at t hey bl e d a trifle He a dds t hat .

s o m e sugge st t ha t bl o o d m ay p o s s e ss s o m e o ccult pr o pe rty

o f r e p e lli n g st o r m cl o uds but he d o e s n o t s e e ho w t he r e
-
,

c a n be suc h f o rc e in a d r o p o r t w o a n d t h i n ks it si m p l e r t o

1
111, 2 6 .
by l ig ht n ing ; I I I , pas s im f o r m ar
2
V , 6, f o r a n im a l s g e n e r at e d in ve l o u s f o u n t ain s .

fl a m e s ; I I , 3 1 , f o r s n a e s s tr uc k k “
I I I, 25 .
 S EN E CA AN D P T O L EM Y

r e gard the who l e t hi n g as f als e In the s am e ch a pte r he

.

st a t e s t h a t u n civiliz e d an ti quity us e d t o b e li e v e t hat r a i n

c o uld be bro ught o n o r driven o ff by i n c an t a ti o n s but t ha t ,

n o w a d a ys n o o n e n e e ds a p h il o s o p h e r t o t e ac h him t ha t
- -

t his is i m p o ssibl e ?

But w h il e he t h us re j e cts i n can t ati o n s an d is p r a ctic ally B l i f i e e n

l
sil en t o n t he subj e ct o f n a tur a l m a gic S e n ec a a cc e pts n at Sfiiiiiti
,
’
z on

u r a l di v i n a ti o n in w e ll n igh all its br an ch e s : s acrifici a l au

- d ,
an

gu r y a st r o l o gy an d divi n ati o n f r o m t hun d e r He be li e v e s

, ,
.

?
th a t w h at e v e r is ca us e d is a si gn o f s o m e futur e e v e n t
O n ly S e n e c a h o lds t h a t e v e ry fligh t o f a bird is n o t c ause d
by a di r e ct act o f G o d n o r t he V it al s o f the vi cti m a lt e r e d
,

u n d e r the ax e by di v i ne i n t e r f e ren c e but th at al l ha s b een

,

p r e ar r an ge d in a f ata l an d c a us a l s e ri e s He b e li ev e s th a t
?

a l l u n usu a l c e l e sti a l p he n o m e n a a r e t o be l o o k e d up o n as
“
pro digi e s a n d p o r t e n ts A m e t e o r a s big as t he m o o n ap
.

p e a r e d w h e n P a ulus w a s e n g a g e d in t h e w a r a g a i n st P e r
”
s e us si m il a r p o rten ts m ark e d the d eath o f A ugustus an d
e x e cuti o n o f S e j a n us a n d ga v e w a r n i n g o f t h e d e a t h o f
,

G e rm an icus ?
But n o l e s s truly do the pl a n e ts in t he ir un
va ryi n g c o urs e s si gn i f y the f utu r e T h e st a rs ar e o f divi n e
.

n atu r e a n d w e o ugh t t o a ppr o a c h th e di s cussi o n o f t h em

,

with as r e v e r e n t a n air as w he n w it h l o w e r e d c o u n t e n an c e
w e e n t e r the t e m pl e s fo r wo r s h ip 5
.N o t o n ly do the st a r s
i n fluen c e th e upp e r atm o sph e r e a s ea rth s e xh al ati o n s a f ’

f ect t he l o we r but the y ann o u n c e wh at is t o o ccur ? S e n ec a

,

e m pl o ys t he st a t e m e n t o f A rist o tl e t h a t c o m e ts sign i fy t he

c o m i n g o f st o rm s an d wi n ds a n d f o ul w e at he r t o pr o ve t ha t
the y a r e st a rs ; a n d d e cl ar e s that a c o m e t is a p o r t e n t o f bad
w ea t he r du r i n g the e n sui n g y e a r in the s am e w ay t ha t t he
Ch ald e an s o r a str o l o ge rs s a y t ha t a m a n s n a t a l st a r d e t e r
’

m i n e s the w h o l e c o urs e o f his li f e 7

I n fa ct S e n e ca s
’
.
,

ch i e f if n o t s o l e o bj e cti o n to the Cha ld e an s o r a st r o l o ge rs

, ,

w o uld s eem to be that in the ir pr e dic t i o n s t hey t ak e o n ly fi ve

“
2 1V . 7 . V II , 3 0 .

ii: 32;
“
“ II , 10 .

‘ 7
I, 1 . V I I, 28 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

st a rs i n to a cc o un t
1
What ? T h i nk you s o m an y tho us an d
.

sta rs sh i n e o n in va i n ? Wha t e ls e i n d ee d is it wh ich c ause s , ,

t ho s e skill e d in n ati v iti es to e r r than t hat the y a ss ign us to

a f e w st a rs a lt h o ugh a l l th o s e t h a t a r e a b o v e us h av e a sh a r e
,

in the c o n tr o l o f o ur fa t e ? P e r h aps th o s e wh ic h a r e n ea r e r
di r e ct the ir i n fluen c e up o n us m o r e cl o s e ly ; p e rhaps tho s e
o f m o r e r a pid m o ti o n l o o k d o w n o n us a n d o t h e r a n i m a ls

f r o m m o r e v a ri e d a sp e cts But e v en th o s e stars th a t are

.

m o ti o n l e ss o r b e c a us e o f th e ir sp e e d k ee p e q u al p a c e with
,

th e r e st o f th e u n i v e rs e a n d s e em n o t to m o v e a r e n o t with ,

” 2
o u t rul e a n d d o m i n i o n o v e r us S en e c a a cc e pts t he t he o ry
.

o f B e r o sus t h a t w h e n e v e r al l th e st a rs ar e in c o n j u n cti o n in

the sign o f C a n c e r th e r e will b e a u n iv e rs a l co n fl agr at io n ,

an d a s e c o n d d e lu ge w h e n t h e y al l u n it e in Ca pric o r n
?

I t i s o n t hu n d e rb o lts a s p o rt e nts o f the futur e tha t S en ~

“ ”
e c a dw e lls l o n ge st ho w e ve r T h e y giv e h e d e cl a re s
?
, , ,

“
n o t sign s o f t h is o r t ha t e v e n t m e r e ly but o f t e n a n n o u n c e
,

a w ho l e s e ri e s o f e v e n ts d e sti n e d t o o ccur a n d t h a t by m an i ,
~

f e st d e cr ee s a n d o n e s f ar cl e a r e r t ha n i f t he y w e r e s e t d o w n
in writi n g
”
He will n o t a cc e pt h o w ev e r th e th eo ry t hat
.
, ,

light n i n g ha s suc h gr e a t p o w e r t h a t its i n te rv en ti o n n ullifies

a n y p r e vi o us an d c o n tr a dict o r y p o rt e n ts He i n sists t hat .

divi n a ti o n by o t he r m e tho ds is o f e qu a l truth t ho ugh p o s ,

s ibly o f m i n o r i m p o rt a n c e a n d sign ific a n c e N ex t h e a t .

t em pts to e x pl a i n ho w the d an ge rs o f w hich w e a r e w a r n e d

by di v i n ati o n m ay be a v e rt e d by pra y e r ex pi ati o n o r s a cri , ,

fi c e a n d ye t the c ha i n o f e v e n ts wr o ugh t by d e sti n y n o t be

,

bro k e n He m a i nt a i n s t hat j ust as w e em pl o y the s e rvic e s

.

o f d o ct o rs t o p r e s e rv e o u r h e a lt h d e spit e a n y be li e f w e m ay
,

hav e in f a t e s o it is us e f ul t o c o n sult a ha r us pex

,
T he n h e .

go e s o n to sp ea k o f v a ri o us cla ssific a ti o n s o f t hu n d e rb o lts

a cc o rdi n g t o t he n a tur e o f t he w a r n i n gs o r e n c o ur a ge m e n ts

w h ic h t he y bri n g .

P to l emy
. We p a ss o n f r o m S en e c a to a l a t e r an d gr eat e r ex p o nen t
o f n a tur a l sci e nc e a n d di v i n a ti o n P to l e m y in the f o ll o w
, ,
“
1
T h at is t o s ay, fi ve in a ddit io n II I, 2 9
‘
to t h e s u n a n d th e m o o n . I I , 3 1 -5 0 .

“
’
H , 32 .
I I, 3 2 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

p en i n g o f the fi f t ee n t h c en tury w he n J ac o bus A n ge lus 1

'

o ,

m a d e a tr an sl a ti o n f o r P o p e A l e x a n d e r V ( 1 4 0 9 ,

w h ich is ex t an t in m an y m a n uscripts as w e ll a s in pri nt

2 ?

I t t he re f o r e did n o t h av e t he i nflu e n c e a n d f ame in the

L a ti n m iddl e a ge s t ha t th e A l mage s t did o r t he bri e f e r as
t r o l o gic al writi n gs ge n ui n e an d spuri o us
, curr en t un d e r ,

P t o l e m y s n am e
’
.

We m ay bri e fly st at e o n e o r two o f P t o l em y s gre at e st ’

c o n tributi o n s t o m at hem atic al a n d natur a l sci enc e a n d his

pro b abl e p o siti o n in t he h i sto ry o f ex pe ri m en t al m et ho d .

P e rhaps o f g r e a t e r c o n s e qu e n c e in the hist o ry o f sci enc e

than an y o n e sp e ci fi c t h i n g he did w as his c o n ti nu al r eli an c e
S c hm id w o ul d a p p e a r t o b e P to l e m y s G e og r ap hy
1 ’
.

k
mis ta en in s aying th at t he G e og
“
I n th is L atin t r an s l a tio n it
r ap hy w a s a l r e ady k n o w n in L a t in is o f te n e n t itl e d C as m ag r ap hia .

a n d A r abic t r an s l a t io n in th e t im e S o m e M S S a r e : C L M 14 5 8 3 ,
o f F r e de r ic k .
“
I I ( p 7 1 8, S e in e in 1 st h c e n tu r y, f o l s 8 1 —2 1 5 , Co s m o.

e r s t e r L in ie die A s t r o n o m ie , da n n g r a p hia P t o l o m e i a J a c o b o An
auc h die G e o g r a p hie u n d Ha r g e l o t r a n s l a ta Al s o B N 4 80 1 ,
.

mo ni k b e t r e ff e n d e n S c h r if t e n 4 802 , 4803 , 4 804 , 4 8 3 8 A r s e n al .

h ab e n s ic h n ic h t bl o s s im O r ig 9 8 1 , in a n I t a l ia n h and, is p r e
in a l t e x t e r h al t e n ; s ie w u r d e n a u c h s u m a bl y in c o r r ect ly da te d as of
f r iih z e itig v o n d e n A r ab e r n fi b e r t h e 1 4t h c e n t u r y .

s e tz t u n d s in d da n n , ah n l ic h w ie T his J a co bu s An ge l us w as c h an
k
die W e r e de s A r is to t e l e s , s c h o n c e ll a r of t h e f a c u l ty o f Mo n t
z ur Z
e it de s K a is e r s F r ie d r ic h I I , p e l l i e r i n 143 3 a n d is c e n s ur e d by
n o c h e h e m an s ie im U r t e x t k e n G e r s o n in a l e tte r f o r his s up e r
ne n l e r n te , d u r c h l at e in is c h e n - n ach v
s t i t io u s o b s e r an c e o f da y s .

d e m A r ab is c h e n g e m a c h t e U b e r
“
v
Th e s e e r a l e dit io n s p r int e d
s e t z un g en in s A b e n dl a n d ge b e f o r e 1 5 00 s ee m t o h a e co n s ist e d v
f o r in h is o w n b iblio g S i m p l y o f t his L at in t ra n s l atio n ,
“
r ap h y ( p ) w r e a d G e og s u c h a s t h at o f B o l o g n a, 1 4 6 2 a n d
7 2 3 e , ,

k
.

r aphie Fr u h s t e l at e in . U be r V i n c en tia e , 1 47 5 , a n d t h e G r e e
s e tz u n g de s J a c o b u s A n g e l us v
te x t t o h a e b e e n fi r s t p ublis h e d
e d r u c k t B o l o g n a 1 4 6 2 A p p ar in 1 5 07 S e e J u s t in Win s o r , A
g . .
,

e n tl y S c h m id d id n o t k
n o w th e B ibliog r ap hy of P t o l e m y s G e o g
’

r a p h y, 188 4 , in L ibr a r y o f Har

dat e o f A n g e l u s t r a n s l a t io n
’
.

v
Ho w e e r , D uh e m , I II ( 1 9 1 5 ) va r d Unive r s ity, B ibl iog r aphi c a l
4 7,
1 a l s o s p ea s ka s i f t h e G e og r a C o n tr ibu tio ns N o 18 : — a b ibl io g
, .

h
p y w e r e k
no w n in t h e t h ir t e e nt h r ap h y w hic h d e al s o n ly w ith
l e s c o n s ider atio n s e m p r in t e d e dit io n s a n d n o t w ith t h e
“
c e nt u r y :

p r u n t é e s a l a G é o g r a p h ie de P t o l é M S S A c c o r din g t o S c h m id, h o w
.

m é e f o u r n is s e n t a R o b e r t d e Lin v
e e r , th e e ditio pr in c eps o f the

c o l n u ne o bj e c t io n co n t r e l e m o u e v G ree k
t ex t w a s t h a t o f B a s e l ,
C Mu l l e r s m o de r n e dit io n
’

m e n t d e p r é c e s s io n de s é qu in o x e s 1 5 33
v
. .

t e l qu il e s t d é fi n é d a n s l A l m a
’ ’
( D id o t , 1 8 8 3 a n d 1 9 0 1 ) g i e s a n

g e s t e
”
S e e a l s o C A . N a l l in o , u n s a t is f a c to r y ba r e l is t o f 3 8
M R a ide l ,
.
.

A l Hu w ar iz mi e il s u a r if a cim e n to
- MS S .S e e al s o G . .

- l i te a r ia dc
d e l l a g e ag r afi a di Ta l a m e a 189 4 , , Co m m e n ta t ia c r i tic a r

c ite d b y S u t e r ( 9
1 1 4 ) v ii i-
ix ,
f o r C l a u dii P t al e m ae i G eag ra phia
a g e o g r a p h y in A r a b ic p r e s e r e d v e ius qu e c a dic ibus , 1 7 3 7 .

at S t r a s b u r g w h ic h is b as e d o n
 S E N E CA AND P T O LE M Y

up o n mathem a tic a l m e tho d b o th in h is a str o nom y an d his

ge o gra p hy I n par ticul a r m ay be n o t e d h is i m po rt an t co n
.

t r ibut io n t o t r igo n o m e try in h is t a bl e o f c h o rds w h ic h m od ,

e rn s c ho l a rs ha v e f o u n d c o rr e ct t o fi ve d e ci m al pl a c e s an d ,

his c o n tributi o n to the sci e n c e o f c a rt o gr a p h y by h is suc

ce s s f u l pr o j e cti o n o f sp he ric a l sur f a c e s up o n fl a t m a ps .

P t o l e m y b a s e d his t w o gr e a t w o rk s p a rtly up o n the r e

s ults a l r e a dy a tt a i n e d by e a rli e r sci e n tists f o ll o w i n g Hip
,

p ar chus e sp e ci a lly in a s t r o n o m y a n d Ma ri n us in ge o gr a p hy .

He duly a ck n o w l e dge d his d e bts t o t he s e a nd o t h e r w r it e rs ;

pr a is e d Hipp a r chu s an d r e c o u n t e d his disc o v e r i e s ; an d
-

whe r e he c o r r e cte d Ma ri n us did s o with r ea s o n But wh il e

, .

P t o l e m y us e d pr evi o us aut ho riti e s he w a s fa r f r o m r e lyi n g

,

up o n them s o l e ly I n the G eogr aphy he a dds a g o o d de al

.

c o n ce r n i n g th e o ri en t an d n o rthe rn l an ds f r o m the r e p o rts

o f R o m a n m e rc ha n ts an d s ol di e rs His i nt en ti o n was to re
.

p ea t bri e fly w hat the a n ci e n ts ha d already m ad e cl e a r and ,

t o d e v o t e h is w o r ks ch i e fly to po i n ts w h ich ha d r e m a i n e d o b

scur e His ide a l was to r e st his c o n clusi o n s upo n the sur e st

.

p o ssibl e o bs e rva ti o n ; a n d w he r e suc h m at e ri als we r e m ea ge r ,

as in the c a s e o f the G e o r a h h e s ays s o a t t he st a rt He

g p y , .

a ls o r e c o gn iz e d t ha t d e lic a t e o bs e rv a ti o n s s ho uld b e r e

p eate d at l o n g i n t e r vals in o r d e r to m i n i m iz e the p o ssibility

o f e rr o r He d e vis e d a n d d e scribe d s o m e sci en tific in s tr u
.

me n ts a n d c o n duct e d a l o n g s e r i e s o f a st r o n o m ic a l o b se rv a
ti o ns He an t e c e d e d Co m t e in ho ldi n g t ha t o ne s ho uld
.

a d o pt th e si m pl e st po ssibl e hyp o t he s is c o n sist e n t wit

h t he
fa cts t o be ex pl a i n e d .

p o rta n t wo rk o n o pti c s is a scrib e d to P to l em y ? I t is the

m o st e x p e r i m e n t a l in m e t ho d o f his wri t i n gs a lt ho ug
h A l ex,

a n d e r vo n Hu m b o ldt s c h a r a c t e r iz a t i o n o f it
’

a s th e o n ly w o r k

in a n ci e n t lit e r a tu r e wh ic h r e v e a ls a n i n v e stiga t o r o f n a tur e

1 ’
L a ttica di C la-u dia I o l a m e a da E ug e n ia a mm ir a g lia d i S ic ilia r i d a t ta
m la ti n a,
Q

e d G i l b e r t o G o v1, T u r i n 1 88
.
, .
5
 MA GI C AND EXP ERIMEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

in the p hysic a l e x p e ri m e n t ati o n m ust be r e ga rd e d as

ac t o f
1

a n e x a gge r a ti o n in vi e w o f o ur k n o wl e dge o f t he writi n gs

o f o t he r A l ex a n dri n e s suc h a s He r o an d Cte s ibius As in .

t he ca s e o f s o m e o f P t o l e m y s o t he r m i n o r w o rks t he G re e k
’
,

o rigi n a l is l o st a n d a ls o th e A r a bic t ex t f r o m w hi ch w a s

pr e su mably m a de the m e di e va l L a ti n v e rsi o n w h ic h al o ne

has c o m e d o w n t o us Y e t t he r e a r e at l e a s t si x t ee n m an u
.

scripts o f th is L ati n v e rsi o n still in e x ist e n c e T he tr an s

?

l ati o n wa s m a d e in the tw e l f th c e n tu r y by E ugen e o f Pal e r

m o a dm ir a l o f S icily w ho s e n ame is a tt a c he d t o o t he r
, ,

tran sl ati o n s an d who w as a ls o t he aut ho r o f a n u m be r o f

G re e k p o em s ?
He ll e r st at e s t hat th e O ptics w as l o st a t the
b egi nni n g o f the s ev e n t een th c e ntury but t ha t m an uscri p ts
o f it w e r e r e disc o v e r e d by L a pl a c e a n d D e l am br e
?
A t an y
r at e the fi rst o f the fi ve bo o ks i s no l o n ge r ex t ant alt ho ugh ,

Bridg e s th i n ks t ha t R o ge r B a c o n w as a c q u a i n t e d with it in
t he t h irt ee n t h c e n tu r y ?
I t d e alt wit h the r e l ati o n s b e tw een
t he e ye a n d ligh t I n t h e s e c o n d bo o k c o n diti o n s o f visi
.

bil ity a r e discuss e d a n d the d e p e n d e n c e o f the a pp a re n t siz e

o f b o di e s up o n t he a n gl e o f vi s i o n The t h ird an d f o urth .

bo o ks d e a l wit h di ff e r e n t ki n ds o f m irr o rs pl an e c o nv ex , , ,

c o n c ave c o n ic a l a n d pyr am idic al Mo s t i m p o rtan t o f all

, ,
.

is the fi f th a n d l a st b o o k in w h ic h di o ptrics a nd re f r acti o n

,

a r e discuss e d f o r t he first a n d o n ly ti m e in a ny e x t an t w o rk

o f a n tiquity ? pr o v id e d t h e O ptics ha s r ea lly c o m e d o w n in

its pr e s e n t fo r m f r o m the ti m e o f P to l em y His a ut ho rs hip .

ha s b ee n qu e sti o n e d b e c a us e the subj e ct o f re f r acti o n is n o t

m e n ti o n e d in th e A l mag es t a lth o ugh e ve n a str o n o m ic a l
,

r e f ra cti o n is discuss e d in the O ptics ?

De Mo rga n a ls o

“
1
S c h m id ( 19 13 ) s til l c ite s it A He l l e r , G e s c hic h te d er
w it ho ut qu a lifi c a t io n Ha m m e r . P hys i k A ris to t e l es bis
va n a uf d ie
J e n s en ha s an a r t ic l e , P to l e m aios n eu e s te Z e it 2 o ls ,
,
v
S t uttg a r t ,
.

u n d He r o n in H e r m es , XL V I I I 1 88 2 1884-
T h e s t a te m e n t s o un ds
.

fl v
,

2 2 4, e t s eq . a t r i e im p r o b ab l e in ie w o f th e
“
Ha s k in s a nd k
L o c w o o d, Th e n u m b e r o f M S S s t il l in e x is t en c e .

O pus M a ius , I I , 7
“
S ic il ia n Tr a n s l a to r s of th e .

“
Tw e lf th Ce n tur y, in Ha rva r d Th e D iop tr a o f Her o is r e ally
S tu die s in C l a s s ic a l P hil o l og y, g e o de t ic a l .

XXI
“
89 .
7
Go i v p 15 1 . .

I bid 8 9 9 4 -
.
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI M EN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

t wo m an uscripts t his S icili an transl ati o n in the Vati can

of

a n d o n e a t Fl o r e n c e s h o wi n g t h a t it ha d a t l e a st s o m e I t a l
,

ian curr e n cy G e r a rd s r e put a ti o n an d his m a n y o t he r

’
.

a str o n o m ic a l a n d a s tr o l o gic a l tr an sl ati o n s pr o b a bly a cc o u n t

f o r the gr ea t e r pr e va l e n c e o f his v e rsi o n o r p o ssibly the ,

th e o l o gic a l o pp o siti o n to n atur a l sci e n c e o f wh ich the

a n o ny m o us S icili a n tr an sl a t o r sp e a ks in his pr e f ac e h a d

s o m e e ff e ct in pr ev en ti ng the spr ea d o f h is v e rsi o n .

O f P t o l e m y s g e n ui n e w o rks t he m o st ge r m an e to and
’

sign i fi c an t f o r o ur i n v e stigati o n is his Te tr a bi bl o s Quadr i ,

p a r ti tum ,
o r f o ur b o o ks o n the c o n tr o l o f h u m an li f e by

the st a rs . I t s e em s t o hav e b ee n tran sl at e d i n t o L ati n by

P l at o o f T iv o li in th e fi rst hal f o f t h e tw e l f t h c e n tury be 1

f o r e A lni ages t o r G e ogr aphy app ea r e d in L a ti n I n the .

m iddl e o f t he t h irt e e n t h c e n tury Eg idius de T e b a ldis a ,

L o m ba rd o f t he city o f P a r m a f urt he r tra n sl at e d t he co m

,

m en t a ry o f Ha ly Heb en R o d an up o n th e Qu adr ipar titum ?

I n the e a rly L a ti n e diti o n s the te xt is t ha t o f the m e di e v al

3

tr an sl a ti o n ; in th e f ew e diti o n s givi ng a G r e e k t ex t t he r e
is a di ff e r e n t L a ti n v e rsi o n tr a n sl at e d dir e ctly f r o m this
G r e ek t ex t ?

In the Te tr a bibl o s t he a r t o f a s tr o l o gy r e c eiv e s s a ncti o n

a n d e x p o siti o n f r o m p e r h a ps th e a bl e st m a the m atici an a n d

cl o s e st sci enti fi c o bs e rve r o f the day o r at l e a st fro m o n e

who s eem e d s o t o succ e e di n g ge n e ra ti o n s Hen c e f r o m t ha t
.

ti me o n a str o l o gy w a s a bl e to t ak e s helte r f ro m any e riti

c is m u n d e r the a e gis o f his a ut ho rity N o t t ha t it l a ck e d
.

1
Digby 5 1 , 1 3 th Ce ntu r y, f o l s . Aubu r tino P a l a t o n e .

7 9 1 14
-
,
Libe r iiii t r ac ta t uu m I t is f o un d in a n e dit io n p r int e d
“
B a to l o m e i A l f a l is o bi in s c ie n c ia a t V en ic e in 1 49 3 p e r B o n e t um
,

j u dic io r um a s t r o r um . Et p e r l o c at e l l u m im p e n s is n o bil is ir i v
f e ctu s e st e iu s t r a n s l a t io de
t v
O c avian i s c o t i c i is Mo do etie n
A r abic o in L a t in um a Tibu rt in o
’
Sis .

Pl a t o n e c ui De us p a r c at d ie I n t h e B r it is h Mu s e um a r e e di
V e n e r is h o r a t e r tia XXa d ie t io n s o f V e n ic e 148 4 , 149 3 , 1 5 19 ;
v
,

m e n s is O c to b r is a n n o D o m in i P a r is , 1 5 19 ; B a s e l , 1 5 3 3 ; L o u a in ,
M CXXV I I I ( s ic ) XV die m e n s is 1 5 4 8 ; it w a s a l s o p r int e d in 1 5 5 1 ,
S ap ha r a n n o A r abum D XXXI I I 15 5 5 . 15 7 8 .

( s ic ) in v
c i ita t e B a r c h in o n a .
“
I n t h e B r it is h Mu s e um a r e but
Th e da t e o f t r an s l a tio n is t h r ee e dit io n s o f t h e G r e e t e x t, k
v
g i e n a s O c to be r i n CU L a ll w ith a n a cc o m p a n yin g L a t in
1 7 67 ,
12 7 6 AD fols . 2 4 0 7 6,
-
t r a n s l at io n N ur n be r g , 1535
“
L ibe r 4 P a r t i um P tho l o m ei B a s e l , 1 5 5 3 ; an d 1 5 8 3 .
 S EN E CA AN D P TO L EM Y

o the r exp o n en ts an d d e fen d e rs o f gre a t n am e an d a bility .

N a tur a lly the aut he nticity o f t he Te tr a bibl o s h a s b ee n qu e s

t io n e d by m o d e r n a d m ir e rs o f He ll e n ic p h il o s o p h y a n d sci
e n c e w ho w o uld k e e p t he r e put a ti o n s o f th e gr e a t m e n o f

t he pa st f r ee f r o m a l l sm udge o f sup e rstiti o n But F r an z

.

B o ll has s ho w n t h at it is by P to l e m y by a cl o s e c o m p aris o n
o f it wit h h is o t he r w o rks The a str o l o gic a l Ce n til a quiu m
?

o r K a r pa s an d o th e r tr e a tis e s o n divi n a t i o n a n d a s t r o l o gi
,

ca l i m a ge s a scrib e d t o P t o l e m y in m e di e v a l L a ti n m a n u

scripts ar e pr o bably spuri o us but t he r e is n o d o ubt o f his

,

be li e f in a str o l o gy G e r m an r e s ea rch as usu a l r e ga rds its

.

f av o rit e P o sid o n ius as the ulti m at e s o urc e o f m uc h o f t h e

Te tr a bibl o s but th is is n o t a m att e r o f muc h c o n s e qu e n c e
,

f o r o u r pr e s e n t i n v e stigat i o n .

In the Te tr a bibl os P t o l e m y fi rs t e n ga ge s in a rgu m e n t

as to the v a lidity o f t h e a r t o f j udici a l a str o l o gy I f his .

r ema rks in t h is c o nn e cti o n w e re n o t al r e ady trit e c o n t e m

ti o n s the y s oo n c am e t o be r e ga rd e d as t r uis m s T he l a ws
, .

o f a str o n o m y a r e b e y o n d disput e s a ys P t o l e m y but t h e a r t

, ,

o f pr e dicti o n o f hu m a n a ff a irs f r o m t he c o urs e s o f t he st a r s

may be a ss a il e d wit h m o re s ho w o f r e a s o n O pp o n e n ts o f .

a str o l o gy o bj e ct t h a t th e ar t is u n c e r t a i n a n d th a t it is u se
,

l e ss si n c e the e v en ts de cr ee d by the f o rc e o f the star s a r e

i nevita bl e P t o l e m y o p e n s h is ar gu m e n t in f a v o r o f the a r t
.

by a ssu m i n g a s e vid e n t tha t a c e rt a i n f o rc e is di ffus e d f ro m

the he av e n s o v e r a ll t h i n gs o n e a rt h I f ign o r an t s a il o rs
.

ar e a bl e t o j udge t h e f utur e w e at h e r f r o m the sky a h igh ly ,

tr ai ne d a str o n o m e r s ho uld be abl e t o pr e dict c o n c e r n i n g its

i nflu enc e o n m an T he a r t its e l f s ho uld n o t be r e j e cte d be
.

c aus e i mp o st o rs f r e qu e n tly abus e it a nd P t o l e m y a dm its

,

that it has n o t ye t be en br o ught to the p o i n t o f p e r f e cti o n

an d t hat e v e n the skil f ul i n v e s t ig a t o r o f t e n m ak e s m ist ak e s

o wi n g t o th e i n c o m pl e t e st a t e o f h u m an sci e n c e Fo r o n e .

t hi n g P to l em y r e ga rds t he d o ctri n e o f the n a tur e o f m a tt e r

,

he ld in h is ti me a s hyp o t h e tica l r a the r t ha n c e rt a i n An .

o th er di fficulty is t h a t o l d c o n figur a ti o n s o f t he st a rs c an
1
S tu die n tibe r Cla u dius P ta l e ma us ,
189 4 .
 MA G I C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CH AP .

not s a fe ly be us e d as the ba sis o f pre s en t day pr e dicti o n s .

I n d e e d s o m an i f o ld a r e t he di ff e r en t p o ssibl e p o siti o n s o f
,

the st a rs a n d the di ffe r en t p o ssibl e a rran ge m en ts o f t e rr e s

tri al m att e r in r e l ati o n to the sta rs that it is di fficult to c o l
l e ct e no ugh o bs e rva ti o n s o n w h ich to ba s e rul e s o f g ene r a l
j udgmen t Mo reo ve r suc h c o n sid e r ati o n s a s div e rsity o f
.
,

pl a c e o f cust o m an d o f e duc ati o n m ust be t ak en i nt o ac

, ,

c o u n t in f o re te lli n g the f utur e o f di ffe re n t p e rs o n s bo rn

u n d e r the s ame st ars But altho ugh f o r the s e r ea s o n s p re
.

dicti o n s f re qu e ntly fa il yet the a r t is n o t t o be c o n dem ne d

,

a n y m o r e t h a n o n e r e j e cts the ar t o f n avi ati o n be c a us e o f

g
f re qu e n t sh i p wre cks .

N o r it is tru e t hat the art is us e l e ss b e c aus e the d e cr ee s

o f the st a rs a r e i n e vit a bl e I t i s o f t e n an a dv a n t a ge to h av e
.

pr e vi o us k no wl e dge e v e n o f w hat c an n o t be av o id e d E ven .

t he pr e dicti o n o f dis a st e r s e rv e s t o br ea k t he n e ws ge n tly .

But no t all pr e dicti o n s a r e i n evit abl e an d i m m ut abl e ; th is

is tru e o n ly o f t he m o ti o n o f the sky its el f and ev ents in
“
w h ic h it i s ex clusiv ely c o nc e rn e d . But o the r events wh ich
do n o t a ris e s o l e ly f r o m th e sky s m o ti o n a r e e a sily a lt e r e d
’

”
by a pplica ti o n o f o pp o sit e r em edi e s j ust a s w e c an in p a r t
,

r eme dy the hurt o f w o u n ds an d dis ea s e s o r c o un t e r act the

he at o f su mm e r by u se o f c o o li n g t hi n gs T he Egypti an s .

hav e al ways f o u n d a str o l o gy us e f ul in the pr a ctic e o f m e di

ci ne .

P t o l em y n ex t pr o c e e ds to s e t f o rth the n atur e s and

“
p o w e rs o f the st a rs a cc o rdi ng to th e o bs e rva ti o n s o f the
”
a n ci e n ts an d c o n f o rm a bly t o n a tur a l sci e n c e . L a t e r w he n
,

he c o m e s to th e pr e dicti o n o f pa rtic ul ars he still pr o f e ss e s

,

“
to f o ll o w e v e ryw h e r e t h e l a w o f n a tur a l c a us a ti o n ,
a n d
“
in a t h ird p a ss a g e h e st a t e s t ha t he will o m it all t ho s e
t hi n gs w hich do n o t have a pr o ba bl e n atur a l c aus e w hic h ,

m a ny n e v e rt he l e ss scruti n iz e curi o usly and t o ex c e ss : n o r

will I pile up divi n ati o n s by lo t c a sti n gs o r fr o m n u mb e rs
-
,

w h ich a r e u n sci en tific but I will tr e at o f t ho s e w hich hav e

,

an n ei v stig t
a e d c e rt a i n ty b a s e d o n t h e p o siti o n s o f t h e st a rs
”
an d t h e pr o pe rti e s of p l a c e s . C o nn e cti n g th e p o siti o n s o f
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP.

ing no r sci e n tific I t s ee m s a rgui n g in a circl e to m a ke t he ir

.

e ff ec ts up o n t he e a rt h d ep e n d to suc h a n e x t e n t upo n t he m

s elv e s b e i n g a ff e ct e d by v ap o rs f ro m the e a rth In d e e d .

w e a r e ra t he r surpris e d t hat an as tro no me r lik e P t o l e m y

s ho uld r e pr e s en t v a p o rs f r o m the eart h as a ff e cti n g the
pl an ets at all But his discussi o n is at l ea st an e ff o rt alb e i t
.
,

a f ee bl e o n e t o e x pr e ss the p o t e n ci e s o f t he pl an e t s in
,

p hysic a l t e r m s .

P t o l em y go e s o n to discuss the p o w e rs o f th e fixe d st a rs

w hich s eem to d ep e n d up o n t he ir p o siti o n s in c o n st ell ati o n s
a n d t h e ir r e la ti o n s t o t he pl a n e ts T he n h e tr e a ts o f t he
.

i n flu en ce o f the f o ur s e a s o n s o f the y ea r and f o ur c ardi n al

p o i nts e a c h o f w hic h he re l at e s to o ne o f th e fo ur qu aliti e s
, ,

ho t c o ld dry a n d m o ist
, , , With a discussi o n o f t he signs
.

o f t he z o di a c a n d t h e ir divisi o n i nt o Ho us e s a n d r e l a ti o n in

Tr ig o n es o r Tr iplici ta tes o r gr o ups o f th r e e c o nn e cte d with

the f o ur q u a liti e s o f th e e x a lt ati o n o f t he pl an e ts in th e
,

sign s a nd o f o t he r divi s i o n s o f the sign s an d rel ati o ns o f

t he pl an e ts t o t h e m t he fi rst b o o k e n ds
, .

T he s e c o n d b o o k b e gi n s by disti n guis hi ng pr e dicti o n o f

e v e n ts f o r w h o l e r e gi o n s o r c o u n tri e s such as w a rs p e sti
, ,

l ence s f am i n e s e a rt hqu ak e s wi n ds dr o ught an d w ea the r

, , , , , ,

f r o m the pr e dicti o n o f ev e n ts in the live s o f i n dividu a ls .

P t o l em y h o lds t h a t e v en ts w h ic h a ffe ct la rge a r e a s o r w ho l e

p eo pl e s a n d citi e s ar e pr o duc e d by gr e ate r an d m o r e v alid
c aus e s t han ar e t he a cts o f i ndividua l m en an d als o t hat in ,

o rd e r t o pr e dict a righ t c o n c e r n i n g t he i n dividu al it is me c e s

s a ry to k n o w his r e gi o n a n d na ti o nality He char act e riz e s .

t he i n h a bit a n ts o f t he t h r e e gr ea t cli m a tic z o n e s q u a rt e rs

1
,

t he i n ha bit e d w o rld i n t o E ur o p e L iby a an d tw o p a rt s f o r

, ,

A si a in t he styl e o f the T m aps a n d subdivid e s t he s e i n t o

,
-

di ffe r e n t c o u n tri e s wh o s e p e o pl e s ar e d e scrib e d i n cludi n g ,

such r a c e s a s the Am a zo n s T he e ffe cts o f the st a rs vary

.

a cc o rdi n g t o ti m e a s w e ll a s pl a c e s o t hat t he p e ri o d in
,

w h ic h a n y i n di v idu a l liv e s i s a s i m p o rta n t to t a ke i n t o

I
v
I n th e m e d ie a l La tin t ra n s l atio n t he S l a v s r ep l a c e th e S cythian s
o f P to l e m y s t e xt
’
.
 S EN E CA AN D P T O L EM Y 115

a cco u n t as h is na ti o n ality P to l emy als o discuss e s ho w the

.

he a v e nly b od i e s i n flu e n c e th e g e nus o f e v en ts a m att e r ,

wh ic h d e pe n ds l a rge ly up o n the sign s o f the z o di a c and ,

a ls o h o w th e y d e t e r m i n e th e ir qu ali ty g o o d o r b a d a n d s p e
, ,

ci e s w hic h d ep en ds o n the d o m i n an t st ar s an d t he ir co n
,

j u n cti o n s Co n s e qu ently he giv e s a list o f the th i n gs w hich

.

b e l o n g u n d e r the r ul e o f e ac h pl an et T he rem ai n d e r o f .

the s e c o n d b o o k is c o n c e r n e d ch i e fly with pr e dicti o n o f wi n d

a n d w ea t he r t h r o ugh t h e y e a r a n d wit h o t he r m e t eo r o l o gic a l

phen o m ena s uc h a s c o m ets .

The l ast t w o bo o ks t ak e up the pre dicti o n o f even ts in v

N at i itie s .

the liv e s o f i n dividu als f r o m th e st ars in o th e r w o rds th e ,

sci en ce o f n a tiviti e s o r ge n e thli al o gy The th ird b o o k dis.

cuss e s c o nc epti o n an d birth ho w to t ak e the ho r o sc o p e

,

P t ol em y i n sists t ha t the a stro l ab e is t he o n ly r e li abl e in s t r u

m e n t fo r d e t e r m i n i n g the ex a ct ti m e ; s un di a ls o r w a t e r -

c l o cks will n o t do —
an d h o w t o pr e dict c o n c e r n i n g p a r e n ts ,

bro the rs an d sist e rs se x twi n s m o n str o us birt hs l e n gth

, , , ,

o f li f e t he p hysi ca l c o n stituti o n o f t he c h ild b o r n a n d w h a t

,

a ccid e n ts an d dis ea se s m ay b e f al l it a n d fi n ally c o n c e rn i n g

,

m e n t a l trai ts a n d d e f e cts T he f o urt h b o o k d e a ls l e s s w i th

.

the n a ture o f t he i n dividu al a n d m o r e wit h t he pre dicti o n o f

ex t e r n a l e v e n ts w h ic h be f a ll th e i n dividu a l : h o n o r s o ffic e , ,

m a rri age o ffspri ng sl ave s tr ave l an d th e s o rt o f d ea th tha t

, , , ,

h e will die .P t o l e m y in o pe n i n g the f o u r t h b oo k m ak e s t he

disti n cti o n t hat w h il e in the t h ird bo o k he tr e a t e d o f m at
,

t e rs a nt ec e d en t to birt h o r i mme di at e ly r e l at e d to bi r t h o r
w h ich c o n c e r n the t em pe r amen t o f the i n di v idu a l n o w he ,

will d ea l w it h tho s e ex te r n al to the b o dy a n d wh ich

ha ppen t o the i n dividu al f r om wit ho ut But o f c o urs e it
.

i s di fficult to m a i n tai n suc h a disti n cti o n with en tir e c on

sisten cy .

T he gr e at i n flu e n c e o f t he Te tr a bibl os is s ho wn n o t o n ly
in m e di ev a l A r abic c o mm en t a ri e s a n d L a ti n tr an sl ati o n s ,

but m o re i mm e di a t e ly in the a stro l o gic a l writi ngs o f the de

c l in ing R o m an E m pir e w h en s uc h a str o l o ge rs a s Hep h ae s
,
1 16 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP 1 11
.

ti o n of Theb e s ? P aul of Al ex an dri a

Juliu s Firm icus , and

Mate rn u s cit e it as a l ea di n g auth o ritativ e w o rk O n ly the .

o pp o n e n ts o f a s tr o l o gy a pp ea r t o h a v e r e m a i n e d i gn o r an t

o f the Te tra bi bl os c o n ti n ui n g t o m ak e critic is m s o f t he a r t

,

w hich do n o t a pply to P to l em y s pre s e nt ati o n o f it o r wh ic h

’

ha d b e e n sp e ci fi c a lly an sw e r e d by h im T hu s S e xtus E m .

p i r ic u s a t ta
,
cki n g a str o l o gy a b o ut 2 0 0 A D d o e s n o t m e n . .
,

ti o n the Te tra bibl os an d s o m e o f the Chr isti an critics o f

a str o l o gy a pp a r e n tly h ad n o t r ea d it Whethe r th e N eo .

P l at o n is t s P o rphyry an d P r o clus wro t e a n i ntr o ducti o n to

-
, ,

and c o m m en ta ry upo n it is disput e d .

1
I n de e d, He p hae s tio n s fi r s t two
’
dit G uil el m u s K r o l l , B e r lin, 19 08 .

bo o k s are n o thin g Pto l emy

but S e e a l s o C CA G pas s im c o n ce rn in g
r ep e at ed A bo u t
. c o n t e mp o r a r y b o th He p h ae s t io n an d V e ttius
w it h P t o l e m y s e e m s t o h a e be e n v V al e n s , and En g e l br ec ht, Hephas
'

V e ttiu s Va l e n s w ho s e a s t r o l o g ic a l tion v a n Th e be n un d s e in as tr a
wo r k is e x ta nt : V e ttiu s V a l e n s , l o g is ch es C o mp end iu m, V ie nn a,
A n th ol ogiar um l ibri p rimu m e di 1 88 7 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CHAN .

in m e dic in e - Na s t in e s s o f an c ien t m e dic ine— P ar ts o f an im al s— S o me

s cep t ic is m D o c t r in e o f o cc ul t ir tue V ir tue o f th e e s h o f ip er s
—
v —
fl v
T he r iac— Magic al co m p o un d s— A m ul et s— I n ca n tatio ns a n d c ha r ac te r s
B e l ie f in m ag ic die s h a r d— O n E as ily P r o c ur a bl e R e me dies — S p ecim en s
of it s s up e r s t it io u s c o n t ent s— Ex te r n al s ign s of th e t e mp e r a m e n t s of

in te r na l o r ga n s — Ma r v e l o u s s ta t e m e n t s r ep e a te d by Maim o nide s
Dr eam s Ab s en c e o f a s t r o l o gy in m o s t o f G al e n s m e dic in e— The
’
—

P r agn as tica tia n of D is e as e by As tr o lo g y— Cr itic al day s— O n th e His

v
t or y o f P hil o s op hy— D i in at io n a n d dem o n s— Ce l es tial bo dies .

and el ’
xur a y m yo u 7 } 6 66 , buc k e ye?) d wados r o bubv 5 3hov
’
‘
T LS r 1r a p

ép a vr o ii r ov Bl av iin a flo v,
‘

01 36 6 11 2m ar e ba a s r obu 6t n yo vuévwv r
'
d r at a iir a ,

p ij bs (In! 6vva r av 55V e is éMeiv y e

’
irei p a fl va t It a l
'

1r . a iI r i reip a v .

Ku h n , IV , 5 1 3 .

816 Kfiv uer

’
éué r t s ouo la s ép o l (ptk oirovas r e It a l
.
t wr t xds ahnOe l a s
“
vévnr a t , w) éx Bvai v i)
'
ii s w xp ij a ewv dr é flw r ah
’

n p o r er c r p ré o c a tv a p .

Maci s y ap 0 e .
qba veir a t 6rd . r ij s p a n p é s r e lp a s éba i rep éqbdvn xéy a l
Kuhn X III , , 6
9 1
-
.

‘ ‘ ‘

xp i7 y ap rav p ék k o vr a y ucba ea oa l r t r cbv r ok k cév duewov 6 600s p év

braves/
‘

It a l r ij pbaei
c Ka i r fj u p dir n 6L6a a xa h l a r ah ) r cbv a}t Kei r

bdv 63 y évnsra i p et p é mov dk nfle l a s wbs éxew ép car ucijv ua via v

’
ér ei r

évdo va ubr r a ma l mfi fiuép a s mir e vvicr bs «St a he iirew

’
a irebbavr a
‘

cba r ep
’ ’

a vvr er a uévo v éxua deiv, ba a évboij o r dr ocs el p nr a t

'

re Ka i
. . r o is r éiv

’
a a h a cé ér et bav 6 éxudfln, xp l vew a br a Ica l Ba a c wif ew p
’

w
'
vcp

p év buok oy d eva p yibs ( a t vouév ms

'

r a p irdhhqs It a l a nor ei v r oi s p
'

’
« ba a 63: 5 La ¢ép 6 7
. at xa l oilr ws r d uév a lp ei a fla t r d 6 ar oa r p éc ea fla t . p
K uhn , 11, 179 .

B ut if a nyo n e c h a r ge s me t h e r e w th , i I con fess my di se a s e

f r o m w h i ch I h a v e s u ff e r e d al l my l i f e l o ng ,
to t r ust n on e

of th os e w ho mak e s u ch s t at e m e nt s unt il I ha ve t e s te d th e m

f o r mys e l f in so far as it ha s be e n p o s s bl e f o r me t o p ut the m i

”
t o th e t e s t .

“
S o if a nyo n e a ft e r m e b e c o me s l i k e m e f o n d of wor k a nd

ze al o us for t r uth , l e t h im no t c o n c l u de h a s t ily f r o m two or

th r e e c as e s . Fo r o f te n he i
w ll be e nl i g ht e ne d t h r o u gh l o n g
i
e xp e r e n c e , j us t as I ha ve be e n .
( It is r e ma r k abl e t h at P to

l e my spo k e s i mi l a r ly o f his p r e de c e s s o r , Hi pp a r chus ,

as a lo ver
of to l i a nd t r uth
”
m l qt a xigeea ,
’

quote d by O rr
 G AL E N

Fo r wh o is t o u n de r s ta n d a ny ma tte r b ett e r th a n m o s t
o ne

me n do mu s t s t r a ight w ay d iff e r mu ch f r o m o th e r p e r s o n s in
h is n atu r e a n d e a r l e s t e duc at ion i
A n d w h e n h e b e c o me s a .

l a d h e mu s t b e ma dly in l o ve i
w th th e t r uth an d c ar r e d i a w ay

by e nt h u s ia s m f o r it , an d not let up by day o r by n ight but

pr e s s on a n d s t r et c h e v y er ner ve to v
l e a r n w h ate e r t h e a n c e nts i
of mo s t r ep ute ha v e s a i d
B ut h a v i ng l e a r n e d it, h e mu s t j u dge
.

th e s a me a n d p ut it to th e t e st f o r a l o ng , l o n g t i me a n d o b s e r v e

wh a t a g r e es w ith v i s i bl e p h e n o me n a a n d wh at di s ag r e e s, a n d
so a ccep t t h e o n e a n d r e j e ct th e o th e r .

I . The M an an d His Times

AT the cl o s ei n e teen th c e n tury o n e En glish stu

of th e n
“
de n t o f the h isto ry o f m e dici ne s a id G al e n is s o in acces ,

sibl e to E nglis h r e a de r s t ha t it is di ffi cult t o l e ar n ab o ut

“
Ano t he r wr o t e The r e is pe r haps
” 1
h im a t fi rst h an d .
, , ,

n o o t h e r i n st an c e o f a m an o f e qu a l i nt ell e ctu a l r a nk wh o

ha s b e en s o p e rsist e n tly m isu n d e rst o o d an d ev e n m isi n t e r

” 2
pr e te d A t h ird o bst acl e to the r ea dy c o m pr eh e n si o n o f
.

G a l e n has b e e n t h a t w h il e m o re critic al e diti o n s o f s o m e

si n gl e w o rks hav e b ee n publis he d by Helm r e ich a nd o t he rs
in re c en t ti m e s n o c o m pl e t e e diti o n o f his w o rks has ap
3
,

p e a r e d si n c e t h a t o f K iihn a c e n tury a o ? w h ic h is n o w re
g
ga rde d a s v ery f aulty A fo urth r ea s o n f o r n e gl ec t o r
?

1
J am es Fin l ays o n , G a le n : Tw o Hel m r e ich , 1 9 04 ; D e us u par tium,
Bi bliog r ap hica l D e m o n s tr a tio ns in ed . He l m r e ic h ,
1 9 07 , 1 9 09 .

th e Libr a r y o f th e Fa c u l ty o f In Co r pu s Me dic a r u m
Grae
P hys icia n s a n d S ur g e o ns of G l as c o r u m, V , 9 , 1 - 2 , 1 9 1 4 - 19 1 5 Th e
v
,

go w, 1 89 5 S in ce th e n I b e l ie e
. Hipp o cr a tic C o m m e n ta r ies , e d
'

k
.

t h a t t he o n l y w o r o f G al e n t o b e M e wa l dt, He l m r e ich , W e s te n
t r a n s l at e d in t o En g l is h is O n th e b e r g e r , D ie l s Hie g
k
, .

N a tu r a l F a c u l tie s e d A J B r o c , , . . . Ca r o l u s G o ttl o b K uh n, C lau di i

19 16 ( L o e b L ib r ar y ) . G a l en i O p e r a O mn ia L e ip z ig, ,
“
J F P a yn e , The R e la tio n of
. . 18 2 1 - 1 8 3 3 , 2 1 o ls v
My c ita tio n s
.

Har vey to h is P r e d e c es s o r s a n d w il l b e t o t h is e ditio n , u n l e s s

es pe c ia l ly to G a len : Ha r e ian v o t h e r w is e s p e c ifi e d An o l de r
.

O r atio n o f 189 6 , in Th e L a n c e t, e dit io n w h ic h is o f te n c it e d is t h at

O c t 24 , 189 6 p
.
, . of R e natu s Ch ar t e riu s , P a r is ,
“
I n th e T e ubn e r t e x ts : S cr ip 1 67 9 1 3 ol s v .

T h e a r t ic l e o n G al e n in P W
,

t ar a m in a r a, 1 - 3 , e d I Ma r qua r d t ,
“
. .

I Mu e l l e r , G He l m r e ic h 1 884
. .
, r e g a r ds s o me o f th e t r e at is e s a s
189 3 ; D e vic tu e d He l m r e ic h ,, .
p r in t e d in K uh n a s a l m o s t un
189 8 ; De t e mp e r a m en tis , ed . r e a d a bl e .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP.

m is un d e rst an di n g of G al e n is pr o ba bly that the r e is so m uch

by him to be r ea d .

A t he n a e us sta t e d tha t G a l e n wr o t e m o r e tre a tis e s than

a ny o t he r G r e e k a n d a lt ho ug h m a n y a r e n o w l o st
, m o re ,

p a rticul a rly o f his l o gic a l an d p h il o s o p h ic a l writi ngs his ,

c o lle ct e d ex t an t w o rks in G ree k t ex t an d L ati n tran slati o n

fi ll s o m e twe n ty vo lu m e s av e r a gi n g a t ho us an d p age s e ac h .

When w e a dd that o ft en the r e a r e n o chapt e r hea di n gs o r

o t he r bri e f clu e s t o t he c o n t e n t s ? w h ic h m ust b e p l o ugh e d

t hr o ugh sl o wly an d tho r o ugh ly si n ce s o m e o f t he m o st ,

va lu a bl e bits o f i n fo rm a ti o n c o m e in quit e i n cid e n t ally o r

by w ay o f u n l o o k e d f o r digre ssi o n ; tha t e rro rs in the pri n t e d
-

t ex t and the te chn ic a l v o c abul a ry wi th n um e r o us w o rds

,

n o t f o u n d in m o st cl a ssic a l dicti o n a ri e s i n cr e a s e t he r e a d e r s
’

d i ffi culti e s ; an d t h at littl e if a ny o f the t ex t po ss e ss e s any

2

pr e s e nt me dic al v a lu e w h il e m uc h o f it is dr e a ry en o ugh
,

r eadi n g ev en f o r o n e an i m at e d by h ist o ric al i nt e re st e sp e ,

c ial ly if o n e h a s n o t e c hn ic a l k n o wl e dge o f m e dici n e an d

s urge ry w hen w e c o nsid e r all t he s e d e t e rr e nts we a r e n o t

—
,

“
s urpris e d t ha t G a l e n is littl e k n o w n Fe w p hysici an s o r
.

”
e v en sc ho l a rs in t he pre s e n t da y c o n ti nu e s the En glis h
,

“
hi st o ri a n o f me dici ne qu o te d ab o ve can cl a i m t o hav e ,

r e ad thr o ugh t h is v a st c o lle cti o n ; I c e rt a i n ly l ea st o f all I .

c an o n ly pr e t en d t o h a v e t o uc he d t h e f ri n g e e sp e c ia lly o f ,

” 3
the a n at o m ic a l an d p hysi o l o gic al w o r ks .

Al tho ugh K u h n s I n de x fi l l s a a m in e d l o n g s t r e t c h e s o f t e xt
1 ’

v o l u m e , it is f a r f r o m d e p e ndab l e . v
f r o m w hic h I h a e g o t n o th in g .

z
L idde ll a n d S c o tt o f t e n f a il t o Fo r t h e m o s t p a r t, I t ho ug ht it
a l l u de to g e r m an e p a s s a g e s in k
b e tt e r n o t t o t a e t im e t o r ea d th e
k v
G al e n s w o r s , e e n wh e n th e y
’
Hip p o c r a tic c o m m e nt a r ie s . At
in c l ude , w it h c it at io n o f s o m e fi r s t I w a s in c l in ed to de p e n d
up o n o t h e r s f o r G a l en s t r e at is e s
’

o th e r a uth o r t h e w o r d h e u s e s
,
.

“
P e r h ap s a t th is p o int a s im i o n a n a t o m y an d p h y s io l o gy, b ut

l a r l y c an did c o n f e s s io n by t h e fi n a ll y I r e ad m o s t o f t he m in
p r e s e n t w r it e r is in o r der I ha e
. v o r d e r t o l ea r n at fi r s t h a nd o f his

t r ie d t o d o a l itt l e m o r e t h a n D r
P a yn e in his m o de s t y s e e m s r e a dy
t o a dm it o f h im s e l f , a n d to l o o
v
o e r c a r e f u l l y e n o ug h n o t t o m is s
. a r g um e n t f r o m de s ig n a n d h is
a t t it u de t o w a r d s d is s e c t io n
. Fu r
k t h e r t h a n t h is t h e r e a d e r ca n p r o b
a bl y j udg e f o r h im s e l f f r o m m y

a n yt hin g of im p o r ta n ce th o s e c ita tio n s as t o t h e e x t e n t an d

k
w o r s w hic h s e e m e d a t a l l l i el y k d e p t h o f m y r e a d in g . My fi r s t
t o b e a r up o n m y p a r tic ul a r in t e r d r a f t w a s c o m p l e te d b e f o r e I dis
e s t, t h e h is to r y o f s c ie n ce a n d v
c o e r e d t ha t P u sc h m a nn h a d ma d e
mag ic I n c o n s e que n ce I h a e e x
. v c o n s iderabl e use of G al e n f or
 MA GI C AN D EXPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

If c o mp ar a tively littl e is gene ra lly k no w n a bo ut G al en

so ,

it is n o t b e c aus e he had a n u n attr active p e rs o n ality N o r .

is it di ffic ult t o m ak e o ut the m a i n e v en ts o f his li f e His .

w o r ks supply an u n usu a l am o un t o f p e rs o n al i n f o r m a ti o n ,

a nd t h r o ugh o ut his w r iti n gs u n l e ss h e is m e r e ly t r an s c r ib

,

in g p a st pre scripti o n s h e t alks lik e a livi n g m an d e t a ili n g

, ,

i n cid en ts o f d aily li fe a n d m aki n g up o n th e r e a d e r a vivid

a n d u n a ff e ct e d i m pr e ssi o n o f r e a lity D a rem b e r g a ss e rts 1
.

t hat the e x ub e r an c e o f h is i m a gi n a ti o n a n d his v an ity f r e

qu e ntly m a k e us s m il e I t is t r u e t ha t h is pha r m ac o l o gy an d
.

t he r a pe utics o f t e n strike us a s ridicul o us but h e did n o t ,

i m agi n e t hem t hey w e r e the m e dici n e o f h is a ge It i s t ru e

, .

that he m e n ti o n s c a s e s w h ich h e h a s cur e d an d th o s e in wh ich

o t he r p hysici an s h a v e b e en a t f a ult but o ffi ci al w ar des ,

p atc he s do the s am e with t he ir o w n vict o ri e s and the e ne my s ’

d e feats Vae vic tis ! I n G al e n s ca s e a t l ea st p o ste rity

.
’

, ,

l o n g c o n fir m e d h is o w n v e rdict An d dull o r o bs o l e t e a s his

.

m e dici n e n o w is his sc ho l a rly a n d i n t e ll e ctu a l id e als a nd

,

l o v e o f h a rd w o rk a t h is ar t ar e still a livi n g f o rc e wh il e ,

t h e r e a d e r o f h is p a g e s o f t e n f ee ls h i m s e l f c arri e d b a ck to
“
t he R o m an w o rld o f the s e c o n d c e n tury T h us the m a gic .

” “
o f lit e r a tur e t o q u o t e a fi n e s e n t e n c e by P ay n e
, bri n gs ,
” 2
t o ge the r t h i n k e rs wid e ly s e p a r at e d in sp ac e an d ti m e .

G a l e n he d o e s n o t s e em t o hav e b ee n c al l e d Cl audius
—

“
u n til the ti m e o f t he Re n a is sa n c e w a s bo r n a b o ut 1 2 9 A D —
.

a t P e r gam u m in A si a M i n o r His fa th e r N ik o n w as an
.
, ,

a rc h it e ct a n d m a t he m a tici an tr a i n e d in a ri thm e tic ge o m e

, ,

try an d a str o n o m y Muc h o f t h is e duc a ti o n he t r an sm itt e d

, .

t o his s o n but e v e n m o r e v a lu a bl e in G a l e n s o pi n i o n w e r e
’

, , ,

his pr e c e pts to f o ll o w no o n e s e ct o r p a rt y but to hear an d

j udge t he m all to d e spis e ho n o r an d gl o ry an d to ma gn i fy
, ,

t rut h a l o n e T o t h is t e ac hi n g G a l e n a ttribut e s his o wn

.

p e a c e ful a nd
p a i n l e ss p a ss age t h r o ugh li f e H e has n e v e r .

”
Ch V D a r e mbe r g, E xp os itio n
1
. .
L a nc e t p . 1 140 .

d es c o n naiss a n c es d e G a l ie n s u r
l a n a ta m ie, l a p h ys i o l o g ic e t l a
’
,
“
Broc k p . xvt , s a ys in

a th a l agi e d u s ys tem e n er ve ux 1 3 1 AD Cl i n t o n, Fas ti R o mani ,

P
.
,

a r is , 1 84 1 . p l ac e d i t in 1 3 0.
gri eve d o ve r l o ss e s o f pr o p e rty but m anage d t o get al o ng
s o m eho w He ha s n o t m i n d e d m uc h w hen s o m e hav e vitu
.

p e rat e d h im t h i n ki n
,
g i n st ea d o f t h o s e w h o pr a is e hi m I n .

l at e r li f e G al en l o o k e d b ack wit h gr e at a ff e cti o n upo n h is

t
f a he a r n d sp o k e o f hi s o w n gr e a t g o o d f o r t u n e in h avi n g
a s a p a r e n t t h a t g en tl e st j ust e st m o st h o n e st a n d hu m an e
, ,

o f m en O n th e o t he r han d the c h i e f t h i n g t h at h e l e ar ne d
. ,

f r o m hi s m o t h e r w a s t o av o id h e r f a ili n gs o f a s h a rp t e m

p e r a n d t o n gu e wit h w h,
ic h s h e m a d e li f e m is e r a bl e f o r t h e ir

ho us eh o ld sl av e s an d sc o ld e d his f at he r w o rse t han Xan

th ipp e e v e r did S o cr at e s
?

In o n e o f his w o rks G al e n spe aks o f the p assi o na t e l o v e

a nd e n t husi a s m f o r trut h w h ic h h a s p o ss e ss e d him si n c e b o y

h o o d s o t ha t he has n o t st o pp e d e it he r by da y o r by n igh t
,

f r o m qu e st o f it ?
He r e aliz e d t h a t t o b e c o m e a tru e sc ho l a r
r equi r e d bo t h h igh n atur a l qu alific a ti o n s an d a sup e ri o r typ e
o f e duc ati o n f r o m the st a rt A f t e r his f o urt e e n t h y ea r h e
.

he a rd th e l e ctur e s o f v a ri o us p h il o s o p he rs P l at o n ist a n d ,

P e rip at etic S t o ic an d E picur e an ; but w he n ab o ut s e v e n t ee n

, ,

w a rn ed by a dr e am o f h is f athe r he tur n e d to the study

3
,

of m e dici n e T h is i n c id e n t o f t h e dr e am s h o ws t h at
.

n e it h e r G a l e n n o r h is f a t h e r d e spi t e t h e ir e du c a ti o n a n d in
,

te ll ectua l st an d a rds w e r e f r e e f r o m t he cur r e n t b e li e f in

,

o ccult i n flu e n c e s o f w h ic h w e s h a ll fi n d m an y m o r e i n st an c e s
,

in G al e n s w o rks G a l e n fi rst studi e d m e dici n e f o r f o ur

’
.

y e a rs u n d e r S atyr u s in his n ati v e city o f P e rgam u m t hen ,

u n d e r P e l o ps at S myr n a l at e r u n d e r N u m is ian u s a t Co ri n th
,

a n d A l ex an d r i a T h is w as a b o u t th e ti m e tha t t h e g r ea t
?

ma t h em a tici a n an d a str o n o m e r P t o l e m y w a s c o m pl e t i n g , ,

h is o bs e rv ati o n s 5
in t he n e ighb o r h o o d o f A l e x a n d r i a but ,

G al e n d o e s n o t m e n ti o n him d e spit e h is o w n b li e f t h a t a
, e

fi r s t r at e physici a n s h o uld a ls o k n o w suc h subj e cts as

-

“
T h e s e de tail s a r e f r o m t h e D e XI X 5 9 , .

“
c a g n as c e n dis c u r a n dis qu e a nim i De a n a ta m . ad m in is t ,
K uh n ,
m o r bis c ap 8 , K uhn , V , 4 0- 44
, . . II ,
2 17 , 2 2 4-2 5 , 66 0 . See a l s o XV ,
2
De n a tur a libus f a cu l ta tibus , 13 6 ; XI X 5 7
, .

“
I II , 1 0 K ii h n I I 1 7 9
, , , . His r eco r d e d a s t r o n o mica l ob
“
K uh n , X, 6 09 ( D e m e th a d a s e r va t io n s extend f rom 12 7 to 15 1
m e d e n di ) ; a l s o XV I , 2 2 3 ; a n d AD .
 MA GI C AND E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

ge o m etry an d a st r o n o m y m usic an d r he t o ric , G a l e n s in ? ’

t e r e s t in p h il o s o p hy c o n ti n u e d h o w e v e r a n d he wr o t e m an y
, ,

l o gic a l a n d p h il o s o p h ica l t r e atis e s m o st o f w h ic h a r e lo st ?

,

His f a t h e r di e d w h e n h e w a s t w e n ty an d it w a s a f t e r th is ,

t ha t he w e n t to o t he r citi e s t o study .

G al e n r e tur n e d t o P e rgam u m t o pra ctic e a nd w a s w hen ,

but tw en ty n i ne m a d e the d o ct o r f o r the gl a di ato rs by fi ve

-
,

succ e ssi ve p o n t i ff s ?
Duri n g his t h i r ti e s c a m e his first r e si
d e n c e at R o m e ?
T h e a rticl e o n G a l e n in P a uly W is s o w a -

st at e s t ha t h e w a s driv e n a w ay f r o m R o m e by the pl a gu e ,
“
a n d in D e li br is pr opr n s he d o e s s a y t h a t w hen the gr ea t ,

pl a gu e br o k e o ut t he r e I h u r ri e dly d ep a r t e d f r o m the city

,
” 5
f o r m y n a ti v e l a n d But in D e pr o gn os tica tia n e a d Epi
.

g e n e m his e x pl a n a ti o n is t h a t h e b e c am e disgust e d wit h t he

m alic e o f t he e n vi o us p h ysici a n s o f the c apita l an d d et e r ,

m i n e d t o r e tur n ho m e as s o o n a s the s e diti o n t h e r e w as o ve r ?

Meanw h il e he st aye d o n an d ga i n e d gr eat f am e by his cur e s

but t he ir j e a l o usy an d o ppo siti o n m ultipli e d s o t hat pr e s ,

e n tly w h e n h e l ea r n e d t h a t t he s e diti o n w a s o v e r h e w e n t
, ,

ba ck t o P e r gamum .

His f am e h o w ev e r h ad c o m e to t he i m p e ri a l ea rs an d
, ,

h e w as s o o n su mm o n e d t o A q uil e i a t o m ee t th e e m p e r o rs o n
t he ir w ay n o r t h a gai n st the i n va di n g G e r m an s A n o ut .

bre ak o f t he pl agu e t he r e p r e v e n t e d t he ir p r o c ee di n g wit h -

t h e c a m p a ig n i m m e di a t e ly a n d G a l e n st a t e s t ha t t he e m
7
,

r o r s fl e d f o r R o m e wit h a f e w tr o o ps l e a vi n g t h e r e st t o
p e ,

su ff e r f r o m th e pl a gu e an d c o ld wi n t e r O n t he w ay L ucius .

Ve rus di e d an d w h e n Ma r cus A ur e lius fi n ally re tur n e d to

,

the f r o n t h e a ll o w e d G a l e n t o go bac k t o R o m e a s c o urt

,

“
“
K h u X 6
n, ,
1 . a d 55 p k f fi t v i it f n 1 , s ea s o a rs s o

F r ag m e n ts du c o mm e n ta ir e d e G al e n t o R o m e in 1 62 a n d a s e co nd
G a li en s u r l e Tim e e d e P la to n , in 1 64 , b u t h e h a s m is in t e r p r e t e d
’

w e r e p ub l is h e d f o r t h e fi r s t t im e , G al e n s s ta te m e n t s
’
Wh en G a l en .

k
bo t h in G r e e a n d a Fr en c h t r an s k
s p ea s of h is s ec o n d is it t o v
l a t io n , to g e th e r w ith a n E s s ai s ur R o m e h e m e an s h is r etur n a f te r
,

G a l ien c o n s id é r é c o m m e ph il a t h e p l a g ue .

“
s a p h e , by Ch Da r e m b e r g , P a r is ,
.
K ii h n, X I X , 1 5 .

“
184 8 .
K uhn , XI V , 62 2 6 2 5 , 64 8 ; s ee ,

a nd XI I , 2 63
“
K u h n , X II I 5 99 -600 , . al s o I , 5 4 5 7 -
, .

“ K iih n , XI V , 649 5 0
7
C l in t o n F as ti R a m ani, I , 1 5 1
,
-
.
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

p e ssi m is m We f ee l t hat t he s e m en liv e d in an i n te ll e ctu al

.

s o ci e ty wh e r e f a cti o n a n d vill ai n y sup e rstiti o n an d p e tty

,

m i n d e d ne ss an d p e rs o n a l e nm ity w e r e m o r e m an i f e st t han
,

in the q ui e t e r a n d le t us ho p e m o r e t o l e ra n t l e a r n e d w o rld
, ,

o f o u r ti m e . S elfi s hn e s s a n d p r e t e n s e p e rs o nal lik e s a n d

,

dislik e s u nd o ubt e dly still pl ay t he ir p a rt but t h e r e is n o t

, ,

passi o n at e an i m o sity a n d o p en w ar t o the k n i f e o n e ve ry

hand The s tatus belli m ay still be c ha r a ct e ristic o f p o litics
.

an d th e busi n e ss w o rld but scho l a r s s eem a bl e to liv e in

,

s ubst an ti a l p e ac e P e rh aps it is b e c a us e t he r e is l e ss pr o sp e ct
.

o f w o rldly ga i n f o r m em b e rs o f th e l ea r n e d pr o f e ssi o n s

t han in G al en s day P e r hap s it is due t o the gr o wt h o f the

’
.

im p a rti a l s ci en ti fi c spirit o f u nwritt e n c o d e s o f c o urt e sy a n d

,

e t h ics wit h i n t h e l e a di n g l ea r n e d pr o f e ssi o n s an d o f st a t e

,

l aws c o n c e rn i n g such m att e rs a s p a t e n ts c o pyrigh t p r o fe s

, ,

si o ua l d e gre e s pur e f o o d and pur e dru gs P e r haps in the

, , .
,

u n s atis fa cto ry rel a ti o n s b etw e en t ho s e w ho s ho uld hav e be en

the b e s t e duc at e d an d m o st e n light e n e d m e n o f t ha t ti me
we m ay s ee a n i mpo rta n t sym pt o m o f the i nt e lle ctu al an d
e t h ic a l d ec li n e o f t he a n ci e n t w o rld .

G al en st a t e s t hat m any tir e o f t he l o n g struggl e with

cra fty and wick e d men w h ich t he y hav e tri e d t o c a rry o n ,

r e lyi ng up o n th e ir e ruditi o n an d hon e st to il a l on e an d ,

withdr a w disgust e d f r o m the m a ddi n g cr o wd to s av e t hem

s e lv e s in dign i fi e d r e tir e m en t He e sp e ci a lly m arv e ls at
.

th e e vil m i n d e d n e ss o f p h ysici a n s o f r e put a ti o n at R o m e

-
.

T ho ugh t he y liv e in t h e city t he y a r e a b an d o f r o bb e r s a s

,

truly as the brigan ds o f the m o u nt a i n s He is i n cli n e d to .

a cc o u n t f o r t h e r o gu e r y o f R o m a n p hysici an s c o m p a r e d t o

t ho s e o f a s m all e r city by the f acts t ha t e ls e whe r e m e n a r e

n o t s o t e m pt e d by t he m a g n itud e o f p o ssibl e ga i n a n d t hat

in a s m all e r t o w n e v e ry o ne i s k n o w n by e v e ry o n e e ls e a n d
q u e sti o nabl e practic e s c an n o t e sc ap e gen e r al n o tic e T he .

ric h m e n o f R o m e fa ll ea sy pr e y to t he s e u n scrupul o us p ra c
t it io ne r s w h o a r e r e a dy t o fl att e r t h em a n d pl a y up to t he ir
w eak ne ss e s T he s e rich m en c an s e e the u se o f arithm e tic
.

an d g eo m e try ,
w h ic h enabl e t hem to k e e p t he ir b o o ks
 G A L EN

str a ight an d to build ho us e s f o r

the ir d o m e stic c o m f o rt ,

a n d o f divi n ati o n an d a str o l o gy f ro m wh ic h t hey s ee k ,

t o l e a r n w h o s e h e irs th ey w ill b e but t hey have no ,

a ppr e ci a ti o n of pur e phil o s o phy apa rt f r o m rhet o rical

s o ph istry ?

G a l e n m o r e t han o n c e c o m pl a i n s t ha t t he r e a r e n o r ea l
s e ek e rs a f t e r trut h in h is ti m e but t hat all a r e i n t en t upo n ,

m o n e y p o litic a l p o w e r o r pl e a sur e
,
Y o u k n o w v e r y w e ll
, . ,

h e s a ys t o o n e o f his f ri e n ds in t h e D e m e tha d a m e de n di ,

tha t n o t fi ve m en o f all t ho s e w ho m w e hav e m et pr e f e r to

b e ra t h e r t ha n t o s e em wis e ?
Man y m a ke a gr eat o ut war d
displ ay a nd pr e t en s e in m e dici ne an d o th e r a r ts w ho hav e
no r e al k n o wl e dge ?
G al en s e v e r a l ti m e s ex pr e ss e s his
sc o r n f o r t ho s e w ho sp en d t he ir m o r n i n gs in go i n g a bo ut
s a luti ng t he ir f ri en d s a n d t he ir ev e n i n gs in dri n ki n g b o ut s
,

o r in di n i n g wit h t h e ric h a n d p o w e r f ul Y e t e v e n his .

f ri e n ds h a v e r e pr o a c h e d h im f o r studyi n g t o o m uch a n d n o t
go i n g o ut m o r e But w h il e t he y ha v e w a st e d the ir ho urs
.

t hus he h as sp e n t his fi r st in l e a r n i n g all t ha t the a n ci e nt s

, ,

hav e disc o v e r e d t ha t is o f v alu e t he n in t e sti n g a nd pr a e ,

tici n g the s am e ?
Mo r eo ve r n o w a d ays m any ar e tryi n g ,
- -

to t e a c h o t he rs w ha t t h e y ha v e n e v e r a cc o m plis h e d t he m
“
s e lve s T he ss alus n o t o n ly t o a di e d to t he ric h but s e cure d
.

m an y p upils by o ff e ri n g t o t e a c h t he m m e dici n e in s ix
m o n th s ?
He n c e it is t hat t a il o rs an d dy e rs an d s m ith s
a r e a b an d o n i n g t h e ir a rts t o be c o m e ph ysici a n s T he ss a lus .

h i m s e l f G a l e n u n ge n e r o usly t a u n ts w as e duc a t e d by a
, ,

f a t h e r w ho pluck e d w o o l b a dly in th e w o m e n s a p a r t m e n ts ?
’

I n d e e d G a l e n h i m s e l f by th e v i o l e n c e o f h is i n v e c t iv e a n d
, ,

t he o cc a s i o n a l p a ssi o n a t e n e ss o f his an i m o sity in his c o n

t r o ve r s ie s wi t h o t he r i n di v idu a ls o r sc h o o ls o f m e dici n e ,

illustr a t e s t ha t st at e o f w a r in the i nt e ll e ctu al w o rld o f his

age t o w h ic h w e h a v e a dv e rt e d .

“ “
Fo r the s t at e m e n t s of this K uh n , X, 1, 76 .

a r ag r a p h K uh n , XI V , 603 -5 , “
g
s ee
K u hn X 60 9
~
2 0- 2 3
“
.

“
K uh n, X 1 14 , .
K u h n, X, 4 5 -

“
K ii h n , X IV , 5 9 9 600 X, 1 0
’

7
-
. K u hn , .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

We sugge st e d the po ssibility that l ea r n i ng c o m pa r e d t o

o t h e r o ccup a ti o n s w a s m o r e r e m u n e ra tiv e in G a l e n s day
’

t han in o ur o wn but t he r e w e r e p o o r physici an s an d m e di

,

c al stud e n ts t he n as w e ll as t h o s e gr e e dy f o r ga i n o r w ho
,

a ss o ci a t e d wit h th e ric h Man y d o ct o rs c o uld n o t a ff o rd t o

.

u s e the r a r e r o r str o n g e r si m pl e s a n d li m it e d t h em s elv e s t o

e a sily pr o cur e d i n ex p e n siv e a n d h o m e ly m e dic aments ?

, ,

Ma n y o f his f e ll o w stude n ts re ga rd e d as a c o u n se l o f p e r
-

f e ct io n u n att a i n a bl e by t hem G a l e n s pl a n o f hea ri n g a l l the

’

di ff e re n t m e dic al s e cts an d c o m p a ri n g t he ir m e rits and t e st

in g t he ir v a lidity ?
T he y s a id t ea r f ully t h at t h is c o urs e w as
al l v e r y w e ll f o r h im wit h h is a cut e ge n ius an d his w ea lt h y

f a t he r b e h i n d h im but t hat t he y l a ck e d the m o n e y to pursu e

,

an a dv an c e d e duc ati o n p e rha ps had a lr eady l o st v a lu able

,

ti m e un d e r un s a tis fa ct o ry t e ache rs o r f e lt tha t th e y did n o t

,

p o ss e ss the discri m i na ti o n to s e l e ct f o r th em s e lv e s what was

pr o fit abl e f ro m s ev e ra l c o n flicti n g scho o l s .

G a l e n w a s it ha s alr e a dy be e n m a d e a pp a r e nt a n i nt e l
, ,

l e ctu al a rist o cr at an d p o ss e ss e d littl e p a ti en c e wit h tho s e

,

stupid me n who n e v e r l e a r n an yth i n g f o r them s e lv e s t ho ugh ,

t he y see a m yri a d cure s w o rke d b e fo r e t he ir e y e s But that .

,

a p a rt f r o m h is o w n w o rk the m e dic a l pr o f e ssi o n w as n o t

,

e n tir e ly st a gn a n t in his ti m e h e a d m its w h e n h e a ss e r ts t ha t

,

m an y t h i n gs a r e k n o w n to day w h ic h h a d n o t b ee n dis co v
-

e r e d b e f o r e a n d w h e n h e m e n ti o n s s o m e cur a tiv e m e t ho ds
,

r ec e n tly i n v e n t e d at R o m e ?

G a l e n suppli e s c o n sid e r a bl e i n f o r m a ti o n c o n c e rn i n g the

drug tr a d e in R o m e its e l f a n d t h ro ugho ut the em pi r e He .

o f t e n c o m pl a i n s o f a dult e r a ti o n a n d f r a ud T he p hysici an .

m ust k n o w the m e dici n a l si m pl e s a n d t he ir pr o p er ti e s him

s e l f an d be a bl e to de t e ct a dulte r ate d m e dici ne s o r the m e r ,

c h an ts p e r fu me rs an d her bar u will d e c e i v e him

, ,
-
?
G a l en
r e f us e s to re v e a l the m e t ho ds em plo y e d in a dult e ra ti ng
o p o b a ls am ,
w hich he had i n ve stigat e d p e rs o na lly l est the ,

K ii h n , XI I , 9 09 , 9 1 6, a n d in vo l . K u h n, X 5 60 , .

“
XIV the e n t ir e t r e at ise D e r eme K ii h n X 10 10 1 1
‘

-
.
, ,
“
K ii h n XI I I 5 7 1 7 2
’

diis pa r a bilibus . , ,
-
.
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP

p e r ien c e a s i mp e ri a l p hysici an An a ssign m e n t o f th e spic e

.

s en t to Ma rcus A ur elius fr o m the l an d o f the b a rb a ri an s

( é x r fis B p fid pav ) w as sup
o e ri o r t o w h a t h a d st o o d st o r e d in

w o o d e n j a rs f r o m t h e r e ign s o f T r a j a n Ha dri an an d An , ,

t o n in u s P ius C o mm o dus e x h aust e d a ll th e r e c e n t supply

.
,

a n d w h e n G a l e n w a s f o rc e d t o tur n t o w h a t h a d be e n o n

h an d in p r e p a r i n g a n a n tid o t e f o r S e v e rus h e f o u n d it m uc h ,

we ak e r th an b e f o r e a lth o ugh n o t th irty ye a rs h ad e l aps e d

,
.

Tha t ci nn a m o n w as a c o m m o dity littl e k n o w n t o t he p o p u

l a c e is i n dic at e d by G a l e n s m en ti o n i n g h is l o ss in the fi r e
’

o f 1 9 2 o f a few pr e ci o us bits o f b a r k h e h ad st o r e d a w a y

in a c h e st with o t he r t r ea sur e s ?
He pr a ise s th e S e v e r i ,

h o w e v e r f o r p e r m itti n g o t he rs t o u s e th e ri a c a n o t e d m e di
, ,

ci ne and an tid o t e o f w h ich w e s h all h ave m o re to s ay pr e s

en tly T hus he s ay s n o t o n ly h av e t he y a s e mp e r o rs r e
.
, ,

c e ive d p ow e r fr o m the go ds but in s h a ri n g t he ir g o o ds

,

f r e e ly t he y a re lik e t he go ds w ho r e j o ic e the m o r e th e , ,

m o r e peo pl e t h ey s av e ?

G a l e n h i m s e l f a n d a pp a re n tly o t he r p hysici a n s w e r e n o t
, ,

c o nt en t to r e ly f o r m e dici n e s e it he r up o n t he u n gu e nt s e ll e rs -

o r t he b o u n ty o f t h e i m p e ri a l st o r es G a l e n st o r e d a w a y o il
.

a n d f at an d l e f t t he m t o age u n til he h a d e n o ugh t o l ast f o r

a h u n dr e d y ea rs i n cludi n g s o m e f r o m h is f a t h e r s li f e ti m e
’
, .

He us e d s o m e f o rty y ea rs o l d in o n e pr e scripti o n He als o ?

tra ve l e d to m an y p a rts o f the R o m an E m pire an d pr o cur e d

r a r e drugs in t he pl ac e s w he r e t hey w e r e pr o duc e d V e ry .

i nt e r e sti n g is his a cc o u n t o f go i ng o ut o f h is w ay in j o u r
n e yin g b ack an d f o rt h b e tw e e n R o m e a n d P e rg am u m in

o rd e r t o st o p at L em n o s a n d pr o cur e a supply o f the f am o us

te r r a s igil l a ta a r e ddis h cl a y st a m p e d i n t o p e ll e ts with t he

,

s acr e d s e a l o f D i an a ?
O n the w a y to R o m e i n st ea d o f ,

j o u r n eyi n g o n f o o t th r o ugh T h r ac e a n d Ma c e d o n i a he t o o k ,

s hip f ro m the T r o a d to T he ss a l o n ic a ; but the v e ss e l st o ppe d

“
n e s ts are do w n w ith a r r o w s
s h ot K uhn XI V , 64 -66 .

t ip p e d W
it h l e a d F o r o th e r a ll u
.
“
A d P i s an e m d c the r ia ca , K u hn ,
s io n s t o t h e c in n a m o n b ir d in XI V , 2 1 7
c l a s s ma l l i t e r at u r e s e e D A r c y W
.
.
,

K ii h n , XI I I, 7 04
.

Th o m p s o n A G l o s s ar y of G r e e k
,
.

“
B ir ds , O x f o r d, 189 5 , p 8 2 . . K fi hn, XII , 1 68 -7 8 .
 G AL E N 13 1

in L e m n o s at Myr in e
w r o n g sid e o f the isl an d which on t he ,

G a l e n h a d n o t r e aliz e d p o ss e ss e d m o r e t ha n o n e p o rt a n d ,

t he c apt a i n w o uld n o t d e l a y t he v o y a ge l o n g e n o ugh to eu

abl e h im t o c r o ss th e isl an d t o th e sp o t w h e r e th e ter m

s igil l ata w a s t o b e f o u n d Up o n his r e tur n f r o m Ro m e .

t hr o ugh Ma ce do n i a ho we v e r he t o o k p a i n s t o visit the right , ,

p o rt a n d f o r th e b en efit o f f uture tr av el e rs giv e s c a r e f ul

,

i n structi o n s c o n c e r n i n g the r o ut e to f o ll o w an d the dist an c e s “

b e tw e en st at e d p o i n ts He d e sc r ib e s the s o l em n pr o ce dur e .

by w h ic h the pri e st e s s f ro m the n e ighb o ri n g c ity g a the r e d

t he re d e a rt h f r o m t he h ill w h e r e it w as f o u n d s a c r ifici n g ,

n o an i m a ls but w h e a t a n d b a r l e y t o th e e a r th
,
He br o ught .

a w a y wit h h im s o m e t w e n ty t h o us a n d o f the littl e discs o r f

s eals wh ich w e r e supp o s e d to cu r e e v e n l e th al p o is o n s and

t he bit e o f m a d d o gs T he i n habit an ts l a ughe d ho w e v e r .
, ,

a t the a ss e rti o n w h ic h G a l e n h a d r e a d in D i o sc o rid e s t h at

the s e a ls w e r e m a d e by m i x i n g t h e bl o o d o f a g o a t wit h the

e ar th B e r t he l o t th e h ist o r i an o f c hem is t ry be li eve d that -
.
, ,

“
t h is e arth wa s an o x id e o f ir o n m o r e o r l e ss hydr a t e d an d
”1
i m pure I n a n o t h e r p ass ag e G a l e n a dvis e s his r ea d e rs
.
,

“
M B th l t S er l v yg e o h ad , p la d th urp i t es f o a es re ce e r es ess o
Wt
.

lA D
’
d G li
e t d Z
a im d
en e e P os B l e d it an s r i a na . ier re e on i nes s e

c h ip l t A i
e te l m t ie
en A g t 6 t h 5 3 3 B y t h t t im
s e, e s ur a a re on u us ,
1 . a e
m y v i ti
”
t iq ité i th
’
m é di l d ca e l an s w an f th
u , n ere er e an ar e es o e
“
J l d
o ur n a S t es pp t bl t b
a van s u h l d f . a e s, ec a se eac or o

38 7 2 Th— ti l i hi fl y d
e L m
ar h d
c e di t i t
s c l e e e no s a a s nc s ea .

v i it d L m
.

v t d t h w i g th t
o e o s l h m
o Wh n T a an i a c e en oz er s e e no s n
i ti t
s ti
c t t ib t d t Z
rea im
se a 89 0 th
r m
u e y w t ill p o os us 1 e cere on as s er
G al e n s ac c o un t o f h is t r ip s f o r m e d a nn ua l l y o n A ug u s t s ix t h
’
c o p ie s
t o L e m n o s a n d Cyp r u s O f s u ch . an d m us t be c o m p l e te d b e f o r e
f ut u r e c o p yin g o f G a l e n w e s h al l s u n r is e o r t h e e a r th w o u l d l o s e it s

e n c o u n t e r m a n y m o r e in s t a n c e s . e ffi cac y Mo ha m m e dan
. h o dj a s k
A s f o r t h e te r r a s ig il l a ta C J ,
. . n o w s h ar e d in t h e r e lig io u s c e r e
S . Th o m p s o n , in a p ap e r o n m o n y, s ac r ifi c in g a l a mb B ut .

“
Te r r a S ig ill a t a a f a m o u s m e di ,
in t h e t w e n tie th c e n t ur y th e e n
”
ca m e nt of a n c ie n t t im e s , p ub t ir e c e r e m o ny w as a b a n do n e d .

l is h e d in th e P r o c e e din g s o f the T h r o u g h t h e e a r l y m o de r n c e n
S e ve n te en th I n te r n a tio n a l Co n t ur ie s t h e te r r a s ig ill a ta co n t in u e d
g r es s o f M e dic a l S cie n c e s Lo n ,
t o b e h e l d in h ig h e s t e e m in
d o n , 1 9 13 S e ct io n XXI II , p p
, . w e s t e r n E u r o p e a l s o , an d w a s in
4 33 44 , t e l l s o f
-
a r io u s m e d ie a l v v c l u d e d in p h a r m a c o p e ia s a s l a t e a s

s ub s t it ut e s f o r t h e L e m n ia n e a r t h 1 83 3 a n d 1 84 8 Tho m p s on g i e s a
. v
f r o m o t h e r p l ac e s , a n d o f t h e in c h e m ic a l a n a l y s is o f a s ix t e e n th
te r e s tin g r e l ig io u s c e r e m o n y, p e r c e nt u ry t ab l e t o f t h e Le m n ia n
f o r m e d ln th e p r e s e n c e o f t he e a r t h an d fi n d s n o e id e n c e t h e r e v
k
Tu r is h o ffi c ia l s o n o n l y o n e da y in o f it s p o s s e s s ing a ny me dicin al
in th e y ea r by G r e e m o n s w h o k k p r o p e r ty .
13 2 MA G I C A ND E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

if t he y a r e e ve r in P a m p hyli a to l ay in a go o d su p ply o f ,

the dru g c ar pe s ium I n the n i n th bo o k o f his w o r k o n

?

m e dici n a l si m pl e s he t e lls o f t hr ee st r a t a o f so ry chal c ite , ,

a n d m isy w h ich he ha d s e e n in a m i n e in Cyprus thirty

,

ye ars be f o re a nd f r o m w h ic h he ha d br o ught a w ay a sup

ply an d o f th e surprisi n g c he m ic a l c han ge w h ich the m isy
,

u nd e r we n t in the c o urs e o f t he s e yea rs ?

G a l en sp e aks o f r e c e i v i n g o th e r d r ugs f r o m G re a t S yri a ,

P a l e sti n e E gypt Ca pp a d o ci a P o n tus Ma c ed o n i a G aul

, , , , , ,

S p a i n a n d M a ur e t a n i a f r o m t he Ce lt s an d e v e n f r o m I n
, , ,

dia ?
He n ame s o th e r pl a c e s in G r e e c e an d Asi a Mi n o r than
Mo u n t Hym e ttus w he r e go o d ho n e y m ay be h ad a nd st at e s ,

t ha t m uc h s o c a ll e d A ttic ho n e y is r e a lly f r o m the Cycl a d e s

-
,

a lt h o ugh it is br o ugh t t o A t he n s a n d t h e r e s o ld o r r e s h ipp e d .

S i m il a rly ge n ui n e F a l e r n i an wi n e is p r o duc e d o n ly in a s m a ll
,

pa rt o f I t a ly but o th er wi n es lik e it a r e pr e p a r e d by tho se

,

w ho a r e skill e d in suc h k nav e ry As the b e st iris is t ha t o f

.

I llyricum a n d th e b e st a sph alt is f r o m Jud ea s o the b e st ,

p e tr as e l in a n is t h a t o f M a c e d o n i a a n d m e r c h a n ts ex p o rt it
,

t o a l m o st t he en tir e w o rld j ust a s t he y do A ttic h o n e y a n d

F a l e r n i a n wi n e But t he pe tr as e lin an cr o p o f E pirus is s ent
.

t o T he s s a lo n ic a an d t he r e p a s se d o ff f o r Ma c e d o n i a n T he
-
.

b e st turp e nti n e is that o f Chi o s but a go o d v a ri e ty m ay be

o bt a i n e d f r o m L iby a o r P o n tus T h e m an u f a ctur e o f drugs
.

ha s spr e a d re c e ntly a s w e ll as the c o mm e rc e in t he m T he .

’
Ag r ic o l a in th e s ix t e e n th c en in h is t r a n s l a t io n o f Agr ic o l a s
t ur y w r o t e in h is w o r o n m in in g k wor k o n m e t a ll u r gy pp .

( D e r e m e ta l , e d Ho o e r , 1 9 12 , . v 5 7 3 4,
-
s ays ,
“
I t is d e s ir abl e h e r e
II,
“
I t is , h o w e e r , e r y l it t l e v v t o e n quir e in t o t h e n at u r e o f t h e
t o b e w o n d e r e d a t t h a t t h e h il l in v
s u b s t a n c e s g i e n by a l l o f t h e o l d

t h e I s l an d o f Le m n o s w a s e x c a m in e r al o g is t s u n d e r t h e L a tin iz e d
vat e d , f o r t h e w h o l e is o f a k
G r e e t e r m s , c h a l c it is , m is y, s o r y,
”
r e dd is h y e l l o w
-
co lo r w h ic h f u r a n d m e l a n t e r ia .He c ite s D io s
n is h e s f o r th e in h ab it a nt s th at c o r ide s ( V , 7 5 7 7 ) an d Pl in y
-

v a l ua bl e c l a y s o e s p ec ia l l y b e n e ( N H, XXX I V , 2 9 -3 1 ) o n t h e s ub
fi c ia l t o m a n in d
”
k . j ec t , but n o t G al e n Y ul e ( 1 9 03’)
.

I , 1 2 6 , n o te s t h at Ma r c o P o l o s
“
K u h n , XIV , 7 2 . a c co un t of Tu tia a n d S p o diu m
“
K iih n , XI I 2 2 6- 9
, S e e th e .
“
r ea ds almo st k
li e a c o n de n s e d
’
a r t ic l e o f B e r th e l o t j u s t c it e d in t r a n s l a t io n o f G a l e n s a c c o u n t o f
”
a p r e ce din g n o te f o r a n e x p l a n a P o m ph o l yx a n d S p a d as .

“
t io n o f t h e t h r e e na m e s a n d o f K uhn , XIV , 7 -8 ; XII I , 4 1 1 -2 ;
’
G a l e n s e x p e r ie n c e Mr Ho o e r , . . v XII , 2 15 6 -
.
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP.

to t ho s e who r e a d h is w o rks n o t to l e a rn a nyth i ng fr om ,

t hem but o n ly in o rd e r t o c a lum n i at e th e m

,
?

I t w a s in a s ho p o n the S acr a V ia t ha t m o st o f the c o pi es

o f s o m e o f G a l e n s w o rks w e r e st o r e d w h e n t he y t o ge t he r
’

with the gre at libra ri e s up o n the P al ati ne w e r e c o n sumed ,

in th e fi r e o f 1 9 2 But in an o the r p a ss age G a l e n st ate s that

.

t he str ee t o f th e S a n d a l m a k e rs is w he re m o st o f the b o o k
-

st o r e s in R o m e a r e lo ca t e d ?
T he r e he s aw s o m e m e n dis
puti n g w he the r a c e rt a i n tr eatis e wa s his I t w as duly in .

scrib e d Ga le n us m e dicu s a n d o n e m an b e c a us e the titl e ,

w a s u n f am ili a r t o him b o ught it a s a n e w w o rk by G a l e n

, .

But a n o the r m an w h o w as s o m et hi n g o f a ph il o l o ge r ask e d

t o s e e t he i n tr o ducti o n a n d a f t e r r e a di n g a f e w li n e s de
, , ,

c l a r e d t ha t t h e b o o k w a s n o t o n e o f G al e n s w o rks Wh e n ’
.

G a l e n w as still y o u n g h e wr o t e t h r e e c o m m e nt a ri e s o n the
,

t h ro a t an d lu n gs f o r a f e ll o w stud e n t who wis he d to have

s o m e t h i n g t o pa ss o ff a s h is o w n w o rk up o n his r e turn
ho m e T h is f ri e n d di e d ho w e v e r a n d t he b o o ks go t i nt o
.
, ,

circul ati o n ?
G a l e n a ls o c o m pl a i n s t ha t n o t e s o f his l ec
tur e s wh ic h he has n o t i nt e nd e d f o r public ati o n hav e go t
a br o a d ? t h a t h is s e rv a n ts h av e st o l e n a n d publis h e d s o m e

o f his m an uscripts a n d t h a t o t h e rs ha v e b ee n a lt e r e d c o r
, ,

r up t e d a n d m util a t e d by t ho s e i n t o w h o s e p o ss e s si o n t he y
,

h a v e c o m e o r h a ve b e e n pa ss e d o ff by t he m in o t he r l an ds
,

as t h e ir o w n pr o ducti o n s O n t h e o t he r ha n d s o m e o f h is
5
.
,

pupils k ee p his t e ach i n gs to t he m s e lv e s an d ar e u n willi n g to

giv e o t he rs t he b e nefit o f them s o t ha t if t he y s ho uld die ,

sudd e n ly h is d o ctri n e s w o uld be l o st

,
?
But his o w n idea l
ha s a lwa ys b ee n t o s h a r e his k n o w l e dge fre e ly wit h t ho s e
who s o ugh t it a n d if p o ssibl e with a ll m an ki n d
,
At l east .

o n e o f G a l e n s w o rks w as t a k e n d o w n f r o m his dict a ti o n by

’

s h o rt h an d wri te rs wh en a f t e r h is c o n vi n ci n g d e m o n str a
-
, ,

ti o n by diss e cti o n c o n c e r n i n g r e spi r ati o n a n d the v o ic e ,

B o e thu s a sk e d him f o r c o mm e n t a ri e s o n the subj e ct an d

“ “
K iihn , XIV ,h e n c e f o r th
65 1 : I I 2 17
, .

“
t h is t e x t w il l g en e r a ll y b e c it e d X I X, 9 .

“
w ith o u t nam e .
XI X, 4 1 .

“ “
XI X, 8 .
I I , 28 3.
 G AL EN

s en t f o r st eno gr a phe rs A lt h o ugh G a l en in h is tr a v e l s

?

o f t e n purc h ase d a n d c a rri e d ho m e w it h h im l a rge qu a n t iti e s

o f drugs w hen he m a d e his first trip t o R o m e h e l e f t a l l h is

,

b o o ks in A si a ?

G a le n d a t e s t h e f alsific a ti o n o f titl e p a ge s a n d c o n t e n ts E i ifi a s ca
l
o f b o o ks b a ck t o the ti m e w h e n ki n gs P t o l e m y o f E gypt g
c
figt fi a s

a nd A a tt lus of P e rg a m u m w e r e biddi n g a g a i n st e a c h o t h e r i {m n anu

t“
Wo rks w e r e p s cr i
f o r v o lu m e s f o r t h e ir r e spe cti v e libr a ri e s
?

o f t e n i nt erp o l a t e d t hen in o rd e r t o m a k e t h e m l a rge r a n d

s o bri n g a b e tt e r pric e G a l e n sp e aks m o r e t h a n o n c e o f

.

t he d e pl o r abl e ea s e wit h w h ic h n u m b e rs sign s a n d o t he r , ,

a bbr e v i a ti o n s ar e a lt e r e d in m an usc r i p ts A si n gl e str o ke

?

o f t he p e n o r slig ht e r a sur e will c o m pl e t e ly c ha n ge t h e m e an

in g o f a m e dic a l pr e scripti o n He t h i n ks t hat such a lt e ra

.

ti o n s ar e s o m e ti m e s m alici o us and n o t m e r e m ist ak e s S o .

c o mm o n we r e t he y t ha t Me nec r at e s c o m p o s e d a m e dica l
w o rk writt en o ut en tir e ly in c o m pl e t e w o rds an d e n titl e d
A u to cr a to r Ha l agr am ma tas b e c a us e it w a s a ls o d e dic a t e d t o
t he e m p e r o r An o t he r writ e r Da m o cr ate s f r o m w ho m
.
, ,

G a l e n o f t e n qu o t e s l o ng p a s s a ge s c o m p o s e d h is bo o k o f ,

m e dic am en ts in m e t r ic a l f o r m s o t hat t h e r e m ight be n o

m ist ak e m a d e e v e n in c o m pl e t e w o rds .

G al en s w o rks c o n t a i n o cc a s i o na l h ist o ric a l i n fo rm ati o n G l

’
a en a s 3

c o nc e rn i ng m any o the r m a tt e rs t han b o o ks a n d d rugs Cli n 2 “

3582
5 53
.

to n in his F as ti R a m a ni m a d e m uc h u s e o f G al e n f o r t he
c hr o no l o gy o f t he p e ri o d in w hich he liv e d His a llusi o n s .

t o s eve r a l o f t he e m p e r o rs wit h w h o m h e ha d p e rs o n a l r e
l a tio n s a r e v a lu a bl e bits o f s o u r c e m at e r i a l T r a j an w a s -
.
,

o f c o urs e b e f o r e h is ti m e but h e t e stifi e s t o th e gr e a t im

, ,

pr o ve m en t o f the r o a ds in I t aly wh ich t ha t em p e r o r h ad

e ffe ct e d G al e n s he ds a littl e ligh t o n t h e v e x e d qu e sti o n
?

“
XI V 6 30 , . t h r o ug h o u t a llI t a l y, an d t h e c e l e
“
XI X 34 , . b r at e d G a l e n , w h o w as al m o s t a
“
XV 109 , . c o n t e m p o r a r y, e x t o l s t h e ir h a p p y
“
XI II 9 9 5 9 6 ; XIV , 3 1 3 2
,
- -
. e ff e c t s up o n th e p ubl ic h e a l t h .

“
X 63 3,
D u r uy r e f e r s t o
. th e v
B ut G a l e n d o e s n o t h a e s an ita r y
p a s s ag e in h is His to r y o f Rome c o n s id e r a tio n s e s p e c ia l l y in m in d ,

( e d J P Mah aff y B o s t o n , 1 886 , s in ce h e m en t io n s T r a j a n s r o a d

’
. . .
,

V , i, b u t s ay s ,
“
Ex t e n s i e v b uil d in g o n l y b y w a y o f il l u s t r a
k
s an it ar y w o r s w e r e u n de r ta e n k t io n, co m p a r in g h is o w n s y s te m a t ic
136 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI E N CE CH AP .

of t he p o pul ati o n o f the em pi r e if P e rgam um is the pl ac e

,

he r e f e rs t o in his e sti m at e o f f o rty t ho us a n d citiz e n s o r o ne

hu n dr e d a n d tw e n ty t h o u s an d i n habit an ts i n cludi n g w o m en ,

an d sl a v e s but p e r h a ps n o t c h ildr e n
?

G a l e n illustr a t e s f o r us the e vils o f an ci e n t sl av e ry in

a n i n cid e n t w h ic h he r e l a t e s t o s h o w t he i n a dvis a bility o f

givi n g way to o n e s p a ssi o n s e sp e ci a lly a nge r

’
,
?
R e tur n i n g
f r o m R o m e G a l e n f e ll in wit h a tr a v e l e r f r o m G o r tyn a in
,

Cr e t e . When the y r e a c he d Co ri n t h the Cr e t an s en t his ,

b a ggage and sl av e s f r o m Cen ch r e a to A t hen s by b o at but

3
,

h i m s e l f wit h a h ire d v e h icl e a n d tw o sl a v e s w e n t by l an d

with G a l en t h ro ugh Me ga r a E l e usis an d T hr ias a O n the
, , .

wa y the C re t an b e c am e s o a n gry at t he tw o sl a v e s tha t he

h it t hem wit h h is s h e a t he d sw o rd s o h a rd t h a t t he s hea th
br o k e an d t he y w e r e ba dly wo u n d e d F e a ri n g t ha t they .

w o uld die he th en m a d e o ff to e sc a p e the c o n s e q uen c e s o f

,

his a c t l ea vi n g G a l e n t o l o o k a f t e r the w o u n de d
, But l at er ,
.

he r e j o i n e d G a l en in p e n it e n t m o o d a nd i n sist e d t ha t Ga l e n
a d m i n ist e r a b e a ti n g t o him f o r h is cru e lty G al e n a dds .

t hat he h i m se l f lik e h is f a the r had n ev e r struc k a sl av e

, ,

wit h his o w n han d an d ha d r e pr o ve d f ri e n ds w ho had br o k en

t he ir sl ave s t e e t h wit h bl o ws o f t he ir fists O the rs go fa r
’
.

the r an d kick t he ir sl a v e s o r go uge t he ir e ye s o ut T he e m .

e r o r Ha dri an in a m o m e n t o f a n g e r is s a id t o h a v e bli n d e d
p
a sl av e wit h a stylus w h ic h h e ha d in h is h a n d He t o o w a s .
, ,

s o rry a f te rw a rds a n d o ff e re d t he sl av e m o n e y but the l a tt e r ,

r e f us e d it t elli n g the em p e r o r t ha t n o t h i n g c o uld c o mp en

,

s a t e him f o r the l o ss o f a n e ye In an o the r p a ss a ge G a l e n

.

”
discuss e s h o w m an y sl av e s an d cl o t he s o ne r e ally nee ds ?

t r e at m e n t of m e dic in e t o th e e m no w de s e r t e d an d b e s e t by w ild
p e r o
’
r s g r e a t w o r in kr e p a r in g
i b ea s t s s o t h a t t h e y w o uld p a s s
v
a n d im p r o in g t h e r o a d s s t r a i ght,
t h r o ugh p o p u l o u s t o w n s an d m o r e
e n in g t h e m b y c u t o ff s t h at s a e d
-
v f r e qu e n t e d a r e a s Th e p a s s ag e .

d is ta n c e b u t s o m e t im e s aba n do n
,
t h u s b e a r s w it n e s s t o a s hif t ing
ing a n o l d r o ad t h at w e n t s t r a ig h t o f p o p ul at io n .

v
o e r h il l s f o r an e a s ie r r o u t e t h a t
“
V , 49 .

v
a o id e d th e m fi l l in g in w e t a n d
,
“
V ,
1 7 - 19 .

m a r s h y s p o t s w ith s t o n e o r c r o s s Me n tio n e d
in Ac ts , x vu i , 1 8,

in g t h e m b y c a u s e w a y s b r idg i ng h a vm g s h o r n h i s head in
v v
,
”
im p a s s ab l e r i e r s an d
, a l t e r in g C e n ch r e a : f o r h e ha d a ow .

“
r o ute s t h a t l e d t h r o u gh p l a c e s V, 4 47 6 -
.
 138 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP.

Mo s e s an d Chri st ha d hea r d
u n d em o n str ate d l aws
and .

A nd in criticizi n g o pp o si n g s e cts f o r t h e ir o bsti n a cy h e r e

m a rks t ha t it w o uld be e a si e r t o w in o v e r t he f o ll o w e rs o f
Mo s e s a n d Ch rist ?
L at e r w e s ha ll sp e ak m o r e f ully o f a
t hird p a ss a ge in D e us u par tium w he re G al en criticiz e s the
3

Mo s a ic V i e w o f the r e l a ti o n o f G o d to n ature r e pr e s e nti n g ,

it as the o pp o sit e ex trem e to the E picur ea n d o ctri n e o f a

pur e ly m e c ha n istic an d m at e ri alistic u n i v e r s e Th is sug .

ge sts t hat G al e n had r e a d s o m e o f t he O l d T e st am ent but ,

h e m igh t h av e l e a r ne d f r o m o t he r s o urc e s o f the De a d S e a

a nd o f s a lts o f S od o m o f w h ic h he sp ea ks in ye t an o th e r
,

c o n t ex t Acc o rdi n g t o a t h irt e e n th c en tury A r a bi an bi o g

?

r ap he r o f G a l e n h e sp o k e m o r e f a v o r a bly o f Ch risti a n s in
,

a l o st c o m m e n t a ry up o n P l at o s R epu blic a d m iri n g t he ir

’

m o r als a n d a dm itti n g t h e ir m ir a cl e s ?
T his l a st a s w e s hal l ,

s e e is u n lik e ly si n c e G a l e n b e li e ve d in a supr e m e B e i n g w h o
, ,

w o rk e d o n ly t h ro ugh n atur a l la w A c o n f e cti o n o f I o ac ho s .

,

“
the m a rtyr o r m e tr o p o lit a n an d A r e m e dy f or he a d a c he
,

”
o f the m o n k B a r la m a o ccur in the t h ird b o o k o f t he D e

r e me diis par a bili bu s a scrib e d t o G a l e n but th is t h ird b o o k ,

i s gr eatly i n t e rp o l at e d o r e n tirely spuri o us citi n g G a l e n ,

h i m s e l f as w e ll a s A l ex an d e r o f T r a ll e s the si x th c e n tury ,

write r an d m e n ti o n i n g the S a r ac en s We llm ann r ega rds it

,
.
.

as c o m p o s e d b e tw e e n th e s e v e n t h a n d e l e v e n th c e n turi e s o f
?
o ur e r a

L ik e m o st tho ught f ul m e n o f his ti m e G al en t en d e d to ,

be li e v e in o n e sup r em e de ity but he a pp ea rs to hav e d e riv e d

,

K h uV III 5 7 9 G i v
n, ,
3 b v
, p ge
ig s s P ti ul a 2 4
o ai a o e a s sa s . ar c

no t Xp i a r o b bi a r p tfirw (hpwuévo s ué y wv
‘
m e dic i e t p h il o s o p h i c u m
dua n obe l xr wu dic o f m . ae r e a ug m e nt a t i non s u nt p re
I bid , p 6 5 7 , Har r o wy ap r t s r o bs p ar a t i a d dis c ip l in a m s ic ut p a r a ti
3
. .

6 1roMwiia o i) Ka i Xp t a r o b p er a bt bé éecev
’
f u e r u nt ad d is c ip l in a m m o ys is e t
v
.

I h a e b e e n un abl e to fi n d a p a s c h r is ti s o c ii p r e dict o r um dec i mo .

”
s a g e in w h ic h , a cc o r d in g t o Mo s e s t e r c io m e g a p ul s u s .

Ma im o n id e s o f t h e t w e l f th c en K uh n , III 9 05 - 7 , .

t u r y in h is Ap h o r is m s f r o m G al e n , “
K uh n , XI , 69 0-4 ; XI I , 3 7 2 -5
G al e n s a id t h a t t h e w e a l th y p h y “
Finl ay s o n pp 8 -
9;
s ic ia n s an d p h il o s o p h e r s o f h is
.

t im e w e r e n o t p r e p a r e d f o r dis c i
k
Ha r n a c , Me dicinis c h es a us d er
lin w e r e t h e f o l l o w ers of atte s t e n K ir c he ng e s c hic h te, L e ip
.

p e a s
z ig, 1 8 9 2
Mo s e s a nd Ch r is t P e r h ap s it i s .

W e l l m an n
.

“
a mis t r ans l at io n o f o n e o f t h e p . 16 no te.
 G ALEN

th is c o n c e pti o n fr o m r a th e r th an Hebr a ic s o urc e s

G r eek .

I t w a s t o p hil o s o p hy an d the G r e e k m yst e r i e s t h a t h e tur n e d

'

f o r r e ve l ati o n o f the d e ity a s w e s h a ll s e e Ho p e l e ss cri m

,
.

inal s w e re f o r h im t ho s e w ho m n e it he r th e Mus e s n o r S o c
rat e s c o uld r e fo rm ?
I t is P l at o n o t C h rist wh o m in a n , ,

o t h e r tr e a tis e h e cit e s a s d e scribi n g the fi r st a n d g r e a t e st

“
G o d a s u n ge n e r a t e d a n d g o o d An d w e a ll n atur a lly l o v e
.

” 2
Him b e i n g such as He is f r o m e t er n ity
,
.

But w h ile G a l e n s m o n o t he is m c an n o t be r ega rd e d as o f

’

Ch risti a n o r J e wis h o rigi n it is p o ssibl e th at his argu m e n t

,

f r o m d e s ign an d supp o rti n g t heo l o gy by a n a t o m y m a d e him

m o r e acc epta bl e t o b o t h Mo ha mm e d a n a n d Ch ri s ti a n r ea d
er s . At any r a t e h e h ad Ch risti an r ea d e rs at R o m e at t he
o p e n i n g o f t he t h ird c e n tury w he n a ho stil e c o n tr o v e rsi alist
,

c o m plai n s tha t s o m e o f the m e v en w o rs h ip G al e n Th e s e?

e a rly Ch risti a n e n t husi a sts f o r n a tu r a l sci e n c e w h o a ls o de ,

vo te d m uc h ti m e t o A rist o tl e an d E uclid w e r e fi n ally ex ,

co mm un ic at e d ; but A r ist o tl e E uclid an d G al e n w e re to , ,

re turn in triumph in m e di e val l ea r n i n g .

II . His M e dicin e an d E xper im e n tal S cien ce

G al e n he ld as h is f u n d am e n ta l t h e o ry
ture the vi e w o f na

wh ic h was t o p r e va il t hr o ugh t he m iddl e a ge s t ha t all n a t ,

u r a l o bj e cts upo n t his gl o be a r e c o m p o s e d o f f o ur e l em en ts ,

ea rt h a ir fi r e a n d w a te r ? a n d the c o g n a t e vi e w w h ich he
, , , ,

s ays Hippo cra t e s fi rst i n tr o duc e d an d A r ist o tl e l at e r dem

o n s tra te d t ha t a ll n a tur a l o bj e cts a r e c ha r a ct e riz e d by f o ur
,

qu aliti e s h o t c o ld dry a n d m o ist Fr o m the c o m bi na ti o n s

, , , , .

o f t h e s e f o ur a r e p r o du c e d v a ri o us s e c o n da ry qu a li ti e s
- “
.

N e it he r hyp o the sis w a s a s ye t u n iv e rsa lly a cc e pt e d h o w e v e r , ,

a nd G a l e n f elt it i n cum b e n t up o n h im t o a rgu e a ga i n st t ho s e

“ “
K u h n, I V , 8 16 . K u h n , X, 1 6 - 1 7 J L e minne , . .

L es qu a tr e e l e m e n ts , in M e m o ir es
“ ’ ’

Kuh n , I V , 8 1 5
'

“
Q uo te d b y E u s eb iu s , V , 2 8, l A ca d é m ie
’ ’
c o u r o nn es par de
and r e p r o du ce d by Ha r n ac , k B e lg iqu e vo l 6 5 , B r u s s e l s , 190 3 ,
,
.

Medicin is c h es a u s d er atte s ten fl

t r a c e s t h e in u e n c e o f t h e t h eo ry
K ir c h e ng es c hi c h te 1 89 2 , p 4 1 , an d
,
.

“
v
in m e d ie a l t h o ug h t .

by Fin l ays o n pp 9 1 0
-
. . K u h n, XIII , 763 -4 .
 MA GI C A ND E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

w ho c o n ten d e d t ha t the hum an b o dy an d w o rld o f n atur e

w e r e m a d e f r o m but o n e e l em en t T he r e w e r e o t he r s wh o
?

ridicul e d the f o ur qu a lity hyp o thesis s ayi n g that ho t an d ,

c o ld we r e w o rds f o r b at h k e e p e rs n o t f o r p hysici an s t o d ea l
-
,

wit h ?
G a l e n e x pl a i n s t h a t ph il o s o phe r s do n o t r e ga rd
an y p a rticul a r v a ri e ty o f e a rt h o r an y o t he r m i n e r a l sub

st an c e a s re pr e s en ti n g the pur e e l em en t e art h w hic h in the ,

p h il o s o ph ic a l s e n s e is an ex tr em e ly c o ld a n d dry substanc e
t o w h ic h a d am an t an d r o cks m ak e p e rha ps th e cl o s e st a p
pr o a c h But the e a rt h s th at w e s ee a r e all c o m p o un d b o di e s
.
?

G a l e n r e j e ct e d the at o m is m o f De m o critus an d E picurus ,

in w h ic h th e a t o m s w e r e i n divisibl e p a rticl e s di ff e ri n g in
s ha p e an d size but n o t di ff e ri ng in q u ality as chem ic al a t o m s
,

a r e supp o s e d t o do He cr e dits D em o critus wit h the vi e w

.

tha t suc h qu aliti e s a s c o l o r an d t a st e a r e s en s e d by us f r o m

t he c o n c o u r s e o f a t o m s but do n o t r e sid e in the a t o m s t h em
,

s elve s ?
G a l e n a ls o m a k e s th e criticis m t hat the m e r e r e
“ ”
g r o upi n g o f i m p a ssive a n d i m m ut a bl e a t o m s is n o t en o ugh
t o a cc o u n t f o r t he n e w pr o p e r ti e s o f the c o m p o u n d w h ic h ,

a r e o f t e n v e ry di ff e r e n t f r o m t ho se o f t h e c o n stitu e n ts as ,

“
w he n w e a lt e r th e q u a liti e s o f m e dici n e s in a rti fici a l m ix
” 5
tur e s. T hus h e virtu ally s ays t hat the pu r e ly phy s ic a l
a t o m is m o f D e m o critus will n o t a cc o u n t f o r w h at t o d a y w e

c all c he m ic al c h an ge He a ls o a s w e s ha ll s e e r ej e ct e d Ep i
.
, ,

c u r us t h e o ry o f a w o rld o f n a tur e rul e d by bli n d c ha n c e

’
.

G a l e n o f c o urs e t h o ugh t t h at a dry m e dici ne w as go o d

f o r a m o ist dis ea s e a n d t h at in a c o m p o u n d m e dici ne by
, ,

m i x i n g a v e ry c o ld wit h a slightly c o ld drug in v a ryi n g p ro

p o rti o n s a m e dici n e o f an y d e sir e d d e gr ee o f c o ld n e ss m ight
b e o bt a i n e d ?
I n g e n e r al h e r e ga rd e d s o lids lik e st o n e s an d
m e t als a s dry a n d c o ld w h il e he t ho ugh t t hat ho t an d m o i st
,

o bj e cts t e n d e d t o e v apo r a t e r a pidly i n t o a ir S o h e de

?

c l a r e d t h a t dry n e ss o f s o lid b o di e s w a s i nc ura bl e w h il e he

,

b e li ev e d t hat c h ildr e n s b od i e s w e r e m o r e e a sily diss o lve d

’

“
K u h n , I , 42 8 .

“
K uh n , X, 1 1 1 .

“
K uh n , XI I , 1 66 .

“
I , 4 17 .
 M A G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

of breat h i n g pl e n ty o f f r e sh i nvigo rati n g an d u np o llut e d , ,

a ir , f r e e f r o m an y i n t e rm i x tur e o f i m purity f r o m m i ne s ,

p its o r o v e n s o r o f p u tridity f r o m d e c ayi n g v e ge t a bl e o r

, ,

a n i m a l m a tt e r o r o f n o x i o us v a o rs f r o m st a gn an t w a t e r
, p ,

sw am ps an d rive rs As w as usu al in a n ci en t an d m e di e val

,
?

ti m e s he a ttribut e s pl a gu e s to the c o rrupti o n o f the a ir

, ,

w h ich p o is o n s m en br e a t h i n g it an d t el ls ho w Hippo cr at e s ,

tri e d to alla y a pl agu e a t A t he n s by puri fyi n g t he air by

f u m iga ti on wit h fir e s o d o rs a n d u n gu en ts ? , ,

T w o sp e ci m e n s m ay be give n o f G a l e n s a cc o u nts o f h is
’

o w n ca s e s In t he first s o m e c h e e s e w h ic h he ha d t o ld his
.
, ,

s e r va n ts to t ak e a w a y as to o s ha rp wh en m i x e d with b o il e d ,

s a lt p o rk a n d a ppli e d to th e j o i n ts pro ve d v e ry he lp f ul to a ,

go uty p ati e n t an d t o s e v e r al o t he rs who m he i n duc e d to try

it ?
I n t he s e c o n d c a s e G a l e n a d m i n ist e r e d th e f o ll o wi n g
h e r o ic tr e at me n t t o a w o m an a t R o m e w h o w as a ffl ict e d
“
wit h cata rrh to the p o i n t o f thr o wi n g up bl o o d He did n o t .

d ee m it wis e to bl ee d h e r si n c e f o r f o ur d ays p a st s he had

,

go n e a l mo st witho ut f o o d I n st ea d he o rd e r e d a s ha rp .

clyst e r rubb e d an d b o u n d he r ha n ds a n d f ee t wit h a ho t

,

drug s ha ve d he r h ea d a nd p ut o n it a m e dicam e n t m a d e o f
,

d o v e s du n g A ft e r t h r e e h o u r s s he w a s bat he d c ar e b e i n g
’
.
,

t ak e n tha t n o t h i ng o ily t o uche d her he a d w hic h was t he n ,

c o v e re d up At fi rst he f e d he r o n ly gru e l a f t erw a rds s o m e

.
,

bitte r a utum n f r uit a n d a s s he w a s a bo ut to go t o sl ee p he

,

a d m i n ist e r e d a m e dic a m e n t m a d e fr o m vip e rs f o ur m o n t h s

b e f o r e O n the s ec o n d day c am e m o r e rubbi n g a n d bi n di n g

.

e xc e pt t he he a d a n d at e v e n i n g a so m e w h a t s m all e r d o s e
,

o f t he vip e r r em e dy A ga i n s h e sl e pt w e ll a n d in the m o rn
.

ing h e ga v e he r a l a rge d o s e o f c o o k e d h o n e y Ag a i n h e r .

b o dy w as w ell rubbe d an d s he wa s giv e n ba rl e y w at e r a n d a

littl e bre a d to e at O n the f ou rt h day a n o lde r an d t he r e f o r e
.

str o n ge r v a ri e ty o f vip e r re m e dy w a s a d m i n ist e r e d an d he r

-

he a d w a s c o v e r e d wit h t he s am e m e dic a m e n t a s b e f o r e It s .

pr o p e rti e s G a l e n ex pl a i n s a r e v eh em e n tly dryi n g a nd heat

, ,

XII 2 7 0 7 1
,
-
.

X 3 68 7 1
,
-
.
 G A L EN 1 43

in g . A gai n s h e w as give n a b a th an d a littl e f o o d O n the .

fi f t h day G al e n v en tur e d t o pu r ge h e r lu n gs but he r etu rn e d ,

a t i n t e r v a ls t o t he i m p o siti o n up o n h e r h ea d Mean w h ile .

he c o n t i n u e d the p r o c e s s o f rubbi n g b ath i n g an d di e ti n g , , ,

u n til fi n ally t he pati en t wa s w e ll a ga i n a truly r e m ark ,

—

a bl e cur e !

The s e tw o c a s e s h o w e v e r do n o t gi v e us a j ust c o m pr e
, ,

h en s io n o f G a l e n s abili t i e s a t th e ir be st I n his m e dic a l

’
.

pr actic e he c o uld be a s quick a n d c o m pr e h e n siv e an o bs e r ve r

a n d a s s h r e w d in d r a wi n g i n f e r e n c e s f r o m w h at h e o bs e r v e d

a s t he fa m o us S he rl o ck Ho l m e s s o t ha t s o m e o f h is sl o w e r
,

witt e d c o n te m p o r a r i e s a ccus e d him o f p o ss e ssi n g the gi f t -

o f di v i n a ti o n His i mm e di a t e di a gn o sis o f th e c a s e o f the

.

S icili an physici an by n o t i n g a s he e n t e r e d t h e h o us e th e
ex cr e m e n ts in a v e ss e l w h ic h a s e r v a n t w a s c a r r yi n g o ut to

t he du n g he a p a n d a s he e n t e r e d th e sick r o o m a m e dici n e
,
-

se t o n t he wi n d o w sill w h ic h th e p a ti e n t p hysici a n h a d b ee n
- -

pr e p a r i n g f o r h i m s e l f am a z e d the p at i e n t a n d the ph il o
,

s o p he r G l a uc o n m o r e t han l e t us ho p e in t h is c a s e in vi e w
1
,

o f h is pr o f e ssi o n t h ey w o uld h av e a m a z e d th e e sti m a bl e D r

, .

Wa ts o n .

P u s chm an n ha s p o i nt e d o u t th at G al en e m pl o ys c e rt a i n -

e x pr e s si o n s w h ic h s e e m h appy gu e ss e s at l a t e r disc o v e ri e s .

He writ e s : “
G a l e n w a s supp o rt e d in h is r e s ea rc h e s by a n
e x tr e m e ly ha ppy i m a gi n ati v e f a culty w h ic h put the p r o p e r

w o rd in his m o uth e ve n in c a s e s whe r e h e c o uld n o t p o ssibly

a rriv e a t a f ull u n d e rst an di n g o f t h e m att e r w he r e he —
,

c o uld o n ly c o n j e cture the truth Whe n f o r i n st a n c e he .

, ,

d e cl a r e s tha t s o un d is c a rri e d lik e a w a v e ( K uh n III

‘ ’

, ,

o r e x pr e ss e s t he c o n j e ctur e th a t t he c o n sti tu e n t o f t h e a tm o s

p her e w h ic h is i m p o r t a n t f o r b r e a t h i n g a ls o a cts by bu r n i n g
( IV , h e e x pre ss e s t ho ugh ts w h ic h st a r tl e us f o r it ,

w a s o n ly p o ssibl e n ea rly t w o t h o us an d y e a rs l at er t o u n d e r
st an d t he ir f u ll s ign ifi can ce ”2
.

“ “
K ii h n , V III 6 F in l ay so n P us c h man n
,
3 3 .
pp 1 05 6
-

v v v
. .

3 9 -4 0 , g i e s a n E n g l is h V it r u iu s , to o , h o w e e r ( V , iii) ,
t r a n s l at i o n
’
o f G a l en s f ul l a c co u n t s ta te s t h a t s o u n d s p r e a ds in w a e s v
o f th e c a s e .
k
l i e e ddie s in a p o n d .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CH AP .

G al en was k e e n ly a liv e t o the n e e d o f ex act ne ss in

w e ights and m ea sur e m ents He o ften criticize s p ast writ e rs .

f o r n o t st ati n g pr e cis e ly w ha t a il m e n t the m e dic ame n t r ec

o mm e n de d is g o o d f o r a n d in w ha t pr o p o rti o n s th e in gr e di
,

en ts ar e to b e m i x e d He als o f r e q u en tly c o m pl a i n s be
.

c aus e t hey do n o t sp e ci fy whe t he r t he y a r e usi n g the G r ee k

o r R o m an syst e m o f w e ig h ts o r th e A ttic A l e x a n dri n e o r , , ,

E p he si a n v a ri e ty o f a c er t a i n m e a sur e ?
Mo re o v e r he s aw ,

t h e d es ir a bility o f m o r e a ccur a t e m ean s o f m ea suri n g the

p ass age o f ti m e When he st a te s t ha t e v e n s o m e illustri o u s

?

p hysici an s o f his a cqu a i nt an c e m ist a k e the S pe e d o f the

puls e an d ar e un abl e to te ll wh e th e r it is sl o w f a st o r n o r , ,

m a l w e be gi n to r e a liz e s o m e t h i n g o f t h e di ffic ulti e s u n d e r

,

w h ic h m e dic al pr a ctic e an d a ny s o rt o f ex pe ri m e n tati o n

l ab o r e d be f o r e w a tch e s w e r e i nv ent e d an d ho w m uch de ,

pe n d e d up o n the a ccur acy o f hu m an m ac hi ne ry an d j udg

m en t Y e t G al e n e sti m at e s t ha t t he c h i e f pr o gre ss m a d e
.

in m e dica l pr o gn o stic a ti o n si n c e H ipp o cr a t e s is the gra du a l

d ev e lo p m en t o f the ar t o f i n fe rri n g f r o m the puls e G al e n ?

tri e d to i mp r o v e the ti m e pi ec e s in u s e in his age He st at e s

-
.

t ha t in any city the i nh abit ants w ant t o k no w the ti m e o f

day a ccur a t e ly n o t m e r e ly c o n j e ctur a lly ; a n d he giv e s di
,

r e cti o n s ho w to di v id e the day i n to tw e lv e ho urs by a co m

bi nati o n o f a s un di a l an d a cl eps ydr a an d h o w o n the
-
,

w at e r cl o ck to m a r k the dur ati o n o f the l o n ge st sh o rt e st , ,

a n d e q ui n o cti a l d ays o f th e y e a r
?

De lic a t e a n d di fficult a s w a s th e t ask o f m e a suri ng th e

puls e in G a l e n s ti m e he w as cl ever e n o ugh to an ticip at e by
’

s e v en t e e n c en turi e s s o m e o f the t e sts w h ic h m o d e r n p sy

c h o l o gis t s h av e urge d S h o uld be a ppli e d in cri m i n a l t r i als .

He e e d t ct e d t h e f a ct t h a t a f e m a l e p a ti e n t w a s n o t ill but in

l o v e by t h e q uick en i n g o f he r puls e w he n s o me o n e c ame in

f r o m th e th e at e r a n d an n o u n c e d th a t h e h ad j ust s e e n P y
“
c o n t r ibu t io n s th e
’
“
XI I I 43 5 , 89 3 , are two in G al e n s to
s ta n c e s
,

a r ts of c lo c k -
k
m a in g a nd ti m e
o

k v W
.

e e p in g h a e b ee n d e a l t i th i n a n
V 8 0 ; XI V 6 7 0
v
.
, ,
“V
a r io u s t r e a t ise s on t he p ul s e a r t ic l e w h ic h I h a e n o t h a d a c

by G a l e n w il l b e f o un’d in v p l s . c e s s to a n d o f w h i ch I c a n n o t n o w
V , I X, a n d X o f K ii hp s e d itio n . v
fi n d e e n th e a uth o r a n d t i t l e .
 MA GI C AND EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

in p hysi o l o gic al di a gn o s is he st an ds a l o n e am o ng the an

ci e n ts .
”
Ho w ev e r i f G al e n o w e d s o m e t h i n g t o He r o p h ilus
, ,

w e o w e m uc h o f o u r k n o wl e dge o f t he e arli e r p hysi o l o gist

to G a l en
?

A ri s t o tl e h a d he ld tha t the hea rt w a s th e s ea t o f the s e n

“
s it ive s o ul a n d t h e s o urc e o f n e rv o us a cti o n wh ile the
3
,

br ai n w as o f s e c o n d a ry i m p o rt anc e be i n g th e c o lde st p a rt ,

o f t he b o dy d e v o id o f bl o o d a n d h avi n g f o r its c h i e f o r
, ,

”
o n ly f u n cti o n t o c o o l t h e h e a rt G a l e n a tt ack e d t h i s theo ry .

“
by s ho wi n g ex pe ri me nt al ly t ha t a l l the n erve s o rigi n at e d
in t he br a i n e it h e r dire ctly o r by m e a n s o f th e spi n a l c o rd
, ,

w h ic h he tho ugh t to be a c o n ducti n g o rgan m e r e ly no t a ,

“ “
c en t e r . A t ho us an d ti m e s he s ays I h av e d e m o n , ,

s t r at e d by diss e cti o n t h a t t h e c o r ds in t he hea rt c all e d n e rv e s

by A rist o tl e a r e n o t n e rv e s an d hav e no c o n n e cti o n wit h

n e rv e s
”
. He f o u n d tha t s en s a ti o n an d m o v em en t we r e
st o pp e d a n d e v e n the v o ic e an d br eat hi n g w e r e a ffe ct e d by
i nj uri e s to the bra i n an d t hat a n i n j ury to o n e sid e o f the
,

br ai n a ff ec t e d the o pp o sit e sid e o f the b o dy His public .

d em o n str a ti o n by diss e cti o n p e r f o r m e d in the pr e s en c e o f ,

va ri o us ph il o s o ph e rs an d m e dic a l m en o f the c o nn e cti o n be ,

tw e e n the br a i n and v o ic e an d r e spira ti o n an d the c o mm em

t a ri e s w h ich he i m m e di at e ly a f t e rw a rds dict at e d o n th is
p o i n t w er e s o c o n v i n ci n g he t e lls us fi ft e en y e a r s l a t e r t hat
, ,

n o o n e ha s v e n tu r e d o p e n ly t o disput e t h e m
?
His ex p e r i
“

me n t al i n v e stiga ti o n o f t he spi na l c o rd by s e cti o n s a t di ff e r

” 5
e n t l e v e ls a n d by h a l f s e cti o n s w a s still m o r e r e m a rk abl e .

G a l e n o pp o s e d t hes e e x p e ri m en t a l pr o o f s to suc h un s c ien

t ifi c a rgu m e n ts o n t he p a rt o f t he S t o ic p h il o s o p he r Chry ,

s ip p u s a n d o t he rs as t ha t t h e h e a rt m ust be the c h i e f o rgan

, ,

b e c aus e it is in the c en ter o f the b o dy o r be c a us e o ne l ays ,

“
L an cet p 39 . hi k l d A i t tl t l oc t i it
11 . c c e r s o e o a e n
I h v f il d t bt i K F H
“
a e a e o o th a nt l t f th
. . ul . e c en ra s ea o e so .

M k H p hi l
ar , er a i B it g z r
us , e n XI V 6 6 3 0
e ra u
“
,
2 -
.

G e s c hic h te de r Me dizin “
,
Ca r l s I I, 683 , 69 6 T his a nd the
.

ru h e , 18 3 8 . o th e r q u o t a t io n s in t h is p ar a
“ ’
D Ar cy W
T h o mp so n
.
g r a p h a r e f r o m D r P ayn e s Har .
’

k
2 2 - 2 3 , t h in s t h a t t h e p r ec e de n c e v e ia n O r a t i o n a s p r i n t e d i n The
v
o f th e h e ar t o e r a ll o th e r o r g an s L ance t pp 1 13 7 3 9 .
-
.

in app e a r ing in the e mb ryo o f t h e

 G AL E N 1 47

o ne
’
s h an d s he a rt t o i n dic at e o n e s e l f o r b e c a us e the
o n o ne
’
,

“ ”
lips a r e m o ve d in a c e rta i n way in s ayi n g I ( 37 3) A n o t her 1
3 4 .

n o t e w o r t h y e x p e ri m e n t by G a l e n w as th a t in w h ich by ,

bi n di n g up a s e cti o n o f the fe m o r a l a r te ry he pr o ve d tha t

the a r te ri e s c o n t a i n bl o o d a n d n o t a ir o r s pir itus a s h a d
b e en gen e r ally suppo s ed ?
He f a il e d h o w e v e r to p e r f o r m, ,

an y ex p e r i m e n ts wi t h th e pul m o n a ry v e i n s a n d s o t he n o ,

”
ti o n p e rsist e d tha t the s e c o n ve ye d S pirit an d n o t bl o o d
f r o m the lu n gs t o t he h e a rt ?

I t ha s usua lly b e e n st a t e d t h a t G a l e n n e v e r diss ec t e d

th e hu m a n b o dy a n d t hat his i n f e r e n c e s by a n a l o gy f r o m
h is diss e cti o n o f a n i m al s i n v o lve d h im in s e ri o us e r r o r c o n
c e r n in g hu man an a t o m y an d p hysi o l o gy Ce rt a i n ly he .

sp ea ks as if o pp o rtu n iti e s t o s e cur e hu m an c ad a v e r s o r ev e n

sk e le to n s we r e r a re ?
He m en ti o n s h o w e v e r th e p o s s ibil
, ,

ity o f o bta i n i n g the b o di e s o f cri m i n a ls c o n d e m n e d t o d e at h

o r c a st t o b e a sts in the a r e n a o r t he c o r ps e s o f r o bb e rs
,

w h ich lie u nburi e d in t he m o u n t a i ns o r the b o di e s o f in ,

fan ts e x p o s e d by t he ir pa r e n ts ?
I t is n o t su ffici en t he ,

“
st a t e s in an o t her pa s s age to r e a d b o o ks ab o ut h um an
-
,

bo n e s ; o ne s ho uld hav e t hem be f o r e o n e s e y e s A l ex an ’

.

dri a is the b e st pl a c e fo r the stud en t to go t o s e e a ctu al ex

hibitio n s o f t h is s o rt m a d e by th e t e a c he rs ?
But even i f
o n e c an n o t go t he r e o ne m ay be a bl e t o p r o cur e h u m an
,

b o n e s f o r o n e s e l f a s G a l e n did f r o m a ske l e t o n wh ic h had

,

“ “
K u hn , V , 2 16, c it e d b y P ayne . I I, 8
3 4 86
-
.

“
K uh n , I I , 64 2 —49 ; I V , 7 03 -36 ,
I I, 2 2 0- 2 1
An in a r t e r iis n a t u r a s an g uis .

” “
co n t in e a t u r J K id d, A C u r s o r y
. . Au g u s tin e te s t ifi e s in two p a s
A n al ys is of th e Wo r k s of G a l e n s ag e s of his D e a n im a e t e iu s
s o f a r a s the y r e l a te t o A na to m y o r ig in e ( Migne P L 44 , 4 7 5
a n d P hys io l o gy in Tr a n s a c tig n s
, t hat vv
i is e c t io n o f h um a n b e in g s
of th e P r o vin c ia l M e dica l a nd w a s p r ac t ic ed a s l a t e a s h is t im e ,
S ur gica l A s s o cia tio n, V I t h e e a r l y fi f th c e n t u r y : I V , 3 ,
2 99 —3 3 6 .
“
Me dic i ta m e n qu i a p p e lla ntu r
“
L a n ce t p 1 1 3 7 , w he r e
. a n a t o m ic i p e r m e m b r a p e r ena s v
P ayn e s tat e s t h a t Co l o mb o ( D e v
p e r n e r o s p e r o s sa p e r m e dull a s
r e a na to mica, V e n e t 1 5 5 9 , XI V ,
.
p e r in t e r io r a v
it al ia e t ia m i os vv
2 6 1 ) w a s th e fi r s t t o p r o e by e x v h o min e s qu a m d iu in t e r m an u s
v
p e r im e n t o n t h e l i in g h ea r t t h at r im an t iu m vv
i e r e p o t u e r un t dis
th e s e v v
e in s c o n e y e d bl o o d f r o m s ic ie n d o s c r u ta t i s un t u t n a t u r am
”
t h e l un g s . c o r p o r is n o s s e nt ; an d IV , 6
I I, 146—4 7 .
( Mign e, PL 44 , 5 2 8
14 8 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE CH A P .

b e en w a s he d o ut o f a grav e by a fl o o d e d str eam an d f ro m

t he c o rps e o f a r o bbe r S l a i n in t he m o u n t a i n s I f o n e ca n .

no t
ge t to s e e a h u m a n sk e l e t o n by t he s e m e a n s o r s o m e
o t he r h e s ho u ld diss e ct m o n k e ys a n d a p e s
, .

I n d e e d G a l en a dvis e s the stud e n t to diss e ct ap e s in any

c a s e in o rde r to pr e p a r e h i m s e l f f o r i n t e llige n t diss e cti o n
,
-

o f th e h u m an b o dy s ho uld he e v e r hav e the o pp o rtun ity

, .

Fr o m l ack o f suc h pre vi o us ex pe ri e n c e the d o ct o r s with

t he a r m y o f Ma rcus A ur e lius w ho diss e ct e d th e b o dy o f a ,

d e a d G e rm a n l ea r ne d n o t h i n g e x c e pt the p o siti o n o f the

,

e n tr a ils G a l e n at a n y r a t e diss e cte d a gr e at m an y an i m als

. .

T i n y a n i m a ls an d i n s e cts he l e t a l o ne f o r th e m icr o sc o p e ,

w a s n o t ye t dis c o v e r e d but be sid e s a p e s a nd qu a drup e ds

-
,

“
he cut up m an y r e ptil e s m ic e w e a s e ls birds a nd fi s h
, , He , ,
.

a l so giv e s a n a m usi n g a cc o u n t o f t he m e dic a l m e n a t R o m e

ga t he ri n g t o o bs e rv e the diss e cti o n o f an e l ep hant in o rd e r

t o disc o v e r w h e t he r t he he a rt had o n e o r t w o ve rtic e s a n d
t w o o r t h r e e v e n tricl e s G a l e n a ssur e d t h em be f o r ehan d
.

t ha t it w o uld be f o u n d si m il a r to th e hea rt o f a ny o t he r
br e at hi n g an i m al T his p a rticul a r diss e cti o n was no t ho w
.
,

e v e r p e r f o r m e d e x clusiv e ly in the i nt e r e s ts o f sci e n c e si n c e

, ,

it was sc a rc e ly ac c o m plis he d w hen the hea rt w as c a rri e d

o ff n o t t o a sci e n tific m us e u m but by th e i m p e ri a l c o o ks
, ,

t o t he ir m a st e r s t abl e G a l en s o m e ti m e s diss e ct e d a n i m al s
? ’

t he m o m e n t he kill e d t he m T hus he o bs e rv e d t ha t the

.

lungs a lw ays s e n sibly s hr an k f r o m the di a ph ragm in a

dyi n g an i m a l w he the r he kill e d it by su ff o c ati o n in w at e r
, ,

o r str a n gli n g wit h a n o o s e o r s e v e ri n g t he spi n a l m e dull a

,

n e a r the fi rst v e rt e br ae o r cutti n g the l a rge a rt e ri e s o r

,

ve i n s ?

S urgic al o p e r a ti o n s a n d me dic a l practic e w e r e a third

w ay o f l ea r n i n g the h u m a n an at o m y an d G a l e n c o m pl a in s
o f t he c a r e l e ss n e ss o f t ho s e p h ysici a n s a n d surge o n s w h o

do n o t t ak e p a i n s t o o bs e rv e it b e fo r e p e r f o rm i n g an o p e r
ati o n o r cur e He hi m s e l f had had o ne c a s e w he r e the
.

“ “ “
II, 5 3 7 . I I, 6 1 9 -
20
. II, 7 0 1 .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

tr eati se D e f o e tuum f ar m a tione G a l e n displ ays a

I n th e
s i m il a r incl inati o n but m o re t e n t a tiv e ly an d ti m idly He .

t hi n ks th at the hu m a n b o dy a tt e sts th e wisd o m an d p o w e r »

o f its mak e r ? w h o m he wis he s t he p h il o s o ph e rs w o uld r e

“
ve al to h im mo re cl ea rly an d te ll h im whethe r he is s o me
”2
wis e a nd p o w e r f ul go d T he pr o c e ss o f t he f o rma ti o n
.

o f th e c h ild in t h e w o m b the c o m pl e x hu ma n m uscul a r

,

syst em the hum an to n gu e al o ne s eem to him s o w o n d e r ful

, ,

t hat he will n o t subscribe to the E picurean d en i al o f an y

a l l ruli n g pr o vid e n c e
- ?
He t hi n ks t hat n ature a l o n e c anno t
S ho w suc h wisd o m He has ho w e v e r so ugh t v a i nly f r o m
.
, ,

p hilo s o phe r a f t e r p h il o s o phe r f o r a sa tis f a ct o ry demo n stra

ti o n o f the ex iste n ce o f G o d and is by no means c e rt ai n ,

hi ms e l f ?

G al en is als o at a l o ss c o n c e r n i n g the ex ist enc e an d sub

st anc e o f the s o ul He p o i nts o ut t ha t pup pi e s try to bit e
.
-

be fo r e the ir t e e th c o m e and tha t c a lve s try to h o o k be f o r e

t he ir ho r n s gr o w a s if the s o ul k ne w the us e o f the s e p arts
,

b e f o r ehan d It m ight be a rgue d t hat the s o ul its e l f c aus es

.

“
the p a rts to gr o w but G a l en q u e sti o n s t h is n o r is he r e a dy
, ,

to a cc ept the P l a t o n ic w o rld s o ul t h e o ry o f a divi n e f o rc e

-

“
p e rm eati ng a ll n atur e It o ff en ds h is i n sti n ctiv e pi ety an d
.

s en s e o f fi t n e ss to th i n k o f th e w o rld s o ul in such t hi n gs -

a s r e ptil e s v e r m i n a n d putr e fyi n g c o rps e s

, , O n the o t he r .

h an d he dis a gr ee s wit h t ho s e w ho d e n y a n y i nna t e k no wl

,

e dge o r st a n d a rds t o t he s ou l a n d a ttribut e e v e ryt h i n g t o

s en se p e rc e pti o n a n d c e rt a i n i m a gi n a ti o n s an d m em o ri e s
b a s e d t he re o n S o m e ev en d en y the ex ist enc e o f the r e a
.

s o n i n g f a culty he s ays an d affi rm t hat we a r e led by the

, ,

a ff e cti o n s o f th e s e n s e s lik e c a ttl e F o r t he s e m e n c o ur a ge .

,

prud e n c e t em pe r an c e c o n ti n e n c e a re m e r e n am e s
, ,
?

I n c o m m e n ti ng up o n t he w o rks o f Hipp o cr at e s G al en ,
“ ”
i n sists tha t in spe aki ng o f s o m e t h i n g divi ne in dis e as es
“
IV , 687 . s o ul c o n s tr u cts t he p a rt s a n d
“
I V , 69 4 6 9 6
, . a n o th e r s o ul incit e s t h em t o vo l
m o tio n
: I V , 688
I V , 7 00
. u n ta r y
”
.

“
.

I V , 7 01
I V , 6 9 2 ; II , 5 3 7 O th e r s
.

. co n
7
t e nd, h e s ay s ( I V , t hat o ne 11, 28 .
 G AL EN

Hipp o cr at e s c o uld h av e m e an t sup e r n atural i n flu ence

no t ,

whic h he n ev e r a d m its i n to m e dici n e in o th e r p a ssa ge s .

G a l e n tri e s t o e x pl a i n a w a y th e e x p r e ssi o n a s ha v i n g r e f
e r e n c e to th e e ffe ct o f th e surr o u n di n g a ir T hu s w h il e
?

G al e n m ight l o o k up o n n a tur e o r c e rt a i n t h i n gs in n atur e

a s a divi ne w o rk he w o uld n o t a d m it a n y sup e rn a tur al
,

f o r ce in sci e n c e o r m e dici n e o r a n yt h i n g b o r d e ri n g up o n
,

sp eci al pr o vid en c e I n the D e us u par tium G a l en st at e s

.

t ha t he agree s wit h Mo s e s t ha t t he b e gi n n i n g o f ge n e sis in “

” “ ”
a l l t h i n gs g e n e r a t e d w as f r o m the d em iurge but t ha t he ,

d o e s no t a gr e e wi th him t ha t a n yt hi n g is p o ssibl e with G o d

a n d t ha t G o d can sudd en ly tur n a s t o n e i n t o a m a n o r m ak e
“
a ho rs e o r co w f r o m a s he s I n t h is m att e r o u r o pi n i o n
.

a n d t ha t o f P l a t o a n d o f o t h e r s am o n g t h e G r e e ks w ho

ha ve writte n c o rr e ctly c o n c e r n i n g na tur al sci e n c e di ff e rs

f r o m t h e vi e w o f Mo s e s
”
I n G a l e n s vi e w G o d a tt e m pts
’
.

n o t h i n g c o n tr a ry to n a tu r e but o f al l p o s s ibl e n atur a l

c o urs e s i n v a ri ably cho o s e s the be st T hus G a l e n ex pr e ss e s .

h is a dm ira ti o n at n a tur e s pr o v id e n c e in k e e pi n g the e ye

’

b r o ws a n d ey e l a s he s o f the s am e l e n gth an d n o t l etti n g

them gr o w l o n g lik e th e b ea rd o r ha ir but th is is b e c aus e ,

a ha rd e r c a rtil a gi n o us fl e s h is pr o vid e d f o r t he m t o gr o w

in a n d the m e r e will o f G o d w o ul d n o t k ee p ha irs f r o m

,

g r o wi n g in s o ft fl e s h I f G o d had n o t p r o v id e d the c arti

.

“
l a gin o u s subst an c e f o r the e y e l as h e s he w o uld ha v e b e e n ,

m o r e c a r e l e ss n o t m e r e ly t han Mo s e s but t h a n a w o rt hl e ss
,

” 2
ge n e r a l w ho builds a w all in a s w am p A s b e tw ee n the .

vi e ws o n G o d o f Mo s e s an d E picurus G al en pre f e rs to st ee r ,

a m iddl e c o urs e .

A lr e a dy in d e scribi n g G a l e n s diss e cti o n s a n d t e sts wit h

’

t he puls e w e h av e s ee n e v id e n c e o f the a ccura t e o bse rv a ti o n

an d ex p e ri m e n t a l i n sti n cts w h ic h ac c o m p a n i e d his ze st f o r

h a rd w o rk an d z ea l f o r trut h In o n e o f his tr e atis e s he .

“
XV I I I B ,
1 7 ff . Mo s e s Ma imo n ide s in t he t w e l f th
“
De us u pa r tiu m XI , , 14 ( K u hn , ce n t u r y to o k
e x ce p t io n a t s o m e
I I I , 9 05 T h e p a s s ag e s e e m s to l e n g t h , in t h e 2 5 t h P a r ti c u l a o f
m e a n in t e g r a l p a r t o f t h e w o r k his A p h or is m s f r o m G a l e n , t o this
and not a l at e r in te r p o l at io n .
gv
c r it i ci s m o f h is n a t io n a l l a w i e r.
 MA GI C AND E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H A P.

co n fe ss e s that it w as a p a ssi o n o f h is alw ays to t e st ev e ry

“
t hi n g f o r h i m s e l f A n d if a n yo ne a ccus e s m e o f t h is I
.
,

will c o n f e ss m y dis e a s e f r o m w h ich I hav e su ff e r e d all my

,

li fe l o n g t ha t I ha v e tru s te d n o o ne o f tho s e w ho n arr a te

,

s uc h t h i n gs u n til I h a v e t e st e d it m ys e l f if it w as p o ssibl e ,

” 1
f o r m e to h ave e x pe ri en c e o f it G a l en a ls o r e c o gn iz e d
t hat gene ral t heo ri e s w e re n o t s ufli cient f o r ex a ct k n o wl e dge
a nd t ha t s p e cific e xa m pl e s s e en wit h o n e s o w n e y e s w e r e
’

i n dispen s abl e ?
He ma i n t ai n s that if all t eac he rs an d ,

writ e rs w o uld r e aliz e a n d o bs e rv e t his t he y w o uld m ak e ,

c o m p a r a tiv e ly f e w f als e st a t e m en ts He sa w th e d an ge r .

o f m a ki n g a bs o lut e a ss e rti o n s an d t he n e e d o f n o ti n g th e

p a rticul a r ci rcu m st a n c e s o f e a c h i n dividu a l c a s e

?
G a l e n

m o r e th an o n c e d e cl a r e d tha t th i n gs n o t n am e s w e r e im , ,

p o rt an t an d r e f us e d t o w a s te ti m e in disputi n g a b o ut t e rm i n
“
o l o gy a n d d e fi n iti o n s w h ic h m ight be S p e n t in pursui ng the
” 4
k n o wl e dge o f t hi n gs th em s e lv e s T hus w e s e e in G al en .

a pr a gm atic sci e n tist i n t e n t up o n c o n cr e t e f a cts an d e x a ct

k n o wl e dge ; but a t the s am e ti m e it m ust be r e c o gn iz e d that

he a cc e pt e d s o m e u n iv e rs a l t he o r e m s a n d ge n e r al vi e ws .

G a l e n did n o t be li e v e in m e r e ly r e p ea ti n g in n e w b o o ks
th e sta t e m en ts o f pr evi o us a ut ho riti e s E v e r si n c e bo y .

ho o d he writ e s in his A na to mical A dm inis tr a tio ns it has

, ,

s ee me d t o h im t ha t o n e s ho uld r ec o rd in writi n g o n ly o ne s ’

“
n e w disc o v e ri e s an d n o t r e pe a t w h a t h as b ee n s a id a lr ea dy .

N e v e r t he l e ss in s o m e o f his writi n g s he c o ll e cts the p r e

scri p ti o n s o f p a st p hysici an s at gr ea t l en gt h a nd a pre vi o us ,

t r ea tis e by A rc h ige n e s is pr a ctic ally e m b o di e d in o n e o f

G al e n s w o rks o n c o mp o u n d m e dici n e s O n a no t he r o cc a
’
.

si o n ho w e v e r a f te r st ati n g th at Cr ito had c o mbi ne d pr e vi

, ,

o us tr ea tis e s up o n c o s m e tics i ncludi n g the w o rk o f Cl eo ,

p a tra i n to f o ur b o o ks o f h is o w n wh ich c o n stitute a well

,

n igh e xh austiv e tr ea t m e n t o f th e sub j e ct G a l e n s a y s t h at ,

“ “
IV , 5 1 3 ; s e e al s o II, 5 5 , di s Ey wye
’
'
XI I I , 9 64 .

“
« p cii r o u p éu dxo bo a s r d
'

y w bp euov, éfia f maoa

‘
I I 1 3 6 ; X 3 8 5 ; XII , 3 1 1 ; h e
, ,

éBo v MOnv a br bn r ns a irf o il Ka r a. c r e d ite d P l ato w it h t he s ame a tti

a r i va c
j . t ude , s ee I I , 58 1 .

“ “
X 608 ; XII I, 88 7 88
,
-
. II, 65 9 -60 .
 1 54 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE ca n .

o t he r li a rs o f t hat st am p an d ab o ve al l to e sche w Pamph il us

,

wh o ne ve r s aw e v e n in a dr eam the he rbs w hic h he d e scrib e s .

O f a ll pr e vi o us writ e rs up o n ma ter ia m e dica G a l e n p r e

f e rr e d D i o sc o rid e s He writ e s But An aza r be n s is D i o s
.
“
,

c o r ides in fi v e b o o k s discuss e d al l us e f ul m a t e r i a l n o t o n ly

o f he rbs but o f tr ee s a n d f ruits an d j uic e s an d li q u o rs tr e a t ,

” 1
in g b e sid e s b o th all m et a ls an d t he p a r ts o f an i m a ls Y et .

he d oe s n o t h e sita t e to criticiz e c e rt a i n st at e m e n ts o f Di o s
c o r ide s suc h as t he st o ry o f m i x i n g g o a t s bl o o d wit h t h e
’
,

ter r a s igi lla ta o f L e m n o s D i o sc o rid e s had a ls o a ttribut e d

.

m arv e l o us virtu e s to t h e st o n e G a ga te s wh ic h he s a id c am e
f ro m a riv e r o f t h a t n a m e in L yci a ; G a l e n s c o mm e n t is
’

t hat he has ski rt e d the e n tir e c o a s t o f L yci a in a sm a ll bo a t

a n d f o u n d n o suc h str e a m
?
He als o w o n d e rs t h a t Di o s
c o r ide s d e scrib e d butt e r a s m a d e o f th e m ilk o f s h ee p an d
“ ”
go ats an d c o rre ctly stat e s t hat th is drug is m a d e fr o m
,

c o ws m ilk G al en d o e s n o t me n ti o n its us e a s a f o o d in
’ ?

his w o rk o n m e dici n a l si m pl e s a n d in his tr e atis e up o n f o o d

,

v alu e s he a llud e s to butt e r r athe r i ncid e n t a lly in the cha p

t er o n m ilk st ati n g t ha t it is a f a tty subst an c e a n d ea sily
,

re c o gn iz e d by t asti n g it th a t it has m an y o f the pr o p er ti e s

,

o f o il a nd in c o ld c o u n tri e s is s o m et i m e s us e d in b a t h s in
,

pl a c e o f o il ?
G a l e n f urt he r criticiz e s D i o sc o rid e s f o r his
u n f am ili a rity wit h the G re e k l an gu a ge a nd c o ns e que nt f a il
ur e t o gr as p t he sig n i fi ca n c e o f m an y G r e e k n am e s .

Da r emb e r g s a id o f G al en t h a t he r e pr e se nt e d at the s ame

ti m e the m o st ex a gge r a t e d d o gm atis m an d the m o st a d
van ce d e x p e ri m e n t a l sc ho o l T he re is s o m e j usti fi c ati o n
.

f o r the p a ra d o x th o ugh the l a tt e r p a rt s ee m s t o m e the

,

true r But G a l en w as p r o ud o f his train i ng in p hil o so phy

.

a n d l o gic a n d m at h e m a tics ; he s t o o d f a st by m an y Hipp o

cra tic d o gm a s such a s the f o ur qua liti e s th e o ry he th o u gh t 5

,

tha t in m e dici n e a s in ge o m e try the r e w e r e a c e rt a i n num

“ “
XI 7 94 ;
, al s o XII I 65 8 ; XI V
, , XI I ,
272 .

6 1 62 a n d m an y o th e r p a s s ag e s o f
- P l iny, N H XXV III, 3 5 , h o w
v
,

t h e A n tid o tes . e e r , bo th t e l l s h o w bu tt e r is m a de
“
XII 2 03 P l iny, N H XXXV I ,
, . a n d o f it s u s e a s f o o d a mo ng t he

, k
3 4 m a e s t h e s a m e s tat e m en t a s ba r ba r ia n s
“
.

Dio s co r ide s . X 40—4 1

,
.
 GALEN

be r o f s e l f e vid e n t m ax i m s up o n wh ic h re a so n c o n f o rm i n g
-
,

to the rul e s o f l o gic m ight build up a sci e n tific st r uctur e

, .

I n t he D e me th ad a m e d e n di
1
h e m ak e s a disti n cti o n be
tw een the disc o v e r y o f d r ugs a n d m e dici n e s si m pl e o r co m ,

p o u n d by ex p e ri en c e an d the m eth o dic a l tr e atm en t o f dis

,

e a s e w h ic h h e n o w s e ts f o rt h a n d w h ic h s h o uld pr o c e e d l o g

ically a n d i n d ep e n d e n t ly o f m e r e e m pi r icis m a n d h e wis he s ,

t ha t o t he r m e dic a l w r it e rs w o uld m ak e it cl e a r w hen t he y

a r e r e lyi n g m e r e ly o n e x p e r i e n c e a n d w h e n e x clusi v e ly up o n

r ea s o n At th e s am e ti m e he ex pr e s s e s his di s like f o r m e r e
?

do gm atiz e rs w ho s ho ut t he i r ips e dix its lik e ty r an ts wit h

o ut th e supp or t e it h e r o f r ea s o n o r e x pe ri en c e
?
He a ls o
gr a n ts t ha t t he o rdi n a r y m an t a ught by n atur e a l o n e o f t en
, ,

i n sti n ctiv ely pursu e s a b e tt e r c o u r s e o f a cti o n f o r h is h ea lt h

”
than the s 0p h is t s a r e abl e t o a d v i s e In d e e d h e is o f the
“
1
?
,

o pi n i o n t h a t s o m e d o ct o r s w o uld d o w e ll t o s t ick t o e x p e r i

e n c e a l o n e a n d n o t try t o m ix in r e a s o n i n g si n c e t h e y ar e ,

n o t t r a i n e d in l og ic a n d w he n t h e y e n d e a v o r t o di v id e o r
,

a n a lyz e a t h e m e p e r f o rm lik e u n skill e d c a r v er s w ho fa il

,

“
t o fi n d th e j o i n ts a n d m u t il a te the r o a st L a t e r o n in th e .

s am e w o rk he aga i n affir m s t h at pe rs o n s w ho will n o t r e a d -

a n d pr o fit by t h e b o o ks o f m e dic a l a ut ho r iti e s a n d w h o s e

o w n r e a s o n i n g is d e f ec tiv e s ho uld li m it t hem s e lv e s t o ex

,

p e r ie n c e .

N o r m a lly ho w e v e r , G a l e n up ho lds bo t h r e a s o n an d e x
,

p e r ie n c e a s crit e ri a o f t r ut h a ga i n st t h e o pp o s i n g sc h o o ls
of Do gm a tics an d E m pirics . T he f o r m e r
t ta ck e d ex p e r i a

e n c e as u n c e rt a i n a n d i m p o s sibl e t o r e gul a t e sl o w an d u n ,

m e tho dic al T he l att e r r e pli e d t ha t e x p e ri e n c e w a s c o n

.

s ist e n t a d a pt abl e to a r t a n d pr o o f e n o ugh

“
G a l e n s ch i e f
’
, , .

o bj e cti o n t o t he E m pi r ics is t h a t t h e y r e j e ct r ea s o n a s a c r i

t e r io n o f t r ut h a n d wis h th e m e dic a l a r t to be irr a ti o n a l “

.

“
T he E mpirics s ay t ha t a ll t h i n gs a r e disc o v e r e d by e x p e r i

X
z“3
“
. 12 7 , 9 62 . X 9 15
,
-
16 .

“
3X ’
1
29
.

“
I . 7 5 7 6 ; XI V . 3 6 7
-

I . 1 4 5 ; I I . 4 1 -4 3 ; X. 3 0- 3 1 . 7 8 2
X, 668
,
. 8 3 ; XI I I . 188 . 3 66. 3 7 5 . 463 . 5 7 9 .
5
X “ 12 3 '
5 9 4; 89 2 ; X I V ) 2 4 5 , 6 7 9 °
 MA GI C AND EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H A P.

en e,c but we s ay th a t s o me ar e f o u n d by exp e ri en ce and

” 1
s o m e by r e a s o n G al e n a ls o o b j e cts t o He r o d o tus s ex
’
.

pl an ati o n o f the m e dic al a rt a s o rigi n ati n g in the c o nv e rs a

ti o n o f p ati ents ex p o s e d at cr o ssr o ads who t o ld o ne an o the r
o f t he ir c o m pl a i n ts a n d r e c o v e ri e s a n d t h us e v o lv e d a fu n d

o f c o m m o n ex pe ri e n c e G a l en criticiz e s suc h ex pe ri e n c e
?

a s irr a ti o n a l an d n o t ye t put i n t o sci e n ti fi c f o r m (oil o Row dy) ir

O f the E m pirics h e t e ll s us furt h e r t hat t he y r e ga rd

p he no m en a o n ly an d igno re c aus e s an d put n o trust in r e a
s o n i n g The y ho ld t ha t t he r e is n o syst em o r ne c es s a ry
.

o rd e r in m e dic a l disc o v e ry o r d o ctri n e a n d t ha t s o m e r em ,

e di e s h a ve b e en disc o v e r e d by dr e am s o t h e rs by c h an c e , .

The y a ls o a cc e pt e d writt en a cc o u n ts o f p ast ex p e ri en c e s a n d

thus to a c e rt a i n ex t e n t trust e d in tr a diti o n G al en a r gue s .

tha t t hey s ho uld t e st the s e st at em en ts o f p a st a ut ho riti e s by

reas o n ?
His f urt he r c o n t en ti o n t h at i f they t e st them by ,

e x p e ri e n c e t he y m ig h t as w e ll r e j e ct al l w riti n gs a n d trust
,

o n ly t o pr e s e n t e x p e ri e n c e f r o m th e st a rt is a s o p histic al ,

q uibbl e u n w o rthy o f h im He a dds h o w e ve r t hat the Em

.
, ,

”
p ir ic s t he m s e lv e s s a y t h a t p a st tr a diti o n o r h ist o ry
( f Op l ) s ho uld n o t b e j udge d by ex pe ri e n c e but it is
or a ,

u n lik e ly t ha t he r epr e s ents t he ir vi e w c o rr ectly in this p ar

t ic ul ar In an o th e r pa ss a ge
.
4
h e s ays t h a t t he y disti n guish
thr ee ki n ds o f ex p e ri e n c e chan c e o r acciden t al o ffhan d o r
, ,

i m pr o mptu a n d i m ita tive o r the r e p e titi o n o f t he s am e

,

t hi n g I n a t hird pa ss age he r e pe ats that th ey held th at

.
5

o bs e rv a ti o n o f o n e o r tw o i n st an c e s w a s n o t en o ug h but ,

t hat o f t re pea t e d o bs e rv ati o n w as n ee d e d wit h all c o n diti o n s

-

t he s am e e a c h ti m e In ye t an o th e r pl ac e h e s ays t hat the

3
.

E m pirics o bs e r ve c o i n cid e n c e s in t h i n gs j o i n e d by e x p e r i
e nce . He h i m s e l f d efi ne s e x p e ri e n c e as the c o mpr ehe n di n g
a n d r em e m b e ri n g o f s o m e t h i n g s ee n o f t e n a n d in the s am e
“
c o n diti o n an d m ake s t he go o d po i n t t hat o n e c ann o t o b
,

s e rv e s a tis f act o rily witho ut us e o f r e as o n He al s o a dm its

?

2 X 1 59,

XI V 6 7 5 7 6,
.

-
.
: XIV
I) 13 5

, 680 .

a 1
I, 1 44 —
55 . I, 13 1 .

“ “
XV I , 82 . I, 13 4 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P
.

pra c t i c e 1
G a l e n a ls o sp e aks o f disc o v e ri n g a trut h by
l o gic an d b e i n g t he r e by e nc o ur age d t o try it in pr actic e a nd
o f t h e n v e ri f yi n g it by ex p e ri e n c e T h is h o w e v e r is n o t
2
.
, ,

quit e the s am e t hi n g as s ayi n g t ha t the sci en tist sho uld a im

to disc o e r n e w trut h by purp o siv e e x p e ri m e n ts o r t ha t
v
,

f r o m a n u mb e r o f e x p e ri e nc e s r ea s o n m ay i n f e r s o m e ge n
e r a l l a w o f n a tur e .

I t is p e r h a ps in h is w o rk o n m e dici na l si m pl e s th a t G a l e n
l ays m o st str e ss up o n the i m p o rt anc e o f ex p e ri e n c e I n .

de e d h e s e e s n o o th e r w ay to l ea r n the pr o p e r ti e s o f n atur a l
“
o bj e cts t h a n t h r o ugh th e e x pe r i e n c e o f t he s en s e s
3
. Fo r
“
by the go d s he e x cl a i m s ho w i s it t ha t w e k n o w t ha t fi r e
, ,

is ho t ? A r e w e t aught it by s o m e syll o gis m o r p e rsu a de d

o f it by s o m e d e m o n stra ti o n ? A n d ho w do w e l ea r n t h at
” 4
ice is c o ld e x c ept f r o m t he s e n s e s ? An d G a l e n s e e s n o
a dva n t a ge in sp e n di n g f urt he r ti m e in a rgu m e n ts an d h a ir

splitti n g w he r e o n e can l ear n the truth at o n c e f r o m the

s en s e s T h is t ho ugh t he k e e ps r e p eati n g thr o ugh the tr e a
.

“
tis e s ayi n g f o r e x am pl e T he sur e st j udg e o f all will be
, , ,

e x p e ri e n c e al o n e an d t ho s e w ho a b a n d o n it a n d r e a s o n o n
,

a n y o t he r b as i s n o t o n ly a r e d e c e iv e d but d e str o y t he v a lu e

o f t h e tr ea tis e
” 5
. Mo r eo v e r h e r e stricts h is a cc o u n t o f m e
,

dic in al si m pl e s t o t ho s e wit h w h ic h h e is p e rs o n a lly ac

u a in t e d I n t h e t hr ee bo o ks tr e a ti n g o f pl a n ts h e d o e s n o t
q .

m en ti o n al l t ho s e f o u n d in all p a r ts o f t he w o rld but o n ly a s

,

m an y a s it h a s b e e n h is privil e ge to kn o w by ex pe ri e n c e
6
He .

pr o p o s e s to f o ll o w th e s am e rul e in the e n sui n g discussi o n o f

a n i m a ls a n d t o s ay n o t h i n g o f virt u e s w h ic h h e h a s n o t t es t e d

o r o f sub s t a n c e s m e n ti o n e d in th e writi n gs o f p a st p hysi

c ia n s bu t u n k n o w n t o h im .He d ar e s n o t trust the ir s t at e

m e n ts w h e n he re fl e cts ho w s o me hav e li e d in suc h m att e rs .

I n th e m iddl e a ge s A lb e rtus Magn us t alks in m uch the s a m e

str a i n in h is w o rks o n a n i m als pl an ts an d m i ne r a ls an d
, , ,

p e rha ps he w as sti mul a te d t o suc h id e als c o n sci o usly o r un

,
 G AL EN I 59

c on sci o usly dir e ctly by rea di n g G al e n o r i ndir e ctly t h r o ugh

,

A r abic wo rks by G a l en s e a rli e r e x pr e ssi o n o f t hem

’

, .

G a le n m e n ti o n s s o m e v irtu e s ascrib e d t o subst an c e s wh ic h

he has t e st e d by e x p e ri e n c e a n d f o un d f a ls e suc h a s th e ,

m e dici n a l pr o p e rti e s a tt r ibut e d t o th e b e lly o f a s ea gull an d

1

s o m e o f tho s e cl a i m e d f o r the m a ri n e an i m al c a ll e d t o rp e d o 2
.

A no i n ti n g the pl a c e wit h f r o g s bl o o d o r d o g s m ilk will n o t

’ ’

pre ven t ey ebr o ws that ha ve b e en plucke d o ut f r o m g r o w

ing a ga i n no r will b a t s bl o o d an d vip e r s f at r e m o v e h a i r
’ ’

f r o m the a r m pits - 3
A ls o t he bra i n o f a h ar e is o nly f a irly
.

go o d f o r b o ys t ee th ’ 4
.

In be gi nn i n g h is w o rk o n f o o d v a lu e s G al e n sta t e s t ha t
5

m any ha v e discus s e d th e p r o pe rti e s o f a li m e n ts s o m e o n th e ,

basis o f r ea s o n al o ne s o m e o n the basis o f e x p e ri e n c e al o n e

, ,

but tha t t he ir sta t em en ts do n o t a gree O n the w ho l e si n c e .

,

re a s o n i ng is n o t e a s y fo r e v e ryo n e r e quiri n g n atur a l s aga c ,

ity an d tr a i n i n g f r o m ch ild ho o d he t h i n ks it be tt e r t o start ,

f r o m ex pe ri e n c e e spe ci ally si n c e n o t a fe w p hysici an s a r e

,

o f the o pi n i o n t hat o nly t hus c an the pr o p e rti e s o f f o o ds

be l ea r n e d .

The Em pir ics c o n t e n d e d tha t m o st c o m p o u n d m e dici n e s

h ad b e en h it up o n by ch an c e an d G a l en gr a n ts th a t th e ,

Do gm atics usu a lly a r e u n a bl e t o gi v e r ea s o n s f o r t he in

gr e die n t s o f t he ir d o s e s a n d fi n d di fficulty in r e pr o duci n g a
“
lo st pre scripti o n But he ho lds t ha t r ea s o n s c an be give n
.

f o r t he c o n stitu e nts o f t he c o m p o u n d an d t h at th e l o gic a l

disc o v ery o f suc h r em e di e s di ffe rs f r o m the e m piric al His "

o w n m e t ho d w as t o l e a r n t he na tur e o f e ac h dis e a s e a n d th e

vari e d pr o p e rti e s o f si mpl e s an d t he n pr ep a re a c o m p o u n d

,

suit e d to the dis ea s e an d to the p a ti e nt O n the o the r han d

8
.
,

we s ee ho w m uch d e p e n ds up o n e x p e ri e nc e f r o m h is c o n
f es s io n t h at s o m e ti m e s he ha s h a stily pr e p a r e d a c o m p o u n d
fr o m a f ew si mpl e s s o m e ti m e s f r o m m o r e s o m e ti m e s f r o m
, ,

a gr ea t v a ri e ty I f the c o mp o u n d w o rk e d w e ll he w o uld
.
,

“
XII 3 3 6
, . V I, 45 3 5 5
-
.

“
x11 3 6 5
, . X I I I , 46 3 .

”
XII 2 5 8
, , 2 6 2 , 2 69 , 33 1 . XI I , 8 9 5 .

‘ ‘
XII 3 3 4
, . XI V , 2 2 2 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

c o nti nu e to u s e it s o m e ti m e s m aki n g it stro nge r an d s o m e

,

ti m e s we ak e r Fo r a s yo u c ann o t put t o ge t he r c o m po un ds
1
.

witho ut r ati o n a l m et ho d s o yo u c ann o t t e ll the ir str e n gth

,

c e r ta i n ly an d a ccur a t e ly wit h o ut ex p e ri en c e He a d m its ?

t hat no o n e can t e ll the ex a ct qu an tity o f e a ch i n gr e di e n t to

“ “
e m pl o y wit ho ut t he a id o f e x p e r i e n c e a n d s ay s The , ,

pr o pe r pr o po rti o n s in th e m i x tur e w e s ha ll fin d co n j ectu r

” 4
a lly b e f o r e e x pe ri en c e sci e n tific a lly a f t e r e x p e ri e n c e
,
In .

t he s e tr eatis e s up o n c o m p o u n d m e dici ne s u nlik e tha t o n ,

m edici n a l si m pl e s G a l e n give s the pr e scrip ti o n s o f f o rm e r

,

“
p hysici an s a s w ell as s o m e t e st e d by his o wn ex pe ri en c e .

S o m e ti m e s ho w e v e r h e ex pr e ss e s a pr e f e r e n c e f o r the me d
, ,

“ ”
ic in e s o f t ho s e writ e r s w ho w e r e m o st e x p e ri e n c e d ; an d
o n c e s a ys t h a t h e will giv e s o m e c o m p o u n ds o f the m o r e

r e c e n t writ e r s wh o in t he ir tur n h ad s e l e ct e d the b e st f ro m

,

“
o ld e r writ e rs o f l o n g e x p e ri e n c e a n d a dd e d l a t e r disc o v e ri e s .

We susp e ct ho w e v e r t ha t s o m e o f t he s e pr e scripti o n s had

, ,

n o t b e e n t e st e d f o r c e n turi e s .

G a l e n giv e s a f e w dir e cti o n s ho w t o re gul at e m e dic a l

o bs e rv a ti o n a n d e x p e r i en c e a lt ho ugh t he y c a n n o t be s a id to
,

c a rry us ve ry f ar o n the r o a d to m o d e r n l ab o ra t o ry r e s e a rc h .

”
He s aw the v a lu e o f l o n g ex p e ri e n c e a p h r as e w h ic h h e
“
,

o f t e n e m pl o ys
7
He st a te s t ha t o n e ex p e ri en c e is en o ugh to
.

l ea rn ho w to pre p a r e a drug but to l ea r n to k n o w the be s t ,

m e dici n e s in e a c h ki n d a n d in di ff e r e nt pl a c e s m any e xp e r i
e nce s a r e r e q uir e d
8
Me dici n a l si m pl e s s h o uld be fr e qu en tly
.

“
i nsp e ct e d si nc e the kn o wl e dge o f t h i n gs p e rc e iv e d by the
,

” 9
s en s e s is str e n gthe n e d by c a r e f ul e x am i n ati o n G a l en a d .

vis e s the stud e n t o f m e dici n e to study he rbs tr ee s an d fruit , ,

a s t h e y gr o w t o fi n d o ut w he n it is b e st to pluck t he m ho w
, ,

t o pr e s e r v e t he m a n d s o o n ,
But e ls e w he r e he sta t e s t ha t
.

it is p o ssibl e to e sti m ate the g e n e r al virt u e o f the si mpl e -

0“ 5 828 5 5 6
Z
Cfi ii 32 ’

v
7 7
07 5
3 11 9 6 8 9 88
”
‘
XI I I ,
S ee XII , 9 8 8 ; XI I I , 9 60-6 1 ;
‘
XI II 86 7
, .
XI V , 1 2 , 60, 34 1 .

l‘
X , 39 9 3 ,
II 2 -
88 4; X I I I , 1 1 6 -I
7,
8
XI V , 8 2.

”
12 3 , 1 5 , 12 8
2 -
2 9 , 3 5 4 , 485 , 5 02 -
5 03 , XII I . 5 7 0 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

suc h ex pr e ssi o n s as T hi s h as b een e x p e ri en c e d ; it w o rks

,
” 1 “
u n c ea si n gly or A n o t h e r r e m e dy t e st e d by us in m a n y
,

”
ca s es . T h is be c a m e a cust o m in m an y subs equ en t m e di
2

c a l w o rks i n cludi n g t h o s e o f t h e m iddl e a g e s

, O n e r e cip e .

“
is i n tr o duc e d by the ca uti o n But d o n t cure anyb o dy um ,
’

le ss yo u hav e be e n pa id fi rst f o r t h is has bee n t e st e d in ,

” 3
m an y c a s e s But w e a r e l e f t in s o m e d o ubt w hether we
.

s ho uld i n f e r t hat r em e di e s t e st e d by ex pe ri e n c e ar e s o s u
p e ri o r t hat the y c all f o r c a s h p a ym en t r athe r t han cr e dit o r ,

s o u n c e r t a i n t h a t it is a dvis a bl e t hat the p h ysici a n s e cur e his

f e e be f o r e t he o utc o m e is k n o w n I n t he m iddl e a ge s t he .

w o rd experim e n ta m w a s us e d a gr e at d e a l a s a syn o nym f o r

any m e dic a l tr ea t m en t r e cip e o r p r e sc r ipti o n G a l e n ap
, ,
.

p r o ac h e s t h is us a g e w h ich w e h ave alr ea dy n o tic e d in P li ny s

,
’

N a tur a l His to r y wh e n he d e scrib es a v e r y i m p o r t a n t ex

“
,

p e r im e n t in bl ee di n g p e r f o r m e d by c e rt a i n d o ct o rs a t
R o me .
4

I n d ee d G a l e n pp e a rs to hav e e xe rt e d a grea t i nflu enc e

a

in th e m iddl e a g e s by h is p a ss a ge s c o n c e rn i n g e x p e ri e nc e in
p a rticul ar a s w e ll as by his m e dici n e in gen e ra l Me di e v a l .

writ e rs cit e him a s an a ut ho rity f o r t he r e c o gn iti o n o f ex

p er ie n c e a n d r e a s o n a s crit e ri a o f trut h 5
G ilb e rt o f E n g .

“
l an d cit e s e x p e ri e n c e s f r o m t he b o o k o f ex p e ri m en ts ex
”
r ie n ce d by G a l e n a n d w e s ha ll fi n d m o r e t h an o n e suc h
p e ,

a p o cryp h a l w o rk a scrib e d t o G al e n in th e m iddl e a ge s .

J o hn o f S t Am a n d s e em s to ha v e d e ve l o p e d s e ve n rul e s
.
7

w h ic h h e gi v e s f o r disc o v e ri n g ex p e ri m en t a lly th e pr op
e r t ie s o f m e dici n a l si m pl e s f r o m w h a t w e h av e h ea rd G a l e n

s ay o n th e subj e ct an d in a n o t h e r w o rk th e C o n c o r da rzces
, , ,

J o hn c o ll ects a n um b e r o f p a ss age s ab o ut ex pe ri en ce f r om
1
XI V 3 7 8 , . f V ll v R p titi p o i a no a, e
”
e o su er
X I V 4 62
2
, . Can o n V ita br e vis f o l 2 7 6 , in , .

“
XI V 5 3 4 , . h is O pe r a L yo n s 1 5 3 2
, , .

“ “
XI 2 05 , . G il be r tu s A n g lic u s , Co mp en
m
5
Jo hn S t A and, Ex p o s itio
of . dia m m e dicin a e L yo n s 1 5 1 0 f o l
, , ,
.

“
m A n tid o ta r iu m N w o l az f o l 2 3 1 ,
.

,
.
3 2 8v .
,
Ex p e r im e n ta e x l ibro e x
in M e s u a e m e dici ql ar is s imi ope r a ,
”
p e r im e n t o r u m G a l . e xp e r ta .

V e n ic e , 1 5 68 d Ab an o , m A n ti do
’
P I CI I O In his E x o s itzo
p
‘

C o n c ilia to r V e n i c e , 1 5 2 6, Di ff X,
,
.

. ta r m m N ic o lai , a s 0 t a bo e v
f o l 1 5 ; D iff L X, f o l 8 3
. . A r n al d . .
( n o te
 GA L EN

the w o rks of G al e n ?
P et e r di e d as P o p e
of S p a i n , w ho
“
J o hn XXI in 1 2 7 7 cite s G al e n in h is discussi o n o f the
,
“ ”
way o f e x p e ri e n c e an d the w ay o f r e a s o n in h is C o m
m e n tar ies o n I s a a c o n Die ts ?
We have a l r ea dy sugge st e d
G a l e n s p o ssibl e i n flu en c e upo n A lb e rtus Ma gn us a n d w e
’

m igh t a dd R o ge r B a c o n w h o wr o t e s o m e tr eatis e s o n m e di
ci ne But it is h ardly p o ssibl e t o te ll whe th e r such id ea s
.

we re in the a ir o r w e r e due to G al e n i n dividually e ithe r in

,

the ir o rigi n o r the ir tr an s m issi o n But h e m a de a r athe r .

cl o s e a ppr o ach t o the m e di eval a ttitude in his e qu al r e gard

f o r l o gic an d f o r ex p e ri m e n t ati o n .

The m o r e g e ne ra l i nflu e n c e o f G al en up o n all sid e s o f

the m e dici n e o f the f o ll o wi ng fi f t e en c e n turi e s h as o f t en
been st ate d in sw eepi n g t e rm s but is di fficult to ex a gge rat e ,
.

His g en e r al t he o ri e s his p ar ticul a r cur e s h is o cc asi o n al m ar

, ,

ve l o us st o ri e s w e r e o f t en r e pe a t e d o r p a r ap h r a s e d
, O ri .

“ ”
bas ius ha s be e n ca ll e d the ap e o f G a l e n a n d w e s h all s e e ,

t ha t the e pithet m ight with e qu a l r ea s o n be ap p li e d to A é tius

o f A m id a I n d e e d a s in th e c a s e o f P li n y w e s h all fi nd
.
, ,

pl e n ty o f i n st an c e s o f G ale n s i n flue n c e in o u r l at e r c hap ’

t e rs P e rha ps a s go o d a si n gl e i n st an c e o f m e di ev a l study
.

o f G a l e n a s c o uld be giv e n is f r o m th e C o n c o r da n c es o f J o h n

o f S t A m a n d a lr ea dy m e n ti o n e d
. wh ic h b e a r the alt e rn a ,

tive titl e R e c a ll e d t o Mi n d ( R evo ca tiva ni me m o r iae)

“
,
”
,

si n c e t he y w e r e writt e n to re li e v e f r o m t o il a n d w o r ry
sc ho l a r s w ho o f t e n sp e n d sl e epl e ss n ights in s ea rchi n g f o r
” 3
p o i n ts in th e b o o ks o f G al e n O r w e m ay n o t e h o w t h e
.

a ss o ci a t e s o f t h e t w e l ft h c e n tu r y t r a n sl a t o r f r o m t h e A r a bic ,

G e r a rd o f C r e m o n a a dd e d a list o f h is w o rks a t t he cl o s e
,

o f his t r an sl a t i o n o f G a l e n s Tegn i i m it at i n g G al en in
“ ’

th e c o m m e m o r a t i o n o f h is b o o ks a t th e e n d o f th e s am e tr e a
”
tis e a s t he y t he m s e l v e s st at e
,
4
.

N o t t h a t m e di e v a l m e n did n o t m ak e a ddi t i o n s o f t he ir

XXI
1
J L P a g e l D ie C o n c o r da nc ia e
. .
,
“
, 2 63
d e s J o ha nn es d e S a n c t o A m an d a ,
ed L yo n s , 1 5 1 5 , f o l s 1 9 v- 2 0v
. . .

B e r l in , 189 4 , p p 1 02 104 . J o hn -
.
3
B e r lin , 9 02 , 14 t h c e n t u r y , f o l .

al s o w r o t e co mm e n t a r ie s o n G a l e n , 1 7 5 ; B e r l in 9 03 , 1 34 2 [ D , f o l 2 . . .

( His toir e L itté r air e d e la F r an ce,

‘
B o n c o m p ag n i pp .
3 4 -
.
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

o wn to G a l en
i n s t anc e the n o t e d J e wis h phil o s o p he r
. Fo r , ,

Mo s e s Ma i m o n id e s in a ddi n g h is c o ll e cti o n o f me dic al

,

Aphor is ni s to th e m a n y pr e vi o us c o m pil ati o n s o f th is s o rt

by Hipp o cr ate s R a sis ( Muhamm a d ibn Z ak ariya ) Me s ne
, ,

( Yuhann a ibn Mas aw a ih ) an d o the rs st at e s that h e has , ,

dr a wn t he m m a i n ly f ro m the w o rks o f G a le n but that he ,

suppl e me nts the s e with s o m e in his o w n nam e a nd s o m e by

“ ”1
o t he r mo de r n s No t tha t G al e n w a s no t s o me ti me s c r iti
.

c iz e d o r q u e sti o n e d A l a t e r G re ek writ e r S ym eo n S e th
.
, ,

v enture d to d e vo t e a sp e ci a l tr eatis e to a r e f uta ti o n o f s o me

o f G al e n s p h ysi o l o gic a l vi e ws I n it a ddr e ssi n g h i m s e l f
’
.
,

“ ”
t o t ho s e p e rso n s w ho r e ga rd yo u O G al en a s a go d he , , ,

e n d e av o r e d t o m ak e t he m r e al iz e th a t n o h u m an b e i n g is

in fa llibl e ?
Am o n g the m e dic al tr ea tis e s o f G e n til e da F o
l igno w ho w as p a p a l p hysici a n an d p e r f o r m e d a public dis
,

s ecti o n at P a du a in is f o u n d a bri e f a r gu m e n t aga i ns t

G a l en s fi f th a ph o ri sm 4
B ut suc h criticis m o r o pp o siti o n
’
.

‘
Mo s e s be n Ma im o n , Ap h o m e n s e ma r c n , e t s c r ip ta Pis is de
“
r is m s , 1 4 89 I n c ip iun t ap h o r is m i m e n s e o c t o br is I t is p o s
e x c e ll e n t is s rm i R aby Mo y s e s s e s ibl e but r a t h e r u n l i e l y t h at t h e k
c u n d u m d o c t r in a m G a l ien i m e di da t e s l a t e r t h an 1 3 48 r e f e r to t h e
c o r um p r in c ip is c o l l egi eo s l a b o r s o f c o p y is t s V e n e tian MS S
.

ex v e r b is G a l ie n i de o m n ib u s c o n ta in n o t o n l y a D e r e du c tio n e

l ibr is s uis . E t e go p r o tu l i m edic ina r a m ad a c tn m by G e n

s up e r h is a ff o r is m is q u e da m d ic t a t il e , w r itt e n a t P e r ug ia in Ap r il ,
q u e c ir c u m s p ex i e t e a m eo n o m in e 1 3 4 2 ( S M a r c o , X I V 7 , 14 t h c e n
.
,

v
n o m ina i e t s im il it e r p r o t u l i a l i t u r y, f o l s 4 4 . bu t a l s o S u g
q uo s a p h o r is m o s a l iqu o r u m m o d g e s t io n s co n c e r n in g t h e p e s t il e n c e
e r n o r u m q u o s d en o m in a i e o r u m v w h ic h w a s a t G e n o a in by
n o m in e
”
. him ( S . Ma r c o , X IV , 2 6 , 1 sth
E d C V D a r e m b e r g , N o tice s
’
. . . c e n t u r y, f o l s 9 9 - 1 00 , co n s il ia d e
.

e t E x tr a its d e s m a nu s c r its m é di p e s t e qu a e f uit I a un a c a n n o

c o a x , 18 5 3 , p p 44 4 7 , G r e e
.
-
tex t ; k ’
V a l e n t in e ll i s c at a l o g u e o f th e
pp 2 2 9 3 3 , Fr e n c h t r a n s l a t io n
-
. M S S in th e L ibr a r y o f S t Ma r s . k ’

v
.

G a r r is o n , His to r y of M e dicin e , d o e s n o t h e lp , h o w e e r, t o c l e a r
2 nd e d it io n , 1 9 1 7 , p 14 1 B ut a t p
. . . up t h e q u e s t io n w h e n G e n t il e d ie d ,
1 5 1 G a r r is o n w o u l d s e e m m is t a en k s in c e in o n e p l a c e ( I V , 2 3 5 ) V a

in s ta t in g th at G e n t il e die d in l e n t in e ll i a s s u r e s u s t h a t h e d ie d
1 3 48 , f o r in t h e M S o f w h ic h I a t B o l o g n a in 1 3 1 0, a n d in an o t h e r
s h a ll s p e a k
in t h e n e x t f o o tn o t e p l a c e ( V , 1 9 ) s a ys t ha t h e die d at
h is t r e a t is e o n c r it ic al d a y s is P e r ug ia in 1 3 48 .

d a t e d ba c
“
kin t h e ye a r 1 36 2
‘
C o r t o n a 1 1 0, e a r l y y e ar s o f
T r a ctat u s d e en u m e r a t io ne d ie 1 st h c e n t u r y, fol 12 8 , R a t io n e s
.

r u m c r e t ico r u m m i G e n tilis a n n i G e nt il is c o n t r a G a l e n um in qu in t o
’

a t f o l 1 2 5 ; w hil e a t f o l 16 2
. . a p h o r is m i . This M S c o n tain s s e v
w e r e ad, Ex p l ic it qu e s t io e r a l o the r w o r s k
by G e n til e da
m i Z e n til is an no D o m in i 13 5 9 de Fo l ign o
’
.
 MA G I C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

at di ff e r en t ti me s an d to di ff e re n t p e rs o n s s o meti m e s s ay ,

in g by dr e am s s o m e ti m e s by s a cri fi ci n g a ga i n by sym b o ls
, , ,

o r by a str o l o gy A f t e rw a rds suc h c ha rg e s a ga i n st G al e n

.

k e pt m ultiplyi n g A s a r e sult G al en s ays t ha t si n c e then

?
,

he ha s no t g o ne a bo ut a dv e r tisi n g his p r o gn o stic a ti o n s lik e

a h e r a ld l e st the p hysici a n s a n d p h il o s o p he rs h at e him t he
,

m o r e a n d sl an d e r him a s a wiz a rd an d di v i n e r but that h e ,

n o w r e ve a ls h is disc o v e ri e s o n ly t o h is f ri e n ds I n an o th e r
?

tre atis e h e r e pr e s en ts Hipp o cr a te s as s ayi n g that a pr o fi ci en t

d o cto r sh o uld be abl e to p r o gn o stic at e the c o urs e o f dis ea s e s ,

but a dds tha t c o n tem p o r a ry p hysici an s c all such a d o ct o r

a s o rc e r e r an d w o n d e r w o rk e r ( 7
?
6-
1 6 6 i r p fi oék y )
o é
7 7o 7 Ka a a V

Aga i n in his w o rk o n m e dici n a l si m pl e s he st ate s th at he

4

a bst a i n e d f r o m t e sti n g t h e supp o s e d virtu e o f cr o c o dil e s

’

bl o o d in sha rp en i n g the visi o n a n d the bl o o d o f ho use m ic e

,

in r e m o vi n g w a rts p a rtly b e c a us e he ha d o t he r r eli abl e e ye

,

m e dici n e s a n d cur e s f o r w a rts such a s myr m e cia a gem —

,

wit h wa rt lik e lum ps p a rtly b e ca us e by e m pl o yi n g suc h s ub

-
,

sta n ce s he f ea r e d t o i n cur the r e put a ti o n o f a s o rc e r e r si n c e ,

j ea l o us p hysici an s w e r e alr e a dy sl an d e ri n g his m e dic al pr o g

n o s t icat io n s as divi na ti o n Th is l a st p a ss a ge a ff o rds a g o o d
.

illustr a ti o n o f the cl o s e c o nn e cti o n with m agic o f c e rta i n

na tur a l subst a n c e s supp o s e d to p o ss e ss m a rv e l o us virt u e s ,

w h il e G al e n s w art st o n e als o s eem s m agic a l to the m o d e r n

’

read e r .

G a l e n h i m s e l f s o m e ti m e s c a lls o the r p hysici an s m agici an s .

Ce rt a i n m e n wit h w ho m he d o e s n o t a gr e e a r e c a ll e d by h im
“ ” 5
li a rs o r wiz ar ds o r I d o n t kn o w w ha t t o s ay ’
a n d an ,

o t he r m a n w ho us e d m o us e du n g to e x c e ss h e c a lls sup e r
“
s t it io u s a n d a s o r c e r e r I n the s a m e w o rk o n si m pl e s h e 7
.

s ays th at he w ill list he r bs in alph ab e t ic al o rd e r a s P am ph il us

did but t ha t he will n o t lik e h im d e sc e n d to o l d wive s t al e s
,
’
,

E gypti a n s o rc e ri e s a n d i n c a n t a ti o n s a m ul e ts a n d o t he r m a g
,

ic a l d e vic e s w h ic h n o t o n ly do n o t be l o n g in the me dic a l a r t

,

1 6
x11 3 06
523
7 62 5 .
,
.

7 65 5 e
XI I 3 07
.

I 5 4- 5 5
, .
»

XI I , 2 6 3 .
’
XI 7 9 2 9 3
,
-
 G AL E N

but are utte rly f als e Pamp h ilus n ev e r s aw m o st o f t he .

he rbs h e m e n t i o n e d m uc h l e ss t e s t e d t h e ir virtu e s but

, ,

c o pi e d a n yt h i n g he f o u n d pili n g up n a m e s i n c a n t a ti o n s a n d
, , ,

w iz a rd r y G al e n a ccus e s X e n o c r a te s A ph r o d is ie n s is a ls o
.

o f n o t h avi n g e sch e w e d s o r c e r y a n d he n o t e s t ha t m e dic al ,

writ e rs ha v e e it he r s a id n o th i n g ab o ut sw e a t o r w ha t is
supe rstiti o us an d b o rd e ri n g u po n m a gic ?

P h ilt e rs l o v e c ha r m s dr e am dr a ugh ts an d i m pr e c a ti o n s Ch m s
,
-
,
-
, ar

G a l e n r e ga rds as i m p o s sibl e o r i n j uri o us a n d i n t e n ds to

3 1der
1
,
0
hav e n o t hi n g t o do wit h t he m He t hi nk s it ridicul o us to wo k s . r er .

b e li e v e t h a t by such sp ells o n e can b e witch o n e s a dv e r s a ri e s ’

s o t ha t t h e y c a n n o t pl e a d in c o urt o r c o n c e iv e o r b ea r c h il ,

dre n He c o n sid e rs it w o rs e t o a dv e rtis e a n d p e rp e tu at e

.

suc h f als e o r cri m i n a l n o ti o n s in writi n gs t ha n t o pr a ct ic e

“
such a cri m e but o n c e ?
I n o n e p a ss a g e h o w e v e r to illus , ,

tr at e his theo ry t ha t the go ds pr e p a r e the sp e rm s o f pl ants

a n d a n i m a ls a n d s e t t he m g o i n g a s it w e r e a n d a f t e rw a rds
, ,

l e av e t hem to them s e lve s G al e n c o m p a r es t hem to the w o n ,

der w o rk e r s w ho w e r e p e r ha ps n o t m a gici a n s but me n

- —

si m il ar to o ur sid e w alk f akirs who e x h ibit m e c han ic a l t o ys

w ho st a r t t h i n gs m o vi n g a n d t he n go a w ay t h em s e lv e s w h il e
what t he y hav e pr e p a r e d m o v e s o n a rtifici a lly f o r a ti me .

G al e n s o w n w o rks a r e n o t e n tir e ly f r ee f r o m the m agi A im l

’
n a

c al d e vic e s o f w h ic h he a ccus e s o t he rs We m ay be gi n wit h .

a n i m a l subst an c e s si n c e he h i m s e l f ha s t e stifi e d t ha t t he s ibl q i

,
fl
m d me e ic
u s e o f sw ea t cr o c o d i l e s bl o o d a n d m o us e s du n g i s sug
.
’ ’

, ,

ge s tive o f m a gic Mo r e o v e r he a tt r ibut e s m o r e biz a rre

.
,

virtue s to the p a rts o f an i m a ls than t o he rbs o r st o ne s In .

a p a ss a ge s o m ew h a t si m il a r t o t h a t in w h ic h P li n y
4
ex

pr e ss e d his ho rr o r at the u s e o f hu m an bl o o d e n tr a ils and , ,

skulls as m e dici n e s G al en d e cl a r e s t ha t he will n o t men

,

ti o n the a bo m i n abl e an d d e t e st abl e a s X e n o cr at e s a n d s o me ,

o t he rs h av e d o n e T h e R o m a n l a w ha s l o n g f o r bidd e n eat
.

in g hu m an fl e s h w h il e G a l e n r e ga rds e v e n t he m e n ti o n o f
,

c e rt a i n s e cre ti o ns an d excr em en ts o f the hu m an b o dy as

1
XII ,
2 83 . I V , 688 .

XII His tor y XXV II I

2
, 2 5 1- 5 3 . N a tur a l . . 2 .
 MA GI C A ND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

o ff en sive to m o d e st ea rs N e ve rt he l e ss b e f o r e l o n g h e o f
?
,

f en d s a ga i n st his o wn stan d a rd and d escrib e s ho w he ad

m i n ist e r e d t o p a ti e nts the v e ry subst an c e w hich he ha d be
f o r e c ha r a ct e riz e d as m o st u n m e n ti o n a bl e ?
It m ay als o be
n o t e d t ha t he r e p e ats u n qu e sti o n i n gly such a t a l e a s th a t th e

cubs o f the b ea r a re bo r n u n f o rm e d an d lick e d i n t o s hape

by t he ir m o t he r “
.

Furt he r m ild e r illust r a ti o n s o f th e f act t hat such n a sty

subst anc e s w e re t he n no t m e r e ly r ec o m men d e d in bo o k s but
f r e e ly e m pl o y e d in a ctu a l m e dic al pr a ctic e a r e s ee n in the ,

f r e q u e n t us e by o n e o f G a l e n s t ea c h e rs o f the du n g o f d o gs
’

w ho f o r t wo d ays b e f o r e ha d e a t e n n o t h i n g but b o n e s 4
in ,

G al en s o wn w o n d e r f ully succ e ss f ul tr eatm e n t o f a tumo r

’

o n a rustic s k n e e wit h g o a t du n g w hic h is ho wev e r to o

’
—
, ,

s ha rp f o r t he ski n s o f c h ildr e n o r city l a di e s an d in h is dis

5
,

c o ve ry by r e p ea t e d e x p e ri en c e t h a t the du n g o f d o v e s w h o

t ak e little e x e rcis e is l e ss p o t e n t t han t hat o f t h o s e w ho t ak e

“
m uc h G a l e n a ls o s a ys t ha t h e h as k n o wn o f d o ct o rs w ho
,

hav e cur e d m an y p e rs o n s by givi n g t h e m bur n t h u m an bo n e s

in dri n k wit h o ut t h e ir k n o wl e dge ?

G a l e n s m e dici na l si m pl e s i n clud e the bil e o f bulls hye

’

n as c o cks p a r tridg e s a n d o t he r a n i m a ls
“ A dige stiv e o il .
, , ,

ca n be m an u f a ctur e d by c o o ki n g f o x e s and hy e n a s so me ,

“
a liv e a n d s o m e d ea d wh o l e in o il , G a l e n discuss e s wit h .

p e r f e ct s e ri o us n e ss the r e lativ e str en gt h o f v a ri o us an i m al

?“
f a ts t ho s e o f t h e go o s e h e n hye n a go at pig a n d s o f o rt h
, , , , , ,

He d e cid e s t hat li o n s f at is by f a r the m o st p o t en t with

’

th at o f the p a rd n ex t Amo n g h is si m pl e s ar e als o f o u nd

.

t he sl o ugh o f a s n ak e a s h e e pski n t he lic he n s o f ho rs e s a

, , ,

spid e r s w e b an d bur n t yo u n g sw a ll o ws f o r w ho s e i n tr o
’ 11
, ,

ducti o n i nt o m e dici n e he giv e s A scl e pi ad e s cr e dit ?2

Of
“
XI I 2 4 8 28 4 8 5 2 9 0
, ,
-
, .
8
X II 2 7 6 7 7
,
-
.

“ “
XI I 2 9 3, . X II , 3 6 7 6 9 -
.

“
XI V 2 5 5 ( To P is o o n ther ia c )
, . .
1°
XI I I , 9 49 5 0 9 5 4 5 5 -
,
-

‘
XII 2 9 1 9 2
,
-
.
11
XI I 3 4 3 , The se fo rm . th e
“
“
XI I 2 9 8, . t itl e s f o u r s u c c e s s i e c h ap t e r s ,
of v
XI I 3 04 , . De s im pl ic XI , i, c ap s 1 9 -2 2 . .

XI I 342
1
XII : 3 5 9 , 9 42 -4 3 ; 9 7 7
13
, .
 M A G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CHA P .

stanc e s are dr aw n t o gethe r G a l e n o bj e cts t ha t thi s d o e s n o t .

e x pl a i n h o w a w ho l e s e ri e s o f ri n gs c a n b e susp e n d e d in a

r o w f r o m a m a gn e t G a l e n s t ea c he r P e l o ps w ho cl a i m e d
’
.
,

t o be a bl e t o t e ll t he c aus e o f e ve ryt h i n g ex pl a i n e d why ,

a s he s o f riv e r cr a bs a r e us e d f o r t h e bit e o f a m a d do g a s

f o ll o ws ?
T he cr a b is e ffic a ci o us a ga i n st h ydr o ph o bi a be
ca us e it is an a q u a tic a n i m a l R iv e r cr abs a r e b e tt e r f o r .

t his purp o s e than s a lt w a t e r cr ab s b e c a us e s alt dri e s up

m o isture He als o t h o ugh t t h e a s he s o f cr a bs v e ry p o t e n t in
.

a bs o rbi n g t h e v e n o m But t h is typ e o f r ea s o n i n g is un sat

.

is f acto r y to G a l en w ho fi n ds th e b e st e x pl an ati o n o f al l
,

such a cti o n in the p ec uli a r pr o p e rt y o r o ccult virtue o f t he , ,

subst an c e a s a w ho le U p o n th is sub j e ct he pr o p o s e s to
2
.

write a s e p ar a te tr eati se an d in the fr a gm en t D e s u bs tan tia ,

f a cul ta tum n a tur a liu m ( wep t a ba fa s 7 661) ¢ va uc£ w ovr dp ewv ) he

“
a ga i n discuss e s the m a tt e r .

Am o n g p a rts o f a n i m a ls G a l en r e ga rd e d th e fl e s h o f
vip e rs as e s p e ci al ly m e dici na l p a rticul a rly a s an an tid o te ,

t o p o is o n s O f t he f o ll o wi n g cur e s wr o ugh t by vip e rs fl e sh

’
.

w hic h G a l e n n a rr a te s tw o w e r e r e p eat e d with o ut givi n g him

4

cr e dit by Aé tius o f Am id a in t he si xt h a nd B a rt ho l o me w ,

o f E n gl an d in the t h irt e e n t h c e n tury a n d d o ubtl e ss by o t he r ,

write rs Whe n G al e n w a s a y o ut h in A si a s o me r eap e rs

.
,

fo u n d a d ea d vip e r in t he i r jug o f wi n e and s o wer e a f ra id

to dri nk a ny o f it In st e a d th e y gav e it t o a m an n e a r by
.

who su ffe r e d f r o m the t e rribl e ski n dis e a s e e l e p han ti a sis an d

w ho m t hey tho ught it w o uld be a me rcy to put qui e tly o ut
o f his m is e ry He dr an k the wi ne but i n st e ad o f dyi n g re
.

c o ve re d fr o m his dis e as e A si m il a rily u n e x p e cte d c ur e was .

e ff e ct e d w h e n a sl a v e wi f e in Mysi a tri e d t o kill he r hus

its k in
“
XII 3 5 8 5 9, C i g th
-
.
p t ll y h g
o n ce r n n e s er en an nu a c an es s
vi tr ue o f iv c b w m y l
r er d
ra s w it y th m y
e a co u t a so an r en e s s ou a ac n

q t
uo e f m t y t ld i
ro Ni
a f
s or th vi t o ib d t o t h e
n as or e r ue s a scr e
I l
s an d w t, f S um tes f o fl h f v ip d t
a ra : t h e i c in
“
or es o ers an o r a
h d h
a ly e t
e on iv b m t h f ll wi g p
a en r e r cra g p hs s, en e o o n ar a ra .

w ld h v
ou t th i
a k i l ik
e cas pl 53 3 6 1
e r s 8M) n fi l e 1r e 7 4 1! 4 1 1 1 1. : o a as

cra b s, a d n wi g t h i so, é py fi w
r ene n e r ve
'
o v'r v.

y o u t h p e p tu l l y r w lde v a I V 7 60 6 é p y i
, ou d fw l ne er
8
,
-
I, ve
'
'

e v r : o a s xa r
’

h av é d m M w
”—
e di d F m J G F
e . ro l ol . . r azer av x a v ( a .

“
I , 67 . The be l ie f th at t h e XII , 3 1 1 -
15 .
 G AL E N

band by o ffe ri n g h im a lik e d r i nk A t h ird c a s e w as tha t .

o f a p a ti e n t w h o m G a l e n t o ld o f t he s e t w o pr evi o us cur e s .

A f t e r r e s o rti n g to a u gury t o l e a r n if he to o s h o uld tr y it

a n d r e c e ivi n g a f a v o r abl e r e spo n s e th e p ati en t dr an k wi n e ,

i n f e ct e d by v e n o m wit h the r e sult t hat his e l e phan ti asi s

chan ge d i n to l e p r o sy wh ich G al en cur e d a littl e l at e r with
,

t h e usu a l drugs A f o urth m an w h il e h u n ti n g vip e rs w a s

.
, ,

stu n g by o n e G al en bl e d h im e x tra ct e d bl ack bil e with a

.
,

drug an d t hen m a d e h im eat the vip e rs w h ich he had c aught

,

a n d w h ic h w e r e pr ep a r e d in o il lik e e e ls A fi f th m an .
,

w ar ne d by a d r e am c am e f r o m Th rac e t o P e rgam u m An
, .

o t he r dr e am i n struct e d him b o th to dri n k an d t o a n o i n t h im ,

s e l f with a c o n c o cti o n o f vip e rs This chan ge d his dis ea s e

, .

i n t o le pr o sy wh ich in its turn was cur e d by drugs wh ich the

g o d pre scrib e d .

The fl e s h o f vip e rs w as an i m p o r t an t i n gr e di e n t in the The r iac

o

f am o us a n tid o t e an d r e m e dy c all e d t he ri a c c o n c e r n i n g w h ich ,

Ga l en wr o t e t w o sp e ci a l tr e atis e s b e sid e s discussi n g it in

1

h is w o rks o n si m pl e s a n d a n tid o t e s Mith r id a t e s lik e Ki n g .

,

A tt alus in G a l e n s n a ti v e l an d ha d t e st e d th e e ff e cts o f v a ri
’

o u s drugs up o n c o n d e m ne d c r i m i n a ls an d h a d t h us dis ,

c o v e r e d antid o t e s a ga i n st spid e rs sc o rpi o n s s e a h ar e s aco , ,

-
,

n it e a n d o t h e r p o is o n s
, He t hen c o m bi n e d the r e sults o f
.

h is r e s ea rc h i nt o o n e g r an d c o m p o u n d w h ic h s h o uld be an
a n tid o t e a ga i n st any a n d e ve ry p o is o n But he did n o t ih .

c l ude t h e fl e s h o f t he vip e r w h ic h w a s a dde d wit h s o m e

,

o t he r c h a n ge s by A n dr o m ac hu s c h i e f p hysici a n to N e r o ?
,

T he divi ne M a rcus Aur e lius us e d t o t ak e a d o s e o f th e ri a c

d a ily an d it h a d si n ce c o m e i n t o ge n e r a l u s e “
G a l e n giv e s .

a l o n g list o f ills w h ic h it will cu r e i n cludi n g the pl a gu e ,

an d hydr o p h o bi a a n d a dds t ha t it i s b e n e fici a l in k e e pi n g

4
,

“
a man in g o o d h e alt h He a d v is e s its u s e w he n tr a v e li n g
.

o r in wi n try w ea t h e r a n d t e lls P iso t h a t it will p r o l o n g h is

,

“
li fe . He e x pl a i n s m o r e t h an o nc e ho w to pre p a r e the
7

“ “
A d P is on e m d e th e r iac a , ‘
De XI V 2 7 1 80 ,
-
.

“
th er ia ca a d P a mphil ianu m . XI V 2 8 3 , .

“ “
X I V , 2 —3 . XIV 2 9 4 , .

“
XI V , 2 17 .
7
XII, 3 17 - 1 8 ; XI V, 45 4 6 -
, 2 3 8.
 MA G I C AN D EXP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE CHAP .

vip e r s fl e sh w hy the he a d an d t a il m ust be cut 0 95 ho w it

’

, ,

is cl e a ne d a n d bo il e d u n til the fl e s h f a lls f ro m the backb o ne ,

ho w it is m i x e d with p o un d e d br ea d i n t o pills h o w the fl e s h ,

o f t he vip e r is be st in e a rly su m m e r G a l e n a ls o acc epts the

.

l e ge nd qu o ti n g s ix li n e s o f v e r s e f r o m N ican der to t hat

1
,

e ff e ct t h a t t he vip e r c o n c e iv e s in th e m o uth a n d t hen bit e s

,

o ff t he m al e s h e a d an d t ha t t he y o u n g vip e r av en ge s its
’

f a th e r s d ea t h by gn a wi n g its w a y o ut o f its m o t he r s V it al s
’ ’
.

T he M ar s i a t R o m e d e n i e d th e e x ist e n c e o f th e dips as o r
s n ak e w ho s e bit e c a us e s o n e to die o f t hirst but G al en is ,

n o t q uit e sur e w h e t he r t o a gr e e wit h t he m .

A l r e a dy w e ha v e h a d o cc a si o n to r e f e r t o G a le n s two
’

w o rks o n c o m p o u n d m e dici n e s w h ich o ccupy the be tt e r pa rt

o f t w o bulky v o lu m e s in K ii hn s e diti o n an d c o n t a i n a v a st
’

n u m b e r o f pr e scripti o n s I t is n o t u n c o m m o n f o r o ne o f
.

t he s e to c o n t a i n a s m an y a s tw e n ty fi ve i n gre di ent s It -
.

s ee m s u n lik e ly t ha t such e l ab o r a t e c o n c o cti o n s w o uld have

b ee n disc o ve re d by ch an c e a s the Em pirics h e ld but the, ,

m o d e rn r e a d e r is r e a dy t o a gre e t hat it w a s c h an c e if any ,

o n e w a s e v e r cur e d o f a n yt h i n g by o n e o f t he m Y et G a le n .
,

a s w e h a v e s e e n b e li e v e s t h a t r ea s o n s ca n b e give n f o r t he
,

i n gre di e n ts an d w o uld n o t f o r a m o m en t a d m it t hat t hey

a r e n o b e tt e r t h a n th e m e ss e s o f witch e s c auldr o n s He ’
.

a rgu e s t ha t if a l l dis ea s e s c o uld be cur e d by si m pl e s n o

, ,

o n e w o uld u s e c o m p o u n ds but t ha t the y ar e e ss en ti al f o r

,

s o m e dise a s e s e sp e ci al ly suc h a s r e quir e the si multane o us

,

a p plic a ti o n o f c o n tr a ry virtu e s A ls o whe r e a si m pl e i s t o o

?

str o n g o r w eak it ca n be t o n e d up o r d o w n to j ust the right

,

stren gt h in a c o m p o un d P l ast e rs an d p o ultic e s s ee m al

.

wa ys to b e c o m p o u n ds O f p a n a c e a s G al en is s o m e what
.

m o r e c h a r y ex c e pt in the c a s e o f t h e r i a c ; he o pi n e s t h a t a
,

m e dici n e w h ic h is go o d f o r a n u m be r o f ills c a nn o t be v e ry
“
goo d f o r any on e o f them
-
.

Amul e t s . P r o c e dur e a s w e ll as substa n c e s sugge stiv e o f m a gic is

f o u n d to s o m e e x t en t in G a l e n s w o rks He i n structs fo r
’
.
,

“
“
XI V , 2 3 8 -39 .
“
XI I I 3 7 1 , 3 7 4
,
. XI I I , 134 .
17 4 MA G I C A N D E XP E RIME N TA L SCIENCE CH AP .

f ound it e qu a lly b en e fici a l In illustr a ti n g the virtu e o f

.

hu m an s a liv a e sp e ci a lly t h at o f a f a sti n g m a n G a l e n t e lls

, ,

o f a m a n w ho p r o m is e d h im t o kill a sc o rpi o n by m e a n s o f

a n i n c an t a ti o n w h ic h h e r e p e a t e d t h ric e But at e ac h r ep e .

titi o n he sp a t o n the sc o rpi o n a n d G al en a f t e rw a rds kille d

o n e by t h e s am e pr o c e dur e wit h o ut a n y i n c an t a ti o n an d ,

m o r e q uickly wit h the spittl e o f a f a sti n g t han o f a f ull

m an ?

T he p r e c e di n g p ar a gr ap h giv e s a g o o d illustr ati o n o f th e

sl o w p r o gr e ss o f h u m an t ho ugh t a w ay f r o m m agic an d
t o w a rds s ci e n c e Me n a r e disc o v e ri n g t hat m a r v e ls ca n be
.

w o rk e d a s w e ll wit h o ut c ha r a ct e rs a n d i n c a n t a ti o n s S imi .

l ar p a ss age s m ay b e f o u n d in A r abic an d L a ti n m e di e v al
writ e rs But w hil e G a l e n qu e sti o n s i m a ge s an d i n c an t ati o n s
.
,

he still cli n gs t o t h e n o ti o n s o f m a rv e l o us virtu e in a f a st

in g m an s spittl e o r in a gem susp e n d e d a b o ut the n e ck
’
.

An d t he s e a n d o t he r pa ss a ge s in w h ic h h e clu n g t o o l d sup e r
s t it io n s w e r e u n f o rtu n a t e ly e q u a lly i n flu e n ti a l up o n suc

c ee din g writ e rs w h o s o m e ti m e s w e f e a r t o o k t h e m a s a n
, , ,

e x cus e f o r f ur t h e r i n dulg en c e in m a gic I n d e e d w e s h a ll .

,

fi n d Al e x a n d e r o f T r al l e s in t he si xt h c e n tury a r gu i n g th a t
G a l e n fi n a lly b e c am e a b e li e v e r in t he e ffic a cy o f i n c a nt a
ti o n s T hus the o ld n o ti o n s an d pra ctic e s die hard
. .

I n the tr e a tis e o n e a sily pr o cur abl e r e m e di e s wh e r e p o p ,

ul a r an d ru stic r em e di e s e n t e r r at he r m o r e l ar ge ly t han in
G a l e n s o t he r writi n gs sup e r stiti o us r e cip e s a r e a ls o m e t
’

wit h m o r e f re q ue ntly a n d if t hat be p o ss ibl e the d o s e s

, , ,

b e c o m e e v e n m o r e c alcul at e d t o m ak e o n e s go rge ris e it ’

,

b e i n g f e lt th at the u n f a stidi o us ta st e s an d c rud e co n s titu

ti o n s o f p e a s a n ts a n d the p o o r e r c l as s e s c an st an d m o r e than
d a i nti e r city p a ti en t s Ano t he r r eas o n f o r s e p a r a te c o n s id
.

c r a ti o n o f t h e c o n t e n ts o f t h is tr e a tis e is th e p o ssibility al ,

r eady m enti o n e d t hat it is i n te rp o l at e d an d m is a rra n ge d

, ,

a n d t h e f a ct tha t it is in p a r t o f m uc h l a t e r d a t e t h an G a l e n .

“
XI I , 2 88 - 89 . At I I , 1 63 , G al e n ag a in a cc e p t s th e n o t io n t h at h um an
v
sa l i a is f ata l t o s c o r p io n s .
 G AL EN

We m ust li m it o urs e lv e s to a hasty su r ve y o f a f ew s pe ci

m e n s o f its p r e scripti o n s F o ll o w i ng A rc h ige n e s ligatur e s
.
,

a n d cr o w n s a r e e m pl o y e d f o r he a d a c he s I n c o n t r a st t o
?

G a l e n s p r e v i o us sc e p t icis m c o n c e r n i n g d e pil a t o r i e s f o r eye

’

b r o w s w e n o w fi n d a n um b e r m en ti o n e d i n cludi n g the blo o d ,

o f a be d bug T o cu r e lu m b a go if th e p a i n is in the r ight

- ? 3
,

f o o t r e duc e t o p o w d e r w it h y o ur righ t h an d th e w i n gs o f
,

a s w a ll o w T h e n m ak e an i n cisi o n in th e sw a ll o w s l e g a n d
’
.

d r a w o ff al l its bl o o d S ki n it an d r o a st it a n d e at it en
.

ti r e T he n a n o i n t y o urs el f all o v e r w ith t he o il f o r t hr e e

.

d a ys a n d yo u will m a rv e l at the re sult T h is ha s b e e n o ft en .

“

”
pro ve d by e x p e r i enc e T o pr e v e n t h a i r f r o m f a lli n g o ut
.

t ak e m an y b ee s a n d bur n them a n d m ix wit h o il a n d u s e as

a n o i n tm e n t Fo r a sty in the eye c a tc h fli e s cut o ff th e ir
4
.
,

he a ds a n d rub th e sty wit h the r e st o f t h e i r b o di e s “

, A .

c o o k e d bl a ck c ham e l e o n p e r f o r m s the d o ubl e duty o f cur

in g t o o thac he and killi n g m ic e “ T o ex tr act a t o o th in th e
.

upp e r j aw surro u n d it wit h t he w o rm s f o un d in th e t o ps o f

c abb a ge s ; f o r a l o w e r t o o t h us e the w o r m s o n the l o w e r
pa rts o f the l e av e s ?
Pa i n in th e i n t e sti n e s will v an is h i f ,

“
th e p a ti e n t dri n ks w a t e r in w h ic h his f ee t hav e b e e n w a s he d .

A n e t t r a n s f e r r e d f r o m a w o m an s ha ir to t h e p ati e n t s he a d
’ ’

a cts a s a l ax a tive e s pe ci a lly if t h e n e t is fi r st h ea t e d

“ Va ri
, .

o u s sup e rstiti o us d e vic e s a r e sugge st e d t o i n sur e t he birt h

?“
o f a c h ild o f th e s e x d e si r e d Bitum i n o u s tre f o il b o il e d
11
,

a n d a p pli e d h o t c ur e s s n ak e o r spid e r bit e

,
but l et n o o n e ,

u s e it w ho is n o t s o a fflict e d o r it will m a k e him f e e l as i f

he w a s ?2
F o r c a t a r a ct is re c o m m e n d e d a m i x tur e o f e qu a l
pa rts o f m o us e s blo o d c o ck s gall an d w o m an s m ilk
-
’

,
’
,
’
,

“
XI V , 32 1 . P s o r a n th ea bi tu min os a o f
“
XI V , 3 49 . L in n ae u s I t is f o u nd o n d e c l i i
. v
XI V , 3 8 6 -
87 . t ie s n ea r t h e s ea - co a s t in t h e s o ut h
“
“
XIV , 343 . o f Eu r o p e
”
s a y s a n o t e in B o s t o c
, k
XIV a n d R il e y s Th e N a tu r a l His to r y
’
, 4 13 .

“
XI V , 42 7 . of P l in y ( B o h n Lib r a r y ) , I V ,
7
XI V ,4 30 .
3 30 . P lin y t o o ( X X I ,
, s ta t e s
“
X IV , 47 1 . t h a t t r e f o il is p o is o n o u s it s e l f a n d
“
XI V , 47 2 . t o b e u s e d o n l y a s a co u n t e r .

XIV , 476
3
A n d o th e r s , U t m e p o is o n .

” 1“
C111 p e n i s ar r i g i p o s rt,
s” a nd A d X I V , 49 1 a g o o d e x a m p l e o f
a r r e c t i o n e m p ude n di . t h e p o w e r o f s ug g e s t io n .
17 6 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

dri e d Fo r p a i n o n o n e sid e o f the hea d o r f ac e s m ear with

?

fi ft een e a rt h w o rm s a n d fi f t e en gr ai n s o f p eppe r po wd e r e d
in vi n ega r ?
T o st o p a c o ugh w e a r th e t o n gu e o f an ea gl e
a s an am ul e t
“
We ar i n g a r o o t o f r ho d o d en dr o n m ake s
.

o n e f e a rl es s o f d o gs a n d w o uld cur e a m a d do g its e l f if it ,

“ “ ”
c o uld be ti e d o n the a n i m al A c o n f e cti o n c o ve ri n g
.

t hr e e p a ge s is s a id t o p r o l o n g li f e t o hav e b e en us e d by the
,

e m p e r o rs a n d t o h av e e n a bl e d P yt ha go r a s its i n v e n t o r wh o
, , ,

b e gan to m ak e u s e o f it a t the age o f fi f ty t o liv e t o be o ne ,

“
h u n d r e d an d s e v e n t e e n wit h o ut dis ea s e A nd he w a s a .

”
ph il o s o p h e r an d u n abl e t o l ie ab o ut it .

I t r em a i n s t o n o t e w h at t h e r e is in G al en s w o rks in the
’

w a y o f di v i n ati o n a n d a str o l o gy W e a r e n o t e n tir e ly sur

.

pris e d t ha t c o n t em p o rar y d o ct o rs c o n f us e d his m e dic al

pr o gn o stic wit h divi n ati o n wh en we r ea d w ha t h e has to
,

s ay c o n c e rn i n g th e o ut w ard sign s o f h o t o r c o ld i n t e r n a l

o rgan s .I n th e tr e atis e e n titl e d The H eal ing A r t

, ( éxm r

fi) w hic h M ew aldt sa ys w as th e m o st studi e d o f

6
la LK
,

G al e n s w o rks an d spr e a d in a va st n u m be r o f m e di e v a l
’

L a ti n m an uscript tr an sl a ti o n s 7
h e d e v o t e s a n u mb e r o f
,

chapt e rs t o su ch sub j e cts a s sign s o f a ho t an d dry hea rt ,

si gn s o f a ho t li v e r and sign s o f a c o ld lun g Am o n g the

, .

sign s o f a c o ld br ain a r e ex c e ssiv e ex cr em e n ts f r o m the

h e ad sti ff straigh t r e d hai r a l at e birt h m al n utriti o n sus
, , ,
-
,

c ep t ib ility t o i n j ury f r o m c o ld c a us es a n d t o c a t a rr h a n d ,

“
s o mno l en c e .

I n h is c o mm e n t a ry o n th e Aph o r is ms o f Hipp o cr a t e s
G al e n a dds o t he r si gn s by w h ic h it m ay b e f o r e t o ld w he t h e r
the c h ild will b e a bo y o r girl t o t h o s e si gn s a lr e a dy m e n

t io n e d by Hippo cr a t e s “
S o m e o f t he s e s e em supe rstiti o us
.

e n o ugh t o us A n d it w a s a c a s e o f t he e vil t h at m e n do
.

li v i n g a f t e r t he m f o r Mo s e s Ma i m o n id e s t he n o t e d J e wis h
, ,

p hysici an o f Co rd o va in the tw el fth c e n tury in his c o ll ec ti on ,

“
I, 3 5 4 12
0 -
.

G a l en in P W
“
.

“
I , 3 5 6
2 -
.

XV II B ,
2 12 an d 8 34
.
 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I M EN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

m ay pr o gn o stic at e a n d he a l s a tis fa ct o rily P e rha ps he .

h ad a d im id e a a l o n g Fr e udi an li n e s .

I n th e o rdi n a ry r un o f G a l e n s ph ar m acy a n d th e r a pe utics

’

t he r e is v e ry lit t le m e n ti o n o r o bs e rvan c e o f a str o l o gic a l

c o n diti o n s a lt ho ugh Hipp o cr at e s is cit e d a s h avi n g s a id that
,

a study o f ge o m e try an d a str o n o m y w hich m ay w e ll me an —

a str o l o gy is e ss e n ti a l in m e dici n e ?
—
In t h e D e m e th o d o
m e den di he o f t e n urge s t he i m p o rt an c e o f t he ti m e o f ye ar ,

t he r e gi o n a n d t he s t at e o f th e sky But t h is e x pr e ssi o n

?
,

s eem s to r e fe r t o the w e athe r r a the r t han t o the p o siti o n o f

th e c o n st e lla ti o n s T he do g st a r is a ls o o cc a si o n a lly m e n
.
-

“ “
t io n e d an d o n e p a ss a ge
,
4
t e lls ho w A e s chr io n the Em piric ,

a n o l d m a n m o st e x p e ri e n c e d in d r ugs an d o u r f e ll o w
”
citiz e n an d t e a ch e r burn e d liv e ri v e r cr abs o n a pl at e o f re d
,

br o n z e a f te r the ris e o f the do g st ar when th e s un e nt e r e d -

L e o a n d o n th e e ight e e n t h day o f t he m o o n We a r e als o .

i n f o rm e d t ha t m an y R o m an s a r e in the habit o f t aki n g

“
t he ri ac o n the first o r f o u r th day o f the m o o n But G al en .

ridicul e s P am p hilus f o r h is t hirty s ix s a cr e d he rbs o f t he —

ho r o sc o p e— o r de c a ns t ak en f ro m a n E gypti an He r me s
,

“
bo o k O n the o the r ha n d o n e o f his o b j e cti o n s t o the a t o m
.
,

“
is ts is t ha t t he y d e spis e a ugury dr e am s po r t e nts an d al l , , ,

”
a str o l o gy a s w e ll a s t h a t t h e y d e n y a divi ne a rt ifi ce r o f
,

t he w o r ld a n d a n i nn at e m o r a l la w t o t h e s o ul Thus ath e
?

is m an d disb e li e f in a str o l o gy a r e put o n m uc h the s am e

pl ane .

Whe r e a s t he r e is s o littl e t o s ugge st a b eli e f in astr o l o gy

in m o st o f G a l e n s w o rks w e fi n d am o n g t he m t w o d e v o t e d
’
,

e spe ci a lly to a str o l o gic a l m e dici n e n am e ly a tr ea tis e o n , ,

critic a l d ays in w h ic h t he i n flu en c e o f t he m o o n up o n dis

ea s e is a ssu m e d a n d th e P r o g n os tica tio n o
, f Dis e as e by
A s tr o l ogy I n the l att e r he st a t e s t h a t the S t o ics f av o r e d
.

a str o l o gy t ha t D i o cl e s Ca rys tius r e pr e s e n te d the an ci en ts

,

“
5 44 ; XIV ,
1
I, 53 . X 688 ; XIII
, , 28 5 .

“ “
C o e l i s ta tu s o r 7) Ka r da r a a l s
, . XII 3 5 6 , .

“
X, 5 9 3 9 6 6 2 5 6 3 4 6 4 5 , 6 4 7 4 8
-
, , ,
—
, XI V 2 9 8 , .

“
6 5 8, 6 62 , 68 5 , 7 3 7 , 7 5 9 —60. 7 7 8, 8 2 9 . XI 7 98 ,
.

7
e tc . 11, 26-2 8 .
 GALEN

as empl o yi n g the co urse o f the m o on in pro gn o stic ati o n s ,

a n d t h a t i f Hipp o cr a t e s s a id t hat p h ysici a n s s h o uld k n o w

,

physi o gn o m y t hey o ught m uch m o r e t o l ea r n a str o l o gy o f

, ,

w hic h p hysi o gn o m y is but a p a rt T he r e f o ll o ws a st a t e

?

m e n t o f t he i n flu e n ce o f the m o o n in ea c h sign o f the z o di a c

a n d in its r e l a ti o n s t o th e o t h e r pl an e ts O n t h is ba sis is
?

f o r e t o ld w ha t dis e a s e s a m an will h ave wha t m e dic al tre at ,

m e n t to a pp ly w h e t he r th e p ati e n t will d ie o r n o t a n d i f
“

, ,

s o in ho w m an y d ays T h i s tr ea tis e is th e s am e a s t h at a s
.

c r ibe d in m an y m e di e va l m a n u s cripts t o Hipp o cr a t e s an d

tr an sl at e d i n t o L ati n by b o th W illi am o f Mo e rb ek e an d
P e t e r o f A ban o .

The tr e atis e o n critic a l d ays discuss e s t h em n o t by r e a

s o n o r d o gm a l e st s o p h ists b e f o g t h e pl a i n f a cts but s o l e ly
, , ,

“ Ha vi n g
w e a r e t o ld up o n th e b a sis o f cl e a r e x p e r i e n c e
,
.

“ ” 4
pr em is e d t hat w e r e ce i v e the f o rc e o f all t he st a rs a b o ve ,

t h e a utho r pre s e n ts i n dic ati o n s o f the e sp e ci a lly gr e at in fl u

e n c e o f s u n an d m o o n T he l att e r h e r e ga rds n o t a s sup e ri o r
.

t o t he o t he r p l an e ts in p o w e r but a s e sp e ci a lly go v e r n i n g
,

the ea r t h b e c a us e o f its n ea r n e ss “ He t he n discuss e s the

.

m o o n s p ha s e s h o ldi n g t ha t it c aus e s grea t c han ge s in th e

’
,

a ir rul e s c o n c e pti o n s a n d birth an d

, a l l b e gi n n i n gs o f ac
,
”
ti o n s . I t s r e l a ti o n s t o th e o th e r pl a n e ts a n d t o th e sign s
o f t he z o di a c a r e a ls o c o n s id e r e d a n d m uch a s t r o l o gic al t e ch
'

n ica l d e t a il is i n t r o duc e d ?
But the P yt ha go r ean t he o ry
t hat the n umb e rs o f the critic al d ays a r e t he m s e lve s the
c aus e o f the ir sign ifica n ce in m e dic i n e is ridicul e d a s i s the ,

d o ctri ne t hat o dd n um be rs a r e m a sculi n e an d e ve n n u m b e rs

f e mi n i n e “ L a t e r t he a ut ho r a ls o ridicul e s t h o s e w h o t a lk
.

o f s ev e n P l e i a d e s a n d s e v e n st a rs in e i the r B e a r a n d th e

s v g s b s s e v e m o uth s o f the N il e “
e e n a t e o f T h e e o r n T hus .

he will n o t acc e pt t he d o ctri n e o f p e r f e ct o r m agic n u m be rs

a l o n g with h is a str o l o gic a l t he o ry Muc h o f t his r athe r
.

X I X 5 2 9 -3 0 “
: ,

xI X 5 3 4 7 3 -
.

“
I X,
I X,
9 08 -
10 .

x
, .
9 13
'
IX 79 4 “
, . IX , 922 .
“
I X 9 0 1 —2
, .
°
I X. 9 35
I X 9 04
, .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CH A P .

l o ng tr eati s e is d ev o te d to a discussi o n o f the dur ati o n o f a

m o o n and it is s h o wn th a t o n e o f the m o o n s q u a rte rs is n o t
’
,

e x a ctly s e v e n d ays in l e n gt h a n d th a t th e f r a cti o n s a ffe ct

the i n cid e n c e o f the critic a l d a ys .

A tr e atis e o n the h ist o ry o f p h il o s o p hy w h ich i s m a rk e d ,

”
spuri o us in K iihn s e diti o n I hav e a ls o disc o v e re d am o n g ’

“
t he e ss ays o f P lut a rch w h e r e to o it is cl a ss e d as spu r i o us , , .

I n s o m e w ays it is sugge stiv e o f the m iddl e a ge s A f t e r a n .

a cc o u n t o f th e h ist o r y o f G r ee k p h il o s o p hy s o m e w ha t in th e

styl e o f the bri e f r e vi ews o f the s am e to be f o u n d in the

c hurc h fat he rs it a dds a sk etc h o f the u n iv e rs e an d na tur al
,

p he no m ena n o t dissi m il a r to s o m e m e di e va l treatis e s o f

lik e sc o pe The r e a r e c hapte rs o n the u n iv e rs e G o d th e
.
, ,

sky the sta rs the s un the m o o n th e magnus a n nus the

, ,
-

, , ,

e a rth t he s e a t he N il e t h e s e n s e s visi o n an d m irr o rs h ea r

, , , , ,

in g s m e ll a n d t a ste the v o ic e th e s o ul br eath i n g the pr o c

, , , , ,

e ss e s o f g e n e r a ti o n a n d s o o n , .

In discussi n g divi n ati o n t h e tr eati se st at e s t h at P l at o

2

an d t he S t o ics a ttribut e d it t o G o d an d t o divi n ity o f th e

spirit in e cst a sy o r to i n t e rpr e t ati o n o f dr e am s o r a str o l

,

o gy o r a u gu ry X en o phan e s an d E picu rus d en i e d it e u

.

t ir e ly P yt ha go r a s a d m itt e d o n ly di vi n ati o n by ha r us pic es

.

o r by s a crific e A rist o tl e a n d D ic a e ar chu s a d m it o n ly div

.

ina tio n by e n thusi a s m a n d by dr e am s Fo r a lt ho ugh t he y .

d e ny t hat the hu man s o ul is i mm o rt al they t h i n k that t he r e ,

is s o me t hi n g divi n e a bo ut it He ro ph ilus sa id t ha t dr eam s .

s e n t by G o d m ust c o m e tru e O th e r dre am s a r e n atur al .

,

w he n the m i n d f o rm s i m a ge s o f t h i n gs us e f ul to it o r ab o ut
t o happ en t o it S till o t h e rs a r e f o rtuit o us o r m e r e r e fl ec
.

ti o n s o f o ur d e sir e s T he tr eatis e a ls o t ak e s up the subj e ct

.

“ E
o f he r o e s a n d d e m o n s picuru s d e n i e d the e x isten c e o f
.

“
K u h n , XI X 2 2 - 3 4 5 P l utar ch , in to 3 7 c h ap te r s, w h e r e a s
s im p l y
k v
, .

in Pl ut a r c h s w o r s it I S d i i de d
’
O pe r a ed D ido t, D e p l acitis
k
.
,

p h il o s o p h o r u m pp 1 0
,
6 5 1 1 4 ; in
- 1
. in to fi v e b o o s a n d ma ny m o r e
P l u tar c h s M is ce l l a n ie s a n d E s c h ap te r s
’
.

“
s a ys ,
Eng lis h t r a n s l at io n , 1 889 , XI X 32 0 ,
-
21 ; De pla c phil os
.
,
.

I I I , 104 9 2 -
T he w o r d ing o f t h e
.
V 1 -2 .

t wo ve r s io n s d ifl e r s s o m e w h a t a n d
’
XI X, 253 ; De p lac .
phil os ,
in G al e n s w o r s it is di ide d
’
k v I, 8 .
 C HA P T E R V

A N C I E N T A P P L I E D S C I E N CE A N D M AG I C ! V I T R U V I U S , H E R O,
A N D T H E G R E E K A L C H E M I S TS

v
The s o u r ce s— V it r u ius de p ict s a r c h itectur e a s f r e e f r o m magic
v v
B ut him s el f be l ie e s in o c c u l t ir tu e s an d p e r f e ct n u mbe r s — Al s o in
a s t r o log y —
v
Di e r g en ce b e tw ee n th eo ry an d p rac tice , l ea r n ing a n d a r t
v
E il s in co n te m p o r a r y l ea r ni ng— Auth o r itie s a n d in e n t io n s— Ma ch in es v
and Ct e s ibiu s— He r o of A l ex an dr ia— Me die v al w o r ing o er k v of th e
t e x ts —
He r o
’
s t ha um atu r gy— I n s t an c e s o f e x p e r im en t al p r o o f— Magic
j ug s and k
d r in in g a n im a l s — V a r io us a u t o m at o n s an d v
de ic e s— Magic
mir r o r s— A s tr o l og y an d o c c ul t v i tu e
r — D at e of e x t an t G r ee k a l che my
— L eg en d th at D io c l et ian bu r n e d th e b o o Al ch e mk s o f t h e a l ch e m is t s—

is ts o w n a c c o un t s o f t h e h is t o r y o f t h e ir a r t Cl o se a s s o c iat io n o f
’
—

G r ee k a l c h e m y w ith m ag ic My st e ry an d al l ego r y— Ex p er ime nt : r el a

—

t io n t o s ci e n c e an d p hil o so p hy .

do c tu m mnibus s o l um n e qu e in aliem s l o cis per egr i

'

ex o

s e d in o mm civita te es s e cit/
”
n um em
’

Vitr uvius , VI I n tr o d
, . 2 .

TH I S c hapt e r will ex am i n e what m ay be c a ll e d a n ci e n t ap

pli e d sci en c e an d its r e l a ti o n s to m a gic t aki n g o bs e rv ati o n s ,

a t t h r e e di ff e r e n t p o i n ts th e t e n b oo ks o f Vitru v ius o n ar
,

c hit ec tu re the c o ll e cti o n o f writi n gs w h ic h p a ss u n d e r the

,

n am e o f He r o o f A l ex an dri a an d t he c o m p o siti o n s o f the ,

G r e e k a lc h em ists T he r em a i n s o f G r e e k a n d R o m a n lit e r
.

a tur e in t he fi e ld o f a ppli e d sci e n c e a r e sc a n ty n o t be c a us e ,

t hey w e r e n o t tr ea sur e d an d ev en a dd e d t o by the p eri o ds

, ,

f o ll o w i n g but app a r e n tly be c aus e t he r e h a d t hus f ar be e n

,

s o littl e d e v e l o p m e n t in t h e w ay o f m a c h i n e r y o r o f p o w e r

o t h e r t h an m a n u a l a n d a n i m a l S o w e m ust m ak e the be st .

o f w ha t w e hav e T he writi n gs t o be c o n sid e r e d a r e n o n e

.

o f t hem e a rli e r t han t h e p e ri o d o f the R o m an E m pir e but

182
C H AP . V AN CI E N T AP P L I E D S CI EN CE

like o t he r writi n gs o f t hat ti m e they m o r e o r l e ss r e fl e ct the

sci en tific ac h i e v em en ts o r t he o ccult l o r e o f the pr e c e di n g
He ll e n istic p e ri o d .

Vitruvius li v e d j ust a t the b egi n n i n g o f th e E m pir e

u n de r Julius an d A ugustus Ca e s a r He is n o t m uch o f a .

w r it e r but a rc hite ctur e a s s e t f o rth in his b o o k a ppe a rs

,

s an e stra ight f o rwa r d an d s o lid The a rch it e ct is r ep r e

, ,
.

s en t e d a s go i n g a bo ut his busi n e ss with scar c e ly a ny a dm i x

tur e o f m a gic a l pr o c e dur e o r stri v i n g a ft e r m a r v e l o us r e sults .

T he c o m bi n e d guid an c e o f pr a ctic a l utility a n d o f h igh

st an d a rds o f a r t Vitru v ius st r e ss e s r e a lity a n d p r o pri ety
—

n o w an d a ga i n an d ha s littl e p a ti e n c e wi th m e r e s ho w p er
—
,

haps a cc o u n ts f o r t h is h igh d e gr e e o f f r e e d o m f r o m supe r

s t it io n P e r ha ps p e r m an e n t buildi n g is a n h o n e st d o w n
.
,

right o p en c o n structive a r t w he r e e rr o r is a t o n c e app ar en t

, ,

a n d sup e r sti t i o n fi n ds littl e ho ld I f s o o n e wo n d e r s ho w

.
,

the r e c am e t o be s o m uc h m yst e ry en v e l o pi n g Fr e e Ma s o n ry -
.

A t an y r a t e n o t o n ly in his buildi n g dir e cti o n s but e v en in

, ,

h is i n st r ucti o n s f o r the pr e p a r ati o n o f li m e stucc o an d , ,

bric ks o r his discussi o n o f c o l o rs n a tur a l an d a r tifici al

, , ,

Vitru v ius s eld o m o r n e ve r embo di e s an yt h i n g that can be

c all e d m agic al 1
.

Th is is the m o r e n o t e w o rt hy be c aus e p ass a ge s in the v e ry

s ame w o rk s ho w him to hav e a cc ept e d s o m e o f th e t heo r i e s
w hic h we ha v e a ss o ci at e d with m agic T hus he app ea rs to .

b e li e ve in o ccult vi r tu e s a n d m ar ve l o us pr o p e r ti e s o f t h i ngs
in n atur e si n c e h e a ffirm s tha t w h il e A f r ic a in ge n e r a l
, ,

ab o u n ds in s e rp e n ts n o s n ak e c a n liv e with i n the b o u n d a ri e s

,

o f the A f ric a n city o f I s m uc an d t ha t t h is is a p r o pe rty o f

,

th e s o il o f t h at l o c a lity wh ic h it r e t a i n s w hen e x po rt e d
2
.

Vitruvius als o m en ti o ns s o m e m a rv e l o us wat e rs O n e .

1
A s much h a r dl y b e s a id
c an min d one f o r c ibly an d p a in f ul l y
of o ur p r e s e n t d ay a r c h it e ct s , of t he v
d ec e it s a n d l e it at io n s o f
w h o s e f an t a s t ic t in co r n ic e s p r o m ag ic ian s .

”
j e c t in g f a r o ut f r o m t h e r o o f s o f D e a r c hite c tur a e d F K r o h n
, . .
,

h ig h b u il din g s a n d r o w s o f s t o n e s L e ip z ig T e ubn e r 1 9 12 , V I II , iii,

, ,

p o is e d h o r iz o nt a l l y in m ida ir , w ith 24 . A r e c en t E n g l is h t r an s l at io n
no o th e r vis ibl e s u p p o r t t h an a v
o f V it r u iu s is b y M H Mo r g an , . .

p l a t e g l a s s w in d o w b e n e a th , r e v v
Har ar d U n i e r s ity P r es s , 1 9 14 .
 1 84 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

bre aks e v e ry m e t a llic r e c ept acl e an d can be r e ta i n e d o n ly in

a m ul e s h o o f S o m e spri n gs i n t o x ic at e ; o the rs t ak e aw ay
’
.

t e t a st e f o r wi e
h n O t he rs p r o duc e fi n e si n gi n g vo ic e s
.
1
.

Vitruvius f u r the r m o r e sp eaks o f s ix an d te n a s pe r fe ct num

be r s an d c o n t e n ds t hat the hu man b o dy i s symm etric a l in
t he s e n s e t ha t the dist a n c e s b e tw e e n the di ff e r e n t p a rts a r e
e x a ct f ra cti o n s o f th e w ho l e
2
He a ls o t e lls h o w the Py
.

th ago r e a n s c o m p o s e d b oo ks o n the a n a l o gy o f the cube al ,

l o wi n g in any o n e t r e atis e n o m o r e than th r ee b o o ks o f 2 1 6

li n e s ea c h 3
.

A s tro l o gy
.
Vitruvius a ls o m o r e t han o n c e i m pli e s his c o nfi den c e in
the a r t o f a str o l o gy I n m a pp i n g o u t t h e g r o u n d pl an o f his
.
-

t he ate r he a d v is e s i n scribi n g f o ur e quil ate r a l tri an gl e s wit h

“
in t he circu m f e r e n c e o f a circl e a s t he a str o l o ge rs do in a
,

fi gur e o f the twe lv e sign s o f the z o di a c w hen t hey a r e m ak ,

” 4
in g c o mp ut a ti o n s f r o m th e m usic a l ha r m o n y o f the st a rs .

I c an no t m ak e o ut t ha t t h e r e is a n y a str o l o gic a l sig n ific an c e

o r m a gic a l virtu e in t h is s o f a r as th e a rr a n ge m e n t o f th e

t he a t e r is c o n c e r n e d but it s ho ws t hat Vitruvius a n d his

,

r ea d e rs a r e f am ili ar wit h the te c hn i qu e o f a st r o l o gy an d the

tr ig o na o f the sign s
. I n an o t he r p a ss a ge c o m p a ri n g the
.
,

physic al c ha r act e ristics an d t em p e r am e n ts o f n o rthe rn an d

s o uthe r n r a c e s w hich a str o l o ge rs g e n e r a lly i nt e rpre te d a s
,

e v id e n c e o f th e i n flu e n c e o f t he c o n st e ll a ti o n s up o n m an ki n d ,

Vitru v ius p at r i o tic ally c o n t e n ds th at the i nh abitan ts o f I t aly ,

a n d e sp e ci a lly th e R o m a n s r e pr e s e n t a h appy m e dium be

,

tw ee n n o r th an d s o uth c o m bi n i n g the gr e at e r c o ur age o f the

,

n o rt he r n e rs wit h t he k e e n e r i n t e ll e cts o f the s o ut he r n e rs ,

j ust a s t he pl an e t Jupit e r is a go ld e n m ea n be tw ee n the e x

tr em e i n flu e n c e s o f Ma rs an d S atur n S o the R o m an s a r e .

fi tte d f o r w o r ld rul e o v e rc o m i n g ba rbar i an v a l o r by t he ir

,

sup e ri o r i n t e llige nc e an d the d evic e s o f the s o uthe r ne rs by

t he ir v al o r 5
In a t h ird p a ss ag e Vit ru vius s ays m o r e e x
.

“
pr e ssly o f the ar t o f a str o l o gy : A s f o r the br anch o f
‘
1
V I I I iii
, ,
1 6, 2 0 2 1,-
24 -
5 . V , vi, I T h e w o r ding is t hat
’
II I , i . of M o r g an s t ran s l a t io n
.

‘ ‘
V , I n t ro duc t io n , 3 -4 . V I , i, 3 -4 , 9 —10 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

pl ai n s th at t he a rtist must plu n ge i n t o the s o ci a l li fe o f the

day in o rd e r t o ga i n pr o f e ssi o n a l succ e ss an d r ec o gn iti on 1
.

A n d si nc e I o bs e rv e that the u n l ea r n e d r a t he r t han the

l ea r ne d ar e he ld in h igh f a vo r d ee m i n g it be neath m e to ,

struggl e fo r ho no rs wit h the u n l ea r n e d I will r at he r d emo n ,

” 2
str a te the virtue o f o ur sci en c e by th is public ati o n He .

a ls o o b j e cts t o th e s e l f a ss e rti o n a n d a dv e rtisi n g o f t hem

-

s elve s in w hich m any a rch it e cts o f his ti me i n dulge 3

He .

r e c o gn iz e s ho wev e r t ha t the st at e o f a ff a irs w a s m uch the

, ,

s am e in ti m e p ast si nc e he t e lls a st o ry ho w the Mac e d o n i an

,

a rc h it e ct D in ocr at e s
,
f o rc e d h i m s e l f up o n the att e n ti o n o f
,

A l exan d e r the G r eat s o l e ly by h is h an ds o m e an d st a t e ly ap

p ear an ce ; an d si n c e h e a ss e rt s t ha t the m o st f am o us a rtists
4

o f th e p a st o w e t h e ir c e l e brity to t he ir g o o d f o rtu n e in w o rk

ing f o r gr ea t st at e s o r m en w h il e o t he r a rtists o f e qu al ,

m e rit ar e s e ld o m h e a rd o f 5
He als o s p eaks o f th o s e w ho
.

pl agi ariz e the writi n gs o f o the rs e sp e ci ally o f the m en o f ,

th e p a st But all t h is d o e s n o t lea d h im to d e s pa ir o f a rt

6
.

a n d l ea r n i n g ; r a t h e r it c o n fi r m s h im in the c o n victi o n t ha t

t hey al o ne ar e r e a lly w o rth w h il e an d he qu o t e s s ev e r a l ,

p h il o s o p he rs to t hat e ffe ct i n cludi n g the s ayi n g o f Theo,

“
p h r a s t u s t h a t t h e l e a r n e d m an a l o n e o f al l o t h e rs is n o

str ange r even in f o r e ign l an ds but is a citiz en in ev e ry

” 7
city .

ho r i In co nt ra dis tinct io n to the pl a gi a rists V itruvius ex pr e ss e s

fi
xut -

cl
his d e e p gr a titud e to the m e n o f the p ast w ho hav e writt e n
b o o ks an d give s lists o f his aut ho riti e s a nd d ecl a r e s t hat
,
8
,

the o pi n i o n s o f l e ar n e d aut ho rs ga i n str en gth a s ti m e

1
111, I nt r o duct io n , 3 , Th e re il l he al th T he r e f o r e , s in ce th e s e
v
.

s h o ul d b e t h e g r e a t e s t i n di gn a t io n a d a n ta g es f a il m e , I s h al l win

w h e n , a s o f te n , g o o d j u d g e s a r e y o u r a pp r o a l v
, a s I h o p e , b y th e

fl att e r e d b y t h e c h a r m o f s o mal
h e lp o f my k
n o wl e dg e a n d my

e n te r ta in m e n t s in to a n ap p r o b a w r it in g s .

” “
t io n wh ich is a m e r e p r e te n c e . I II , I nt r o duc t io n , 2 .

2
Id e m
°
V ,I I I n t r o d u c t io n ,
I -
IO .

”
V I , I n t r o duc t io n , 2 Al s o I X,
.

a
vI , I nt r o duc tio n, 5 .
.

‘
II, Int r o d uc t io n V it r u i us
. v I n tr o duc t io n , w h e r e a uth o r s a r e
c o n t in ue s ,
“
B u t a s f o r m e , Em d ec l a r e d s up e r io r to th e V i ct o r i o us
n t u r e h a s n o t g i en m e v a thl et e s in t h e O l ym p ia n , P yth i an ,
p e r o r a
I s th m ian a n d N e m e a n g a m e s
,

s t a t u re , ag e h a s m ar r e d m y f a c e ,
.
,
8
VI , I I d I X I nt r o d
a n d my s t r e ng th is i m p a i r e d by
n t r o , .1 1 -1
4 ; ,
.
 AN CI EN T APP L I E D S CIEN CE
” 1
R e lyi n g up o n such autho r iti e s w e v e n ture to
“
go e s on . ,

pr o duc e n e w syst e m s o f i n structi o n 2

O r a s he s ays in ,

discussi n g t he pr o p e rti e s o f w at e rs S o m e o f t he s e t h i n gs ,

I hav e s e e n f o r m ys e l f o t he rs I h av e f o u n d writt en in G ree k

,

” 3
b o o ks . But in d e scribi n g s un di als he f r a n kly r e m a rks -
,

I will st a t e by w ho m the di ff e r e n t cl a ss e s a n d d e sign s o f

di a ls ha v e be en i nv en t e d Fo r I ca nn o t i n v en t n ew ki n ds .

m ys e l f a t t his l at e day n o r do I th i n k t hat I o ught to dis

,
” 4
pla y the i n ven ti o n s o f o the rs a s my o wn He a ls o gi v e s .

an a cc o u n t o f a n u m be r o f n o t a bl e m isc e ll an eo us disc o v e r i e s

a n d e x p e ri m e n ts by p a st m at he m atici an s a n d ph ysicists
5
.

A ls o he s o m eti m e s r e p e ats the i n st r ucti o n w h ich h e ha d r e

ce iv e d f r o m his t e a c he rs L ik e P li n y a littl e l a t e r h e t h i nks
.

that in s o m e r e sp e cts artistic st an d ards ha v e b e en l o w e r e d

in his o wn ti m e n o t ably in f r e sc o pa i n ti n g
,
6
But a ls o like -
.
,

G a l e n he o n c e a dm its t ha t t he r e a r e still g o o d m e n in his

,

“
o w n pr o f e ssi o n b e sid e s h i m s e l f a ffi r m i n g t ha t o u r a rc h i ,

te cts in t he o l d d ays an d a go o d m an y e v e n in o u r o wn
,
” 7
ti m e s h ave b e en a s gr ea t a s t ho s e o f th e G r e eks
, He de .

scrib e s a b a silic a w hic h h e h i m s e l f had built at Fan o 8

.

Vitruvius s l a st bo o k is d e v o t e d t o m ac hi n e s a n d m ili
’

t a ry e n gi n e s He r e he m ake s a f e e bl e e ffo rt t o i n tr o duc e

.

the f a ct o r o f a str o l o gic a l i n flu e n c e a ss e rti n g t ha t

“
al l m a ,

c hi n e ry is de ri v e d f r o m n atur e an d is f o u n d e d o n the t each ,

in g a n d i n struc ti o n o f the r e v o luti o n o f the fi r m am e n t ” 9

.

A m o ng the d e vic e s d e scribe d is t he pu m p o f Ct e s ibius o f

Al exa n dri a th e s o n o f a b a rb e r
,
10
He had a lre a dy b ee n .

m en ti on e d in th e pre c e di n g b oo k 11
f o r t h e i m pr o v em e n ts
w h ic h he i n tr o duc e d in wa t e r cl o c ks e sp eci a lly r e gul a ti n g -
,

t h e i r fl o w a cc o rdi n g to th e c ha n gi n g l e n gt h o f the ho urs o f

t he day in su m m e r an d wi n t e r Vi t r uvius a ls o a ss e rts t ha t

.

he c o n struct e d the fi rst w at e r o rgan s t h a t he disc o v e r e d

“
,

”
:VII I t d
’ I trOd
n ro
I7
IO
.

8
V I I , I nt r o d , . I8 .

6 1°
f
.

” ’
V I I I iii , , 27 .

I X, v ii, 7 .
1» 4
I X I nt r o d
, .
1°
X vu , .

V II , v .
n
IX iii , v .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CHAP .

th e tura l pr e ssur e o f the a ir an d pne u m atic pri n cipl e s

na
,

d evis e d m e t ho ds o f r a isi n g w ate r a ut o m atic c o n triv anc e s , ,

a n d am usi n g t h i n gs o f m a n y ki n ds bl a ckbirds si n gi n g ,

by m ean s o f w a te rwo rks a n d ang o ba tae an d fi gur e s t ha t , ,

dri n k an d m o v e an d o t he r t hi n gs t hat hav e b e en fo un d t o

,

” 1
b e pl ea si n g t o the e ye an d th e ea r Vitruvius state s t hat .

o f t he s e he has s e l e ct e d t ho s e t h at s eem e d m o st us e f ul an d

n e c e ss a r y a n d t ha t th e r ea d e r m a tur n t o Ct es ibiu s s o w n
’

y
wo rks f o r t ho s e w h ich a r e m e r e ly am usi n g P li ny m o r e .

bri e fly m e n ti o n s the i n ven ti o n o f pn e u ma tics an d wate r o r

gan s by Cte s ibiu s 2
.

T his c ha r a ct e riz a ti o n by Vitruvius o f the writi n gs o f

Ct es ibiu s a ls o a ppli e s wit h a st o n i s h i n g fit ne ss t o s o m e o f t h e
” 3
w o r ks curr e nt u n d e r th e n am e o f He r o o f A l ex an dri a w ho ,

I S i n d ee d in a Vi e n na m an uscript o f t he B e l opo iik a sp o k e n

o f as th e discipl e o r f o ll o w e r o f Cte s ibiu s

4
He r o h ow ev e r .
, ,

is n o t m e n ti o n e d e it he r by Vitruvius o r P li ny an d it is n o w ,

ge n e ra lly a gr ee d as a r e sult o f r e c e n t studi e s t ha t h e b e l o n gs

t o th e s e c o n d c e n tury o f o u r e r a
5
His writi n gs ar e o bj e c .

tive an d i m p e rs o n a l an d t e ll us m uch l e ss ab o ut hi m s e l f t han

Vitruvius s i n tro ducti o n s to the ten b o o ks o f D e ar chitectur a
’
.

I X v iii d 4; X v d 899 1 9 00 1 9 03 1 9 2
1
, 4
2 pp an , 11, . a ear e ,
1 , , ,
1 ,

p t iv l y
,
“
N H V II 3 8 , , 9 4 i l udi g
. th 1 1 ,
nc n re s ec e , e
Th w k f M ti
‘
e R h
or P m ti
o d A u t m ti Th
ar n, ec er n eu a cs an o a c e
c h es s nr la vie
l e s o u vr ag e s et a te r , t h e M e c h anics a n d Mir r o r s ,
d Hé r o n d A l e x a n dr i e , P a r is , 1 8 5 4 ,
’ ’
th e M e tr ics an d D iop tr a, th e
a n d t h e acc o u n t s o f He r o in h is D e fi nitio ns an d g e o met r ic al r e
t o r ie s o f p h ys ic s a n d m a t h e m at ic s m a in s , S te r e o m e tr i ca and De
s u ch a s t h o s e o f He l l e r a n d Caj o r i , m e n s n r is an d D e g e o da es ia Fo r .

m u s t n o w b e s u p p l e m e n t e d b y th e t h e B e l o p o iik a o r w o r o n m il i k
l o n g a r t ic l e in P au l y a n d W is so w a , ta r y e n g in e s s ee C We s ch e r , .

R e a l e n cy c l o padie d e r c las s is c h e n P o lior c e tiqu e d es G r ecs , P a r is ,

’

A l te r tu ms uns s e n s c ha f t,
-
1 9 12 )
'

1 86 7 I n En g lis h w e h a e Th e
. v
co l s .
9 9 2 10 80 A r e c e n t b r ie f e r
-
. P n e uma tic s o f He r o o f A l ex
s u mm a r y in E n g l is h is t h e a r t ic l e a n dr ia t r a n s l a te d
,
for B en n e t
by T L He ath , E B , 1 1 t h e dit io n ,
. . W o o d c r o f t by J G G r e e n w o o d , . .

XII I, 3 7 8 S e e a l s o Ha m m e r
. L o n do n , 18 5 1 A n um be r o f a r .

J e n se n, P to le ma io s u n d He r o n in , t ic l e s o n He r o by He ib e r g , Ca r r a
He r m es , XL V III p 2 2 4, . d e V a ux , S c hm idt, a n d o th e r s w il l
e t s eq . be f o un d in B iblio th e ca Ma th e
Th e w r it in g s as c r ibe d t o He r o , m a tic a an d S udh o ff s Ar c hiv f d
’
. .

h ith e r t o s catte r e d a b o u t in ar i v G s c h d N a tur w is s n d Te c h

e
. . . . .

o us f o r t h e m o s t p ar t in a cc e s m
s ibl e e d it io n s a n d MS S , a r e n o w
‘ ”
r ap é p vo s K mm fi lov .

“
a p p e a r in g in a s in g l e T e ub n e r He ath in E B , XII I , 3 7 8 ; Hei
e dit io n , o f wh ich fi ve ols ha e v . v be r g V ix , .
19 0 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

ch e fi m an uscript as ls o s eem s to have

f o r t h e P n e um a tics ,
a

b ee n w o rke d o v e r an d a dde d t o a gr e at d ea l .

Fro m Vitruvius s a llusi o n s t o t he w o rks o f Cte s ibius and

’

f r o m a surv e y o f t h o s e w o rks cu r r e n t u n d e r He r o s nam e

’

w h ich ar e c h i e fly c o nc e r n e d wit h m ec han ic a l c o n trivanc e s

a n d d e vice s t h e m o d e r n r e a d e r g e ts the i m pr e ssi o n t h at a s id e
, ,

fr o m m ilit a ry e n gi n e s an d li f ti n g a ppli an ce s th e sci e n ce o f ,

a n tiquity w a s a ppli e d l a rge ly t o pu r p o s e s o f e n t e rt a i n m e n t

r at he r t han pr actic a l us e f ul ne ss Ho w e ve r in He r o s c a s e
.
,
’

a t l e a st t he r e is s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h an t h is His a ppar atus .

an d e x pe ri m e n ts a r e n o t i n t e n d e d s o m uc h t o div e rt a s t o

d ec e iv e the sp e ct a t o r a n d n o t s o m uc h to am us e a s to as
,

t o un d him T he m e chan is m is usu ally c o n c ea l e d ; the c aus e

.

a cts i n dir e ctly i n t e rm e di at e ly o r f r o m a dist an c e t o p r o

, ,

duc e an a pp ar en tly m a rv e l o us r e sult It is a c as e o f thau .

ma tur gy as He r o h i m s e l f s ays o f a pp a r e n t m agic In fi n e

,
1
, .
,

the ex p e ri m e n t al a n d a ppli e d sci e n tist is l a rg e ly i nt e r e st e d

in vyi n g with th e f e a ts o f t he m a gici an s o r supplyi n g the
t e m pl e s a n d a lt ar s o f r e ligi o n wit h ps e ud o m ir a cl e s -
.

T he i n tr o ducti o n o r pr o e m iu m t o th e P n e um a tics is
r athe r m o r e truly sci en tific an d has be e n c a ll e d a n unusu al
i n st anc e in an ti quity o f the u s e as pr o o f o f pur po sive o h
s e rv ati o n o f n atur e a n d ex p e r i m e n t T hus the e x ist e n ce o f
.

a ir is d e m o n str a t e d by the e x p e ri m e n t o f pr e ssi n g an in

v e rt e d v e ss e l k e pt c a r e f ully upright i n t o w at e r w hich will

, , ,

n o t e n t e r the v e ss e l be c a us e o f t h e r e sist a n c e o ff e r e d by t he

a ir a lr ea dy wit h i n th e v e ss e l O r t he e l a sticity o f a ir an d
.

the e x ist e n c e o f e m pty sp ac e s b e tw e e n its p a rticl e s is s ho w n

by the e x pe ri m e n t o f bl o wi n g m o r e a ir i nt o a gl o be t hr o ugh
a sip ho n a n d t he n ho ldi n g o n e s fi n g e r o v e r t he o ri fi c e As
’
.
,

s o o n a s the fi n ge r is r em o v e d the surplus a ir rus he s o ut

with a l o ud r e p o rt A l o n g wit h such a d m ir a bl e e x p e ri m en t al
.

pr o o f ho w e ve r the i n tr o ducti o n c o n t ai n s s o m e a st o n is hi n gly

, ,
“
e rr o n e o us a ss e rti o n s suc h a s t h a t
,
sli m e an d m ud a re tran s
”
f o r m ati o n s o f w at e r i n t o e a rth a n d t ha t a ir r e l e a s e d f r o m
,

t h in g s t h a u m atur g e s
s t r u ct e d s u c h
1
I n t h e fi r s t c h ap t e r o f t h e
A u to m a tic Th e a ter h e s ay s , T h e b e c a u s e o f t h e a s t o u n d i ng c ha ra c
”
a n c ie nt s c al l e d t ho s e w ho c o n t e r o f t h e s p e c t ac l e .
 A N CI E N T A PP L I E D S CI EN CE

a v e ss e l u n de r w at e r is tran s fo rm e d s o a s t o bec o me wat er .

He r o b e li e v e s tha t h ea t an d ligh t rays ar e p articl e s o f m atte r

wh ic h p en e tr at e the i n t e rstic e s b etwe en the pa rticl e s co m
p o si n g a ir an d w at e r.

T h e P n e u m a tics c o n sist o f s o m e s e v en ty e ight t heo re m s M gi -

a c
j g d u s an
o r e x p e ri m e n ts o r t r icks c a ll t h e m w h a t yo u w ill w h ic h in
,
d i ki g , r n n

di ff e r e n t m an usc r ipts a n d e diti o n s ar e v ari o usly gr o up e d in im l an a s .

a si n gl e bo o k o r t w o b o o ks T he s am e id ea o r m e th o d
.
,

ho w e v e r is o ft e n r e p e at e d in the di ff e r e n t c hapt e rs
, T hus .

w e e n c o u n t e r o v e r h a l f a d o z e n ti m e s the m agic w a te r j ar -

o r dri n ki n g ho r n f r o m w h ic h e it he r wi n e o r w a t e r o r a m ix

tu r e o f bo th c an be p o ur e d o r a cho ic e o f o the r liquids

, .

An d in a ll t he s e c a s e s the e x pl a n ati o n o f t he trick is the

s am e When the a ir ho l e in the to p o f the v e ss e l is cl o s e d
.
—

s o t ha t n o a ir ca n e n t e r t h e liquid will n o t fl o w o u t t h r o ugh

,

the n a r r o w o rific e in th e bo tt o m Ch an ge s a r e ru n g o n th is
.

pri n cipl e by m ean s o f i nn e r c o m p a rtm en ts an d c o nn e cti n g

tube s D i ff e r en t ki n ds o f sip ho n s the ben t the e n cl o s e d
.
, , ,

an d th e u n i f o r m disc h a r ge ar e d e sc r ib e d in th e o p e n i n g c h ap
,

t e rs and a r e utiliz e d in w o r ki n g the e n sui ng w o n d e r s such ,

as st atu e s o f an i m a ls w h ic h dri n k w a t e r o ff e r e d t o t h em ,

i n exh a ustibl e go bl e ts o r th o s e tha t will n o t o v e rfl o w an d ,

ha r m o n i o us j a rs. By t h is l a st ex pr e ssi o n is m ean t p a irs o f

ve ss e ls s ec r e tly c o nn e ct e d by tub e s an d s o a rr an ge d tha t
,
-

n o t h i n g will fl o w f r o m o n e u n til t he o t h e r is fill e d w he n ,

w i n e will p o ur f r o m o n e j a r a n d w a t e r f r o m the o t he r Or .

whe n w at e r is p o u r e d i n to o n e j ar w i n e o r m i x e d wi n e an d
,

wa t e r fl o ws f r o m the o t he r O r w he n w a t e r is d r awn o ff
.
,

f r o m o n e j ar wi n e fl o ws f r o m the o t he r
,
O t he r v e ss e ls .

a r e m a d e t o c o mm e n c e o r c ea s e t o p o ur o ut wi n e o r w a t e r ,

whe n a littl e w at e r is p o ur e d in O the rs will r e c e iv e n o

.

m o r e w at e r o n c e yo u h a v e c e a s e d p o u r i n g i t i n n o m att e r ,

h o w littl e m ay ha v e be en p o ur e d in o r w h e n yo u c e a s e f o r , ,

a m o m en t t o p o ur w a t e r in a n d t he n be gi n a ga i n will n o t ,

r e sum e t he ir o utpo u r u n til ha l f f ull In an o t he r c as e the .

wa t e r will no t fl o w o ut o f a ho l e in the bo tt om o f t he ves

s el a t all u n til the v e ss e l is e n tir e ly fi ll e d O the rs a r e m a d e .
 MA GI C AND E XP E R IMEN TAL S CI EN CE ca n ;
»

to fl o w by dr o ppi n g a c o i n in a sl o t o r w o rki n g a l e ve r o r ,

tur n i n g a whee l In the l a st c as e the v e ss e l o f wa t e r is co n

.

c ea le d b e h i n d t he e n tr an c e c o lu m n o f a t e m pl e In o n e m agic .

dri n ki n g ho rn the fl o w o f w at e r f r o m t he bo tto m is c he cke d

by putti n g a c o v e r o v e r the o p en to p When a n o t he r pitc he r .

is tippe d up the s ame am o un t o f liquid will a lw ays flo w o ut

,
.

I n h a l f a do z e n c ha pt e rs m e c ha n ic a l birds a r e m a de to
si n g by d r ivi n g a ir thr o ugh a pipe by the pr e ssur e o f fl o wi n g
wat e r In o t he r c hapt e rs a dra go n is m ad e to h iss and a
.

thyrsus to w h istl e by si m il a r m e tho ds By the f o rc e o f .

c o m pr e ss e d air wa t e r is m a d e to spurt f o rt h an d aut o m at o n s

to s o u n d tru m pe ts T he he a t o f the su n s r ays is us e d to
’
.

w a rm a ir wh ic h ex pan ds an d c a us e s wat e r to trickl e o ut I n .

a n u m be r o f c a s e s as l o n g a s a fi r e bur n s o n an a lt a r the

e x p an s i o n o f e n cl o s e d a ir c a u se d t he r e by o p en s tem pl e
d o o rs by the a id o f pull e ys o r c aus e s sta tu e s to p o ur liba
,

ti o n s d an ci n g figur e s t o r e v o l v e an d a s e rp en t to h iss T he
, , .

f o rc e o f st eam is us e d t o supp o rt a ba l l in m id a ir r e v o lv e -
,

a sp he r e a n d m ak e a bird si n g o r a st atu e bl o w a h o r n
,
In .

e x ha ustibl e l am ps a r e d e scrib e d as w e ll a s i n e x h a ustibl e

g o bl e ts an d a s e l f tri m m e d l am p in wh ic h a fl o a t r e sti n g o n
,
-

t he o il tur n s a co g w he e l w h ic h pus he s up the wick as it an d

-

the o il a r e c o n su m e d Fl o a ts a n d c o g w he e ls a r e a ls o us e d in
.
-

s o m e o f the tricks a lr ea dy m e nti o n e d I n a no the r the fl o w .

o f a li q uid f r o m a v e ss e l is r e gu l at e d by a fl o a t an d a l e v e r .

C o g w hee ls a r e a ls o e m pl o y e d in c o n structi n g the n e ck o f

-

a n a ut o m a t o n s o t ha t it c a n b e cut c o m pl e t e ly t h r o ugh wit h

a k n i f e a n d ye t the hea d n o t be s e v e r e d f r o m the b o dy A .

c uppi n g gl a ss a syri n g e
, a fi r e e n gi n e pu m p wit h v a lv e s
,

a n d pist o n s a hydr a ulic o rg an a n d o n e w o r k e d by wi n d

,

pr e tty m uc h ex haust the c o n t e n ts o f the P n euma tics In its .

i n tr o ducti o n He r o a llud e s to his treatis e in fo ur bo o ks o n

wate r cl o cks but th is is n o t ex tan t He r o s w a t e r o rgan is
-
, .
’
-

r e ga rd e d a s m o r e pri m itive t ha n t hat d e scribe d by Vitruvius 1

.

I f m agic j ugs a n d m a rv e l o us a ut o m at o n s mak e up mo st

o f t he c o n t e n ts o f t he P n e uma tics a n d A u to ma tic Thea ter ,

P W,
1
104 5 .
I 94 MA G I C AND E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

t he third c e n tury an d the m anuscripts c o n ta i n i n g G r e e k

,

w o rks o f a lc hemy o f w h ic h t he o ld e st is o n e o f the e l ev en th

,

c e n tury in the L ibra ry o f S t Ma rk s s e e m to c o n sist o f .

’

w o rks o r r em n an ts o f w o r ks writt en in the th ird c entury

a n d l a t e r man y b e i n g Byz an ti n e c o m pil a ti o n s e x c e rpts o r
, , ,

a dditi o n s .A ls o S y n c e llus the p o lygr a ph o f th e e ighth

,

c en tury give s s o m e ex tracts f r o m the a lchem ists

, .

S yn c e llus a n d o t h e r l at e w r it e r s 1
a r e o u r o n ly e x t an t

s o urc e s f o r the st atem en t that D i o cl e ti an bur n e d the b o o ks

o f the a lc hem ists in E gypt s o t h a t t h e y m igh t n o t fi n an c e
,

f utur e r e v o lts a ga i n st h im I f th e r e po rt be tru e o n e w o uld

.
,

fan cy t ha t th e i m p e ri a l e dict w o uld b e m o r e e ff ectiv e a s a

t e sti m o n i al to t he truth o f tr an s m ut ati o n in e n c o ur agi n g the
a r t t ha n it w o uld be in di s c o ur a gi n g it by d e str o yi n g a ce r

t a i n am o u n t o f its lit e r a tur e T h us the e dict w o uld r e s em bl e

.

th e o cc a si o n a l l a ws o f e a rli e r e m pe r o rs b an ish i n g th e
a str o l o ge rs e x c e pt t h e ir o w n
— f r o m R o m e o r I t a ly b e c a us e
—

t hey had b een to o f r ee in pr e dicti n g the death o f th e em p e r o r ,

wh ich o n ly s e rv e to sh o w wh at a h o ld a str o l o gy h ad b o th o n
e m p e r o rs a n d p eo pl e But the r e p o rt c o n c e r n i n g D i o cl e ti an
.

s o u n ds i m pr o b a bl e o n the f a c e o f it an d m ust be d o ubt e d f o r

wan t o f c o n tem p o r a ry e vid e n c e Ce rta i n ly w e ar e n o t j usti.

fi e d in e x pl a i n i n g the a ir o f s e cr e cy s o o f te n a ssum e d by
writ e rs o n alch em y a s due to the f e a r o f p e rs ecuti o n wh ich
th is a cti o n o f D i o cl e ti an o r the f e a r o f b e i n g a ccus e d o f
2

m agic a r o us e d in th em P e rs o n s w h o wis h to k e e p m att e rs

.

s e cr e t do n o t rush int o public ati o n an d the a ir o f s e cr ecy o f ,

the alc he m ists is t o o o f t e n e vid e n tly a ssu m e d f o r purp o s e s o f

d e l a C himi e , 1889 .B e r t h el o t T r a n s l at io n w ith Co mm e n t s up o n

m a de a g oo d m a ny b o o s f r o m k ”
th e His t o r y o f A l c h e m y , in Th e
v
t o o f e w M S S ; w e nt o e r t h e s a m e S c ien tifi c M o n thly, S ep te mbe r ,
g r o un d r e p e a t e d l y ; a n d s o m e t im e s 1 9 2 0, pp . 19 3 - 2 1 4 .

v
ha d t o c o r r e c t h is p r e io u s s tat e
1
T h e e a r l ie s t o f t h e m is J o h n
m e n t s ; but s t ill r e m a in s t h e f ul l o f A n t io c h o f t h e r e ign o f He ra c
e s t a cco u n t o f t h e s u bj e c t E O
. . . l iu s , abo ut 62 0 A D , a lt ho ugh
v Lip p m an n , E n ts te hun g u n d Aus t h e y s e e m to u s e P an o do ru s , a n
k
.

br e itu n g d e r A l c h e mi e 1 9 19 is Eg yp t ia n mo n o f t h e r e ig n o f
v
, ,

A r c adiu s E e n h e w o ul d b e a
’
s t il l ba s e d l a r g e l y o n B e r th e l o t s .

p ubl ic a t io n s . I n En g lis h s e e C .

“
v
c e n t u r y r e m o e d f r o m t h e e e nt v .

A B ro wne , T he P o e m o f t h e B e r th e l o t pp 2 6, 72, .

k
.

Ph il o s o p h e r Th eo p h r a s to s up o n e tc , t o o
. th is s t o r y a bo ut B ioc l e
th e S acr e d Ar t : A Me tr ica l t ia n f a r t o o s e r io u s ly .
 ANCI E N T A P P LI ED S CI E N CE 19 5

sho w and to i mp r e ss th e r e a de r with the ide a that they r e ally

h a v e s o m e th i n g to h id e S o m e ti m e s th e a lc he m ists them
.

s e lve s r ea liz e that th is a d o pti o n o f an a ir o f s e cr e cy ha s b e en

o v e rd o n e T h us O lym p io do r u s w r o t e in the e arly fi f th c e n
.

“
tury The an ci e n ts w e r e accust o m e d to h id e the truth to
, ,

ve il o r o bscur e by all e go ri e s what is cl ea r a n d e vide n t t o

” I
e v e ryb o dy N o r ca n w e a cc e pt t he st o ry o f D i o cl e ti a n s
’
.

burn i n g th e b o o ks o f a lch em y a s the r ea s o n why n o n e h ave

r eache d us wh ich can be c e rta i n ly dat e d as ear li e r t han the
th ird c en tury .

The a lc hem ists t hem s e lve s o f c o urs e cl a i m e d f o r t h e ir

, ,

a rt the h ighe st an ti q uity Z o si m us o f P an o po lis w ho s e em s

.
,

t o hav e writt e n in t he t h i r d c e n tury s ays t hat t he f a ll e n a n ,

gels i n structe d m en in alc hem y as w e ll a s in the o t he r a rts ,

a n d t hat it w a s the di v i n e an d s acr e d a r t o f the pri e sts a n d

ki n gs o f E gypt w h o k e pt it s e cr e t We a ls o have an a ddr e ss

,
.

o f I sis t o he r s o n Ho rus r e p e a ti n g th e r e v e l a ti o n m a d e by

A mn a e l the fi rst o f the an g e ls an d pr o p he ts

,
T o Mo s e s a r e .

a scribe d tr eatis e s o n d o m e stic c hem istry an d d o ubli n g the

w e ight o f go ld 2
T he m a n usc r ipts o f the Byz an ti n e p e ri o d
.

”
discuss w ha t the an ci en ts m e an t by t h is o r t hat o r purp o rt
“
,

t o r ep e a t w h a t s o m e o n e e ls e s a id o f s o m e o t he r p e rs o n .

Z o si m us s e em s f o n d o f citi n g h i m s e l f in the tex ts r e pr o

duc e d by B e r the l o t s o t hat it m ay be qu e sti o n e d ho w m uc h
,

o f his o r igi n a l w o r ks h as b e e n p r e s e r v e d He r m e s is o ft e n .

cite d by the a lchem is t s a ltho ugh n o w o rk o f a lc hem y as

,

c r ibe d t o h im ha s r ea c h e d us f r o m t h is ea rly p e r i o d To .

A ga t ho d ae m o n is a sc r ibe d a c o m m e n t a ry o n the o r acl e o f

O rp he us a dd r e ss e d to O siris d e a li n g wit h the w h it e n i n g an d
,

1
B e r th e l o t 1 9 2 -3. t hir d l ate r w h en h e h a d
c e n tu r y,
2
B ut t h e L a byr in t h of S o lo m on , s ecur e d the c o ll ab o r at io n of
w h ic h B e r th e l o t .
p 16 , h a d R u e ll e I , 1 5 6 7 , an d I I I ,
-

c it e d a s a n e x a m p l e o f t h e s o rt o f 4 1 , h e h a d t o a dm it w a s n o t e e n v
a n c ie n t m a g ic fi g u r e s w h ic h h a d v
as o l d a s th e e l e e n th ce n t u r y MS
b e e n l ar g e l y o bl it e r at e d by C h r is in w hic h it o c c u r r e d bu t w a s a n
t ia n s , a nd o f t h e a n t iq u it y o f a dditio n in w r it in g o f t h e f o u r
a l c h e m y a m o n g t h e J e w s ( i bid
“
p .
, . t e enth c e n t u r y a nd a cab a l is t ic
a l t h o ug h h e g r a n t e d ( ibid .
, wor k o f t h e m iddl e a g e s w h ich

p 1 7 1 ) th a t it m igh t n o t b e a s o l d
. d o e s n o t be l o ng t o t h e o ld t r adi
a s t h e P a p y r u s o f L e yd e n o f t h e t io n o f t h e G r e e k
a l c h e m is t s
”
.
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

y e ll o wi n g o f m e t als an d o the r a lchem ica l r e cipe s O the r .

f a v o rit e a ut h o riti e s ar e O s tan e s w ho m w e ha v e e ls e w h e r e

,

h ea r d r e pr e s e n t e d a s t he i n tr o duc e r o f m agic i n t o t he G r ee k
w o rld an d the p h il o s o phe r D em o c r itus w ho m the alchem
, ,

is ts r e pr e s en t a s th e pupil o f O s t an e s an d w ho m w e h ave
a lr e a dy h ea rd P li n y c ha r g e wit h d e v o t i o n t o m a gic S en e c a .

s ays in o n e o f h is l e tt e rs t ha t Dem o c r i t us disc o v e r e d a pr o c

e s s to s o f t e n iv o ry t h a t h e pr e p a r e d a r tifici a l e m e r a ld an d
, ,

c o l o r e d vit r ifi e d subst an c e s D i o ge n e s L ae r t iu s a scribe s to

.

h im a w o rk o n th e j uic e s o f pl an ts o n st o n e s m i n e r a ls , , ,

m e t a ls c o l o rs an d c o l o ri n g gl a ss
, , T h is w as p o ssibly th e
.

s am e a s th e f o ur b o o ks o n c o l o ri n g go ld silv e r st o n e s an d , , ,

purpl e a scrib e d t o De m o critus by S yn e s ius in the fi fth an d ,

S yn c e llus in th e e igh th c en tury , Mo r e r e c en t pr e sum ably

.

th an O s tane s an d Dem o critus ar e the f em al e a lchem ists Cl e o ,

p atr a an d Mary the J e w e ss alth o ugh o n e tex t r e pre s en ts

,

O s tane s an d h is c o m p an i o n s a s c o n v e rsi n g with Cl eo p atr a .

A f e w o f the spuri o us w o rks a scrib e d t o th e s e a uth o rs m ay

h av e c o m e i n t o e x ist e n c e a s e arly as th e He ll e n istic p e ri o d ,

but th o s e wh ich ha v e r each e d us at l e a st in th e ir pr e s en t

,

f o rm s e em t o b ea r th e m a rks o f th e Chr isti an e r a an d l at e r

,

c en turi e s o f th e R o m a n E m pir e if n o t o f th e e a rly m e di e v a l

,

a n d Byz a n ti n e p e r i o ds An d th o s e a uth o rs w h o s e n am e s
.

s eem ge n ui n e : Z o si m us S yn e s ius O lym p io do r u s S t ep han us

, , , ,

a r e o f th e th i r d f o urth a n d fi f t h c e n tu r i e s a t th e e a rli e st
, , .

The a ss o ci ati o n s o f t he n am e s a bo ve cit e d and the f act

that ps eudo lite r atur e fo rm s s o l a rge a pa rt o f the ea rly lit
-

e ratur e o f a lc h em y sugge st its cl o s e c o nn e cti o n a t t h a t ti m e

with m a gic Whe r e a s Vitruvius altho ugh n o t p e rs o n ally in

.
,

h o spitabl e t o o ccult th e o ry s h o w e d us the a r t o f a rch it e ctur e

,

f r ee f r o m m a gic an d He r o t o ld ho w t o p e r fo r m app a r e n t
,

m agic by m e a n s o f m e c ha n ic a l d e vic e s an d d e c e its the G r e e k ,

a lc hem ists displ a y e ntir e f a it h in m a gic pr oc e dur e wit h w h ic h

t he ir a rt is i ndiss o lubly i n te rm i n gl ed In d e e d the pa pyri in .

w h ich w o rks o f a lchem y o ccur a r e pri m arily m a gic p apyri s o ,

that a lc he my m ay be s a id to spri n g f r o m t he br o w o f m agic .

The s am e is o n ly s o m ew h at l e ss tru e o f the m an uscripts In .

 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

w ate r O s tan e s t e lls us to t ak e the e ggs o f the s e rp en t o f o ak

wh o dw e lls in th e m o n t h o f A ugust in the m o u n ta i n s o f
O ly m pus L ibya an d th e T a urus
, ,
1
S yn es iu s t e lls t hat .

D em o critus w a s i n iti at e d in E gypt at the t em pl e o f Me mp h is

by O s tan e s a n d Z o si m us cit e s the i n structi o n o f O s tan e s
, ,

G o t o w a rds t he str e am o f the N il e ; y o u ll fi n d t he r e a st o n e ;

’

cut it in tw o put in yo ur han d an d t ak e o ut its heart f o r

, , ,

” 2
its s o ul is in its he a rt Z o si mus h i m s e l f o ften r e s o rts to
s y m b o lic j a rg o n t o o bscur e h is m e an i n g as in t h e de s c r ip ,

ti o n o f the v isi o n o f a pri e st w ho w a s t o r n to pi e c e s an d w ho

m util a t e d h i m s e l f 3
He t o o pe r s o n ifies the m e t a ls an d
.
, ,

t a lks o f a m an o f go ld a t in m an an d s o o n ,
4
A bri e f , .

e x am pl e o f his styl e will h a v e to su ffi c e a s t he s e a ll e g o ri e s ,

o f t he a lc h em ists a r e i n su ff e r a bly t e di o us r ea di n g Fi n a lly .

I ha d th e l o n gi n g t o m o u n t the s e v e n st e ps an d s e e the s ev e n
c ha stis em en ts an d o ne day a s it ch an c e d I hit upo n the
, , ,

p ath up A f t e r s ev e r a l a ttem pts I tr a v e rs e d th e p ath but

.
,

o n m y r e tur n I l o st m y w ay a n d pr o f o u n dly disc o ur a ge d , ,

s e e i n g n o w ay o ut I f e ll a sl e e p In my dr eam I s aw a lit
, .

t l e m a n a ba rb e r cl o t h e d in purpl e r o be an d r o y a l r a i m e n t
, , ,

st an di n g o utsid e the pl ac e o f pu n is hm en t an d he s a id to ,

me .
5
Wh en Z o si m us w as n o t dream i n g d r e am s an d
s e e i n g visi o n s h e w a s usu ally citi n g an ci en t auth o riti e s
, .

A t t he s am e ti m e e v e n t he s e e a r ly a lc hem ists c ann o t be

d e n i e d a c e rt a i n sci e n ti fi c c ha ra ct e r o r a t l ea st a c o n n e cti o n ,

wi th n atur a l sci en c e B e h i n d a lchem y ex ist e d a c o n stan t

.

“ ” “
e x p e ri m e n t a l p r o gr e ss A lc he my s aid B e rthe l o t r e st e d
.
, ,

up o n a c e rt a i n m a ss o f pr actic a l f acts t ha t w e r e kn o w n in
a n ti q uity a n d t ha t h a d t o do with th e pr e p a r a ti o n o f m e t a ls ,

t he ir a ll o ys a n d t ha t o f a rtifici a l pre ci o us st o n e s ; it h ad the re

,

a n ex p e r i m e n t a l sid e w h ic h did n o t c e a s e t o pr o gr e ss duri n g

the e n tir e m e di e v a l p e ri o d u n til p o sitiv e m o d e r n c he m istry

” 6
e m e rge d f r o m it T he va ri o us tr ea tis e s o f t he G r e e k a l
.

c hem ists d esc r ibe a ppa r a tus an d ex p e ri m e nts w hich ar e r ea l

1
B e r th e l o t II I , 2 51 .

:
I bid , p 6 0 . . .

H
ma 3n
3 1 1 5 -6 :
il b a g . ,

1,1
‘
I bid , p p
. . 1 7 9 - 80 . B e r th e l o t pp . 2 1 1 -2 .
 A N CI E N T APP L I E D S CI E N CE

but with w h ic h the y a ss o ci at e d r e sults w h ich w e r e im po s

sible an d visi o nary T he i r theo ri e s o f m atte r s ee m i n d e bte d
.

to t he e a rli e r G r eek p h il o s o p h e rs w h il e in t he d e sc r ipti o n

,
“ ”
o f n a tur e B e rt he l o t n o t e d a dir e ct an d i n ti m at e r e l ati o n
be twe en them an d the wo rks o f D i o sc o rid e s Vitru v ius an d
, ,

P li ny.
1

1
B er thel o t p . vi
.
 C HA P T E R V I

P L U TAR C H S E S S A
’
YS
Th e m e s of e n s u ing c h ap t e r s — L if e of P l utar c h— S up er s titio n in Plu
’
tar c h s Live s — His M o r a ls or E s s a ys — Q ue s t io n o f th e ir auth entic ity
Mag ic in P l uta r c h— E s s ay on S up er s titio n— Pl uta r ch ho s p itabl e to wa r d
s o m e s u p e r s t it io n s— The o r ac l e s of D e lp h i and o f T r o p h o n iu s— D i in a v
t io n j u s t ifi e d— De m o n s as m e diato r s b e t w e e n g o ds an d m en — D e mo n s
in t h e m o o n : m ig r atio n o f t he s o u l— D e m o n s m o r t a l : s o m e e il— Me n v
demo n s
’
an d —
R e la t io n of P l u t ar c h s t o o th e r c o n ce p t io n s o f d e m o n s
Th e a s t r o l o ge r Ta r r u tiu s — D e f a t o O th e r bit s o f —
a s t r o l o g y— Co s m ic
m ys t ic is m —
N um be r m y s t ic is m— O cc ul t ir tu e s in v na t u r e— A s b e s to s
O n Riv e r s a nd M o u n ta in s — Ma gic h e r b s S to n e s f o u n d in p l a n t s an d —

fi s h— V ir tu e s o f o th e r s to n e s — F a s c in at io n A n im a l s ag a c ity a n d r e m e —

d ie s — T h eo r ie s an d qu e r ie s a bo ut n at u r e— Th e A ntip o de s .

HAV I N G t d the pr e s e n c e o f m a gic in w o rks s o e spe

no e

c ia lly d e v o t e d t o n a tur a l sci e n c e a s t ho s e o f P li n y G al e n , ,

a n d P t o l em y w e h a v e n o w t o illustr a t e t he pr o m i n e n c e b o t h
,

o f n a tur a l sci e n c e a n d o f m a gic in the li f e a n d t h o ught o f

th e R o m a n E m pir e by a c o n sid e r a ti o n o f s o m e writ e rs o f a

m o r e m isc e ll a n e o us c h a r a ct e r w ho s ho uld r e fl e ct f o r us ,

s o m e t hi n g o f the i n te r e sts o f the a v e r a ge cultur e d r e ade r o f

t hat ti m e O f t h is typ e a r e P lut a rch Apul e ius an d Ph il o s
.
,

t r a tu s w ho m w e s hall c o n sid e r in th e c o m i n g c hapt e rs in

,

the o rd e r n am e d w h ic h a ls o r o ughly c o rr e sp o n ds t o t he ir
,

c h r o no l o gic a l s e qu e nc e .

P lut a r c h fl o uris h e d duri n g the r e i gn s o f T r aj a n an d

Ha dri an a t the turn o f the fi rst a n d s e c o n d c en turi e s but ,

Th e L e tter on th e E du c a tio n o f a P r in ce to Tr aj a n 1

pr o ba bly is n o t by h im an d the l e ge n d t hat Ha dri an w as his

,

pupil is a m e di eva l i nv en ti o n He w a s b o r n in B o eo ti a a bo ut .

4 6 4 8 A D an d w a s e duc at e d in r he t o ric an d p h il o s o p hy
-
. .
,

sci en c e an d m a t hematics at At he n s w he r e he was a stud ent , ,

‘
D e ins titu tio n e pr in cipis epis to la ad Tr aia nwm , a t reatis e e xtant
o nl y i n Lat i n f o r m .
 MA G I C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP.

tur i g to its st rti g p o i n t Th is di n n e r tabl e an d dri n k

n n a n -
.
-

in g b o ut typ e o f cultur e d an d s e m i l e a r ne d disco urs e has

- -

o t he r e x t an t a n ci e n t e x am pl e s such a s th e A ttic N igh ts o f

A ulus G e ll ius an d th e D e ipn o s ophis ts o f A th e n ae us but ,

P lut a rc h will h av e t o s e rv e a s o u r m a i n illustr a ti o n o f it .

His E s s ays r e fl e ct in m o tl e y guis e an d dis o rd e re d a rr ay th e

f ruits o f e x t e n siv e r ea di n g a n d a r e t e n tiv e m em o ry in a n ci e n t
ph il o s o phy sc i e n c e h isto ry an d lite r atur e
, , , .

T he a ut hen ticity o f s o m e o f the e ss ays a ttribut e d to him

has b ee n qu e sti o n e d an d v e ry lik e ly wit h pr o pri e ty bu t fo r
, ,

o ur pur p o s e it is n o t i m p o rt an t t ha t t he y s ho uld al l be by

the s am e a ut ho r s o l o n g as t he y r e pr e s e n t a ppr o x i m at e ly t he
s am e p e ri o d an d typ e o f lit e r a tur e The spuri o us tr ea tis e .
,

D e pla citis phil o s oph or u m w e h av e a lr ea dy c o n sid e r e d in ,

the c hapt e r o n G al en to w ho m it ha s a ls o b ee n a scri be d

, T he .

e ss ay O n Riv er s a n d M o un tain s w e s h a ll tr ea t by its e l f in

the pr e s e n t c ha pt e r T he D e f a to ha s a ls o b e e n c a ll e d spuri
.

o us
1
. S up e rstiti o us c o n t e n t is n o t a su ffi ci en t r e a s o n f o r
d e nyi n g t ha t a tr eatis e is by P lut arc h si n c e he is supe r
2
,

s t itio u s in writi n gs o f u n d o ubt e d g e n ui n e n e ss a n d si n c e w e

h ave f o u n d the l e adi n g sci en tists o f the ti m e u nabl e to ex

c l u de sup e rstiti o n fr o m t h e ir w o rks e n tir e ly Mo re o v e r .
,

m an y o f t he e ss ays a r e in the f o r m o f c o nv e rs ati o n s e x

pr e ssi n g the div e rgen t vi e ws o f di ffe r en t spe ak e rs an d it is ,

n o t alw ays p o ssibl e t o t e ll w h ich s ha d e o f o pi n i o n P lut a rch

h i m s e l f f a v o rs S u ffi c e it th at t he vi e ws ex pr e ss e d a r e t ho s e
.

o f m e n o f e duc a ti o n .

P lut a rc h d o e s n o t sp e ci fi c ally discuss m a gic u n d e r th at

n am e a t a ny l e n gt h in any o f his e ss ays but doe s tr eat o f ,

1
S e e R S c h m e r to s ch in P hil o l
.
, . of v
t h e s e e nt e e nth c e ntur y Englis h
His t B e itr z E h r e n Wa chs mu ths
. . . , t r a n s l at io n o f t h e M o r a ls , de
1 8 9 7 pp 2 85
, . . c l a r e d th at n o c r it ical t r a n s l a t io n
La n g u ag e a nd lite r ar y f o r m a r e w a s p o s s ibl e u n t il a t h o r o ug h t e
s u r e r g u id e s a n d h a e b e e n a p v vis io n o i t h e t e x t ha d b e e n u n de r

p lie d by B We is s e n b e r g e r Die
.
,
k
ta e n w ith t h e h e lp o f t h e b e s t
S p r a ch e P lu ta r c h s v o n C har one a MS S S in c e t h e n a n e ditio n o f
.

u nd di e ps eu d o p l u tar c h is c h e n t h e t e x t by G N B e r na dak e s ,
. .

S c h ri f te n I I P r o gr
,
S t r aubin g ,
. 1888- 1 89 6, h as a p p e a r e d, but it ha s
1 89 6 , pp I s ff
. I n 18 7 6 W W
. . . n o t e s c a p e d c r itic is m .

G o o dw in e diting a r e is ed e ditio n
, v
 PL U TAR CH S E S S A YS
’

suc h subj e cts as supe rst iti o n in ge n e r a l d r e am s o r acl e s , , ,

d em o n s n um b e r f a t e the c r a f t i n e s s o f an i m als an d o the r

, , , ,

n a tur a l qu e s ti o n s C e r t a i n vulga r f o r m s o f m a gic a t

”
. ,

l east w e r e r e ga rd e d by him with dis app r o v a l o r inc r e dul

,

ity He r e j e cts as a ficti o n the st at em en t tha t t he w o m en

.
1

o f T he ss a ly ca n d r a w d o w n t he m o o n by t h e i r sp e lls but ,

t hi n ks t hat the n o t i on p e r ha ps o rigi n a t e d in the fact o r sto ry

t ha t A glao n ice da ught e r o f He ge to r w a s s o skil f ul in as
, ,

tr o l o gy o r a str o n o m y a s t o be a bl e t o f o r e s e e th e o ccur r e n c e

o f lu n a r e clips e s a n d t ha t s he d e lud e d th e p eo pl e i n t o b el ie v
,

in g t h a t at suc h ti m e s s h e br o ugh t d o wn t h e m o o n f r o m
h e a v en by c h a r m s a n d e n c han t m e n ts T hus w e h a v e o n e 2
.

m o r e i n st an c e o f the u n i o n o f m a gic a n d sci e n c e t h is ti m e ,

o f ps e ud o m a gic wit h r e a l sci e n c e as a t o t h e r ti m e s o f m a gic

-

with ps e ud o sci en c e -
.

T he e ss ay e n titl e d tr p t d d p ovi s d ea ls W it h sup e r

e et a i ai a

s t it io n in t h e usu a l G r e e k s e n s e o f dr ea d o r e x c e ssiv e

f ea r o f d em o n s an d g o ds W e a r e accust o m e d to t h i n k o f
.

He ll e n ic p agan is m a s a ch ee r f ul f a it h f ull o f n atur a lis m in , ,

w hich the go ds w e r e hu m an iz e d a nd m a d e f am ili ar Pl u .

t a rch appar e n tly r e ga r ds n o r m a l r e ligi o n a s o f t h is s o rt an d ,

a tt acks t he sup e r stiti o us dr e a d o f the sup e r na tur a l He c o n .

t en ds tha t such f ea r is w o r s e i f a nyth i n g than a the ism f o r

, , ,

it m a ke s m en m o r e u nhappy a n d is a n e qu a l o ff en s e a ga i n st
the divi n ity si n c e it is a t l e a st a s ba d t o b e li e v e ill o f th e
,

go ds as n o t to be li ev e in them a t all N o t h i n g i n d ee d e n co ur .

a ge s the gr o wt h o f a t he is m s o m uc h a s t he a bsurd pr actic e s

an d be li e f s o f suc h sup e rstiti o us pe rs o n s t he ir w o rds an d

“
,

4
Th e En g l is h t r an s l at io n o f P l u s k ill an d im p o s e up o n h im w ith
t a r c h s M or a ls
’ “
v
by s e e r al h an d s ,
”
s u bt l e q u e s t io n s
”
B ut t h e c o r
.

fi r s t p ubl is he d in 1684 169 4 , s ix th -

r e s p o n din g c l aus e in th e G r e e k
e d it io n c o r r e c t e d an d r e is e d b y v t e x t is m e r e l y o i p éi/( iJ S a od na r ofi 6rd
.

W W G o o dw in , 5 o l s , 1 8 7 0
. . v . 1re i p a v k a uBaI/ o vr e s an d th e r e s e e m s
,

18 7 8 , I V , 1 0, r e n d e r s a p a s s a g e in t o b e n o r e a s o n f o r t a in g t h e k
v
th e s e e nt h c h a p t e r o f D e d ef e c tu
“ ”
w o r d S o p his t in a n y o th e r th a n
o r ac u l o r u m in w hic h c o m p l a in t
, it s u s u a l m e an in g Th e p a s s ag e
v
.

is m a de o f t h e ba s e an d il la in t h e r e f o r e c a n n o t b e in t e r p r e t e d a s
o u s q u e s t io n s
”
w hic h a r e n o w p u t a n a t tac k
up o n e e n v v
u lg a r a s t r o l
t o th e o r a c l e o f A p o ll o , a s f o l og er s .

l o w s : s o m e c o ming t o h im a s a 2
D e d ef e c tu or a cu l o r u m , 13 .

m er e p a l tr y a s tr o l o g e r t o t r y h is
m o ti o n s r s o r ce ri e s an d m agi cs the ir runnings t o and
. th ei ,

f r o an d bea t in gs o f drum t hei r im p ur e rit es an d t heir

,

pur ifi ca ti o n ; t h eir fil thin e s an d ch as ti t y th ei r ba rba ri an

s
,

an d il l e ga l ch a sti s e m en t s an d a bus e
” 1
P lu ta rch seems t o .

be in pa r t an im at e d by th e c o mm on p r e j udi c e agains t all

o t h er r el i gi o n t han on e s o wn a n d spe ak s t wic e with dis
’
s
,

tas t e o f J ew i h S a bba ths H e al so h o w ev e r as th e pa ss a ge

s .
, ,

j ust qu o t ed sh o ws is o p pos e d t o th e m o r e extr em e an d de

,

ba ing f o rm o f m agi c an d d ecl a r e s that th e su p e rst i ti o us

s s
,

m an b ec o m e a m er e p e g o r po st upo n w h i ch all th e o l d
s

w i v e s han g an am ul e t s an d li ga t ur e s upo n w h ich the y may

y

ch an c e 2
H e f ur t h er c o n d em n su ch hi st o ric in stan ces o f
.

su pe r sti tio n as N icia s s s us p ens i o n o f m ilitar y o pe ra t i on s

'

du rin g a lun a r ecli p se o n th e S icili an ex pe dit i o n T h e r e w as

3
.

n o thi n g t e rr i b l e sa y P l u ta r ch w i t h hi s usu al f eli ci ty o f an

. s ,

up on t h e m oo n ; but it w as a t e rribl e cal am i ty tha t th e

s ha d o w o f su pe r st ition sh o ul d t hus dar k en th e mi n d o f a
g en era l at th e v e ry m o m ent wh en a gr ea t cris is r equir ed the
f u ll es t us e o f h is r ea so n .

In t h e es sa upo n th e d em o n o f S o cr at e s on e o f the
y

s pe a k e rs att a ckin g f ai t h in dr eams an d a pp a riti o ns

,
co m ,

m en d S ocr at e s as o n e w h o did n o t r e j ec t th e w o r s hip o f

s

t h e go ds but w h o di d pu ri f y p hil o so p hy w hi ch he had r e ,

c eiv ed f r o m P yt ha g o ras an d Em pe d o cl e s f ull o f phant as m s

an d m yths an d th e dr ea d o f d em o ns an d r ee lin g lik e a B a c ,

c h ana l an d r edu ce d it t o f a ct s an d r ea s o n an d tru th An

,
4
.

o th er o i t h e c o m p an y h o w ev er o bj ects t ha t t he d em on o f
, ,

S o cr at e s o u t di d t h e di v in a t i o n o f P yt ha go r as 5
Th es e co n .

fli ct in g o p ini o n s m a be app l i ed in so m e m ea sur e t o P lut ar ch

y

hims e l f His c ens u r e o f dr ea d o f d em o ns an d ex c e ssi v e

.

sup e r sfi ri o n i s n o t t o be t a k en as a si gn o f sc e p t ici sm o n

his pa rt in o r a cl es dr ea m s o r th e dem o ns t hem se l v e s

, ,
To .

th es e ma tt ers w e n ext tur n .

 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI E N CE CHAP .

sign s of o t he rs , —
cc e pt t h is t he o ry it may be t hat
ii w e a ,

the f a lli n g l eav e s in a utu mn distu r b the a ir an d ru ffl e t h e s e

e x t r em e ly t h i n a n d fi l m lik e e m an a ti o n s-
A t hird e x pl an a .

ti o n o ff e r e d is t hat in the d e cli n i n g m o n t h s o f the ye ar al l

o u r f a culti e s i n cludi n g t h a t o f n a tur a l divi n a ti o n a r e in a
, ,

st at e o f d e cli n e I n the c a s e o f o r a cl e s lik e th at at Delp h i it

.

is sugge st e d that th e P yth i a s n atur a l f aculty o f divi na ti o n

’

is sti m ul at e d by the pr o p he tic al ex ha l ati o n s f r o m the e art h ”

w h ic h i n duc e a b o dily sta t e f av o r abl e to divi n ati o n 1

T he .

g d o r d em o n ho w ev e r is the u n d e rlyi n g an d dir e cti n g

o , ,

c a us e o f the o ra cl e ?

T o the d e m o n s an d t he ir r e l ati o n s to the g o ds an d to

m e n w e t he r e f o r e n e x t c o m e P lut a rc h s vi e w is th at t h e y
’
.

a r e e ss e n ti a l m e di a t o rs be tw ee n the g o ds a n d m e n Just as .

o n e w h o s h o uld r e m o v e the a ir f r o m be tw e e n the e art h a n d

m o o n w o uld d e str o y t he c o n ti n uity o f the u n ive rs e s o t ho s e ,

w h o d e n y t ha t t he r e is a r a c e o f d e m o n s br e ak o ff all i n t e r
c o urs e b e tw e en g o ds a n d m e n 3
O n the o t he r h an d the
.
,

t h eo ry o f d e m o n s s o lve s m an y d o ubts an d diffi cult ies 4

i

When an d w he r e t h is d o ctri n e o rigi n at e d is u n c erta i n ,

w het he r am o n g the m agi a b o ut Z o r o a st e r o r in Thr ac e with ,

O rphe us o r in E gy pt o r P h rygi a
,
P lut a rc h lik e n s the g o ds
.

t o a n e quil at e r al the d e m o n s t o a n i s o sc e l e s an d h u m an b e
, ,

i n gs to a sc al en e tri an gl e ; an d a ga i n c o m p ar e s the go ds to
s un an d st a rs the d em o n s t o th e m o o n a n d m e n t o c o m e ts
, ,

a n d m et e o rs I n the y o ut h s visi o n in the c av e o f T r o

5 ’
.

p h o n iu s t he m o o n a pp e a r e d t o be l o n g t o e a rt h ly d e m o n s ,

w hil e t ho s e st a rs w h ic h have a r e gu l a r m o ti o n w e r e the

d em o n s o f s age s a nd the w an d e ri n g a n d f a lli n g st a rs the
,

d em o n s o f m e n w ho hav e yi e ld e d to irr ati o n al passi o n s 6

.

T h e s e sugge sti o n s th a t th e m o o n a n d th e a ir b e tw ee n
e a rt h a n d m o o n a r e th e a b o d e o f th e d e m o n s a n d th is r e m i

n is ce n ce o f th e P l a t o n ic d o ctri n e o f th e s o ul an d its m igr a

~

ti o n s r e c e ive f urthe r c o n fi r m ati o n in a discussi o n w he ther

‘
or acu l o r u m,
l
D e d e f e c tu 44 . I bid , 10
. .

ls
I bid , 1 3
2
I bid , 48
. . . .

“
D e g en io S o cr a tis ,
2,
I bid
.
,
13 . 22 .
 PL U TAR CH S E S S A YS
’

th e mo on is i nhabi te d in the e ss ay O n the F ace in the M o on

,
.

A st o r y is t h e r e t o ld 1
o f a m an w h o visit e d isl an ds fi ve

d ays s ail w e s t o f B r it a i n w he r e S atur n is i m pri s o n e d an d

’
,

w he r e t he r e a r e d em o n s s e rvi n g h im T his m an w ho ac .

qui r e d gr e at skill in a str o l o gy du r i n g his st ay the r e st at e d

up o n his r e tu r n t o E ur o p e t hat ev e ry s o ul a f t e r l e a v i n g the
hu m an bo dy w an d e rs f o r a ti m e b etw e e n e a r t h an d m o o n ,

but fi n a lly r e a che s th e l att e r pl an et wh e r e the E lysi an fi e lds

“

a r e l o c at e d an d th e r e b e c o m e s a d em o n T h e d e m o n s do
?
,

n o t a lways r e m a i n in the m o o n h o w e v e r but m ay c o m e t o

, ,

e a rt h t o c a r e f o r o r a cl e s o r b e i m pris o n e d in a h u m an b o dy

a g a i n f o r s o m e cri m e T he m a n w h o r e pe ats th e str an ge r s

3 ’
.

st o ry l e av e s it to h is h e a r e rs ho w ev e r t o b e li e v e it o r n o t
, ,
.

But the struggl e upwa rd o f hu m an s o uls to the e st at e o f

dem o n s is a ga i n d e sc r ibe d in the e ss ay o n the dem o n o f S o c
r at e s whe r e it is exp l a i n e d t hat t ho s e s o uls w h ich have suc
,
4

c e e de d in f r ee i n g t h e m s e lv e s f r o m a l l u n i o n wit h t he fl e s h

b e c o m e gua rdi an d em o n s an d h elp th o s e o f th e ir f e ll o w s

w ho m t he y can r eac h j ust as m en o n s ho re w a d e o ut a s f ar
,

a s t h e y c an i n t o th e w a v e s t o r e scu e t h o s e sea t o ss e d sh ip -
,

w r e ck e d m a ri n e rs w ho hav e suc c e e d e d in struggli n g al m o st

to l a n d .T he s o ul is plu n ge d i n t o t he b o dy the u n c o rrupt e d ,

m i n d o r d em o n r em a i n s witho ut .
5

The d e m o n s di ff e r f r o m the go ds in t hat t he y ar e m o rt a l ,

t ho ugh m uc h l o n ge r liv e d t ha n m e n
-
He si o d s a id t hat c r o ws
.

li v e n i n e ti m e s a s l o n g as m en sta gs f o ur ti m e s a s l o n g a s
,

cr o ws r ave n s t hr e e ti me s a s l o n g a s st ags a pho e n i x n i n e

,
,

t i m e s a s l o n g a s a r a v e n a n d th e n ym p h s t en ti m e s a s l o n g a s
,

t he ph o e n i x 6
T he r e ar e s t o r m s in the isl e s o ff B r i ta i n wh en
.

e v e r o n e o i t h e d e m o n s r e sidi n g t h e r e di e s 7 S o m e d em o n s .

ar e go o d spi r i t s a n d o t he r s a r e e vil
; s o m e a r e m o r e p a s s iv e
a n d irr a t i o n a l t ha n o t he r s
; s o m e d e ligh t in gl o o my f e sti v a ls ,

f o ul w o rds a n d e v e n h u man s a crific e ?

,

: Ca p 26 “
. .
C ap 2 2 . .

Ca p 2 9
. .
°
D e d ef e c tu or a cu l o r u m, 10
a .

C ap 3 0
. .
18 .

C ap 2 4
. .
s
I bid 1 3 - 14
.
, .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP
.

O nc e ayea r in the n e ighbo rho o d o f the R ed S e a a m an

is s e en who sp en ds the r em a i n de r o f his ti me am o n g
“ ” 1
n ym ph s ,
n o m a ds an d d e m o n s At h is a nn u a l a pp e a r
.

a n c e m an y pri n c e s an d gr ea t m e n c o m e t o c o n sult h im co n

c e r n i n g the f utur e He als o h a s th e gi f t o f t o n gu e s to the

.

e x t e n t o f u n d e rst an di n g s e v e r a l l a n gu a g e s p e r f e ctly His .

sp ee c h is lik e sw e e t e st m usic his br eat h sw ee t an d f r agr ant

, ,

h is p e rs o n the m o st gr a c e f ul t h at h is i n t e rl o cut o r h a d e v e r
s ee n He a ls o w a s n e v e r afflicte d with an y dis ea s e f o r o n c e
.
,

a m o n t h h e ate the bitt e r f ruit o f a m e dici n a l h e rb A S to .

t he e x a ct n a tur e o f S o cr a t e s d e m o n t he r e is s o m e div e rsity

’

o f o pi n i o n . O n e m an sugg e sts t ha t it w a s m e r e ly t he s n e e z
in g o f h i m s e l f o r o t h e rs s n e e z e s o n the l e f t han d w a r n i n g
,

h im t o d e sist f r o m his i n t e n d e d c o urs e o f a cti o n w h il e a ,

s n ee z e in an y o t he r qu a r t e r w a s i n te rpr e t e d by him a s a f a
vo r abl e sign T he w e igh t o f o pi n i o n h o w ev e r i n cli n e s to
?
, ,

w a rds the vi e w t ha t his d e m o n did n o t a ppe a r to h im as an

a pp a riti o n o r p h a n t a s m o r e v e n c o m m u n ic a t e wit h him a s a n
,

a udibl e v o ic e but by i mm e di a t e i m p r e ssi o n up o n his m i n d

?
,

P lut arc h s acc o u n t o f d e m o n s is t he fi rst o f a n u m be r

’

wh ic h w e s ha ll hav e o cca si o n to n o t e A S the discussi o n o f .

t hem by A pul e ius in the n ex t c ha pte r an d the r a t he r crud e

r e pr e s e n tati o n o f the m giv en in P hilo s tr a tu s s L if e of Apol ’

l o nius o f Tyan a w ill s h o w t h e r e w as a s yet am o n g n o n

,

Christi a n writ e rs n o u n a n i m ity o f o pi n i o n c o n c e r n i n g de

mons . O n the o t he r han d t he r e a r e s e v e r a l c o n c e pti o n s in
P lut a rc h s e ss ays w h ic h w e r e t o be c o n ti n u e d l at e r by Chris
’

ti an s a n d N e o P l at o n ists : n am e ly th e c o nc e pti o n o f a m e di
-
,

at e cl a ss o f b e i n gs b e tw ee n G o d an d m e n th e h yp o t h e sis o f ,

a w o rld o f spirits in cl o s e t o uc h wit h h u m a n li f e th e a ss o ci a ,

ti o n o f di v i n a ti o n an d o r a cl e s with d e m o n s an d the l o c ati o n ,

o f spirits in t h e sp h e r e o f t h e m o o n o r t he a ir b e tw e e n e a rt h

an d m o o n , a lt ho ug h P lut a rc h s o m e ti m e s c o nn e ct e d d e m o n s
—

wit h the st ars a bo v e the m o o n T his o cc asi o n al a ss o ci ati o n

.

o f st a rs wit h spirits a n d o f si n n i n g s o uls wit h f a lli n g st a rs

8
D e d ef e c tu o r a cu l o r u m , 2 1 . I bid 20 .

D e g em o S a cr a l i s 1 1 , .
 MA GI C AND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

A f avo r a bl e ttitud e to w a rds a str o l o gy is f o u n d m ai n ly

a

in tho s e e ss ays by P lut a rc h w h ic h ar e susp e ct e d o f be i n g

spuri o us the D e f ato a n d D e placitis phil os oph or um O f
, .

the l a tt e r w e h av e a lr ea dy t r e a t e d u n d e r G a l e n I n t he .

f o r m e r fa t e is d e scribe d a s th e s o ul o f the u n iv e rs e
”
a nd ,

the t h r e e m a i n di v isi o n s o f the u n iv e rs e n am e ly the im , ,

m o v a bl e heav e n the m o vi n g sp he r e s an d he av en ly bo di e s
, ,

an d t he r e gi o n a b o ut t he e a rt h a r e a ss o ci a t e d wit h the ,

t hr ee F at e s Cl o th o A tr o po s an d La ch e sis I t is si m il a rly
,
1
, , .

st at e d in the e ss ay o n t he d em o n o f S o cr ate s th at o f the

2

f o ur p r i ncipl e s o f all t h i n gs li f e m o ti o n gen e sis o r gen e r a

, , ,

ti o n an d c o rrupti o n the fi rst two ar e j o i n e d by the O ne

, ,

i ndivisibly the s e c o n d an d th ird Mi n d u n it e s th ro ugh the

,

s un ; the t h ird an d f o urt h N a tur e j o i n s t h r o ugh th e m o o n .

A n d o v e r e ac h o f t he s e t hr e e bo n ds pr e sid e s o n e o f the t h r e e
F a te s A tr o p o s C l o th o an d L a che sis In o the r w o rds th e
, , ,
.
,

o n e G o d o r fi rst c a us e i n visibl e an d u nm o v e d in w ho m is , ,

l i fe s e ts in m o ti o n th e h eav e n ly sp he r e s a n d b o di e s t h r o ugh
, ,

w ho s e i n stru m en t a lity gen e r ati o n a nd c o rrupti o n up o n

ea rth a r e pr o duc e d an d r e gul a t e d w h ich is substanti ally —
,

the A rist o t e li an vi e w o f t he u n iv e rs e R e tur n i n g t o the .

D e f a to w e m ay n o t e t ha t it r e p e ats the S t o ic the o ry o f

the magn us annus w hen the h e a v e n ly bo di e s r e su me t he ir
r o u nds an d al l h isto ry r epea ts itse l f ?
De spit e th is a p

p a r e n t a d m issi o n th a t h u m an li f e is sub j e ct t o the m o v e

m en ts o f th e st a rs the a utho r o f the D e fa to s ee r t o t hi n k

,
.

“
th at a ccid en t f o rtun e o r chan c e the c o n ti n g en t an d what
, , ,

is in us o r f r ee will can all co ex ist with f ate which he

”
-
,
—
,

4
pr a ctic ally id en tifi e s with the m o ti o n o f the heav en ly b od i e s ,

Fa t e is a ls o c o m pr ehe n d e d by divi n e P ro vid en c e but this

f act d o e s n o t m ilit at e aga i n st a s r o lo gy si nc e P r o viden ce . ,

its e l f divid e s i nt o that o f the fi rst G o d tha t o f the s ec o n d ary ,

“
g o ds o r sta rs wh o m o v e thr o ugh th e h eaven s r e gul ati ng
m o rt al a ffa irs an d th at o f th e d em o n s w h o a ct a s gu ardi an s
,

o f men .
5
‘
1
Ca p . 2 .
Cap s 5 -8
. .

2
C ap . 22 .
5
”
Cap 3 . .
Cap 9
.
 P L U TAR CH S E S S A YS
’

O ne or tw o bits
str o l o gy m ay be n o t e d in P lut arch s
of a
’

“ ”
o t he r e ss ays T he m an w h o l e a r n e d
. a str o l o gy am o n g

dem o n s in the isl e b ey o n d Brit a i n a ffirm e d t hat in hum an

gen e r ati o n e a rth suppli e s the b o dy the m o o n f ur n is he s t he ,

s o ul an d the s un p r o vid e s the i n t e ll ect In th e S ym pos ia cs

,
1 2
.

the o pi n i o n o f th e m yt h o g r a ph e rs is r e p e a te d t h a t m o n
str o us an i m a ls w e r e pr o duc e d duri n g the w ar with the gi an ts
b e caus e the m o o n turn e d f r o m its c o urs e then a nd r o s e
in u n accust o m e d qu a r t e rs P lut arc h w as by the w ay in
.
, ,

clin e d to disti n guis h t he m o o n f r o m o t h e r h e a v e n ly b o di e s

a s p a ssiv e a n d i m p e r f e ct a s o rt o f c e l e sti a l e a rt h o r t e rr e s
,

tri al S t a r S uch a s e pa r ati o n o f the m o o n f r o m the o the r

.

sta rs an d pl an et s w o uld ha v e ho w ev e r n o n e c e ss ary co n , ,

t r ar ie ty with a str o l o gic a l th e o r y w h ic h usu a lly a scrib e d a ,

p e culi a r pl ac e to the m o o n an d r e pre s e nte d it a s the m e dium

t hr o ugh w h ich the m o r e distan t pl an ets ex e rt e d t he ir e ff e cts
up o n the e a rt h .

S o me ti m e s P lut a rc h s c o s mo l o gy c a rri e s P l a t o n is m to
’

t he v e rg e o f G n o sticis m a subj e ct o f w h ic h w e s ha ll t r e at
,

in a l at e r c hapt e r T he di v i n e r w ho ha d c o m m u n e d with
.

d emo n s n o m ads an d n ym ph s in the d e s e rt a ss e rt e d t hat

, ,

t he r e w as n o t o n e w o r ld but o n e hu n dr e d an d e ighty t hre e

,
—

w o r lds a rr an ge d in the fo rm o f a tri an gl e with S i x ty to e ach

side a n d o n e a t e ach an gl e W ith i n t h is t r i an gl e o f w o r lds
.

l ay the pl a i n o f truth wh e r e w e r e th e id ea s an d m o d e ls o f
all t h i n gs t h a t h a d b e en o r w e r e t o b e a n d ab o ut t h e s e w a s ,

e t e r n ity f r o m w h ic h ti m e fl o w e d o ff lik e a ri v e r t o th e o n e

hu n dr e d an d e ighty t hr e e w o rlds The visi o n d e l ect a bl e o f

-
.

t ho s e id ea s is gr an te d to m e n o n ly o n c e in a m yri a d o f
yea rs if t hey live w e ll an d is the go a l t o w a rd wh ich al l
, ,

ph il o s o p hy striv e s T he st r an ge r w e ar e i n fo r m e d t o ld
.
, ,

t his t al e a rtl e ssly lik e o n e in the m yste ri e s an d pr o duce d n o

, ,

dem o n str ati o n o r p r o o f o f what h e s a id We h av e a lr eady .

he a rd P lut a rc h like n go ds d e m o n s an d m e n to di ff e r e n t, ,

ki n ds o f tri an gl e s ; he a ls o r e p ea ts P l at o s a ss o ci ati o n o f the ’

1
D e f a cie in or be l unae, 28 .
2
V III 9 , .
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

fi ve r e gul a r s o lids with the e l em en ts e arth air fi re w at e r , , , , ,

a n d e t he r
1
.He st at e s t ha t the n a tur e o f fi r e is quit e a pp a r en t
“
in t he pyr am id f r o m the sl e n d e r n e ss o f its d e cr ea si n g sid e s
” 2
an d t he s ha rp n e ss o f its an gl e s a n d t ha t fi r e is e n ge n d e r e d
,

f r o m a ir w he n th e o ct ah e dr o n is diss o lve d i n t o pyr am ids a n d ,

a ir pr o duc e d f r o m fi r e w he n the pyr am ids a r e c o m pr e ss e d

i nto an o ct ahe dr o n ?

The s e geo m e tric a l f anci e s ar e n atur a lly a cc o m p an i e d by

c o n sid e r a bl e n um be r m ysticis m In th is p articul ar pa ss age .

th e m e rits o f th e n u m be r fi ve ar e e n l a rge d u p o n an d a l o n g
list i s given o f t h i n gs t ha t a r e fi ve in n u m b e r - Five is a gai n
4
.

e x t o ll e d in t h e e ss a y o n Th e E i a t D e lphi but t he r e o n e o f
5
,

t he c o m p an y r e m arks wit h m uc h r e a s o n t ha t it is p o ssibl e

t o pr a is e a n y n u m be r in m an y w ays but t hat h e pr e f e rs to ,

“ ” 6
five the s a cr e d s e v en o f Apo ll o P l at o n ic g eo me tric al
.

r eve ri e s an d P yt hago r ean n um be r m ysticis m ar e i n dulged

in e v e n m o r e e x ten siv e ly in the e ss a y O n th e P r o cr e a tio n
o f th e S o ul in Tima eus T he n um b e r an d pr o p o rti o n ex ist
.

in g in pl a n e ts st a rs an d sphe r e s a r e t o uc h e d o n an d it is
,
7
,

st a t e d tha t the divi n e d em iu r ge pr o duc e d t he m a rv e l o us vir

tu e s o f drugs an d o rgan s by e m pl oyi n g har m o n i e s an d num
b e rs ?
T hus in the p o t en cy o f n um b er an d n u m e ric a l r el a
ti o n s is sugge st e d a po ssibl e ex plan ati o n o f ast ro lo gy\ and
m a gic fo rc e in n a tur e .

P lut a rc h i n d ee d s ho ws the s am e f a ith in the ex ist en c e

, ,

o f o ccult virtu e s in n atur a l o bj e cts a n d in w ha t m ay b e

c a ll e d n atura l m agic a s m o st o f his c o n t em p o r a ri e s At his .

sym p o siu m when o ne man av e rs t hat he s aw the ti ny fi sh

e c h e n e i s st o p th e s h ip up o n w h ich h e w as s a ili n g u n til th e

lo o k o ut m an pick e d it o ff so m e l a ugh a t his cr e dulity but

- 9
,

1 ‘
D e d ef e c tu o ra cu l o r u m 3 1 - 3 2 Ca p 3 3
D Ar c y W
. . .
,

Th e r e s e m bl an c e o f t h e s t r a n g e r s ’ °
S y mp os ia cs , I I , 7
’
. .

t a l e to the V i s i o n o f E r in P l a to s T h o m p s o n in h is t r a n s l at io n o f
’

Re pu bl ic is a l so e ide n t
2
v . A r is to t l e s His to r y o f A n ima ls
’

1b d ” 34 c o m m e nt s o n I I , 14 , T h e m yth o f
” i
.

‘
I bi d 3 7 ’
.
, . the s h ip h o l de r
-
h as be en e le
‘
I bi d , 3 6 ; a n d s ee 1 1 -12
.
.
g an tly‘ e x p l aine d by V W Elk. .

ma n , O n D e ad Wate r , in th e Re
: C ap s 8 - 1 6 ’
. .

Ca p 1 7
. .
p o r t s o f N a n s e n s N o r th P o la r
’

'
C ap 3 1
. . E xp e dit io n , Ch r is tian ia, 1 9 04 .
 2 14 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

o t he r G ree k a ut ho r s w e a r e to ld apply th e w o rd a sb e st o s
, ,
1

t o quick li m e but P li n y in the N a tur al H is tor y

-
,
2
d e scrib e s
what he s ays the G r e eks c a ll a fié w v m uch a s P luta rch a ar o

d o e s He a dds tha t it is em pl o y e d in m aki n g s hr o uds f o r

.

r o yal f u ne rals to s e p a r at e the a s he s o f the c o rps e f r o m tho s e

o f th e pyr e But h e s ee m s to re ga rd it a s a pl an t n o t a
?
,

sto n e listi n g it as a va ri e ty o f li n en in o n e o f his bo o ks o n

,

v e ge t ati o n He a ls o st a t e s i n c o rre ctly th at it is f o u n d but

.

r a re ly a n d in d e s e rt an d a rid r egi o n s o f In di a w her e the r e

is n o ra i n an d a ho t s un an d am id t e rribl e se rpen ts P r o b 4
.

a bly P li n y o r his s o urc e a rgu e d t hat an yt h i n g w h ic h r e sist e d

t he acti o n o f fi r e m ust h av e b e en i n ur e d by gr o wt h u n d e r
fi e ry sun s an d am o n g s e rp en ts Furt he rm o r e it o bvi o usly
.

s h o uld p o sse ss o t he r m a rv el o us pro p e rti e s s o w e ar e n o t ,

surpris e d to fi n d An ax il au s cit e d to the e ff e ct t hat if t h is

“ ”
li ne n is ti e d a r o u n d a tr ee trunk the bl o ws with w h ich ,

the tr e e is f e ll e d c an n o t be hea rd I t wa s t hus t ha t i ma gi n a

.

ti o n s i nur e d to m agic enl arge d up o n u n usu al n atur a l pr o p

e rt ie s .

1
A r tic l e o n
“
A sb e st o s in th e l e ngth I t is s till p r e s e r e d in th e
. v
E n cy c l ope dia B r i ta nn ica 1 1th e di ,
V a tic an, ( B o s to c a nd k
Ril ey,
t io n , w h ic h f u r th e r s t a t e s t h at n o te
4 “
Ch a r l e m ag n e w a s s aid t o o w n a O n th e c o n t r a r y, it is f o un d in
t ab l ec l o t h w h ic h w a s c l ea n e d by t h e High e r A l p s in t h e ic in it y o f v
th r o w in g it in t o t h e fi r e , a n d t h a t g l a c ie r s , in S co tl an d, a n d in
in 1 6 7 6 a m e r c ha n t f r o m Ch in a
”
v
S ib e r ia e e n ( B o s to c a n d R il ey,
“
k
e x h ib it e d t o t h e R o ya l S o c ie ty a n o te T he a r t ic l e o n Am ian
k
h an d e r chie f of
“ ’
s a l a m a n de r s tus ( 3 ) in P a u l y- W is s o w a in c o r
wool o r l in u m a s be s ti ( a s b e s t o s r e c t l y a s s um es t h a t in XI X, 4 ,
l ine n ) .S e e a l s o M ar c o P o l o , I , P lin y h a s it in m in d I n XXXV I , .

’
42 , an d C o r die r s n o t e in Y u l e v
3 1 , h o w e e r , P l in y b r ie y d e fl
s c r ib es t h e s t o n e a m ian t h u s , w hic h
”
X I X, 4 I n B o s t o c
. k and Ril ey
’
s k
B o s t o c a n d R il e y ( n o t e 5 2 ) c a l l
E ng l is h t r a n s l a t io n n o t e 44 s t a t e s
.
“
th e m o s t de l ic ate a r iet y v
of
t ha t
“
k
t he w ic s o f t h e in e x t in a s b e s tu s ,
”
”
as
“
l o s in g n o t hing in
g u is h a bl e l a m p s o f t h e m iddl e fi r e a n d r e s is t ing a l l p o t io n s ( o r ,
a g e s , t h e e x is t e n c e o f w h ic h w a s v
s p e ll s ) e e n o f t h e ma gi
”
—
“
Am i ,

an a r t ic l e o f g e n e r a l be l ie f , w e r e a n tu s a l u min i s im il is n ih il ig n i
s a id t o b e m a d e o f a s be s t u s On . d e p e r dit Hic v e n e fi c is r e s is t it
.

it s us e in l am p - w ic s s ee a l s o k v
o m n ib u s p r i at im m a g o r u m
”
In .

P a u s a n ia s , I , 2 6, 7 . XXXV I I , 5 4 , in a n a l p h abe t ica l

8 “
In t h e ye a r 1 7 0 2 t h e r e w as fl
l is t o f s t o n e s , h e b r ie y s ta t e s th a t
f o un d n e a r t h e Na e vian G at e a t a s be s to s is ir o n - co l o r e d an d f o u n d
Ro m e a f un e r a l u r n , in w h ic h in t he m o un ta in s o f A r c adia ,
k
th e r e w a s a s ul l , c a l c in e d bo n e s ,
“
A s b es to s in A r c a dia e m o ntibus
”
an d o t h e r ash e s , e nc l o s e d in a n a s cit u r c o l o r is f e r r e i .

c l o t h o f a s b e s tu s o f a ma r e l o us v
 PL U TAR CH S E S S A YS
’

Atr eatis e upo n ri v e rs and m o un t a i n s in wh ic h the m ar

v e l o n s vi r tu e s o f he r bs an d st o n e s figur e v e ry p r o m i n en tly
h as s o m e ti m e s be e n i n clud e d a m o n g t he w o rks o f P luta rc h ,

but al s o ha s bee n o m itt e d en tir e ly f r o m s o m e e diti o n s 1

.

S o m e h av e a scrib e d it t o P a rt he n ius o f the ti m e o f N e r o .

I t is ma d e up o f s o m e t h irty fi ve c ha p te rs in e a ch o f wh ic h -

a riv e r a n d a m o u n t a i n a r e m e n ti o n e d U su a lly s o m e myth .

o r tr a gic h ist o ry is r e c o u n t e d f r o m w h ich th e riv e r t o o k its

,

n am e o r wit h w h ic h it w a s o t he rwis e i n ti m a t e ly c o nn e ct e d .

A si m il a r p r o c e dur e is f o ll o w e d in th e c a s e o f th e m o u n t a i n .

T he write r w ho ev e r he m ay be m ak e s a s h o w o f e x t e n siv e
, ,

r ea di n g ci t i n g o v e r f o r ty a ut ho r iti e s m o st o f w ho m a re
, ,

G r ee k an d n o t m e n ti o n e d in the f ull bibli o gr a p h i e s o f

P li ny s N a tur a l His to r y T h e titl e s cit e d hav e t o do l a rgely
’
.

wit h st o n e s ri v e rs an d di ff e r en t c o u n tri e s I t h as been

, , .

qu e sti on e d ho w ev e r w he t he r t he s e citati o n s ar e n o t bo gus

, ,
?

The p r o p e rti e s att r ibu t e d t o he rbs a n d st o n e s in t h is

tr e a tis e ar e to a l a r ge e x t e n t m agic a l A whit e r ee d fo un d .

in the riv e r Ph a sis wh il e o n e is s a crifici n g at d aw n to He c a t e ,

if str e w n in a wi f e s b e dr o o m drive s m a d an y a dult e r e r w h o

’

e n t e rs an d m a k e s h im c o n f e ss his s in A n o t he r h e r b m e n
?

t io n e d in the s am e c ha p t e r w as us e d by Me d e a t o p r o t ect

J a s o n f r o m he r f ath er I n a l at e r c h a pt e r w e a r e t o ld h o vs
4
.
' r

He r a c all e d up o n S e l e n e t o a id her in s e curi n g h e r r e v e n ge

up o n He r a cl e s an d ho w the m o o n go dd e ss fille d a l arge
,

c he st with f r o th an d fo am by he r m a gic sp e lls u n til p r e s en tly

a h ug e li o n l ea pe d o ut o f th e c h e st R e tur n i n g f r o m such .

s o rc e r ess e s a s He ca te Me d ea an d S e l e n e t o he r bs a l o n e in
, , ,

o t he r riv e r s a r e pl an ts w h ic h t e st t he purity o f g o ld a id ,

dim sight o r bli n d o n e wi t he r a t th e m e n ti o n o f t he w o rd

,

st e p m o t he r o r bu r st i n t o fl am e s wh e n e v e r a st e p m o the r
- -

has e v il d e sign s aga i n st he r st e p s o n f r e e t he i r b e a r e rs f r o m -

,

f ea r o f a pp a riti o n s o p e r a t e as c ha r m s in l o v e m aki n g a n d
,
-

1
Ed by R He r ch e r L ip s iae ,
. .
, and M o u n ta ins i ts e l f call e d a
18 5 1 ; an d by C Mu ll e r in .
“
S c h w in de l buc h , b ut t h e se c ita
G e og r ap h G r a e c i Mino r e s
. II , , tio n s a r e r e j e c t e d a s f r a u dul e nt .

“
637 3 . Ca p 5 . .

” ‘
Ch r is t
’
In G es c h d G r ie c h
s . . . Cap 18 . .

L itt ,
. n o t o n l y is t h e O n R iver s
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CHAP .

c h ildbirth cur e m a dmen o f t he ir f r e nzy c he ck q u art an

, ,

a gu e s if a ppli e d t o the br ea sts pr o t e ct virgi n ity o r withe r

,

a t a V irgi n s t o uc h tur n wi n e i n t o w at e r e x c e pt t ha t it r et a i n s
’

its bo u qu e t o r pr e s e rv e p e rs o n s an o i n te d wit h the ir j uic e

,

fr o m s ickn e ss to t he ir dyi n g day .

An ea sy tr a n siti o n f r o m t he t h em e o f m a gic he rbs to

t hat o f st o n e s is a ff o rd e d by a s o rt o f p o ppy w h ich gr o ws
in a riv e r o f Mysi a a n d be a r s bl ack h arp s ha p e d st o n e s w h ich
,
-

t h e n ativ e s gat h e r a n d sc a tt e r o v e r t h e ir pl o ughe d fi e l ds 1 .

I f t he s e st o n e s t h en l ie still w he r e t he y h a v e fa ll en it is ,

t a k e n as a sign o f a b arr en ye a r ; but if the y fly a w ay lik e

l o custs t h is pr o gn o stic at e s a pl en ti f ul ha rv e st O th e r m ar
, .

v e l o n s st o n e s a r e f o u n d in t he hea d o f a fi s h in the riv er

A r a r a tribut ar y o f th e Rh o n e
, . Th e fi s h is its e l f q uit e
w o n d e r f ul si n c e it is wh it e w h il e t he m o o n w axe s an d
bla ck w hen it w an e s ?
P r e su m ably f o r t h is r e a s o n t he st o n e
cur e s q ua rt an a gu e s if appli e d t o the l e f t sid e o f the bo dy
,

whil e the m o o n is w an i n g T he r e is an o the r st o n e wh ich

.

m ust be s o ugh t a f t e r u n de r a w ax i n g m oo n wit h pi pe rs

pl ayi n g c o n ti n u ally ?

O th e r st o n e s gu a rd tr e a suri e s by s o u n di n g a tru m p et
lik e a l arm at the a ppr o ach o f t hi e v e s ; o r ch an ge c o l o r f o ur
ti m e s a day an d a r e o rdi n a rily v isibl e o n ly to y o u n g girls .

But if a virgi n o f m arri a ge abl e age chan c e s to s ee th is st o n e ,

s h e is s a f e f r o m a tt e m pts up o n h e r c h a stity h e n c e f o rt h
4
.

S o m e st o n e s d r iv e m en m ad a n d a r e c o nn e ct e d with the
Mo t he r o f th e G o ds o r a r e f o u n d o n ly duri n g th e c e l e br ati o n
o f t h e m yst e ri e s O t h e rs st o p d o gs f r o m b a rki n g e x p e l
?
,

d em o n s gr o w bl ack in the han ds o f fa ls e witn e ss e s pr o t ect

, ,

f r o m wild b e a sts an d h av e v a ri e d m e dici n al p o w e rs o r o the r

,

e ff e cts si m il a r t o t ho s e a lr e a dy m e n ti o n e d in t he c a s e o f

h e rbs ?
In a ri v e r w he r e t h e S p a rt an s w e r e d e f e at e d is a
sto n e w h ich l ea ps t o wa rds the ban k if it hears a tru m pe t
, ,

‘
Ca p 7 . .

“
C a p s 9 , 1 0, 1 2
. .

°
C ap s 1 6, 18 , 2 4
. .
 MA G I C AND EXP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HAP.

a ll o w C irc e to tur n him back f r o m a pig to hu m an f o r m .

He bo asts a m o n g o the r t h i n gs t hat b ea sts k n o w ho w to cur e

t hem s e lv e s W itho ut e ve r havi n g be en t aught s wi ne w hen
.

sick r un to rive rs to s e arch f o r cr aw fi s h ; t o rt o is e s physic -

t hem s e lv e s with o riganu m a ft e r e ati n g vip e rs ; an d Cr e tan

go ats d e vo ur ditt any to ex tr act a r r o ws an d d arts w h ich hav e
b ee n s ho t i n t o t he ir bo di e s In the o t he r e ss ay o n the
.
1

cl e ve rne ss o f an i m a ls w e fi n d m an y f am ili ar sto ri e s r e p eat e d ,

i ncludi n g s o m e o f the i n e vit a bl e e x c e rpts f r o m J uba o n e l e

p h an t s. W e m ee t a g a i n t h e d o lp h i n s wit h t h e ir l o v e f o r

m anki n d t he bird w h o picks t h e cr o c o dil e s t e e t h a n d w a r n s

2 ’

him o f th e ic hn e u m o n th e fi s h w h o r e scu e o n e a n o t he r by
3
,

biti n g the li n e o r dr a ggi n g o n e an o the r by the t a il o ut o f

n e ts t he tr a i n e d e le p h an t w h o w as sl o w t o l e a r n an d w a s
4
,

be at e n f o r it an d w a s a f t e rw a r ds s e e n pr a ctici n g his e xer

cis e s by h i m s e l f in the m o o n light t he s e nti n e l cr an e s w ho
5
,

st an d o n o n e f o o t an d ho ld a st o ne in the o t he r to aw aken
t hem if the y le t it dr o p ?
Mo r e n o v e l p e r haps is th e st o ry
ho w h e r o n s o pe n o yst e rs by fi rst sw a ll o wi n g t hem s hells ,

an d a l l u n til t he y a r e r e l ax e d by the i n t e r n al h eat o f the bird

, ,

w hich then v o m its them up and e ats them o ut o f the s he lls .

O r the a cc o u n t o f th e tu nny fi s h wh o n e e ds n o a str o l o gic a l

“
c an o n s an d is f am ili a r wit h a rit hm e tic Y e s by Z e us and
, , ,

” 7
wit h o ptics t o o ,
.

P lut arc h s e ss ays bri n g o u t ye t o the r i nt e r e sts an d de

’

f ec t s o f th e sci e n c e o f th e ti m e O n e o n Th e P r in cipl e of
.

C o l d is a go o d illustr a ti o n o f th e f a ili n gs o f th e an ci en t
hyp o the sis o f f o ur e l em e n ts an d f o ur qu a liti e s an d o f the
silly li m it e d a rgui n g w h ich usu ally an d al m o st o f n ec e ssity
,

a cc om a p n i e d it H e d .e n i e s t h a t c o ld is m e r e priv a ti o n o f
h e a t si n c e it s ee m s to act p o sitive ly up o n fluids an d s o lids
,

a n d e x ists in di ff e r e n t d e gr ee s A f te r c o n sid e ri n g v a ri o us
.

a ss e rti o n s suc h a s t h a t a ir b e c o m e s c o ld w h e n it b e c o m e s
‘
D e s o l er tia ani ma liu m .

3 6 3 7 ; a l s o th e c l o s ing
’
I bid -

c h ap t e r s o f Th e B a n qu e t o f th e
S eve n S ag es .

‘
C ap 3 1
. .
 P L U TA R CH S E S S A YS
’

d ark ; that air wh iten s th i n gs an d w at er bl ack e n s th em ;

t hat c o ld o bj ects a r e always he av y ; h e fi n a lly a ss o ci at e s the
e l e m e n t e a rt h e sp e ci a lly wit h t he qu a lity c o ld I n a n o t he r .

e ss a y
1
he st at e s t h at t h e r e a r e n o f e m a l e s o f a c e rt a i n typ e
o f be e tl e w h ic h w as e n g r a v e d a s a c h a r m up o n t he ri n gs

w arri o rs w o r e t o battl e but t hat the m a l e s b egat o ff spri n g

,

by r o lli n g up ba lls o f e ar th He d e cl ar e s t hat dis ea s e s do

.
“

”
n o t h a v e dis t i n c t g e r m s in a discu s si o n in th e S ympo s i acs
w he t he r the r e c an be n e w dis ea s e s ?
O t h e r n atur a l qu e s
t i o n s discuss e d in th e tr e a tis e o f t ha t n am e a n d th e S ympo si

a cs ar e : W hy a m a n w h o o f t e n p a ss e s n e a r d e wy t r e e s c o n

tr a cts l epr o sy in tho s e li m bs wh ic h t o uc h th e w o o d ? W hy

t h e Do ri a n s p r ay f o r ba d hay m aki n g ? Why b e ars p a ws
-
’

ar e t e h sw e e t e st a n d m o st p a l a t a bl e f o o d ? Why the tr a cks

o f wild b e a sts s m e ll w o r s e a t th e f ull o f th e m o o n ? Why
b ees ar e m o r e apt to sti n g f o rn ic at o rs than o t he r p e r s o n s ? 3

Why the fl e s h o f s hee p bitt e n by w o lve s is s w ee t e r than that

o f o th e r s hee p ? W hy m us hr o o m s a r e t ho ught to be p r o
duce d by t hu n d e r ? W hy fl e s h d e c a ys s o o n e r in m o o n light
than su n light ? Whe the r J e ws a bst a i n f r o m p o r k be c a us e
the y w o rs h ip the pig o r bec aus e t hey have an an tip athy
t o wa rds it ? 4

P lut a rc h s o m e ti m e s s ho ws e vid en c e o f c o n sid e r a bl e

a str o n o m ic a l k n o wl e dge Fo r i n st an c e h e k n o ws t h a t the
.
,

m ath em a tici a n s figur e t h a t t he dist an c e f r o m s u n to e a rt h is

i mm en s e an d th a t A rist a rch us d em o n str a t e d the s un t o be
,

e igh t ee n o r tw e n ty ti m e s as f ar o ff a s th e m o o n wh ich is ,

dist an t fi fty s ix ti m e s th e e a rth s r a dius at th e l o w e st e sti

-
’

m at e ?
Y e t in the s am e e ss ay P lu ta rc h h a s sc o ffe d at t h e
6

idea o f a sphe ric al e ar th an d o f an t ip o d e s a n d a t the a ss e r ,

t i o n t h a t b a rs w e igh i n g a th o us an d t a l e n ts w o uld st o p f a lli n g

a t the e a rt h s c e n t e r if a h o l e w e r e o p e n e d up th r o ugh th e
’

ea rt h o r t h a t tw o m en with t h e ir f e e t in o pp o sit e di r e cti o n s

,

‘
I s is an d O s ir is 1 0 , . 10 ; IV , 5 .

VIII, 9 dé a n ép y a r a
'
vo a wv o ij x “
D e f a cie in o r be
l una eI 9 1 0
,
— '

a l s o t h e o p e n in g c h ap t e r s o f D e
Q ua es t .
, cap s . 6’ 14 ’ 22’
d e f e c tu o r a c u l o r u m .

S ymp o s ia cs ,
II , 9 ; I V , 2 ; I II ,
6
Ca p 7
. .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P VI
.

at th e c e n t e r o f the e arth m igh t n ev e rth e l e ss b o th be righ t

sid e up o r tha t o n e m an wh o s e m iddl e w as at the c en t e r
,

m igh t be h a l f r igh t sid e up a n d h a l f upsid e d o wn . He

a d m its h o w e v e r
, that the ph il o s o ph e rs th i n k s o T hus w e
, .

s e e t h a t Ch risti an f a t he rs lik e L a c ta n t iu s w e r e n o t th e fi rst

to ridicul e th e n o ti o n o f the A n tip o d e s ; a pp a r e n tly a s w e ll

e duc a t e d a n d o m n iv o r o us a p a g an r e a de r a s P lut a rch c o uld

do the s ame .
 MA G I C A ND E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

A pul e ius , ye t it is n o e a sy t a sk t o m ak e o ut the pr ecis e f acts

o f his li f e , p a rtly b e c a us e in his r o m an c e The Me tamor ,

phas es ,
or The G o l den A s s , he has ho p e l e ssly c o n f us e d
hi m s e l f wit h the he r o L ucius and i n tr o duc e d an auto bio
gr a phic a l e l e m en t o f un c e rt a i n ex t en t i n t o w hat is in the
m a i n a w o rk o f fi cti o n ; p a rtly b e c aus e his A po l ogy o r ,

de f e n s e w hen tri e d o n the c har ge o f m agic a t O e a in A fric a ,

is m o r e in the n atur e o f sp e ci al pl e adi n g i n t en d e d to r e fut e

an d c o n f o u n d his a ccus e rs t han o f a f r an k c o n f e ssi o n o r

a ccur at e h ist o ry o f h is c a r e e r Ho w e v e r he app e a rs to hav e

.
,

b ee n bo rn a t Ma d aur a in N o rt h A f ric a to have studi e d fi rst ,

a t Ca r t h age a n d t he n at A t he n s t o h av e visit e d R o m e an d ,

w an d e r e d r at he r wid e ly a bo ut the Me dit e rr an ean w o rld but ,

t o hav e sp e n t m o r e ti m e a lt o ge t he r at Cart hage t han at any

o t h e r o n e pl a c e .

B e sid e s the Me tamorphos es and Apol ogia with which ,

w e s ha ll be c h i e fly c o n c e rn e d f o ur o th e r w o rks a r e e x t an t
,

w hic h ar e r e ga rd e d as ge n ui n e The G o d of S ocr a tes The , ,

D o gm a o f P la to , F l or ida , an d O n the U niver s e . T he

o rd e r in w h ic h t he s e w o rks w e r e written is u nc e rt a i n but it ,

s eem s a l m o st sur e that the M e tam or phos es w as the fi rst In .

it Apul e ius no t o n ly m o r e o r l e ss iden ti fi e s h i m s e l f with the

he r o L ucius wh o is r e pr e s e nt e d a s q uit e a y o u n g m an he
, ,

a ls o a p o l o giz e s f o r h is L a ti n an d sp e aks o f the di ffi culty wit h

w hic h he had acquir e d t ha t l an gu age at R o m e But in the .

F l or ida w e fi n d him r e p ea ti n g a h ym n an d a di al o gu e in
1

b o th L ati n an d G r eek o r a f t e r d e li v e ri n g hal f an a ddr e ss

, ,

in G r e e k fi n is h i n g it in L ati n o r b o a sti n g that he writ e s

, ,

p o em s s atir e s r iddl e s h ist o ri e s sci en tific tr e a tis e s o r ati o n s

, , , , , ,

a n d p h il o s o p h ic a l di al o gu e s with e q u a l f a cility in e ith e r l an

gu a ge ?
I n st e a d n o w o f cr a vi n g p a rd o n i f he o ff e n ds by
h is rud e e x o tic a n d f o r e n sic sp ee c h h e f e e ls t hat h is r e pu
, , ,

i
t at o n f o r lit e r a ry r e fi n e m e n t a n d e l e g a n c e h a s b e c o m e suc h
t hat his audi en c e will n o t p a rd o n him a s o lita ry s o l e cis m o r
?
a si n gl e syll a bl e pr o n o u n c e d wit h a b a rb a r o us a cc e n t I t

1
Cap 1 8
. . no
”
o tov, p ar i s tudio , s imili s tudio .

“
Ta m g r acec qua m l a tine , g e mi F l or i da , c ap .
9 .
 AP UL EI US O F MAD A UR A 223
-

t he r e f o r e l oo ks a s if t he M e tam o r phos es w as h is first pub

lis he d e ff o rt in L a ti n an d a s i f h is p e culi a r styl e ha d p r o v e d
s o p o pul a r t ha t he did n o t fi n d it n e c e ss a ry t o a p o l o giz e f o r

it a ga i n In the Apo l ogy he s eem s supr e m e ly c o n fid en t o f

.

his r he t o ric a l p o w e rs in the L at i n l an gu a ge an d e v e n the ,

accus e rs d e sc r ibe him as a p h il o s o p h e r o f gr e a t e l o qu e n c e

b o th in G r e e k an d L ati n T hr e e y e a rs b e f o r e in th e s ame
?

t o wn his fi r st public disc o u r s e ha d be en gr e et e d with s ho uts

“
of In s ign it e r a n d ma n y in the a udi e n c e at th e ti m e o f h is
,

tri al can still r ep ea t a p a ss age f r o m it o n th e g r e atn e ss o f

Ae scul a pius ?
I n t he A po l ogy t o o h e displ ays a m o re , ,

e x t e n si v e l e a r n i n g t han in t h e M e ta m or hos es a n d ha s w r it
p
te n a lr e a dy p o e m s a n d sci e n tific tr e a tis e s a s w e ll a s o r ati o n s .

In d e e d pr actic a lly a l l the d o ct r i n e s s e t f ort h in h is o the r

,

phil o s o phica l w o rks m ay be f o u n d in bri e f in the Apol ogy .

Mo r e o v e r w h il e in the M e tam or phos es A pul e ius e n ds

,

the n a rr a ti v e with w ha t s eem s to be his o w n c o m p a r a ti v e ly

r e ce n t i n iti ati o n i nt o the m yste r i e s o f I si s in G r e e c e an d
o f O siris a t R o m e in t he A po l ogy h e sp e aks o f h a v i n g
3
,

be en i n iti at e d in t he p a st i n to al l s o rts o f s ac r e d rite s ,

a lt ho ugh he d o e s n o t m e n ti o n R o me o r I sis a n d O siris s p e c ifi

c ally I t is i m pli e d ho w e v e r t hat h e has b e en a t R o m e in

.
, ,

m o r e t han o n e p a ss a ge o f the A po l ogy P o n ti a n us his .

,

f utur e st e p s o n wit h w ho m A pul e ius ha d b e c o m e a cqu a i n t e d

-
,

”
at A t he n s n o t s o m an y y e a rs a o
g w a s an a dult at R o m e,

be fo r e A pul e ius c am e t o O ea A f t e r t he y had m e t a ga i n at

.

O e a a n d ha d bo th m a r r i e d the r e A pul e ius ga v e P o n ti an us ,

a l e tt e r o f i n tr o ducti o n t o the p r o c o n sul L o l l ia n u s A v itu s a t

“
Ca rt hag e o f w ho m he s ays
,
I h a v e k n o w n i n ti m at e ly m an y
,

cultur e d m e n o f R o m an n am e in the c o urs e o f m y li f e but ,

”
h av e n e v e r a dm ir e d a nyo n e a s m uch a s h im P e rh aps .

A pul e ius m ay ha v e m e t L o ll ian u s a t Ca r t ha ge but in th e ,

F l o r ida 4
,
in a p an e gy r ic o n S cipi o O r fi tus p r o c o n sul o f ,

A f ric a in 1 6 3 1 6 4 A D b e a llud e s t o the ti m e w he n I

“
-
. .
,

”
mo v e d a mo ng y o ur f ri e n ds in R o m e Al l t his fits in n ic e ly
.

1 ‘
A p o l og ia, c ap 4 . .
z
Cap s 5 5 -5 6
. .

” ‘
C ap s 7 3 an d 5 5
. . Cap 1 7
. .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

with state ments in the cl o si n g c hapt e rs o f the M e tam or

the

ph os es c o n c e rn i n g his risi n g f am e a s an o rat o r in the c o urts

“
t he l a bo ri o us d o ct r i n e o f m y studi e s at R o m e
”
o f la w and .

We m ay the r e f o re r e c o n struct the c o urs e o f e v e nts a s fo l

l o ws A f te r m e e ti n g P o nti anus at Athe n s an d c o ncludi n g
.

his studi e s in G r ee c e A pul e ius c am e t o R o m e wh e r e he, ,

r em ai n e d f o r s o m e ti m e p e r f e cti n g his L ati n styl e e n gagi n g

, ,

in f o r e n sic o r a to ry an d publis h i n g the M e tam or phos es

, .

P o nti an us w ho w a s y o u n ge r t han A pul e ius e ithe r acco m

, ,

p an ie d o r fo ll o w e d his f ri e n d t o R o m e in w h ic h city he ,

wa s still r e sidi n g a f t e r A pul e ius ha d r e tur n e d to A f ric a .

But P o n ti an us to o had l e f t R o me an d c o m e back to his

, ,

A f ric an city o f O e a to s e ttl e th e q u e sti o n o f his m o the r s

’

pr o p o s e d s e c o n d m arri age b e fo r e A pul e ius w ho ha d pr o b , ,

a bly r e visit e d Ca rt ha ge in the m e an ti m e a n d w as n o w tr av e l

ing ea st a g a i n with the i n t e n ti o n o f visiti n g A le x an dri a ,

a rriv e d at O e a a n d w a s i n duc e d to w e d the wid o w w ho w a s ,

c o n sid e r a bly o ld e r t han b e O n the d e lic at e qu e sti o n o f t his

.

l ady s ex act age d e p e n ds o ur dati ng o f the birth o f A p ul e ius

’

an d th e c h r o n o l o gy o f h is e n tir e c a r e e r A t t he tri al o f .

A pul e ius f o r m a gic A em il ian u s the a ccus e r d ecl a r e d that , ,

S h e wa s si x ty w he n s he m a rri e d A pul e ius a n d he h ad pr evi ,

o u s ly pr o p o s e d t o m a rry h e r to h is br o th e r Cl a rus w ho m , ,

” 1
A pul e ius c a lls a d e cr e pit o l d m an O n the o t he r han d .
,

A pul e ius a ss e rts t ha t the r e c o rds which he pr o duc e s in ,

c o urt o f he r be i n g acc epte d in i n f ancy by he r f athe r as

,
” 2
a t act f ul
“
his ch ild s ho w t hat s he is n o t much o v e r f o rty ,
—

am biguity w h ic h i n a s m uc h a s w e n o l on g e r hav e t he r e c o rds

, ,

it w o uld pr o bably be idl e to att em pt to f atho m .

The c h i e f if n o t the o n ly o b j e cti o n to d ati n g the

, ,

M e tam or ph os es be f o r e the Apo l ogy is t hat no t hi n g is s a id

o f it in th e l a tt e r But o bvi o usly A pu l e ius w h e n o n tri al
?
,

f o r m agic w o uld n o t m e n ti o n the M e tamor phos es u n l e ss his

,

1
Ap o l o gia c ap 7 0 t hat h e p l ace s th e Ap o l o g y e a r l ie r .

v
. .
,

Ca p 89 . .
B ut f o r t h e r eas o n s a l r ea dy gi e n
‘
T o P r o f e s s o r B utl e r ( Apul ei I a g r e e w ith t h e a r ti c e o n Ap u l
Apo l o g ia e d H E B utl e r a nd A l e i us i n P a ul y a n d and Wi s s o wa
.

. . .

it s c itatio ns th at t h e M e ta m o r
.
,

S O w e n O x f o r d, 1 9 14 ) this d ith
k
.
,
’
c ul ty s e ems so in s ur mo untabl e ph as e s is Ap ul e i us s fi rs t wo r .
 MA GI C A ND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CH A P .

t his light v e i n c ann o t be r e gard e d as an a dm issi on o f m agic s ’

un reality O n the c o n tr ar y the m a gic o f T h e ss aly is c el e

.
,

b r a t e d w i th o n e acc o rd th e w o rld o v e r 1 Me r oe th e witch .

“
c an displ ac e t he sky e l e v a t e t he ea rth f r e ez e f o un t a in s
, , ,

m e lt m o un t a i n s r a is e gh o sts bri n g d o w n th e go ds ex
, , ,

t in gu is h t he st a rs a n d illum i n a t e t he b o tt o m l e ss pit ” 2
, .

S ubm e rgi n g t he light o f st a rry h e a v e n t o th e l o w e st d e pth s

of h e ll is a po w e r a ls o a ttribut e d t o t h e witch P a m ph il e
?

“
By he r m a rv e l o us s e cr e ts s he m ak e s gho sts a n d e l em en ts
o be y an d s e rv e h e r disturbs the st ars an d c o e rc e s t he
,

” 4
divi n iti e s .

I n n o n e o f th e e pis o d e s r e c o rd e d in Th e G o l de n As s ,

h o w e v e r do t he wi t c h e s fi n d it n e c e ss a r y o r a d v is a bl e to go
,

t o q uit e s o gr e a t l en gt h s a s t h e s e a l tho ugh P am p h il e o n c e ,

thr eat en s the s un wit h e t e r n al d ark n e ss b ec a us e he is s o sl o w

in yi e ldi n g t o n ight w h e n s h e m ay ply he r s o rc e ry an d
a m o urs T he witc h e s c o n t e n t t hem s e lve s with suc h ae c o m
5
.

p l is hm e n t s a s c a rryi n g o n l o v e a ff a i r s wi t h i n h a bit a n ts o f
dist an t In di a E tho p ia an d e v en the A n tip o d e s
, ,
tr ifl e s o f ,

” 8
th e a rt t he s e a n d m e r e b a ga t e ll e s ; w ith tr a n s f o r m i n g th e ir
e n em i e s i n t o a n i m a l f o r m s o r i m pris o n i n g t he m h e lpl e ss

in t he ir ho m e s o r tr an sp o r ti n g t h em h o us e a n d al l t o a sp o t
,

a hu n dr e d m il e s o ff ; a n d o n t h e o t h e r h a n d wit h br e a k
7
, ,

in g d o w n b o lt e d d o o rs t o m urd e r t he ir v icti m s o r a ssu m 8

,

in g t he m s e lve s t he s h a p e o f w ea s e ls bi r ds d o gs m ic e an d , , , ,

e v e n i n s e cts in o rd e r t o w o rk t h e ir m isc h i e f u n o bs e r v e d ;
9

t hey t hen c a st t he ir victi m s i nt o a d e e p sl e e p a n d cut t he ir

t hr o ats o r han g t hem o r mutil at e them 10
Th e y o f t e n k n o w .

w ha t is b e i n g s a id a b o ut t h em w hen app ar e n t ly abs e n t an d ,

t h ey s o m e ti m e s i n dulg e in di v i n a ti o n o f th e f utu r e But to

11
.

w hate v e r fi e lds o f a ctivity they m ay e x t e n d o r c o n fi n e the m

1 ls
11, 1 . III ,
16 .

: I, 8 “
.
I 8
H 5
.
,
7
‘
’ '

I, 9 - 10
Th e w o r ding o f th e
.

I I I , 15 3
1 ”4 3
.

t r an s l a te d t h r o ug h o u t
‘

p a s s a ge s
22 a n (1 2 5
t his c h a p t e r is m a in l y m y o w n b ut
°
i

11, 2 0 a n d 3 0 ; I X,
,

v
I h a e m a d e s o m e u se o f e x is t in g
10
29

E ng l is h t r an s l at io n s .
I , 1 1 ; II, 1 1 .
 AP ULE I US O F MADA UR A

s e lve s t he ir vi o l en t p o w e r is irr e sistibl e an d w e ar e gi v e n

, ,

to u n d e r st an d t ha t it is us e l e ss to try to figh t a ga i n st it o r
to e sc ap e it I ts s e cr et an d o ccul t c h a r a ct e r is a ls o e m p ha
.

siz e d an d the a dj e ct i v e c ae ca o r n o un l a te br a e ar e m o r e than

,

o n c e e m pl o y e d t o d e scrib e it
?

Y e t t he r e a r e a ls o sugge st e d c e r t a i n li m i t a ti o n s t o t h e
p o we r o f m a gic T he wi tc he s s eem t o br e ak d o w n the
.

bo l te d d o o r s but t he s e r e su m e the i r fo r m e r pl a c e wh e n the

,

b ags h av e d ep a r t e d a n d a r e t o all a pp e a r an c e s a s i n t act a s

,

be fo r e The m an to o w ho s e t hr o at t hey hav e cut w ho s e

.
, , ,

bl o o d t hey hav e dr a i n e d o ff an d w ho s e he a rt they hav e ,

r em o v e d aw ak e s a pp ar en tly a li v e the n ex t m o r n i n g an d
,

r e sum e s his j o u r n ey A ll the ev en ts o f the pr e c e di n g n ight

.

s e em t o ha v e bee n m e r e ly an u n pl ea s an t dr e am T he w itche s .

h a d stu ffe d a sp o n ge i n t o th e w o u n d o f h is t h r o a t wit h th e 2

“
a dj ur a ti o n O h yo u sp o n ge b o r n in th e s e a b e w a r e o f
, , ,
”
cr o ssi n g ru nn i n g w at e r I n the m o r n i n g h is tr a v e li n g c o m
.

p an i o n can s e e n o sign o f w o un d o r sp o n ge o n h is f ri en d s ’

t h r o at But w he n he st o o ps t o dri n k f r o m a b r o o k o ut
.
,

f a lls the sp o n g e a n d h e d r o ps d ea d T he i n f e r e n c e a ltho ugh .

,

A pul e ius d r a w s n o n e is o b v i o us ; witc h e s ca n m ak e a c o rps e

,

s e em a li v e f o r a w h il e but n o t f o r l o n g an d m agic c e a s e s ,

t o w o r k w he n yo u c r o ss r u nn i n g w a t e r W e a ls o ge t the .

i m p r e s s i o n t ha t t he r e is s o m eth i n g d e c epti v e an d illusiv e

a b o ut th e m a gic o f t h e wi t c h e s a n d t h a t o n ly t h e lusts a n d ,

c r i m e s a r e r e a l w h i c h t he i r m a gic e n a ble s t hem o r the ir

e m pl o y e rs t o c o m m it a n d g r a ti f y T hey m a y s ee m to d r a w .

d o w n th e s un but it is f o u n d s h i n i n g n e x t day a s usu al

, .

Wh en L uciu s is t r an s f o r m e d i n to an a s s he r e ta i n s his ,

h u m a n a pp e ti te a n d t e n d e r n e ss o f s ki n 3 a d e pl o r a bl e st a t e ,
—

o f m i n d a n d b o dy w h ic h m ust be a tt r ibut e d t o t h e i m p e r

1
II, 2 0, 22 ; II I , 18 . of t h e t r ib e , d r a g h im a h u n dr e d
ya r ds f r o m th e c a m p , c u t u p
2
Ve ry s im il a r p r a c t ic e s are te o r so

c o un t e d b y A W Ho w it t N a tiv e h is abd o m e n o bl iqu e l y, t a e o u t k

k
. .
,

Tr ibe s o f S o u t h E as t A u s tr a l ia
— th e idn e y a n d c a u l f at , a n d t h e n -
,

s t u ff a h a n d f u l o f r a s s a n d s an d
p p 355 96 ; t h e m e dic in e m e n o f g
- -
.

k
h o s til e t r ib e s s n e a in t o t h e c am p i n to t h e w o un d
”
.

in t h e n ig h t a n d w it h a n e t o f a
,

p e c ul iar c o n s t r uc t io n g a r o t t e o n e
3
V I, 26 .
 MA GI C A N D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

f e c tio n s of the m a gic a r t as w e ll as t o the humo ro us cru e lty

of t he a utho r .

I n The G o lde n A s s the pr actiti o n e rs o f m agic ar e usu a lly

witc he s an d o l d an d r e pulsi v e We have to d ea l with w o n .

de rs w o rke d by o ld wive s an d no t by Magi o f P e rsi a o r -

B abyl o n A s w e hav e s een an d s hall s ee ye t f urthe r the ir

.

d ee ds ar e r e ga rde d as illicit an d cri m i n a l They a r e m o st .

”
wicke d w o m en ( n e quis s imae mu lie r es ) i n t en t upo n lust
1
,

a n d cri m e T he y pra ctic e devo tio nes i n j uri o u s i m pr ec a

.
,

ti o n s an d c e r em o n i es ?

Mal e pr actiti o n e rs o f m agic ar e r e pr e s en te d in a l e ss

u n f av o r a bl e light An E gypti an w ho in r etur n f o r a l ar ge
.
,

s um o f m o n e y e n g a g e s t o i n v o k e th e spirit o f a d e a d m an

an d r e st o r e t he c o rps e m o m e n t a rily t o li f e is c a ll e d a pr o ph e t ,

a n d a pri e st t ho ugh h e s ee m s a m an i f e st n e cr o m an c e r a n d is
,

“
h i m s e l f a dj ur e d t o l en d h is a id and t o h av e pity by the
st ars o f he av e n by the i n fe r n al de iti e s by the e l em en ts o f
, ,

” 3
n a tur e a n d by th e sil e n c e o f n igh t
, e x pr e ssi o n s w h ic h ,
—

a r e c e r t a i n ly sugge stiv e o f t h e m a gic p o w e rs e ls e w he r e

a scri be d to witc he s T he h e r o o f the st o ry L ucius is ani

.
, ,

m a t e d in h is d a bbli n gs in the m agic a r t by idl e curi o sity

c o m bi n e d wit h t hirst f o r l ea r n i n g but n o t by a n y cri m i n al
.
,

m o tive ?
Y e t a f te r he h as b e e n tr an s f o rm e d i n t o a n a s s by
m a gic he f e a rs t o r e su m e his hu m an f o r m sudd en ly in
,

public l e st he be put to de ath o n suspici o n o f pr actici n g the

,

m a gic a rt ?

Ma gic is d e pict e d n o t m e r e ly a s irr e sistibl e o r o ccult o r

cri m i n a l o r f a ll a ci o us ; it i s als o r e gul a rly c all e d an ar t a n d
a discipli n e E v e n the pr actic e s o f the witc he s a r e s o dig
.

n ifi e d . P a m ph il e ha s n o t h i n g l e ss t han a l a b o r at o ry o n the
r o o f o f he r ho us e a w o o den s he lt e r c o n c e al e d f r o m vi e w
—
,

but o p en to the W i n ds o f hea ven an d to the f o ur p o i n ts o f

t he c o m p a ss w he r e s he m ay ply he r s e cr e t a rts a n d w he r e
,
—

” 6
T his c o n sists
“
s h e spr e a ds o ut he r cust o ma ry ap pa ratus .

II, 2 2 .

I , 1 0 ; V II, 14 ; I X, 2 3 , 2 9 .

‘
II , 2 8 .
 MA GI C A ND E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE CH A P .

st o re him f r om a si n i n e t o hu m an f o rm T h e E gy p tian ? '

pr o phe t m ak e s u s e o f he rbs in his n e cr o m a ncy pl aci n g o n e ,

o n th e f a c e a n d an o t he r o n th e b r ea st o f t he c o r ps e ; a n d h e

h i m s e l w e a r s li e r o b s a d s an d a l s o f p a l m l e a ve s
f n n e n
2
.

B e sid e s m a te ri a ls i nc an tati o n s ar e muc h e m pl o ye d ?

,

w h il e the Egy pti an pr o p he t tur n s t o wa rds the e a st an d

“ ”
sil e n tly i m p r e c a t e s the risi n g s un A s t h is l ast sugge sts .
,

c ar e f ul ob s e r van c e o f rit e an d c e r em o n y a ls o pl ay t he ir p art ,

an d P a m p hil e s p a i n st ak i n g pr o c e dur e is d e scrib e d in pr e cis e

’

d e t a il D ivi n e aid is o n c e m e n ti o n e d an d is p e rhaps a n o th e r

.
4

e ss e n ti a l f o r succ e ss Mo r e than o n e w itch is c all e d divina

.
5
,

an d m a gic is t e rm e d a divi n e discipli n e But we ha ve a ls o

?

he a rd the witc he s sp o k e n o f a s c o e rci n g th e go ds r at he r

t han d e p en di n g up o n t hem f o r a ssist an c e T he ir m agic .

s eem s to be p e r fo r m e d m a i n ly by usi n g th i n gs an d w o rds in

the r igh t w ays .

B e sid e s the witche s ( magae o r s agae ) an d wh a t Apul e ius

c alls m a gic by n am e a n um b e r o f o the r cha rl at an s an d
,

supe rstiti o n s o f a ki n dr e d n atur e ar e m en ti o n e d in The

“ ”
G o lde n A s s S uc h a o n e is th e E gypti an pr o phe t a lr e ady
.

d e scrib e d S uch w a s the Cha ld ean w h o f o r a ti m e a s

.

t o un de d C o r i n t h by his w o n d e r f ul pr e dicti o n s but had ,

b een un abl e to f o re s ee his o w n s hipwr e ck 7

O n l ear n i n g .

t h is l a st f act a busi n e ss m an who wa s a bo ut to p ay him o n e

,

h u n dr e d de n ar ii f o r a pr o gn o stic ati o n s n a tc he d up h is
m o n e y a g a i n an d m a d e o ff S uc h w e r e the p a i n t e d dis re p u
.

t a bl e c r e w o i the S yri an go dd e ss w ho w en t ab o ut an sw e ri n g
al l i n quiri e s c o n c e r n i n g th e f utur e wit h t he s a m e am bigu o us

c o upl e t ?
S uc h w e r e th e juggl e rs w h o m L ucius s aw a t
A t he n s sw a ll o wi n g sw o rds o r ba l an ci n g a sp ea r in t he

1
I II , 25 . fibr is ; II I , 2 1 , m ul tu m que c um
2
II ,
28 . l u c e r n a s e c r e t a c o ll o c u ta .

“
I , 3 , m a gic o
3
Examp le s a re : I , 1 1 , q uo n um in is m in is te r io .

s u i i r r a m in e ; I I , 1 , a r t is m a g i c a e
s
5
1, 8 , s ag a , inq u it , e t d i ina ; v
na t w a c a n ta m m a : 11. 5 . o in m s v
i x, 2 9 , s ag a il la e t d i in i p o te n s .

c ar m in is s e p u l c h r a lis ma gi s t r a °
III 19
c r e d it u r ; I I , 2 2 , d ir is c a n t a m in i
°

b u s s o m n o c u s to d e s o b r uu n t ; I I I ,
1
H ,
12 - 14

18 , t unc d e c a n tat is s p ir a n t ibu s

8
V III , 2 6 -2 7 ; I X, 8 .
v1 1 . A F U L EI US
'

OF MA DA UR A 231

r t whil e a bo y cli mb e d to the to p o f it S uch w e r e t he

t h oa
?

physici an s w ho tur n e d po is o n e rs ?

O th e r pa ss a g e s a llud e to a str o l o gy b e sid e s t ha t alr e a d y

6

cit e d c o n c e r n i n g the Cha ld e an D i v i n ati o n f r o m d r e am s is

.

a ls o di s cuss e d I n t h e f o u r t h b o o k the o l d f e m a l e s e r v a n t
.

t e lls the c aptive m a id en n o t t o be t e r rifi e d by the idl e fi g

”
m e n ts o f dr e am s a n d e x pl a i n s t h at t hey o f te n go by co n
tr a r ies ; but in th e l a st bo o k t he h e r o is s e v e r a l ti m e s guid e d
‘

o r f o r e w a r n e d by d r e am s O m e n s a r e b e li e v e d in
. S t a rti n g .

l e f t f o o t first l o s e s a m an a busi n e ss o pp o rt u n ity a n d ,

4

a n o t he r is kick e d o ut o f a h o us e f o r h is ill o m e n e d wo r ds
? —

T he vi o l e n t de a t h s o f a l l th r ee s o n s o f th e o w n e r o f an o t he r
ho us e ar e p r e s age d by t he f o ll o w i n g r e m a rk a bl e c o n gl o m e r a
ti o n o f u nt o w a rd p o r t e nts : a h en l ays a c h ick i n st e a d o f an
e gg ; bl o o d spurts up f r o m u n d e r the t a bl e ; a s e r v an t rus h e s

in to a n n o u n c e t h a t t he wi n e is bo ili n g in a l l the j a r s in the

c ell a r ; a w e as e l is s ee n d r aggi n g a d e a d s n ak e o ut o i d o o rs ; - -

a gr e e n f r o g l ea ps f r o m t h e s h e e p d o g s m o ut h a n d t h e n a
’
-

r a m t e a rs O p e n t h e d o g s t h r o at a t o n e bi t e
’ ?

O f sci e n tific discussi o n o r i n f o r m a ti o n t he r e is littl e in

t h e M e tamor ph os es When P am ph il e f o r ete lls the w eathe r
.

f o r t he n ex t day by i n sp e c t i o n o f h e r l am p L ucius sugge sts ,

t hat this artifici a l fl am e m ay r et a i n s o m e p r o p e r ti e s f r o m

it s h ea v e n ly o r igi n a l 7
T he h e rb m a n dra go r a is d e scrib e d
.

a s i n duci n g a sl ee p si m il a r t o d ea t h but a s n o t f a t al ; a n d ,

t he b eav e r is s a id t o e m a scul a t e i t s e l f in o rd e r t o e sc a p e its

hu n t e rs ?
We s ho uld f eel l o st wit ho ut m en ti o n o f a d r ago n
in a b o o k o f t his s o rt a n d o n e is i n tr o duc e d w h o is l a rge
,

e n o ugh t o d e v o ur a m an I t is i n t e r e sti n g t o n o t e f o r pur

?

p o s e s o f c o m p a ris o n i n as m uc h a s w e s hall p r e s e n tly t ake

,
—

up the L if e of A po ll o n ius of Tyan a a N eo P ytha go r e an ,

-
,

a n d l at e r s h a ll l e a r n f r o m t he R e c o n itio ns o C l m t h at
g f e e n t
the a p o stl e P et e r w as a ccust o m e d to b at he at d a w n in the

I, 4 .
"
II , 1 1- 1 2 .

X , 1 1, 2 5 .
6
X , Fo r b ibl io g r ap h y o n t h e
11 .

XI ,
a
V II I , 24 ; 22, 2 5 . m a n d r a g o r a s e e Fr a z e r ( 1 9 18 ) I ,
‘
3 7 7 , n o t e 2 in h is c ha p te r , J aco b
“
I 5, .

k
,
“
a n d t h e Ma n d r a e s
”
11, 2 6 . .

I X, 3 3 - 3 4
6 1’
. V I II, 2 1 .
 MA GI C AND EXP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

s ea ,— tha t L ucius w h il e still in the f o rm o f an ass in his

, ,

z ea l f o r puri fi c ati o n plu n ge d i nt o t he s e a an d subm e rg e d h is

h ea d benea th the w a ve s even ti m e s be c aus e the divi ne ,

P yt ha go r a s h a d pr o cl a i m e d t ha t n u m b e r a s e s p eci a lly appr o

“
p r ia te t o r e ligi o us rit e s ?
It h as b e e n s a id t hat Th e G o l den

A s s is the first b o o k in E ur o p e an lit e r a tur e sh o wi n g pi e ty

in the m o d e r n s e n s e an d th e m o st disr e put abl e a dv e n tur e s
,

”
o f L ucius l ea d it is tru e in t h e e n d t o a r e ligi o us cli m ax
, , .

But a dds P r o fe ss o r D un c an B Macd o n ald Fe w b o o ks

,
“
.
, ,

in spite o f f a n ta stic gl e am s o f c o l o r a n d ligh t m o v e u n d e r ,

such l ea d en w e igh te d ski e s a s The G olde n As s T he r e is n o

-
.

r ea l G o d in t ha t w o rld ; al l th i n gs ar e in the han ds o f e n .

chant e rs ; m an is wit h o ut h o p e f o r he r e an d he r ea ft e r ; full

o f y ea r n i n gs h e struggl e s an d t ake s r e fuge in str an ge
” 2
cults .

While m agic pl ays a l arge r p art in The G olden Ass th an

in a ny o t he r e x t a n t G r e e k r o m an c e it is no t u nusu al in t he ,

o t he rs t o fi n d the he r o a n d he r o i n e e x p o s e d to p e rils f r o m

m a gici an s o r t he m s e lv e s f a ls e ly c ha rge d wit h m agic as in

, ,

t h e A e thiopica o f He lio do r u s
“
-
w he r e Char ic le s is co n ,

” 6
d e mme d t o be bur n e d o n a c ha rge o f po is o n i n g I n th e .

Christi an r o m an c e s to o a s the R e c ognitio ns will s ho w us

, ,

l at e r t he r e a r e pl en ty o f a llusi o n s to m agic an d d em o n s
,
.

Mean w h il e we a r e r em i n d e d t hat in the R o m an E mpir e a ccu

s a tio n s o f m a gic w e r e m a d e n o t m e r e ly in st o ry boo ks but

in r ea l li f e by th e tri a l f o r m a gic o f the a ut ho r o f the

M e tam or phos es h i m s e l f an d w e n ex t tur n to the Apo l ogy
,

which he d e liv e r e d up o n t hat o cc a si o n .

II I . M agic in the Apo l ogy

The Apo l ogia has ppe a r anc e o f be i ng pre se rv e d

e ve r y a

j ust as it wa s d e liv e r e d a n d p e r ha ps a s it was t ak e n d o w n

by s ho rt han d write rs ; it d o e s n o t s e em to have u nd e rg o n e
t he subs e q u e n t r e visi o n t o w h ic h C ic e r o subj e ct e d s o m e o f
his o r ati o n s It m ust hav e been ha stily c o mp o s e d si nc e
.
,

1
XI , 1 .
11
V I II , 9 .

Mac do nal d p . 12 8 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CH AP .

I f in the M e tam orphos es t he is im pr actic e of m agic

p ute d c h i e fly t o o l d wiv e s in the A po l ogy a m a i n c o n c e r n o f
-
,

A pule ius is t o d e f e n d p h il o s o p he rs in g en e r a l a n d h i m s e l f
1

“ ” 2
in p a rticula r f r o m the c a lu m n y o f m a gic E pi me n id e s .
,

O rphe us P yt hago r a s O s tan e s E m p e d o cl e s S o cr at e s an d

, , , , ,

P l at o hav e b e e n s o susp e ct e d a n d it c o n s o l e s A pul e ius in

,

his o wn tri al to r e fl e ct that h e is but s ha ri n g the un de s e rve d

“ ” 3
f at e o f s o m an y a n d such gr eat m e n I n t h is c o n n e cti o n.

he st at e s t ha t t ho s e p h il o s o ph e rs w ho hav e t ak e n an e sp e ci a l
“
i n t e r e st in the o l o gy who i n v e stigat e the pr o vid enc e o f the
,

u n ive rs e to o curi o usly an d c e l e bra te the go ds to o e nthus ias

”
tic ally a r e the o ne s to be susp e ct e d o f m agic ; wh il e tho s e
,

who d e vo te t he m s e lv e s t o n a tur a l sci en c e pur e an d si m pl e

a r e m o r e li a bl e t o be c a ll e d i r r e ligi o us a t he ists .

But w hat is it to be a m agici an A pul e ius a sks the ac ,

a n d t h e r e wit h w e f a c e a ga i n t h e q u e sti o n o f t h e
4
cus e r s ,

d e fi n iti o n o f m agic an d A pul e ius gr a du ally an sw e rs h is o wn

,

q u e ry in the c o urs e o f the o r ati o n Magic in the o rdi nary .

,

u s e o f th e w o rd is d e scri be d in m uc h t he s am e w ay as in
,

the M e tam o r ph o s es I t h a s b ee n pr o scrib e d by R oman l aw

.

si nc e the T w e lv e T abl e s ; it is h id e o us an d ho rribl e ; it is

s e cr e t an d s ol it ary ; it m urm urs its i nc an t ati o n s in the d a rk
n e ss o f t he n igh t I t is a n a r t o f ill r e put e o f illicit e vil
?
,

d ee ds o f cri m e s a nd e n o r m iti e s
,
?
I n st e a d o f si m ply c a lli n g
it magia A pul e ius o f t en a ppli e s t o it th e d o ubl e expre s
,
~

si o n magica mal eficia

,
7
P e r haps he d o e s t h is i n t e n ti o n
.

a lly . In o n e pa ss a ge h e st a t e s t hat he will r e f ut e c e rt a i n

c ha rge s w hich the a ccus e rs hav e br o ught aga i n st him fi rst , ,

by s ho wi n g t ha t t he th i n gs he ha s bee n c harge d with hav e

n o t h i n g to do with m a gic ; a n d s e c o n d by pr o vi n g t hat e v e n , ,

if he w e r e a m a gici an t he re w a s n o c a us e o r o cc asi o n f o r
,

his havi n g c o m m itt e d any maleficiu m in t his c o n ne cti o n ?

Ca p s . 1 -3 . me n t s ou pco nn ez de Magie ,
P a ris,
Cap . 2 . 1 62 5 .

Fo r th e s ame
1
C ap s .
312 7 an d . Ca p 2 5
. .

3
th o ug h t a p p l ied in t h e c a s e o f Cap 4 7. .

v
me die al m e n s e e G ab r ie l N audé ,
°

7
Ca p 2 5
. .

Ap o l ogie p o u r to us l e s g r a n ds Ca p s 9 4 2 , 6 1 , 63
.
, .

8
M rs o na e s
. g q u i o n t es té f a us s e C ap 2 8
. .
v1 1 A P UL E I US O F MAD A URA

That is to s ay m aleficium lit e r a lly an e vil d e e d m e an s

, , ,

an i n j ury d o n e an o the r by m e an s o f m a gic a r t The p r o .

.

c o n sul sitti n g in j udgm e n t t ak e s a si m il a r vi e w an d h as

a sk e d t he a ccus e rs A pule ius t e lls u s when t he y a ss e rt ed
1
, ,

t hat a wo m an ha d f allen i n t o an e pile ptic fit in his pr e s

e n c e a n d t h at t h is w a s du e t o h is ha v i n g b e witc he d h e r ,

w he t he r th e w o m a n di e d o r what goo d he r h a vi n g a fit
did A pul e ius T h i s is si gn ific an t a s h i n t i n g that R o m an
.

la w did n o t c o n d e m n a m a n f o r m a gic u n l e ss h e w e r e pr o v e d
t o h a v e c o mm itt e d s o m e cri m e o r m a d e s o m e u n j ust ga i n
t he r eby .

Doe s A pul e ius fo r his p art m e an t o sugge st a disti n cti o n

betwe en m agia an d ma gica maleficia a n d to h i n t as he did , ,

n o t do in t h e M e ta m or ph os es t ha t t h e r e is a go o d as w e ll a s
,

a b a d m a gic He c an n o t be s a id t o m a i n t ai n an y such dis

?

ti ncti o n c o n siste n tly ; o f t en in the A po l ogy magia a l o n e as

w e ll as ma l eficium is us e d in a ba d s en s e But he d o e s sug .

ge st suc h a t h o ught an d o n ce v o ice s it quit e e x plici tly ?

“
If , he s ays a s I ha v e r ea d in m an y a ut ho rs m agus in t he
, ,

P e rsi an l a n gu age c o rr e spo n ds t o the w o rd s ac er dos in o urs ,

what cri m e pray is it t o be a pri e st an d duly k n o w an d un

, ,

de r s ta n d a n d c h e ris h the rul e s o f c e r em o n i al th e s a cr e d cus ,

”
t o m s the l aw s o f r e ligi o n ? P l ato d e sc r ib e s m agic a s p ar t
,

o f t he e duc a ti o n o f t h e y o u n g P e rsi an pri n c e by th e f o ur

wis e st an d b est m en o f the r ea lm o n e o f who m i n structs ,

him in th e m agic o f Z o r o a st e r w h ic h is the w o rs hip o f the

go ds . Do yo u he a r yo u w ho r a s h ly c ha rge m e wit h m a gic
, ,

tha t th is ar t is a cc ept a bl e to the i mm o rt a l go ds c o n sis t s in ,

c e l ebr ati n g an d r ev e r e n ci n g t h em is pi o us an d pr o phe tic , ,

a n d l o n g si n c e w a s h e ld by Z o r o a st e r a n d O r o m a z e s its a u ,
”
t ho r s t o be n o bl e a n d divi n e ?
,
3
I n c o m m o n sp e e c h h o w ,

e v er A pul e ius r e c o gn iz e s t hat a m a gici an is o n e w ho by

“
,

his p o w e r o f a dd r e ssi n g th e i m m o r t a l g o ds is abl e t o a cco m

p lis h w hat e v e r he will by a n a l m o st i n c r e dibl e f o rc e o f in
”
c an ta t io n s But anyo n e w h o b eli e v e s t ha t an o the r m an
.

p o ss e ss e s such a p o we r a s t his sho uld be a f r a id to a ccus e him ,

C ap 4 8 . . C ap . 25 . Ca p . 26
.
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE CHAP .

sa ys A pul e ius who t hi nks by t h is i n gen i o us dil em m a to

,

p r o ve t he i n si n c e rity o f h is a ccus e rs N e ve rt he l e ss he pr e s
.

e n tly m e n ti o n s t hat Me rcury V e n us L u n a a n d T rivi a a r e

, , ,

t he d e iti e s usu a lly su mm o n e d in t he c e r em o n i e s o f the m a

?
gic ian s
will be n o t e d t hat A pul e ius c o nn ects m agic with the
It
go ds an d r e ligi o n m o r e in the Apo l ogy than in the M e tamor
ph as es T he r e his em pha sis w a s o n the n a tu r a l m ate ri a ls
.

e m pl o y e d by t he witc he s a n d t he ir a l m o st sci e n ti fi c l a b o r a

t o ri e s But in the Apo l ogy bo th P e r si an M agi an d c o mm o n

.

m agici an s a r e a ss o ci ate d wit h the w o r s h ip o r i n voc ati o n o f

t he go ds a n d it is t heo l o gi an s r at he r t h an n a tur a l p hil o s o
,

p h er s w h o i n cur su s pici o n o f m agic .

But it m ay be t ha t the r e a s o n w hy A pul e ius a bsta i n s in

t he A po l o gy f r o m sugg e sti n g an y c o nn e cti o n o r c o n f usi o n
be tw e en m agic a n d n a tur a l sci e n ce is that the a ccus e rs have
a lr ea dy l a id f ar t o o m uc h str e ss up o n t h is p o i n t f o r his lik

in g He ha s be e n c ha rge d wit h t he c o m p o siti o n o f a t o o th

.

p o wd e r wit h u s e o f a m irr o r wit h the purcha s e o f a s ea

2
,
3
,

h a re a p o is o no us m o llusc an d t wo o the r fi s h appr o pri at e

, ,

fr o m the ir o bsc e n e s hap e s a n d n am e s f o r u s e a s l o ve cha r m s 4 -

.

He is s a id to h av e had a h o rribl e w o o d en i m a ge o r s e a l c o n
struct e d s e cr e tly f o r u s e in his m agic to k ee p o t he r in s tr u
5
,

m ents o f h is a r t m yst e ri o u s ly wr a pp e d in a han dk e rc h i e f in

t he ho us e a n d t o ha v e l e f t in th e v e stibul e o f a n o t h e r h o us e
6
,

“ ”
whe r e he l o dge d m any f ea t he rs o f birds an d m uch s o o t
o n t he w a lls A ll t h e s e cha rge s m a k e it e vid e n t t hat n atur al
?

a n d a rtifici a l o b j e cts a r e a s in th e M e tam o r pho s es co n s id

, ,

e r e d e ss e n ti a l o r a t l e a st usu a l in pe r f o r m i n g m a gic Mo r e .

o v e r s o r ea dy h av e t he a ccus e rs S h o w n t he m s e l v e s t o i n t e r
,

pre t the i n t e r e st o f A pul e ius in n a tur a l sci enc e as an ev i

d en c e o f the pr actice o f m agic by him t ha t he s a rc a stic ally ,

r ema rks t ha t he is gla d t hat t he y w e r e u n a w a r e t h at he had

6

r ea d T he o p h r a stus O n beas ts tha t bi te a n d s ting a n d N i

:
1
Cap 3 1 . . C ap 6 1 . .

Cap 6 . .
Cap 5 3 . .

7
Cap 13 . . Ca p 5 8 . .

3
Cap s 3 0, 33 . . C ap 4 1 . .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CHA P .

pr e s enc e o f suc h a llusi o n s is a s n o tice a bl e in the Apo l ogy a s

w as t he ir a bs e nc e f r o m t he M e tam o r phos es But t he y go to .

s ho w t ha t h is k n o wl e dg e w as gr ea t e r t h an h is discr e ti o n ,

s i nc e f o r th e m o st p a r t t h e y r e p eat f am ili a r e rr o rs o f c o n

t em p o ra ry sci en c e We a r e t o ld th e st o r y is a ls o in A ris
.
—

t o tl e P li n y a n d A e l ia n
, ,
ho w t he cr o c o dil e o p e n s its j a ws t o
—

h av e its t e e t h pick e d by a f r i e n dly bird that the vip e r gn aws

1
,

its way o ut o f its m o the r s w o m b ? t hat fi s h a r e sp o n t an e

’

o u s ly g e n e r a t e d f r o m sli m e a n d th a t bur n i n g th e st o n e ga
3
, g
a tes will c a us e a n e pil e ptic t o h av e a fit O n t h e o th e r h a n d
?
,

t he ski n s h e d by a sp o tt e d liz a rd is a r em e dy f o r e pil e psy ,

bu t yo u m ust s n atc h it up sp e e dily o r t he liz a rd will tu r n

a n d d e v o u r it e it he r f r o m n atur a l a pp e tit e o r j ust be c a us e
,

h e k no ws t h at yo u w a n t it ?
T h is t a l e s o c ha r act e ristic o f,

t he virtu e s a ttribut e d t o p a rts o f an i m als an d th e hu m an

m o tive s a scrib e d to t he an i m a ls t h em s e l v e s is t ak e n by Ap u ,

l e i n s f r o m a tr ea tis e by T he o ph r a stus e ntitl e d J eal o us A ni

ma ls .

In d e f en di n g wha t he t e rm s his sci e nti fi c i n v e stigati o n s

f r o m t h e a sp e rsi o n o f m agic A pul e ius is at ti m e s e it h e r a
trifl e disi n ge n u o us an d i n cli n e d to t r a d e up o n the ign o r an c e
o f h is j udg e a n d accus e rs o r e ls e n o t a s w e ll i n f o rm e d h im
,

s e l f as he m ight be in m att e rs o f n a tur al sci en c e an d o f oc

cult sci en c e He c o n t en ds t ha t fi s h a r e n o t em pl o ye d in
.

m a gic a rts a sks m o cki n gly if fi s h a l o n e p o ss e ss s o m e pr o p

,

e t ty h idd e n f r o m o t h e r m e n an d k n o w n t o m agici an s an d ,

a ffir m s t ha t if t he a ccus e r k n o w s o f an y suc h h e m ust be a

m a gici an r at he r t han A pul e ius ?

He i n sists t hat he did n o t
“ ”
m ak e u s e o f a s e a ha r e a n d d e scrib e s the fi s h in q u e sti o n
—

in d e t a il
,
7
but t his d e scripti o n a s is p o i nt e d o ut in Butl e r
,

a n d O w e n s e diti o n o f t he A po l o g y? t e n ds t o c o n vi n c e us
’

t hat it r e a lly w as a s ea har e I n the c as e o f the two fi s h with

—
.

o bsc en e n am e s h e r idicul e s t he a rgui n g f r o m si m il a rity o f

,

n am e s t o si m il arity o f p o w e rs in t he t h i n gs s o d e sign at e d a s ,

6
Ca p 5 1
. .

°
Ca p s 3 0, 42
. .

7
Cap 4 0
. .

8
P 98
. .
 AP ULE I US O F MAD A URA

if t ha t w e re n o t what m a gici a n s an d a st r o l o ge rs an d be l iev

e r s in sym p a t h y a n d a n tip at h y w e r e a lw ays d o i n g Y ou .

m ight a s w e ll s a y he d e cl ar e s t hat a p e bbl e is go o d f o r the

, ,

s t o n e an d a c r ab f o r an ulc e r a s if p r eci s e ly t he s e r e m e di e s
,
1

f o r th o s e dis eas e s w e r e n o t f o u n d in th e P s eud o D i o sc o rid e s -

an d in P li n y s N a tu r al H is to r y
’ ?

I t is h ar dly p r o b abl e t ha t in th e p a ss a g e s just cit e d Ap u

l e iu s w a s p r e t e n di n g t o be ign o r an t o f m att e rs w it h w h ic h
h e w a s r e a lly acqu a i n t e d si n c e a s a rul e he is e a ge r t o s h o w
,

o ff h is k n o wl e dg e e v e n o f m a gic its e l f T hus the a ccus e rs

.

a ffir m e d t ha t h e ha d b e w itc h e d a b o y by i n c a n ta ti o n s in a

s e cr e t pl ace with an a lta r an d a l am p ; A pul e ius c r iticiz e s

t he ir s to ry by s ayi n g t hat t hey s ho uld hay e a dd e d t ha t he
e m pl o y e d t h e bo y f o r pu r p o s e s o f di v i n a ti o n citi n g t a l e s ,

wh ic h he ha s re a d to th is e ff e ct in Va rr o an d m an y o t he r
a utho rs An d he h i m s e l f is r e a dy t o be li e v e that the hu
?

m an s o ul e sp e ci a lly in o n e w ho is still y o u n g an d i n n o c e n t
,

m ay if s o o the d a n d dist r act e d by i n c an t ati o n s a n d o d o rs

, ,

f o rge t t he p r e s e n t r e tur n t o its divi n e a n d i mm o r t a l n a tu r e

, ,

a n d p r e dict th e f utur e . Whe n he r ea ds s o m e t e c hn ic a l

G r e e k n am e s f r o m his t r e ati s e o n fis h e s he susp e cts t h at th e
,

accus e r will p r o t e st t ha t h e is utt e r i n g m agic n a m e s in s o m e

E gypti a n o r B abyl o n i an rit e

-
?
An d a s a m a tt e r o f f a ct w h e n ,

l at e r he m ent i o n e d t he n am e s o f a n u m b e r o f c e l e br a t e d m a
the accus e rs a pp e a r t o h a v e r a is e d suc h a tu m ult
5
gic ian s ,

tha t A pul e ius d eem e d it p r ud ent t o a ssu r e the j udge t h a t he

ha d si m ply r e a d t he m in r e put a bl e b o o ks in public libr a ri e s ,

an d t hat t o k n o w suc h n am e s w a s o n e t h i n g t o pr a ctic e the ,

m agic a r t quit e an o th e r m att e r .

A pul e ius a ffirm s t ha t o n e o f h is a ccus e rs h a d c o n sult e d

he k n o ws n o t w ha t C ha ld ea n s h o w h e m ight p r o fit a bly m a rry
o ff his d a ught e r a n d t h at t he y ha d p r o p h e si e d t r ut h f ully
,

t hat he r fi r st husban d w o uld die withi n a f e w m o n th s AS .

“

fo r w hat s h e w o uld i nhe rit f r o m him the y fi x e d t hat up as

, ,

‘
C ap 3 5
. . G ie s s e n 1 9 08 p
, , . 2 2 4.
’
S o Abt has p o inte d o ut : D ie
8
C a p s 42 43
.
-
.

Ap o l og ie des Apu l e ius von Ma ‘

Cap .
38 .

5
daur a u n d die a n tik e Z a u be r e i, Ca p .
90 .
 2 40 MA GI C AND EXP ERIMEN TAL S CI EN CE CHAP .

” 1
th e y usu ally do t o suit th e p e rs o n c o n sulti ng the m
, But .

in t h is r e sp e ct t he ir pr e dicti o n tur ne d o ut to be q uit e i nc o r

r e ct . We ar e l e f t in s o m e d o ubt ho we v e r w he t he r the ir , ,

f ailur e in the s e co n d c a s e is n o t r e g a rde d a s due m e r e ly t o

t he ir k n a v e ry an d t he ir fi r st succ e ss f ul pr e dicti o n to the
,

r ul e o f the st a rs E ls e w he r e ho w e v e r A pul e ius d o e s st at e

.
, ,

that b e li e f in f a t e an d in m a gic a r e i n c o m p a tibl e si n c e t he r e ,

is n o pl a c e l e f t f o r t h e f o rc e o f sp e lls a n d i n c an tati o n s if ,

e v e ryt h i n g is rul e d by f a t e But in o the r ex t an t w o rks he

? 3

sp ea ks o f the he av en ly bo di e s as visibl e g o ds an d L aur en ,

tius Lydus attribut e s a str o l o gic a l tr eatis e s t o h im ?

In o n e p a ss a ge o f the A po l ogy A pul e ius affi r m s his be

li e f wit h P l a t o in the ex ist e n c e o f c e rta i n i n t e r m e di at e be
i ngs o r p o w e rs b e tw e en go ds an d m en w ho go v e r n a ll div ,

in at io n s a n d the m ir acl e s o f the m agici an s ?

In the tr e a tis e
o n t he go d o r d e m o n o f S o cr a t e s h e r e p e ats t h is t ho ugh t
6

an d t e lls us m o r e o f t h e s e m e di a t o rs o r d e m o n s T he ir n a .

t iv e e l e m e n t is t he a ir w h ic h A pul e ius t ho ught e x te n d e d a s

,

f a r a s the m o o n 7
j ust a s A ri s t o tl e te lls o f an i m als wh o
,
3

l ive in fi r e an d a r e e x ti n guis he d wit h it an d j ust as the fi f th ,

”
e l e m e n t t ha t ,
divi n e an d i n v i o l abl e et he r c o n t a i n s the di ,

vi ne bo di e s o f the st a rs W it h t he sup e ri o r go ds the d em o n s

.

hav e i m m o rt a lity in c o mm o n but lik e m o rt als t he y a re sub ,

j ec t t o p a ssi o n s a n d t o f ee li n g an d ca pa bl e o f r ea s o n
?
B ut
the ir bo di e s a r e v e ry light a n d lik e cl o uds a p o i n t p e culi a r ,

t o t h e m s e lv e s S i n c e b o th P lut a rc h a n d A pul e ius wro te

10
.

e ss a ys o n th e d em o n o f S o cr a t e s a n d bo t h d e riv e d or ,

tho ught t hat t he y d e r iv e d t he ir theo ri e s c o n c e r n i n g d em o n s,

fr o m P l at o it is i n t e r e sti n g t o n o t e s o m e div e rgen c e s be

,

t wee n t he ir acc o u n ts A pul e ius c o n fi n e s the m t o the a t m o s

.
~

p h e r e b e n e a t h th e m o o n m o r e e x clusiv e ly t ha n P lut a rc h

d o e s ; u n lik e P lut a rc h he r e pr e s en ts t hem a s i m m o rta l n o t ,

me r e ly l o n g liv e d ; a n d he has m o r e to s ay ab o ut the sub

-

°
7
Ca p 9 7. . Cap 4 3
. .

3 °
Cap 84 . . Ca p 6. .

”
D e m un d o ,
c ap . 1 ; De d eo D e d eo S o cr a tis , c ap . 8 .

S a cr a l is , ca p .
4 .
8
His t A n im , V , 1 9
. . .

‘
D e d eo S o c r a tis , cap
9
D e m e ns , I V , 7 , 7 3 ; D e . os . 13 .

10
te n t , 3 , 4 , 7 , 1 0, 44 , 5 4 . I bid c ap s 9 - 10
.
, .
 C HAPTER V II I
’
P H I L O S TRAT U S S L I F E o r A P O L L O N I U S o r T YAN A
Co mp a r e d w ith A p ul e iu s Phil o s t r atu s T im e
’
—
s s o u r c e s— an d s p ace

co v ered —
P h il o s t r a tu s
’
s a u die n c e — O bj e c t of th e Lif e— Ap o ll o n iu s
c h a r ge d w ith m ag ic — A co n f u s io n o f t e r m s— Th e M ag i a n d m ag ic
Ap o ll o n iu s a nd t he Mag i— P hil o s t r atus o n w iz ar d s Ap o ll o nius an d —

k
w iz a r ds — Q uac s and o l d- w i e s— T h e B r ah m an s — Ma r e l s o f th ev v
B r a h m a n s— Ma gic al m e th o d s of th e B r a hm a n s - Me dic in e of th e
B r ah m a n s —
S o me s ig n s o f as t r o l o g y— I nte r e s t in n atur a l s c ie n c e— N at
ur al l aw or s p ec ial pro v id e n ce ? —
Ca s e s of s c e p t ic is m — A n e c do te s of

a n im a l s — D rag o n s of I n dia— O c c ul t vi t
r ue s o f g e m s —
Ab s e n c e o f nu m

be r m ys tic is m M a n tik e o r th e a r t
—
of v
di in atio n— D i in ing p o wer o f v
Ap o ll o n iu s— D r e am s— I n t e r p r e t at io n of o m e n s — A n im a l s an d di in a v
t io n — v
D i in at io n by fi r e- O t h e r s o - c a ll e d p r e d ic t io n s —
Ap o l l o niu s an d

th e d e m o n s —
N ot a ll de m o n s are e v il
—
Ph il o s t r a tu s
’
s f a ith in de mo ns
— T h e g h o s t o f A chil l e s— He a l in g the s ic an d k r a is in g th e d e a d— O th e r
v
m a r el s— G o l de n w r yn ec s and th e iu nx— k Why n a me d inni t ?
Ap o l l o n ius in th e m iddl e a ge s .

SOME fi f ty ye a rs af e t r
birth o f Apul e ius o ccurr e d th e
t ha t o f P hilo s tr atus w ho s e c a r e e r an d i n t e r e sts w e r e s o me
,

w hat si m il a r a ltho ugh he c am e f r o m t he A e gean isl an d o f

,

L em n o s i n st e a d o f the n e igh bo r ho o d o f Ca rt ha g e a nd wr o t e
in G r ee k r at he r t han L ati n But like A pul e ius he was a .

s tud e n t o f r h e t o ric a n d w e n t fi rst t o A t he n s a n d t he n to

R o me T he r e s e m bl an c e is p e r haps cl o s e r b e tw ee n A pul e ius

.

a n d A p o ll o n ius o f T y an a w ho s e li f e P hil o s tr a tu s wr o t e an d
,

o f w h o m w e k n o w m o r e t ha n o f h is bi o gr a p he r L ik e Ap u .

l e ius A p o ll o n ius had to d e f e n d h i m s e l f in c o urt a ga i n st the

a ccus ati o n o f m agic a n d P h ilo s t r at u s giv e s us w ha t pur
,

p o rts t o be his a p o l o gy o n t h a t o cc a si o n T w o c e nturi e s .

a f t e rw a rds A ugusti n e in o n e o f h is l e tt e rs n am e s Ap o ll o
1

n ius a n d A pul e ius as e x a m pl e s o f m e n w h o w e r e a ddict e d t o

the m a gic ar t an d w ho the p a gan s s aid p e r f o r me d gr e at e r

, ,

1
Ep . 136 .

2 42
C H AP . VI I I A P O LL O N I US O F TYANA

m ir acl e s th an Ch rist did A c en tury b e f o r e A ugusti n e

.

L actan tiu s st a t e s 1
th at a c e rta i n ph il o s o phe r w h o had
“
“
v om ite d f o rt h th r ee b o o ks a ga i n st the Ch risti an r e ligi o n
”

a n d n am e h a d c o m p a r e d th e m ir acl e s o f Ap o ll o n ius f a v o r
a bly with th o s e o i Ch rist ; L ac t an t iu s m a r v e ls t h at h e did

n o t m en ti o n A pul e ius as w e ll L ik e Apul e ius A p o ll o n ius

.
,

w a s a m an o f b r o a d l e a r n i n g w h o tr a v e l e d wide ly an d s o ugh t
i n iti ati o n i n t o m yst e ri e s an d cults Apul e ius w as a P l at o n ist .

A p o ll o n ius a P ythago r ean We m ay als o n o t e a r e s em bl a n c e

,
.

b e t w e en the M e tam or ph os es an d th e L ife of Apo ll o nius .

B o th s eem t o e l ab o r a t e e a rli e r writi n gs and b o th h ave m uch

t o s ay o f tr a n s f o r m ati o n s wiz a rds d em o n s a n d th e o ccult
, , ,
.

T he L ife of A po ll o nius of Tyan a h o w e v e r m ust be t ak e n , ,

m o r e s e ri o usly th an th e M e ta mor ph o s es I f the A f ric an s

’
.

wo rk is a r he t o ric al r o m an c e emb o dyi n g a c e rta i n a ut o

bi o graph ic al e l em en t a Mil e si an t al e to wh ich p e rs o n al r e
,

l igio u s e x p e ri e n c e s a r e a nn ex e d th e n th e w o rk by P h il o s ,

t ratu s is a r he t o ric a l bi o gr a ph y with a ti n ge o f r o m an c e an d

a g o o d d ea l o f s e r m o n izi n g .

Philo s t ra tus 2
co m po s e d th e L ife of Apollon ius ab o ut
2 1 7 A D a t th e r e q u e st o f th e l ea r n e d wi f e o f th e e m p e r o r
. .

S eptim iu s S e v e rus t o w h o s e lit e r a ry circl e h e b e l o n ge d

, .

The e m pr e ss h a d c o m e i n t o p o ss e ssi o n o f s o m e h i th e rt o
unk no w n m em o irs o f A p o ll o n ius by a c e rt a i n Dam is o f
N i n ev eh wh o h a d b e e n h is discipl e an d h a d a cc o m p an i e d
,

him up o n m a n y o f his t r a v e ls S o m e m em b e r o f D a m is s
’
.

f am ily ha d b r o ug ht t he s e d o cu m ents to t he e m pr e ss s a tt en
’

ti o n S o m e sc ho l ars i n cli n e to the vi ew tha t s he wa s de

.

ce ive d by a n i m p o st o r but it ha rdly s e e m s t ha t t he r e w o uld

,

be su ffici e n t pr o fit in the v e n tur e t o i n duc e an yo n e t o t ak e -

the p a i n s to f o rg e such m e m o irs A ls o I c a n s ee n o r e as o n.

why a c o nt e m p o r a ry o f A p o ll o n ius s ho uld n o t h a v e s a id an d

be li e ve d e ve ryt hi n g wh ich P h il o s tr atus r e pr e s en ts Dam is a s
s ayi ng ; o n the c o n tr ary it s eems t o m e j ust w hat w o uld be
1
D ivin . I ns ti t , V ,
. 2 -3 . n am e d Ph il o s t r atus a n d w hich
2
k
w o r s s h o u l d b e a s s ign e d t o e a ch ,
Co n ce r ni ng
0

o th e r wr i ter s s e e S c hmid ( 1 9 1 3 ) 6 08 -2 0 .
2 44 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

s aid by gul lible an d dev o te d discipl e w ho was in

a n ai f , , ,

c l in e d t o e x a gg e r a t e the a biliti e s a n d a c h i e v e m e n ts o f his

m a st e r an d to t a k e lit e r ally e v e ryt h i n g t ha t A p o ll o n ius ut

t e r e d ir o n ic a lly o r fi gur a tiv e ly O the r a cc o u n ts o f A po llo
.

n ius w e r e a lr ea dy in e x ist e n c e by a Max i m us o f A e gae ,

w he re A po ll o n i u s had spe n t pa rt o f h is li f e an d by Moe ra ,

gene s but t he m em o irs o f Dam is s ee m to ha v e o ffe r e d m uch

,

n e w m at e ri a l P hilo s tr atu s a cc o rdi n gly wr o t e a ne w li f e

.

ba s e d l arge ly up o n D am is but a ls o m aki n g u se o f t he will ,

an d e pistl e s o f A p o ll o n ius m an y o f w h ic h th e e m p e r o r Ha
,

dri an ha d e a rli e r c o ll e ct e d an d o f the tr a diti o n s still curr en t

,

in t he citi e s an d t em pl e s w h ic h A p o ll o n ius had f r e qu en t e d

a n d w h ic h Ph il o s t r a tu s n o w t o o k t he tr o ubl e t o visit It .

has s o m e ti m e s b e e n sugge st e d c h i e fly by Ch risti a n writ e rs ,

i n t e nt up o n discr e diti n g the c a r ee r o f Ap o ll o n ius t hat Phil ,

o s t r a tu s i n v e n t e d D am is an d his m e m o irs But P hilo s tr atus .

s eem s st r a igh t f o r wa rd in d e scribi n g the p ai n s h e ha s b een to

in pr e p ari n g th e L if e an d c e rt a i n ly is m o r e e x plicit an d
,

system a tic in st ati ng his s o urc e s t han o t he r an ci ent bio gr a

p h e r s lik e P lut a rc h a n d S u e t o n ius a r e H e a pp e a rs t o f o l .

l o w h is s o urc e s r a t he r cl o s e ly an d n o t t o i n v e n t ne w i n ci
d ents a ltho ugh he m ay lik e T hucydid e s a n d o the r a nci en t
, ,

hist o ri an s hav e t ak en libe rti e s w it h the sp e eche s an d a rgu

,

m e n ts put i n t o his c ha r a ct e rs m o ut h s A n d t hr o ugh the

’
.

w o rk d e spite h is be li e f in d em o ns an d m arv els he n o w and

, ,

th en giv e s e viden c e o f a m o d e r ate an d sc eptic a l m i n d at ,

l e a st fo r his ti m e s .

A po ll o n ius liv e d in the fi rst c entury o f o ur e ra and di e d

duri n g the r e ign o f N e rva w e ll a d v an c e d in vear s I t is .

t he r e fo r e o f a p e ri o d o v e r a c e ntury be fo r e his o wn t hat P h il

o s t r at u s writ e s He is s a id to c o mm it a n u m be r o f e rr o rs
.

in h ist o ry an d ge o gr a phy but w e m ust r e m em be r t hat m is

1
,

t ak e s in ge o gr ap hy w e r e a fa ili n g o f the be st a nci ent his

S ee a r t icl e Ap o l l o n iu s o f
on t hat h e came to th e c o n c l u s io n th at
T ya n a in Pau l y W is s o w a P r iau l x
-
.
,
e it h e r v
Ap o l l o n ius n e e r is ite d I n v
Th e I n dia n Tr ave ls of Ap o l l o nius d ia , o r , if h e d id t h at D a m is ,

of Tyan a L o n do n 18 7 3 , p 6 2 ,
, , .
“
v
n e e r ac co m p a n ie d h im but f ab

f o un d t h e g e o g r ap h y o f A p o l lo r ic at e d t he j o u r n al Ph il o s tr atus
’
v
n iu s s In d ian t r a e l s s o e r r o n e o us sp e ak s of .
”
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

po pul a riz e the t e ac h i n gs o f A p o ll o n ius but to j usti fy him

be f o r e the l e ar n e d w o rld .

T he c ha rg e h a d be e n f r e q u ently m a d e t hat A p o ll o n ius

c a m e ill e giti m a t e ly by his wisd o m a n d a c q uir e d it vi o l e n tly

by m a gic P hil o s tr atus w o uld r e sto r e him to the r an ks o f

.

tru e p h il o s o p he rs w ho ga i ne d wisd o m by w o rt hy an d licit

m e tho ds He d e cl ar e s t hat he w as n o t a wiz a rd a s m an y
.
,

supp o s e but a n o t a bl e P ythago r ean a m an o f br o a d culture

, , ,

a n i n t e ll e ctu a l a n d m o r a l t e a c he r a r e ligi o us a sc e tic an d r e

,

f o r m e r p r o ba bly e v e n a pr o phe t o f divi ne an d sup e r hu m an

,

n a tur e .I t is n o t n o w s o ge n e r ally he ld by Ch risti an write rs

as it us e d t o be t h a t P hil o s t r at u s wr o t e th e L if e with th e

G o sp e l st o ry o f Christ in m i n d an d th a t his purpo s e w as to ,

i m ita t e o r to p ar o dy o r t o o pp o s e a riva l n arr a tiv e to the

Ch risti a n st o ry an d t ea ch i n g A t n o p o i n t in the L ife d o e s
.

P hilo s t r atu s b etr ay u nm ist a k a bly e v e n a p a ssi n g a c qu a i n t

an c e wit h th e G o sp e ls m uc h l e ss displ a y an y sig n o f an i m us
,

a ga i n st t h e m Mo r eo v e r the Ch risti an histo ri an an d a p o l o

.
,

gist E us e bius who liv e d in the c e n tury fo ll o wi n g P hil o s

, ,

t ra tus an d w as f am ili a r with h is L if e o f A p o ll o n ius in w r it ,

in g a r e ply to a tr eatis e in w h ic h H ie r oc le s a pr o vi n ci al go v ,

erno r u n d e r D i o cl e ti an ha d c o m p a r e d A p o ll o n iu s with
,

J e sus disti n ctly st at e s t ha t Hie r o cl e s w a s the fi rst to sug

,

ge st suc h an id e a S uch si m il a riti e s t he n a s m ay ex ist be

?

tw ee n the L if e a n d the G o sp e ls m ust be tak en a s ex am pl e s o f

b e li e f s c o mm o n to tha t age .

A p o ll o n ius w as a ccus e d o f s o rc e ry o r m agic duri n g his

li fe ti m e by the riva l ph ilo s o phe r E up hr a t e s T he f o ur .

bo o ks o n A p o ll o n ius writt en by Mo e r agen e s a ls o po rtr aye d

h im a s a wiz a rd ; an d E us e bius in h is r e ply to Hie r o cle s
2

a scribe d t he m ir a cl e s wr o ugh t by A p o ll o n ius t o s o rc e ry an d

the a id o f e vil d e mo n s E arli e r the s a tirist L uci an de

?

1
S e e th e t r e a tis e o f E u s ebiu s m ir ac l e s o f Ap o l lo n iu s a s wo nde r
Aga ins t A p o l l o n ius L a c ta n t iu s
. f u l a s t h o s e o f Ch r is t .

S o O r ig en s ays ( Aga ins t Ce l

2
( D ivin I ns t , V , 2 3 ) p r o ba bl y
. .
-

h a d r e f e r e n c e t o Hie r o c l e s in s us V I 4 1 ) a n d P h il o s t r at u s im
, ,

k
s p ea in g of a p h il o s o p h e r w h o p l ie s ( I ,
h a d w r itte n th r e e b o o s a ga in s t k ‘
S e e t h e Aga in s t Apo l l o n ius ,

C h r is tia n ity a nd dec l a r e d th e c ap s 3 1 , 3 5

. .
v11 1 A P O LL O N I US O F T YANA 2 47

scri be d A l ex an d e r the
ps ud pr o phet as havi ng bee n in his
e o-
“
yo ut h an a ppr en tic e to o n e o f the cha rl a t an s who de a l in
m a gic an d mystic i n c an t a ti o n s a n ativ e o f T ya na an , ,

a ss o ci a t e o f the gr eat A p o ll o n ius an d ac q u a i n t e d wit h all ,

” 1
h is he r o ics .

I n d e f e n di n g h is h e r o a ga i n st t h e s e cha rge s Philo st ratus A eo n

f u 3 10 n
is guilty h i m s e l f bo th o f s o me am bigu o us u s e o f t e rm s an d o f t e r ms

o f s o m e l o o s e t h i nk i n g T he s am e a m bigu o us t e rm i n o l o gy
.
,

ho w e v e r will be f o u n d in o t he r discussi o n s o f m agic

, In a .

f e w p a ss a ge s Phil o s tr atus d e n i e s t ha t A p o ll o n ius w a s a

u y s but m uc h o f t e n e r e x culp a t e s h im f r o m the c h a rge
'
'
ct o

o f b e i n g a 7 6 7s o r y fi ns 1 W i th th e l a tte r w o rd o r w o rds
o r .

t he r e is n o di fficulty I t m e an s a wiz a r d s o rc e r e r o r e n
.
, ,

c han t e r an d is a lways e mpl oye d in a si n ist e r o r disr e put abl e

,

s e n s e W it h the t e r m p ay s the c as e is di ff e r ent as with the

. o
,

L ati n magus I t m ay sign i f y a n e vil m agici an o r it m ay

.
,

r e fe r to o ne o f the Ma gi o f the E ast who ar e gen e r a lly r e ,

ga rd e d as wis e an d go o d m en T his d elic at e disti n cti o n .

,

ho w e v e r is n o t e asy to ma i n t a i n an d P hilo s t r atu s f a ils to do

,

s o w h il e M r C o n ybe a r e in his E n glis h tr a n sl a ti o n m ake s

2
.
,

c o n f usi o n w o rs e c o n f o u n d e d n o t o n ly by tr an sl ati n g u w s c
'
o

“ ” “ ”
as wiz a rd i n st ea d o f m agici an but by s o m e ti m e s d o i n g ,

t his when it r ea lly s ho uld be r e n d e r e d as o n e o f the Magi

“
.

I t m ay a ls o be n o t e d t h a t P hil o s tra tus l o c ate s the Magi in

B a byl o n i a as w e ll a s in P e rsi a .

To be gi n wit h in h is s e co n d c hapt e r Philo s tr atus s ays

, T h e Magi
a n d m ag ic
t hat s o m e c o n side r A po ll o n ius a m agici an be c aus e he c o n
s o rte d wi th the Ma gi o f the B abyl o n i an s an d the Br ahm an s ,

”
o f the I n di an s a n d t he G y m n o s o p h ists in E gypt
,
B ut t he y .

a r e wr o n g in t h is Fo r E m p e d o cl e s an d P y th a go r a s h im
.

s e l f an d D em o critus a ltho ugh the y a ss o ci at e d with the Magi

,

an d sp a k e m an y di v i n e utt e r a n c e s yet did n o t st o o p t o the ,

”
ar t ( o f m a gic ) P l a t.o t o o h e g o e s o n t o s ay a ltho ugh
, , ,

I n t h e p as s ag e q u o t e
/d I h v
ii i xevdbua vn
a e
s, c ap .
5
u s ed
. t e x t in t h e L o eb Cl a s s ic al
r ec e n t
L ib r a r y e d it io n , b o th r ac y a n d a c
’
F o w l e r s t r a n s l a t io n . v
c u r a t e , an d h a e e m p l o y e d it in a
2
I n o th e r r e s p e c t s , h o w e e r , I v n u m b e r o f th e quo t atio n s w h ich
v
h a e u s u a l l y f o un d t his t r a n s l a f o llo w .

tio n, wh ic h a c c o mp a nie s the G r e e k

 M A G I C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

he visit e d E gypt an d its pri e sts and pr o phe ts was n ev e r r e

,

ga rde d as a m a gici an In t h is p a ss a ge the n Phil o s t ratus

.
, ,

cl o s e ly a ss o ci a t e s the Magi with the m agic ar t an d I am n o t

,

sur e w he the r the l a st Ma gi s ho uld n o t be m agici an s

“ “ ”
.

O n t he o t he r h an d h is a cquitt al o f De m o critus a nd P yth ag

o r a s f r o m th e c h a rg e o f m a gic d o e s n o t a gr ee with P li n y ,

who a scribe d a l a rge am o u n t o f m a gic t o t h em bo t h .

A p o ll o n ius h i m s e l f e vid e n tly did n o t r e ga rd the Magi

w ho m he m e t in B a byl o n an d S us a a s e v il m a gici an s O ne .

“
o f th e c h i e f a i m s o f h is sc h e m e o f o ri e nt a l tr a v e l w as to
”
a cqu a i n t h i m s e l f t h o r o ug h ly wit h t he ir l o r e. He wis h e d to
disc o v e r w he the r the y w e r e w is e in divi n e t h i n gs a s they ,

w e r e s aid to be .
1
S acrific e s an d r e ligi o us rit e s w e r e pe r
f o r me d u n d e r the ir sup e r visi o n A p o llo n ius did n o t p e rm it
.
2

Dam is to a cc o m p an y him w he n he visit e d the Ma gi at n o o n

a n d a g a i n a b o ut m id n igh t a n d c o n v e rs e d wit h t he m But
3
.

A p o ll o n ius h i m s e l f s a id t hat he l e a r n e d s o m e t h i n gs f r o m
t hem an d taugh t them s o m e t h i n gs ; he t o ld D am is that they
“ ”
w e r e wis e m e n but n o t in a ll r e sp e cts ; o n l eavi n g t he ir
,

c o u n try h e a sk e d t h e ki n g t o giv e t he pr e s e n ts w h ic h t he

m o n a rc h ha d i n t e n ded f o r A po ll o n ius h i m s e l f t o th e Ma gi ,

“
w hom he d e scri be d the n a s m en who bo th ar e W is e and
” 4
w ho lly d e vo te d to yo u .

Quite di ffe r en t is the attitude t o wa rds witchcra f t an d

wiz ards o f b o t h A p o ll o n ius an d his bi o gr a phe r In the o pi n
.

io n o f Ph ilo s t r a tu s W iz a r ds a r e o f a ll m e n m o st wr e tc h e d 5
.

T he y try t o vi o l a t e n a tur e an d t o o v e rc o m e f a t e by such

m e t h o ds a s i n quisiti o n o f spirits b a rba ric s a cri fi c e s i n c an
, ,

t at io n s an d bes m e a r in gs . S i m pl e m i n d e d f o lk a ttribute
—

gr eat p o w e rs t o the m ; and ath l e t e s de sir o us o f wi nn i n g vic

t o ri e s s ho p k e e pe rs i nt e nt up o n succ e ss in busi n e ss v e ntur e s
, ,

a n d l o v e rs in e sp e ci a l a r e c o n ti n u a lly r e s o rti n g to t he m a n d

a pp a r e n tly n e v e r l o s e f a it h in t he m d e spit e r e pe a t e d f a ilur e s ,

d e spit e o cc a si o na l ex po sure o r ridicul e o f the ir met ho ds in

 MA G I C AND E XP E RI M EN TAL S CI EN CE CH AP .

to f e tt e r h im , bvi o usly n o wiz a rd

h e wa s o T h is n e e d .
1

n o t i m ply h o w e v e r ,
t hat A p o ll o n ius be li e v e d t hat wiz ar ds
,

r eally c o uld f r e e them s e lve s f o r h e wa s at ti m e s ir o n ic a l I f

,
.

s o D o m iti a n r e pli e d in ki n d by a ssu r i n g him t ha t he w o uld

,

a t l e a st k ee p h im in f e tt e r s u n til h e tr an s f o r m e d h i m s e l f i n to

w at e r o r a wild bea st o r a tr ee .

C l o s e ly a ki n to th e g o a tes o r wiz a rds are the o l d b ags and

' '

qu ack d o cto rs who o ff e r o n e I n di an spic e s o r bo xe s s up

-

po s e d t o c o n t a i n bits o f st o n e t ak en f r o m the m o o n st ars , ,

o r d e pt h s o f ea rt h L ik e wis e the di v i n i n g o l d w ive s wh o

2 -
.

g o a b o ut wit h si e v e s in t h e i r h a n ds a n d pr e t e n d by m e an s

o f t he ir divi n a ti o n t o h ea l sick a n i m a ls f o r s h e p h e rds an d

c o w he r ds 3
We als o r e a d t hat Apo ll o n ius e x pell e d f r o m
.

th e citi e s a l o n g th e He ll e sp o n t v a ri o us E gypti an s a n d
Cha ld e an s wh o w e r e c o ll e cti n g m o n e y o n th e pr e t en s e o f
o ffe ri n g s a cri fi c e s t o a v e rt the e a rt h q u a k e s w h ich w e r e th e n

o ccurri n g
4
.

W e hav e he a rd P hilo s tr atus m en ti o n the Br ahm an s o f

I n di a in th e s ame br eat h wit h th e Ma gi o f P e rsi a an d i m ply
t ha t Ap o llo n ius s a ss o ci ati o n wit h t hem c o n tribute d t o h is
’

r eput ati o n a s a m agici an In an o the r p a ss a ge P hilo s tr atus

5
.
6

pl ac e s go e tes an d Br ahm an s in u n f o rtun at e j ux t ap o siti o n ,

a n d i mm e di a t e ly a f t e r c o n d e m n i n g th e W iz a rds a n d d e f e n d
,

in g A p o ll o n ius f r o m the c harge o f s o rc e ry go e s o n to s ay ,

t hat w hen he s aw the auto m atic trip o ds a nd cup be ar e rs o f -

t h e I n di an s he did n o t a sk ho w t h e y w e r e o p e r at e d
,
“
He .

a ppl a ud e d t h em it is tru e but did no t th i nk fi t to i m it at e

, ,
”
the m . But o f c o urs e A p o ll o n ius s ho uld no t e ve n have ap
p au de d t he s e a ut o m a t o n s w hic h s et f o o d a n d po ur e d wi n e
l ,

b e fo re the gu e sts o f the Br ahm an s if t he y w e r e the co n ,

t r iva n c e s o f wiz a rds A n d in a n o t he r pa ss a ge w h e r e h e

.
7
,

d e fe n ds the sign s a n d w o n d e rs wr o ught by the Br ahm an s

a ga i n st t he a sp e rsi o n s c a st up o n t h e m by th e G y mn o s o p h ists

o f E t h i o pi a A p o ll o n ius e x pl a i n s t he ir pr a ctic e o f l e vit a ti o n

,

1 '‘
V II, 3 4 . I, 2 .

2
V I I , 39 °
V'
.

” 12
V I , 1 1 ; I I I, 43 .

‘ “
V I 41 , . V I, 11 .
 AP O L L O N I US O F TYAN A

a s an a c t o f wo rs h ip an d c o m m un i o n with the s un go d and ,

he n c e f a r r em o v e d f r o m the r i te s p e r f o r m e d in d e e p tr en ch e s
an d h o ll o ws o f t he e a rt h t o t he g o ds o f the l o w e r w o rld

whic h w e h ave heard him m enti o n b e f o r e a s a pr a ctic e char

ac te r is t ic o f wiz a rds .

Ne v e rt he l e ss the f e ats a scrib e d to the Br ahm an s ar e ce r

ta in ly su ffici e n t ly aki n t o ma gic t o e x cus e P h il o s t r atus f o r
m en ti o n i n g t h em a l o n g wit h the Ma gi a n d wiz a rds an d to
j usti fy us in c o n sid eri n g t hem I nd ee d m o d er n scho l ars hi p
.
,

“
i n fo r m s us t hat in the Ve dic t ex ts the w o rd brahm an in ”

“ ”
the n e ut e r me a n s a charm rit e f o rm ul a ry pr ay e r an d
, , , ,

t ha t the c a st e o f th e Br ah m an s is n o t h i n g but t he m e n w ho
“

ha ve br ohm an o r m a gic po w e r 1
I n m a r k e d c o n tr a st to t he
.

tacitu r n ity o f A p o ll o n ius a s to h is i n t e rvi e ws with the Magi

o f B a byl o n a n d S us a is t he l o n g a cc o u n t r e p e a t e d by P h i

l o s t r a tu s f r o m Dam is o f the s a yi n gs a n d d o i n gs o f the s a ge s

“
o f I n di a A s f o r A p o ll o n ius h i m s e l f
. h e w a s a lw ays r e ,

” 2
c o u n ti n g to e v eryo n e wha t th e I n di an s s a id a n d did .

T he y k n e w t hat he w as app r o ac h i n g w he n he w a s ye t a f a r
o ff a n d s e n t a m e ss e n ge r w h o gr e e t e d h im by n am e
3
I ar .

Ch a s t h e ir ch i e f a ls o k n e w t h a t A p o ll o n ius h a d a l e tt e r f o r
, ,

h im a n d t ha t a d e lt a w a s m issi n g in it a n d h e t o ld A p o l ,

l o n ius m a n y ev e n ts o f his p a st li f e
“
We s e e 0 A p o ll o .
,
” “
n ius ,
h e s a id the sign s o f t he s o ul t r a ci n g t hem by a
, ,

” 4
m yri a d sy m b ol s The Br ahm an s liv e d in a c astl e c o n
.

c e a l e d by cl o uds whe r e t hey r en de r e d t hem s elv e s i nvisibl e

,

a t will T he r oc ks a l o n g th e p ath up to t he ir a b o d e w e r e
.

still m ark e d by the cl o ven f ee t be a r ds f ac e s a n d backs o f , , ,

t he P an s w ho ha d tri e d t o sc al e t he h e ight u n d e r th e l e a d
e r s hip o f D i o n ysus a n d He r a cl e s but h a d b ee n h u r l e d d o wn ,

he adl o n g 5
He re t oo was a w e ll f o r t e sti n g o ath s a pu r i f y
.
,

J E Ha r r is o n T“h e m/
1
. . is C a m , f r o m t h e s a c r ifi c ial l o r e o f th e
v
,

E B Ha e l l , A H a n d
“
b r idg e 1 9 1 2 , p 7 2
, . T h e B u ddh a
. V e da s : . .

h im s e l f co n d e m n e d a s w o r thl e s s bo o k of I n dia n A r t 1 9 2 0, p 6 a n d .
,

t h e w h o l e s y s t e m o f V e dic s a c r i s e e p 3 2 f o r t h e b i r t h o f B u ddh a
.

fi c e s , in c l u ding in h is b a n a s t r o l u n d e r t h e s ig n Ta u r u s .

v
o g y , di in a tio n , s p e l l s , o m e n s an d ,
2

8
V I, 1 0 .

w it c h c r a f t ; b ut in t h e e a r lie s t I I I 12 , .

k
B uddh is t s tup a s n o w n t o u s , t h e ‘
15
I II , 1 6 .

s y m b o lis m is e n t ir e l y b o r r o w e d I I I 13 , .
 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

ing fi r e , an d th e j ars in w hich t he wi nds an d r ain were bo t

t l ed up .

When the m e ss en ge r o f t he B rahm an s greete d Ap o ll o n ius

by n am e t he l att e r r e m ark e d t o the a st o un de d D am is We
, ,
“

h av e c o m e to m e n w h o a r e wis e witho ut a r t ( d xvé s ) f o r re

,

” 1
t hey s e em to hav e th e gi f t o f f o re k n o wl e dge A s a m at .

te r o f f a ct ho w ev e r m o st o f t he subs e qu en t w o n d e rs
, ,

wr o ught by the Br ahm an s w e r e n o t p e r f o r m e d w itho ut the

u s e o f p a r a p he r n a li a a n d rit e s v e ry si m il a r t o t ho s e o f m a gic .

E ac h Br ah m an c a rri e s a st aff o r m a gic w an d an d w e a rs — —

a ri n g w h ic h a r e b o t h priz e d f o r t he i r o ccult virtu e by w h ic h

.
,

t he B r a hm an s can a cc o m plis h a n yt h i n g t h e y wis h T hey

?

“
cl o t he t he m s e lv e s in s acr e d gar m en ts m a de o f a w o o l t hat
”
spri n gs w ild f r o m th e gr o u n d ( c o tt o n ? ) an d wh ich the
e a rt h will n o t p e r m it a n y o n e e ls e t o pluck I ar ch a s a ls o .

sh o w e d A p o ll o n ius and D am is a m a rv e l o us st o n e c all e d P an

tar be w h ic h a ttr a ct e d an d b o u n d o th e r st o n e s t o its e l f an d
,

w h ic h a lt ho ugh o n ly the siz e o f his fi nge r n a il a n d fo rm e d

,
-

in e a rt h f o ur f at ho m s d e e p h ad suc h virtu e t ha t it br o k e ,

t he e a rt h o p e n But it r e q uir e d gr e at skill to s e cur e thi s

3
.

ge m
“
.We o n ly s a id the Brahm an can o bta i n th is pan
“
, ,

”
tar be p a rtly by d o i n g t h i n gs an d p a rtly by s ayi n g th i n gs
, ,

in o t he r w o rds by i n c a n t ati o n s a n d m a gic a l o pe r a ti o n s Be .

f o r e p e r fo r m i n g t he ir rit e o f l e vit ati o n th e y ba the d an d

’

“
a n o i n t e d t he m s e lv e s wit h a c e rt a i n drug T h e n t he y sto o d .

lik e a c h o rus with I ar cha s as l ea d e r an d with the ir r o ds up

li f te d struck the eart h w hic h hea vi n g lik e the s ea w ave ,
-

” 4
ra is e d t he m up in the a ir tw o cubits high Th e m e t a llic .

tripo ds an d cup bea r e rs w hich s e rv e d the ki n g o f the c o u n

-

try w he n he c am e to visit the Brahm an s a pp e a r e d f r o m n o

w he re l ad e n with f o o d an d wi n e ex a ctly as if by m agic 5
.

T he m e dic a l pr actic e i f we m ay s o c a ll it o f the Br ah , ,

m a n s w a s ti n ge d to s ay t he l e a st with m a gic ,
A disl o c a t e d , .

h ip i n d ee d t hey a pp e a r t o hav e cur e d by m ass age a n d a

, , ,

1
I II , B u t p e r h ap s t h e t r a n s
12 .

“
l atio n s h o u ld b e , m e n who a r e e x
”
c e e d in g l y w is e .

”
I II , 1 5 .
2 54 MA GI C AN D E XPERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE ca n .

phil s o o p y
o r a p h il o s o p hy in a cc o rd anc e wi th n atur al l aw
h —

—
but to be w a r e o f p hil o s o phe rs who pr e t en de d to have
s ecre t i nt e rc ou rs e with the go ds ?
T her e was j usti fi cati on
in the l att e r c harg e a ga i n st A p o ll o n ius but it s ho uld n o t be ,

a ssu m e d t ha t his m ysticis m r en d e r e d h im u n f av o r a bl e t o

n a tur al sci en c e O n the c o n tr a ry he is f r e qu e n tly r e pr e s e nt e d

.

by P hil o s tratus as w h ili ng aw ay the ti m e a l o n g the r o a d by ‘

discussi n g with Dam is such n atur a l pr o bl em s a s the d e lta o f

th e N il e o r t he tide s a t the m o ut h o f the G u a d al quivi r He .

w a s e spe ci a lly i n t e r e st e d in th e ha bits o f a n i m a ls a n d the

pr o p e rti e s o f g em s Ve sp a si an w a s fo n d o f liste n i n g to
.

”
his gr a p h ic st o ri e s o f the riv e rs o f I n di a an d the a n i m a ls
“
o f t h a t c o u n try a s w ell a s t o,
h is st at e m e n ts o f what the
” 2
go ds re vea l e d c o n c e rn i n g the e mpir e S o m e o f the q u e s .

ti o n s w hi ch A p o ll o n ius put to th e Br ahm an s c o nc e r ne d n a

-

tur e He a sk e d o f wh at the w o rld w a s c o m po s e d an d w hen

3
.
,
“
t hey s a id O f e l em en ts he a sk e d if the r e w e r e f o ur The y
, , .

b e li e v e d ho w e v e r in a fi f th e l em ent e t he r f r o m w hich the

, , , ,

go ds ha d be e n ge n e r a t e d an d w h ic h t hey br eat he as men

br e athe air T hey als o r e ga rd e d the u n ive rs e a s a livi n g
.

an i m a l He f urth e r i n quir e d o f t h e m w he t he r l an d o r s ea
.

pr e do m i nat e d o n the ea rt h s su r fac e an d th is s am e a ttitud e

4 ’
.

o f sci e n tific i n q uiry a n d o f curi o sity ab o ut n atur a l f o rc e s

“

an d o bj e cts is f r e q u e n tly m e t in t he L if e .

A p o ll o n ius be li e v e d a s w e s ha ll s e e in om en s an d p o r
, ,

t en ts an d i n t e rpr e t e d an e art hq u ak e a t An ti o ch as a divi ne

,

w a rn i n g t o the i nh abit an ts T he Br ah m an s age s m o r eo ve r

5
.
, ,

r e gard e d pr o l o n ge d dr o ught as a pu n is hm en t visit e d by the

wo rld s o ul up o n hu man si n f ul n e ss 6
O n t he o th e r h an d .
,

A p o ll o n ius gav e a n a tur a l e x pl a n a ti o n o f v o lc ano e s an d de

n i e d t h e m yt h s c o n c e r n i n g E n c e l a dus b e i n g i m pris o n e d un

de r Mo u n t A e t n a a n d the b a ttl e o f the go ds a n d gi an ts

7
.

An d in th e c a s e o f t he e a rt h q u ak e t he p eo pl e h a d a lr e ady
a cc e pt e d it a s a p o rt e n t an d w e r e pr ayi n g in t e rr o r wh en ,

“
V I , 38
if 37
37
.

“
.

II I. 3 4
m
.

. .

34
111, 3 7 1
’
'
v , 17 .
 AP O L L O NI US O F T YAN A

A p o ll o n ius t oo k the o p p o rtun ity to w a r n them to c ea s e f r o m

t he ir civil f a cti o n s A s a m a tt e r o f f act bo th A p o ll o n ius
.
,

an d Ph il o s t ra tu s a pp e a r t o r e ga rd p o rt e n ts a s an e x t r ao r di

na ry s o rt o f n atur a l p h e n o m e n a A k n o wl e dge o f n a tur al

.

sc i e n c e he lps in re c o gn izi n g th em a n d in i nt e rp r eti n g the m .

When a li o n e ss o f e n o r m o us siz e wit h e ight w he lps in he r is

sl a i n by hun t e rs A p o ll o n ius at o n c e r e c o gn iz e s the e ven t as
,

p o rtent o us be ca us e as a rul e li o n e ss e s have whe lps o n ly

t hric e an d o n ly t hr ee o f t hem o n the fi rst o cc a si o n t wo in ,

“
th e s e c o n d litt e r an d fi n a lly but a si n gl e w h e lp
,
but I be ,

li e v e a ve ry big o n e an d pr et e r n atura lly fi e rce ” 1

He r e
A p o ll o n ius is n o t in strict agr ee m e n t wit h P li n y a n d A ris
t o t le
2
w h o s a y t h a t t he li o n e ss pr o duc e s fi ve w he lps at th e
fi rst birth an d o n e l e ss e v e r y succe e di n g y ea r .

T he sc e pticis m o f A p o ll o n ius c o n c e r n i n g the Ae t n a

m yt h is n o t an is o l a t e d i n st a n c e A t S a r dis he ridicul e d the
.

n o ti o n t h a t tr e e s c o uld be o ld e r t h an ea rt h
3
a n d he w a s o n e ,

o f th e f e w a n ci e n ts t o qu e sti o n t he sw an s s o n g
4
He de
’
.

“
nied t he silly st o ry t ha t th e y o u n g o f v ip e rs a r e br o ugh t i n t o
“
t he w o rld wit ho u t m o t he r s as c o n sist en t ne ithe r with n a
” 5
tu r e n o r ex p e ri e n c e a n d a ls o t he t a l e t h at t h e w h e lps o f
,

th e li o n e ss cl a w t h e ir w a y o u t i n t o t he w o rld I n I n di a
6
.

Ap o ll o n ius s aw a wild a s s o r u n ic o r n f r o m w ho s e si n gl e
ho r n a m a gic dri n ki n g ho r n w a s m a d e 7
A dr a ught f r o m .

t h is ho r n w a s supp o s e d to pr o t e ct o n e fo r t hat day f ro m dis

ea s e w o u n ds fi r e o r p o is o n an d o n t ha t a cc o u n t t he ki n g
, , , ,

‘
I, 2 2 . s o nitu m r a u ci per l o qua cia
s tag n a
“
N H V III , I 7 ; His t A nim , c yg m
'

, . . This c o n c r e t e e x p l a n at io n
VI, 3 1 . is qu i t e in a de qu a t e ; it is b e yo n d
3
V I, 3 7 . a d o u bt t h a t t h e s w a n s s o n g ( l i e
’
k
‘
T h e an c ie nt a uth o r it ie s , p r o 0
’
t h e h a l c yo n s ) e il e d v
and s t il l
”
,

an d c o n w il l b e f o u n d l is t e d i n
, hide s , s o m e m y s tic a l a llu s io n
D W T h o m p s o n , G l os s ar y o f
.

5
. . I I, 14 .

“
G r e e k B ir ds 1 06- 1 07,
He a dds :
. I, 2 2 . P l in y, N H, V II I , 1 7 ,
“
Mo de r n n atu r a l is t s a c ce p t t h e r ep e at s a s l ig h t l y diff e r e n t p o p u l a r
s t o r y o f th e s in g in g s w an s , a s s e r t n o t io n t h a t t h e l io n e s s t e a r s h er
in g t h at t h o ug h t h e c o mm o n s w an w o m b w ith h e r c l aw s an d s o c an
c a nn o t s in g , y e t t h e W h o o p e r o r b e a r but o n ce ; a g a in s t this ie w v
w his t l in g s w a n do e s s o I t is c e r h e c it e s A r is t o t l e s s tat e m e n t t h at
’
.

t ain t h a t t h e W h o o p e r s in g s , f o r t h e lio n e s s b e a r s fi ve t im es , a s
m an y o r n ith o l o g is t s s tat e th e f a c t, d e s c r i be d a bo e v
k
.

7
bu t I d o n o t t h in t h at it c an s in g I II, 2
v v
.

e r y w e l l ; a t th e e r y b es t , d cm t
2 56 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP
'

al o n e p e rm itte d to hun t the an i m a l an d to drin k fr o m

w as
t he h o r n When D am is a sk e d A p o ll o n ius if he cr e dit e d t h is
.

sto ry the sa ge i ro n ica lly r e pli e d t ha t he w o uld b e li ev e it

,

i f h e f o u n d th e ki n g o f t h e c o u n try t o be i mm o rta l .

E it he r ho w e v e r the sc e pticis m o f A p o ll o n ius a s w a s the

, , ,

c a s e wit h s o m an y o t he r a n ci e n ts an d m e di e v a l m en was ,

spo r a dic an d i n co n siste n t o r it c am e to be o ve rl a id with the

,

c r e dulity o f D a m is an d P h il o s t r atu s a s th e f o ll o wi n g e x
,

a m pl e sugge sts Ia r ch a s t o ld D am is a n d A po ll o n ius fl atly

.

t ha t the r a c e s d e scribe d by S cyl ax o f m en wit h l o n g heads

o r h uge f ee t wit h w h ic h t h e y w e r e s a id t o s ha d e t he m s e lv e s

did n o t e x ist in In di a o r an yw he r e e ls e ; ye t in a l at e r bo o k
P h ilo st r atu s st at e s tha t the s ha do w f oo t e d p eo pl e are a -

tribe in E t h i o pi a ?

A t a ny r a t e the m a rv e ls o f I n di a a r e m o r e fr e qu en tly
cr e dit e d than criticiz e d in the L ife by Phil o s tratus an d the ,

s am e ho lds tru e o f the ex tr ao rdi n a ry c o n duct an d we ll n igh -

h u m an i n t e llig e n c e a ttribut e d to an i ma l s E sp e ci a lly d e light .

f ul r e a di n g a r e s ix c hapt e rs o n th e r e m a rka bl e s agacity o f

e l e p h an ts an d th e ir l o v e f o r m an ki n d O n t h is p o i n t as by
?
,

P li n y u s e is m a d e o f the w o rk o f Juba We r e a d a ga i n o f
,
.

sick li o n s e ati n g a p e s o f the li o n e ss s l o ve a ffa ir with the

,
’

a n t h e r o f t he f o n d n e ss o f l e o p a rds f o r th e f r a gr an t gu m
p ,

o f a c e rt a i n tr e e a n d o f g o a ts f o r th e ci n n am o n tr e e ; o f ap e s

who a r e m a d e to c o ll e ct p e ppe r f o r m e n by a ppe a li n g t o the ir

in sti n ct t o w a rds m i m icry ; an d o f the tig e r w ho s e l o i n s
3
,

a l o n e a r e e a t e n by t he I n di an s Fo r t he y d e cli n e to eat the

.

o t he r pa rts o f t h i s an i m a l be c aus e t he y s ay t ha t a s s o o n a s
,
” 4
it is bo rn it li fts up its fr o n t p aws to the risi n g s un In .

t he riv e r Hyp h a s is is a cr e atur e lik e a w h it e w o r m which

yi e lds w he n m e lte d d o wn a fat o r o il t hat o nc e s et afi r e c an
n o t be ex ti n guis he d an d w h ic h th e ki n g us e s to bur n wa lls

1
I II, 47 ; V I, 2 5 S c yl ax w as a
. s ia s , P erip l us S cyla cis Car ya n
P e r s ian a dm ir al u n de r D a r iu s de n s is ,
bu t s o m e da te i t a s
v
wh o t r a e l e d t o I n dia a n d w r o te e a r ly as t he f o ur th c entur y B C .

a n a c c o un t o f his o ya g e sv T he .
“
II, 1 1 - 16 .

k
w o r e x ta n t un d e r his n am e is o f
‘
‘
I I, 2 ; I I I, 4 .

do ubt f ul a utho r s h ip ( I sa ac V o s I I, 2 8.
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

as a ids in h atc h i n g an d drive s n ak e s a way P O n p a rti n g

to
"

f r o m the In di an ki n g Phr ao te s A p o ll o n ius as usu a l r e f us e d

,

to a cc e pt m o n e y p r e s en ts but pick e d up o n e o f t he g em s that

“
w e r e o ff e r e d h im wit h the ex cl am ati o n O r ar e sto n e ho w
, ,
” 1
o pp o rtu n e ly a n d pr o vid e n ti ally ha v e I f o u n d yo u ! P hi
l o s t r at u s supp o s e s t ha t he d e t e ct e d s o m e o ccult an d divi n e
p o w e r in t h is particul ar st o n e T he Br ahm an s had ge m s
.

s o hug e t h a t f r o m o n e o f t hem a go bl e t c o uld be c a rv e d l a rge

e n o ug h t o sl ak e t he t h irst o f f o ur m e n in m idsu m m e r but ,

in t h is c a s e n o t h i n g is s a id o f o ccult v irtu e ?
T he Br ah m an
I archa s f e lt sur e th a t he w as th e re i n c ar n ati o n o f th e h e r o
G a n ge s s o n o f th e rive r G an ge s be c a us e as a m e r e c h ild h e
, ,

k ne w whe r e to dig f o r the s ev en sw o rds o f a d am an t w h ich

G a n ge s ha d fi x e d in t he e a rt h ?
P r e su m a bly the s e w e r e
m a gic sw o rds a n d t h e ir virtu e in p art due t o the st o n e a da
ma nt o f w h ic h t he y w e re m a d e L e s s is s a id in th e L if e o f the
.

virtu e s o f he rbs t han o f gem s but the I n di an s m a de a n up

,

ti a l o i ntm en t o r l o ve ch ar m f r o m b al m distill e d f r o m tr e e s
- 4
,

an d d r ugs a n d p o is o n s a r e m e n ti o n e d m o r e t ha n o n c e m an ,

dra go r a b e i n g d e scribe d as a s o po r ifi c d r ug r a t he r th a n a
d ea dly p o is o n 5
.

Co n sid e ri n g t ha t A p o ll o n ius w a s a P yth a go r ean t he r e is ,

surprisi n gly littl e s aid c o nc e r n i n g p e r f e ct n u m be rs a n d t he ir

m ystic sign i fi c an c e .A sid e f r o m the s e v en ri ngs a n d s e v e n
sw o rds a lr eady m enti o n e d a b o ut the o n ly i n st an c e is the
,

q u e sti o n a sk e d by A p o ll o n ius whe t he r e ight e en the n u m be r ,

o f t he Br ahm a n s a ge s a t t h e ti m e o f h is visit ha d an y e sp e
,

c ia l i m p o rt an c e
?
He r em a rk e d th at e ight een wa s n o t a
s qu a r e no r a n um be r usu ally held in e st e em an d ho n o r lik e
,

t e n tw e lv e an d si x t e e n
, ,
T h e Br ahm a n s a gr e e d t ha t th e r e
.

w a s n o p a rticul a r sign i fi c an c e in e ight ee n an d f u r t he r in

,

f o r m e d h im t ha t t he y m a i n t a i n e d n o fi x e d n u m b e r o f m e m
be rs but ha d v ar i e d f r o m o n ly o n e to as m any as s ev e nty
a cc o rdi n g to th e a v a il a bl e supply o f w o rt hy m e n .
 AP O L L O N I US O F T YANA

I f P hil o s t r a tu s d en i e s t ha t A p o ll o n ius w as a m agici an ,

he d o e s d e pict h im a s e n d o w e d wit h p r o ph e tic gi f ts with ,

“ ”
p o we r o ve r de m o n s an d with s e c r e t wisdo m
, He r at he r .

like s to give the i m p r e ssi o n t ha t the s age fo r et o ld thi ngs

by i nn at e pro phe tic gi f t o r divi n e i n spira ti o n but e v en ,

u vn m; o r the ar t o f di v i n ati o n is n o t c o n d e m n e d a s y n l
’
a o re a

o r witc hcr a f t w a s I ar c has the Br a hm an s ays tha t th o s e w ho

.

d e light in man tzk e be c o me divi n e th e r e by an d c o n t r ibut e to

'

the s a f e ty o f m anki n d A p o ll o n ius h i m s e l f w he n c o n de mn

?
,

in g wiz ards as ps e ud o wis e mad e th e r e s e rv ati o n t ha t man

-
,

tik e if tru e in its pr e dicti o n s w as n o t a ps e ud o sci e n c e al

, ,
-
,

t ho ugh he pr o f e ss e d ign o r an c e whe the r it c o uld be c alle d an

a rt o r no t
?
He d e n i e d t h at h e pr actice d it w h en he w as ex ,

am in e d by T ig e lli n us t he f a v o rit e o f N e r o w h o w a s p e rs e
, ,

e uti n g p h il o s o p he rs o n th e gr o u n d t hat t he y w e r e a ddict e d

to m amtik e
?
His a ccus e rs be f o r e Do m iti an a ga i n adduc e d
h is a ll e ge d pr actic e o f di v i n ati o n a s evid e n c e t h at h e w as a
wiz a rd 4
.

I f A p o ll o n ius pr actic e d n e it he r wiz a rdry n o r m an tik e ,

the q u e sti o n a ris e s h o w he w a s a bl e to f o r e t e ll th e f utur e .

In h is t r i a l b e f o r e Do m iti an h e did n o t a tt e m pt to d e n y t hat

he had pr e dict e d t he pl agu e at E p he sus but a ttribute d his ,

”
s e n s e o f the c o m i n g dis a st e r to his a bst e mi o us di e t w hic h ,

ke pt his s e n s e s cl e ar an d e n a bl e d h im to s e e as in an un
“ ” 5
cl o ude d m irr o r all t ha t is h app en i n g o r a bo ut to o ccur .

Fo r he w as cr e dit e d wit h k n o wl e dge o f dist a n t e v e n ts the

m o m en t t he y o ccu r r e d a s w e ll as wit h f o r e k n o wl e dge o f the
f utu r e .T hus at E ph e sus h e w a s aw a r e o f th e a ss a ssi n ati o n
o f D o m iti a n a t R o m e ; a n d a t T a r sus a lth o ugh h e a rriv e d a f ,

t er the i n cid e n t h a d o ccu r r e d h e w a s abl e t o d e scrib e a n d to

,

fi n d th e m a d do g by wh o m a bo y h a d b ee n bitt e n ?
I a r chas
to ld A p o ll o n ius t hat he alth an d purity w e r e r e quisit e f o r
4
111 4 2
, .
p o r a r y o f Ph il o s t r a tu s , a l s o s t at e s
’'
V II I , 7 . that A p o l l o n iu s a n n o u n c e d th e
8
I V , 44 . a s s a s s in at io n of D o m it ian and
‘
V I I I, 7 . e v en n am ed
t h e a s s a s s in in Ep h e
°

“
V I II , 7 . su s o n the v
e r y da y t h a t t h e e e n t v
V I I I, 2 6 ; V I , 4 3 . T h e h is o c c u r r e d at R o m e His ac c o u n t
.

t o r i an , D10 Ca s s i u s , c o n t em
_

a d iff e rs t o o m u c h f r o m th at by
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

di v i n ati o n ; an d Apo ll o n ius in tu rn in rec o u n ti n g h is li fe

1
,

st o r y t o the n ak e d s a ge s o f E gypt r e pr e s e n t e d the P ythago

,

r ean ph il o s o phy a s a pp ea ri n g b e f o r e h im an d pr o m isi n g ,

“
A n d w he n yo u a r e pur e I will gr an t yo u the f a culty o f
,

” 2
f o r e k n o wl e d ge .

Dr eam s . A p o ll o n ius o f t e n w a s w a r n e d by dr e am s W h e n he .

dr eam t o f fi s h who w e r e c a st ga spi n g up o n dry l an d an d

who a pp ea l e d f o r succ o ur t o a d o lp h i n swi mm i n g by he ,

k n e w that he o ught to visit an d r e st o r e the grave s and a ssist

t h e d e sc e n d an ts o f th e E r e tri an s w ho m D a rius h a d t ak en

c a pti v e to the P e rsi an ki n gd om o v e r five c en turi e s b e fo r e ?

A n o t he r dr e am h e i n t e rpr et e d as a c o m m an d to visit C r et e 4
.

I n d e fe n di n g h is li n en appa r e l be f o r e D o m iti an he d e cl ar e d ,

“
I t is a pur e subst an c e u n d e r w h ic h t o sl e e p a t n ight f o r to ,

t ho s e w ho li v e a s I do dr e am s bri n g the tru e st o f the ir r ev e

” 5
l a t io n s . He w as n o t th e o n ly dream e r o f th e ti m e h o w ,

e v e r a n d w he n s o m e o f his f o ll o w e rs w e r e a f r a id t o acco m
,

p any h im to R o m e in N e r o s r e ign t he y ma de w ar n i ng
’

dr eam s t he i r ex cus e f o r d e se rti n g him ?

It ha s be e n s e e n t ha t A p o ll o n ius n o t o n ly had pr o phe tic

d r eam s but w a s skil f ul in i n t e rpr eti n g th em He w a s e qually .

a d e pt in e x pl a i n i n g th e m e a n i n g o f o m e n s T he d e ad li o n
.

wit h her e ight u n bo r n w he lps he t o o k as a sign t hat Dam is

a n d h e w o uld r em a i n a y e a r a n d e igh t m o n t h s in th at l an d
7
.

When Dam is o bj ect e d t hat Ho m e r i nt e rpr ete d the spa rr o w

a n d he r e ig h t n e stli n gs w ho m t he s n ak e d ev o ur e d a s n i n e

y ears dur a ti o n o f the T r o j an w ar Ap o ll o n ius r e t o rt e d that

’
,

t he birds ha d be e n ha tc he d but t hat the w he lps be i n g yet ,

u n bo r n c o uld n o t sign i fy c o m pl et e ye a rs O n a n o the r o cc a

, .

s i o n h e i n t e rpr e t e d t h e birt h o f a t hr e e hea d e d c h ild as a

-

sign o f the y ea r o f th e t hr ee e m pe r o rs ?

v
P hil o s t r at u s t o h a e b e e n c o p ie d
f r o m it He c o n c l ude s i t w ith
t h e p o s mv e a s s e r tio n , T his is
r e al ly w h at t oo k
p l a ce , t h o ugh
the r e s ho u l d b e t e n th o us an d
”
d o u b te r s .
( L XV I I ,
1
I II , 4 2 .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

a cc o u n t of but r at he r w ar ne d the hee dl e ss p o p

P hilo s t r atu s ,

ul a tio n to t a k e m e a sur e s t o pr e v en t its b e c o m i n g ge n e r a l ?

When visiti n g the ist hm us o f Co ri n th he be gan to s ay that

it w o uld be cut t hr o ugh an ide a wh ich had d o ubtl e ss oc
,

curre d a ga i n an d a ga i n to m an y ; but the n s a id t hat it w o uld

n o t b e cut t h r o u gh T h is s an e i f s o m e w h a t v a cill ati n g
?
, ,

st a t e o f m i n d r e c e iv e d c o n fi r m ati o n s o o n a ft e rwa rds w hen

N e r o a tt em pt e d a n I st hm i a n c a n a l but l e f t it u n c o m pl e t e d .

A n o th e r si m il arly am bigu o us utt e r an c e w a s e licit e d f r o m

“

Ap o ll o n ius by an e clips e o f th e s un a cc o m p an i e d by th u n d e r :
“ ” 3
T he r e s h a ll b e s o m e g r e a t e ve n t a n d t he r e s h a ll n o t be .

Th is w a s b e li e v e d to r e c e i v e m i r a cul o us f ulfill m en t t h r e e
d ays l at e r w hen a t hu n d e rb o lt d a s h e d the cup o ut o f w h ich
N e r o w as dri n ki n g f r o m his han ds but l e f t him u n ha r m e d .

O n c e A p o ll o n ius s a v e d his li f e by c h an gi n g f r o m a s h ip
w hic h s an k s o o n a f t e rw a rds to an o the r v e ss e l An i n stan c e
4
.

o f m o r e sp e cific p r o p h e cy is t he c a s e o f t he c o n sul A e l ian ,

w ho t e stifi e d t h at w he n he w a s but a tribu n e u n d e r V e sp a

si an A p o ll o n ius t o o k h im a sid e an d t o ld h im his n am e an d
,

“
c o un try an d p a r en t a ge an d yo u f o r e t o ld to m e t hat I
,

s ho uld ho ld t h is high o ffic e wh ic h is acco u n t e d by the m ulti

” 5
tud e th e h ighe s t o f all But A e lian m ay h ave e x agger
.

a t e d t h e a ccur a cy o f A p o l l o n iu s s pr e dicti o n o r th e l a tt e r
’

m ay ha v e m a d e a s h r e wd gu e ss t hat A e l ian w a s lik e ly t o

ris e to high o ffic e .

T he divi n i n g f aculty o f A p o ll o n ius en a bl e d h im to de

te ct th e p r e s e n c e a n d i n flu e n c e o f d e m o n s p h ant o m s an d , ,

go bli n s w ho s e w ays he u n d e rsto o d as w e ll as the l an gu age

,

o f th e birds At E ph e sus he d e t ec t e d the tru e c aus e o f t he

.

pl agu e in a r a gge d o l d be gga r w ho m he o rd e re d the p eo p l e

t o st o n e t o d e a t h At t h i s c o m m an d the bli n ki n g e y e s o f
?

t he a ge d m en dic a n t sudd e n ly s ho t f o r th m a l e v o l e n t a n d fi e ry
gl e am s an d r e v e al e d h is d e m o n cha r a ct e r A f te rwa rds w he n .
,

th e p e o pl e r e m o v e d the st o n e s t h e y f o u n d u n d e r n e a th
, .
,

p o un d e d to a pulp a n e n o rm o us h o un d still v o m iti n g f o am

,

‘
18
1
1V , 4. V , .

: IV , 2 4
IV : 43
.

°
: V II ,
IV ,
18
IO .
.
VI I I AP O L L O N I US O F T YAN A

as m ad d o gs do L a t e r when a ccus e d o f m agic b e f o r e

.
,

Do m i t i an A p o ll o n ius r e qu e st e d th a t th e em p e r o r que sti o n

,

him in pri v a t e ab o ut the c a us e s o f th is p e s til e n c e a t E ph e sus ,

w h ic h he s a id w e r e to o de e p t o b e discuss e d publi c ly A n d ?

ea r li e r in th e r e ign o f N e r o w h e n a s k e d by T ig e lli n us h o w
,

h e go t th e b e tt e r o f d e m o n s a n d ph a n t a s m s h e e v a d e d th e
,

qu e sti o n by a s aucy r et o r t O n o n e o c c a s io n h o w e v e r w e
?
, ,

a r e t o ld t h a t h e go t rid o f a gh o stly a pp a r iti o n by h e a pi n g

a bus e upo n it ; an d a s a tyr w h o r e m a i n e d i n v isibl e but c r e

3
,

a t e d a n n o y a n c e by ru n n i n g am uck th r o ugh th e c am p h e dis ,

p o s e d o f by the ex p e di en t o f filli n g a tr o ugh wi th wi ne an d

l e tti n g the spi r it ge t d r u n k o n it When th e w i n e h a d all dis
.

a pp e a r e d A p o ll o n ius l e d h is c o m p an i o n s t o t he c a v e o f t he
-
,

n y m ph s w h e re th e s a tyr w a s n o w vi s ibl e in a d r u n k e n sl e e p
?

He a ls o r e f o r m e d the char act e r o f a lic en ti o us y o ut h by ex

pe lli ng a dem o n f ro m him an d a t Co ri n th ex po s e d a l am i a
,
5

w ho u n d e r the disguis e o f a d a i n ty a n d w e a lt h y l a dy w a s
, ,

f a tte n i n g up a b ea uti f ul y o ut h n a m e d Me n ip p u s w it h t h e
i n ten ti o n o f e ventua lly d e v o u r i n g his bl o o d O n his r e turn
?

by s ea f r o m In di a A p o ll o n ius p a ss e d a s ac r e d isl an d w he r e
live d a s ea nym ph o r fe m al e d em o n w h o w a s as d e structi v e
to m a rin e rs a s S cyll a o r the S ir en s w e r e o f o l d .

“ ”
But the w o rd d em o n is n o t a lw a ys e m pl o ye d by P hi
l o s tr a tus in the s e n s e o f an e v il spirit T he a n n u n ci a ti o n o i
.

the birth o f A p o ll o n ius w a s m a d e t o his m o t h e r by P r o t e us

in th e f o rm o f a n E gypti a n d em o n 7
D am is l o o k e d u po n
-
.

A p o ll o n ius h i m s e l f a s a d em o n an d w o r s h ip e d h im as suc h ,

w h e n h e he a rd h im s ay th a t he c o m pr e h e n d e d n o t o n ly a l l
hu m an l an gu ag e s but a ls o t h o s e t h i n gs c o n c e r n i n g w hic h
m en m a i n t a i n sil e n c e ?
In a l e t t e r t o E uph r a t e s Ap o ll o n ius
9

affir m s t ha t t he a ll wis e P yt ha g o r a s s ho uld be cl a s s e d am o n g

-

de mo ns But w hen Do m iti an o n fi rst m eeti n g A p o ll o n ius

.
,
-
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

s aid that he l o o k e d like a d em o n the s age r e pli ed th at the

,

e m p r r
e o w a s c usi g d e m o n s a n d human b e i n gs
o n f n ?

P h ilo s t r a tu s a dds h is o w n bit o f p e rs o na l t e sti m o ny t o

the e x ist e n c e o f d e m o n s a lt ho ugh it c ann o t be s a id t o be
,

v e ry c o n vi n ci n g A f te r t e lli n g the s a tyr st o ry he w a r n s his

.

r ea d e rs n o t t o be i n cr e dul o us a s to the ex isten ce o f s atyrs o r

t o d o ubt t ha t t he y m a k e l o v e . Fo r th e y s ho uld no t m istrust
w ha t is suppo r t e d by ex p e r i e n c e a n d by P hil o s tr atu s s o w n
’

w o rd Fo r he k n e w in L em n o s a yo ut h o f his o wn a ge
.

w ho s e m o th e r w a s s a id to be visit e d by a s a tyr an d suc h he ,

pr o bably w a s si n c e he w o r e a f awn ski n ti e d ar o un d his

,

n e ck by t h e t w o f r o n t p aw s
?

A p o ll o n ius ha d a n i n t e rvi e w with t he gh o st o f A ch ill e s

w h ic h st r o n gly sugge sts n e cr o m an cy He s e n t h is co mp an
.

i o n s o n bo a rd s hip an d pa ss e d the n ight a l o n e at the he r o s ’

t o m b N o r did he a llud e to w hat had h app en e d u n til qu e s

.

t io n e d by the curi o us Dam is . He t he n a v e r r e d that h is

m e t ho d o f i n v o ki n g th e d ea d ha d n o t b e e n t hat o f O dyss e us ,

but t hat he had praye d to A c h ill e s m uc h a s the In di an s do

t o t he ir he r o e s . A slight e a rth qu a k e t he n o ccurr e d an d
A c h ill e s a pp ear e d . A t fi rst he w a s fi ve cubits t a ll but gr a d
u a l ly i n cr e a s e d t o s o m e tw e lv e cubits in h e igh t A t c o ck .

cr o w he va n is he d in a fl a s h o f su mm e r light n i n g ?

A p o ll o n ius as w e ll a s t h e Br ahm a n s wr o ugh t s o m e

, ,

cur e s O n e w a s o f a bo y w ho ha d been bitt e n by a m ad do g

.

“
a n d c o n s e qu e n tly b e hav e d ex a ctly lik e a do g f o r he ,

” 4
b a rk e d an d ho wl e d a n d w en t o n all f o urs Ap o ll o n ius
.

fi rst fo u n d an d qui e t e d the do g an d then m a d e it lick the

,

w o u n d a ho m e o p ath ic tr eat m en t w h ic h cur e d t he bo y It

,
.

n o w o n ly r e m a i n e d t o cur e the do g to o a n d t h is the p h il o s o

, ,

phe r e ff ect e d by pr ayi ng to the rive r w h ic h w a s n e a r by an d

“ ”
the n m aki n g th e do g swi m acr o ss it Fo r
. c o n clude s Phi
,

“
l o s t r a tu s, a dri n k o f w a t e r will cur e a m a d do g if he o n ly
”
c an be i n duc e d to t ak e it . T he m o d e r n r e a d e r will su s pe ct
t hat the do g was no t mad to b egi n with a nd t ha t Apo ll o n ius
“
IV , I I , 1 5 -16.
‘
V I, 43 .
 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

i n t e rpr e te d The wryn e ck w as s o m uch e m pl o ye d in G re ek

?

m agic a s r e fe r e n c e s to it f r o m P i n d a r t o T heo critus s ho w

, ,

t hat the wo rd iunx w as s o me ti m e s us e d as a syno n ym o r

fi gur a tiv e ex pre ssi o n f o r spe lls o r c ha rm s in gen e r al P hi .

l o s tr a tu s t o o e m pl o ys it in t h is s e n s e r e pr e s e n ti n g th e G ym
, , ,
“
n o s o p h is t s a s a ccusi n g the Br ahm an s o f a ppe ali n g t o t he

c r o wd wit h va ri e d e n chantm en ts ( o r 2
But in
o t he r p a ss a ge s he m ak e s it cl e a r t hat t h e w r yn e ck is stil l em

pl o ye d a s a m a gic bird De scribi n g the r o ya l pa l ace a t

.

B a byl o n he st a t e s that the Magi have hun g f o ur go ld en

3

wryn e cks w h ich t hey them s e lve s attun e and w h ic h they c a ll

,

th e t o n gu e s o f t he go ds f r o m t he c e ili n g o f t he j udgme n t
,

h all to r e m i n d t he ki n g o f divi ne j udgm e n t an d n o t to s et

h i m s e l f a bo v e m an ki n d G o ld e n wry n e cks w e r e a ls o sus
.

p e n d e d in the P ythi a n tem pl e at D e lph i an d in t h is c o n ne c ,

ti o n t he y a r e s a id t o p o ss e ss s o m e o f the virtu e o f the S ir e n s 4

,

o r as Mr Co o k tr an sl a t e s it
“
, . to e c ho t he p e rsu a siv e n o t e o f
,
”
sir en vo ic e s T he s e t w o p a ss age s s e em t o p o i n t cle arly to
.

the e m pl o ym e n t o f m ec ha n ic a l m e t a l bird s w h ich s an g an d

m o v e d a s if by m a gic T h e G r e e k m a th em a tici an He r o in
.

his e x pl a nati o n o f m e c ha n ic a l d e vic e s e m pl o ye d in t e m pl e s

t e lls ho w t o m ak e a bird turn its e l f a bo ut an d wh istl e by
tur n i n g a wh e el ?

N o w t h is is pr e cis e ly w hat the wry neck d o e s in its wo n

”
de r fu l w ay o f writh i n g its hea d a n d n e ck an d e m itti n g h iss
“ ” “
in g s o u n d s T he bi rd s u n m ist ak a bl e n o t e
’
.
qu e qu e , ,

1
Th e p as s a g e s a r e n o t l is te d in bir ds . B ut th e iu nx is f o und a s a
Lidde l l a n d S c o t t, n o r m e n tio n e d b ir d o n s e e r al v
G r ee k v
as e s of
by P r o f e s s o r B u r y in h l S n o t e o n th e l at e s t p e r io d ; s ee B r iti s h
Th e l vy E in G ree k
Mag ic , ”
Mu s e u m Ca ta l og u e o f Vas e s , vo l .

J our na l of He l l e n ic S tud ies I V . fig s 9 4 . 9 8 . 3 42 . 1 63 . 3 3 1b ;

.

Hub e r t s m ag ic w h e e l s a r e a l s o r e p r e s e nt e d
’

pp . I 5 7 60
-
.

a r t ic l e o n Mag ia in D a r e m b e r g
”
o n th e v
a s es , b ut a r e n o t de s cr ibe d
S ag lio c ite s o n l y o n e p a s s ag e a n d a s iu ng e s in t he cata l o g ue ; s e e
s ee m s t o r e g a r d t h e iu n x s ol ely vo l. I V . fi g s 3 3 m . 3 7 3 . 3 85 . 399 .
a m a g ic D A r cy W 409 , 43 6 4 5 0, 4 5 8, a n d vo l I II ,
’
as whe e l . . , .

T h o mp s o n , A G l o s s a r y o f G r e e k E 7 74 F 2 2 3. F 2 79
. .

2
B ir ds , O x f o r d, 1 89 5 , a l s o c ite s but V I , 1 0 ; s e e a l s o V III , 7 .

“
o ne p a s s ag e f r o m Phil o s t r a tu s . I, 2 5 .

A . B . k
C o o , Z e us , C am b r idg e ,
‘
V I, I I .

1 9 14 , I , 2 5 3 65 , n o t e s b o th m a in
-
l‘
k
Cit e d by Co o , Z e us I , 2 66 , ,

p a s s a ge s bu t t r ie s t o in te r p r e t t h e v
w h o , h o w e e r , f a il s t o c o n n e ct it
iu ng e s as s o l a r w h e e l s r at h e r t h an w ith t h e iu nx .
VI I I A P O LL O N I US O F T YAN A

que , r e p eat e d m an y ti m e s in succ e ssi o n at fi r st r apidly but , ,

”
gr adu a lly sl o wi n g an d in a c o n ti n u ally f alli n g k ey I .
1

w o uld t he r e f o r e sugge st that a s the En glis h n am e f o r the

bird is d e r iv e d f r o m its writhi n g its n e ck s o the G r e ek n am e ,

” “
c o m e s f r o m its cry f o r que an d the r o o t ivy if r e peat e d
, ,

rapidly m a n y ti m e s in s ucce s s io n s o u n d m uch a lik e ?

_ ,

T he n am e A p o ll o n ius c o n ti n u e d to be a ss o ci a te d wit h
, ,

m agic in the m iddl e a ge s w he n th e G o lden F l o w er s o f ,

_

Ap o ll o n ius a w o r k o n th e mo t o ry a r t o r t h e urgy is f o u n d
,
3
,

in the m an uscrip t s An d w e s ha ll fi n d Ce cc o d A s co l i in 4
’
.

“
the ea rly f o urt e en t h c e n tury citi n g a b o o k o f m a gic ar t by
A p o ll o n ius a n d a ls o a tr e a tis e o n spirits D e a n g el ica f a c ,

tio n e . In 1 4 1 2 A m pl o n iu s list e d in th e c a ta l o gu e o f his

“
ma n uscripts a bo o k o f A p o ll o n ius t h e m a gici an o r p hilo s o
phe r w hich is c a lle d E liz in us ” 5
Wo rks o n the ca us e s an d .

pr o pe rt i e s o f t hi n gs a r e a ls o a scribe d to A p o ll o n ius in
me di e va l m an uscripts ? a n d a B a l e n u s o r B e l e n u s t o w ho m
w o rk s o n a st r o l o gic a l i m a ge s a n d s ea l s a r e a scribe d in the -

m an usc r ipts is p e r haps a c o rrupti o n f o r A p o ll o n ius

7 ?

1
N e w to n D ic tio n a r y o f B ir ds ;
’
s E liz in u s .

6
a r e f e r en c e s u p p lie d m e by t h e E N 1 3 9 5 1 , 1 2 th ce n t ur y, L ibe r
k in dn e s s o f m y c o l l e ag u e , P r o A p o l l o n ii d e p r in c ip al ibu s r e r u m
f e s s o r F H He r r ic
“
. . k . c a u s is V ie n n a 3 1 2 4 1 sth c e n t ury ,
.

“
,

P r o f e s s o r B u r y s t h eo r y t hat
’
f ols .
5 7 v 5 8 v,
-
V e r ba d e p r o
t h e bir d w a s ca l l e d i v yE f r o m ‘
p r ie t at ibu s r e r u m q u o m o d o ir tu s v
it s c a l l wh ic h s o un de d l i e id: k u n iu s f r a n g it u r p e r a liu m A da .

id) ; a n d it w a s u s e d in l un a r m a s n e c f e r r o n e c ign e d o m atu r

e n c h ant m e n t s be c a u s e it w a s s u p c it o m e de t u r .

7
p o s e d t o b e ca l l in g o n I o , t h e R o y a l 12 C X V I I I , B a l e n i de
- -

” “
m o o n : a n d th at Zv yE o r ig in a l l y '
im ag in ib u s ; S lo an e 3 82 6 , f o l s .

m e a n t a m o o n - s o n g in de p en de nt l y I o ov I O I , B e l e e m u s d e im a g in ibu s ;
-

o f t h e w r yn e c
”
k
w h ic h c am e t o
, S l o a n e 3 84 8 , f o l s 5 8 , L ibe r
2 —
.

be e m p l o ye d in m agic m o o n B a l a m in i s a p ie n tis de s ig ill is

w o r s hip o n ac co u n t o f it s c r y, h a s p l an e ta r u m , f o l s 5 9 6 2 l ib e r s ap i
.
-
,

a l r ea dy b e e n r e f ut e d by P r o e n t is B a l e y m d e y m a g in ibu s s e p
f e s s o r Th o m p s o n , w h o p o int e d t e m p l an e t a r um B ut t h e s e f o r m s
.

o ut t hat t h e bir d d o e s n o t c r y m ig ht s u gg e s t B a l a a m W e al s o .

id) ” id) , a n d t h e s ugg e s t e d de r i h e a r o f F l a c iu s A ff r ic u s , a dis c ip l e

v a t io n o f it s n am e a n d s an c t ity o f B el en u s .

f r o m s u c h a c r y c a n n o t ho ld ” .
8
M S te in s ch n e id e r A p o l l o n iu s
.
,
°
S e e Cha p t e r 4 9 f o r a f u l l e r v o n T h ya n a ( o de r B a l in a s ) b ei
acc o u n t o f it .
d e n A r abe r n , in Z e its c hr if t d e r
‘
S e e Ch ap t e r 7 1 D e u ts c h e n M or g e n l a n dis c h e n G e
'

“
Math 5 4 L ib e r Ap p o l l o n ii
.
, s e l l s c haf t, XL V 4 39 4 6
-
.

mag i vel p h il o s o p h i qui dic itu r

 C HA P T ER I X

L I TE RA R Y AN D P H I L O S O P H I CAL A TT A C K S U PO N S U P ER

S T I TI O N : C I C ER O , F A V O RI N U S , S E X T U S E M P I R I C U S ,

A N D L U CI A N

Auth o r s to be c o n s ide r e d —
T h e ir s t an dp o in t — D e divina tion e , ‘
a r gu

me nt of Q u in t u s— Cice r o a tt ac k s p ast a u th o r it y— v
D i in a tio n d is tin ct
f ro m n a tu r a l s c ie n c e — U n r e a s o n abl e in m e t h o d —
R e qu ir e s vi o l a tio n _
of

n at u r a l l aw —
Cic e r o an d a s t r o l o gy— His cr u de h is to r ic a l c r it ic is m

Favo r in u s a g a in s t a s t r o l o g e r s — S e x tu s Em p ir ic u s — L u c ius , or The A s s

is it by L u c ia n —
Ca r e e r of L uc ian A l e x a nde r t he ps e u do -pr oph e t
—

Magic a l p r o c e du r e in m e dic in e k
s at ir iz e d— S n a e -c h a r m in g A Hyp e r —

bo r e an m ag ic ian S o m e —
gh o s t s to r ie s— Pa n c r ate s , t he mag ic ian
C r e du lity a n d s c e p t ic is m —
M e n ippu s , or N e c r o ma n cy— A s tr o l o g ic al in
t e rp r e t at io n of G r ee k
m yth— His t o r y an d de f e n s e o f a s t r o l o gy— L uc ian
n o t a l w a y s s c ep t ica l Lu c ian a n d m e dic in e — I n e itabl e in t e r m ingling
—
v
o f s c e p tic is m a n d s up e r s t it io n— L u c ia n o n w r iting h is to r y .

HAV I N G t d the l a rge am o un t o f m agic t hat still ex ist e d

no e

bo th in the l ea di n g w o rks o f n atur a l sci e n c e o f the early

R o m an e m pir e a n d in t he m o r e g e n e r a l lit e r atur e o f th a t
p e ri o d it is o n ly fa ir t hat w e s ho uld n o t e suc h ex tr e m e s o f
,

sc epticis m t o w ards the sup e rstiti o n s t hen curr en t as c an be

f o u n d duri n g the s am e p e ri o d T he y a r e h o w e v e r f e w .
, ,

a n d fa r b e tw e e n an d w e s ha ll h av e t o go b a ck t o t he cl o s e
,

O f t h e R e public a n p e ri o d f o r t he be st i n st a n c e in th e D e

divina tio n e o f C ic e r o A s P li n y s N a tur al His to r y w a s

’
.

m a i n ly a c o m pil a ti o n o f e a rli e r G r ee k sci e n c e s o Cic e r o s

’
,

a rgu m e n ts a ga i n st divi n a ti o n w e r e n o t e n tir e ly o rigi na l wi th

him . A s his o t he r ph il o s o ph ic a l writi n gs ar e l a rge ly in

d ebte d to th e G r e eks s o h is a ttack up o n divi n a ti o n is sup
,

po s e d to be u n d e r c o n sid e r a bl e o bliga ti o n s to Cl ito m achus

an d P a nae t ius
1
ph il o s o phe rs o f the Ne w A ca d em y a n d the
,

1
T S c h ic h e , D e f on-tibus libr o
. Die Qu ellen vo n Cicer os zw ei
r u m Ci ce r o nis qu i s u n t d e di vina B‘ ii c he r n d e D ivina tio n e, Fr e iburg,
ti o n e, J en a, 187 5 ; K Ha r t f elde r , . 1 87 8 .

2 68
270 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

of id ea s upho lds divi n ati o n to the be st o f his a bility citi n g

, ,

m an y r e p o rt e d i n st a n c e s o f succ e ss f ul r e c o urs e t o it in
an tiquity I n the s e c o n d bo o k T ully pr o c e e ds wit h a s o me
.

w hat p atr o n izi n g air to pull e n tir e ly to pi e c e s the a rgum en ts

o f his br o t he r w ho a ss e n ts wit h c h e e r f ul r e a di n e ss to t h e ir

d em o liti o n O n the w ho l e the app ea l t o the p a st is the m ai n

.

po i n t in the a rgu ment o f Qui n tus W hat r ac e o r s t ate he .

,

“
a sks h as n o t b e li e v e d in s o m e f o r m o f divi n ati o n
,
? Fo r
b e fo r e the r e v e l ati o n o f ph il o s o phy wh ich w as disc o v e r e d ,

but r e c ently public o pi n i o n h ad n o d o ubt o f the truth o f

,

this ar t ; an d a f t e r ph il o s o phy e m e rge d n o ph il o s o phe r o f

a uth o rity th o ugh t o th e rwis e I h av e m e n ti o n e d Pyth a
.

go r a s Dem o critus S o cr ate s I h ave l e f t o ut n o o ne o f the

, , .

a n ci e n ts s av e X e n o ph an e s I h av e a dd e d th e O ld A c a de m y
.
,
” 1
th e P e rip a t e tics th e S t o ics ,
E picurus al o n e diss e n t e d
. .

Qui n tus cl o s e s h is l o n g a rgum en t in f avo r o f the truth

o f divi n a ti o n by s o l e m n ly a ss e r ti n g t hat h e d o e s n o t appr o v e

o f s o rc e r e rs n o r o f t ho s e w ho pr o p h e sy f o r th e s ak e o f
,

gai n n o r o f th e pr act ic e o f qu e sti o n i n g the spirits o f the

,

d ea d w h ich n ev e rthe l e ss h e s ays w a s a cust o m o f his

—
, ,

br o t he r s f ri en d A ppius
’ ?

When T ully 5 tur n to sp e ak c om e s he rud ely disturbs h is ,

“
br o the r s r e li an c e up o n tr a diti o n
’
I t h i n k it n o t th e p a r t o f
.

a p h il o s o p h e r to e m pl o y wit n e ss e s w h o a r e o n ly haply tru e ,

a n d o f t e n purp o s e ly f a ls e a n d d e c e i v i n g He o ught to .

sho w why a t h i n g is s o by a rgu m en ts an d r ea s o n s n o t by ,

” 3 “ ”
e v e nts e sp e ci a lly t ho s e I c an n o t c r e dit
,
An tiquity .
,

“ ” 4
Cic e r o d e cl a r e s l at e r has e rr e d in m an y r e sp e cts
,
T he .

e x ist e n c e o f t he a r t o f divi n a ti o n in e v e ry age an d n ati o n

ha s littl e e ffe ct up o n h im T he r e is n o t h i n g he a ss erts s o

.
, ,

wid e spr ea d as ign o r an c e ?

B o th br o the rs disti n guis h divi na ti o n as a s e p ar at e sub

j e c t f r o m t h e n a tur a l o r e v e n t h e a ppli e d sci ence s Q tus
ui n .

s ays t hat m e dic al m en pil o ts a n d fa r m e r s f o r e s ee m any

, ,
“
t h i n gs ye t t he ir a rts a r e n o t divi na ti o n
,
N o t e v e n P he r e .

‘
‘
D e divin a ti o n e , I , 39 . I bid . II, 3 3 .

“
I 58 , . I bid II 3 6
, .

3
I bid I I I I
.
, , .
 A TTA CK S UP O N S UPERS TI TI O N

cyde s , that fam o us P yt hago r ean m a st e r w ho pre dict e d an ,

e a rt hq u a k e w he n h e s a w t ha t the w at e r ha d dis a pp e a r e d

f r o m a w e ll w h ic h usu a lly w as w e ll fill e d s h o uld be re ,

ga rd e d as a divi ne r r at he r t han a physicist T ully c a rri e s 1

the disti n cti o n a st e p f u r t h e r an d a ss e rts t h a t the sick s e e k

a d o ct o r n o t a s o o t h s a y e r ; t h a t di v i n e rs c a n n o t i n struct us
,

in a str o n o m y ; tha t n o o n e c o n sults t he m c o n c e r n i n g p h il o

s o ph ic pr o bl em s o r e thic a l qu e sti o n s ; t hat they can give us
n o ligh t o n t he pr o bl e m s o f t he n a tu r a l u n i v e r s e ; a n d t ha t

they a r e o f n o s e r v ic e in l o gic di a l e ctic o r p o litic a l sci e n ce

,
?
,

A n a d m ir a bl e d e cl a r ati o n o f i n d e p en d e n c e o f n a tur a l sci e n c e

an d m e dici n e a n d o t he r a rts a n d c o n st r ucti v e f o r m s o f

tho ught f r o m the m etho ds o f di v i n a ti o n ! B ut a ls o o n e

m o r e e a sy t o st at e in g e n e r a l t e r m s o f t he o r y t han t o en f o rc e
in d e t a ils o f pr actic e a s P li n y G al e n a n d P t o l e my h av e
, , ,

a l r e a dy s ho w n us N o n e the l e ss it is i n d e e d a n o t ew o r thy
.

r e stricti o n o f the fi e ld o f di v i n ati o n w hen Cic e r o r em arks

“
t o h is br o t h e r Fo r t ho s e t hi n gs w h ic h c an be p e rc e iv e d
,

be fo r e han d e ithe r by ar t o r r e a s o n o r ex p e r i e n c e o r co n j ec
tur e yo u r e ga rd as n o t the a ffa ir o f di v i n e rs but o f s c ien
” 3
tists . But the qu e sti o n r e m a i n s w he t he r to o l a rge p o w ers
“ ”
o f pr e dicti o n m ay n o t be cl a i m e d by sci e n c e .

C ic e r o pr o c ee ds to a tt a ck th e m e tho ds a n d a ssu m pti o n s

o f divi n ati o n a s n e it h e r r e a s o n abl e n o r sci e n tific W hy .
,

he a sks did C alc ha s d e duc e f r o m t he d e v o ur e d sp a rr o ws

,

tha t the T r o j an war w o uld l as t ten yea rs r at he r t han t en

we eks o r te n m o n t h s ? 4
He p o i n ts o ut t ha t th e a r t is c o n
duct e d in di ffe r en t pl ac e s acc o rdi n g to quit e di ff e r en t rul e s
o f pr o c e dur e e v e n t o th e e x t e n t t h a t a f a v o r a bl e o m e n in
,

o n e l o c a lity is a si n ist e r w a r n i n g e ls e w h e r e He r e f us e s to ?

be li eve in any e x tr a o r di n a ry bo n ds o f sym pathy be twe en

thi n gs wh ich in s o fa r as o ur d aily ex p e r i en c e an d o ur
,

‘
I , 50 .
4
II, 3 0.

“
a
n
II , 1 2 . A n as t r o l o ge r , h o w
8
v
e er, w o uld p r o b abl y s ay t h at
II , 5 Q u ae em m
0

.
p r a e s e nti r i s e e m in g co n t r a dic tio n c o u l d b e a c
a ut a r te a ut r a tio n e aut u su a ut c o u n t e d f o r by t h e v
a r y in g ia fl u
c
o m
.

e c t u r a p o s s u nt ea n o n di in is
”
, v enc e of t h e c o n s t e ll atio n s u p o n
t r i bue n da p ut a s s e d p e r itis . diff e r e n t r eg io n s .
2 72 MA GI C AND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

k no wl e dge o f the w o rki n gs o f n atur e can i n fo rm us h av e ,

n o c a us a l c o nn e cti o n What i ntim ate c o nn e cti o n he a sks

.
, ,

w hat b o n d o f na tu r a l c aus a lity can t he re be be tween the

liv e r o r he art o r lu n g o f a f a t bull an d the divi n e e t e r n al
c aus e o f al l w h ich rul e s the u n i v e rs e ? 1 “
T hat a n yt h i n g
c e rt a i n is sign ifi e d by u n c e rt a i n t h i n gs is n o t this the l a st
,

th i n g a sci e n tist s h o uld a d m it ? ” 2

He r e f us e s to acc e pt
dr e am s as fi t c hann e ls e ithe r o f n atura l divi n ati o n o r divi ne
r e v e l ati o n ?
T he S ibylli n e B o o ks lik e m o st o r a cl e s a re
, ,

v a gu e a n d the e vid e n t pr od uct o f l ab o re d i n gen uity ?

Mo r e o v e r divi n ati o n a ss e rts th e e x ist en ce o f p he n o men a

,

w hic h sci en c e de n i e s S uc h a figm e n t C ic e r o sc o r n f ully

.
,

a ffi r m s a s t ha t the hea rt will v an is h f r o m the c a rc a ss o f a

,

victim is n o t b e li e ve d e v en by o l d wive s n o w a d ays Ho w

- - -
.

c an t he hea rt v an is h f r o m t he b o dy ? S ur e ly it m ust be
t he r e as l o n g a s li f e l a sts an d ho w c an it dis appe ar in an
,

“
i n st an t ? B e li ev e m e yo u ar e ab an d o n i n g the cit a de l o f phi
,

l o s o p hy w h il e yo u d e f e n d its o utp o sts Fo r in yo ur e ff o rt

.

t o pr o v e s oo t h s ayi n g tru e yo u utt e rly p e rv e rt p hysi o l o gy .

Fo r t he r e will be s o m et hi n g w h ic h e it he r spri n gs f r o m
n o th i n g o r sudd e n ly v an is h e s i n t o n o t h i n g n e ss W h at s e i e n
.

t is t e e v r s a id t h a t ? T h e s o o th s ay e rs s ay s o ? A re they
” 5
th e n do yo u th i n k t o be trust e d rath e r t han sci en tists ?
, ,

C ic e r o m ak e s o the r a rgu m e n ts a ga i n st divi nati o n such

a s t he st o ck c o n t e n ti o n s t ha t it is us e l e ss t o k n o w pr e d e

t e r m in e d e ve n ts be f o re han d si n c e t he y c ann o t be av o id e d ,

a n d t ha t e v e n i f w e can l e a r n t h e f utur e w e s h a ll be h appi e r

,

n o t to do it but his o utst an di n g a rgu m e n t is t hat it is um

,

sci enti fi c .

C ic e r o s att ack up o n divi n ati o n is ma i n ly dir e ct e d

’

a ga i n st liv e r divi n a ti o n a n d a n a l o go us m e t h o ds o f pr e dict

in g the f utur e but he d e v o t e s a f e w c hapt e rs to the do c

3
,

tri n e s o f the Cha ld ean s T he y p o stul ate a c e rta i n f o rc e in

.

t he c o n st e ll ati o n s c all e d the z o di ac a n d ho ld t hat be twe en

’
1
II, I2 . I I , 60-7 1 .

“ ‘
II, 1 9 .
Q uid igitu r m inu s a I I,
p hy s ic is d ic i d e b e t q ua m quid quam °
I I , 16 .

c e r ti s ign ifi ca r i r e b u s in ce r t is II , 42 -4 7 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

S uch app a r en t i n c o n sist e n cy is p e rh aps a sign o f s o me

what i n discri m i n ati n g e cl ecticis m o n Cic e r o s p art We ex ’
.

p e r ie n c e s o m e t h i n g o f a s h o ck a lt ho ugh p e r h aps w e s ho uld

,

n o t be surpris e d t o fi n d him in his R e u blic a rgui n g a s

1
, p
s e ri o usly in f avo r o f the a sc en si o n o r ap o t heo sis o f R o m ulus
a s a h ist o ric f a ct as a pr o f e ss o r o f n atur a l sci e n c e in a

d eno m i n ati o n al c o ll e ge m ight a rgu e in f av o r o f the his

to r ic ity o f the r e surr e cti o n o f C h rist A ltho ugh in the D e .

divina tio n e he i m p ati en tly brus he d a sid e the t e sti m o n y o f s o

gr e at a cl o ud o f wit n e ss e s an d o f m o st ph il o s o phe rs in f avo r
o f divi n a ti o n h e n o w a rgu e s t h a t t h e o pi n i o n t hat R o m ulus
,

“
ha d b e c o m e a go d c o uld n o t hav e pr ev a il e d s o u n iv e rs a lly
u n l e ss the re h ad b e e n s o m e ex tr ao rdi n a ry m an i f est ati o n o f
“
p o w e r an d tha t th is is the m o r e r e m a rk abl e be c a us e o the r
,

m e n s a id t o h a v e b e c o m e go ds liv e d in l e ss l e a r n e d ti m e s
, ,

when the m i n d w as pr o n e t o i n v en t a n d th e i n exp e ri e n c e d

”
w e r e e a sily l ed to be li ev e w he r ea s R o m ulus liv e d o n ly s ix
,

c en turi e s ago w hen lit e r atur e an d l earn i n g had alr ea dy m a d e

“
gr ea t pr o gr e ss in r e m o vi n g e rr o r w hen G r e ec e w as alr ea dy ,

f ull o f p o e ts an d m usici an s a n d littl e f a ith w as pl ac e d in

,

l e gen ds u n l e ss t he y c o n c e rn e d r em o t e an ti quity Y et a .

f e w c ha pt e rs l at e r C ic e r o n o t e s t ha t N u m a c o uld n o t hav e
b ee n a pupil o f P yt hago r as si n c e the l att e r did no t c o me to
,

I ta ly u n til 1 4 0 y ea rs a f t e r his d e a th ; a n d in a t h ird c hap

2

“
te r
3
w he n La e lius r e ma rks T hat ki n g is i n d e e d pra is e d
,

but R o man Hist o ry is o bscur e f o r a lt ho ugh we kn o w the ,

”
m o t he r O f th is ki n g w e a r e i gn o r a n t o f h is f a the r
,
S cipi o ,

r e pli e s Tha t is s o ; but in t ho s e ti me s it w as a lm o st e n o ugh

,
“

i f o n ly th e n am e s o f the ki n gs w e r e r e c o rd e d
”
We c an .

“ ”
o n ly a dd , Co n sist e n cy t ho u a r t a j e w el !
,

Fa vo r inu s d e n i e d t h at the d o ctri n e o f nativiti e s was t he

w o rk o f the Chald ean s and r e ga rd e d it a s the m o r e r e c en t
i n ve n ti o n o f m a rv e l m o n ge rs trickst e rs an d m o un t e ba nks
-
, ,
.

He r e ga rds th e i n f e r e n c e f r o m t he e ff e ct o f the m o o n o n
tid e s to t ha t o f t he st a rs o n e v e ry i n cid e n t o f o u r d a ily li f e

”
I bid , I I , 18
‘ 8
R epu blic, II , 10 . I bid .
, II , 15 . . .
 A TTA CK S UP O N S UP ER S TI TI O N

as un warran t e d He f urth e r o bj e cts th a t if th e Chald ean s

.

did r e c o rd a stro n o m ic al O bs e r v ati o n s t h e s e w o uld a pply o n ly

to t he ir o w n r e gi o n a n d t ha t o b s e r v a ti o n s e x t e n d e d o v e r a
va st l a ps e o f ti m e w o uld be n ec e ss a ry to e s t ablis h any syst em
o f a str o l o gy si n c e it r e qui r e s a ge s b e f o r e the sta r s r e tu r n
,

to t he ir p r e v i o us p o siti o n s . L ik e C ic e r o Favo r in u s pr o b
,

a bly m a n i f e sts his ign o r an c e o f t he t e c hn iqu e o f a str o l o gy

in c o m pl a i n i n g t ha t a s tr o l o ge rs do n o t a ll o w f o r the di ff e r
e n t i n flu e n c e o f di ff e r en t c o n st e ll a ti o n s in di ff e r en t p a rts o f

the e art h Mo re c o ge n t is h is sugge sti o n t hat th e r e m ay be

.

o t h e r st ar s e q u a l in p o w e r t o t he pl a n e ts w h ic h m e n c ann o t

s e e e it he r f o r t h e ir e x c e ss o f spl e n d o r o r b e c a us e o f t h e ir

p o siti o n He als o o bj e cts t hat the p o siti o n o f the sta r s is

.

n o t th e s am e a t the ti m e o f c o n c e pti o n a n d t h e ti m e o f birt h ,

a n d t h a t if th e di ff e r e n t f a t e o f t w i n s m ay b e e x pl a i n e d by
,

th e f a ct t hat a f t e r al l t hey a r e n o t b o r n at pr e cis e ly t he s am e

m o m ent the ti m e o f bi r t h a n d the p o siti o n o f th e st ars m ust
,

be m e a sur e d wit h an ex actn e ss pr a c t ic a lly i m p o ssibl e . He

a ls o c o n t e n ds t h a t it is n o t f o r h u m an be i n gs t o pr e dict th e

f utur e an d t hat t he subj e cti o n o f m an n o t m e r e ly in m att e rs

o f e x t e r n a l f o rtu n e but in his o w n a cts o f will t o th e st a rs

is n o t to be bo r n e The s e tw o a r gum ents o f t he divi n e p r e

.

r o gative a n d o f hum an f r e e will bec am e Christi an f av o rit e s .

He c o m pl a i n s t ha t the a st r o l o ge r s pr e dict gr e at e v en ts lik e

battl e s but c ann o t pr e dict s m a ll o n e s an d d e cl a r e s that they
,

m ay c o n gr atul a t e th em s e l v e s t ha t h e d o e s n o t pr o p o s e suc h
a qu e sti o n to t h em as t h a t o f a str a l i n flu e n c e o n m i n ut e a n i

m als . T h is an d h is f urt h e r qu e sti o n w hy o ut o f al l the

,

g r an d w o rks o f n atur e the a str o l o ge rs li m it t he i r a tte n ti o n

,

t o petty hu m an f o rtu n e sugge st t h a t lik e C ic e r o h e did n o t

,

r e aliz e t ha t a str o l o gy w as o r w o uld be c o m e a theo ry o f al l

na tur e an d n o t m e r e g en e t h li al o gy .

T o t he a rgu m en ts a gai n st n ati v iti e s that m e n die the

s ame d e at h who w e r e n o t bo r n at the s am e ti m e an d tha t
m e n who a r e b o r n a t th e s am e ti m e ar e n o t id e n tic al in
c ha r acte r o r f o rtune S ex tus Emp ir icus adds the d e risive
qu e sti o n whethe r a m an an d an as s bo r n in the s ame i n st an t
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERIMEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

w o uld su ff e r e x a ctly the s am e d esti n y P to l em y w o uld o f

.

c o urs e r eply t ha t w h il e the i n flu en c e o f the st a rs is c o n st an t

in bo th c a s e s it is v a ri a bly r e c e iv e d by m e n an d d o n k e ys ;
a n d S ex tus s q u e ry d o e s n o t s ho w h im v e ry w e ll v e rs e d in
’

a str o l o gy . He m en ti o n s the O bst acl e o f f r e e will to a stro

l o gic a l t he o ry but do e s n o t m ake v e ry m uch o f it The c h i e f .

p o i n t w h ic h he m ake s is that e v en if the stars do rul e human

d e sti ny t he ir eff e ct can n o t be accur at e ly m ea sur e d He
,
.

l ays str e ss o n the di ffi culty o f ex a ctly d e t e r m i n i n g the date

o f birt h o r o f c o n c e pti o n o r the pr e cis e m o m en t w h e n a
,

st a r p a ss e s i n t o a ne w sign o f the z o di ac He no t e s the .

v a ri ability a n d u n r e li a bility o f w at e r cl o cks He c a lls atten

-
.

ti o n to the f a ct t ha t o bs e r v e rs at v a ryi n g a ltitud e s as w e ll

a s in di ff e r e n t l o c a liti e s w o uld a rriv e a t di ffe r e n t c o n clu

si o n s D i ff e r e nc e s in ey e sight w o uld a ls o a ff e ct r e sults an d

.
,

it is di ffic ult to t ell j ust w he n the s un s e ts o r an y sign o f

the z o di a c dr o ps be l o w th e ho riz o n o wi n g to r e fl e cti o n an d
r e f r acti o n o f r ays S extus t hus l e av e s us s o me w ha t in d o ubt
.

w he the r his o b j ecti o n s ar e to be t ak en as i n dic ative o f a

spirit o f c apti o us criticis m t o w a rds an ar t the f un dam en ta l
,

pri ncipl e s o f w h ich he t a citly r ec o gn iz e s as w e ll n igh inco n -

t e s t ible o r w h e t he r h e is si m ply tryi n g to m ak e h is c a s e

,

d o ubly sur e by s ho wi n g a str o l o gy to be i m pr actic a bl e as

w ell a s u n r e a s o na bl e I n any c a s e w e s ha ll fi n d h is a rgum e nt
.

t ha t the i n flu enc e o f the st a rs c ann o t be m ea sur e d accur at e ly

r ep eat e d by Ch risti an writ e rs .

T he m a i n pl o t o f th e M e tam or pho s es o f A pul e ius ap

p ea rs s ho r n o f the m an y a dditi o n a l sto ri e s the r e ligi o us
, ,

m ysticis m an d the aut o bi o gr ap h ic a l e l e m e n t w h ic h c ha r a c

,

t e r iz e h is n a rr ativ e in a bri e f a n d p e r ha ps e pit o m iz e d G r e e k

,

v e rsi o n e ntitl e d L ucius o r The As s am o n g th e w o rks o f

, ,

L uci a n o f S a m o s ata the c o n t em p o r a ry o f A pul e ius an d

,

n o t e d s atirist T he w o rk is n o w c o m m o n ly r e g ard e d as
.

s puri o us si n c e the styl e s e e m s di ff e r e n t f r o m t ha t o f L uci an

,

a n d t he A ttic G r e e k l e ss pur e T he n a rr a tiv e to o is bar e

.
, , ,

a t l ea st c o m p a r e d wit h the e x ub e r an t f a n cy o f A pul e ius a n d ,

s eem s to avo id the m a rv el o us and r o man tic d e ta ils in wh ich

2 78 MA GI C AN D EXPERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

He the n r e pl ac e d the ti ny vip e r by a huge t am e s e r p en t w h ich

he ha d purc ha s e d at P e ll a in Mac e d o n an d w h ic h wa s tr a i n e d
t o h id e its hea d in A l ex an d e r s a r m pit w h il e t o th e cr o wd
’

, ,

w ho w e r e a ls o p e r m itt e d t o t o uc h the t a il a n d bo dy o f the

r ea l s n ak e was s ho wn a f a ls e s e rpen t s hea d m ad e o f li nen
,
’

wit h hum an f eatur e s an d a m o uth t hat o p en e d an d s hut an d

a t o n gu e t ha t c o uld be m a d e to d a rt in an d o ut Havi n g thus.

c o nvi nc e d the p e o pl e tha t the vipe r had r e ally b een a go d

a n d h ad m ir acul o usly i n cr ea s e d in siz e A l ex an d e r pr o c ee d e d
,

t o s e ll o r a cul a r r e sp o n s e s a s f r o m the go d In quir e rs sub

.

m itte d the i r q u e sti o n s in s ea l e d p ack a ge s w h ic h w e r e l a t e r

r eturn e d t o them with a ppr o pri at e an sw e rs an d with the s e als
un br o k en an d a pp a r e ntly u n t o uc he d S i m il arly P lut ar ch .

t e lls o f a sc e ptic a l o pp o n en t o f o r acl e s wh o b ec am e c o nv e rt e d

i nt o t he ir a rd en t supp o rt e r by r e c e ivi n g such a n an sw e r to
a s ea l e d l e tt e r L uci an ho w e v e r ex pl a i n s t ha t A l ex an d e r
?
, ,

s o m e t i m e s us e d a ho t n ee dl e to m e lt the s eal an d t hen r e sto r e

it to pr actic a lly its o rigi n a l s hap e o r em pl o ye d o t he r m etho ds
,

by w h ich he t o o k ex act i m pr e ssi o n s o f the s e a l t he n bo ldly ,

br o k e it r ea d the q u e sti o n an d a f t e rw a rds r eplac e d the s eal

, ,

by a n ex act r e plic a o f the o rigi n al m ad e in the m o uld .

L uci a n a dds t ha t t he r e ar e pl e n ty o f o t he r d e vic e s o f this

s o rt w hic h he d o e s n o t ne e d t o r ep e at t o Celsus who has
a lr e a dy m a d e a su ffici e n t c o ll e cti o n o f th e m in his ex c e ll en t
”
tr e atis e s a ga i n st the m a gici an s . L uci an t ells l at e r ho w ,

e v e r h o w A l ex a n d e r m a d e h is go d s e e m t o sp eak by a tt ac h
,

ing a tub e m a d e o f the wi n dpip e s o f cr an e s t o th e a rti fi ci al

he a d a n d havi n g a n a ssist an t o utside sp eak t h r o ugh t h is
c o n c ea l e d tube In o u r l at e r discussi o n o f the c hurch fa t he r
.

Hi p p o lytus w e s hall fi n d t ha t he app ar en tly m a d e u se o f t h is

e x po sé o f m a gic by L uci an a s w e ll a s o f t he a rgu m e n ts o f

S e x tus E m p ir ic u s a g a i n st a str o l o gy L
. uci a n s p e rs o n a l
’
e x

p e r ie n c es wit h t h is A l e x a n d e r w e r e q uit e i nt e r e sti n g but

a r e l e ss g e r m an e to o ur i n v e stig a ti o n .

‘
D e d ef e c tu o r a cu l o r u m, 45 .
 A TTA CK S UP O N S UP ER S TI TI O N

We m ust not f a il , ho w e v e r , t o
t t he r e ss ay P hil on o e an o ,

d o r A pis t o n i n wh ich th e sup e rstiti o n a n d ps e ud o

p s e u es ,

sci en c e o f an tiquity a r e s h a r ply s ati r iz e d in w hat purp o rts

t o be a c o n v e r s ati o n o f s e v e r a l p h il o s o p h e rs i n cludi n g a ,

S t o ic a P e r ip at etic a n d a P l at o n ist a n d a r e p r e s e n t a ti v e o f
, , ,

a nc i e n t m e dici n e in th e p e rs o n o f A n tig o n us a d o ct o r S ome ,

.

o f the m a gic a l pr o c e dur e t he n e m pl o y e d in curi n g dis e a s e s

is firs t s ati r iz e d Cle o dem us th e P e rip at etic a dvis e s a s a

.

r em e dy f o r go ut to t ak e in t he l e ft h an d th e t o o th o f a fi e ld
m o us e w hic h ha s b e e n kill e d in a p r e scrib e d m an n e r t o w r a p ,

it in the ski n o f a li o n f r e s h ly fl aye d an d thus t o bi n d it -

,

a bo ut t he a ili n g f o o t He affi r m s t hat it will gi v e i n st an t

.

r e li e f D in o m ac hu s th e S to ic a d m i t s t h a t t h e o ccul t vi r tu e
.

o f t he li o n is v e ry g r e a t an d t h a t its f a t o r r ig h t f o r e p aw
—

o r t h e bristl e s o f its b e ard i f c o m bi n e d wit h th e pr o p e r

,

i n c an t at i o n s hav e w o n d e r ful e ffic acy But he ho lds t hat f o r

,
.

t he cu r e o f g o ut th e ski n o f a vi r gi n h i n d w o uld be sup e ri o r

o n t he g r o u n d t ha t t he h i n d is sp ee di e r t han t he li o n an d s o

m o r e b e n e fi ci a l t o t he f e e t Cle o de m u s r e t o r t s t ha t he us e d
.

t o t h i n k the s am e but t h at a L iby an h a s c o n v i n c e d him t h a t

,

th e li o n c a n r un f a st e r t h an th e h i n d o r it w o uld n e v e r c atc h

one . T he sc e p t ic a l r e p o r t e r o f t h is c o n v e rs ati o n st at e s t hat

he v a i n ly a t te m pt e d t o c o n v i n c e t h em that a n i n t e r n a l dis e a s e
c o uld n o t be cu r e d by ex t er n al atta chm e nts o r by i n c an t a
ti o n s m e t ho ds whic h he r e ga rds as the v e ri e st s o rc e ry
,

( g o e tia
)
His p r o t e sts ,
h o w e v e r , m e r e ly l ea d I o n the P l at o n ist t o
c u n t h o w a Ma gus a Chald ean o f B abyl o n i a cu r e d h is
re o , ,

f a t he r s gard e n e r w ho h a d b e e n stu n g by a n a dd e r o n th e
’

g r ea t to e an d w as a lr ea dy a ll s w o ll e n up an d n ea rly d ea d .

T he m a gici a n s m e tho d w as to a pply a spli n t e r o f s to n e f r o m

’

the st a tu e o f a v irgi n t o t he t o e utt e r i n g a t th e s am e ti m e ,

an i n c a n t ati o n He then l e d the w ay to the fi e ld w he r e th e

.

ga rd en e r ha d b e en stun g ; pr o n o u n c e d s ev e n s acr e d n am e s
f r o m an a n ci e n t v o lu m e an d f u m iga t e d th e pl ac e t h r i c e wit h
,

t o r c he s an d sulp hu r A ll the s n ak e s in the fi e ld t he n c am e

.

f o r th f r o m the i r ho l e s w i th t he e x c e pti o n o f o n e v e ry a ge d
 MA GI C AN D EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

an d de cr e pit s e rp en t who m the m a gici an s en t a y o u n g sn ak e

,

back to f et c h Ha v i n g t hus as s em bl e d e v e ry l a st s e rp ent he

.
,

bl e w up o n t hem an d the y all v an ish e d i n t o th i n a ir

, .

T h is t a l e r e m i n ds the S t o ic o f an o t he r m a gici an a bar ,

ba ri an a n d Hyp e rbo r ean w ho c o uld w a lk t hr o ugh fi r e o r

,

up o n w at e r an d e v en fly thr o ugh th e a ir He c o uld als o .

“
m ak e p e o pl e f a ll in l o v e c all up spi r its r e suscit at e c o rps e s
, , ,

bri n g d o w n the m o o n an d s ho w yo u He c at e he rs e l f as l arge

,

as li f e .
” 1
Mo re sp e cific illustr a ti o n o f t he e x e rcis e o f t he s e
p o w e rs is given in an acc o u n t o f a l o v e sp e ll w h ich he p e r
f o r m e d f o r a y o u n g m an f o r a big f e e D iggi n g a tr en c h .
,

h e r a is e d the gh o st o f the y o ut h s f at h e r an d a ls o su mm o n e d
’

He c a t e Ce rbe rus an d the Mo o n T he l a st n am e d app ea r e d

, , .

in t hr e e succ e ssiv e f o r m s o f a w o m an a n o x an d a puppy , , .

T he s o rc e r e r t he n c o n struct e d a cl ay i m age o f t he go d o f
l o v e an d s en t it to f e tch the girl wh o c am e a n d st aye d un til
,

c o ck cr o w w hen all the a pp a riti o n s v an is he d with he r I n

-
,
.

v a i n the sc e ptic a rgu e s that the girl in que sti o n w o uld hav e
c o m e willi n gly e n o ugh wit ho ut any m agic T he P l at o n ist .

m a tc he s t he pr e vi o us st o ry wit h o n e o f a S yri an f r o m P a l e s
ti n e who c ast o ut d em o n s .

T he discussi o n t he n f urt he r d e ge n e r a t e s i nt o gho st

st o ri e s an d ta l e s o f st atue tte s t hat l eav e the ir p e d e st a ls a f te r
the ho us e ho ld h as r e tir e d f o r the n ight O ne s p e ak e r s ays .

th at h e n o l o n g e r has an y f e a r o f gho sts si n c e an A r a b gav e

him a m a gic ri n g m a d e o f n a ils f r o m cr o ss e s a n d t aught him
a n i n c a n t a ti o n t o u s e a g a i n st sp o o ks A t t h is j u n ctur e a .

P yt ha go r e a n p h il o s o p h e r o f gr eat r e put e e n t e rs an d a dds h is

te sti m o n y in the f o rm o f an acc o u n t o f ho w he l a id a gho st
a t C o ri n t h by e m pl o yi n g a n E gypti an i n c an t ati o n .

Euc r ates the h o st t he n t e lls o f P an c r at e s w ho m he ha d

, , ,

“
m e t in E gypt an d w ho ha d sp e n t tw e n ty th r e e y e a rs u n d e r -

”
gr o u n d l e a r n i n g m agic f r o m I sis an d w ho m cr o c o dil e s ,

w o uld all o w to rid e o n t he ir backs T he y tr a ve l e d a ti m e .

t o ge the r witho ut a s e rv an t si n c e P an c r ate s w a s abl e to dr e ss

,

up the d o o r bar o r a b r o o m o r p e stl e turn it i nt o hum an

—
,

t r an s l atio n
1 ’
Fo w l e r s .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

at m id n ight in th e T igris by f u m iga ti o n He had to

an d .

sl ee p o ut o f d o o rs a n d o bs e r v e a spec i a l di e t n o t l o o k any
- —
,

o n e in t h e e ye o n h is w a
y h o m e w a lk b a ck w a rds ,an d s o ,

on . T he ulti m a t e r e sult o f a l l t h e s e pr e p a r ati o n s w a s t ha t

t he eart h w a s burst a su n d e r by the fi n a l i n c a n t a t i o n a n d th e
w ay t o the u n d e rw o rld l a id o p e n When it c am e ti m e to .

r e tur n Men ip pu s cr awl e d up wit h di fficulty lik e Dan t e go i n g ,

f r o m the I n f e r n o t o P u r gat o r y t h r o ugh a n a rr o w tu nn e l

,

w hic h o p e ne d o n the s h ri n e o f T r o ph o n ius .

A n e ss ay o n a st r o l o gy a scribe d t o L uci a n is usu a lly

r e ga rd e d a s s p uri o us D en i a l o f its aut hen ticity ho w e ve r
?
, ,

s ho uld r e st o n suc h gr o u n ds a s its lit e r a ry styl e an d the

m an uscri p t h ist o ry o f t he w o rk r a the r t han up o n its t o —

m o d e r n e y e s sup e rstiti o us c ha r a ct e r
—
I n an ti quity a m an .

m ight be sc e p tic a l a bo ut m o st sup e rstiti o n s an d ye t be li e v e

in a str o l o gy a s a sci e n c e L uci a n s sc e ptic a l f ri e n d C e lsus
’
.
,

f o r ex am pl e as w e s ha ll s e e in o u r c h apt e r o n O rige n s
’

R eply to C e ls us be li e v e d t h at the f utur e c o uld be f o r e t o ld

,

fr o m th e st a rs An d w he t he r the pr e s e n t e ss ay is gen ui ne o r
.

spuri o us it is c e rt a i n ly n o t e w o rt hy t ha t f o r a ll his m o ck e ry
,

o f o t h e r sup e rstiti o n L uci an d o e s n o t a tt ack a str o l o gy in a n y

o f his e ss ays Mo r e o ve r this e ss ay o n a st r o l o gy is v e ry

.
,

sc e ptic a l in o ne way si n c e it d e n i e s the lit e r al trut h o f v ari

,

o u s G r e e k m yt h s an d gi v e s a n a str o l o gic a l i n t e rp r e t a ti o n o f

t hem a s in the c as e o f Z e us an d K r o n o s an d the s o c all e d

,
—

a dult e ry o f Ma rs T h is is n o t i n c o n sist en t with L uci an s

’
.

ridicul e e ls e w he r e o f the a n t hr o p om o rph ic O lym pi an divi n i

ti e s What O rph e us t a ugh t the G r e e ks w a s a str o l o gy an d
.
,

the pl an e ts w e re sign ifi e d by the s e v e n st r i n gs o f h is lyr e .

Te ir e si a s t a ught t he m f urt he r t o disti n guish w h ic h st a rs w e r e

m a sculi n e an d w h ic h f e m i n i n e in c ha r act e r a n d i n flu e n c e .

A pro p e r i n t e rpr e t a ti o n o f th e m yth o f A tr e us an d T hy e st e s

a ls o s ho ws the G r e e ks at a n e a rly d a t e a cqu a i n t e d wit h a str o

l o gic a l d oc tri n e B e ll e r o p ho n s o a r e d to the sky n o t o n a

. ,

1
F wlo m it it It p p
er o s i
. J bit
a d D i d f m k it
ea r s n ac o z an n or ar as

the T e ubne r e d it io n , L u c ia ni s p u r io u s C r o is e t E s s ai s u r l a
.
,

S a m o s a te n s is o pe r a ed ,C Jaco . . vie e t l e s oeuvr es d e L u c ien P a r is , .

b itz , II 1 8 7 - 9 5 , b u t b o th 1 8 8 2 , p 43 , a l s o r e j e c t s it
. .
 A T TA CK S UP O N S UP ERS TI TI O N

ho r s e but by the s ci e n t ific p o w e r o f his m i n d D ae d alus .

t a ught I ca r us a st r o l o gy an d the f a bl e o f P ha et h o n is to be
si m il a rly i n t e rp r e t e d A en ea s w a s n o t r e a lly the s o n o f the
.

go dde ss Ven us n o r Mi n o s o f J upite r n o r A e scul apius o f

, ,

Ma r s n o r A ut o lycus o f Me rcu r y T he s e a r e t o be t ak en
,
.

si m ply as the pl an e ts u n d e r w ho s e rul e t hey w e r e bo r n .

The a utho r a ls o c o nn e cts E gypt i a n an i m a l w o r s h i p with the

sign s o f th e z o di a c .

T he a utho r o f the e ss ay a ls o d e l v e s i n t o th e h ist o ry o f

astr o l o gy , t o w h ic h h e a ssign s a h igh a n tiquity T he .

Et hi o pi an s w e r e th e firs t to c ul t i v a t e it a n d h an d e d it o n in a
still i m p e r fe ct sta g e to the E gypti an s w ho d e v e l o p e d it T he .

B a byl o n i an s cl a i m t o ha v e studi e d it be f o r e o t he r p e o pl e s ,

but o ur autho r thi n ks t hat th ey did s o l o n g a f t e r t he E th i

o p ia n s a n d E gypti a n s T he G r e e ks w e r e i n st r uc te d in the
.

a r t n e it h e r by t he E t h i o p i a n s n o r the E gypti an s but a s w e , ,

ha v e s e e n by O rp he us
,
O u r a utho r n o t o n ly st at e s t ha t the
.

an ci en t G r e e ks n e v e r built t o w n s o r w a lls o r go t m a r r i e d

wi tho ut fi r st r e s o r t i n g to di v i n at i o n but e v e n a ss e r t s that

,

a str o l o gy w a s t he i r s o l e m e t ho d o f di v i n a ti o n t ha t t h e
,

P yt h i a a t D e lp h i w a s the typ e o f c e l e sti a l purity an d t ha t the

s n ak e u n de r t he t r ip o d r e p r e s en t e d the dr a go n am o n g the
c o n ste ll ati o n s L ycurgus t aught his L ac e daem o mi an s t o o b
.
-

s e r v e the m o o n an d o n ly the u n cultur e d A rc a di an s he ld

,

the m s e l v e s a l o o f f r o m a st r o l o gy Y e t at the p r e s e n t day

.

s o m e o pp o s e the a r t de cl a r i n g e it h e r t hat the st a r s have

,

n a ugh t t o do wit h h u m a n a ff a i r s o r t h a t a st r o l o gy is us e l e s s

si n c e w ha t is f at e d c an n o t be a v o id e d T o the l a tt e r o bj ec
.

ti o n o ur a ut ho r m ak e s t he usu al r e t o r t that f o r e wa rn e d is
fo r e a r m e d ; as f o r th e f o r m e r d e n i al i f a ho rs e s t irs the
,

sto n e s in the r o a d as it r u n s if a pa s si n g br e ath o f wi n d

,

m o v e s st r aws t o a n d f r o i f a ti n y fl am e bu r n s the fi n ge r will

, ,

n o t t he c o u r s e s an d de fl e x io n s o f t h e b r illi a n t c e l e sti al b o di e s

ha v e t h e ir i n flu e n c e up o n e a rt h an d m an ki n d ?
T he m ann e r o f the es s ay d o e s n o t s e em lik e L uci an s
’

usu a l styl e an d the a str o l o gic a l i n t e r pr et a ti o n o f r e ligi o us

,

m yt h w as c h a r a ct e r istic o f t he S t o ic p h il o s o p hy w h e r e a s ,
2 84 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

L uci an s ph il o s o p h ic a l affin iti e s if he c an be s aid to have

’
,

a n y a r e p e r ha ps r a t h e r wit h t he E picur e a n s
, But Ce l s us .

wa s an E picur ea n an d ye t b e li ev e d in a str o l o gy I t m ust .

n o t b e t ho ugh t ho w e v e r t hat L uci an in h is o the r e s s avs

, ,

is a lways sc eptic al in r e gard t o w hat w e s ho uld cl a ssi fy a s

s up e rstiti o n He t e lls us h o w h is c ar e e r w a s d e t e r m i n e d by
.

a d r e a m in th e a ut o bi o gr a p h ic a l e s s a y o f t h a t titl e
-
I n t he .

D ial og ues o f th e G o ds m a gic is m e n ti o n e d a s a m a tt e r o f -

c o urs e Z eu s c o m pl a i n i n g t ha t he has t o r e s o r t to m agic in

,

o rd e r to w in w o m e n an d A t he n e w a rn i n g P a ris to ha v e

A ph r o dit e r e m o v e h e r girdl e si n c e it is drugge d o r e n chan te d

,

a n d m ay b e witc h h im .

Th e writi n gs o f L uci an c o n t a i n m any a llusi o n s t o th e

d o ct o rs dis ea s e s an d m e dici n e s o f his ti m e O n the who l e
, ,
?

h e c o n fi r m s G a l e n s pictu r e N u m e r o us pa ss a g e s s ho w t hat
’ -
.

th e m e dic a l pr o f e ssi o n w a s h e ld in h igh e st e em an d L uci an ,

h i m s e l f first w e n t t o R o m e in o r d e r t o c o n sult an o culist .

A t t he s am e ti m e L uci a n s atiriz e s t h e q u acks an d m e dic al

sup e r stiti o n o f th e ti m e as w e hav e a lr e a dy s een an d
, ,

d e scribe s s e ve ra l st a tu e s w h ic h w e r e b eli ev e d to p o ss e ss he al
in g p o w e rs I n the burl e squ e tr a ge dy o n go ut Tr ag o dopo
.
,

dagr a w ho s e a uth en ticity h o w e v e r is q u e sti o n e d the dis

, , , ,

e a s e p e rs o n i fi e d is triu m ph a n t an d t he m o r a l s ee m s t o be
,

t ha t a ll the r em e di e s w h ic h m en hav e tri e d ar e o f n o ava il .

O n the o the r han d L uci a n wr o t e s e ri o usly o f the A f ric an

,

s nake who s e bit e c aus e s o n e to die o f t hi r st ( D e dips adibus ) .

He a dm its t h at h e ha s n e v e r s ee n any o n e in th is c o n diti o n

an d ha s n o t e v e n b ee n in L iby a w h e r e t h e s e s n ak e s ar e

f o un d but a f r i en d has a ssur e d him that he ha s s ee n the

,

t o mbst o n e e pit a p h o f a m an w ho ha d di e d t hu s a r athe r ,

i n dir e ct m o d e o f pr o o f w h ic h w e a r e surpris e d s ho uld s atis f y

th e a ut ho r o f H ow to Wr ite His to r y L uci a n al s o r e p e a ts .

t he c o m m o n n o ti o n t h a t p e r s o n s bit t e n by a m ad do g c an
be cur e d o n ly by a h a ir o r o t he r p o r ti o n o f t h e s a m e a n i m a l ?

1
S ee th e in t e r e s t in g p ap e r o f J . P r o c e e d in g s o f th e R o ya l S o cie ty
D Ro l l es to n , L u c ian a n d Me di M edic in e, V I I I, 49 5 8, 7 2 -84
“
. of -
.

” 2
c in e , 1 9 1 5 , 2 3 p p , r e p r in t e d f r o m
. S e e t h e c l o s e o f N ig r t n us .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP . IX

” “
l a bo ri o us r e p e ate d i n ve stigati o n
,
P r e fe r the disi n t e r e st e d
.

” 1
a cc o un t . S uc h s e n t e n c e s an d ph r a s e s a s t he s e r ev e a l a
sci e n tific an d critica l spirit o f h igh o rd e r a n d s eem a v a st
i m pr o v e m en t up o n the f r a ilty o f C ic e r o s h ist o ric a l c r iticis m
'

But ho w f a r L uci a n w o uld hav e b e e n a bl e t o f o ll o w his o w n

a d v ic e is p e r h a ps an o t h e r m a tt e r .

1
Fo wl e r t r an s l atio n
’
Th e w o r ding of th e s e e x ce r p t s is th at of s .
 CHAP TER X

T H E S P U RI O U S M Y S T I C W RI T I N G S O F H ER M ES , ORP H EU S ,

A N D Z O R O A S TER

Myst ic w or k s of re v e l a t io n —
T h e He r m e tic bo o k s— P o ima n dr e s an d

t he He r m e tic C o r pus —
A s t r o l o g ic al t r e a t is e s a s c r ib e d to He r m e s
He r m e t ic wor k s o f a l c h e m y— N e c h ep s o an d P e t o s ir is —
Ma n e t h o —
Th e
L i th ic a of O r p h e u s — A r g um e n t of t h e p o e m— Ma g ic p ow e r s o f s to n e s

—
Ma gic r it e s t o g a in p o w e r s of v
d i in a t io n —
Po w er of g em s c o m p ar e d

w ith h e r b s —
Mag ic he r b s an d d e m o n s in O r p h ic r it e s — Boo k s a s c r ib e d to

Z o r o a s t e r— Th e Cha l de an O r a c l es .

T H E RE w e r e in circul ati o n in the R o m an Em pi r e m any writ

i n gs w h ich pu r p o r te d to be o f di v i n e o r igi n an d autho r s hip ,

o r a t l e a st the w o rk o f an ci en t cultur e h e r o e s a n d f o u n d e rs -

o f r e ligi o n s w h o w e r e o f divi n e d e sc e n t an d di v i n e ly in

spir e d The s e o r a cul a r an d m ystic c o m po si t i o n s usu a lly

.

pr e t en d to gr e a t an tiqui ty an d o f t e n cl a i m a s t he i r h o m e
such ho ary l an ds as E gypt an d Chald e a a ltho ugh in the ,

He ll en ic p a st A p o ll o an d in th e R o m an p a st the S ibylli n e
b o o ks a ls o a ff o rd c o nv e n i e n t c e n t e rs a bo ut w h ich f o r ge r i e s
1

clust e r A ssu m i n g as the s e w r i t i n gs do t o discl o s e the

.

s e cr ets o f an ci en t pri e stho o ds an d to publis h what s ho ul d

n o t be r e v e a l e d t o t he vulga r cr o wd t he y m ay be c o n fid e n tly ,

e x p e ct e d t o e m b o dy a g r e a t d e a l o f sup e r stiti o n an d m a gic

a l o n g with t h e ir ex p o s i t i o n s o f m ystic t h e o l o gi e s A ls o t he .

a ut ho rs e dit o rs
,
o r publis he rs o f a s tr o l o gic a l
,
a lc he m istic , ,

an d o t he r ps e ud o s c ie n t ifi c t r e a tis e s c o uld n o t be e x p e ct e d
-

to r e sist the t e m pt a ti o n o f cl a i m i n g a v e n e r a bl e a n d c r ypti c

o rigi n f o r s o m e o f t h e ir bo o ks Mo r eo v e r s uc h ps e ud o .
,

lite r a tur e w a s n o t e n ti r e ly u n j ustifi e d in its a ffi r m ati o n o f

h igh an tiquity Fe w th i n gs in i n t e ll e c t u a l h ist o ry a n t e d at e
.

m a gic an d t h e s e spuri o us c o m p o s i t i o n s a r e n o t e sp eci a lly

,

S e e S ac k ur , S ibyl lin is c h e Te x te u n d F o r s c h un g e n Hall e 1 8 9 8 ; Al e x

1
, ,

a n d r e , O r a c u la S ibyl l in a , 2 md e d , P a r is , 1 8 69 ; Ch a r l es ( 1 9 13 ) I I , 3 68 ff
. .

287
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

disti nguis he d by n ew idea s a ltho ugh they to s o m e e x ten t ,

r e fl ect the pr o gr e ss m a de in l ea rn i n g o ccult as w e ll a s s cie n ,

t ifi c in t he He ll e n istic a ge
, It m u st be a dd e d t hat m uc h o f .

the ir c o n t en ts d ep en ds f o r its e ffe ct en tir e ly upo n its cl a i m

to e m i n e n t a ut ho rs h ip a n d g r e at an ti q uity a n d up o n t he im

p r e s s io n a b il ity o f its public T o day m o st o f it s ee m s .

-

trivi a l c o mm o n pl a ce o r m a rke d by the empty v a gu en e ss

ch ar act e ristic o f o r acul a r utte r a n c e s I s hall att e m pt n o .

c o mpl e t e e x p o siti o n o r ex haustiv e tr ea tm e n t o f suc h writ

i n gs but t o uch up o n a f e w ex am pl e s w h ich be ar up o n the
1

r e l ati o n s o f sci en c e a n d m agic .

Ch i e f amo n g t he s e a r e the He r m e tic bo o ks o r writi n gs

a tt r ibu t e d t o He r m e s th e E gypti an o r T ris m e gistus
“
Un d e r .

” “
th is n am e wr o t e S t ei n sc hn e id e r in 1 9 0 6 t he r e ex ists in
, ,

m a n y l a ngu a ge s a lite r a tur e f o r t he m o st p a rt sup e rstiti o us , ,

” 2
w h ic h se em s to ha v e n o t yet b e en treat e d in its t o t a lity .

T he E gy pti an go d Tho t h o r T eh ut i k n o w n in G r e e k a s ,

e woo 6 6 0 a n d T a
, 3 , w a s id e n ti fi e d with He r m e s an d the
r , ,

“ ”
e pit he t thric e gr e at is a ls o d e riv e d f r o m the E gypti an
-

”
ad ad the gr e at G re a t
,
C it ati on s o f w o rks a scrib e d t o t h is
.

He rme s T ris m e gistus c an be trac e d back as e a rly as the fi rst

c en tury o f o u r e ra
?
He is als o m en ti o ne d o r q u o t e d by
v ari o us churc h f at he rs f r o m At henago r a s to Aug usti n e a n d
o f t e n fi gur e s in th e m agic a l p a pyri The h ist o ri an Amm i .

a nus Ma rc e lli n us in the f o urt h c e n tury r anks him wit h t he

4

gr e at s a ge s o f the p a st such a s P yt ha go r a s S o cr at e s an d , ,

A p o ll o n ius o f T yan a O u r t w o c h i e f d e scripti o n s o f the

.

He r m etic bo o ks f r o m the p e ri o d o f the R o m an E m pir e a r e

f o u n d in th e S tr o m a ta o f the Ch risti an C l em e n t o f A l ex
5

a n dri a m 6
( 5
c 1 0 e 2 z o .A D ) a n-
d .in t h e D e y s te r iis .

a scrib e d t o t h e N eo P l a t o n ist I am blich us ( di e d ab o ut 3 3 0

-

w k t b
”
1
B id es th es it d
e or St i sh id o 24 e Hec e e ns c ne er .

l at e r in t h is ch ap t e r , t h e r e a de r m e n t io n s d is s e r t at io n o f R
th e .

may c o n s ul t : A D ie te r ic h , A b .
P ie t s c h m an n , H e r m es Tr is me g is
r a x as ( S tu die n z r e l ig g es c h d . . . . tus L e i p z ig , 18 7 5
,
.

S e e G al e n, c iting P amph ilus ,

8
L e ip z ig , 18 9 1 , e s p e c ia l ly
’

s pat .

“
c h ap t e r II ( p p J ii dis c h
. K uh n , XI , 7 9 8 .

‘
o r p h is c h -g no s t ic h e K u l t e u n d d ie XX I , I 4 , 1 5 .

” ls
Z aube r bii c h e r a n d G A L o b e ck , . . V I, 4 .

Ag la opha m us 1 82 9 , 2 o l s ,
v . I, I ; V II I, 1 -4 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

m e n ts the fi r st a n d c h i e f is e n titl e d P oim an dr es (H mdvdp ns) o ,

a n am e w h ic h is s o m e ti m e s a ppli e d to t h e e n tir e C or u s
p .

A n o t he r f r ag m e n t e n titl e d A s c l epius si n c e it is in t he f o r m
,

o f a di a l o gu e b e tw e e n h im an d
“
Me rcu r ius T r is m egis
”
tus ex ists in a L ati n fo r m w h ic h ha s be e n a sc r ibe d pr o bably
,

i n c o r r e ctly to A pul e ius o f Ma d aur a a s tr a n sl a t o r ( A s cl epius

M er cur ii tr is m egis ti d ial og us L uc io Apu l e io Mada u
r ens i hil
p os o ph o P la to n ic o in-ter pr e te ) N o n e o f the G r e e k
.

m an uscripts of s e em s o lde r than the f o urt een th

the C o r pus
c e n tu r y a ltho ugh Re itz en st e i n t h i n ks that t hey m ay all be
,

d e ri v e d f r o m the v e r si o n wh ich M ic ha e l P s e llus had be f o r e

him in th e e l e v e n t h c e n tu r y ?
But the c o n cludi n g pr aye r
o f t h e P o in zan dr es e x ists in a t h ird c e n tu r y p a pyrus a n d t he ,

a lc h e m i st Z o si m us in t h e f o u r t h c e n tury s e e m s a cqu a i n t e d

with th e e n t ir e c o ll e cti o n The tr eatis e s in th is C or pus ar e

.

c o n c e r n e d pri m a rily wit h r e ligi o us p h il o s o p hy o r t heo s o p hy ,

with d o ctri n e s si m il a r t o tho s e o f P l a t o c o n c e r n i n g the s o ul

a n d t o th e t e a c h i n gs o f t h e G n o stics T he m o r a l a n d r e
.

l igio u s i n structi o n is a ss o ci a t e d ho w e v e r wit h a p hysics an d

, ,

c o s m o l o gy v e ry fa vo r a bl e to a st r o l o gy an d m agic O f m agic .

in th e n a r r o w s e n s e the r e is littl e in the C o r pus but a ,

H e rm e tic f r agm e n t pr e s er v e d by S to ba eu s affi r m s t ha t

”
“
p h il o s o p hy a n d m agic n o u r is h the s o ul A st r o l o gy pl ays
.

a m uc h m o r e p r o m i n e n t p a rt a n d t h e st a r s a r e r a n k e d a s
,

visibl e go ds o f w ho m the s u n is by f a r the gr e at e st All

,
.

s ev e n pl an e ts n ev e r the l e ss c o n t r o l the c han g e s in the w o rld

o f n a tur e ; t h e r e a r e s e v e n h u m a n typ e s c o r r e sp o n di n g to

them ; an d t he twe l v e sign s o f the z o di a c a ls o go v e r n the

h u m a n b o dy O .n ly t h e c h o s e n f e w w h o p o ss e ss g n o s is o r

a r e c a p a bl e o f r e c e i v i n g n o us c a n e sc a p e the d e cr e e s o f f a t e

as a d m i n ist e r e d by t h e st a rs a n d ulti m a t e ly r e tur n t o t h e

”
spiritu al w o rld p a ssi n g t hr o ugh c ho rus e s o f d em o n s an d
,

“
c o urs e s o f st a r s a n d r e a ch i n g the O gd o a d o r e igh th he av en
”
'

b v
a o e an d b e y o n d t h e sp h e r e s o f t h e s e v e n pl a n e ts ?
S uc h

s u p p o r t in g th is and
11
1
R . R e itz e n s t e in , P o ima ndr es ,
Cita t io n s
L e ip z ig , 1 9 04 p 3 1 9
, . This w o r k
.
th e p r e c e di n g s e nte n c e s m ay b e
.

a r ti c l e
’

i s t h e f u l l e s t s c ie n tifi c t r e atme n t f o un d in K r o ll s on

He r m e s T r i s m e gi s t us P a uly
.

o f t h e s ubj e c t .
In
 S P UR I O US M YS TI C WR I TI N GS
G n o stic c o s m o l o gy an d d em o n o l o gy e sp eci a lly the l oc ati o n ,

o f d e m o n s am id the pl a n e t a ry sp h e r e s p r o v id e s f a v o r a bl e ,

g r o u n d f o r the d e v e l o pm e n t o f a st r o l o gic al n e c r o m an cy .

N o t o n ly is a b e li e f in a str o l o gy i m pli e d t h r o ug h o u t the

P o im a n dr es but a n u m b e r o f s ep a r at e a s t r o l o gic a l t r e a t is e s
,

a r e e x t a n t in w h o l e o r p a r t u n d e r th e n am e o f He r m e s T r is

m egis tus a n d he is f r e qu en tly cit e d as an a ut h o r i ty in o t he r

1
,

G r e ek a str o l o gic a l m an uscripts T h e tr eatis e s att r ibut e d

?

to h im c o m pris e o n e up o n ge n e r a l m e t ho d ? o n e o n the n am e s
a n d p o w e rs o f t h e tw e lv e sign s o n e o n a str o l o gic a l m e dici n e l ,

a ddr e ss e d t o Am m o n the E gypti an o n e o n th u n d e r an d

4
,

lightn i n g an d s o m e hex am ete rs o n the r e l ati o n o f e ar th

,

qu ak e s t o the sign s o f the z o di ac Th is l a st is a ls o a sc r ibe d .

t o O rp he us T he r e a r e v a ri o us a llusi o n s to a n d v e r si o n s
?

o f tr a cts c o n c e r n i n g the r e l a ti o n o f h e rbs t o t h e pl an e t s o r

sign s o f the z o di a c o r thirty s ix de ca n s ?

Th e s e tr e atis e s —

a tt r ibut e m agic vi r tu e s t o pl an ts i n clude a p r aye r t o be ,

r ep eat e d when plucki n g e ac h h e rb an d t e ll ho w to u s e the ,

Wis s o wa 809 8 2 0 ,
T h e P oi m a n
-
. C a ta l og us c o dicu m a s tr o l og o r um
dr es w a s t r a n s la t e d into En g l is h G r a e c o r u m , p as s im
v
.

by J o h n E e r a r d D D a m y s tic , . .
,
a
U n p r in t e d .

b ut a l s o a p o p ul ar p r e ac h e r w h o s e 4
An E n g lis h t r a n s l a t io n by
k
o u t s p o e n s e r m o n s c a u s e d his f r e J o h n Ha r v e y w as p r in t e d in L o n
qu e n t a r r e s t a n d im p r is o n m e nt d o n , 16 5 7 , I z m o I t a l s o e x is t s in
.

d ur in g t h e r e ig n s o f J a m e s I a n d m a n u s c r ip t f o r m in t h e B r it is h
Ch a r l e s I J a m e s is r e p o r te d t o
. Mu s e u m ; S lo an e 1 7 3 4 , f o l s 2 83
v k
.

h a e s a id o f him
“
W h at is t his ,
“
9 8, T h e l e a r n e d w o r o f He r m e s
. v
D r E e r o ut ? His n am e s h a l l be
-
T r is m e g is t u s in t it u l e d h y s P h is
v
D r N e e r o ut ( D ic t N a t
.
-
ick e Ma t h e m a tyc k e o r Ma th e
v
. .

Dr . E e r ar d s t r a n s l a t io n was m atica l l P h y s ick e s , d ir e c t t o Ha m

”
p r in t e d in 1 65 0 a n d a ga in in 1 65 7 m o n K in g e o f Egyp t e .

“ ”
w h e n th e A s c l e p iu s w a s a dde d 5
O r p h ic a , e d A b e l .
p .

t o it I n 188 4 it a p p e a r e d a g a in
. 14 1 .

in th e B ath O c c ul t R e p r in t S e r ie s 6
It w as to a w o r o n t h is l a s tk
w ith a n in t r o du c tio n by Ha r g r a e v s ub j e c t t h a t P a m p hil u s , c it e d by
J e n n in g s a n d t h e s e co n d o l u m e
, v G a l e n , r e f e r r e d in m en t io n in g t h e
in t h e s a m e s e r ie s w a s He r m e s ’
herb b ut t h is p l an t is n o t
Th e Vir g in o f th e Wo r ld p u b , n a m e d in t h e e x t a n t t r e a t is e o n
lis h e d at L o n d o n K r o l l m e nt io n s
. th e d e ca n s S u c h t r e a t is e s a r e
.

o n l y t h e m o r e r e c e n t t r a n s l a tio n m o r e o r l e s s add r e s s e d t o A s
by Me a d Th r ic e G r e a te s t He r
, c l e p iu s : p r in t e d in J B P it r a , . .

m es .L o n do n 1 9 06 , . A n a l e c ta S a c r a V , ii 2 7 9 9 0 ;
,
—

1 Ca t c o d as tr o l G r a e e I V , 1 3 4 ;
Co n s u l t t he biblio g r ap hy in
. . .

V I , 8 3 ; V I I , 2 3 1 ; V I I I , ii, 1 5 9 ;
K r o ll P au l y Wis s o w a
’
s a r t ic l e in -

V I I I , iii, 1 5 1 ; an d by R u e ll e , R ev
.

v v
.
2
S ee th e a r io u s o l um e s of P hil , XX XI I, 2 4 7
. .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

a str o l o gic a l fi gur e s o f the decan s e n gr av e d o n sto ne s a s

, ,

hea li n g a m ul e ts .

Wo r ks u n d e r the n am e o f He r m e s T ris me gistus a r e

c it e d by G r e e k a lc h e m ists o f the cl o si n g R o m an E m pir e such ,

as Z o si m us S t e p h an us a n d O lym p io do r us but t ho s e He r
, , ,

m e tic tr ea tis e s o f alc h e m y wh ic h a r e ex t an t a r e o f l at e d at e

a n d m uc h a lt e r e d S o m e tr e a tis e s a r e pr e s e rv e d o n ly in
?

A ra bic ; o t he rs a r e m e di e va l L a ti n f a bric a ti o n s T he G r e e k .

a lc h em ists h o w e v e r s ee m to hav e r e cit e d the m ystic hym n

, ,

o f He rm e s f r o m th e P o ima n dr es
?

He ll en istic an d R o m an a st r o l o gy s o ugh t to ex t e n d it s
r o o ts far back i n t o E gypti an an ti quity by putti n g f o rth
spuri o us tr eatis e s u n d e r the n am e s n o t o n ly o f He rm e s ,

T ris m e gistus but a ls o o f N e c he p s o a n d P e to s iri s w h o w e r e

,
3
,

r e ga rd e d r e sp ecti v e ly as an E gypti an ki n g a n d an E gypti an

pri e st w ho ha d liv e d at l e a st s e v en c e n turi e s b e f o r e Christ .

I n de e d t he y w e r e he ld t o be th e r ecipi e n ts o f divi n e r e v e l a
,

ti o n f r o m He rm e s and A scl e pius A l en gt hy a str o l o gic al

.

tr eatis e w h ich P li n y is t he first to cit e an d fr o m a f o u r

,
4

t ee n th b o o k o f w h ich G a l en m en ti o n s a m a gi c ri ng o f
?

j a sp e r e ngr av e d with a dr a go n an d r ays s eem s to hav e ,

a pp e a r ed in t h e ir n am e s p r o b a bly at A l e x an dri a in t he

He ll en istic p e ri o d O n ly f r a gm e n ts an d cit ati o n s a scrib e d

.

t o N e ch ep s o a n d P e to s ir is a r e n o w ex t an t
?

Manetho .
Y e t an o t he r a str o l o gic a l w o rk w h ic h cl a i m s to be dr awn
fr o m the s e cr et s a cr e d b o o ks an d cryptic mo num ents o f
a n ci en t E gypt is a scrib e d t o Man e t ho I t is a c o m pil a ti o n
.

1
B e r th e l o t ( 188 5 ) p p 1 3 3 6, an d .
-
tin g e n ( 1 89 1 pp .
3 3 394
2 -
. S ee
his a r t ic l e o n He r m e s T r is m e al s o F B o l l , D ie E r f o r s ch ung d er
.

g is tu s in L a G r a nd e E n cyc l o p é die a n tik e n A s tr o l og ie , in N e u e J a hr b .

a l s o K r o l l o n He r m e s in P a u l y f ii r das k las s A l ter t , XI

. .

W2is s o w a , 7 9 9 .
p 1 06 , a n d h is d is s e r ta t io n o f t h e
.

B e r th e l o t ( l 885 ) , p 1 3 4 . . s a m e t itl e p ubl is h e d a t B o n n, 1 89 0 .

a
B o uc h é Lec l e r c q, L As tr o l ogie
’
v
I h a e f o un d th a t Rie s s , w h il e in
g r e c u
q , e 1 8 99 , pp x i.
, 5 9 2 0,
1 -
e l u din g s o m e o f t h e p a ss a g e s a t
6
5 3 4 -
. t r ibu t e d t o N e c h e p s o by t h e s ix t h
N H, I I , 2 1 ; V II , 5 0 m e dic a l w r ite r , Aetiu s ,
4
c e nt u r y
v v k
.

l‘
K ij h n, XI I , 2 07 . seems to ha e o e r l oo e d th e
v
T h e y h a e be en co ll ec te d and
“
E m p l a s t r u m N e c h e p s o n is e c u
”
e d it e d by E . R ie s s , N e c h e ps o n is p r esso, A e tiu s , Te tr a bibl IV, .

e t P e t o s ir idis f r a gm e n ta ma gic a , S e r m o I I I , c ap 19 ( p 7 7 1 In the

. .

in P hil o l o g us , S up p l bd V I , G Ot . e dit io n o f S t ep h a n u s ,
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

T he L ithic a p e n s by r e p r e s en ti n g He rm e s a s be st o w i n g
o

upo n m an ki n d th e pr e ci o us l o r e o f t he m arv el o us virtu e s o f

’

ge m s I n his c av e a r e st o r e d st o n e s w h ich b an is h gho sts

.
,

r o bb e rs an d s n ak e s wh ic h bri n g h e alth h a ppi n e ss vict o ry

, , , ,

in w a r a n d g a m e s ho n o r a t c o urts a n d succ e ss in l o v e an d
, ,

w hic h i n sur e s a f ety o n j o ur n eys the f av o r o f the go ds an d , ,

e n a bl e o n e t o r e a d th e h idd e n t h o ugh ts o f o t he rs a n d t o

u n d e rst an d the l an gu age o f the birds as they pr e dict t he

f utur e F e w p e r s o n s h o w e v e r a v a il t he m s e lv e s o f t h is
.
, ,

m ys t ic l o r e a n d t h o s e w h o do s o a r e li abl e to be ex e cut e d
,

o n t h e c ha r ge o f m a gic A f t e r t h is i n t r o duc t i o n w h ic h m ay
.
,

be r e g a rd e d as a piqu a n t a pp e tiz e r t o w he t t he r e a d e r s t a st e
'
’

f o r f urt he r d e t a ils t he v irtu e s o f i n dividu a l st o n e s a r e

,

de scrib e d first in th e w o rds o f T heo dam as a wis e an d di v i n e

, ,

m an w h o m t he a ut h o r m ee ts o n his w ay to p e r f o r m a n n u a l
1

s a c r ific e at an a lta r o f th e S un w he r e a s a ch ild h e n ar r o wly ,

e sc a p e d f r o m a d ea dly s n a k e a n d t h e n in a s p e e c h o f th e
,

s e e r He l e n us t o Ph il o ct e t e s w h ic h The o dama s qu o t es G ree k

.
.

go ds a r e o f t e n m e n ti o n e d ; a s the p o em p r o c ee ds the virtu e s

o f a n u m be r o f ge m s a r e a ttribut e d to A p o ll o r a t h e r t han

He r m e s ; a n d t he r e ar e allusi o n s to G r e ek myt ho l o gy an d
th e T r o j a n w a r S o m e g em s a r e f o u n d in an i m als f o r in
.
,

st an c e in the vip e r o r th e br a i n o f th e st ag
,
.

L e t us tur n to s o m e e x am pl e s o f the m a rv e l o us virtu e s

o f p a r ticul a r st o n e s T he cryst a l wi n s f av o r a bl e a n sw e rs
.

f r o m the go ds t o pr ay e rs ; ki n dl e s fi r e if h e ld o v e r sticks , ,

y e t its e l f r e m a i n s c o ld ; as a lig a tur e b e n e fi ts kid n e y tr o ubl e .

S a crific e s in w h ic h t h e a d am a n t is em pl o y e d w in the f a vo r
o f t h e g o ds ; it is a ls o c a ll e d L e thae a n b e c a us e it m ak e s o n e

f o rge t w o r r i e s o r th e m ilk st o n e ( galac tis ) b e c aus e it r e

,
—

n e w s th e m ilk o f s h e e p o r g o a ts w h e n p o wd e r e d in bri n e a n d

spri nkl e d o v e r them W o r n a s a n a m ul e t it c o un t e r a cts the

.

e v il e ye an d g a i n s r o y a l f a v o r f o r its b e a r e r T he aga t e is .

a n a g r icultu r a l a m ul e t a n d s h o uld be a tt a c h e d t o th e pl o w

m an s a r m an d th e h o r n s o f t he o x en O t he r st o n e s he lp
’
.

vi n eya r ds b r i n g r a i n o r av e rt hail a n d p e s t s f r o m the cr o ps

,
.

l ¢ p om O eto fiaua vn ; l in e 165 , Oa tué mo s dubs

1
L in e 9 4 , i r ep .
 S P UR I O US M YS TI C WR I TI N GS
L yc h n is '
prev e n ts a pot fro m b o ili n g on a fi re an d m ak e s it
bo il w hen the fi r e is d ea d Th e m agn e t w as us e d by th e .

witche s Ci r c e a n d Me d ea in the i r sp e lls ; a n u n ch a st e w i f e

is u n a bl e t o r em a i n in t he be d w he r e t h is st o n e has b een
pl ac e d with an i n c an t at i o n O th e r s to n e s cur e s n ak e bi te .
-

an d v a r i o us di s ea s e s s e r v e a s l o v e c h a r m s o r a ids in c h ild
,
—

bir th o r c o u n t e r a ct i n c an t ati o n s an d e n cha n tm e n ts

,
.

T o m ak e th e gem s ide r i tis o r o r e i te s u t t e r v o c al o r acl e s

t he o p e r a t o r m ust a bs ta i n f o r t h r e e w e e ks f r o m an i m a l f o o d ,

the public b a th s an d th e m a r ri a ge b e d ; h e is th e n to w a sh
,

a n d cl o t h e t he ge m lik e a n i n f a n t a n d e m pl o y v a r i o us s a cri

fi ce s i n c an t a ti o n s an d illu m i n a ti o n s
, ,
T h e ge m L ipar aio s .
,

kn o wn to th e l ea r n e d Magi o f A s sy r i a w he n bu r n t o n a ,

bl o o dle ss a l ta r with hym n s to the S un and Ea r t h att r act s

s n ak e s f r o m the ir ho l e s t o t he fl am e T hr e e y o uth s r o be d .

in w h it e an d c a r ryi n g t w o e dg e d s w o rds s ho uld cut up the -

s n ak e w ho c o m e s n e ar e st the fi r e i n to n i n e pi e c e s t hr ee f o r ,

the S u n t h r e e f o r the e a rt h t h r e e f o r the wis e an d p r o p het ic

, ,

m a id e n T he s e pi e c e s ar e t h e n t o be c o o k e d wi th w i n e s alt
.
, ,

a n d spic e s an d e a t e n by t ho s e wh o wis h t o l e ar n the l an gu a g e

o f bi r ds an d be a sts But f u r the r the go ds m ust be i n v o k e d

.

by t he ir s ecr e t n am e s a n d liba ti o n s p o u r e d o f m ilk wi n e , ,

o il an d h o n e y
, Wh a t is n o t eat en m ust be buri e d an d the
.
,

p articipan ts in t he f ea st a r e then to r e tur n ho m e w ea r i n g

chapl e ts but o the rwis e n ak e d an d sp e aki n g to n o o n e w h o m
the y m ay m ee t O n the ir a r r i v a l ho m e the y a r e to s ac r ifice
.

m i x e d spic e s It will be r e c a ll e d t ha t A p o ll o n ius o f Ty a n a

.

a n d t h e A r a bs a ls o l ea r n e d t he l an gu a g e o f t he birds by

e ati n g s n a k e fl e s h -
.

T hus ge m s ar e p o t e n t in r e ligi o n a n d di v i n a ti o n l o v e
“

ch a r m s an d ch ild bi r th m e dici n e an d a gr icul tur e T h e p o em

-
,
.

f a ils ho w e v e r to t o uc h up o n th e i r u s e s in a lc he m y o r r e l a
, ,

ti o n s to the st a r s n o r d o e s it c o n ta i n m uc h o f anyt h i n g t ha t
,

c a n be c a ll e d n e cr o m an cy But the a u tho r r an ks the v i r tu e s

.

o f st o n e s ab o v e t h o s e o f h e rb s w h o s e p o w e r s dis a pp e a r wi th
,

a ge . Mo r eo v e r s o m e pl an ts a r e i n j uri o u s w he r e a s the m a r
, ,

v e l o us vi r t u e s o f s t o n e s a r e a l m o s t a ll b e n e fici a l as w e ll a s
 MA GI C AND EXP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

p e rman en t The r e is gr ea t f o rc e in h e rbs

. he s ays but , ,
” 1
f ar gr e at e r in st o n e s a n o bs e rv ati o n o f t en r ep e a t e d in
,

t he m iddl e a ge s .

Mo r e str e ss is l a id up o n th e p o w e r o f demo n s an d he rbs

in a d e scripti o n w h ic h has be e n l e f t us by S a i n t Cypri an 2
,

bis ho p o f An ti o c h in t he th ird c en tury o f s o m e p a gan mys ,

t e r ies up o n Mo u n t O lym pus i n t o w h ic h h e w a s i n iti at e d

w hen a boy o f fi f t e en an d w hic h hav e be e n e x pl ai n e d as

O rp h ic rit e s His i n iti ati o n w a s u n d e r the c harge o f s ev en
.

h i e r o phan ts l ast e d f o r f o rty d ays a n d i n clud e d i n structi o n

, ,

in t he virtu e s o f m a gic he rbs an d visi o n s o f the o p e r a ti o n s

o f d em o n s He w as a ls o t a ught the m ean i n g o f m usica l
.

n o t e s an d h a r m o n i e s an d s a w h o w ti m e s an d s e a s o n s w e r e
,

go v e rn e d by go o d a n d e v il spirits I n s ho rt m agic ps e ud o .
, ,

sci enc e o ccult virtu e a n d pe rhaps a str o l o gy f o r m e d an

, ,

i m p o rt an t p a rt o f O rp hic l o r e .

Cu m o n t st a t e s in his O r ie n ta l R e ligio n s in R o man

“
P aga n is m t h a t to w a rds th e e n d o f the A l ex an dri ne pe ri o d
t h e b o o ks a scribe d t o th e h a l f m yt h ic a l m a st e rs o f t he -

P e rsi an sci en c e Z o r o a st er Ho s tha n e s an d Hys t a s p e s w e r e

, , ,

t r an sla t e d i n t o G r e e k an d u n til the e n d o f p agan is m tho s e

,

” 3
n am e s e n j o y e d a pr o digi o us a uth o rity P li n y r e ga rd e d .

Z o r o a ste r as th e f o un d e r o f m a gic an d w e h ave met

o t he r e x am pl e s o f h is r e put a ti o n as a m a gici an L at e r .

w e s ha ll fi n d h im cit e d s e v e r a l ti m e s in th e Byz an ti n e
G e opo n ic a w h ic h s ee m s t o u s e a bo o k a scrib e d to him o n
t he sy m p a t hy a n d an tip at h y e x isti n g be tw e e n n a tur a l

o bj e cts N a tu r a lly a n u m be r o f ps e ud o Z o r o astri an bo o ks

? —

w e r e in circul ati o n s o m e o f w h ich P o rphyry the N eo

, ,

P l at o n ist is s a id to h a v e suppr e ss e d
,
A t l e a st h e t e lls us in .

h is L if e of P l o tin us t h a t c e rt a i n C h risti an s a n d o th e r m en
5

1
Lin es 4 1 0-4 1 1 . f ull y b e l o w in Ch ap ter 18 .

Fr a n z Cu m o n t , o p c it , Ch i
8
. .

Cypr i a n i , 1n A c ta
a
Co nf es s i o S .
c ago , 19 1 1, p 1 89 S ee a l s o
. .

S an c to r u m, e d B o l l a n d is t s S e p t , W d h rn n Z o r o as tr is ch e S tu
' ’

si gg i p
.
.
,

V I I , 2 2 2 ; L P r e l l e r , P h i l o l o g us
.
di rli étss
I , 3 49 ff ; c ite d by A B .
4
5 6 6 b e l o w , Chap t er 26
. .

Co o k Z e us , Ca m b r idg e , 1 9 1 4 , I ,
,
.

1 10- 1 1 1 The wo r is tr e at e d m o r e
. k 5
Cap . 16 .
 CHA P TER XI

N O P L AT O N I S M
E -
AN D I TS R EL A T I O N S TO A S TRO L O G Y AN D

T H E U RG Y
N e o - P l ato nis m an d th e o cc ul t— P l o tin us magic— Th e l if e o f r e a
on

s on is a lo ne f r ee f r o m m agic P l o t inu s —
u n ha r m e d by m ag ic I n o ing —
v k
t h e de m o n o f P l o t in u s— R it e o f s t r a n g l in g b ir d s— Pl o t in u s a nd a s t r o l o gy
—
Th e s tar s as s ign s — Th e di in e v s ta r - so ul s —
Ho w d o th e s tar s c aus e

a nd s ig n if y ? O th e r c au s e s a n d s ig n s t h an the s ta r s — S ta r s n o t th e
—

cau s e v
o f e il— A ga in s t t h e a s t r o l o gy o f t h e G n o s t ics— Fate an d f r e e

S umm a r y o f th e at titude o f P l o tinu s t o a s tr o l o gy P o r p hyr y s

’
w ill— —

L e tte r to A n e bo— I ts m a in a r g um e n t— Qu es tio n s c o nc e r n ing v

di in e
na tur e s— O r de r s of s p ir it u a l b e ing s —
N atu r e of de m o n s— T h e a r t o f
t h e u rg y— I n v o c at io n s an d th e p o w e r of w o r d s— Magi c a h um an a r t
t h e u r g y di v ine— Mag ic s ’
a b us e of n at u re s
’
f o r c es— I t s e v il c h a r ac t e r

I ts d e c e it a n d u n r e a l ity— P o r p hy r y on m o de s of v
d i in atio n— I a mblichu s
on v
di in a t io n— A r e th e s tar s g o ds
—
I s th e r e an ar t of as t r o l o gy ?

P o r p hy r y and a s t r o l o g y— A s tr o l o g ica l im ag e s— Numbe r mys tic is m

P o r p hy r y as r e p o r te d by E u s ebius— T he e mp er o r J ul ian on th e ur gy
a nd as t r o l o gy— J ul ian an d v
di in atio n— S c ient ifi c di in at io n v a cc o r din g _
to
A m m ia n u s Mar ce ll inu s P r o c l u s o n th e u r g y— N e o P l at o n ic a cco unt of
‘
- -

m ag ic bo r r o we d by C h r is tian s — N eo P l ato n ist s an d al che my -

.

T H A T the N eo Pl at on ists -
were
give n t o the o ccult has m uc h
be en a c o mm o n i m pr e ssi o n am o n g t ho s e w ho hav e writt en
up o n t he p e ri o d o f the d e cli n e o f the R o m an Em pir e o f the ,

e n d o f p a ga n is m a n d t he p a ssi n g o f cl a ssic a l p h il o s o p hy
,
.

T h is is p e r h a ps in s o m e m e a sur e th e r e sult o f Christi an vi e w

po i nt and hos tility ; pr o ba bly the Christi an s O f the p e ri o d
w o uld s ee m e q u a lly sup e rstiti o us to a m o d e r n Ne o P lato n ist -
.

I f th e liv e s o f t he p h il o s o p he rs by Eun ap iu s s o u n d lik e f a iry

t a l e s w hat do the liv e s o f the s a i n ts o f the s ame pe ri o d
1
,

s o u n d like ? I f the Ne o P lat o n ists w e r e lik e o ur m e diu m s

-
,

1
P a ul A ll a r d, L a tr a n s f or ma I n te r na tio na l d es Ca tho liqu e s .

tio n d -u P a g a n is m e r o m a in a u 1 V e D e ux ié m e S e c tio n S c ie n ces r e

'

s iec l e ,pp 1 13 3 3 ,
. in-
C o m p te lig ie us es P a r is , 1 89 1
. .

R e n du d u C o ng r es S ci en tifi qu e
‘
C H AP . x1 N E O -P L A TO N I S M

what w e r e th e Christi an ex o rcists lik e ? But l et us turn to

the w r iti n gs o f the l e a di n g Ne o P l at o n ists t he m s e lv e s the -
,

o n ly a ccu r a t e m ir r o r o f t he ir vi e ws .

P l o ti n us 1
, w ho liv e d f r o m a b o ut 2 0 4 t o 2 7 0 A D a n d . .
P l o t in u s
on m ag 1c .

is gen e r a lly r e garde d as the fo u n de r o f N e o P l at o n is m wa s ,

a ppa r e n tly l e ss gi v e n t o o ccult sci e n c e s t han s o m e o f h is

succe ss o rs ?
O n e o f his c ha rge s a ga i n st t h e G n o stics is 3

t ha t t hey b e li e ve that they can m o ve the highe r an d i n c o r

p o re a l p o w e r s by writi n g i n c an t a ti o n s a n d by sp o k e n w o rds

an d v a ri o us o t he r v o c a l utt e r an c e s a ll w h ic h h e c e n su r e s a s ,

m e re m a gic an d s o rc ery He als o a tt acks t he ir be li e f t hat

.

dis ea s e s a r e d em o n s an d can be ex p e ll e d by w o r ds T his .

wi n s t hem a f o ll o wi n g am o n g the cr o wd w ho a r e w o nt to
m arve l at the p o w e rs o f m a gici an s but P l o ti n us i n sists t h at ,

dis e a s e s a r e due t o n atur al c aus e s ?

E v e n h e h o w e v e r ac , ,

c e p te d i n can t ati o n s an d the charm s o f s o rc e r e r s an d

m a gici an s a s v a lid a n d acc o u n te d f o r t he ir p o t en cy by t he
,

sym p at hy o r l o ve an d hatr e d w hich he s a id e x ist e d be twe en

di ff e r en t o bj e cts in n atu r e whic h o p e r at e s e v e n at a dis ,

1
P l o tini ope r a o mn ia, P o r p hyr i i s p e ct .A n o t e wo r thy r ec e n t p ub
l iber d e vita P l o tini c u m Ma r s il ii
,
l icatio n is W R I n g e , Th e P h il o s
. .

Picin i c o m m e n ta r iis ed D o p hy o f P l o tin u s 19 1 8 , 2 o ls v

Wytte n bac h G H Mo s e r , a n d F
.
, .

, . . .
2
H F Mull e r , P l o tin is c he S tu
v
. .

C r e u z e r , O x f o r d, 18 3 5 , 3 ols . d ie n I I in H e r m es , XL I X, 7 0 89 ,
.
,
-

P ag e r e f e r e n ce s in m y c it a t io n s a r gu e s t h at th e p h il o s o p hy o f
a r e t o t his e d it io n , bu t I h a e a l s o v P l o t in u s w a s g e n u in e l y H e l l e n ic
e mp l o ye d : P l o tin i E n ne ad e s e d a n d f r e e f r o m o r ie n t a l in u e n c e fl
k
.
, ,
R Vo l m a n n , L e ip z ig 188 3 ; S e
. t ha t a l l t h e u r g y w a s h a t e f u l t o
l e c t Wor k s o f P l o tin us tr a n s l a te d
,

h im , a n d t h at h e o p p o s e d G n o s
f r o m the G r e e k w ith a n I n tr o d u c t i c is m a nd a s t r o l o gy Mull e r .

tio n con t ain ing t h e s u bs ta n c e o f

’
s e e m s t o m e t o o e r s t a t e his cas e v
P o r p hyr y s Lif e o f P l o tin us , b y a n d t o b e t o o r ea d
y t o e x cu l p a t e
T h o m a s T ayl o r , n e w e dit io n w it h P l o t in u s , o r p e r h ap s r a th e r He l
p r e f ac e a n d b ib l io g r a p h y by G R . . l e n is m , f r o m c o n c u r r e n c e in th e
S. Me ad, L o n d o n , 1 9 09 ; K S . . s u p e r s t it io n o f t h e t im e .

G uth r ie , The P hil os op hy of P l o ti 3

F o r G n o s t ic is m s e e C h a p te r 1 5 .
‘
n us ,
P h il a de l p h ia 1 896 , a n d P l o ti
, E n n ea d, I I 9 I 4 [ Ik wr ivo v 7rp 6$
C o m pl e te Wo r k s v
, , .

ols , G A He ig l ,
‘
n os
4 r o bs I vwo n xo bs ed
'

Wh e r e
.
, , . . .

1 9 18 , En g lis h T r an s l a t io n 1 8 3 2 ; a n d P l o tin i D e Vir tu tibu s e t

v
.

m y c itat io n s g i e th e n u mb e r o f A dv e r s us G n o s tic o s l ibe l l o s e d A , . .

t h e c h a p ter in a d d it io n t o t h e K ir c h h o ff 1 84 7 ; a r e s im p l y e x t r ac t s
k
,

E n ne a d a n d B o o t he s e a gr e e f r o m the E n n e a ds S e e al s o C
k
, . .

w ith V o l m an n s t e x t a n d G ut h
’
S c h m idt P l o tin s S te l l u ng z um ’

v
,
’
r ie s t r an s l a t io n , — w h ic h h o w e e r , G n os tic is m us u k ir c hl C h r is te n
, . .

a r e n o t qu i te i d e n t i c al m t h 1s r e tu m 1 9 00 ; in T U , X, 9 0 p p
, .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

t anc e an d w h ich is an ex pr e ssi o n o f o ne w o rld s o ul an i

,
-

m a ti n g th e u n ive rs e ?

P l o ti n us h e ld f urthe r ho w e ve r t ha t o n ly the p hysic a l

, ,

a n d irr a ti o n a l sid e o f m a n s n a tu r e w a s a ff e cte d by drugs

’

an d s o rc e ry j ust a s
” 2
i rra ti o n a l pa r t
“
, e ve n d e m o n s a r e n o t i m p a ssiv e in t he ir
a n d so a r e t o s o m e e x t e n t subj e ct t o
,

m a gic But the r a ti o n a l s o ul m ay f r e e its e l f f r o m al l in flu

.

e n c e o f m a gic
?
Mo r e o v e r r em o rs e l e ssly a dds the cl ea r
,

he a d e d P l o ti n us wit h a bu r st o f i n sigh t t ha t m ay w e ll be
a ttribut e d t o He ll e n ic g e n ius h e w ho yi e lds t o the c ha r m s o f ,

l o v e an d f a m ily a ff e cti o n o r s e e ks p o litic al po we r o r a ught

e ls e t h an T rut h an d tru e be auty o r e v e n he w h o s e a rc h e s ,

f o r b ea uty in i n f e ri o r t h i n gs ; h e w ho is d e c e ive d by a pp ea r
a n ces h e w ho f o ll o ws irr a ti o n a l i n cli n ati o n s is as truly
, ,

b ewitche d as if he w e r e the victi m o f m agic an d g oe tia s o

c alle d T he li f e o f r ea s on is a l o n e f re e f r o m m a gic
.
?

Whe r eat o n e is t em pte d to p a ra phr a s e a r emar k o f A e lian 5

a n d e x cl a i m
“
Wha t do yo u th i n k o f tha t d e fi n iti o n o f
,

m a gic my d e a r a n t hr o p o l o gists an d s o ci o l o gists a n d mo d e r n

,

stud en ts o f f o lk l o r e -

T h is i m m u n ity o f the tru e p hil o s o p he r an d si n c e r e f o l

l o w e r o f trut h f r o m m agic r ec e i v e d illustrati o n acco r di n g ,

t o Po rph y r y in the c a s e o f P l o ti n us h i m s e l f w ho su ffe r e d

6
, ,

n o h a r m f r o m the m a gic a rts w h ic h his e n e m y A l ex a n dri n us ,

O lym p ius dir e ct e d a ga i n st h im

,
I n st ea d t he ba l e f ul de .

fl ux io n s f r o m t he st a r s w h ic h O lym p ius h ad tri e d t o dr a w

d o wn up o n P l o ti n us w e r e tur n e d up o n hi m s e l f P o rphyry .

a ls o st a t es t ha t P l o ti n us w a s aw a re at the ti m e o f th e
7

“ ”
side r e a l e n ch an tm e n ts o f O lymp ius a ga i n st h im I n ci .

d en t ally the e pis o d e pr o v id e s o n e m o r e pr o o f o f the e ss e nti al

u n ity o f a str o l o gy an d m a gic .

1
E n n ead I V , 4 , 40 ( II , 805 o r
,
6 ! (SEKa /
i tu tori a l Ka i o k ws ua y ei a i a ux6 .

Tag bé y o nr e l a s 1 613 ; ii 1 6 YO UO L Ka i a vmr a de i s Wapbwdev i ro wfia i ,

‘ ’ '

a vmr a de l a Ka i To? 7 red

, > w< éva i a vucpwvia v wax /
n o s 7 0 1 di d p vxfis w as
. . .

el l /a t Op o lwv xa léva vr iwa w duop o l wu K a i

'
,
11
E nn ea d I V , 4 ( I I , 8 10 o r
,

r fi 1 6 W 601/ 115 11 i r o k h d w 1r orq

'

64 1 c “
E n n ea d I V , 4 , 4 3 -44
.

s is E v {cyc le a vw ek obvr wv I bid 4 2 ( I I ,

.
,
4
E n n ea d, I V , 4 , 44
. .

8 08 o r 4 3 6 )
'
xa l r exva i s xa l ia r p fbu
.

S ee Ch ap t e r XII , p p 3 2 3 -4
5
.

It a l é1r a o t 6d w dk k o (DOW fiva y xaa dn 1 m

. .
.

6
Vita P l o tin i, c ap 10
'

avvauews T fis a irf o il
’

p a a xei v n T ij s . .
.

E nn e a d I V , 9 ( I I , 8 9 1 o r
,
Vi ta, c ap . 10
.
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI E N CE CH A P .

P o rp h yryls o te lls us in th e L if e tha t P l o ti n us de v o te d

a

c o n side ra bl e a tt en ti o n to the st a rs an d r e f ut e d in his writ

i n gs the u nwa rr an t abl e cl a i m s o f th e c a st e rs o f h o ro sc o pe s ?

S uc h p a ss a ge s ar e f o u n d in th e tr e atis e s o n f a t e a n d o n th e
s o ul w h il e o n e o f his tr e a tis e s is d e v o te d e n tir e ly to the
,

q u e s t io n
“
W h e t h
-
e r
,
t h e st a rs e ff e ct a n yt h i n g ? ” 2
T h is wa s
o n e o f f o ur tr ea tis e s w h ic h P l o ti n us a lit t l e b e f o r e h is d e a th

s e n t to P o rphyr y an d wh ich ar e r e gar de d a s r a th e r i n fe ri o r

,

to t h o s e c o m p o s e d by him w he n in th e pri m e o f li f e I n th e .

n e x t c e n tury th e a st r o l o g e r J ulius Fi r m icus Ma te rn u s

, re ,

ga rds P l o ti n us a s an e n e m y o f a str o l o gy an d r e pr e s en ts him

a s dyi n g a h o r r ibl e a n d l oa t h s o m e d e a t h f r o m
ga n gr en e
?

A s a m a tt e r o f f a ct the criticis m s m a de by P l o ti n us
w e r e n o t n e c e ss a rily d e structi v e t o the ar t o f a str o l o gy but ,

r a the r sugge st e d a s e ri e s o f am e n dm e n ts by w hic h it m ight

b e m a d e m o r e c o m p a tibl e w ith a P l at o n ic vi e w o f th e un i
v e rs e d e ity a n d hum an s o ul T h e s e am en dm ents a ls o
, , .

t en d e d t o m ee t Christi an o bj e cti o n s t o the a r t His e riti .

c is m s w e r e n o t n e w ; P h il o Ju da e u s h a d m a d e si m il a r o n e s

o v e r t w o c e n turi e s b e f o r e B ut t he gr ea t i n flu e n c e o f
?

P l o ti n us gav e a dde d e m p ha sis t o t h e s e criticis m s Fo r in .

st an ce the po i n t m a de by him s ev e r a l ti m e s t hat the m o ti o n

,

“
o f t he st a r s d o e s n o t c aus e e ve ryt h i n g but sign i fi e s the
” 5
f ut u r e c o n c e r n i n g e a ch m an a n d t h i n g is n o t e d by ,

Ma cr o bius b o th in th e S a tur nal ia an d th e Dr eam of 5

S cipi o ; 7
w h il e in the t w e l ft h c en tury J o hn o f S alisbury ,

a rgui n g a g a i n st a str o l o gy f e a rs t h a t its d e v o t ee s will tak e

,

r e f uge in the a utho rity o f P l o ti n us an d s ay that the y de tr act

1
Vita c ap 1 5 I t w ill be n o te d
, . . v
h a p s s o m e w hat r e is e d th e m at th e
t h at l i e som e k of th e ch u r c h s a m e t 1m e .

f ath e r s P l o tin u s a t ta c e d g e n e th k 1’
M a thes e o s l ibr i VI I I, e d .

l ial o g y r athe r t h an a s t r o l o g y II p oo . k
K r o l l e t S ut s ch , L 1p s 1a e , 1 89 7 I, .

ei xe Be 1 o uév 1r 6 p i 7 631) d a r ép wv Ica 7, I 4 -2 2

'
.

‘
vé a w o f) r aw T L p a dnp a r mé s , 1 0 29 6?
‘
S ee b el o w , p p 3 5 3 -4 . .

“
En n e a d II , 3 ( p
"

7 631» y evedk t a k é y wv du or ek e a n xo i s d1c . On .

fiéa r ep ov Ka l rpwp aa a s r fis a a y y eMa s a m ml vel

‘
‘
. dd r p wv ¢ 0p d 1rep 1 . .

T o duexéy y vov ék éy xew wo k k a xo fi Ka i

'
Zxa o r ov r d éa é p e va 6303 06x a im) u dur a
'
.

( 1 6311 ) év r o i s otuc (M am u o i ei , tbs r oi s wok k o i s Bofidge r a t , e ip i rr a t

‘
’ ' '

as .

E n nea d I I , 3 , D ep t 7 017 é l r o t ei 7 d p év woé r ep o v év fik k o t s S ee al s o E n

.

aa r p a P o r p h yr y a r ra n g e d h is
. n ea d
.
III, I , a nd I V , 3 -4 .

1
m a s te r s t r e a t is e s in t h e f o r m o f
’
I, 18 .

1
s ix e nn e ad s o f n in e e a c h a n d p e r Cap . 19 .
 N E O PL A T O N I S M
-

no thi ng f r o m the Cr e at o r s p o w e r si n c e He e sta blis he d o nc e

’
,

f o r all an u n a lt e r a bl e n atu r a l l a w a n d disp o s e d a ll f utur e

e v e n ts as He f o r e s a w th e m Thus the st ars are m e r e ly His .

i n strum e n ts ?

But l e t us s ee w ha t P l o ti n us s ays h i m s e l f r athe r than

what o the rs t o o k to be his m ea n i n g L ik e P l a t o w ho r e .
,

garde d the sta r s a s happy divi n e an d e t e r n al an i m a ls P lo , , ,

ti n us no t o n ly b eli e v e s t hat the st a rs have s o uls but t hat

t he ir i nt e ll e ctu a l pr o c e ss e s a r e fa r a bo ve the f ra ilti e s o f the
hu m an m i n d a n d n e a r e r the o m n isci e n c e o f th e w o r ld s o ul -
.

Me m o ry f o r e x am pl e is o f n o us e t o t h em n o r do th ey
, ,
2
,

he a r t he pray e rs w h ic h m e n a ddr e s s t o t he m ?
P lo t i n u s
o f t e n c a lls t he m go ds T he y a r e ho w e v e r p a rts o f t h e un i
.
, ,

v e rs e subo rdi n a t e t o the w o r ld s o ul a n d the y c an n o t alte r

,
-
,

the f u n d am e n t a l p r i n cipl e s o f the u n i v e rs e n o r d e priv e o t he r ,

b e i n gs o f t he ir i n di v idu a lity alt ho ugh they ar e a bl e to m ak e ,

o t h e r b e i n g s b e tt e r o r w o rs e
?

In h is discussi o n o f p r o bl e m s c o n c e r n i n g the s o ul P l o
“
ti nus s ays t ha t it is a bu n dan tly e v id en t t h a t t he m o
ti o n o f the hea v e n s a ff e cts t h i n gs o n ea rt h an d n o t o n ly in
” 5
b o di e s but a l s o the di s p o si t i o n s o f t h e s o ul a n d t ha t ea c h ,

p a rt o f t he h e a v en s a ff e c t s t e r r e st r i a l an d i n fe r i o r o bj e cts .

He d o e s n o t h o w e v e r t h i n k t hat a ll t h is i n flu e n c e can be
, ,

”
a cc o u n t e d f o r e x clusiv e ly by h ea t o r c o ld p e r haps a dig ,
—

a t P t o l e m y s Te tr a bi bl os
’ ?
He als o o bj e c ts t o a scr ibi n g th e
cri me s o f m en t o the will o f the st ars o r e v e ry hu m an act
1
P o ly cr a tic u s II , 1 9 , ( e d C C ag r e e d t hat
ha e s en se s , t h ey v
I W e bb 1 9 09 , I ,
, . . .

.
, Mr W ebb . n a m e l y, s ig h t an d h ea r ing ,
”
is
v
( I , x x iii ) ho l d s t h a t J o h n o f qu it e m is l e a din g, a s c a p s 4 40 - 2

v k v
.

S al is bu r y c e r ta in l y d id n o t h a e m a e e id e n t
v
.

”
P l o t in u s a nd d e r i e d s o m e p as
1 ‘

, E n n e a d I I , 111, 6 a n d 1 3 ( 2 49
s ag e s f r o m his w o r s t h r o ug h k
Ma c r o b iu s a n d A ug u s t in e ; but h e “
E n n ea d I V , iv, 3 1 5 7 1 p év 0 5V . .

15 u n ab l e t o s t a t e in w ha t in t e r
1 ‘ '

( po p ct 1ro t ei dva d a n yr ws y év
'
7) ‘

m e diate s o u r c e J o h n c o u l d h a e v 7 a é lr iy e i a o f)
f
r o i s d eb wo w dlxNi
.
‘
/
fo un d t h e p a s s age n o w in qu e s Ka i r a i s r fis
p vxfis 6Ladéa ea t , It a l 7 511:
‘

fl
.

tio n I t do e s n o t s e e m to r e e c t
‘

p ep aw éxa a r o v e is r d én iy et a nu t i5s
’
.

v
.

P l o t in u s d o c t r in e e r y a c cu r at e l y
’
7 a Ké r w i ra t ei , r o hh a xfi Ofik o v
‘
. .

2
E n n ea d I V iv 6 an d 8 , , .
6
I dem G u th r ie h e a d s t h e p a s
.

I bi d 3 0 G ut h r ie s t r an s l at io n , ’
s ag e ,
“
A bs u r dity o f P t o l e m e a n
We h a e s h o wn t h at m e m o r y is
.
, .

v A s t r o l o gy
”
S e e a l s o E n n ea d, I I ,
v
.

usele ss t o th e s ta r s : w e h a e 111, I -S .
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

to a sid er eal d e cisi o n an d to s peaki n g o f f ri e n dships an d

,
1

e n m iti e s a s e x isti n g be tw e e n t h e pl an e ts a cc o rdi n g a s th ey

a r e in t h is o r t ha t a sp e ct t o w a rds o n e a n o t h e r I f t he n t h e
?

a d m itt e dly v a st i n flu e n c e o f th e st a rs c ann o t b e s atis f act o rily

a cc o u n t e d f o r e it he r as m a t e r i a l e ff e c t s c a us e d by t h em a s

bo di e s o r as v o lu n t a ry a cti o n t a k en by t he m ho w is it to be ,

e x pl a i n e d ? P l o ti n us a cc o u n ts f o r it by th e r e l ati o n o f s ym
p athy w h ich e x ists be tw e en all p arts o f the u n ive rs e t hat ,

si n gl e livi n g an i m a l a n d by the f act t hat the u n iv e rs e ex

,

pr e ss e s its e l f in the figur e s f o rm e d by the m o v em e n ts o f the

“
c e l e sti al b o di e s w h ic h e x e rt w ha t i n flu e n c e t he y do ex e rt
,

o n t h i n gs h e r e b e l o w t h r o ugh c o n t e m pl a ti o n o f t h e in t el l i
” 3
g ib l e w o r ld T
. h e s e fi gur e s o r c o n st e ll a ti o n s in t h e a str o
,
~

l o gica l s e n s e hav e o the r p o w e rs than t ho s e o f the bo di e s

,

which p a rticip at e in t hem j ust a s m an y pl an ts an d sto n e s ,

“ ”
a m o n g us h a v e m a r v e l o us o ccult p o w e rs f o r w h ich h e at
a n d c o ld will n o t a cc o u n t T he y bo th e x er t i n flu e n c e e ff ec
?

t ive l y a n d a r e sign s o f the f utur e t h r o ugh t he ir r e l ati o n t o

t he u n iv e rs a l w ho l e I n m an y t h i n gs t he y ar e bo t h c aus e s
.

a n d sign s in o t h e rs t h e y a r e sig n s o n ly
?
,

Fo r P l o ti n us ho w e v e r the u n iv e rs e is n o t a m e c h an ic a l
, ,

o n e w he r e but o n e f o rc e pr e v a ils n a m e ly t h a t pr o duc e d by , ,

o r r e pr e s e n t e d by th e c o n st e ll a t i o n s The u n iv e rs e is f ull o f .

va ri e ty wit h c o u n tl e ss di ff e r e n t p o w e rs an d the who l e w o uld ,

n o t be a livi n g an i m a l u n l e ss e a c h livi n g t h i n g in it liv e d

its o w n li fe an d un l e ss li f e w e r e l at en t e v en in i n an i m at e
,

o bj e cts . I t is tru e t ha t s o m e p o w e rs ar e m o r e e ff e ctiv e

t han o t he rs a n d t ha t t ho s e o f the sky ar e m o r e s o than
,

t ho s e o f e a rt h a n d that m an y t h i n gs l ie u n d e r t he ir p o w e r
,
.

N e v e rt he l e ss P l o ti n us s e e s in the r e p r o ducti o n o f li f e an d
sp e ci e s in the u n iv e rs e a f o rce i n d e p en d en t o f the stars In .

1
E nn e a d I I , iii, 6 0 01 6 y evbp eva 1I OL61 170 L 6La ¢ 6p oi s It a l
‘
' '

. .

11
E n n e a cl I I , iii, 4 Aé y o w e i6o 1ro mflévr a Ka i q J a ews 6 vvdp ews
'
' '
.

1’
G uth r ie s t r an s l a tio n , En n e a d a fié vr a mi o v « a t d v d i me rs K a i
’
p er a h
IV , iv, 3 5 . t i 67) 6p i T L 6 ijk i o s Ka i r d
q . . 5111 évép y e i a i Ga vua a r d WO RM; i ra p é
Bo r a x/
‘

é k k a d a r p a 6 1; 7 6 7 7766 , xp r) voul gew

'

. .
xo vr a t .

a br bv uév til/
5
E n n eacl IV , iv, 3 4
'
w Bk éu o vr a GZVG L « a t i ro w
'
. . . yo e i s
1
I d e m It a l év To i s 1r a p fini te e ia r dk k a xoii 6é
’
.
'

. m l a nua a ia s év i rok k o i s
u ohk a i , as 0 0 dep ud i) tp vxp d u a p éxé r a t ,
. arma d a: p 6vov .
 MA G I C AND E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

na tiviti e s pl a c e o f r e sid en c e a n d the disp o siti o n s o f i n di

, ,

vidu al s o uls Am id al l th is div e rsity o n e m ust a ls o ex p e ct

.

bo t h go o d an d evil but n o t o n t hat acc o un t c all natur e o r

,

t he st a rs e it h e r e v il t he m s e lv e s o r the c aus e o f e vil .

A s the a llusi o n j ust m a d e in the pr e c e di n g pa r a gr aph t o

the disp o siti o n s o f i n dividu a l s o uls s ho ws P l o ti n us m ade ,

a disti n cti o n b e tw ee n th e ex t e n t o f t he c o ntr o l e x e rcis e d by

the st a rs o v e r i n an i m a t e an i m a te an d r ati o n a l be i n gs
, , Th e .

s t a rs sig n i f y a l l t h i n g s in t h e s e n sibl e w o rld but t h e s o ul is

f r e e u n l e ss it slips a n d is st a i n e d by the bo dy a n d so c o m e s
u n d e r t he ir c o n t r o l F a te o r the f o rc e o f the sta rs is lik e
.

a wi n d w h ic h s hak e s a n d t o ss e s t he s h ip o f th e b o dy in

w h ic h the s o ul m a k e s its p a ss a ge Man as a p a rt o f the

.

w o rld d o e s s o m e t h i n gs an d su ff e rs m an y th i n gs in acc o rd
a n c e wit h d e sti n y S o m e m e n b e c o m e sl av e s to t h is w o rld
.

an d t o ex t e rn a l i n flu en c e s as if the y w e r e be witc he d
, .

O t he rs l o o k t o t he ir i n ne r s o uls an d strive t o f r e e t he m s e lv e s
f r o m th e s e n sibl e w o rld an d t o ris e a b o v e d em o n ic n a tur e
a n d all f at e o f n a tiviti e s a n d a ll n e c e ssity o f t h is w o rld an d ,

to liv e in t he i n t e lligibl e w o rld a bo v e

?

Th us P l o ti n us a rrive s a t pr a ctic a lly wha t was to be the

usu al Ch risti an p o siti o n in the m iddl e age s r e ga rdi n g the
i n flu en c e o f the st ars m a i n t a i n i n g the f r e e do m o f the hu man
,

will an d ye t a ll o wi n g a l a rge fi e ld to a str o l o gic a l pr e dicti o n .

He is e vid en tly m o r e c o n c e r n e d to c o m bat the n o ti o n th at

t he st a rs c a us e e vil o r a r e t o be f ea r e d a s e v il p o w e rs t han
h e is to c o m ba t th e be li e f in t he ir i n flu e n c e a n d s ign ifi catio n s .

His sp e aki n g o f the st ars b o t h as sign s an d c aus e s in a w ay

d o ubl e s the po ssibility o f pr e dicti o n f r o m the m I f he at .

t ack e d the l an gu age us e d by a str o l o ge rs o f the pl an e ts an d ,

p e r haps to a c e rt a i n ex t e n t the t e c hn i qu e o f t he ir a r t he ,

supp o rt e d a str o l o gy by r e c o n cili n g the e x ist en c e o f e vil an d

o f h u m an f r ee d o m wit h a gr e a t i n flu e n c e o f the st a rs an d by

h is e m p ha sis up o n th e i m p o rt an c e o f t he figu r e s m a d e by the

1
T he f o r th e s t at e
r e f e r enc e s I I I , iv ( p I V , iv ( p 8 1 3 )
. .

II I, N ( p
. .

I I 111 ( p
.

m e nt s in t h is p a r ag ra p h a r e in , . .

t h e o r d e r o f t h e ir o cc u r r e n c e : IV , 3 ( p in th e s e c as e s th e
.

E n n e a d II iii ( p p 2 5 7 , 2 5 1
, ,
. h igh e r p age — nu mbe r ing is u s e d .
 N E O -P L A T O N I S M 3 07

m o v em e n ts of ven ly bo di e s abo v e an y pur e ly p hysic al

th e h e a
eff e cts o f t he ir bo di e s a s suc h T hus he r e i n f o rc e d t h e c o n
.

c e p t io n o f o ccult v irtu e a lw ays o n e o f th e c h i e f pill a r s

,
if ,

n o t th e c h i e f s upp o rt o f o ccult sci e n c e an d m a gic

,
O n th e .

o t he r h an d m e n w e r e n o t lik e ly t o r e f o r m a l a n gu a g e a n d
,

t e c hn iqu e s an cti o n e d by a s gr e a t a n a str o n o m e r a s P t o l e m y

m e r e ly be c a us e a N e o P l at o n ist qu e s ti o n e d its pr o pri e ty

-
.

A lt h o u gh P l o ti n us d en i e d t ha t dis ea s e s w e r e du e t o de
“ ”
m o n s w e o n c e he ard h im sp eak o f d em o n ic n atur e
,
an d ,

o n e o f t h e E n n e a ds discuss e s E a c h ma n s o w n d e m o n He r e
’
.
,

h o w e v e r t he di s cussi o n is li m i te d t o th e p o w e r p r e sidi n g in
,

ea c h h u m a n s o ul a n d n o th i n g is s a id o f m a gic
,
F o r th e c o n .

n ec t io n o f d e m o n s wi th m agi c a n d f o r t he a r t o f t h e urgy w e

m ust tu r n t o t he w r i t i n gs o f P o r phyry an d I am blich u s an d ,

e sp e ci a lly t o Th e L e tter t o A n e bo o f P o r p h yry w h o li v e d ,

f r o m ab o u t 2 3 3 t o 3 0 5 a n d th e r e ply the r e t o o f th e m a s te r
,

Ab amm o n a w o r k w h ich is o th e r w is e k n o w n a s L iber de

,

mys ter iis ?

T h e a tt r ibuti o n o f th e l atte r w o rk t o I am b l ichu s ,

wh o di e d a b o ut 3 3 0 is b a s e d up o n an a n o n ym o us a ss e r t i o n
,

pr efi x e d to a n an ci en t m an usc r ipt o f P r o clus an d up o n th e

f act th a t P r o clus h i m s e l f q u o t e s a p a s s a g e f r o m th e D e mys
ter iis a s th e w o rds o f I am bl ich u s T h is a tt ribu t i o n h a s b ee n
.

qu e sti o n e d but if n o t by I am bl ichus th e w o rk s e em s to b e

, ,

a t l ea st by s o m e discipl e o f h is w it h si m il a r v i e ws O th e r ?

w o rks o f I am b lich us ar e l arge ly p h il o s o ph ic a l a n d m ath e

m at ical ; am o n g th e c h i e f w o rks o f P o rph yry a p ar t f r o m ,

h is lit e r ary w o r k in c o nn e cti o n w ith P l o t i n u s w e r e h is c o m ,

m en ta r ie s o n A rist o tl e an d fi f t e en b o o ks a ga i n st th e C h r is
ti an s .

The L e tte r to A n e bo i n quir e s c o n c e r n i n g the n atu r e o f

the go ds t he d e m o n s an d t he st a rs ; a sks f o r a n e x pl a n a
, ,

ti o n o f di v i n ati o n an d a st r o l o gy o f the p o w e r o f n am e s a n d
,

i nc ant ati o n s ; an d qu e sti o n s the e m pl o ym en t o f i n v o c ati o n s

1
E dite d V e n ic e , A l din e P r e s s ,
’
l o r s Englis h tr an s l atio n , L o n do n,
149 7 a n d 15 1 6 ; O x f o r d 1 6 7 8 ; by 1 82 1
, .

G P a r th e y , B e r l in , 18 5 7
. In th e
.
1’
Car l Ra s ch e , De I a m blic h o
'

f o l l o w mg q uo tat io n s f r o m it I libri qu i ins cr ibitu r d e mys ter iis

v
h a e u s uall y a dh e r e d t o T T a y . a u c t o r e , A s c h e ndo r ff, 1 9 1 1 , 8 2 p p .
 MA GI C AND E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

and s acrific e O the r to pics br o ugh t up ar e th e rul e o f spirits

.

o v e r the w o rld o f n a tur e p a r ti t i o n e d o ut amo n g them f o r

,

t h is purp o s e ; the divi n e i n spir a ti o n o r d em o n i a c a l p o ss e ssi o n

o f h u m a n be i n gs ; an d t he o ccult sy m p at hy b etw e en di ff e r en t

t h i n gs in t he m ate ri a l u n ive rs e I n e s peci a l th e a r t o f th e

.

u r gy a w o rd s a id t o b e us e d n o w f o r t he first ti m e by P o r
,

h
p yr y
1
is discuss e d I t m ay be r o ugh ly d efi ne d f o r the
, .

m o m e nt a s a s o rt o f pi o us n e cr o m an cy o r m a gic al cult o f the

g o ds P o rphyry r a is e s va ri o us o bj e cti o n s t o the pro c e dur e
.

a n d l o gic o f t he th e urgists divi n e rs e n c h an t e rs a n d a s t r o l o

, , ,

g e rs w h ic h I amblichus a s w e s hall hen c e f o rt h c all the au

, ,

t ho r o f the D e mys ter i i s a s a m att e r o f c o nv e n i en c e i f no t

o f c e rt a i n ty e n d e a v o rs to a n sw e r an d to j usti f y the ar t o f
, ,

t he urgy .

We may fi rst n o t e the t heo ry o f d em o n s which is e licit e d

f r o m I am bl ichu s in r e s po n s e to P o rp hyry s tr e n c hant an d
’

s e a rc h i n g qu e sti o n s Th e l att e r d e cl a ri n g that ign o r an c e an d

.
,

disi n ge n u o us n e ss c o n c e r n i n g divi n e n atur e s a r e n o l e ss r ep

r e h e n s ibl e t ha n i m pi e ty an d i m purity d em an ds a sci en ti fi c,

discussi o n o f the go ds a s a ho ly an d ben e fi ci al act He asks .

w hy if th e divi n e p o w e r i s i n fi n it e i n divisibl e an d in co m
, , ,

pr ehen sibl e di ff e r en t pl a c e s an d di ff e r e n t p ar ts o f the bo dy

,

a r e a ll o tt e d t o di ff e r e n t g o ds Why if the go ds a r e pur e in

.
,

t e ll ect s t he y a r e r e pr e s en t e d a s ha v i n g p assi o n s a r e wo r
, ,

s hip e d wit h p h a llic ritu a l a n d a r e t e m pt e d wit h i n v o c ati o n s

,

a n d s acr e d o ff e ri n gs ? Why bo a st ful sp e e ch a n d f ant astic

a cti o n a r e t ak e n as i n dic a ti o n s o f th e divi n e pr e s en c e ; an d

w hy if th e go ds dw e ll in the h e av e n s t he urgists i n v o k e o n ly
, ,

t e rr e stri a l an d subte rr an ea n d e iti e s ? Ho w sup eri o r be i n gs

c an be i n v o k e d wit h c o mm an d s by t h e ir i n f e ri o rs why t he ,

S un a n d Mo o n a r e t hr e a t e n e d w hy the m an m ust be j ust ,

a n d c h a st e w ho i n v o k e s spirits in o rd e r t o s e cu r e u n just e n ds

o r gr a ti f y lust a n d w hy the w o rs h ip e r m ust a bst a i n f r o m

,

a n i m a l f oo d a n d n o t t o uc h a c o rps e w he n s a c r i fi c e s to the

g o ds c o n sist o f the b o di e s o f dea d victi m s ? P o rphyry

1
B o u ch é - L e c le rc q, L As tr o l ogie gr e c qu e
’
p .
599 , c iting K r ol l ,

D e o r a culis C ha l daicis .
3 10 MA GI C A N D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

by pur e fi r e in the act o f s acrific e t hat t he y t ak e d e light .

Dem o n s a r e n o t ho w e v e r lik e the go ds e n tir e ly s e p ar a t e d

, ,

f r o m bo di e s T he w o rld is divid e d up i n t o pr e f e ctur e s

.

a m o n g t he m a n d t h e y a r e m o r e o r l e ss i n s e p a r a bl e fr o m a n d

id en ti fi e d with t he n atur al o bj e cts wh ic h the y go v e r n T hus ?

t hey m ay s e rv e to e n m e sh the s o ul in the b o n ds o f matt e r

an d o f f at e a n d t o a fflict the b o dy wit h dis e a s e A ls o the
?
,
“
e v il d e m o n s a r e su r r o u n d e d by c e r t a i n n o x i o us bl oo d ,

d e v o uri n g an d fi e rc e wild b ea sts pr o ba bly o f the typ e o f

, ,

v am pir e s an d e mpo us as I am bl ichus f urt he r ho lds tha t the r e

?

is a cl a ss o f d em o n s who a r e witho ut j udgm en t an d r ea s o n ,

ea c h o f w ho m h as s o m e o n e f u n cti o n t o p e r f o r m an d is n o t

a d a pt e d t o do a n yt h i n g e ls e S uch d em o n s o r f o rc e s in
?

n a tur e m e n m ay w e ll a ddr e ss a s sup e ri o rs in i n v o ki n g th em ,

si n ce they a r e sup e ri o r t o m e n in t he ir o ne spe ci al f u n cti o n ;

but w he n t he y h av e o n c e b e e n i n vo k e d m an a s a r ati o n al ,

be i n g m ay a ls o w e ll issu e c o mm an ds to them a s his irr a

t io n al i n f e r i o rs
5
.

I ambl ichu s a ls o u n d e rt ak e s th e d e f e n s e o f t heu r gy an d

c a re f ully disti n guishe s it f r o m m a gic a s w e sh all s o o n see
, .

I t is a ls o di ff e r e n t f r o m sci e nc e si n c e it d o e s n o t m e r e ly e m
,

pl o y the p hysic a l f o rc e s o f the n atur a l u n ive rs e an d f r o m

6
,

ph il o s o phy si n c e its i n e ff a bl e w o rks a r e b ey o n d the r e ach

,

o f m e r e i n t e llig en c e an d th o s e w h o m e r e ly ph il o s o ph iz e
,

t heo re tic a lly c ann o t h o p e f o r a the u r gic u n i o n o r c o mmu n i o n

-

with the go ds Ev en the urgists c an n o t as a rul e e n dur e the

7
.

light o f spiritu al be i n gs h ighe r than he r o e s d em o n s an d , ,

an ge ls an d it is a n e x c e e di n gly r a r e o ccurr e n c e f o r o ne o f
3
,

t hem t o be u n ite d with the supr am u n d an e god s T hi s ?

“ ”
t heurgy o r the a r t o f divi n e w o r ks o pe r a t e s by mean s
, ,

” “
a rc an e sign a tur e s the p o w e r o f i n ex plic abl e s ym
“
of an d
” 1"
b o ls . I t is t hu s th at I am bl ichu s e x pl a i n s a w ay mo st o f
the d e t ails in s acr e d rit e s an d s acri fi c e s t o w h ich P o rphyry

“
IV , 1 0 .

1
II , 1 1 .

‘
I I, 3
.

°
V, 20 .

”
I , 9 ; V I , 6 ; II, 11 .
 N E O -P L A T O N I S M

ha d o bj ect e d as o bsc e n e o r m at e ri a l an d a s i m plyi n g that the

g o ds them s elve s w e r e p a ssive an d p a ssi o n a t e They ar e .

”
mystic sym b o ls c o n s e cr at e d f r o m e t er n ity f o r s o m e hid
,

” 1
d e n r ea s o n w h ic h is m o r e e x c e ll e n t t han r e a s o n O ccul t
“
.

virtu e s i n dee d ! W e hav e alr ea dy he a r d I am blichus st ate

tha t n atur a l o bj ects p ar ticip at e in o r ar e r e l at e d t o the go ds
e t h e ri a lly o r a e ri a lly o r a qu atic a lly ; th e urgists th e r e f o r e
quit e pr o p e rly e mpl o y in t he ir a r t c e r t a i n st o n e s he r bs a r o , ,

m at ic s a n d s a cr e d an i m al s By em p l o yi n g such po t en t s ym
2
.
,

bo ls m er e m an t ak e s o n such a s ac r e d c har a ct e r h i m s e l f that

h e i s abl e t o c o m m a n d m a n y spi r itu al p o w e rs ?

I n v o c a ti o n s a n d p r a y e rs a r e a ls o m uc h u s e d in t h e u r gic a l
o p e r a ti o n s But su ch i n v o c at i o n s do n o t dr a w d o wn t he
.

i m p a ssiv e an d pu r e go ds to th is w o r ld ; r a th e r the y puri fy

tho s e who e m pl o y t he m f r o m t he ir p a ssi o n s an d i m pu r ity
a n d e x a lt t h e m t o u n i o n w it h th e pur e a n d th e divi n e
?

T he s e pr ay e r s a r e sym b o lic t o o ,
T h e y do n o t app e al to
.

“
hu m an p a ssi o n s o r r e a s o n ,
f o r th e y a r e p e r f e ctly u n k n o wn
a n d a r c an e a n d ar e a l o n e k n o wn t o th e G o d w h o m t h e y in
” 5
v o ke . I n an o th e r p a ss a ge 6
I am bl ich u s r e pli e s t o P o r
h
p y y r
’
s o bj e cti o n t h a t suc h pr a y e r s a r e o f t en c o m p o s e d o f

m e a n i n gl e ss w o rds an d n am e s wi tho ut si gn ific a ti o n by de _

c l a r in g s o m e w h at i n c o n sist e n tly wit h h is p r e vi o us a ss e r

— —

ti o n t hat t he s e i n v o c ati o n s a r e p e r f e ctly un kn o w n tha t ”

—

“
s o m e o f the n am e s w hich w e can sci en tific a lly an a lyz e ”

“
c o m pr ehen d the who l e di v i n e e ss en c e p o w e r an d o rd e r ,
”
.

Mo r e o v e r if t r an sl a t e d i n to a n o t he r l an gu a ge t hey do n o t
, ,

ha v e e x a ctly the s a m e m ean i n g a n d e v e n i f t he y do t he y

, ,

n o l o n ge r r e t a i n the s am e p o w e r a s in t h e o rigi n a l t o n gu e .

We s hall m ee t a si m il ar p a ss a ge c o nc e r n i n g the p o w e r o f
wo rds an d di v i n e n am e s in the c hurc h f ath e r O rige n who
li v e d e a rli e r in th e th i r d c e n tury than P o rp hyry a nd I am
bl ic hu s I am bl ic hus c o n clud e s t ha t it is n ec e ss a ry t ha t
“
“

1
I , 12 .

; III , 2 4 ( T ayl o r
’
15 s t r an s
l at 1o n ) .

“
V I I, 4 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP.

an ci ent pra y ers s ho uld be pr e s e rve d i nv ari ably t he

” 1
s am e .

N e it he r P o rphyry no r be li ev e em pl o ys the
I a mbl ic hu s , I ,

“ ”
w o rd m a gic but t he y bo t h o f t e n a llud e to its pr actiti o ners
, ,

“ ” “
a n d m e t h o ds by suc h e x p r e ssi o n s as j uggl er s an d enc hant
” ”
ers o r by c o n tr a sti n g w h a t is d o n e a rti fi ci a lly o r by

m ea n s o f a r t wit h the urgic al o p e r a ti o n s In the l ast c a s e

.

t h e disti n cti o n is b e tw ee n w ha t o n th e o n e han d is r e ga rd e d

a s a divi n e m yst e ry o r r e v e l a ti o n a n d w ha t o n the o t h e r

han d is l o o k e d up o n a s a m e r e hu m an a r t an d c o n triv an c e .

“
A n d n o th i n g wh ich is f a s h i o n e d by hum an a r t is
” 2
g en ui n e an d pur e Ch risti an writ e rs dr e w a lik e dis tin c
.

ti o n be twee n pr o phecy o r m ir acl e an d divi nati o n o r m agic .

S o m e ti m e s ho w e v e r I am bl ichu s sp eaks o f t he ur gy its e l f

, ,

a s an a rt an i n v o lu n t a ry a d m issi o n o f the cl o s e r e s e m bl an c e
,

be tw e en its m e tho ds an d tho s e o f m a gic We ar e a ls o t o ld .

t hat if the t he urgist m ak e s a slip in his pro c e dur e he the re ,

by r e duc e s it to the l e ve l o f m agic ?

A n o th e r disti n cti o n is t h at t he urgy a i m s at c o mm u n i o n

“
wit h the go ds w hil e m a gic ha s to do r at he r with the physi
” 4
c al o r c o rpo r ea l p o w e rs o f t he u n iv e rs e B o t h P o rphyry
.

a n d I am bl ichu s be li e v e d t h a t h a r m o n y sym p a t hy a n d m utu a l

, ,

a ttr a cti o n e x ist e d be tw e e n the v a ri o us o bj e cts in the un i

v e rs e wh ic h Iam blic hu s a ss e rte d was o ne an i m al T hus it

,
?

is p o ssibl e f o r m an to dr aw dist an t th i n gs to hi m s e l f o r to
u n it e t hem t o o r s e pa rat e t hem f r o m o n e an o th e r
, ,
?
But
a r t m ay a ls o u s e t h is f o rc e o f sym p a t hy b e tw een o b j e cts in

a n e x tr em e an d u n s e e m ly m a nn e r an d t h is dis o rd e rly f o rc
,

ing o f n a tur e w e a r e l e f t to i n f e r c o n stitut e s a n e ss en ti a l

, ,

f e atur e o f m a gic w ho s e pr o c e dur e is n o t truly na tur a l o r

,

sci enti fi c .

Ma gic n o t o n ly dis o rd e rs th e law an d h a r m o n y an d m ak e s ,

a p e rv e rs e an d c o n tr a ry u s e o f n a tur a l f o rc e s I ts p r act i
.

t io n e r s a r e a ls o r e pr e s e n t e d a s a i m i n g at e vil en ds and a s
3 14 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

of m e al . t he r m o de s o f d e t e rm i n i n g the f utur e wh ich

Y et o

h e lists a r e by c ha r a ct e rs i m ag e s i n c a n t ati o n s an d i nv oc a
, , ,

ti o n s with wh ic h the u s e o f sto n e s an d he rbs is O f ten c om

,

b in e d .T he s e d e t a ils m a k e it e vid e n t h o w i m p o ssibl e it is

t o dr a w an y dividi n g li n e b e tw e e n th e m e t ho ds o f m a gic an d
divi n ati o n an d P o rphyry h i m s e l f st at e s t hat t ho s e who in
,

“
vo k e the go ds c o n c e r n i n g the f utur e n o t o n ly have a bo ut
”
them st o n e s an d he rbs but a r e abl e to bi n d an d to f r ee
,

f r o m bo n ds to o p e n cl o s e d d o o rs a n d to c h an ge m e n s in
’
, ,

t enti o n s A m o n g the virtu e s o f parts o f an i mals men ti o ne d

.

in his tr ea tis e up o n a fis t in en ce f r o m an i m a l f o o d ar e the

p o w e rs o f divi n ati o n w h ich m ay be o bt ai ne d by eati n g the
h e a rt o f a ha wk o r c r o w ?

P o rp hyry st a t e s t h a t al l divi n e rs a ttribut e t h e ir pr e dic

ti o n s to go ds o r d e m o n s but tha t h e w o n d e rs if f o rek n o w l
,

e dge m ay n o t b e a p o we r o f t h e h u m an s o ul o r p e r ha ps

a cc o u n t a bl e f o r by th e s y m p a t h y w h ic h e x ists b e tw een di ff e r

e n t p a rts o f the u n iv e rs e I a mbl ic hu s ho lds ho w ev e r t hat

.
, ,

divi n ati o n is n e ithe r a hu m an a r t n o r the w o rk o f n atur e

but o f divi n e o rigi n ?
He p e r ha ps r egards it as littl e mo r e
t han a br an c h o f t he ur gy He disti n guis hes be tween human
.

dr eam s w h ich a r e s o m e ti m e s tru e s o m e ti me s fa ls e an d , ,

dr eam s an d visi o n s divi n e ly s ent I f o n e is a bl e to pr e dict

?

the f utur e by dri n ki n g w a t e r it is b e c a us e the w at e r has b e en

,

d ivi n e ly illu m i n a t e d ?
T ha t w e can pr e dict w h en the m i n d
is dis ea s e d an d dis o rd e r e d an d th at stupid o r si m pl e m i n d e d
,
-

m e n a r e o f t en b e tte r abl e t o pr o ph e sy th an the wis e an d

l ea r n e d a r e f o r h im but f urthe r pr o o f s t hat f o r e k no wl e dge
,

is a divi n e gi f t an d n o t a h u man sci e n c e w h il e divi n a ti o n ,

by such m ean s as r o ds p e bbl e s gr ai n s o f c o r n an d wheat

, ,

s i m ply ex cit e s th e m o r e his pi o us a d m ir a ti o n at th e gr e at

n e ss o f divi n e p o w e r
?
He dis appr o v e s o f divi nati o n by
st an di ng o n c har act e rs ? but s ee s n o r e as o n why divi nati o n
in d a rk n e ss in a w a ll o r in su n lig h t o r by p o ti o n s an d in
, , ,

c an tatio n s m ay n o t be divi n e ly dir e ct e d

,
He will not ho w .
,

D e a bs tin en tia II , 4 8 II I,
1
,
. 11 .

1‘ “
III , I , 10 . I II, 24 ; I II, 17 .
“ “
I I I, 2 3 -
. III, 14 .
 N E O -P L A T O N I S M 3 15

v r c o nn e ct the dis o rd e r e d i m agi n ati o n s ex cit e d by dis

e e ,

e a s e wit h divi n e pr e s en ti m e n ts Fr o m tru e divi n ati o n he

?

“ ”
a ls o s e p a r a t e s t he n a tu r a l pr e sci e n c e o f c e rt a i n a mm al s

w ho s e acute n e ss o f s e n s e o r o ccult symp at hy with o the r

p arts an d f o rc e s o f n atu r e e n abl e s them t o pe rc e ive s o m e c o m
in g e v e n ts b e f o re m e n d o T h e ir p o w e r r e s em bl e s p r o ph
.

” 2
c ey ,
“
yet f a lls s h o rt o f it in st a bility a n d trut h A ugury .

is an ar t w ho s e c o n j e ctur e s have gr eat pr o bability but the y ,

a r e ba s e d up o n di v i n e sign s o r p o rt en ts e ff e ct e d in n a tur e

by t he agen cy o f d emo n s ?

T he st a rs a r e o n a t o t a lly di ff e r ent pl ane f r o m th e o the r

sub s t an ce s em plo ye d in divi n ati o n T o P o rp hyry s qu e s .
’

ti o n w he t he r t he y ar e n o t go ds I ambl ichus is n o t c o n t en t to
r e ply that the c e l e sti a l divi n iti e s c o m pr ehe n d t he s e heav
“
e n ly b o di e s a n d t h at th e b o di e s in n o w ay i m p e d e the ir in
te ll ec tual an d i n c o rp o r e a l p e r f e cti o n
4
He m ust n e e ds go
o n t o a rgu e t ha t the st a rs t he m s e lv e s a s si m pl e i n divisibl e
,

bo di e s u nc han gi n g in qu a lity an d un i f o rm in m o ve m en t
, ,

“ ”
cl o s e ly appr o ac h to the i n c o rp o r ea l e ss en c e o f the go ds .

“
He t hen t r ium ph an tly if ill o gic a lly c o n clud e s T hus the r e ,

f o r e t he visibl e c e l e sti al s a r e a ll o f t he m go ds an d a f t e r a
c e rta i n m ann e r i n c o rp o r ea l ”
We m ay a dd the o pi n i o n o f
.

Chaer em o n a n d o t h e rs n o t e d by P o r phyry t hat the o n ly

, ,

go ds w e r e t he physic a l o n e s o f the E gypti an s a n d the pl an e ts ,

sign s o f the z o di ac decans an d ho r o sc o p e ; a ll r e ligi o u s

, ,

myth s w e r e ex pl a i n e d by Chae r em o n as a str o l o gic al all e

go r ies .

P o rp hyry bj ect e d tha t tho s e who thus r e duc e r e ligi o n

o

to a str o l o gy subm it e v e ryth i n g to f a t e an d l eav e the h um an

s o ul no f re e do m an d f urt he rm o r e t ha t in any c as e a str o l o gy
,

is an u n att a i n abl e sci en c e I ambl ich u s d e f en ds it a ga i n st

.

the s e o bj e cti o n s i n sisti n g tha t the un i v e rs e is divide d u n de r

,

th e rul e o f pl a n ets sign s a n d de can s ; ,

5
that the E gypti an s
,

1
I II, 25 . Al th o ugh , a s s t ate d
abo v e, o ne may be di in e l y iav
s p ir e d wh il e d isea s e d B ut t h e r e
is n o c au sal co nn ec t i o n b et w een
t he tw o .
3 16 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

do no t m ak e
ve ryt h i n g physic a l but a scribe two s o uls to
e

man o n e o f w h ic h o be ys the r e vo luti o n s o f the st a rs w h il e

, ,

t he o t he r is i n t e ll e ctu a l a n d f r ee ; 1
a n d t h a t t h e r e is a sys

tem at ic a r t o f a str o l o gy ba s e d o n di v i n e r e v e l ati o n an d the

l o n g o bs e rv ati o n s o f the Cha ld ean s a ltho ugh like any o the r ,

s ci e n c e it m ay at ti m e s d e g e n e r a t e a n d be c o m e c o n t am i n a t e d

by e rr o r ?
Ia mblic hus f urt he r r e ga rds as r idicul o us t he c o n
“
t en ti o n o f t ho s e who a scri be d epr avity to the c e l e sti al bo di e s
” 3
b e caus e t he ir p a rticip an ts s o m e ti m e s pr o duc e e vil In .

t he bri e f s e p a r a t e tr e atis e D e fa to 4
he a ga i n ho lds t hat a ll
, ,

t hi n gs a r e bo u n d by the i n diss o lubl e c hai n o f n e ce ssity wh ich

m e n c a ll f at e but th a t the g o ds can l o o s e the b o n ds o f f a t e
, ,

a n d t ha t the h um an m i n d t o o ha s p o w e r to r is e a bo v e n a
, ,

ture un it e with the go ds an d en j o y e t e rn a l li f e

, , .

Whet he r P o rphyry in his o t he r e x t an t w o rks e videnc e s

a b e li e f in a str o l o gy o r n o t a n d w h e th e r h e wr o t e a n I n tr o
,

du c tio n to the Te tr a bibl o s o r a str o l o gic a l han db o o k o f P to l

‘

e my h a s b e e n disput e d
,
?
T h is I n tr o du c tio n a scrib e d t o
P o rp hyry w a s m uc h cit e d by subs equ e n t a str o l o g e rs 5
an d

was pri n t e d in 1 5 5 9 t o ge t he r wit h a m uc h l o n ge r an o nym o us

c o mm en t ar y o n th e Te tr a bibl os w h ic h s o m e a scrib e to P r o c

lus .
7

T o w a rds a str o l o gic a l i m a ge s at l ea st P o rph yry sh o ws ,

h i m s e l f in the L e tter to A n e bo m o r e f av o r a bl e t han I am

bl ic hu s s ayi n g ,
N o r a r e t he ar t ifi ce r s o f e ffi c aci o us i ma ge s
,

to be d e s pis e d f o r t hey o bs e rv e the m o ti o n o f c e l e sti a l

,

bo di e s I amblichu s o n the o t he r han d r a t he r grudgi n gly

.
, ,

“
a d mits t ha t the i m age m aki n g a r t a ttr acts a c e rt a i n v e ry
-

” 3
o bscur e g e n e siurgic p o rti o n f r o m th e c e l e sti a l e fflux io n s .

He s e em s to hav e the s am e f ee li n g aga i n st i m age s as aga i n st

’
V III 6 , . P o r p hyr y s l e an in gs t o wa r ds a s
I X, 3 -4 . t r o l o g y ; b ut F B o l l , S tudien u ber
.

“
I , 18 . C l au dius P to le m a e us , 1 15 - 17 , a nd
“
e c l e r c q , L A s tr o l o g ie
’
I a m blic h u s , In N ic o ma c hi B o u ché -L

G e r a s e n i ar ith m e tic a m in tr o du c g r e c u
q , e 6 0 1 -
6 02 , a r e i n c l i n e d t o
ti o n e m e t D e f a to , p u bl i s h e d by t h e o p p o s i te V i e w .

v
T e n n u liu s , D e e n te r an d A r nh e im , C CA G , pas s i m
Ed Hie r o n y mus Wol f , B asel ,
.

1
16 68 . .

“
Z e l l e r , P hil os d G r I II , 2 , 2 ,
. . 15 5 9 G r ee
“
, k
a n d L atin .

608 c it e s p a s sag e s t o s h o w
. I I I, 2 8 .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

of the s e ven r ays The e mp er o r t e lls us that f r o m his yo uth

.
1

he w a s r e ga rd e d as o v e r curi o us -
( p ep yé ep ov a w o rd
w e i r
,

w h ic h a l m o st i m pli e s th e pr a ctic e o f m a gic ) an d as a di

vi ne r by the st a rs (a r p éu v w) His Hymn to th e S un c o n
a a r .

t ai n s a go o d d ea l o f a str o l o gic a l d e ta il sp eaks o f the un i

,

ve rs e as e t e r nal an d divi n e an d r e ga rds pl ane ts signs an d

, , ,
“ ” “
de ca n s as the visibl e go ds In s ho rt
. the r e is in the
,

” 2
h e ave n s a gr e a t m ultitud e o f go ds The S un h o w e v e r
.
, ,

is sup e ri o r to the o t he r pl ane ts an d as A risto tl e h as p o i n t e d

,

m ak e s the si m pl e st mo v e m e n t o f al l the h e a v e n ly bo di e s
“
o ut
” 3
t hat trave l in a dir e cti o n o ppo sit e to the w ho l e .T he S un
is a ls o the li n k b etw e e n the visibl e u n iv e rs e an d the i n t e l
ligibl e w o rld an d J uli an i n fe rs f r o m h is m iddl e stati o n
,

am o n g th e pl an e ts t h at h e is a ls o ki n g a m o n g t h e inte l l e c

tu a l go ds Fo r b e h i n d his visibl e s e l f is th e gr eat In visibl e

?
.

”
He f r e e s o ur s o uls e n tir e ly f r o m the p o w e r o f G en e sis ,

o r the f o rc e o f t he st a rs e x e rcis e d at n a tivity a n d li f ts t h em

,

t o t he w o rld o f t he pur e i n t e ll e ct
?

Juli an b e li e ve d in a l m o st e v e ry f o r m o f p agan divi na

ti o n as w e ll a s in a str o l o gy To the o r acle s o f A p o ll o he as
.

c r ib e d th e civilizi n g o f t h e gr e a t e r p a rt o f the w o rld t h r o ugh

t h e f o u n d ati o n o f G r e e k c o l o n i e s a n d t he r e v e l ati o n o f r e
ligi o us a n d p o litic a l l aw ?
T h e h ist o ri an A mm i an us Mar
cell in u s
7
t e lls us th a t Juli an w as c o n ti n u ally i n sp e cti n g e n
tr ails o f victi m s an d i n te rpr e ti n g dr eam s a n d o me n s and ,

that he e v en pr o p o s e d to r e o p en a pr o phetic f o u n t a i n w ho s e
-

pr e dicti o n s w er e supp o s e d to hav e e n abl e d Ha dri an to be

c o m e e m p e r o r a ft e r w h ich tha t e m p e r o r bl o ck e d it up f r o m
,

r
f e a t ha t s o m e o n e e ls e m ig h t suppl a n t h im t h r o ug h its in s t ru

me n t a lity. I n a n o t h e r p a ss a g e
3
h e d e f e n ds Juli a n f r o m t h e
“
c harge o f m a gic s ayi n g I n a s m uch a s m a lici o us p e rs o n s
, ,

h av e attribute d th e us e o f evil a rts to l ea r n the f utur e to

this rul e r who w as a l e a rn e d i n quir e r i n t o all br anche s o f
k no wl e dge we s hal l bri e fly i n dic at e ho w a w is e m an is abl e
,
 NE O P L A TONI S M
-
3 19

to a cqui r e t h is by n o m ean s trivi al v ari e ty o f l ear n i n g T he .

spirit be h i n d all the e l em en ts s e e i n g t ha t it is i n c e ss an tly

,

a n d e v e ry w h e r e a ctive in th e pr o p h e t ic m o v e m en t o f p e r e n

n i a l b o di e s b e s to w s upo n us the gi f t o f di v i n at i o n by the

,

di ff e r en t a rts w hic h w e e m pl o y ; an d the f o r c e s o f n atu r e ,

pro piti at e d by v ari e d rit e s as f r o m e x ha ustl e ss spri n gs p r o

,

”
v ide m anki n d with p r o p he tic utt e r an c e s .

Amm i an us t hus r ega rds the a rts o f di v i n a ti o n as s e ri o us

sci e nc e s ba s e d up o n n at ur a l f o r c e s alt ho ugh o f c o u r s e in ,

the c ha r a ct e ris t ic N e o P l at o n ic w a y o f t h i n ki n g he c o n f us e s
-

the spiritu al an d physic a l a n d substitut e s p r o piti a t o ry rit e s

f o r sci e n t ific ex p e r i m e n ts His p hr as e the pr o p h e tic m o v e
“
,

m e n t o f pe r e n n i a l b o di e s a l m o st c e rt a i n ly m e an s the st a r s
a n d s h o ws h is be li e f in a s t r o l o gy I n a n o t he r p a ss age he
1
.

i n dic a te s the wid e sp r ea d t r ust in a st r o l o gy am o n g the R 0

m an n o bl e s o f his ti m e the l at e r f o u r t h c e n tu r y by s ayi n g
, ,

“
that e v e n t ho s e w ho d e n y tha t the r e a r e s up e ri o r p o w e r s
in the sky n e v e r t h e l e ss t h i n k it i m prud e n t t o a pp ea r in
,

public o r di n e o r ba the w it ho ut havi n g first c o n sult e d an

a l m an a c a s t o the w he r ea b o u t s o f Me rcu r y o r t he e x a ct p o si

t i o n o f the m o o n in Can c e r T he p ass a g e is s a ti r ic a l n o

.
,

d o ubt but A mm i an us pr o ba bly o bj e cts quite a s m uch to

,

the ir dis beli e f in sup e r i o r p o w e rs in t he sky a s he d o es to

the e x c e ss o f t he ir sup e rstiti o n T hat a str o l o gy an d divi n
.

a ti o n m ay be studi e d sci e n tific a lly h e a g a i n i n dic a t e s in a

d e sc r ipti o n o f l ea r n i n g a t A l ex an dri a B e sid e s pr a isi n g the .

m e dic a l t r a i n i n g t o be ha d t he r e an d m en ti o n i n g the study

,

o f g e o m e try m usic a s t r o n o m y an d a r it hm e tic he s ays

, , , , ,

In a dditi o n t o t h e s e subj e cts the y cultiv a t e the sci e n c e

“

” 2
wh ic h r ev ea ls the w ays o f th e f at e s .

I amblichu s s acc o u n t o f t he u r gy is r e p e at e d in m o r e co n
’

de n se d f o r m by P r o clus ( 4 1 2 4 8 5 ) in a bri e f tr e a tis e o r

-

f ra gm e n t wh ic h is e x t a n t o nly in its L a ti n tr an sl a ti o n by
t he Fl o r en ti n e hu m an ist Fic in u s e n titl e d D e s acr ificio e t ,

m agia ?
N e ith er ma gic n o r t he urgy ho w ev e r is m en ti o n e d , ,

1
XXV II I iv, 2 4 w ith th e D e mys ter i i s ,
1 49 7 , a l o n g
k
.
,
1
XXI I x v i 1 7 1 8
, ,
-
. a n d o th e r w o r s e dit ed o r c o m

p o s e d by Ma r s iliu s Fic in u s
“
P ubl ish e d at V e n ice ( Aldin e ) ,
S ee .
32 0 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

by nam e in the L ati n t ex t P r o clus st at e s tha t the pri e sts

.

o f o l d built up t h e ir s a cr e d sci e n c e by o bs e rvi n g t he s ym

pathy ex isti n g be tw ee n n atur a l o bj ects an d by a rgui n g f ro m

m an i f e st t o o ccult p o w e rs T he y s aw ho w t h i n gs o n e a rth
.

w e r e a ss o ci at e d with th i ngs in the heav en s an d f urthe r dis

c o ve r e d ho w to bri n g do wn divi n e virtu e to t h is l o w e r w o rld
by the f o rc e o f lik e ne ss w h ic h bi n ds thi n gs t o gethe r P r o .

clus giv e s s e ve ra l e x am pl e s o f pl an ts sto ne s a n d an i m als , ,

w hich e vide n c e such a ss o ci a ti o n The c o ck f o r i n stanc e is

.
, ,

r e ve r e n ce d by the li o n be c aus e bo th a r e u n d e r the s am e

pl ane t the sun but the c o ck ev en m o r e s o t han the li o n
, , .

T he r e f o r e d em o n s w ho a pp e a r with the he a ds o f li o n s
( l eo nina fr o n te ) v an is h sudd en ly at the sight o f a c o ck un
l e ss t he y c han c e to be d em o n s o f the s o l a r o rd er A f t e r .

thus i n dic ati n g the i m p o rt anc e o f a str o l o gy as w e ll as o ccult

v irtu e in t he urgy o r m a gic P r o clus t e lls ho w d e m on s a r e in
,

“
vo k e d . S o m e ti m es a si n gl e he rb o r st o n e su ffic e s f o r the
”
divi n e w o rk ; s o m e ti m e s s eve ra l subst an c e s an d rites m ust
“
b e c o m bi n e d to su mm o n t ha t divi n ity
”
Wh e n t h e y h a d .

s e cur e d the pr e s en c e o f the d emo n s the pri e sts pr o c ee d e d , ,

p artly u n d e r the i n structi o n o f the d e mo n s an d p artly by

t he ir o wn i n dustri o us i n t e rpr et ati o n o f sym bo ls to a study ,

“
o f the go ds . Fi n ally l e avi n g beh i n d n atur a l o bj ects an d
,

f o rc e s an d e v e n to a gr e at ex t en t the d em o n s the y wo n ,

”
c o mm u n i o n with the go ds .

De spit e t h e writi n gs o f P o rphyry an d o th e r N eo P l at o n -

is t s a ga i n st Christi an ity m uc h us e w a s ma d e by Christi an

,

t he o l o gi an s o f the f o urth an d fi f th c en turi e s o f the Neo

P l at o n ic a cc o u n ts o f m agic a str o l o gy an d divi n ati o n es
, , ,

p e c ia ll y o f P o rp h yry s L e tte
’
r t o A n e bo E us e bius in his .

P r aepar a tio E vang elica 1

m a d e l arge ex tr acts f r o m it o n
the s e them e s a n d a ls o f r o m P o rp hyry s w o rk o n the Chal ’

d ean o r acl e s A ugusti ne in The City of G o d a cc e pte d P o r

.
2

al s o P r o c li O pe r a e d Co us in ,
, . P ar s II, Apo l og e tica, P r a ep .

P a r is , 1 8 2 0- 1 82 7 , I II , 2 7 8 ; a n d E va ng , I V , 2 2 ; V , 6, 8 , 10, 12 , 1 4 ;
'

K r o ll, A n a l e c ta G r a e c a ,G r e is s V I , 1 , 4 ; XI V , I o ( Mign e , P a tr o
wa l d, 1 9 0 1 , w he r e a G r e e t r an s k l og ia G r aeca, vo l .

l at io n a cc o m p a n ie s t h e La tin t e x t .

1
Eus e bii Ca esar iens is Oper a,
1
X 9- 10
, .
 CHA P TE R XI I

AB L I A N , S O L I N U S A N D H O R A P O L L O

Ae l ian O n th e N a tur e of A nimal s — G e n e r al cha r a cte r o f the wo r k

—I
t s h o dg e p o dg e o f un c l a s s ifi ed d e ta il— S o l in u s in th e m iddl e a g e s
-

His da te— G e n e r a l c h a r a c te r o f h is w o r k; it s r e l a t io n t o P liny— A n im al s

a nd gems
-
O c c u l t m e d ic in e— D e m o c r it u s an d Z o r o a s te r no t r eg a r de d

as mag ic ia n s —
S o me bit s of a s t r o l o g y— Al e x a n de r G r e at T h e
th e —

Hier og lyp hic s of Ho r ap o l l o —

Mar v e l s of an im a l s— An imal s an d a s
t r o l o gy— T he c yn o cep ha l u s— Ho r ap o ll o th e c o s m o p o litan .

FR O M m ystic the urgic c o m p o siti o n s we r e turn to w o rks

an d

o f th e d e cli n i n g R o m an Em pir e whic h d e a l m o r e dir e ctly

with n ature but it m ust be c o n f e ss e d in a m an n e r s o m ew ha t

, ,

f an t a stic A bo ut the b e gi nn i n g o f the third c e n tury Ael ian

.
,

o f P r aen e st e w ho is i n clud e d by P h il o s t r atus in h is L ives

,

o f the S ophis ts wr o te O n the N a tur e of A nimals I ts

,
?

s e v e n t ee n b oo ks writt en in G r e ek w hich Ael ian us e d flu

, ,

e n tly d e spit e his L a ti n birt h a r e be li e v e d to hav e r each e d ,

us p artly in i n t e rp o l a te d f o rm thr o ugh two fam ili e s o f

m an uscripts o f w h ic h th e o ld e r an d l e ss i n t e rp o l a t e d t ex t
,

is f o u n d in a t h irt e en th c e n tury m an uscript a t P a ris an d a

s o me w hat e a rli e r Va tic an c o d ex ?
A n u m be r o f its c ha p
t e rs a r e si m il a r to and p e r haps b o rr o w e d fr o m P li ny s ’

N a tur a l His tor y; at any r at e th ey a r e c o m m o n pl ac e s o f an

ci e n t sci en c e ; but the w o rk a ls o has a m a rk e d i n dividual ity .

P a rall el s h av e a lso b e en n o t e d b e t we e n t h i s w o rk a nd th e
l ate r Hexaemer o n o f the c hurch f at he r B a sil A el ian w a s .

m uc h cit e d in Byz an ti n e lit e r atur e an d l e a r n i n g an d if he ,

wa s n o t dir e ctly us e d in th e L ati n w e st a t l e a st the attitud e ,

I h v u ed f th b it d w ith ut t itl
1
II p l { h
e ta é m
c ap i h
r os . a e s en c e o r e c e o e

b o t h t h e e ditio pr in ce ps by G e s n e r , in th e n ote s .

Zu r ich 1 5 5 6 a n d t h e c r it ic a l e di
S ee P W, an d C h r i s t, G es ch d
, ,

t io n by R He r c h e r P a r is 1 8 5 8 ,
1
. . .
, ,

a n d T e ubn er , 1 864 T h e w o r w il l
. k g r ie c h Li t
.t ,
f o r f.ur th er d e tail s .

32 2
C H AP x11
. A B L I AN S O L I N US
, , AN D H O RAP O LL O

t o w a rd an i m als wh ic h he displ ays an d his s e l e cti o n o f m ate

ri al c o n c e r n i n g them ar e a s a pt pr e curs o rs o f m e di eval
L a ti n a s o f m e di e v a l G re e k sci e n tific lit e ra tur e .

I n pr e f a c e a n d e pil o gu e A e lia n h i m s e l f a d e qu at e ly i n di G l en e r a
h t c a ra c e r
ca te s the c ha r act e r o f h is w o r k He is i m pr e ss e d by th e f t h .
o .
e

cust o m s an d c ha r a ct e r istics o f a n i ma ls a d m a rve ls t ir

n a t h e w k
,
or .

wisd o m an d n ative s hr e wdn e ss the ir j ustice an d m o d e sty , ,

t he ir a ffe cti on an d pi ety w hich s ho uld put hum an be i n gs

,

t o blush Thus Ae l ian s w o rk is m a r k e d by t hat t en d e n cy

’
.

wh ich ru n s thro ugh an ci en t an d m e di e v a l lit e ra tur e to ad

m ir e acti on s in the irr a ti o na l brut e s w h ic h s e em t o i n dic at e
a l m o s t h u m an i n t e llige n c e a n d virtu e o n t he ir p a rt a n d to ,

m o r a liz e t he r e f r o m at the e x p e n s e o f h u m a n be i n gs An .

o t he r striki n g f e a tu r e o f his w o rk is its utt e rly w h i m sic a l

a n d h a p h a z a rd o r d e r He m en ti o n s t hi n gs si m ply a s t hey
.

happe n t o o ccur to him T h is f a ct t o o he r e c o gn iz e s but

.
, , ,

r e f us e s t o a p o l o giz e fo r st ati n g t hat it suits him if it d o e s

, ,

n o t suit an y o n e e ls e an d t ha t h e r e ga r ds a m i x e d up o rd e r
,
-

a s m o r e m o tl ey v a ri e gat e d an d pl easi n g N o t o n ly d o e s
, , .

he a tte mpt n o cl a ssific a ti o n w hat e ve r o f his a n i m als and

m en ti o n s n ak e s an d q u a d r up e ds a n d birds in the s am e br e ath ;
h e a ls o d o e s n o t c o m pl e t e th e tr eat m e n t o f a giv en a n i m a l in
o n e p a ss a g e but m ay sc att e r d e t a c he d it e m s abo ut it t h r o ugh

o ut his w o rk . T he r e is f o r i n st an c e pr o ba bly at l e ast o n e

, ,

chapte r c o nc e r n i n g e l e phan ts in e ac h o f his s ev en t e e n bo o ks .

I t w o uld t he r e f o r e be a bsu r d f o r us t o a tt e m pt a ny l o gi I t h dg s o e
dg f
cal a r r an ge m e n t in discussi n g his c o n t e n ts ; we m ay do j us p o e o
u l i nc as s
tic e t o him m o st a d e qu at e ly by a d o pti n g his o wn l ack o f fi d d t il e e a .

m e tho d a n d n o ti n g a f e w it em s a n d t o pics t ak e n m o r e o r l e ss
a t r an d o m f r o m his w o r k A n ts n e ve r go o ut in t he n ew
.

m o o n Y e t th e y n e ithe r g a z e a t the sky n o r c o u n t the n um

.
,

be r o f d ays o n t he i r fi n g e rs lik e the l e a r n e d B abyl o n i an s an d

,

Cha ld ean s but ha v e t h is m ar v el o us gi f t f r o m n atu r e

,
?
In
s ex u a l i n te rco urs e the fe m al e vip e r c o n c e ive s t hr o ugh the
m o uth an d bit e s o ff t he hea d o f th e m al e ; a f t e rw a rds he r
yo u n g gna w the ir w ay o ut o f he r vita ls “
What have yo ur .

1
1, 22 .
32 4 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

O r e s te s e s an d A lc m a e o n s to
h t my d e a r tra ge
s ay to t a ,

di an s 1
D o v e s put l au r e l bo ug hs in t he ir n e sts to gu a rd
a ga i n st f a sci n a ti o n a n d t he e vil eye an d t he h o o p o e si m i ,

l ar ly e m pl o ys é i i v ov o r x M i p xo v a s an a m ul e t ; 2 an d
a r a r i

o t he r u n r e a s o n i n g an i m a ls gu a rd a ga i n st s o rc e ry by s o m e

mystic a n d m a rv e l o us n a tur a l p o w e r A no t he r c hapt e r .

tr eats o f divi n ati o n s f r o m the cr o w an d ho w ha irs ar e dye d

bl ack with its e ggs ?
O t he r s t e ll us o f the ge n e r a ti o n o f
s e rp ents f r o m the m arr o w o f a d ea d m an s spi ne an d o f 4 ’
,

v en o m o us w o m en lik e Me d e a an d C irc e w ho are w o rse than

the a s p with its i n cur abl e sti n g si n c e th e y kill by m e r e ,

to uc h ?

We go o n to r e a d o f swi ft littl e be asts c all e d P yr ig oni

who a r e ge n e r ate d f r o m fi r e an d liv e in it o f s a l am an d e rs ,

w ho e x ti n guis h fl am e s o f the r em e di e s us e d by t he t o rt o is e
,

a ga i n st s n ak e s o f th e c h a stity o f d o ve s w ho s e m a rri a ge s
,

n e v e r r e sult in div o rc e a n d o f th e i n c o n ti n e n c e o f th e p ar
,

tridge ?
A ls o o f the j e a l o usi e s o f c e rt a i n a n i ma ls lik e t he
sta g w hich h id e s its right ho rn the liz a rd w ho d e vo urs its ,

c a st o ff ski n a n d th e m a r e w ho e a ts the h ipp o m a n e s fr o m

-
,

its c o lt l e st m e n o bt a i n t h e s e pr e ci o us subst an c e s
7
,
O f t he .

c ar e t ak e n by st o rks he r o n s an d p e lic an s o f the ir a ge d

, ,

p a r e nts Ho w the sw all o w by the virtu e o f an he rb give s

?

sight to its yo un g who a r e bo rn bli n d an d ho w a ho o p o e ,

f o u n d an he rb w hos e virtu e diss o lve d the mud with which

the c a r e t ak e r o f a buildi n g had plugge d up the ho l e in the
w all w h ich it us e d f o r its n e st Ho w the li o n an d b a silisk
?

f ea r the c o ck a n d o f a lak e Witho ut fish in a plac e whe r e

,

the c o cks do n o t cr o w
?0

Ho w e l e p h an ts v e n e r at e the w ax i n g mo o n ; ho w the we a
s e l ea ts r ue w h e n a bo ut to fi ght t h e s n ak e ; an d o f the j eal
“
1
I, 2 4 I , 54 .

D W T h o m p so n , G l o s
.

“
“
I, 3 5 . . .
I I , 2 a nd 3 1 ; I I I , 5 .

1
s a r y o f G r e e k B ir ds p 5 7 , n o t es
,
. I II, 1 7 .

t h a t in t h e B ir ds o f A r is t o p h a n e s , II I, 2 3 an d 2 5 .

w h e r e th e h o o p o e a p p e a r s , “
“
th e I I I 2 6 ; i n I , 4 5 , th e w o od
,

v
my s t e r io u s r o o t in e r s e 65 4 is t h e k
p e c e r s im il a r l y e mp l o y s the V i r
mag ical 6 6 ta vr o v
”
t u e o f a n h e r b t o r e m o e a s to ne v
k
. .

“
1, 48 . bl o c in g th e e n t r an ce t o its n es t .

‘ 1°
I, 52 . II I , 3 2 an d 3 8 .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

c h ildr en to supp o rt t he ir age d p a r ents in the ca s e o f li o n s ,

w ho s e cubs a r e t augh t by n atur e fi li al pi ety t o w a rd the ir

e ld e r s O n ly th e h o r n o f th e S cyth i an a s s can ho ld the
?

w at e r o f the A rc a di an ri v e r S tyx A l ex an d e r the G r eat s en t

a s am pl e o f it t o D e lp h i wit h s o m e a cc o m p a nyi n g v e rs e s

w h ich A elia n qu o t e s ?
In E pirus dr a go n s s acr e d to Apo ll o
a r e e m pl o y e d in divi n a ti o n an d in t he L av in ian G r o v e dr a g
,

o n s spit o ut ag a i n t h e f ru m e n ty o ff e r e d t h em by u n c ha st e

virgi n s ?
By flyi n g b en ea t h it an e agl e s a ve d the li f e o f its
y o ung o ne who h ad b ee n th r o w n d o wn f ro m a t o we r Dif ?

f e r e nt fi s h e a t di ffe r e n t s ea h e rbs ?
The r e a r e fi sh w ho
l iv e in b o ili n g wa t e r ?
T he r e a r e sc a tt e r e d m en ti o n s o f th e
m a rv e ls o f I n di a t h r o ugh o ut A e lian s w o rk an d in his s ix
’

t ee n th bo o k the fi rst f o urt e e n c hapt e rs are al m o st e x cl u

s ive ly c o n c e r n e d wit h th e a n i m a ls o f t h a t l an d .

A w e ll k n o w n w o rk in the m iddl e a ge s d ati ng fr o m the

-

pe ri o d o f the R o m an Em pir e w a s the Co ll ec tan ea r er um

m e mor a bilium o r P o lyhis tor o f S o l inu s Mo mm s en s e di .
’

ti o n list s 1 5 3 m anuscripts f r o m 3 2 p l a ce s an d w e sh all fin d

7
,

m an y cit a ti o n s o f S o lin us in o ur l at e r m e di e v a l a utho rs .

Ma rti an us Ca p e ll a a n d I sid o r e w e r e the fi rst to m ak e ex t e n

sive us e o f his w o rk In the th irt e en th c e n tury A lbertus
.

Mag nus had littl e r e sp e ct f o r S o l inu s a s an autho rity a n d

e x pr e ss e d m o r e t han o n c e th e q uit e accur at e o pi n i o n t h at

h is w o rk w a s f ull o f li e s Ne v e rth e l e ss c o pi e s o f it c o n
.

ti nn e d to a bo un d in the f o urt e e n th an d fi fte en th c e n turi e s ,

“
a n d by 1 5 5 4 fi ve pri n t e d e diti o n s ha d a pp e a r e d Fr o m it .

dir e ctly c o m e m o st o f t he f a bl e s in w o r ks o f o bj e ct s o dif

” 3
f e r e n t a s t ho s e o f D icu il I s id o r e Ca pe ll a an d P risci an
, , ,
.

His dat e .
T he fi rst e x t a n t a ut h o r t o m ak e u s e o f S o lin us is A ugus
ti n e in The City of G o d wh il e he is fi rst n am e d in the G en
,

e a l o gu s o f 4 5 5 A D N o n e o f th e m an uscripts o f the w o rk
. .

1
I X, 1 . r um m e m or a biliu m i te r u m r ec en
1
X 40 , . s u it T h Mo m m s e n , B e r l in, 1 89 5
.
,
1“
XI 2 a n d, 16
.
pp . xx xi li B e a z l e y, D a w n o f
-
.

x Mo d i G e og r aphy, 1, 5 20-2 , lis t s

: 3 fié
'
21 .

X 13 , . 15 2 s
“
XIV 19 , .
“
B ea zl e y, Dawn of Mo der n
1
C . I u lii S o lini Co ll e c tan ea re G e og r ap hy I 2 47 . ,
 AB L I AN, S O LI N US ,
AN D H O RAP O LL O 32 7

an e t da t e the n i n th c en tury but m an y o f them hav e c o pi e d

,
“
an e a rli e r subscripti o n f r o m a m an usc r ipt writt e n by th e
z eal an d dilige n c e o f o ur l o rd Theo do sius the un c o n qu e r e d ,

”
pri nc e . T h is is t ak en t o r e f e r to the e m p e r o r T he o d o sius
II 40 1 4 50
,
-
T he w o rk its e l f ho w e v e r has n o Christi an
.
, ,

c har acte ristics ; o n the c o n t r a ry it is v e r y f o n d o f m e n ti o n i n g

pl ac e s f am e d in pagan r e ligi o n an d G r e e k m ytho l o gy an d
o f r e c o u n ti n g m ir a cl e s a n d m a r v e ls c o n n e ct e d w ith h ea the n

s h ri ne s an d rit e s In d ee d S o l in us s e ld o m if e v e r m en
.
, , ,

ti o n s an yth i n g l a t e r th an the fi r st c en tu r y o f o ur e ra He .

sp eaks o f Byz an tium n o t o f Co n sta n ti n o pl e an d m ak e s n o

, ,

m enti o n o f the R o m an pr o v i n c e s a s di v id e d in t h e syste m o f

Di o cl e ti an His b oo k h o w ev e r is a c o m pil a ti o n f r o m earli e r
.
, ,

writi ngs s o that we n e e d n o t ex p ect a llusi o n s to his o w n

age . T he L ati n styl e a n d ge n e r al lit e r a ry m ak e up o f t he -

w o rk are cha ract e ristic o f the d ecli n i n g empi r e an d e arly

m e di e va l p e ri o d Mo m m s e n w a s i n cli n e d to d a t e S o l in us in
.

the t h ird r at he r t h an t h e f o urt h c e n tury but the w o r k s e em s ,

to hav e b ee n r evis e d a b o ut the si x t h c e n tu r y a f t e r w h ic h ,

d ate it b ec am e custo m ar y t o c all it the P o lyhis tor r a th e r than

the Co ll ec tane a r er u m m e m or a bilium I t is a ls o r e f e rr e d t o .
,

ho w e v e r a s D e mir a bil ibus m un di o r Wo nder s of the

, ,

Wor ld .

T he w o rk is pri m a r ily a geo gr ap hy a n d is a r r an ge d by

c o untri e s an d pl ac e s b e gi n n i n g with R o m e an d I t aly A s
, .

eac h l o c ality is c o n sid e r e d S o l in us s o m e ti m e s t e lls a littl e

,

o f its h ist o ry but is e sp eci a lly i n cli n e d t o r e c o u n t m ir a cu

,

l o us r e ligi o us ev e n ts o r n atur a l m a r v e ls a ss o ci at e d w ith tha t

p a rticul ar r e gi o n T hus in d e scribi n g tw o l ak e s he r athe r
.

a p o l o giz e s f o r m e n ti o n i n g t h e fi r st at al l b e c a us e it c an

sc arc e ly be c all e d m i r acul o us but a ssur e s us t ha t the s e c o n d

,

“ ” 1
is r e gard e d a s ve ry e x t r ao rdi n a ry S o m e ti m e s he di .

g e s ses t o o t he r t o pics such a s c a l e n d a r r e f o r m

?
r S o l in u s
dr a ws bo th h is ge o g r a ph ic al d at a an d f urthe r d eta ils v e ry
l arge ly f r o m P li n y s N a tur al His tor y ; but i n a sm uch a s
’

P li n y tr e at e d o f t he s e m att e r s in s e p a r a t e b o o ks S o linus ha s ,

1
Mo mm s en p 48
. .
1
I bid .
, p .
7 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

to r e -o rgan iz e the m ate ri a l He a ls o s e le cts si mply a f ew

.

p a rticul a rs f r o m P li n y s w e alth o f de t a il o n a ny giv en s ub

’

j ect an d f urt he rm o r e c o n sid e r a bly a lte rs P li ny s w o rdi n g

’
, ,

s o m e ti m e s c o n d e n si n g the t ho ught s o m e ti m e s am pli fyi n g

-
,

the p h r a s eo l o gy a pp a r e n tly in a n e ff o rt to m ak e t he p o i n t
—

cl ear e r an d e a si e r r eadi n g O f P li n y s th irty s e ven bo o ks

.
’
-

o n ly t ho s e f r o m the t h ird to th e t h ir t e e n t h i n clusiv e a n d th e

l a st b o o k ar e us e d to an y ex t e n t by S o lin u s T hat is to s ay .
,

h e e it he r w a s acqu a i n t e d wit h o n ly o r c o n fi n e d hi m se l f to
, ,

t ho s e bo o ks d e a li n g wit h ge o gr ap hy m an an d o t he r an i m als
, ,

an d g e m s , o m itti n g a l m o st e n tir e ly e x c e pt f o r t he tw e l f t h
,

an d t h irt e e n t h bo o ks P li n y s e l a b o r a t e tr e a t m en t o f v e ge t a
’

ti o n an d o f m e dici n a l si m pl e s an d discussi o n o f m e ta ls an d
1

th e fi n e a rts S o l in u s d o e s n o t a ck n o wl e dge his gr ea t d e bt

.

t o P li ny in p a rticul a r alt ho ugh he k ee ps a lludi n g t o th e

,

ful n e ss with w h ic h e v e ryth i n g has a l r ea dy b ee n disc us se d

by p a st a utho rs and a lt ho ugh he cit e s o t he r write rs who a r e
,

a l m o st u nk n o w n t o us O f h is k n o wn s o urc e s P o m po n ius
.

Me l a is t he c h i e f a f t e r P li n y but is us e d m uch l e ss O n t he .

o t he r h a n d ,
t he n u m be r o f p a ss age s f o r w h ic h Mo m m s e n

w a s u n a bl e t o giv e a n y s o urc e is n o t i n c o n sid e r a bl e A s m ay .

hav e b e e n a lr e a dy i n f e rr e d the w o rk o f S o l in u s is bri e f ;

,

t he t ex t a l o n e w o uld sc a rc e ly fill o n e h u n dr e d p a g e s
?

I t w o uld p e r haps be r a s h to c o n j e ctur e w h ic h q u ality

c o mm e n d e d the bo o k m o st to the f o ll o wi n g p e r i o d : its han dy
siz e o r its e a sy styl e an d f airly syst em atic a rran geme n t o r
, ,

its e m pha sis up o n m a rve ls T he l a st c har a cte ristic is at

.

l e a st the m o st ge r m an e to o ur i nv e stig ati o n S o l in us ren .

d e r e d the s e rvic e if w e m ay s o t e r m it o f r e duci n g P li n y s

’

, ,

tr ea t men t o f a n i m a ls an d pr e ci o us sto n e s in p a rticul ar to a

f e w c o m m o n e x am pl e s w h ic h e ithe r w e r e a lr e a dy the be st
,

k no w n o r be c am e s o as a r e sult o f his s e l e cti o n I n dee d .

,

Ki n g wa s o f the o pi n i o n tha t the d e scripti o n s o f gem s in

S o l in u s w e r e m o r e pr e cis e t e c h n
,
ic a l a n d syst e m a,tic t ha n

1
v
Y e t o n e m e die a l M S o f So c e nt u r y, f o l s 156-7 4
. .

I n Mo m m s e n 5 e di t i o n c r i ti c al
0
1
l in u s is de s c r ibe d a s D e va r iar u m
he r bar u m e t r a dic u m qu a lita te e t a p p ar at u s o c c u p ie s m o r e th an o n e

vir tu te m e dica , V ie nn a 3 9 5 9 , 1 st h
’
ha l f o f th e 2 16 p ag e s .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI M E N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

T his llusi o n to Circ e a n d Me d ea s ho ws that m agic t o

a
,

w hic h m e dici ne an d p ha r m acy ar e a pp a r e n tly aki n do e s n o t ,

p a ss u nn o tic e d in S o l in us s p a ge He c o pi e s f r o m Mel a the

’
.

a cc o u n t o f th e p e r i o dic a l tr an s f o r m ati o n o f t he N e ur i i n t o

w o lv e s But i n st e a d o f accusi n g D e m o critus o f havi n g em

?

plo ye d m agic as P li n y do e s S o l inus r e pr e s ents him a s e n

, ,

gagi n g in c o nt e sts with the Magi in wh ich he m a de fr e quen t ,

u s e o f t he st o n e c a to chite s in o rd e r to d em o n str a t e the o c

cult p o we r o f n ature ?
That i s to s ay D em o critu s w a s ap ,

p are n tly o pp o si n g sci en c e to m agic a n d s ho wi n g t hat a ll the

l atte r s f e ats c o uld be duplic at e d o r i m pr o v e d up o n by em
’

pl o yi n g n atur a l f o rc e s I n tw o o t he r pa ss a ge s S o l inus
.
3

c all s Dem o critus phys icus o r sci en tist an d affirm s th at his , ,

birt h in A bd e r a did m o r e to m ak e that t o w n f amo us than

a ny o t h e r t h i n g c o n n e ct e d wit h it d e spit e the f act tha t it ,

w as f o u n d e d by a n d n am e d a f t e r t he sist e r o f D i o m e d e s .

Z o r o a st er to o who m P li n y c a ll e d the f o u n d e r o f th e m agic

, ,

a rt is n o t sp o k e n o f a s a m a gici a n by S o l inu s a lth o ugh he

,

is m en ti o n e d th r e e ti m e s an d is d e scrib e d as m o st skill e d
”
in the b e st a rts a n d is cit e d c o n c e r n i n g the p o w e r o f co r al
,

?
an d o f t he ge m a e tite s

It is p art o f S o l in u s s pl an to d e scrib e the h eav en s

no t
’
,

“ ” 5
but he o cc a si o n ally allud e s to th e discipli n e o f the st ars ,

as h e c a lls a str o n o m y o r a str o l o gy O n the a ut ho rity o f L . .

” 5
T a r r ut iu s
“
m o st r e n o w n e d o f a str o l o ge rs
,
h e t e lls us tha t ,

th e f o u n d ati o n s o f the w a lls o f R o m e w e r e l a id by Ro m ulus

in h is tw e n ty s e c o n d y e a r o n the e l ev ent h day o f the k a l en ds
-

o f May b e tw e en th e s e c o n d an d t h ird ho urs w he n Jupite r ,

w a s in P isc e s t h e s u n in,
T a urus t h e m o o n in L ibr a a n d , ,

the o e t h r f o ur pl a n e ts in t h e sign o f t he sc o rpi o n H e a ls o .

1
Mo mm se n p 82 n o b il is s im u s . S o linu s p ro babl y
k
. .

“ t a e s t h i s f ro m V a r r o h w ho, a s
I bid , p p 4 5 46
-

Pl uta r c h i n f o r m s u s i n h i s L i f e of
. , ,

“
l aid 13 68
pp
R o m u lu s as edk “
T a r r ut i u s , h i s
”7 1d
,

p p 18’ 4 1 ’ 1 5 9
4
f a m ilia r ac q u a in t a n c e , go o d
“
"
.
a

”bid P o an d e l s e wh er e ,
p h il o s o p h e r a n d m a th e m a tic ia n ,

s ide r u m dis c ip l i n a m .
to c a l cu l a te th e ho r o sco p e o f
“
I bid .
, p.
5 ,
“
m athe matico r um Ro mul u s . v
S e e abo e p 2 09
,
. .
 AB L I AN, S O L I N US , AN D H O R AP O LL O 33 1

spe aks o f the st a r A rcturus d e st r o yi n g t he A r gi v e fl e e t o ff

Eub o ea o n its r e tur n f r om I lium ?

A l ex an d e r th e G r e at figur e s pr o m i n e n tly in the p a ge s o f

S o l in u s b e i n g m e n ti o n e d a sc o r e o f ti m e s a n d th is to o c o r
, ,

r e spo n ds to t he m e di e v al i n te r e st in the Mac e d o n i an co n

q u e r o r S t o ri
. e s c o n c e r n i n g him a r e r e p e a t e d f r o m P li ny ,

but S o lin us a ls o displ ays f u r the r i n f o r m ati o n He i n sists .

t hat P h ilip w a s truly h is f athe r alt ho ugh he a dds th at O lym

,

pi a s str o ve t o a cquir e a n o bl e r f a the r f o r him whe n s he ,

affir m e d th a t s h e h ad h a d i n t e rc o urs e with a dr a go n an d ,

t ha t A l ex an de r t r i e d t o hav e h i m s e l f c o n sid e r e d o f di v i n e
d e sc e n t The sta t em e n t c o n c er n i n g O lymp i a s sugge sts the
?

st o ry o f N e ctan e bus o f w h ich a l at e r c ha pt e r will t r ea t but

, ,

that i n dividu a l is no t m e n ti o n e d a lt ho ugh A r isto tl e an d Cal

,

l is the n es ar e sp o k e n o f a s A l e x an d e r s tut o rs s o t ha t it is
’
,

do ubt f ul if S o l in us w a s acqu a i n t e d wi th the P s eudo Cal lis -

than es He d e scribe s A l exa n d e r s li n e o f m a rch wit h f a ir

.
’

a ccur a cy a n d n o t in the t o t a lly i n c o rr e ct m ann e r o f the

P s eu do Cal lis the n es -

.

In s e e ki n g
t hi r d t ex t an d autho r o f the s am e typ e a s
a

Ae lian an d S o lin u s to r o u n d o ut the p r e s e n t c hapt e r o u r ,

cho ic e u nhe sit ati n gly f alls up o n the H ier og lyphics o f Ho r a

p o ll o a w o rk wh ic h pr e ten ds to ex pl a i n th e m e an i n g o f the
,

w r itt en sym bo ls em pl o ye d by the a n ci en t Egypti an pri e sts ,

but w hic h is r e a lly pri ncip a lly c o n c e r n e d w it h th e s am e m ar

ve l o u s h abits a n d pr o p e rti e s o f a n i m a ls o f w h ic h A e l ia n

treate d In bri e f th e idea is th at th e s e ch a r a ct e r istics o f

.

an i m a ls m ust be k n o w n in o r d e r t o c o m pr e h e n d the s ign ifi

c an ce o f t he an i m a l figur e s in the an ci e n t h i e r o glyph ic writ

in g . Ho ra p o l l o is suppo s e d to ha v e writt en in the E gypti an
l an gu age in pe rha ps the f o urth o r fi f t h c e n tury o f o ur e ra 3
,

but his w o r k is e x t an t o n ly in the G r eek tr a n sl ati o n o f it

m a d e by a P h ilip w ho liv e d a c e n tury o r t w o l at e r an d w ho
s ee m s to ha ve m ade s o me additi o n s o f h is o wn ?

M mm I h v
1 4
pp 7 5 6
s en d th t xt d Eng
—
o . . a e u se e e an
1
I bid , p 66
. . . l is h t r a n s l a t io n of
Co r y, A . T .

P W, f o r t h e p r o ble m o f his
“
T h e Hie r o g lyphics o f H o r a po l l o
i de nt ity a n d f u r th e r b ib lio g r ap h y . N il o us 1 84 0
’
Ph ilip s G r e e is s o
, . k
 M A G I C AN D E XP E RI M EN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

T he z o o l o gy o f Ho rap o llo is f o r the m o st p art n o t n o ve l ,

but r e p ea ts the s am e e r r o n e o us n o ti o n s that m ay be f o un d

in A rist o tl e s His tor y of A n ima ls P li n y s N a tur al His tor y
’ ’
, ,

A e l ia n a n d o t he r a n ci e n t a ut ho rs
, A ga i n w e h ea r o f t he .

basilisk s f at a l br eat h o f the beav e r s disc ar d e d t e sticl e s o f

’

,
’

t he u nn atur a l m e tho ds o f c o n c e pti o n o f the w e a s e l an d

vipe r o f the b ea r s licki n g its cubs i n t o s ha p e o f the ki n d

,
’

n e ss o f st o r ks t o t h e ir p a r en ts o f w a sps ge n e r a t e d f r o m a
,

d e a d ho rs e o f t he p ho en i x o f the swan s s o n g o f the sick

, ,
’

li o n s e ati ng an ap e to cur e hi m s e l f o f the bull t am e d by

’

tyi n g it to t he br anc h o f a wild fi g t r e e o f the e l e phan t s ,

’

f e a r o f a r am o r a do g a n d h o w it bu r i e s its tusks ?
L e ss
f am ili a r p e r h aps a r e the a ss e rti o n s t ha t th e m a r e m isc a rri e s ,

i f s h e me r e ly tr e a ds o n a w o l f s tr acks ; 2
th at the pige o n ’

cur e s its el f by pl aci n g l a u r e l in its n e st ; that putti n g the

3

wi n gs o f a ba t o n a n a n t h ill will pr e v en t the an ts f r o m co m

-

in g o ut ?
T he st a t em e n t th at if the hy e n a w h en hu n t e d , ,

tur n s t o the right it will sl ay its pursu e r wh il e if it turn s

, ,

t o the l e f t it will b e sl a i n by h im is a ls o f o u n d in P li ny
?
, ,

But his l o n g en um e r ati o n o f virtu e s a scrib e d to p a rts o f

t he hye n a by t he M agi d o e s n o t i n clud e the a ss e rti o n in
Ho r ap o llo s n ex t cha pt e r t h at a m an gird e d with a hy ena
5
’

ski n can p a ss t hr o ugh the r an ks o f h is en em i e s witho ut in

j ury a ltho ugh it a scrib e s s o m e what si m il a r vi r tue s to the
,

a n i m a l s ski n I n Ho r ap o ll o it is the ha wk r at he r than th e

’
.

e agl e w h ic h surp a ss e s o t h e r wi n g e d cr e a tur e s in its a bility

t o ga z e a t the s un ; h e n c e p hysici an s u se the hawk w e e d in -

e ye cur e s
-
7
.

b a d t h at da t e it in t h e
so m e w o ul d I I , 44 a nd 39 a nd 6
7 7-
a nd 85 6-

f o u r t e e n th o r fi f t e e nth c e n t u r y . an d 8 8 .

T h e o ld e s t e x t a n t G r e e c o de x k “
”
II , 4 5 .

w a s p u r c ha s e d in A n d r o s in 1 4 1 9 . II , 46 ; A e l ia n s ays th e s ame ,
Th e w o r k
w a s t r a n s l at e d in t o
4
v
h o w e e r , a s w e s t at e d a b o e v .

L a t in by t h e fi f tee n t h c en t u r y a t I I 64 , .

“
l a te s t ; s e e V ie n n a 3 2 5 5 , 1 st h c e n N H, XXV I II , 2 7 .

“
t u r y, 8 2 f o l s , Ho r a p o l l o , Hie r o
.
I I, 7 2 .

”
g l yp hic o n la t in e v e r s o r um l ib e r I I , 6 A c c o r di n g t o P l iny ( N H,
'

e t l ib r i I I in t r o du c t io c u m fi gur is XX, th e h a w sp ri
n l e s i ts k k
c al a m o e x a r a t is e t co l o r a t is . e y e s w it h t h e j u ic e o f t h i s h e r b ;
1
I , 1 ; II , 6 1 ; I I , 65 ; I I , 3 6 a n d A p ul e ius ( M e ta morph os es , cap .

59 ; II , 57 ;
I I , 8 3 ; , 34 5 ; II , 5 7 ;
1 -
3 0 ) s a ys tha t t he e agl e doe s s o .
334 MA GI C AND EXP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP . xn

th at fi ve pl ane ts c arry o ut the e co no my o f the un ive rs e and

t hat t hey ar e subj e ct to G o d s go v er nm en t
’ ?

Ho r apo llo c an n o t be giv en h igh r ank e it he r as a zo ol o

gist an d a str o no m e r o r a p hil o l o ge r an d arch ae o l o gist ; but
,

a t l e a st h e w a s n o n a rr o w n a ti o n a list a n d had s o m e r e sp e ct
“
f o r h ist o ry
. The E gypti an s he s ays
, ,
deno t e a man who
has n e v e r l e ft his o wn c o u n try by a hu m an fi gur e with the
h ea d o f an a s s be c a us e he n eithe r hears any h isto r y n o r
,
” 2
k no ws o f wh at i s go i n g o n abr o ad .
BO O K II . EARL Y CHRI S TIA N T HO U G HT

The B ook of En och .

P h il o Judae us .

Th e G n o stics .

Th e Ch risti an A p o cryph a .

The R e c o gn iti o n s of C l em en t an d S i m on
Magus .

Th e Co n f e ssi o n of Cypri an an d s o m e si m il ar
st o ri e s .

O rige n a n d Ce lsus .

O t he r Ch risti an D iscussi o n o f Ma gic b e f o r e

A ugusti n e .

Ch risti a n ity an d N a tur a l S ci en c e ; B a sil ,

Ep iph a n iu s a n d th e P hysi o l o gus

, .

A ugusti n e o n Ma gic a n d A st r o l o gy .

T h e Fusi o n o f P a gan a n d Ch r isti an Th o ught

in the F o urth an d Fi f th Centuri e s .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE FORE
in d e t ail In d ee d the pr e dil ec ti o n o f the hum an ists o f the
.
,

fi ftee nth an d six t e en th c e nturi e s f o r an yt h i n g writt en in

G r e e k an d t he ir a v e rsi o n to m e di ev a l L ati n has to o l o n g
o p e r at e d a s a bar t o th e study o f m e di e v a l lit e r a tur e in
ge n
e ra l
. An d sc ho l ars w ho h av e e dit e d o r studi e d the G r e e k ,

S yri ac an d o th e r a nci e n t t e x ts c o nn e ct e d with early Ch ris

,

tian ity hav e p e r ha ps to o o f t en n e gl e ct e d the L a ti n v e rsi o n s

pre s e rve d in m e di e va l m an uscripts o r w h il e tr easuri n g up
, ,

e v e ry h i n t t ha t P h o tius l e ts f a ll h a v e f a il e d to n o t e t h e cit a
,

ti o n s an d allusi o n s in m e di ev a l L ati n e n cycl o p e dists Y et it .

is o f te n the c a s e t hat the m an uscripts c o n ta i n i n g the L ati n

v e rsi o n s ar e o f ea rli e r d at e t han t ho s e which s e em to p r e
s e rv e the G r eek o rigi na l t ex t .

T he r e is s o m uc h r e pe titi o n an d r e s em bl an c e b e twe en the

n u m e r o us Ch risti a n writ e rs in G r ee k an d L a ti n o f the R 0

m an E m pir e t ha t I h av e e v e n l e ss than in th e c a s e o f th e ir
cl a ssica l c o n tem po r a ri e s a tt em pt e d a c o m pl e t e pr e s ent ati o n
o f th e m but w h il e n o t i n t e n di n g t o o m it an y a cc o u n t o f th e
, ,

fi rst i m p o rtan c e in the h ist o ry o f m a gic o r e x pe ri m ent al sci

e n c e h a v e a i m e d t o m ak e a s e l e cti o n o f r e pr e s e n ta tiv e p e r
,

s o n s and typic al p a ss age s At the s am e ti m e in the c a s e

.
,

o f t ho s e a ut ho rs an d w o rks w h ic h a r e d iscuss e d the a im is ,

to pr e s e n t the ir t ho ugh t in su ffi ci e n tly sp e cific d e t a il t o

e n a bl e the r e a d e r to e sti m a t e f o r h i m s e l f t he ir sci en ti fi c o r

sup erstiti o us c ha r act e r a n d the ir r e l ati o n s to cl assic al tho ught

o n th e o n e ha n d a n d m e di e v a l t h o ugh t o n t he o t he r .

B e fo r e w e tr eat o f Christi an writi ngs t hem s e lve s it is

e ss e nti a l to n o tic e s o m e r e l at e d li n e s o f t h o ugh t a n d gr o ups

o f writi n gs w h ich e it he r pr e c e d e d o r a cc o m p an i e d the d e v e l

o p m e n t o f Ch risti an t h o ug h t an d lit e r a tur e a n d which e it he r

,

i n flu enc e d e v en o rtho d o x tho ught po w e r fully o r illustr at e

,

f o r e ign e l e m e n ts a b e rr a ti o n s sid e curr e n ts an d u n d e rt o ws

, ,
-
,

w hich no n e the l e ss c an no t be disr e gard e d in tr aci n g the

m a i n curr e nt o f Christi an be li e f . W e t he r e f o r e s ha ll suc
ces s ive ly tr e a t o f the lit e r a tur e e x t an t u n d e r the n a m e o f

Eno c h o f t he w o rks o f P h il o Judae u s o f the d o ctri n e s o f

, ,

the G n o stics o f the Ch risti an A po cr ypha o f the P s e ud o

, ,
WORD B O OK F O R E WO R D 339

Cl eme n tin es an d S imon Ma gus , an d o f th e C o nfes s io n of

Cypri a n an d s o me si m il a r s t o ri e s W e s ha ll t hen m ak e
.

O rig e n s R eply to Ce ls us in w h ic h the c o n flict o f cl a ssic a l

’

a n d Christi an c o n c e pti o n s is w e ll illust r a t e d o ur p o i n t o f

,

d ep a rtur e in an e x am i n ati o n o f the attitude o f the ea rly

f a t he rs t o w a rds m agic a n d sci e n c e S ucc e e di n g c hapt e rs will
.

tr eat o f t he a ttitud e t o wa rd m a gic o f o the r f at he rs be fo r e

A ugusti n e o f Ch risti a n ity a n d n a tu r a l sci en c e a s s h o w n in
,

B a sil s H exaemer o n E p iphan i us P anar io n a n d the P hys io

’

,
’

l ogus a n d o f A ugusti n e h i m s e l f
,
A fi n al c hapt e r o n the
.

f usi o n o f p a g an is m an d Christi an ity in the f o urt h an d fi f th

c en turi e s will t e rm i n ate th is s e c o n d divisi o n o f o ur i n v e sti
gatio n an d a ls o s e rv e a s a suppl e m e n t t o the pr e c e di n g di v i
si o n and an i n t r o ducti o n to the t h ird bo o k o n the e a rly m id
dl e a g e s . O ur a r r an gem e n t is t hus in p a rt t o pic a l r at he r
t han strictly c hr o n o l o gic al T he d at e s o f m an y a utho rs a n d
.

w o rks a r e to o dubi o us t he r e is t oo m uch o f the ap o cryphal

,

an d i n t e r po l a t e d an d w e hav e t o r e ly to o m uc h up o n l a t e r
,

write rs fo r the vi e ws o f ea rli e r o n e s to mak e a strictly o r

,

e v e n pri m a rily c hr o n o l o gic a l a rr an g e m e n t e it he r a dvis a bl e

o r f easibl e .
 CHAP TE R X III
THE B O OK O F E N O CH

’
En oc h s r ep utat io n as an a s t r o l o g e r in th e middl e age s— Date an d
influ en c e of t he l it e r atur e a s c r ib ed to En o ch— A ng el s g o er n ing t h e v
u iv
n e rs e ; s ta r s an d an g e l s — Th e f al l e n a ng e l s t each m e n mag ic an d
o th er a r t s— Th e s ta r s as s inn e r s — Eff ec t o f s in up o n n atur e— Cel e s tial
p h e n o m e n a— Mo untain s an d m e ta l s — S t r a n g e an im al s .

IN c o ll e cti o n s o f me di ev al m an uscripts ther e o f ten is f o un d

a tr eatis e o n fi f t ee n st a rs fi f t e en h e rbs fi f t e en st o n e s an d , , ,

fi fteen fi gur e s engr ave d up o n t he m w h ich is attribut e d s o me ,

ti m e s to He r me s pr e sumably T ris m e gistus an d s o m e ti m e s

, ,

to E n o ch th e p atri a rch wh o , w alk e d with G o d an d was ,

I n dee d in th e pr o l o gu e t o a He r m e tic w o rk o n a str o l

”1
not .

o gy in a m e di e v a l m an uscript w e a r e t o ld t h a t En o ch an d th e

fi rst o f the th r ee He r m es e s Or Me rcuri e s ar e iden tic a l Th is

?

1
A s c r ibed t o En och in Har l e ia n Th e s t a r s a r e p r o bably fi f t e en in
MS 16 1 2 fol 1 sr , ,
I n c ip it : . nu m b e r be c a us e P t o l e my dis t in
“
En o ch t a n qu a m u n u s e x p h i g u is h e d t h a t m a n y s ta r s o f fi r s t
l o s o p h is s up e r r e s quar tum l ibr u m m ag n itu de Dan te , P a r a dis o XIII ,
.
,

e didit , in q u o vo l u it d e t e r m in a r e
“
k
4 , a l s o s p e a s o f quin dic i s t e l l e
”
.

is t a quatu o r : ide l ic e t d e x v v S ee O rr pp 1 5 4 6 , w he r e
-
.

s t e l l is d e x v h e rbis d e x v l a p idi P t o l e my s d e s c r ip tio n s o f t h e fi f

’
, ,

bu s p r e c io s is e t d e x v fi g u r is t e e n s ta r s o f fi r s t m ag n it ude a n d
ip s is l a p id ibu s s c u l p e n dis an d ,
t h e ir m o de r n n a m e s a r e g i e n v .

Wo l f e n bii tte l 2 7 2 5 , i 4 th ce n tu r y ,
2
Digby 67 , l at e 1 2 th c entu r y,
f o l s 8 3 9 4 v ; B N 1 3 0 1 4 , 14 t h c e n
.
- f ol . 69 r , P r o l o gu s d e t r ibu s
tu r y , f o l 1 7 4v ; A mp lo n Q u a r to Me r c u r iis Th ey a r e a l s o iden ti
.

v
.
,

3 8 1 ( Er f u r t ) , 1 4 t h ’ c e n t u r y , f o l s . fi e d by o th e r m e die al w r ite r s .

42 45 : fo r
-
E n o ch s p r aye r s ee S ome w o uld f u r th e r ide ntif y
S l o an e M S 3 8 2 1 , 1 7 th c e n tur y, w it h En o c h N an n a cu s o r A n n a
fo ls l go v-
19 3 c u s, k
ing o f Ph r yg ia , w h o f o r e
fl
. .

A s c r ib e d to He r m e s in Ha r l e ian D e u c a lio n s
’
s aw o od an d la
S l o an e 3 84 7 , R o yal 12 C - m e n t e d S e e J G F r a z e r ( 1 9 18
. . .

XV I I I , B e r l in 9 6 3 , f o l 1 05 ; . I , 1 5 5 - 6, a n d P B utt ma n n, Myth .

V ie n n a 5 2 16 , 1 5 th c e n tu ry , f o l s . o l ogu s , B e r l in , 1 82 8 - 18 2 9 , a n d E .

“
63 r 6 6v ;
-
Dix it Eno c h quo d 1 5 B a be l o n , L a tr a ditio n ph r ygie nn e
He r e du de l ug e in R ev d l h is t d
’ ’

s u nt s t e ll e ex t r a c t a tu , . . . .

m e th ( i e He r m e s ) e t e n o c h
. .
r e lig s , XXI II
. wh ich h e
”
co m p il at u m a nd in t h e Ca ta c it e s .

l og u e o f Am p l o niu s ( 14 12 A D . R o g e r B aco n s tate d that s o me

Math 5 3 S ee be l o w,
“
. .
- 1
2 . w o ul d ide nt if y En o ch w ith the

3 40
3 42 MA G I C A ND E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

of t t m an uscripts o f th e E t h i o pic v e rsi o n is e a rli e r

t h e e x an

t han the fi ft een th c e n tury ? Charl e s b e li e ve s t hat they ar e

b a s e d up o n a G r e ek tr an sl ati o n o f th e Hebr ew an d A ram a ic
o rigi n a l a n d th a t e v e n th e i n t e rp o l ati o n s in t h is w e r e m a d e
,

by an e dit o r livi n g b e f o r e the Ch risti an e r a He a ss erts th at .

“
n e arly a ll th e writ e rs o f th e N e w T e st am e n t w e r e f am ili ar
”
with it an d i n flue n c e d by it in f act th at its i n fluen c e o n
, ,
—

the N e w T e st am e n t w a s gr ea t e r th an th at o f al l th e o t he r
“
a p o cryph a t o g e t he r an d th a t it , ha d all the w e igh t o f a
c an o n ic a l b o o k wit h the ea rly c hurch f at he rs ?
A fter
3 00 A D h o w e v e r it b e c am e discr e dit e d e x c e pt a s w e
. .
, , ,

h av e s een a m o n g E th i o pic an d S l av o n ic Ch risti an s Be .

f o r e 3 00 O rige n in his R eply to Ce ls u s 3

a ccus e s his
o pp o n e n t o f q u o ti n g the B o o k of E n o c h as a Ch risti an au

tho r ity c o nc e r n i n g the f a ll e n an g e ls O rig e n o bj e cts t hat .

“
the bo o ks w hic h be a r the n am e E n oc h do n o t at all cir en
”
l at e in the Churche s a s divi n e A ugusti n e in the City of .
,

“
G o d? writt e n be tw e e n 4 1 3 a nd 4 2 6 a d m its t ha t E n o c h le ft ,

s o m e divi n e writi n gs f o r t h is is a ss e rt e d by t he A p o stl e

,

Jude in his c an o n ic a l e pistl e But he do ubts if any o f the

.

writi n gs curren t in his o wn day a re g en ui n e an d t h i n ks that

t hey hav e be en wis e ly ex clude d f r o m the c o urs e o f S criptur e .

L o ds writ e s t hat a f t e r the n i n t h c en tury in the ea st an d f r o m

a m uc h e a rli e r d a t e in the w e st t he B o o k o f E n o ch is n o t ,

“
m en ti o n e d At the m o st s o m e m e di e v a l r a bbis s e em still
,

” 5
t o k n o w o f it Y e t A l ex a n d e r Neck am in the tw e l f th
.
,

c entu ry sp eaks as if L ati n Ch risten d o m o f t hat d at e h ad

,

s o m e a c qu ai n tanc e with the E no ch lite ra tur e We s hall no te .

s o m e p a ss a ge s in S ai n t Hild e ga rd w hic h se em p ar all e l to

o t h e rs in the B o o k o f E n och w h il e Vi n c e n t o f B eauv a is in ,

his S pecu lu m n a tur a l e in the th irt e e n t h c e n tury in j usti fy ,

ing a c e rta i n discri m i nati n g u s e o f th e a p oc ryp ha l bo o ks ,

p o i n ts o ut t hat Jude q u o te s Eno ch w ho s e bo o k is no w c all e d

“
a p o cryp ha l .

“
1
Char l e s I I, 1 65 -6 . I n tr o d , vi . .

“
A Lati n f r ag
0
1
C h ar l e s pp . 2 a nd 41 . S p ec N a t , I , 9
. . .

m ent, f o un d i n th e B r i ti s h Mu s e um
.

V , 54
. .

‘
XV 2 3 , . in 1 89 3 by D r M R J a m e s a n d
. . .
XII I THE B O O K O F E N O CH 34 3

The E n o c h lit e r atur e has m uc h to s ay c o nc e r n i n g an ge ls ,

an d i m pli e s t h e ir c o n t r o l o f n a tu r e m an a n d the f u t ur e
, , .

We hear o f R ap h ae l who is s et o v e r all the dis e a s e s an d

,
“

wo un ds o f the c h ild r en o f m e n G a bri e l w ho is s e t o v e r ,

”
a l l the p o w e rs ; Ph an u e l w h o is s e t o v e r th e r e p en t an c e a n d
,

” 1
ho p e o f tho s e w ho i n h e rit e t e r n a l li f e Th e r e v o luti o n
.

“
o f t he st a r s is d e scrib e d a s a cc o r di n g t o t he n u m b e r o f
”
the a n ge ls a n d in th e S l a v o n ic v e rsi o n th e n u m b e r o f th o s e
,

an ge ls is st at e d a s t w o h u n dr ed I n dee d the st a rs t hem

?

“
s e l v e s ar e O fte n p e r s o n ifi e d an d w e r e a d ho w they k e ep fa ith
” “
w it h each o th e r an d e v en o f a ll t h e st a rs w h o s e privy
” 3
m e m be rs ar e lik e t ho s e o f ho rs e s T he E t h i o pic v e rsi o n
.

a ls o sp ea ks o f t he a n ge ls o r spi r its o f h o a r f r o st de w h a il -
, , ,

s n o w an d s o f o rt h ?
I n th e S l a v o n ic v e rsi o n En o c h fi n ds
in t he si x t h he av e n the a n ge ls w h o a tt e n d t o the pha s e s o f
the m o o n an d the r ev o luti o n s o f st a rs a n d s u n a n d w ho
sup e ri n t en d the go o d o r e vil c o n diti o n o f the w o rld He .

fi n ds ange ls s et o v e r the ye a rs an d s e as o n s the riv e rs an d ,

s ea t he f ruits o f the e a rt h a n d e v en a n an ge l o v e r ev e ry
, ,

he rb ?

T he f a ll en a n ge ls in p a rticul a r a r e m e nti o ne d in the B o o k

of E n och T w o hu n d r e d a n ge ls lust e d a f t e r the c o m e ly
.

daught e rs o f m en an d bo u n d t hem s e lve s by o at h s to ma rry

the m A f t e r h avi n g thus t ake n u n t o t he m s e l v e s wiv e s the y
?
,

i n st ruct e d the hum an r ac e in the ar t o f m a gic a n d the sci en c e

“ ”
o f bo t a n y —
o r t o be m o re ex act c har m s an d e n chan tm en ts
,

“ ”
an d th e cutti n g o f r o o ts a n d o f w o o ds I n a n o t h e r c ha p
.

te r v a ri o us i n dividu a l an g e ls a r e n am e d w h o t augh t r e s p e c
t ive ly t he e n c han t e rs a n d bo t an ists t he b r e aki n g o f c ha r m s
, ,

a str o l o gy a n d v a ri o us br a n c h e s t h e r eo f I n th e G r ee k f r a g
?
,

m e n t pr es e r v e d by S y n c e llus t he r e a r e f u r t h e r m e n ti o n e d
“
pharm acy an d wha t p r o bably d en o t e ge o m an cy ( sign o f
,

XL I I I ; XC
1’
p ublis h e d in t h e Cam b r idg e Tex ts B ook o f E n oc h , ,

an d S tu die s , I I , 3 , Ap o cr ypha 21 .

“ “
A n ec d o ta, p p 1 46 5 0,
.
-
s eem s to I bid , L X,. 1 7 - 18 .

“
p o in t t o a L a tin t r a n s l a t io n o f S e c r e ts o f E n o c h, XI X .

” - “
En o c h Ch a r l e s ( 1 9 1 3 ) II , 167 . C ap s V I - XI in b o th L o ds an d
.

B o o k o f E n o c h , XL , 9
1
. Ch a r l e s .

I bid XLIII ; S ecr e ts of E n o c h, 1

B o o k of E n o c h, V I I I , 3 , in
bo th C h a r l e s a n d L o ds .
3 44 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

t he e a r th a nd r cy ( ae r o s k opia ) T hr o ugh t h is
a e o m an .

r e ve l a ti o n o f m yst e ri e s w h ic h s ho uld hav e b een k ept h id w e

“
a r e t o ld t h a t m e n kn o w al l the s e cr e ts o f the an ge ls an d ,

all the vi o l e n c e o f the S a t a n s a n d a l l t h e ir oc cult p o w e r an d

, ,

a l l t he p o w e r o f t h o s e w h o pr actic e s o rc e r y a n d the po w e r ,

o f witc hcr a f t a n d the p o w e r o f t h o s e w ho m ak e m o lt e n

,

” 1
i m a ge s f o r the w ho l e e a rt h Th e r e ve l ati o n i n clud e d
.
,

m o reo v e r n o t o n ly m agic a rts witc hcr a f t divi n ati o n an d

, , , ,

a str o l o gy but a ls o na tu r a l sci enc e s suc h as b o t an y an d

, ,

pharm acy wh ich ho w e v e r ar e appar e n tly r e g ard e d as

—
, ,

cl o s e ly a ki n to m a gi c an d us e f ul a rts such a s m i n i n g m e t als

—
,

m an u f a cturi n g a r m o r an d w e a p o n s an d writi n g with in k ,

”
an d p ape r a n d t he r e by m an y si n n e d f r o m e t e r n ity t o
” 2
e t e r n ity a n d u n til th i s da y A s th e pr e c e di n g r em a rk in
.

dic ate s the a ut ho r is d e cid e dly o f th e o pi n i o n t ha t m e n

,

w e r e n o t cr e a t e d to the e n d t hat the y s ho uld writ e wit h p e n

“
a n d ink . Fo r m an w as cr ea t e d ex a ctly lik e the an ge ls
to the i n t e n t t ha t he s ho uld c o n ti n u e righte o us an d pur e ,

” 3
but t hr o ugh th is t he ir k now l e dge m en a r e p e rish i n g .

P e r haps the writ e r m e a n s t o c e n sur e writi n g as m a gic a l an d

t h i n ks o f it o n ly as m ystic sign s an d c har act e rs Magic is .

a lw ays r e ga rd e d a s e vil in th e E n o c h lit e r a tur e a n d witc h ,

“ ”
cr a f t en c han t m en ts an d devilis h m a gic ar e giv en a pr o m i
, ,

n e n t pl a c e in a list in t he S l av o n ic v e rsi o n o f e vil d ee ds

4

d o n e up o n ea rth .

I n c o nn e cti o n with the f a ll e n an ge ls w e fi n d the st ars

r e gard e d a s c ap a bl e o f s in a s w e ll a s p e rs o n i fi e d In th e .

E t h i o pic v e rsi o n t he r e is m o r e t han o n e m e n ti o n o f s e v e n

st a rs that tr an sgr e ss e d the c o m m an d o f G o d and a re bo u n d
a ga i n st t he day o f j udgm e n t o r f o r t he sp a c e o f t e n t ho u
“
s an d ye a rs ?
O n e p a ssa ge t e ll s how j udgme n t w a s h e ld
fi rst o ve r the st a rs an d t he y w e r e j udge d a nd fo u n d g uilty
, ,

an d w e n t to the pl a c e o f c o n d e m n a ti o n a n d t h e y w e r e c a st ,

A si m il a r id e ntific a ti o n o f th e st a rs with
” 5
i nto an abyss .

the f a ll e n an ge ls is f o u n d in o n e o f th e visi o n s o f S a i n t
1
B o o k o f E n o c h, L XV , 6 .
1
S e c r e tsE n o c h, X
o f .

“
I bid L XV , 7 8 ; L XI X, 6 -9
.
-
. B o o k o f E n o c h, XV I I I, XXI .

‘ “
I bid L XI X, 1 0- 1 1 . I bid , XC, 2 4
. .
3 46 M A G I C A ND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

tak en thr o ugh the s e ven heav en s o r te n heav en s in o ne m an u ,

script wit h the sign s o f t he z o di a c in the e ighth and n i n th

, .

A n acc o u n t is als o giv e n o f th e c r e a ti o n an d th e w a t e rs a bo ve ,

the fi r m am e nt w h ic h w e r e t o giv e the ea rly Christi an ap o l o

,

gists an d m e di e va l cl e ric a l sci en tists s o m uc h di fficulty ar e ,

“
d e scribe d as fo ll o ws : An d th us I m a d e fi rm the w ate rs ,

tha t is the de pth s and I surr o u n d e d the w at e rs with light

, , ,

a n d I cr eat e d s e v e n circl e s an d I fa s h i o n e d t hem lik e

,

cryst al m o ist an d dry t hat is to say lik e gl a ss an d ice an d

, , , ,

a s f o r th e w a t e rs a n d a ls o th e o t h e r e l e m e n ts I sh o w e d ea ch

o f t h e m t he ir p a th s ( viz ) t o th e s e,
v e n st.a rs e a c h o f t h em ,

The o rd e r o f the
” 1
in t he ir he av e n h o w t h ey s ho uld go,
.

s e ven pl an e ts in the ir ci r cl e s is giv en as f o ll o ws : in the fi rs t

’

an d h ighe st circl e t h e st a r K r un o t he n A p h r o dit e o r V e n us , ,

A r e s ( Ma rs ) th e s un Z e us ( Jupit e r ) He r m e s ( Me rcury)
, , , ,

an d th e m o o n
?
G o d a ls o t e lls E n o c h t ha t the dur a ti o n o f
t he w o rld will be f o r a w e e k o f y ears t hat is s e v e n t ho us an d , , ,

“
a f t e r w h ic h le t t he r e b e a t t he b e gi nn i n g o f t he e ight h
t ho us an d a ti m e w hen the r e is n o c o m put ati o n a n d n o e n d ;
” 3
n e it he r y e a rs n o r m o n t h s n o r w e e ks n o r d ays n o r h o urs .

T ur n i n g f r o m c e l e sti al p hysics to t e rr e stri al p hen o m e na ,

w e m ay n o t e a f e w a llusi o n s to m i n e r a ls v e ge t ati o n an d , ,

“ ”
a n i m a ls S e v e n m o u n t a i n s o f m ag n i fi c e n t st o ne s
. are

m o r e t han o n c e m en ti o n e d in th e E t h i o pic v e rsi o n an d a r e

d e scrib e d as ea ch di ffe re n t f r o m the o the r A n o the r p as
? -

s age sp eaks o i s ev en m o un tai n s f ull o f c ho ic e n a rd an d

” 5
a r o m atic tr ee s a n d ci nn am o n a n d p ep pe r But whe t her .

se v en v
h ea e ns in th e a p o cr yp h al e ac h of t he
p l a n et s is r e p
se v en
A s c e n s io n o f I s a ia h s e e C h a r l e s
’
r e s en t e d a s m o n g in a s p h e r e o f vi
e dit io n o f t h a t w o r
1
k
x l ix . c ry s t a l I n t h e Et h io p ic
. e r s io n , v
S e c r e ts of Eno c h XXV II , . L I V , 8 , w e a r e to ld tha t th e w ate r
Ch ar l es p r e f a c e s t h is p a s s ag e by abo v e th e h e a e n s is m a s c ul in e ,v
th e r e m a r ,
“
k
I d o n o t p r e t e nd to
”
and t h a t t he w a t e r b e n e a t h t h e
u n de r s ta n d w h a t f o ll o w s : but it e a rth is f e m in in e ; a l s o L X, 7 -8 ,
s ee m s c l e a r t h at t h e w a t e r s a bo e v th at v
L e ia tha n is f e m a l e a n d
th e fi r m am e n t a r e r e f e r r e d t o f r o m B e h e m o th m al e .

w h at t h e a u t h o r g o e s o n t o s a y ,
1
S e cr e ts of E n o ch, XXX .

“ “
A n d th u s I m a de fi r m th e c ir c l e s I bid , 4 5 -4 6, s ee a l s o t h e Eth i
v
.

o f t h e h ea e n s an d ca us e d t h e
, o p ie B o o k o f E n o c h, X C I I I , f o r
w a te r s be l o w w h ic h a r e u n de r th e
“
v
s e en wee k s .

v
h e a e n s t o be g ath e r e d in to o ne
” “
“
B ook o f E n o ch XV I II XXI V , , .

p la c e . I t w o u ld a l s o s ee m tha t I bid , XXXII . .

x111 THE B O O K O F EN O CH 3 47

the s e gr o ups o f s e v en m o un t ai n s ar e t o be a str o l o gically

r e l at e d to the s e v en pl an e ts is n o t d efi n it e ly st at e d We ar e .

a ls o l e f t in d o ubt w h e t he r th e f o ll o wi n g p a ss a g e m ay h av e

s o m e a st r o l o gic a l o r e v en a lc hem ic a l sign ific an c e o r whethe r ,

it is m e r e ly a fi gu r a ti v e p r o ph e cy lik e that in the B o o k o f

Dan i e l c o n c e r n i n g the i m ag e s e e n by N ebucha dn ezz ar in his
dr eam . The r e m i n e ey e s s aw al l the h idd e n t h i n gs o f
“

he av e n t h at s ha ll be a n ir o n m o u n t a i n a n d o n e o f c o ppe r
, , ,

a n d o n e o f silv e r a n d o n e o f g o ld an d o n e o f s o f t m e t a l an d
, , ,

” 1
o n e o f l e ad . A t any r a t e E n o c h h a s c om e v e ry n e a r t o
listin g the s even m eta ls usu ally a ss o ci a t e d wi th the s even
pl anets I n a n o the r p a ss a ge w e a r e i n fo rm e d th at w h il e
.

“ ”
silv e r an d s o f t m e t al c o m e f r o m the e ar t h l ea d a n d t in ,

a r e p r o duc e d by a f o u n t a i n in w h ic h an e m i n e n t a n ge l

st an ds ?

A s f o r an i m als w e ar e i n f o r m e d t ha t B eh e m o t h is m al e
an d L e vi a th a n f e m a l e
?
Whe n E n oc h w en t to the e n ds o f
the e art h h e s a w t he r e g r e a t be a sts a n d bi r ds w ho di ff e r e d
in a pp e ar an c e b e auty an d v o ic e
,
?
,
I n the S l a v o n ic v e r si o n
w e he a r a g o o d d e a l o f ph o en i x e s an d chal kydr i w ho s e e m ,

t o be flyi n g d r a go n s T h e s e c r e atur e s a r e d e scrib e d as

.

“
stran ge in app e a r an c e with the f e e t an d t ails o f li o n s an d
th e he ads o f c r o c o dil e s T he ir a pp e a r an c e w as o f a pu r pl e
.

c o l o r lik e the r a i n bo w ; the ir siz e n i n e hu n dr e d m e a su r e s

, .

The ir wi n gs w e re lik e t ho s e o f an ge ls eac h wit h tw e lv e , ,

an d t he y a tt e n d t h e c h a ri o t o f th e s un a n d go wit h him , ,

” 5
bri n gi n g h e at an d de w as t hey a r e o rd e r e d by G o d .

1 “
B o o k of E n o ch , LII , 2 . I bid , XXX I I I
. .

“
I bid L XV , 7 -8
1
.
, . S e cr e ts of E n o c h, XI I , XV ,
“
I bid , L X, 7
. . XIX .
 CHA P TER XIV

PHILO J U DAE U S

B ibl io g r ap h ic al n ote — P h il o th e m e diato r betw e en He l l e nis tic and

J e w is h -
Ch r is tia n th o u g ht —
His in fl ue nc e up o n th e m iddl e ag e s w as
in dir ect —
Go o d an d ba d m ag ic— S ta r s n o t g o d s n o r fi r s t cau ses — B ut
r a t io n a l an d v ir tu o u s a n im a l s , and G o d s
’
v
ice r o ys o e r in f e r io r s v
Th e y do n ot ca u s e e v il ;
but it is p o s s ibl e to p r e dic t th e f utur e f r o m
t h e ir mo t io n s —
J e w is h a s t r o l o gy— P e r f e ctio n o f the n u mbe r s e e n v
An d of fi f ty —
A l s o o f f o u r a n d s ix— S p ir it s o f th e a ir I n t er p r e tatio n —

of dr e am s — P o litics ar e a ki
n to m ag ic— A tho ught r ep eat e d by Mo s es
Maim o n ide s an d A l b e r t us Magn us .

“
B ut s in ce ev er y city in w hich l aw s ar e pr oper ly es tab

l is he d has a r eg u l a r c o ns titu tio n, i t be came n e c es s ar y f or

this citiz en o f th e w o r l d to a dop t the s am e c on s ti tu tio n as

tha t w hich pr evaile d in the u n iver s a l w or l d . A n d this c on

”
s titu tio n is the r ig h t r e as o n o f n a tur e .

O n Cr ea tio n, cap .
50 .

T H E RE pro ba bly is n o o t he r m an who m arks s o w e ll the

fusi o n o f He ll e n ic an d He bre w id e as an d the tr an siti o n
fr o m t he m t o Ch risti an tho ugh t as P h il o Judae us ?
He
fl o uris he d at A l ex an dri a in the first y ea rs o f o ur e r a
t he e x act d at e s bo t h o f his birt h an d o f h is d e a t h a r e un
ce rt a i n an d sp e aks o f hi m s e l f as an o l d man at the ti me o f
—

1
Th e l it e r atu r e de alin g in g e n do n , 189 2 T h e m o s t r ec e nt e d i
.

e r a l w it h P h il o a n d h is p h il o s o p h y t io n o f th e G r e e k
t e x t o f P hil o s
’

v
is t o o e x t e n s i e t o in d icat e h e r e , k
w o r s is b y L C o hn a n d P We n d
. .

w hil e t h e r e h a s b ee n n o s t u dy l a n d, P hil o n is A l ex an dr ini op e r a

v
p r im a r il y de o t e d t o o u r in t e r e s t q ua e s u p e r s u n t,
B e r l in ,
1 8 6
9 19 1 5 ,
-

in him .I t ma y be u s e f ul t o n o te , in s ix olsv Th e e ar l ie r e d it io n
.

v
h o w e e r , th e m o s t r e c e n t e dit io n s w a s by Ma n g e y R e c e n t e d it io n s
.

k
o f h is w o r s an d s t u die s c o n c e r n o f s in g l e w o r s a r e : k F C Co n y . .

ing h im , f r o m w h ic h t h e r e a de r b ea r e , P hil o a b ou t th e C o n te mpl a

c an l e a r n o f e ar l ie r r e s e a r c h e s . tive L if e c r it ica l ly e dit e d w ith a
,

S e e a l s o Le o p o l d C o h n , Th e d e f e n c e o f it s g e n u in e n e s s , 1 89 5 .

L a tes t R es e ar c h e s o n P hil o o f E B r éh ie r ,
. C o m m e n tai r e a l lé
A l e x a n d r ia ( R e p r in t e d f r o m The g o r iqu e d e s S ain t es L o is a pr es
J e wis h Q uar te r ly R e vi e w ) , L o n l aeu vr e d es s ix j o urs , G r e e
’
and k
 3 50 M A G I C AN D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE ca n »
.

wh ich was to ga i n suc h a ho ld up o n Chr isti an i m agi nati o n ?

A ft e r the S t o ics h e p r o cl a i m s t he d o ct r i n e o f the l aw o f

n atur e h o lds t hat the i n stituti o n o f h u m an sl av e ry is ab s o
,

“
l u te ly c o n t r a ry t o it an d writ e s a tr ea tis e t o pr o v e that
,

”
e ve ry virtu o us m a n is f r e e a n d t h a t t o be virtu o us is t o

live in c o n f o r m ity to natur e ?

He had pr evi o usly writt en
an o t he r tr eatis e d e sig n e d to s h o w t h at e v e ry wick e d m an
” 3
Was a sl av e a n d h e h e ld a t h e o ry w h ic h w e m e t in the
,

E no ch lit e r a tur e an d sh all m ee t a ga i n in a n u m b e r o f s ub s e

q u en t write rs tha t s in was pu n is h e d n atura lly by f o rc e s o f
n a tur e suc h a s fl o o ds an d t hu n d e rb o lts He did n o t o rig
.

in at e th e pr a ctic e o f a ll e go ric al i n t e rpr et ati o n o f t he Bibl e

but he is o u r fi rst gr ea t ex tan t ex am pl e t he r e o f He e v en .

w ent s o f ar as to r e ga rd the tre e o f li fe an d the st o ry o f

th e s e rp e n t t em pti n g E ve as pur e ly symb o lic al an a ttitud e ,

w hich f o un d littl e f av o r with Christi an writ e rs ?

His
e ff o rt by m e an s o f th e a ll e g o ric a l m e t ho d t o fi n d in t he bo o ks

o f the P e n t at e uc h a ll t he a tt r a ctiv e c o n c e pts an d t h eo ri e s

w h ic h he ha d l ea r n e d fr o m the G r ee ks b e c am e l a t e r in the
C hr isti a n a po l o gists an a ss e rti o n t ha t P l a t o a n d P yt hago r as
h a d bo rr o w e d t h e ir d o ctri n e s f r o m A br aham an d Mo s e s .

His d o ctri n e o f th e l o g o s h a d a p o w e r f ul i n fluen c e up o n the

writ e rs o f the N e w T e st am en t an d the theo l o gy o f the early
c hurch ?
Y e t Ph il o affir m s t ha t n o m o r e p e r f e ct go o d t han
p hil o s o phy e x ists in hu m an li fe an d in bo t h lit e r ary styl e
a n d e ruditi o n he is a He ll en e t o h is v e ry fi n ge r tips T he .

r e c en t t en d e n cy s een e sp e ci a lly in G e r m an scho l ars hip to

, ,

d en y t he w r ite rs o f the R o m an Em pir e any c ap a city fo r

o rigi n a l t ho ugh t a n d t o tr a c e b ack t h e ir id e a s t o u n e xtan t

a ut h o rs o f a su p p o s e dly m uc h m o r e p r o d uctiv e He ll e n isti c

a ge h a s p e r ha ps b ee n c a r r i e d t o o f a r But if w e m ay no t
.

r e gard P hil o as a gr e a t o rigi n a t o r an d it is e viden t t ha t

,

h e bo rr o w e d m a n y o f h is id e a s he w a s a t any r at e a gr ea t
,

1
D e mu n di o pifi cio , cap s 4 9 . is n o t e x ta n t .

‘
an d 5 0 .
D e mun di opifi cio, cap s 5 4 .

“
O n the Co n te mpla tive L i f e an d
v
,
“
C ha p t e r 9 R e i l l e , J , L e l o g o s d a pr e s
. ,

v
.

“
P hil o n d A l exa ndr ie , G e n e e , 18 7 7
’
S o h e s tat e s in th e o pe n ing .

s e nte n ce s o f th e o th e r t r ea t i s e ; i t
 P HIL O J UD A E US 35 1

tr ans m itte r o f th o ught a m e di at o r a f te r his o wn he art be

,

tween J e ws an d G r e eks an d betw een t hem bo t h an d the

,

Christi an writ e rs t o c o me S t an di n g a t the cl o s e o f the

.

He ll en istic age an d at the o pe n i n g o f th e R o m an p e ri o d he ,

o ccupi e s in the h ist o ry o f sp e cul a t i v e a n d t h e o l o gic a l t h o ugh t

a n a n a l o go us p o si t i o n t o t ha t o f P li n y t h e E ld e r in th e h is

t o ry o f n atur a l sci enc e gathe ri n g up the l o r e o f the p a st

, ,

p e rhaps i mpr o vi n g it with s o m e a dditi o n s o f his o w n an d ,

ex e rcisi n g a pr o f o u n d i n flu e n c e up o n the a ge t o c o m e .

P h il o s m e di e va l i n flu e n c e h o w e v e r w a s pr o ba bly m o r e
’

, ,

i ndir ect than P li ny s an d pa ss e d its e l f o n thr o ugh yet o the r

’

me di ato rs t o th e m o r e r em o t e ti m e s Co m p a r ati v e ly sp e ak
.

ing the N a tur al His to r y o f P li n y pr o b ably w a s m o r e i m p o r

,

tant in the m iddl e age s than in the e a rly R o man Em pir e

when o the r a utho riti e s pr eva il e d in t he G r e e k sp e aki n g -

wo rld Ph il o s i n flu en c e o n the o the r han d m ust s o o n be

.
’

tr an s m itte d th r o ugh Christi an an d th en aga i n th r o ugh L ati n

, ,

m e dium s T h is is i n dic a t e d by t he f a ct t ha t to da y m an y
.
-

o f h is w o rks a r e w ho lly l o st o r ex t an t o n ly in f r a gm e n ts
1

o r in A r m e n i an v e rsi o n s ? a n d t ha t w e h a v e n o sur e in f o r

m a ti o n a s to t he o rd e r in w h ic h th e y w e r e c o m p o s e d ?
But
his i n iti al f o rc e is n o n e the l e ss o f the gr eat e st m o m en t an d ,

s eem s am ply suffici en t to j usti fy us in s e l e cti n g his w riti n gs

as o n e o f o ur st a rti n g p o i n ts T he e x t e n t t o w h ic h o n e is
.

ap t to fi n d in the writi n gs o f P h il o p a ss a ge s w h ich a r e f o r e

ru nne rs o f the st at em en ts o f subs equ en t write rs m ay be ,

illustr at e d by the fam ili ar st o ry o f Ki n g Can ut e an d the

tid e P hilo in his w o rk O n Dr eams sp eaks o f th e cust o m
.
4

o f the G e r m an s o f c ha rgi n g the i n c o m i n g tid e w it h t he ir

draw n s wo rds But w ha t e sp e ci ally c o n c e r n us ar e Ph il o s

.
’

1
L in c ol n Co ll e ge , O x f o r d, ha s a p e r f e ct La t in v
e r s io n , is n o t r e
1 2 t h c e n t u r y M S in G r e e k
o f the g a r d e d a s a g e n u i n e w o r ,
—
s ee k
D e vita M os is a n d D e vir tu tibus , W . O E O e s t e r l e y an d G H
. . . .

-
MS 34 . B o x , Th e B iblic a l An tiqu ities of
Th e A l ex an d e r s iv e de a nim a li P hil o, n o w fi r s t t r a n s l ate d f r o m
1

bu s an d th e c o m p l e t e t e x t o f th e th e o ld La t in v
e r s io n by M R . .

De p r o vid e n tia e x is t o n l y in J am e s p .
7 .

“
A r m en ia n t r an s l atio n see
,
—
Co h n C o hn 11 .

‘
p 16 . The B iblica l A n
. II 1 7
, .

tiquities , e x tan t o n l y in an im
 MA GI C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

st at em ents c on c e r n i n g m agic a str o l o gy the st ars the p er , , ,

f e c t io n an d po w e r o f n umb e rs d e m o ns an d th e i n t e rp re t a , ,

ti o n o f dr eam s .

P h il o dr a ws a disti n cti o n b e tw e e n m agic in th e go o d an d

bad s e n s e T h e f o r m e r an d tru e m agic a l a r t is th e l o r e o f
.

l ea r n e d P e rsi an s c all e d M agi w h o i n ve stiga te n a tur e m o r e

m i nut e ly an d d ee ply t han is usu a l an d e x pl a i n divi n e virtu e s
cl ea rly ?
Th e l a tt e r m a gic is a spuri o us i m it a ti o n o f th e
o t he r , practis ed by qu a cks an d i m po st o rs o l d wive s and ,
-

sl av e s w ho by m e an s o f i n c an t a ti o n s an d the lik e pr o c e dur e

,

pr o f e ss to c han ge m en f r o m l ov e to ha tr e d o r vic e v e rs a
“
an d w ho d e c e iv e un susp e cti n g p e rs o n s an d w a st e w ho l e
”
f am ili e s a w ay by d e gr ee s a n d wit ho ut m aki n g any n o is e .

I t is to t h is a dult e r a t e d an d e vil m agic t ha t Ph il o a ga i n

r e fe rs w hen he lik en s p o litic a l li f e to J o s ep h s c o at o f m any ’

c o l o rs st a i n e d with the bl o o d o f w ars an d in wh ich a v e ry

, ,

littl e truth is m i x e d up with a gr eat d ea l o f s o p h istry aki n

to t ha t o f th e a ug urs v e n tril o quists s o rc e r e rs j uggl e rs a n d
, , ,

“
e n c h an t e rs f r o m w h o s e t r e a c h e r o us a rts it is v e ry di ffi cult
,

” 2
t o e sc a p e . Th is disti n cti o n b e tw een a m a gic o f the wis e
a n d o f n a tur e an d t ha t o f vulga r i m p o st o rs is o n e w h ich

w e s ha ll fi n d in m a n y subs e qu e n t writ e rs alt ho ugh it w as ,

n o t r e c o gn iz e d by P li n y P h il o a ls o an t ec e d e s n u me r o us
.

Christi an c o m m en t at o rs up o n th e B o o k o f N u mb e rs 3
in
c o n sid e ri n g the v ex e d qu e s ti o n w he t he r B a l aam w as a n evil
e n c han t e r an d divi n e r o r a divi n e pr o p h e t ,
o r w h e t he r he ,

c o m bi n e d m agic an d pr o ph e cy an d th us i n dic ate d that th e ,

f o r m e r a r t is n o t e v il but ha s divi n e a ppr o v a l P h il o s c o n

’
.

e lusi o n is t he m o r e usu a l o n e t ha t B a l a am w a s a c e l e br a t e d
“
divi ne r an d m agici a n a n d that it is i m p o ssibl e t ha t ho ly
,
”
i n spir ati o n s ho uld be c o m bi n e d with m a gic but t ha t in the ,

p articul ar c a s e o f h is bl e ssi n g I sr a e l the spirit o f divi n e

( Q u o d o mnis pr o bus liber s it a n u m b e r o f o th e r p a s s ag e s o f th e
1
,

c ap x i ) ; a l s o Th e L a w C o n ce r n
.
B ibl e : D e u t , XXI I I , 3 6 ; J o s ua,
.
-

h
ing Mu r d er er s ca p 4 ,
. . XI II , 2 2 ; XX I V , 9 - 1 0 ; N e he m i ah ,
1
O n Dr ea ms I 3 8 XI I I , I ff ; Mic ah , V I , 5 ; S e c o n d
v
.
, ,
1
N u m be r s X XII - XXV Ba . P e t e r , I I , 1 5 - 16 ; J u de , 1 1 ; R e e l a
l a a m is o f c o u r s e r e f e r r e d t o in
, ,
t io n II , 14
, .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

po ne the ir cr e a ti o n u n til the f o u r th day be c aus e sup e ri o rs

a r e subj e ct t o i n f e r i o r s O n t he c o n tr a ry th e y a r e the vic e
.

r o ys o f the F athe r o f all an d in the v a st city o f t h is un ive rs e

the ruli n g cl a ss is m a d e up o f the pl a n e ts an d fi x e d st a rs ,

a n d t h e subj e ct cl a ss c o n sists o f a l l t he n atur e s be n eat h th e

moon 1
. A r e l ati o n o f n a tur al sym pa thy e x ists b etw een t he
di ff e r e nt pa rts o f the u n ive rs e an d all t h i n gs up o n t he ea rth
,

a r e d e p en d e n t upo n t he st a rs
?

P h il o o f c o urs e will n o t a d m it t h at e vil is c aus e d e it he r

by the virtu o us sta r s o r by G o d w o rki n g th r o ugh them A s .

has be en s a id he a tt r ibut e d e v il t o m a tt e r o r t o the n atur a l

,

” 3
c han ge s o f the e l em e n ts dr awi n g a li n e b etwe en G o d
,

a n d n a tur e in m uc h th e f a s h i o n o f t he c h urc h f a t he rs l at e r .

“
But he gr an t e d t hat be fo r e n o w s o m e m en have co nj ectu
r a lly pr e dict e d distu r ban c e s and c o mm o ti o n s o f the e a rth
f r o m th e r e v o luti o n s o f the he a v e n ly bo di e s an d i nn u m e r a bl e ,

” 4
o t h e r e v e n ts w h ic h ha v e tur n e d o ut m o st ex actly tru e .

P hil o s i n t e r e st in a str o n o m y a n d a str o l o gy is f urthe r sug

’

g est e d by his i n t e rpr e t ati o n o f the el e v en sta rs o f Jo sep h s -

’

“
d r e am a s r e f e rri n g t o the sign s o f th e z o di a c J o s e p h him ,

s e l f m aki n g the tw e l f t h ; a n d by his i n t e rp r e ti n g the l a dd e r

in J ac o b s dr e am w h ic h str e tc h e d b e tw e e n e a rt h an d heav en
’

a s r e f e rri n g t o th e a ir ? i n t o w h ic h e a rt h s e v a p o r a ti o n s dis
’

s o lve w hil e the m o o n is n o t pur e e the r lik e the o t he r st a rs

,

but its e l f c o n t a i n s s o m e a ir T h is acc o u n ts P hil o th i nks

.
, ,

f o r the sp o ts up o n the m o o n an ex pl an a ti o n w h ic h I do
—

n o t r e m e m b e r h avi n g m e t in subs e q u e n t writ e rs .

J o s e phus an d th e J e ws in ge n e ra l o f P h ilo s ti me w e r e
7 ’

e q u a lly d e v o t e d to a str o l ogy a cc o rdi n g t o Mii n t e r w ho s ays ,

O n ly t he ir a str o l o gy w as subo rdi n a t e d to t he is m

“
T he o n e .

G o d a lw a ys a pp ea r e d a s the m a st e r o f the ho st o f h e av e n .

But t hey r e ga rd e d the st a rs a s livi n g divi n e be i ngs an d

D e m onar c hia , I , 1 ; D e mun di
1
c ap . 13 .

D e mu n di o pific io , cap 19
1
o pific io ,ca p .14 . .

“
1
D e m o na r c hi a, I , 1 ; D e m igr a D e s o mn iis II , 16 , .

“
tio n e A br a h a m i ,c ap 32 ;. De I bid , I , 2 2
. .

D e be l l o J u d V , 5 , 5 ; Anti q ,
7
m u n d i o p ifi c io , cap 4 0 . .
.

1
Eu s e b iu s , D e pr a ep E va ng , . . III , 7 , 7 -8 .
 P HI L O J UD AE US 3 55
” 1
p o we rs o f heaven In t he Ta l m ud la t e r we r ead tha t
.

th e ho ur o f A br aham s birt h w as an n o u n c e d by t he st a rs
’

a n d t h at he f e a r e d f r o m h is o bs e r v a ti o n s o f t he c o n st e ll a

ti o n s t hat he wo uld go ch ildl e ss Mun t e r als o giv e s exam pl e s .

o f the b e li e f o f t he r a bbis in the i n flu e n c e o f th e st a rs up o n

th e d e sti n y o f t he J e wis h p eo pl e a n d up o n the f at e o f i n di

v idu al m en an d o f the ir be li e f that a st a r w o uld ann o un c e
,

th e c o m i n g o f the Me ssi ah
?

Fr o m Phil o s a str o l o gy it is an ea sy step to h is f r e que n t

’

r e ve ri e s c o n c e rn i n g the p e r fe cti o n an d m ystic sign ific an c e

o f c e rt a i n n u m b e rs a tr a i n o f t ho ugh t w h ic h w a s c o n ti n u e d
~ —
,

by m any o f th e c hurch fa the rs an d is a ls o f o u n d in v a ri o us ,

pa gan writ e rs o f th e Ro man Em pire T ho m a s Br o w n e in

?

“ ” 4
his e n quiry i n t o Vulga r E rr o rs w a s i n cli n e d to h o ld
Phil o e ve n m o r e r e sp on sibl e than P yt h a go r as o r P l at o f o r -

the diss e m i n ati o n o f such d o ctri n e s P h il o h i m s e l f r e c o gn iz e s .

the cl o s e c o nn e cti o n be tw ee n a st r o l o gy an d n u m be r m ys
t ic is m w h e n a f t e r a ffir m i n g th e d e p e n d e n c e o f all e art h ly
, ,

t hi n gs up o n the h e ave n ly b o di e s he a dds : It is in he a v en

“
, ,

” 5
t o o t h at th e r a ti o o f the n u m b e r s e v en b e gan
,
P h il o .

d o ubts if it is p o ssibl e t o ex p r e ss a de qu at e ly the gl o ri e s o f

the n u m be r s e v e n but he f e e ls t h a t h e o ugh t a t l ea st t o
,

att e m pt it a n d d ev o t e s a d o z e n c h a pt e rs o f his tr eatis e o n

th e cr e ati on o f the w o rl d t o it ? to s ay n o t h i n g o f o t h e r pa s
s a ge s He n o te s that t he r e a r e s e v en pl an e ts s e v en circl e s
.
,

o f h e av e n f o ur qu art e rs o f the m o o n o f s e v e n d ays e a ch

, ,

that suc h c o n st ellati o n s as the P l e i a d e s an d U rs a Maj o r

c o n sist o f s e ve n st ar s an d that c h ild r e n bo r n at the en d o f
,

D er S ter n der We is e n S tr a s bu r g , 1 9 04 ; F Ho m me l , D e r
1
.

“
p 36
. . N u r w ar ih r e A s t r o l o g ie G e s tir n die n s t d er a l ten A r a ber
de m Th e is m u s u n t e r g eo r d n e t . und die a l tis r a e l itis c h e Ube r lie
D e r E in e G o tt e r s c hie n imm e r a l s f e“r u ng Mu n ic h 19 0 1
, , .

d e r He r r s c h e r d e s Him m e l s h e e re s . S u c h a s A ul u s G e l l ius , Mac

S ie be t r ac h t e t e n a b e r d ie S t e r n e r o b iu s , a nd C e n s o r in u s Thes e
l e b e n de g Ott l ic h e W e s e n un d
.

als w r it e r s s e e m t o h a e t a e n it f r o m v k .

Mii c h te de s Him m e l s . V a r r o W e h a e a l s o n o t ed n um
. v
1
Mf mt e r p p 38 3 9 4 3 .
. . b e r m ys tic is m in P l uta r c h s E s
’

4 5 e tc
, O n t h e s ubj e c t o f J e w is h
. s a ys .

“
a s t r o l o gy s e e al s o : D N ie l s e n, . B r o w ne ( 165 0 ) I V 12
, .

D ie a l ta r a bis c h e M o n dr e lig io n “
De mu n di o pificio , c ap .
40
.

u d
n ” i
m os a is c h e Ube r lief e r u ng
n “
I bid , c ap s 3 42
0 -
.
, . .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

s e ven m o n t h s live wh il e t ho s e who s e e the light in the ,

e ig ht h m o n t h die I n dis e a s e s the s e ve n t h is a c r itic a l day

.
.

A ls o t he r e a r e e ithe r s e v e n a ge s o f m an s li fe a s Hipp o cr at e s
’

s ays o r in a cc o rd an ce with S o l o n s li n e s m an s thr ee sc o r e

, ,
’

,
’
-

y e a rs and ten m ay be subdivid e d i n t o ten p er i o ds o f s e ven

yea rs each T he lyr e o f s ev en stri ngs c o rr e sp o n ds to the
.

s e v en pl an ets an d in sp ee c h the r e a r e s ev en vo w e ls T her e

, .

a r e s ev e n divisi o n s o f t h e h ea d ey e s ea rs n o strils an d —
, , ,

m o uth s ev en divisi o n s o f the b o dy s e ve n ki n ds o f m o ti o n

, , ,

s ev e n t hi n gs s een an d e v en the s e n s e s ar e s e ven r athe r t han

,

fi ve if w e a dd th e v o c a l a n d ge n e r a tiv e o rga n s ?

P h il o s id e a l s e ct th e Ther ape u tae a r e w o n t to a ss em bl e

’

, ,

a s a pr e lud e t o t he ir gr ea t e st f e a st at th e e n d o f s e v e n
“
w eeks v en e r ati n g n o t o n ly the si m pl e w e e k o f s ev en days
,

” 2
but a ls o its m ultipli e d p o w e r but the ch i e f f e sti va l its e l f ,

“
o ccu r s o n t he fi f ti e t h day the m o st ho ly an d n atur a l o f ,

n u m b e rs be i n g c o m p o u n d e d o f the p o w e r o f the right

,

a n gl e d tri an gl e wh ich is th e pri ncipl e o f the o rigi n ati o n

,

” 3
a n d c o n diti o n o f th e w h o l e .

T he n u m be r s f o ur an d s ix ho w e ve r yi e ld littl e to s e v en , ,

an d fi f ty in th e m a tt e r o f pe r f e cti o n I t w a s the fo urth .

day t ha t G o d c ho s e f o r the cr e ati o n o f th e h eav en ly b o di e s ,

a n d He did n o t n e e d s ix d ays f o r t he e n tir e w o rk o f cr ea

ti o n but it w a s fitti n g t ha t tha t p e r f ect w o rk s ho uld be

,

a cc o m plis he d in a p e r f e ct n u m b e r o f d a ys S ix is the pr o duct .

o f t h e fi rst f e m a l e n u m b e r tw o a n d t he fi rst m a l e n u m be r , , ,

t hr e e I n d e e d t he fi rst thr e e n um be rs o n e tw o an d t h re e
.
, , , , ,

w h e t he r a dde d o r m ulti p li e d give s ix A s f o r f o ur t h e re

?
, ,

a r e t ha t m a n y e l em e n ts a n d s e a s o n s ; it is th e o n ly n u m be r

pro duc e d by t he s am e n u mb e r tw o wheth e r a dd e d to — —

i fl h v i g th
1
F th l t
or e fa er h n p i
u e n ce o dig ity o f
suc a n e su er or n
do ct r in e s in t h e Mo h amm e d a n P r o p het T h e l as t o f th e f o r t y
.

w o r l d s e e D B Mac do n a ld M us . .
,
n in e I m an s , t h is Mu h a m m a d ibn
l im Th e o l og y Ju r is pr u d e n c e a n d I s m a il , is t h e g r e at es t a n d l a s t o f
’
, ,
”
C o n s titu tio n a l Th e o r y 1 9 03 p p , , . t h e P r o p h et s .

4 2 3 , c o n c e r n in g t h e
-
S e en er s
”
v “
De vita c o n te m pl a tiva 8
an d the
“ ”
T w e l e r s a n d th e do c v I t w il l b e r e c al l e d t h at t h e fi f ty
, cap . .

t r ine o f t h e hidd e n I m a n
1
I bid
“
Th u s w e h a e a s e r ie s v
.

k
bo o s o f th e D ig e s t o f J us tinian
v
.
,

o f s e e n t im e s s e e n Im an s , t h e v a r e s im il a r l y di ide d v .

fi r s t an d th e r ea f t e r e ach s e e nth,
, v “
D e m un di o pificio , c ap .
3 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

O f Ph il o s
bo o ks o n dream s o nly two ar e extan t
fi ve
’
.

The y su ffic e t o s ho w ho w e v er t hat h e a cc e pt e d the a r t o f

, ,

di v i n ati o n f r o m d r e am s O f dr eam s he disti n guis he d thr e e

.

v ari e ti e s : th o s e dir e ct f r o m G o d wh ich r e quir e n o i n te r

p r etat io n ; t ho s e in w h ic h t he dr e am e r s m i n d m o v e s in
’

u n is o n wit h the w o rld s o ul and wh ich a r e n e ith e r en tire ly ,

cl e a r n o r ye t v e r y o bscur e an i n st an c e is J a c o b s visi o n o f
- —
’

t he l a dd e r ; a n d t h ird th o s e in w h ich th e m i n d is m o v e d by a
,

pr o p he tic f r en zy o f its o w n an d w h ich r e quir e the sci e n c e ,

o f i n t e rp r e t a ti o n suc h dr eam s w e r e J o s e ph s c o n c e r n i n g ’
—

h is br o t he rs an d t ho s e o f the butl e r a n d the bak er at

,

P ha r a o h s c o urt ?
'

The r e c e n t w a r a n d its acc o m p an i m e n ts an d s e qu els hav e

bro ught ho m e to s o m e the c o n victi o n t hat o u r m o d e r n civili
z a t io n is a f t e r a ll n o t v a stly sup e ri o r t o t h a t o f s o m e pr e c e d

ing a ge s T o t ho s e w h o still i m a gi n e t ha t be c a us e m o d e r n
.

sci en c e ha s f r ee d us f r o m m uc h p a st sup e rstiti o n c o nce r n i n g

n a tur e w e a r e t he r e f o r e f r e e f r o m p o litic a l f akirs f r o m
, ,

s o ci a l absurditi e s a n d f r o m f all a ci o us pr o c e dur e an d r e as o n

,

in g in m an y d e p a rt m e nts o f li f e the r e a di n g m ay be r e co m ,

m e n de d o f a p a ss a g e in P h il o s tr e a tis e o n dr e am s ? in
’

wh ic h he cl assifi e s the ar t o f p o litics a l o n g with t hat o f

m agic He c o m p ar e s J o s e p h s c o a t o f m an y c o l o rs to the
.
’

”
m uc h v a ri e gat e d w e b o f p o litic a l a ff a irs w he r e a l o n g wit h
-

“ ”
the s m all e st p o ssibl e p o rti o n o f trut h f a ls e h o o ds o f e v e ry
s had e o f pl a usibility a r e i n t e rw o ve n ; an d he c o m par e s p o li
t ic ian s a n d st a t e s m e n to a ugurs v e n tril o q uists an d s o rc e r e rs , , ,

m e n skil ful in j uggli n g an d in i n c a n t a ti o n s a n d in tricks

“

o f a l l ki n ds f r o m w ho s e tr e ac h e r o us a rts it is v e ry di ffi cult
,

to e sc a p e He a dds t hat Mo s e s v e r y n atur a lly r e pr e s e n t e d

.

J o s e ph s c o a t a s bl o o d sta i n e d si n c e a l l st at e cr a f t is t a i n t e d
’
-
,

with w a rs a n d bl oo ds he d .

T w e l v e c e n tu r i e s l a t e r w e fi n d P hil o s a ss o ci a ti o n o f
’

p o litici an s wit h m a gici an s r e pe at e d by his c o m p atri o t Mo s e s

Ma i m o n id e s in th e M o r e N e vo chim o r G uide f or the P er
1
1
De s o m ni is , II , 1 . Cap 3 8
. .
 P HIL O J UD AE US

pl ex e d? a wo r k w h ich
ppea r e d al m o st i mm e di at ely in L a ti n
a

t r a n sl a ti o n an d f r o m w h ic h t h is v e ry p ass a ge is cit e d by
A lbe rtus Ma g n us in h is discussi o n o f di v i n ati o n by d r eam s ?

T he r e a r e s o m e m e n s ays A lbe rt in w ho m th e i n t e ll e c t is
, ,

a bu n d a n t an d a cti v e a n d cl ea r S uc h m e n a r e aki n to th e
.

su pe r i or subst an c e s t hat is to t he an ge ls a n d st a rs an d
, , ,

the r e fo re Mo s e s o f E gypt i e Ma i m o n ide s c a lls them

, . .
, ,

s age s But t he r e ar e o t he r s w ho acc o r di n g t o A l be rt co n

.
, ,

f o u n d t r u e w isd o m wit h s o p h istry a n d a r e c o n t e n t with

m e r e pr o ba biliti e s an d i m agi n at i o n s an d a r e a t h o m e in
“
r he t o ric a l an d civil m att e rs
”
Ma i m o n id e s ho w ev e r de
.
, ,

scribe d t his cl a ss a littl e di ff e r en tly s ayi n g tha t in the m the ,

i m a gi nativ e f a culty is pr e p o n d e r an t an d the r ati o n al f aculty

i m p e r f ect “
When c e a ris e s the s e ct o f p o li t ici an s o f l e gisl a
.
,

t o rs o f divi n e rs o f e n chan t e rs o f dr e am e rs
, , , an d o f ,

r es tidigit e u r s w ho w o rk m a rv e ls by str an g e cu n n i n g an d
p
” 3
o ccul t a rts .

1
II 37 . . s e e o nl y th at p a r t ic ul a r h ue o f th e
1
Ca p 5 . . c o a t w h ic h h ap p e n s t o b e t u r n e d
“
S inc e I fi nish e d th is ch ap te r , I t o w a r d t h e m , S ir J a m e s co n c l u de s
v “
h a e n o te d t h at th e f o l - l o r e in
”
k “
I I , 5 0 2 , I t is f o r t h e im
th e O l d T e s t a m e n t h a s l e d S ir p a r t ia l h is t o r ia n t o c o n t e mp l a t e
J am e“s Fr a z e r t o w r ite a p as s ag”e v
t h e s e h a r l e qu in s f r o m e e r y s ide
on t h e h ar l e qu in s of h is t o r y a n d t o p a in t t h e m in t h e ir co at s
s o m e w h at s im il a r t o t h a t o f P hil o o f m a n y c o l o r s , n e it h e r a l t o g e th e r
o n J o s ep h s c o a t o f man y c o l o r s
’
. s o w h it e a s t h e y a p p e ar e d t o t h e ir
k
A f t e r r e m a r in g t h a t f r ie n d s a n d f r ie n d s n o r a l t o g e th e r s o bl a c as
”
k
f o e s be h o l d t h e s e p o l it ic ian s o f th e t h e y s e e m e d t o t h e ir e n e m ie s .

p r e s e n t a n d his t o r ica l fi g u r e s o f B ut w h o c an p ain t o ut th e bl o od

t h e f utur e f r o m o pp o s it e s ides an d s t a in s
 CHAP TER XV
THE G N O S TI CS

Diffi c ul ty in de fin ing G n o s tic is m— Mag ic an d a st r o l o gy in G n o s tic is m

S im o n Ma gu s a s a G n o s tic— S im o n s He l e n Th e n um ber th ir ty an d
’
—

t h e m o o n— O p h ite s and S e thian s —

A m ag ic al diag r am E m p l o ym e nt o f —

n ames a nd f o r m ul a e —
Se v en m e t al s a n d p l an e ts — Ma g ic o f S im o n s
’

f o l l o w e r s— Mag ic of Ma r c us in t h e E uc h a r is t— O th e r m ag ic a n d o cc ul t

lore of Ma r cu s —
Name a n d n u m b e r m a g ic— Th e m agic o w el s— v Magic
of Ca r p o c r a t e s— T h e A br ax a s and th e n u m b er 3 5 A s t r o l o gy o f
6 —

B a s il ide s— Th e B o o k of He lx ai Ep ip ha n iu s o n
—
th e El c h a s a ite s — The
B oo k o f th e L aw s of C o u n tr ies P e r s o n al ity
—
of B a r des an e s— S in
p o s s ibl e f o r men, an g e l s , a n d s ta r s — D o e s f at e in t h e a s t r o l o g ic al s en s e

p re v N atio n al l aw s a n d c u s t o m s a s a p r o o f o f f r e e w il l— P is tis
a il —

S op hia , attitude t o a s t r o l o gy
‘
—
“
Mag ic c o n de m n e d— P o w e r o f nam es
”

a n d r it e s I nt er e s t in n atu r al s c ie n c e
—
G n o s tic g e m s and a s t r o l o gy
The p l a n e ts in e ar l y C h r is tia n a r t G n o s t ic a m u l e t s in S p a in— S yr iac
—

Ch r is tian c h ar m s— P r is c ill ian e x ecu te d f o r mag ic —

Man ic h ean manu
s c r ip t s— Th e Man daean s .

G N O S TI C I S M sy t o d e fi n e an d t he t e rm G no stic
1
is no t ea

a pp e a rs to h av e b een a ppli e d t o a gr e a t v a ri e ty o f s e cts wit h

a c o n f usi n g div e rsity o f b e li e f s Man y o f the c o n stitu en ts .

an d r o o ts a t l e a st o f G n o sticis m w e r e o ld e r t han Christi an ity ,

a n d it is n o w t he cust o m to a ss o ci a t e the G n o sis o r sup e ri o r

k n o wl e dge and r e v el ati o n w h ich give s the m o v em e n t its ,

n ame n o t wit h G r e e k p h il o s o p hy o r m yst e ri e s but with

,

o ri e n t a l sp e cul ati o n and r e ligi o n s An z h as b e en im

2
.

pr e ss e d by its c o nn e cti o n with B a byl o n i an st ar w o rship ; -

A m él in eau 3
ha s urge d its d ebt t o Egypti an m agic an d
1
A go o d t he G n o s t ic
a cco u n t o f 1 12 pp in T U , XV , 4
.
,
.

“
s o u r ce s a n d b ibl io g r a p h y o f s ec A m é l in e au , E s s ai s ur l e g n os e

k
o n dar y w o r s o n G n o s t ic is m w il l
”
ticis m e égyp tie n, s e s d e ve l o pp e
’

m e n ts e t s o n o r igin e eg yp tie n n e ,
“ ’

be f o un d i n C E , G n o s tic is m
1 88 7 , 3 3 0 p p , i n M us e e G u ime t,
'

( 119 09 ) by J P A r e n d z e n . .

v
. .

An z , Z u r F r ag e n a c h de m t o m 14 ; a n d
. a r io u s o th e r p ubl i

Ur s pr ung de s G n o s tizis m us ,
1 897 c a tio n s by the s a m e a uth o r .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

i n fe rr e d f r o m the f o ll o wi n g p a ss age in wh ich Christ f o r e

t e lls His s e c o n d c o m i n g : Im m e di ate ly a f t e r th e tr ibula
ti o n o f tho s e d ays shall th e s un be d a rk ene d an d the m o o n ,

sh all n o t giv e her ligh t an d th e st ars sh all f all f r o m h eav en

, ,

a n d th e pow er s o f the h e av e n s s h al l be s ha k e n An d t h e n .

s h a ll a pp e a r th e s ign o f th e S o n o f m an in h eav en ; a n d t h e n

s h all a ll th e trib e s o f th e ea rth m o ur n an d t h e y s h a ll s e e th e ,

S o n o f m an c o m i n g in th e cl o uds o f h eav en with p o w e r an d

gr eat gl o ry An d He sh all s en d His an ge ls with a gr ea t
.

s o u n d o f a tru m p e t a n d t h e y s h a ll g a t h e r t o g e t he r His e l e ct
,

”
f r o m th e f o ur wi n ds f r o m o n e e n d o f h e a ve n to th e o th e r
, .
1

But in o rde r to p a ss t he d em o n s an d the sphe r e s o f th e

pl ane ts who a r e usu ally r e pr e s en t e d as o pp o s e d to t his o n e
, ,

m ust a s in the E gy pti an B o o k of the D ea d k n o w the p a ss

, ,

w o rds the n am e s o f the S pirits the s acr e d fo rm ul ae t h e

, , ,

a ppr o pri a t e sy m bo ls an d a l l the o t h e r a pp a r a tus sugge stiv e

,

o f m a gic a n d n e cr o m an cy w h ic h f o r m s s o l a rg e a p a rt o f

t h e gn os is th a t gi v e s its n am e to the syst e m T h is will be .

c o m e the m o r e appa r en t f r o m the f o ll o wi ng p articul a r

a cc o u n ts o f G n o stic s e cts a n d d o ctri n e s f o u n d in the w o rks

o f the Chr isti a n f a t h e rs an d in t h e sc an ty r em a i n s o f th e

G n o stics t he m s e lv e s T he p h il o s o p he r P l o ti n us w e hav e
.

a lr ea dy h e a rd c ha rge th e G n o stics wit h r e s o rt t o m agic an d

s o rc e ry an d wit h a scribi n g e vil an d f a t al i n flue n c e to the

,

st ars At the s am e ti m e w e s hr e wdly suspe ct t hat G n o sticis m

.

ha s bee n m a d e a sc a p e go a t f o r th e si n s in t he s e r e ga rds o f
bo t h e a r ly Christi a n ity a n d p aga n p h il o s o p hy .

S i m o n Magus o f w h o s e m a gic al e x pl o its a s r e c o rd e d by

,

m a ny a Christi a n writ e r w e s ha ll tr eat in an o t he r c hapt e r ,

is a ls o r e pr e s e n t e d by the f at he rs as ho ldi n g G no s tic d o ctri n e ,

a lt h o ugh s o m e writ e rs h ave c o nt en d e d tha t S i m o n the

m a gici a n n am e d in A c ts w a s an e ntir e ly di ffe r en t p e rs o n
f r o m S i m o n the h e r e tic an d aut ho r o f The Gr e a t D ec lar a
tio n
?
S i m o n d e cl a r e d hi m s e lf th e G r ea t P o we r o f G o d o r ,

M tth w St k
“
1
Th eG p l f
os e o St G g a e , S im
1
. eo r e oc ,
on
XXI V ,
2 9-3 1 . No t to m e n tio n Mag u s ,
in E B , 1 1 th e ditio n S e e .

a l s o G e o r g e S a l m o n in D ic t Chr is
’
Pa u l s ange l s an d p r in c ip alitie s . .

”
an d p o w e r s . B iog IV , 68 1
.
, .
 THE G N O S TI CS

th e B e i n g w ho w as o ve r al l w ho ha d appe ar e d in S am a ri a
,

as th e F a t he r in J ud ea a s th e S o n an d t o o th e r n a ti o n s a s
, ,

th e Ho ly S piri t I n th e P s e ud o C le me n tin es S i m o n is r ep
? -

r e s e n t e d a s a r gui n g a ga i n st P e t e r in c h a r a ct e r istic a lly G n o s

tic styl e that he w ho f r am e d the w o rld is n o t the h ighes t

“

G o d but t h at the h igh e st G o d is a n o t he r w h o a l o n e is go o d

,

” 2
a n d w h o h a s r e m a i n e d un k n o w n up to t h is ti m e Acc o rd .

in g to Ep ip ha n iu s S i m o n cl a i m e d t o h av e d e sc e n d e d f r o m
h e av e n th r o ugh th e pl an e t a ry sph e r e s a n d spirits in the
m an n e r o f the G n o stic r e d ee m e r He is qu o t e d a s s ayi n g
.
,

“
But in eac h h ea v en I chan ge d m y fo r m in a cc o rdan c e w ith
t he f o r m o f t h o s e w ho w e r e in e ac h he av e n t h at I m igh t ,

e sc a p e th e n o t ic e o f m y an ge lic p o w e r s a n d c o m e d o w n t o

the T h o ught w ho is n o n e o t he r t h a n s he w ho is lik e wis e

,

c a ll e d P r o un ik o n a n d the Ho ly S pi r it ”
E p ip ha n iu s f u r the r .

i n f o r m s us that S i m o n b e li e v e d in a plu r a li ty o f he av en s ,

a ssig n e d c e r t a i n p o w e r s t o e a c h fi r m am e n t an d h ea v e n a n d ,

a ppli e d ba rb ar ic n am e s to t he s e spi r its o r c o s m ic f o r c e s .

a dds E p ip han iu s c an a n y o n e be s a v e d u n l e ss h e
“
No r , ,

l ea r n s th is m ys t ic lo re an d o ffe rs suc h s acrific e s to the

F a the r o f a ll thr o ugh t he s e a r ch o n s a n d a utho r iti e s ” 3
.

T he f a the r s t e ll us th a t S i m o n w e n t a b o ut w i th a w o m an
c all e d He l e n a o r He l en wh o J u s t i n Ma rtyr s ays h ad f o r
,

m e r ly b e en a p r o s t itut e S i m o n i s s a id t o ha v e c a ll e d he r
?

th e m o t he r o f a l l t h r o ugh w h o m G o d ha d c r ea t e d th e ang e ls
,

a n d ae o n s w h o in t he ir tu r n h a d f o r m e d th e w o rld a n d m e n
, .

T he s e c o s m ic p o w e rs ha d t he n ho w e v e r c a st he r d o w n to , ,

e a r th , whe r e s he ha d be en c o n fi n e d in v ar i o us succ e ssi v e

hu m a n an d a n i m a l b o di e s S h e s ee m s t o ha v e o bt a i n e d h e r
.

n a m e o f He l e n f r o m t h e f a ct t h a t it w a s f o r h e r th a t t he

T r o j an w a r ha d b e e n f o ught a n e v e n t w h ic h S i m o n s ee m s
,

t o ha v e subj e c t e d to m uc h a ll e go r ic a l i n t e rpr e t a ti o n He .

a ls o sp o k e o f He l e n as
“
t h e l o st s h ee p w h o m h e th e G r e a t , ,

I r e n ae us , Ag a ins t H e r e s ies , I , XXI ; P e tav iu s , 5 5 60 ;

-
D in do r f ,
I I 6 - 12
, .

1
H o m il ies ,
XV I I I ,
1
“ “
E p ip h a n iu s , F a n a r io n ,
A B -
F ir s t Ap o l o gy, c ap . 26 .
3 64 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I M EN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

P o w e r ha d , d e sce n d e d f ro m he av e n to r e l ea s e f r o m the bo n ds
o f th e fl e s h S he w as t ha t T ho ught o r Ho ly S pirit w h ic h
.

w e ha v e heard him s ay he c am e d o w n to r e c o v e r S imo n s

’
.

He l en a ls o c o rr e sp o n ds to P is tis S o ph i a w ho in the ex t an t -
,

G n o stic w o r k n am e d a f t e r he r d e sc en ds t h r o ugh t he tw e l v e
aeo n s , d e c e ive d by a li o n f ac e d p o w e r w ho m the y hav e
-

f o rm e d to m isl e a d h e r an d t h e n r e a sc en ds by the a id o f
,

J e sus o r the tru e light It s e e m s f a irly e vid en t t ha t the

.

f athe rs hav e t ak en lit e r ally an d tr av e sti e d by a sc an d al o us

1

a pplic a ti o n t o a n a ctu al w o m an a b e auti f ul G n o stic m yt h o r

a ll e g o ry c o n c e r n i n g t h e h u m a n s o ul A t the s am e ti me .

S i m o n s He l en r e m i n ds us o f Je s u s s r e l ati o n s with the

’ ’

w o m an t a k en in a dult e ry t he w o m an o f S am ari a an d Mary, ,

Ma gda l en e Mary Magd a l e n e it m ay be n o te d in the G n o s

.
, ,

tic writi n g P is tis S ophia t ak e s a r Ol e sup e ri o r to the tw e lve

,
-
,

discipl e s a f act o f w h ich P e t e r c o m pl a i n s to h is L o rd m o r e

,

t han o n c e But S i m o n s He l en w as that spirit o f truth wh ic h

.
’

li e s l at en t in the hum an m i n d an d wh ich he e n d eav o r e d to

r e l e a s e by m e an s o f the ph il o s o p hy a st r o l o gy an d m a gic o f , ,

his ti m e . May m o d e r n sci en tific m e tho d pr o v e m o r e suc

c e s s f ul in s e tti n g th e pris o n e r f r e e !

We fi n d in the P s e udo Cl e men tin es o th e r d e t a ils con -

c e r n i n g S i m o n an d He l en w hic h b r i n g o ut the a str o l o gic al

sid e o f G n o sticis m We a r e t o ld t ha t J o hn the B aptist ha d
.

t hirty discipl e s a n um be r sugge stiv e o f the d ays o f the

,

m o o n a n d a ls o o f th e t h irty aeo n s o f the G n o stics o f who m

-

w e e ls e w he r e h ea r a gr e a t d e a l But the r evo luti o n o f the

?

m o o n d o e s n o t o ccupy t hirty f ull d ays s o t ha t w e a r e n o t ,

surpris e d to l e ar n tha t o n e o f the s e discipl e s w as a w o man

a n d f urt he r m o r e t h a t s he w a s th e v e ry He l e n o f w h o m w e

h av e be e n sp e aki n g At l e a st s h e is s o c all e d in th e Ho milies

.
,

o f the P s e ud o C l e m e n t ; in t he R ec o gniti o ns s he is a ctu a lly

-

1
I r e n ae u s Ep ip h an iu s a s
an d t h e d isc ip l e s o f th e G n o s t ic V a l e n
c it e d ab o e ; v
al so Hip p o l ytus , t in u s a ffi r m t h a t th e n u m b e r o f
th e s e a e o n s i s S i gn i fi e d b y th e
. .

P hil os oph u m e na V I , 2 1 5 ; X, 8
,
-
.

1
S e e , f o r e x a m p l e , I r e n ae us , th ir t y y e a r s o f Ch r i s t s l i f e w h i ch
He be g an Hi s p ub
.

A g ains t Her e s ie s , I , i, 3 , w h e r e w e e lap s ed be fo r e

a r e t o l d a m o ng o th er t hing s t h at l ie mi n i s tr y .
 M A G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

w ho , with h i m s e l f c o n stitut e a gr o up o f s e v en c o rr e sp o n di n g
,

a n d in c o n tr a st to the Ho ly He bd o m a d w h ic h surr o u n d th e

F a the r T hey a r e the s ev en m u n dan e de m o n s w ho ar e e v e r

.

ho stil e to hu m an ity T he S e t h i an s o f c o urs e t o o k t he i r

.

n a m e f r o m S e t h s o n o f A d am w ho in t he m iddl e a ge s w a s
, ,

r ega rde d s o m e ti m e s lik e E n o ch as the e sp eci a l r e cipi en t o f

, ,

di v i n e r e ve lati o n and as the a utho r o f s acr e d bo o ks T he .

hist o ri an J o s e p hus st at e s in his J ew is h A n tiquities t ha t S e th

an d h is d e sc e n d a n ts disc o v e r e d th e a r t o f a str o n o m y an d

t ha t o n e o f the two pill ars o n w h ich the y r e c o rde d the ir

fi n di n gs w as still ex t an t in his ti m e the fi rst c en tury ?
,

Un d e r the ca pti o n S e thian Ta bl e ts of Cur s es Wu nsch has

, ,

publis he d s o m e m agic al i m pr e c a ti o n s scr a tche d o n l ea d tab

l e ts be tw e en 3 9 0 an d 4 2 0 A D at R o m e ?
E ight r e ve l a . .

ti o n s a scrib e d to A dam an d S e th ar e als o ex t an t in Ar

m an i an ?

I n O rige n s R eply to Ce ls us is d e scrib e d a m ystic dia

’

gr am with d e ta ils r e d o l en t o f m agi c a n d a str o l o gic al n e cr o -

m an cy ? w h ic h Ce lsus ha d l a id to th e c h a rge o f Christi an s

ge ne r a lly but w h ic h O r ige n d e cl ar e s is pr o ba bly the pro duct
“
o f th e ve ry i n sign ific an t s e ct c all e d O ph ite s O rigen h im .

s e l f has s e en t h is di a gr am o r o n e s o m e thi n g like it an d ,

“
a ssur e s h is r e a d e rs t ha t w e kn o w the d e pth o f t he s e u n
h a ll o w e d m yst e ri e s but he d e cl a r e s t ha t he ha s n e ve r m et
,

a ny bo dy an yw h e r e wh o put a n y f a it h in t h is di a gr am Oh .

v io u s ly h o w e v e r suc h a di a g r am w o uld n o t h av e be e n in
, ,

e x ist e n c e if n o o n e h a d e v e r h a d f a it h in it Furthe r m o r e . ,

its su r v ival i n t o O rigen s ti m e when he a ss e rts t ha t m en

’

ha d c e a s e d t o u s e it is e vid e n c e o f t he an tiquity o f the s e ct

,

a n d th e sup e rstiti o n I n th is di agr am t e n disti n ct circl e s

.

w e r e un ite d by a si n gl e circl e r e pr e s en ti n g th e s o ul o f all

1
J o s ep hus , An tiquities I , ,
11, 3 . Ap o c r yph a V e n ic e , 1 896
,
.

“
T h e d ia g r a m is d e s c r ibe d in
R Wiin s c h , S e th ia n is c h e V er
1

th e R eply to C e ls us V I , 2 4 3 8 ; in
.
-

fl u c h u n g s taf e l n a us R o m, Le ip
,

z ig , 1 89 8
t he f o ll o w ing de s c r ip tio n I h a e v
.

s o m e w h a t a l t e r e d t h e o r de r An .

“
E P r e us c h e n , D ie apo cr yph
. . a t t e m p t t o r e p r o d u c e this d ia g ra m
”
g n o s t A da m s c hr if t, 1 9 00
. M e c hi . w il l be f o und in C E, G n o s t ic is m,
tar is t co l l e c tio n of O ld Tes ta me n t P 59 7
 THE G N OS TI CS

th i n gs an d c all e d L evi at han Ce lsus sp o ke o f the uppe r .

“
ci r cl e s o f w hic h at l e a st s o m e w e r e in c o l o rs a s t ho s e that
, ,

”
a r e a bo v e the h e a v e n s O n t he s e w e r e i n scribe d suc h w o r ds
.

“ ” ” “ ” “ “
a n d ph r a s e s as F a t he r a n d S o n L o ve L i fe Kn o wl
, , ,

” “
e dge ,
an d U n d e r st a n di n g T h e n t h e r e w e r e t he s e v e n
.

circl e s o f a rcho n t ic d em o n s who a r e p r o ba bly to be co n

,

n e cte d wit h th e sp he r e s o f t he s e v e n pl a n e ts T h e s e s e v en .

ruli n g d em o n s w e r e r e pr e s e nt ed by an i m a l he a ds o r figur e s ,

s o me wha t r e s e m bli n g the sy m bo ls o f the f o u r e van ge lists

to be s ee n in the m o s a ics at R a v e n n a a n d e ls e w h e r e in C h ris
t i an a r t . T he a n ge l M ic hae l w a s d e pict e d by a s o rt o f
“
c hi m ae r a the w o rds o f Ce lsus be i n g The go a t was S hap e d
, ,

lik e a li o n S ur i e l by a bull ; R ap ha e l by a dr a go n ; G a br i el
, , ,

by an e agl e ; Thaut abao th by a b ea r ; E r atao th by a do g ;

, ,

a n d T ha p haba o t h o r O n o e l by an a s s T he di a g r am w as
, .

divide d by a t h ick bl a ck li n e c a lle d G ehen n a an d be n eath the

“ ”
l o we st circl e w as pl ac e d the be i n g nam e d B ehem o th .

“ ”
T he r e w a s a ls o a squ a r e p a tt e r n wit h i n sc r ipti o n s c o n
c e r n i n g the gate s o f par a dis e a fl am i n g circl e with a fl am i n g
,

swo rd as its di am et e r gu a rdi n g the tr ee o f k n o wl e dge an d

“
o f l i fe , a b a r r i e r i n scrib e d in the s ha p e o f a h at c h e t and a ,

”
r ho mb o id with th e w o rds T h e f o re sight o f wi sd o m
“
,
.

Ce lsus f urthe r m en ti o n e d a s e al wi th wh ich th e F a t he r im

“
pre ss e s the S o n w ho s ays I hav e b ee n an o i n t e d with w hite
, ,

”
o i n t me n t f r o m the tr e e o f li f e a n d s e v e n an g e ls w h o c o n
,

t en d with the s e ve n ruli n g de m o n s f o r the s o ul o f the dyi n g

b o dy .

O rige n f urthe r i n f o rm s us o f t he f o rm s o f s a lut ati o n

”
to e ach ruli n g spirit e m pl o y e d by t h o s e s o rc e r e rs a s t he y ,

”
pa ss t hro ugh the fe n c e o f wick e d ne ss o r the gat e t o the
“

r ea lm o f eac h spirit The n am e s o f t he spirit s ar e n o w

.

gi v e n as I al dabao th who is the li o n lik e a r ch o n an d wit h

,
- -

w ho m the pl a n e t S a turn is in sym pa t hy Iao o r Ja h S abao th , , ,

A do n aeus , A s tap ha eu s , A l o ae u s or E lo a e us , and Ho r a e us .

T he f o ll o wi n g is pl e o f the s alutatio n s o r i n v o c a
a n e x am -

“
ti o n s a ddr e ss e d to the s e spirits : T ho u O s ec o n d I ao who , ,

s h in e s t by n igh t w h o a r t th e rul e r o f th e s e cr e t m yst e ri e s

,
 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

of S on F ath e r fi rst pri n ce o f de ath an d po rti o n o f the

an d , ,

inn o c en t b e a ri n g n o w th i n e o w n b e a r d a s sym b o l I am
, ,

r eady to pa ss th r o ugh thy r ea lm h avi n g str en gt hen e d h im ,

w h o is b o r n o f t h e e by th e livi n g w o rd G r a c e be with m e ; .

”
F a th e r let it be with m e ! O rige n a ls o stat e s th at the
,

m ak e rs o f th is di a g r am h av e b o rr o w e d fr o m m agic th e
n am e s I a l dab ao th A s tap h ae u s an d Ho r a e u s w h il e th e o th e r
, , ,

f o ur a r e n am e s o f G o d dr a wn f r o m th e He br e w S criptur e s .

I t is w o rt h n o ti n g t ha t i mm e di at e ly be f o re t his a cc o u n t
o f th e di a gr am Ce lsus h a d d e scribe d si m il a r P e rsi an m s
y
t e r ie s o f M i t h r as in w h ich s ev en he av en s t h r o ugh w hic h
,

t he s o ul h a s t o p a ss w e r e a rr an ge d in an a sc e n di n g sc a l e
lik e a l add e r ?
E a c h s u cc e ss iv e heav e n w a s e n t e r e d by a
ga te o f a m e t a l c o rre sp o n di n g t o the pl an et in qu e sti o n ,

l e a d f o r S a tur n t in f o r V e n us c o pp e r f o r Jupit e r ir o n f o r
, , ,

Me rcu r y a m i x e d m e t a l f o r Ma rs silv e r f o r the m o o n an d

, , ,

go ld f o r the s un Th is a s so ci ati o n o f me t a ls an d pl anets

.

b e c am e a c o mm o n f e a tur e o f m e di e v al alc he m y At th e .

s am e ti m e the p a ss a ge is s a id to be o ur ch i e f lit e ra ry s o urc e

f o r the m yst e ri e s o f M ith r a s ?

Th e S i m o n i an s a cc o rdi n g t o I r e n a e us w e r e a s a ddict e d
, ,

t o m a gic a s t he i r f o u n d e r h a d b ee n e m pl o yi n g e x o rcis m s
“

a n d i n c an t a ti o n s l o ve philt e rs an d e n chan t m en t s f am ili a r

,
-
,

“ ” “
spirits an d dre am s en d e rs -
An d w ha t e v e r o t he r curi
.

”
o u s a rts m a y be r e s o r t e d t o a r e e a g e rly e m pl o y e d by t h e m .

Menan d e r the i mm e di at e succ e s so r o f S i m o n in S am a ri a

, ,

“ ”
w as a p e r fe ct a de pt in th e pr actic e o f m a gic an d t augh t
t hat by m e an s o f it o n e c o uld o v e rc o m e th e an ge ls who had
c r e a t e d th is w o rld I n a t r eatis e o n r e b ap tis m f als e ly a s
?
,

c r ibe d to Cypri a n but v e ry lik e ly c o n t em p o r a r y wit h h im ,

it is st at e d t ha t the S i m o n i an s r e ga rd the ir baptis m a s s u

p e ri o r t o t ha t o f o rtho d o x Ch risti a ns b e caus e w he n the y ,

d e sc en d i nt o the w a t e r fi r e a pp e a rs up o n its sur f a c e The .

writ e r t h i n ks t ha t th is is d o n e by s o m e trick o r tha t t he r e ,

is s o m e na tur a l e x pl an ati o n o f it o r t h a t t he y m e r e ly imag

,

1
R e p ly to Ce ls us V I ,,
22 .
“
A dv. Men ,
I, 23 .

1
Anz .
p 78. .
37 0 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

Hipp o lytus , s rib e s Ma rcus s f e ats p a rtly to sl e ight

w ho a c
’

o f h an d a n d p a r tly t o d e m o n s in t h is c a s e c h a rge s t h a t h e
—
,

f urti ve ly dr o pp e d s o m e drug i nt o th e wi n e Ma rcu s w as .

a ls o a ccust o m e d t o fill a l a rge cup f r o m a s m a ll e r o n e s o

t hat it w o uld o v e rfl o w a m ar v e l w h ic h Hipp o lytus ag a i n

,

“
tri e s to acc o un t f o r by sta ti n g tha t v e ry m an y drugs w h e n ,

m i n gl e d in t h is w ay with liquid subst a n c e s t em p o r a rily

”

“
i ncr e a s e the ir v o lu m e e sp e ci ally w he n dilut e d in wi n e
,
”
.

I r e nae us w h o is qu o t e d v e rb ati m by E p ip han ius f ur

, ,

t he r st ate s t h a t Ma rcu s h ad a f am ili a r d em o n by w ho s e a id

h e wa s abl e t o p r o phe sy a n d t ha t h e pr e t e n d e d to c on f e r
,

t h is gi f t up o n o t he rs He a ls o ac cus e s Ma rcus o f s e duci n g

.

w o m e n by m ea n s o f p h ilt e rs an d l o v e p o ti on s w h ic h he
c o m p o u n d e d Hipp o lytus d o e s n o t m ak e t he s e ch arge s but
.
,

u n it e s with the o t he rs in d e scribi n g at l e n gth Ma rcus s the ’

o ry o f m ystic n a m e s an d h is sym b o lic a l a n d m ystic a l i n t e r

p r e tat io n o f t he l e tt e r s o f t he a lp h a be t a n d o f n u m be rs .

Ma rcus m a d e v a ri o us c alcul ati o n s b a s e d up o n th e nu m b e r

o f l e tt e rs in a n am e t he n u m b e r o f l e tt e rs in the n am e o f
,

e a c h l e tt e r a n d s o o n
, When Ch rist w ho s e i n e ff abl e n ame
.
,

”
h as t h irty l e tt e rs s a id
“
I am A lph a a n d O m e ga
, ,
He w as ,

b e li e ve d by Ma rcus t o hav e displ ay e d the d o v e w ho s e n um ,

“ ”
be r is 8 0 1 . T he s e r e v e ri e s a r e m e r e bits as Hipp o lytus ,

s ays o f a str o l o gic al t heo r y an d Pytha go r ean ph il o s o ph y

,
.

We s ha ll fi n d t hem p e rp e tu at e d in the m iddl e a ge s in the

me t ho d o f divi n a ti o n k no w n a s t he S p he re o f P yth a go r a s .

S uc h sy m b o lis m an d m ysticis m c o n c e r n i n g n u m b e rs an d
l e tte rs s e ld o m i n d e e d r e m a i n a m att e r o f m e r e the o ry but
r ea dily l en d th em s e lv e s to o p e r ativ e m a gic T h us Hipp o lytus .

“
c an sp e a k in the s am e br e a t h o f m a gic a l a rts a n d P yth a g
” “
o r ea n n u m be rs or te ll t hat P yt ha go ra s hi m s e l f als o
t o uc he d o n m a gic as the y s ay and hi m s e l f disc o v e re d an
, ,

a r t o f p h ysi o gn o m y l a yi n g d o w n a s a b a sis c e r t a i n n u m be rs
,

a n d m e a s ur e s O r n o t e a t h ird p a ss a ge w he r e Hipp o lytus

”
.

is discussi n g E gy pti a n t he o l o gy ba s e d o n the t heo ry o f

n u m b e rs A f t e r tr ea ti n g o f the m o n ad du ad a nd e n nea ds
?
, , ,

1
Hip p o l ytu s ,
P hil os ophu me na, V I, p r e f ac e ; I, 2 ; a nd I V , 4 3 -4 .
 THE G N O S TI CS 37 1

of t he f our e l e m e n ts i n p ai rs o f the 3 60 p arts o f the circl e , ,

”
a sc en di n g a n d b e n e fi ce nt a n d m a sculi n e n am e s w h ich
“
of

e n d in o dd n u m b e rs a n d o f f e m i n i n e an d m al ici o us a n d
,

d e sc en di n g n am e s wh ich t e rm i n at e in ev e n n u m be rs Hipp o ,

lyt u s c o n ti n u e s
“
Mo r e o v e r the y a ss e rt that the y h av e c al
, ,

cul a te d th e w o rd De ity N o w t h is n am e is an e v en n um
‘ ’
.
,

be r an d t he y writ e it d o w n a n d a tta c h it t o t h e b o dy an d
,

a cc o m plis h cur e s by it I n th e s am e w ay an h e r b w h ich

.

te r m i n a t e s in th is n umb e r is b o un d ar o un d the b o dy an d
o p e r a t e s by r ea s o n o f a si m il a r c a lcul a ti o n o f t h e n u m b e r .

”
N ay e v e n a d o ct o r cur e s the sick by such c a lcul a ti o n s
,
.

S i m il a rly Ce n s o ri n us st a t e s t ha t t h e n u m be r s e v e n is as
c r ib e d t o A p o ll o a n d us e d in t h e cur e o f b o dily ills while ,

n i n e is a ss o ci a t e d wit h th e M us e s a n d he als m e n t a l dis

e as es But to r e turn t o G n o sticis m

?
.

T he s ev e n v o w e ls w e r e m uch e m pl o ye d by the G n o stics ,

u nd o ubt e dly as s ym b o ls f o r the s ev en pl an e ts an d th e spirits

a ss o ci a t e d wi t h t h em but a s sym b o ls p o ss e ss e d o f m agic
,

p o we r a s w e ll as o f m ystic sign ific a n c e “

T he S a vi o u r a n d .

His discipl e s a r e supp o s e d in the m idst o f t h e ir s ent e n c e s t o

ha ve bro ke n o u t in a n i n t e r m i n abl e gibb e ris h o f o n ly v o w e l s ;
m a gic sp e lls h av e c o m e d o w n to us c o n sisti n g o f v o w e ls by
t h e f o ursc o r e o n amul e ts the s e v e n v o w e ls r e p ea t e d a cc o rd ,

in g t o al l s o rts o f a r tifi c es f o rm a v e ry c o m m o n in s c r ip ,

” 2
ti o n . A s t he s e v en pl a n e ts m a d e the m usic o f th e sp he re s .
,

s o th e se v e n v o w e ls s e em t o h av e r e pr e s e n t e d t h e m usic a l
“
sc al e an d m any a G n o stic shee t o f v o w e ls is in f act a shee t
,

” 3
o f m usic .

O the r h e r e t ics wit h G n o s tic vi e ws wh o w e r e a ccus e d o f

m a gi c by the f a t he rs w e r e t h e f o ll o w e rs o f Ca r p o c r ate s w ho ,

e m pl o y e d i n c a n t ati o n s an d sp e lls ph ilt e rs an d p o ti o n s wh o , ,

a ttr a ct e d spirits t o t he m s e lv e s an d m a d e ligh t o f th e c o s m ic

a n ge ls a n d w h o pr et e n d e d t o h av e gr ea t p o w e r o v e r al l
,

1
Ce n s o r in us , D e die “
na tal i, c ap s . Ru ell e et P o ir é e , L e c ha n t
n d 14 magi qu e, S o l es m e s, 1 9 0 1
.

7
3A r e n dz e n t -
.
g n o s i c o .

, G n o s ti c i s m ,
in CE .
37 2 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

th i n gs s o t hat t he y w e re a bl e by the i r ma gic to s atis f y

e v e r y d e s ir e
?

S a tur n in u s an d w e r e ch arge d with pr acticin g

B a s il ides
m a gic an d e m pl o yi n g i m a ge s i n c an t a tio n s i n v o c a ti o n s
, , , ,
”
a n d e v e ry o t h e r ki n d o f curi o us a r t T he y als o b e li ev e d
.

in a supre m e p o w e r na m e d A br a s ax o r A br ax a s w ho s e ,

n u m be r w a s 3 6 5 a n d t h e y c o n t e n d e d t h a t t he r e w e r e 6
3 5
heav e n s an d a s m a n y b o n e s in th e hu m an b o dy ; a n d t he y
“

striv e t o s e t f o rt h the n am e s pri n cipl e s a ngels and p o w e rs

, , ,
” 2
o f the 3 6 5 i m a gi n e d he a v e n s .

Hipp o lytus giv e s f urt he r i n dic ati o n o f the a stro l o gical

l e an i n gs o f B a s il ide s w ho he ld t hat e a ch t h i n g had its o wn
,

p articul a r ti m e an d supp o rt e d h is vi e w by citi n g th e Magi

,

gazi n g wist f ully at t he st a r o f B e t hl e hem an d the r em ark o f

C h rist Hi m s e l f
“
M i n e h o ur is n o t ye t c o m e
,
” 3
I supp o s e .

t ha t by t h i s Hipp o lytus m e an s to sugge st that B as ilides he ld

the a str o l o gic a l d o ctri n e o f e l e cti o n s ; B a s il ide s f urt he r a f
fi r m e d a cc o rdi n g to Hipp o lytus that J e sus w as m en tally
, ,
“

pr e c o n c e iv e d at the ti m e o f t he g en e r a ti o n o f the st a rs ; an d
o f th e c o m pl e t e r e tur n to t h e i r st a rti n g p o i n t o f al l th e s e a
”
s o n s in the v a st c o n gl o m e r a ti o n t ha t i s at the en d o f the
, ,

a str o n o m ic a l m agn us an n us v a ri o usly r e ck o n e d as o f

,

or y e a rs in dur ati o n .

I n his R efu ta tio n of al l He r e s ies Hipp o lytus t e lls o f a n

4

A lc ibi a d e s f ro m A p am e a in S yri a w ho in h is ti m e br o ught

t o R o m e a b o o k supp o s e d t o c o n ta i n r e v e l a ti o n s m a d e to a
h o ly m an E lc ha s a i o r Helx a i by a n a n g e l n i n e ty s ix m il e s
, ,
-

in he ight an d f ro m si xt e e n t o tw e n ty fo ur m il e s in br e a dth -

a n d l ea vi n g a f o o tpri n t f o urt e e n m il e s l o n g T h i s an gel .

w as the S o n o f G o d a nd w a s acc o m pa n i e d by a f e m a l e o f
,

c o rre sp o n di n g siz e who w as the Ho ly S pirit T his appa ri .

ti o n a n d r e v e l ati o n w a s a cc o m p an i e d by a pr e ac h i n g o f a
n e w r e m issi o n o f si n s in th e t h ird y e a r o f T r a j an s r e i n
’

g ,

at w h ic h ti m e w e a r e l e d t o supp o s e t h a t th e B o o k of Helxai

I r e n a e u s , I , 2 5 ; Hip p o l ytu s , D in do r i , I I 2 7 8
1 -
.
,
“
V I I , 2 0 ; E p ip ha n iu s , e d D in d o r i ,
. Hip p o lytu s V I I , 14 1 5
,
-
.

“
I I , 64 . Th e m o r e c o r rect t it le f o r the
P hil os oph um e na s e e I X, 8 -12
1
I r e n ae u s , I , 2 4 ; Ep ip h a niu s , e d .
, .
37 4 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE a m p .

S yri ac t ex t is
t t ; t h e re is a l o ng an d s o m ewhat m o di
e x an
1

fi e d e x tr act a do pt e d f r o m it in t he L ati n R e c ogn itions o f -

C l e m e n t ? an d bri e f e r f r a gme n ts in th e G r ee k f a th e rs .

S t r ictly spe a ki n g th e t ex t s e e m s t o be writt e n by s o m e f o l

,

l o w e r o f B ar de s an es nam e d P hili p wh o r e pr e s en ts his m as t e r .

a s discussi n g t h e pro bl e m o f h um an f r e e w il l wit h Avida ,

h i m s e l f a n d o th e r disci p l e s
, T he bul k o f the tr eatis e is in
.

an y c a s e put in B a r des a n es m o ut h a n d it pr o b ably r efl e cts

’

his vi e ws with f a ir a cc u r a cy Eu s ebius a scribe d it to B a rd e

.

s an e s h i m s e l f .

B ar de s a n e s ( 1 5 4 2 2 2 A D ) w as b o rn in E d e ss a
-
. He . .

sp e n t m o st o f h is li f e in Me s o p o t am i a but f o r a ti m e w en t t o
A r m e n i a a s a m issi o n a ry His m any w o rk s in S yri a c in
.

clud e d ap o l o gi e s f o r Christi an ity a tt a cks up o n he r e si e s and , ,

n u m e r o us hy m n s but t h e o n ly w o rk e x t a n t is t h e tr e ati se w e
,

a r e a b o ut t o e x a m i n e with the p o ssibl e e x ce pti o n o f The

,

Hym n o f the S o ul a scrib e d to h im a n d c o n t a i ne d in the

3

S yri a c A c ts o f S t Th o m as His d o ctri n e s w e re r e ga rd e d

. .

by Ep hr a em S yrus an d o th ers a s t a i n t e d with G n o stic h e r e sy .

He is o f t e n r epr e s e n te d as a f o ll o w e r o f V al en ti n us but th e ,

a n ci e n t a ut ho riti e s suc h a s Ep ip han ius a n d E us e bius dis

, ,

a gr e e a s t o w h e t he r h e d e ge n e r a t e d f r o m o rt ho d o x y to
Val e n ti n i an i s m o r r e f o rm e d in the o ppo sit e dir ecti o n In .

t he di a l o gu e w h ic h w e c o n sid e r h e is re pr e s e n t e d a s a

Ch risti an but h is r e m a rks h ave o f t e n b ee n th o ugh t to hav e

,

a G n o stic fl av o r F N au h o w ev e r has a rgu e d tha t he w as

. .
, ,

n o t a G n o stic a n d t ha t t h e st a t e m e n ts in qu e sti o n in th e dia

l o gu e can b e e x pl a i n e d a s pur e ly a str o l o gic a l ?

T he tr eatis e o p e n s wit h the q u e r y w hy did n o t G o d ,

m ak e me n s o tha t t h e y c o uld n o t s in ? T he r e ply o f c o urs e

is t ha t m o r a l f re e d o m fo r go o d o r e vil is a great e r gi ft o f
G o d th a n c o m puls o ry m o r a lity By v irtue o f his i n dividu al .

f r e e d o m o f a cti o n m a n is e qu a l t o t h e a n ge ls s o m e o f w h o m , ,

1
E gl i h t
n s l ti n i
r an s a AN o B v 8 9 7 ; F C B u k tt 18 9 9
n ,
e an , 1 . . r e ,

V II I ,
2
7 3 34
-
. G R S M e ad 19 06
. . .
,
“ “
R e c ogn itio ns , I X, 17 an d 19 F N au Un e bi ogra phi e m e
.
,

m“ dite de B ar des a n e l a s tr o l og u e,
’
.

E n gl is h t r an s l at io n s by A . A . 189 7 .
 THE G N O S TI CS 37 5

t o o , ha ev si nne d with the d aught e rs o f m en an d f all en an d ,

is sup e ri o r e v en to the s un m o o n an d sign s o f the z o di a c

, ,

w hich a r e fix e d in th e ir c o urs e s T he st a rs ho w ev e r a s in
.
, ,

“
The B o o k of E n oc h ,a r e n o t abs o lut e ly d e stitut e o f al l
”
f r e e d o m a n d will b e he ld r e sp o n sibl e a t t h e day o f j udg
m e nt P r e s e ntly s o m e o f t he m a r e c a ll e d e vil
. .

A f t e r s o me discussi o n w he t h e r m a n d o e s wr o n g f r o m
his n ature the tr e atis e turn s t o the qu e sti o n h o w f ar ar e
, ,

m en c o n tr o ll e d by f at e t ha t i s by t h e p o w e r o f th e s e v e n
, ,

pl an e ts in a cc o rd an c e with the d o ctri n e o f the Cha lde an s ,

w h ic h is the t e rm he re usu a lly e m pl o ye d f o r a str o l o ge rs .

”
S o m e m en a tt a ck a str o l o gy a s a lyi n g i n v e n ti o n an d ho ld
“

tha t the hum an will is f r ee an d th at such e vils a s m an ca n

n o t a v o id a r e due t o c ha n c e o r t o divi n e pu n is h m e n t but n o t

to th e st a rs B e tw een t he s e ex trem e s B a r des an es t ak e s m id

.

dl e gr o u n d He b e li e v e s t hat t he r e is such a f o rc e in the

.

s t a rs w ho m h e r e f e rs t o a s P o t e n t a t e s a n d G o v e rn o rs a s th e
, ,

f at e o f w h ich th e a str o l o ge rs spe ak but t ha t t h i s f a t e ev i

,

de n t ly d o e s n o t rul e e v e ryt h i n g si n c e it is i t s e l f e st a blis h e d

,

by t he o n e G o d w ho i m p o s e d up o n the st a rs an d e l em en ts
“
tha t m o ti o n in c o n f o rm ity with wh ich i n t e lligen c e s u n d e r
g o c h a n g e w h e n t he y d e s c e n d t o t he s o ul a n d s o uls u n d e r ,

”
go c han ge w hen t h e y d e sc en d t o b o di e s a st at e m e n t w h ic h
,

a pp e a r s t o ha v e a G no stic fl a vo r T his f a t e f urthe rm o re

.

i s li m ite d by n atur e o n the o n e han d an d h um an f r ee w ill

o n t h e o t h e r h an d T he vit al pr o c e ss e s a n d p e ri o ds w h ic h
.

a r e c o mm o n t o a l l m e n such as birth g en e r a ti o n ch ild

, , ,

bea ri n g eati n g dri n ki n g o l d age an d d eath B ar de s an e s

, , , ,

“ “
re ga rds a s go v e rn e d by nature T he b o dy
. he s ays is , ,

n e it h e r h i n d e r e d n o r h e lp e d by f a t e in t he s e v e r a l a ct s it
”
p e r f o rm s a vi ew wh ic h m o st a str o l o ge rs w o uld pr o b ably
,

n o t a cc e pt O n the c o n tr ary in B a r de s a n es o pi n i o n w e alt h

’
.
,

a n d h o n o rs p o w e r a n d subj e cti o n s ick n e ss an d h e a lt h a r e

, , ,

c o n tr o ll e d by f at e w h ich o f t e n distur bs the r e gul a r c o urs e

o f na tur e . T his is b e c aus e in g en e si s o r the n ativity t he
st a rs s o m e o f w h ich w o rk wit h an d s o m e a ga i n st n atur e
, .
 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

are in c o n flict . In s ho rt s o m e st a rs
, ar e go o d an d s o me are

e vil .

If ture is t h us o f t e n ups e t by the st a rs f a t e in its

na ,

turn m ay be r e sist e d an d o v e rpo w e re d by m an s e x e rcis e o f ’

will T h i s a ss e rti o n B a r de s a nes pr o c e e ds to p r o ve by the

.

a rgu m e n t w h ic h ha s giv e n t o t he di al o gu e th e titl e The B o o k ,

of the L aw s o f the C o u n tr ies a n d w h ic h w e fi n d m uc h r e ,

p e a t e d i n sub se qu e n t writ e rs Bri e fly it is. t h a t in v a ri o us

n a ti o n s c e rt a i n l a ws ar e e n f o rc e d up o n o r cust o m s o b ,

s e rve d by all th e p e o pl e alik e r e gardl e ss o f the ir dive rs e

i n dividu a l h o r o sc o p e s I n illustra ti o n o f th is a r e list e d va
.
c

ri o n s pr o h ibiti o n s a n d pr actic e s f o n dly suppo s e d by B arde

s an e s a n d h is a udi e n c e to c ha r a ct e riz e the S e r e s Br ahm an s , ,

P e rsi an s G e li B a ctri a n s A r a bs Brit o n s P a rt h i an s Ama

, , , , , ,

z o n s an d o t h e r p eo pl e s S ava ge trib e s a r e m e n ti o n e d am o n g
, .

who m th e r e ar e n o artists b an k e rs p e r f um e rs m usici an s

, , , ,

a n d p o e ts t o fit the n a tiviti e s d e cr e e d by t he c o n st e ll a ti o n s f o r

c e rt ai n ti me s B a r de sa n e s is a w a r e o f the a str o l o gical the

.

o r y o f s e v e n z o n e s o r cli m e s by w h ic h t he sci e n c e o f i n divid

,

u a l ho r o sc o p e s is c o rr e ct e d a n d m o difi e d but he c o nt en ds ,

that th e r e ar e m an y di ffe r en t l a ws in e ach o f the s e z o n e s ,

a n d w o uld b e e v e n if th e n u m b e r w e r e r a is e d to tw e lv e ac
,

c o rdi n g t o th e n u m b e r o f t he sign s o r to t hirty s ix a f t e r -

th e decan s He a ls o c o n t e n ds th a t m en r e t a i n the ir l a ws
.

o r cust o m s w h e n t he y m igr a t e t o o t he r cli m e s an d a dduc e s ,

the fid e lity o f J e ws a n d Ch risti a n s t o th e c o m m a n dm e n ts

o f t he ir r e sp e cti v e r e ligi o n s a s a f urt h e r illustr a ti o n o f t h e

triu m ph o f f re e will o v e r the st a rs He c o n ce d e s h o w .

,

e v e r a s be f o r e t h a t
, in e ve r y c o u ntry a n d in e v e r y n ati o n
t he r e a r e ric h a nd p o o r a n d rul e rs an d subj ects a n d p e o
, ,

p l e i n h e a l t h a n d t h o s e w h o a r e sick e a c h o n e a cc o rdi n g a s
,

f a t e an d his n a tivity h a v e a ff e ct e d him I n cid e nt ally t o .

.

the f o r e go i n g di s cussi o n it is af fir m e d t ha t t he a str o l o gy o f

E gypt an d th a t o f the Ch ald ean s in B abyl o n a r e i de n tic a l .

At t h e cl o s e o f th e tr e a tis e is ap p e n d e d a n o t e st a ti n g t hat
B a r de s an e s e sti m a t e d t he dur a ti o n o f t he w o rld a t s ix
tho us an d y e ars o n the b a sis o f six ty a s the l ea st n um b e r o f
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

po s e s Ma rv e ls m ay still ho w e v e r be a cco m plis he d by

.
, ,
“
t ho s e w ho k no w the myst e ri e s o f the m agic o f the th irt een th
”
o r p o w e r a b o v e t h e s ph e r e s
?
ae o n

But w h il e ma gic is r e n o un ce d gr eat f a ith is s ho wn in ,

t h e p o w e r o f n am e s a n d r it e s T hus a f t e r a d e scripti o n o f
.

the dr a go n o f o ut e r d a rk n e ss an d th e tw e lv e m a i n du n geo n s
i nt o w h ic h it divid e s an d the an i m a l f a c e s an d n am e s o f
t he tw e lv e rul e rs t h e r e o f w h o e vid e n tly r e pr e s e n t in an in
,

ac cur a t e f a s h i o n t he sign s o f th e z o di a c it i s a dd e d t ha t ,

e v e n u n r e pe n t a n t si n n e rs i f th e y k n o w th e m yst e ry o f an y
,

o n e o f t h e s e tw e lv e n am e s ca n e sc a p e f r o m t h e s e du n g e o n s
?
,

I n the B o o k of th e S avi o ur J e sus n o t o n ly utt e rs s ev e r al

l o ng lists o f stran ge an d pr e su mably m agic w o rds by way
o f i n v o c ati o n t o t h e P o w e r o r p o w e rs a b o v e but t h e s e a r e ,

a cc o m p a n i e d by c a r e f ul o bs e rv an c e o f c e r em o n i a l O n b o th .

o cc a si o n s J e sus a n d th e discipl e s a r e cl a d in li n e n
?
I n the
fi rst c a s e the discipl e s a r e c a r e f ully gr o up e d with r e f e re nc e
t o th e p o i n ts o f the c o m p as s t o w a rds w h ic h J e sus tur n s suc
,

c e s s iv e ly a s He utt e rs th e m a gic w o rds st an di n g a t a s a cri

fi c ial a lta r The re sult o f t h is c e r em o n y an d i n v o c a ti o n w a s

.

that the he av en s w e r e displ a c e d an d the ea rt h l e f t be h i n d

a n d t h at J e sus a n d th e discipl e s f o u n d t he m s e lv e s in t he

r egi o n o f m id a ir B e fo re utte ri ng the o t he r i nv o c ati o n

-
.

J e sus c o mm an d e d th a t fi r e an d vi n e br anc he s be br o ught ,

pl a ce d a n o ffe ri n g o n the fl am e and c a r e fully a rr an ge d tw o

,

v e ss els o f wi ne t wo cups o f w at e r and a s m an y p iece s o f

, , q

brea d a s t he re w e re discipl e s I n t his c a s e the o bj e ct w a s

.

t o r e m it t he si n s o f th e discipl e s I n the B o o k of J e ii in
.

t he Bruc e P a py r us t h e r e is a p e r f e ct ri o t o f suc h m a gic

n am e s a n d i n v o c a ti o n s s e a ls a n d di a gr am s a n d a cc o m p any
, ,

in g c e r e m o n i a l ?

The i n t e r e st o f the G n o stics in n atur a l sci e n c e is s e e n in

t he list o f t h i n g s t ha t will be k no w n by o n e w ho ha s p e n e _

1
P is tis - S o p hi a, 2 9 -3 0 . 69 2 pp , in TU , V II I , 2 , with G e r
.

1
I bid 3 19 - 3 5 . m a n t r a n s l at io n o f t h e Co p t ic te x t
v
.

1
I bid 3 5 7 -8 , 3 7 5 -6 . a t p p 14 2 2 2 3
. P o r t io n s h a e b e e n
-
.

“
Ca r l S c h m idt , G n os tis c h e t ra n s l a t e d int o En g l is h by G R . .

S c h r if te in k op tis c h er S pr a c h e S Me a d , Fr ag m e n ts of a F ai th
.

a us d e m c o d ex B r u c ia n us , 1 89 2 , F or g o tte n, 1 9 00 .
 THE G N O S TI CS

t r at e d all the m yste ri e s

t r d up o n the inhe r i an d f ully
‘

en e e

t an c e o f the ki n gd o m o f ligh t N o t o n ly will he un d e rstan d .

w hy t he r e is light an d d a r k n e ss a n d w hy s in a n d v ic e e x ist ,

a n d li f e a n d d e a t h but a ls o w hy t he r e a r e r e ptil e s a n d wild

,

b ea sts an d why t he y s hall be d e stro y e d w hy t he r e a r e birds ,

a n d b e a sts o f burd e n w hy t h e r e a r e g e m s an d pr e ci o us
,

m e t als w hy t he r e a r e br a ss ir o n an d st e e l l e a d gl ass w ax
, , , , , ,

he rbs w at e rs,
“
a n d w hy t h e wild d e n iz e n s o f t h e se a
,
”
W hy .

the re are f o ur p o i n ts o f th e c o m pa ss why d em o n s an d m en , ,

w hy he at an d c o ld st a rs wi n ds a n d cl o uds f r o st s n o w
, , , , , ,

pla n e ts a eo n s decan s a n d s o o n an d s o f o rt h
, ,
?
,

Ki ng h as sho wn tha t m any o f th e s o c all e d G no stic -

”
gem s a r e pure ly a str o l o gic al t a lis m an s an d that o n ly a “

v e ry s ma ll m i n o rity am idst t he i r m ul t itud e p r e s e n t any

tra ce s o f the i n flu en c e o f Chr isti a n d o ct r i n es ”
Man y a r e .
2

f o r m e dici n a l o r ma gic al purp o s e s r a t he r t ha n o f a r e ligi o us

c ha ra ct e r S o m e n ev e r t hel e ss a r e e n gr av e d with the t r uly
.

G n o stic figur e o f P an th e u s A br ax a s w h ic h Ki n g r e ga rds as

”
the a ctu a l i n v e n ti o n o f B as il ide s Ano t he r c o m m o n s ym
“
.

bo l bo rr o w e d f r o m E gypt is the A ga t ho d a e m o n w h ic h by
, , ,

t he t h ird c e n tury h a d b e c o m e the p o pul a r d e signa ti o n o f t he

h o o d e d s n ak e o f E gypt o r Chn up h is o r Chn e ph a g r e a t , ,

s e r pe n t wit h a li o n s hea d e n circl e d by a cr o w n o f s ev en

’

o r tw e lv e r a ys r e pr e s e n ti n g t he pl a n e ts o r sig n s
, O f t e n the .

s e ve n G ree k v o w e ls a r e pl a c e d at the tips o f the s ev en r ays .

“ ”
O n th e o bv e rs e o f t h e ge m t he l e tt e r 5 is e n gr a v e d t hric e
a n d tr av e rs e d by a str a igh t r o d a d e sign pr o b a bly m e an t ,

t o d e pict a s n ak e twisti n g ab o ut a w an d W e a r e r e m i n de d .
,

n o t o n ly wit h Ki n g o f the club o f A e scul a pius but o f ,

A a r o n s r o d the m a gici a n s o f P h a r ao h a n d t he s e rp e n t
’
, ,

li fte d up in the wild e rn e ss ; als o o f L uci an s t al e o f the p r e ’

t en d e d disc o ve ry o f t he go d A scl e pius by the ps e ud o

p r o phe t A l ex an d e r At l e a st o n e G n o s t ic am ul e t ha s o n
, .
“

”
th e b ack the l e ge n d I a o S a ba o ( th ) ?

1
P is tis -S op hia, 2 05 - 1 5 . P r e cio u s S to n es a n d G e ms L o n ,

C W K in g Th e G n o s tic s a n d
1
d o n 1 865 , .

k
. .
,
“
t he ir R e ma ins 188 7 , pp x vi . A B Co o . Z eu s , p 2 3 5 , c itin g
.
, .

v
,

x iii, 2 1 5 -8 A l s o h is Th e N a tur a l
.
J: S p o n M is c e l la n ea e r u di ta e a n
,

His to r y An ci e n t a n d M o der n o f
, ,
ti qui ta tis L yo n s , 1 68 5 , p 2 9 7
, . .
 M A GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE L AL A P.

T he i n flu en c e o f a str o l o gy m ay be s e en in o the r and

m o r e c e rt a i n ly ge n ui n e w o rks o f e a rly Ch risti an ar t t ha n
m a n y o f th e s o c al l e d G n o stic ge m s
-
O n a l a m p in th e.

c at ac o m bs Ch rist is de pict e d as the go o d she phe rd with a

l am b o n His sh o ulde r Ab o v e His h ea d a r e th e s ev en pl an e ts
.
,

a lt h o ugh t h e s un a n d m o o n a re s h o w n a ga i n at e ith e r sid e ,

a n d a b o ut His f e e t pr e ss s e v e n l am bs p e r h a ps an i n dic a ti o n
,

th at He is f r ee i n g the p eo pl e s o f the s e v en clim e s f r o m th e

f a t a l i n flu e nc e o f th e st ars I n the P o ema n der a ttribut e d to
.

He r m e s it i s st at e d t ha t t he r e a r e se v e n p eo pl e s f r o m the
s ev e n pl a n e ts O n a gem o f p e rha p s the th ird c en tury a
.

si m il a r sc e n e is e n gr av e d e x c ept t hat the s un an d m o o n a r e

n o t s h o w n a p a rt f r o m th e s e v e n pl a n e ts an d t ha t th e l am b o n
,

Ch rist s s h o uld e rs is c o u n t e d a s o n e o f t he s ev e n so t hat

’

t he r e ar e but s ix at His f ee t ?

“
G n o s tic am ul e ts a n d o t he r w o rks o f a r t a r e o cc a si o n
a lly f o u n d in S p a i n e sp e ci a lly th e A stu r i a n n o rth w e st w h ich
,

r em a i n e d Ch risti an at th e ti m e o f the Mo h amm e d an co n

qu e st o f th e re st o f the p e n i n sul a O n e r i n g is i n sc r ibe d with
.

“ ”
t h e s e n t en c e Z e us S e ra pis a n d I ao a r e o n e
, , O n an o t h e r .

o ct a go n a l r i n g ar e G r ee k l e tte rs sign i f yi n g the G n o stic

A n thr opos o r f a t h e r o f wisd o m A st o n e is c a rve d with a
.

“
c an d el abrum an d the s ev en pl ane ts the s a cre d hebd o m ad ,
” 2
o f t h e Cha ld ean s .

G o ll an cz in h is S e l e c tio n of Char ms fr o m S yr ia c M an u
s cr ipts pr e s e n ts a n u m b e r o f sp e lls a n d i n c an t a ti o n s w h ic h ,

w h e t he r an y o f t he m a r e G n o s t ic o r n o t c e rt a i n ly s e em to ,

be Chri s ti a n si n c e t he y m e n ti o n the divi n e p e rs o n s o f Chris

,

t ian ity Ma ry a n d va r i o us Biblic a l c ha r a ct e rs

, ,
?

A t th e cl o s e o f t he f o urt h c e n tury the vi e w s o f th e G n o s

tics w e re r e v iv e d in G aul and S pa i n by P riscilli an w ho ,

R e itz e n s te in , P o im a nd r e s , p p .
1
E S . B o uc hie r , S pa in und er
.

1 1 1 -3 . O n th e p l an e t s in l at e r th e R o ma n E mpir e p 12 5
v
. .
,
“
m e die a l a rt s ee Fu c h s , D ie He r m a nn G o l l an c z S e l ec tio n
,

I k on o g r a ph ie d e r 7 P l a n e ten in of C ha r m s f r o m S yr ia c Man u
‘

der K u ns t I ta lie n s bis zu m Au s s cr ip ts ,

18 9 8 ; al s o pp 7 7 9 7 in
-
.

g a n g e d es M itte la l ter s , Mun ich , A c ts of I n ter n a tio na l C o ng r es s o f

1 909 . O r ie n ta lis ts , S e p t , 18 9 7 ; S yr iac
t e xt a n d Eng l is h t r a n s l a t io n .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI M E N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

was the t ea c h e r of Man i . A ugusti n e in h is

yo uth when a ,

fo ll o w e r o f the Man ich ean s had b ee n d ev o t e d to a str o l o gy

, .

T h is c o nn e cti o n b e tw ee n G n o sticis m a n d a str o l o gy an d

Man iche ism has b e e n f urthe r att e st e d by the f r a gm en ts o f
Man ich ean m an uscripts r e c en tly disc o v e r e d in c e n tr al A si a 1
.

I n th e m th e s un go d a n d m o o n go d an d fi v e o th e r pl an e ts
- -

pl ay a pr o m i n en t p a rt B e sid e s the fi ve pl an e ts we hav e fi ve

.

e l em e n ts —
e the r wi n d ligh t fi r e an d wa t e r fi ve pl ants
, , , ,
—
,

fi ve tr ee s a n d fi ve b e i n gs with s o uls m a n qu a drup e ds r ep

,
—
, ,

til e s a qua tic an d flyi n g an i m als T he fi ve go ds o r lum i n o us

, , .

b o di e s a r e r epr e s en t e d a s g o o d f o rc e s w ho i m pris o ne d fi ve
ki n ds o f d em o n s but th e d e vil ha d his r e v en ge by i m pris o n
ing lu m i n o us f o rc e s in m an w h o m h e m a d e a m icr o c o sm o f
,

th e u n iv e rs e A n d w h e r ea s th e go o d spirit h a d cr eat e d s un
.

an d m o o n th e d e vil f o r m e d m a l e a n d f e m a l e
,
Th e gr e at .

s age o f benefi cen t ligh t th en app ear e d in the w o rld an d

br o ugh t f o rth f r o m his o w n fi ve m em b e rs fi ve lib e r a t o rs
pity c o n t en tm en t p a ti en c e wisd o m an d go o d fa ith c o rr e
, , , ,
—

s p o n din g t o th e fi v e e l e m e n ts j ust as am o n g th e Ch risti an s

w e s h a ll fi n d f o ur virtu e s a n d f o ur e l e m en ts T he n e n su e d .

th e struggl e o f th e o l d m an with the n e w m an A lth o u gh .

w e a r e c o mm o n ly t o ld th a t id o l a try a n d m a gic w e r e strictly

pr o h ibit e d by the Man ich e an s th e env o y o f ligh t is in o ne ,

“ ”
t ex t r e pr e s en t e d a s em pl o yi n g gr ea t m agic pr aye rs in h is
e ff o rt to d e li v e r li v i n g b e i n gs Whe n m en e at livi n g b e i n gs
.
,

they o ffen d a ga i n st th e fi ve go ds th e e arth dry an d m o ist , ,

the fi ve o rd e rs o f an i m at e b e i n gs th e fi ve di ff e r en t h e rbs ,

a n d fi ve tr ee s O th e r n um b e rs th an fi ve a pp ea r in the s e
.

Man iche an f r a gm e n ts : f o ur s e a ls o f ligh t an d f o ur pr a is e s ,

f o ur c o urts with ir o n b a rri e rs ; th r e e v e st m e n ts an d th r e e

wh ee ls an d th r e e c a l am iti e s ; ten v o ws a n d te n l ay e rs o f
h e av en s ab o v e an d e ight l aye rs o f ea rth b en e ath ; tw e lv e
,

My B us s g e be t d er Ma n i
f t D as
1
f o ll o w ing s t ate m e n t s in th e as tua n i ,

t e x t a r e b a s e d u p o n E Ch a an n es . v c hae r
'

P e t r o g rad 1 9 09 ; A
, , Le . v .

P e ll io t , U n tr ai te m a nic h e e n C o q, C h ua s tu a nif t e in S iind e n be

’ ’

et P .
,

re tr o uve e n C hi n e , 1 9 13 , t h e y dat e k e nn tn is d e r Ma n ic hais c h-e n A u

’ '

t h e Ch in e s e t r an s l at io n a b o ut 9 00 di ta r e s , B e r l in 19 1 1 ,T he r e a r e .

A D a n d th e MS o f it w it hin a
. f ur the r p ublic a tio n s o n t he s ubj ect .

c e n tury l a t e r ; W R adl o ff , C hu
.
 THE G N O S TI CS

gr eat ki n gs an d tw elve e v il n atur e s ; th irte en gr e at lum i n o u s

‘

f o r c e s an d th i r t ee n p a rts o f th e c a r n a l b o dy an d th irt e e n
vic e s e ls ewh e r e f o urt e en p a rts fi f te en en um e r ati o n s o f
,
—
'

si n s f o r wh ich f o rgi v en e ss is s o ugh t ; fi f ty d ays in th e y ear

to be o bs e r v e d ; an d s o o n .

A s ec t d e r i ve d e i the r f r o m G n o sticis m o r f r o m c o mm o n
s o urc e s s e em s still t o ex ist in th e ca s e o f the Man d ae an s o f
s o ut he r n B a byl o n i a ?
Th e y b e li e ve t ha t t h e e a r th a n d m a n
w e re f o r me d by a D em iurge w h o c o rr e spo n ds to the I al da ,

bao th o f th e O ph it e s a n d w h o w a s a id e d by th e sp irits o f
,

t he s e v e n pl an e ts T he y di v id e the h ist o r y o f th e w o rld

.

i n t o s e v e n a ge s an d r e pr e s e n t J e sus Christ a s a f als e pr o ph et

a n d m a gici a n p r o duc e d by t h e pl a n e t Me rcu r y T he l o w e r .

w o rld c o n sists o f f o ur v e stibul e s an d th r ee he lls pr o p e r an d

ha s s e v e n ir o n an d s e v e n go ld e n wa lls A dyi n g Ma n d aean .

is cl o the d in a h o ly dre ss o f s e v e n pi e c e s T h e spirits o f

4

the pl an e ts h o w e v e r a r e r e pr e s e n t e d as e v il b e i n gs an d the
, , ,

first tw o o f t hr e e s ets o f pro gen y bo rne by t he spirit o f he ll

fi r e w e re the s e v en pl a n e ts an d th e tw e lv e sign s o f t he z o di ac .

The i n flu e n c e o f t he s e t w o n u m b e rs s ev e n a n d tw e lv e m ay , ,

be f u r th e r s een in th e r e gul at i o n th a t a c an did at e f o r th e

p r i e st ho o d s ho uld be at le a st n i n e t e e n y e a rs o ld an d have
ha d t w e l v e ye a rs o f pr evi o us tr a i n i n g w h ic h w e i n f e r w o uld ,

n o r m a lly b e gi n w he n h e r e a c h e d h is s e v e n t h y e a r a n d n o t

be f o r e O t he r pr o m i n e n t n u m be rs in Ma n d a ea n l o r e a r e
.

fi ve ? p e r h aps i n dic ativ e o f t he pl a n e ts o t he r t ha n s un a n d

m o o n a n d t h re e hu n dre d a n d si x ty sugge stiv e o f t he n u m
, ,

b e r o f d e gre e s in the circ l e o f the z o di a c Thus t he m a i n .

m an i f e st a ti o n s o f the pri m a l light a r e fi ve a n d the t h ird ,

g en e ra ti o n pr o duc e d by the spirit o f he ll fi r e wa s o f lik e

n um b e r T h e n u m b e r o f a eo n s is o f t e n st at e d a s t h r e e hun
.

dr e d an d si x ty an d the d eliv e r i n g d e ity o r Me ssi ah o f the

,

1
T he f o ll o w in g d e ta il s ar e f r o m A nz pp 7 8
0 -
Fu r . .

d r a w n f r o m t h e ar tic l e s o n t h e th e r biblio g r ap h y w il l b e f o un d in
M an dae an s i n EB , 1 1 t h edit io n , by th e s e r e f e r e n c e s
K K e s s l e r a nd G W Th a tc h e r ,
.

. .
a n d in E R E b y W B r a n dt a ut h o r .
1
. T h e n u m b e r fi ve al s o a pp e ar s
, in t h e P is tis S op hia a n d o th e r
-

o f M a n db is c h e R e ligi o n , 18 89 , a n d
’

G n o s tic lite r atu r e .

Ma n dciis ch e S c hrif te n, 189 3 a n d

'

,
3 84 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C HAP . xv

Man d ae an s is s aid v e s en t f o rt h that n u m b e r o f dis

to h a
c ip l e s b e f o r e his r e tur n t o t he re a l m o f light We he a r o f .

ye t o t he r n u m b e rs suc h a s , y e a rs f o r the durati o n

o f th e w o rld an d 2 4 0 but t h e s e t o o ar e c o m m en
, ,

sur at e if n o t id e n tic a l with a stro l o gic a l pe ri o ds such as

, ,

t ho s e o f c o n j u n cti o n s an d the ma gnus ann us A pe culi arity .

o f Ma n d ae a n a str o n o m y a n d a str o l o gy is t h at t he o t h e r

heav en ly bo di e s a r e all b e li e v e d to r o t at e a bo ut the po l a r

st ar Man d ae an s a lwa ys f ac e it w hen prayi n g ; t he ir s an c
.

tu ar ie s a r e built s o t ha t p e rs o n s e n t e ri n g f a c e it ; an d e v e n
t he dyi n g m an is pl a c e d s o t h a t his f ee t p o i n t an d e ye s gaz e
in its dir e cti o n L ik e th e G n o stics the Manda ean s i n v o ke
.
,

by m an y str an ge n ame s t he ir spirits an d ae on s who ar e

divid e d i n to n u m e r o us o rde rs The i r n a m e s f o r the pl an e ts
.

s eem t o be o f B abyl o n i an o rigi n P a ss a ge s f r o m the ir s a .

c r e d b o o ks a re r e cit e d lik e i n c an ta ti o n s a n d a r e c o n sid e r e d

m o re e ff e ctiv e in d a ng e r a n d di s tr e ss t han pr ay e r in the

o rdi n a ry s e n s e o f t he w o rd S uc h r e cit a ti o n s a r e als o e m
.

pl o ye d t o a id the s o uls o f the de a d to asc en d th ro ugh v ari

o us st a ge s o r pris o n s to th e w o rld o f light Ea rthe nw a r e .

v e ss e ls have r e c en tly be e n br o ught to light with Man d a ean

inscripti o n s an d i n c an t a ti o n s t o a v e rt e vil ?

1
HP o gn o n , Un e I n ca n ta tio n dais c h e Z au be r tex te in E phe m e r is
'

. ,

106
c o n tr e l es g e n ies malf ai s a n ts e n f m i i I 8
’

.s e t E pg, . .
9
-
.

M a n daite , 18 9 3 ; I ns cr i p tio ns m a n J A Mo n tgo m e r y, A r a mai c I n

'

. .

d ail e s de s c o up es d e K h on a bir , ca n ta tio n Tex ts f ro m N ippur ,

'

189 7 -1 899 M Lidzba r sk i, Man

. . 1 9 13 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

th e f o rm e r s silv e r divi n i n g cup ; the wis e m en w ho s aw

’ 1

Ch rist s st a r in t he e a st ; Ch rist s o w n allu s i o n t o the s ha k

’ ’

ing o f th e p o w e rs o f th e h ea v e n s a n d th e gath e ri n g o f His

“ ”

e l e ct f r o m th e f o ur wi n ds a t H is s e c o n d c o m i n g ; th e accus a

ti o n a ga i n st Ch rist th at He c a st o ut d em o n s by th e a id o f the
pri n c e o f d em o n s ; the e clips e o f the s un at the ti m e o f t he
c ruci fix i o n ; the a dve ntur e s o f the a p o stl e s wit h S i mo n Ma
gus wit h E lym as the s o rc e r e r a nd with the d am s el p o s
, ,

se ss e d wit h a spirit o f divi n a ti o n w h o br o ugh t h e r m a st e r

m uch g a i n by s o o th s a yi n g ; the bur n i n g o f the ir b o o ks o f

m a gic by the v a g ab o n d J e wis h ex o rci sts t he pro h ibiti o n s o f
hea t he n divi na ti o n a n d witc hcra f t by the Mo s a ic l aw and
by th e pr o phe ts ; t he p en alti e s pr e scribe d f o r s o rc e re rs in
th e B o o k o f R e v e l ati o n ; at t h e s am e ti m e the l e galiz e d p r ac
tic e o f si m ila r s upe rstiti o n s such a s the o rd eal to t e st a ,

“
wi fe s fa it h f ul ne ss by m ak i n g her dri nk the bitt e r w at e r
’

” 2
t hat c aus e t h the curs e th e e n g r a v e d go ld plat e up o n the
,

high pri est s f o r ehe a d ? o r the u s e o f P aul s ha n dk e rc h i e f

’ ’

a n d u n d e rw e a r t o cur e th e sick a n d dis p e l d e m o n s ; t he pr o m

is e to b e li e ve rs in th e cl o si n g v e rs e s o r a pp e n di x o f The G o s
p e l a c co r d in g to S t M a r k t h a t t h e y s
. h a ll c a st o u t d e vils ,

sp eak with n ew t o n gu e s han dl e s e rp en ts a n d dri n k p o is o n

,

witho ut i n j ury and cur e the sick by l ayi n g o n o f hands

,
.

T h e f o r e g o i n g sc a rc e ly e xh a ust th e o bvi o us a ll u si o n s o r
a n a l o gi e s t o a str o l o gy a n d o t h e r m a gic a rts in th e Bibl e to ,

s ay n o t h i n g o f l e ss e x plicit p a ss a ge s
4
w hich we r e l at e r t ak en
t o j usti f y c e rt a i n o ccult a rts a s E x o dus X III 9 t o supp o rt , , ,

ch ir o m an cy an d the G o sp e l o f J o hn XI 9 to supp o rt the

, , ,

a str o l o gic a l d o ctri n e o f e l e cti o n s S u ffic e it f o r the pr e s en t .

t o s ay t h a t th e pr e v a ili n g a t m o sp h e r e o f the Bibl e is o n e o f

“
G e n e s is XLI V
5 , an d J G , . . an d a l s o k
his o the r w o r s ; f o r in
Fr a z e r I I , 42 6- 3 4 . s ta n c e , Th e M ag ic A r t, 1 9 1 1 , I ,
2 5 8 f o r t h e c o n te s t in m ag ic r ain
1
I n t h e a p o c r yp h a l P r o te van ,

g e liu m o f J a m e s c ap 1 6 , bo t h
, . k
m a in g be tw e e n E lij a h an d th e
J o s e p h a n d Ma ry un der g o t h e p r ie s t s o f B aa l in Fir s t K in g s ,
t e st . Cha p te r XV I II , w h il e I do n o t
“
J o a c him c o n s ul t s th e p l a t e in u n d e r s t an d w hy J o s h ua is n o t
m e nt i o n e d i n
.

th e P r o te va ng e liu m , c ap 5
. . c o n ne c t io n wit h
“ “
S ee G Fr a z e r ,
J . . F ol k —L o r e in T h e m ag ic al co nt r o l o f th e s un,
th e O ld Tes ta m e n t ,
1 9 18 , 3 ols , v . I bi d , I , 3 1 1 - 19
. .
 THE CHRI S TI AN AP O CR YP HA

pro phe cy visi o n an d m ir acl e an d th at with the s e go like

, , , ,

the o b v e rs e f a c e o f a c o i n o r m e d a l th e ir i n e vit abl e ae c o m ,

im n t s o f divi n ati o n d e m o n s a n d m a gic

p a n e , , .

T his is a ls o t he c a s e in a p o cryp hal lit e r atur e o f the

N e w T e st a m e n t w h ich i s n o w s o m uc h l e ss f a m ili a r a nd ac
c e ssibl e e spe ci a lly t o E n glis h r ea d e rs but w h ich had wid e
1
,

curre ncy in th e e a rly Ch risti an a n d m e di e v al p e ri o ds We .

m ay b e gi n wit h t h e a p o cryp ha l go sp e ls a n d m o r e p a r t icu

la r ly t h o s e d e a li n g wit h the i n fa n cy a n d c h ild ho o d o f Ch rist .

O f t he s e two a r e b eli e v e d to d a t e f r o m the s e c o n d c e n tury ,

”
n am e ly , the G o sp e l o f J am e s o r G o sp e l o f the In f an cy
( m i ) d th e G o sp e l o f S t T ho m a s
2
’

P r o toe v a ng e h u J ac o b a n .
,

w hic h is m en ti o n e d by Hippo lyt us Ho w ev e r he cit e s a .

,

s e n t en c e w h ic h is n o t in the pr e s en t t ex t o f w hich the —

m a n uscripts a r e sc an ty a n d f o r t he m o st p a rt o f l a t e d a t e 3

a n d th e g o sp e l as w e h a v e it is n o t G n o stic as h e s ays it is , ,

s o t h a t o u r v e rsi o n h as pr o b ably b ee n a lt e r e d by s o m e

C at ho lic 4
. L at e r in dat e is t he L ati n go sp el o f the P s eudo
Matt he w pe rh aps o f the f o urth o r fi f t h c en tury and the
— —

A r a bic G o sp e l o f the I n f an cy w hic h i s b e li ev e d to be a ,

tr an sl ati o n f r o m a l o st S yri ac o r igi n a l We ar e the w o rst .

o ff o f a ll f o r m a n uscripts o f its t e x t a n d a pp a r e n tly t h e r e

is n o L ati n m anuscript o f it n o w ext ant alt h o ugh a L ati n ,

‘
Ho w e v e r Apo c r yp ha of
, th e T is c h e n do r f is Thil o , C o d ex ap o c
the N e w Tes ta m en t m a y b e r e a d r yph u s N o vi Te s ta m e n ti, L e ip z ig,
in En g l is h t r an s l a t io n by A l e x 1 8 3 2 ; Fab r ic iu s , e t c .

k
an de r W a l e r in Th e An te N ic e n e -
“
I t is a s c r ib e d t o th e s e c o n d
Fa th er s ( Am e r ic an e dit io n ) V I II , , c en tu r y bo t h by T is c h e n d o r f
3 5 7 59 8 , a n d in th a t b y Ho n e in
-
an d Th e Ca th o lic E n cyc l op edia
1 8 2 0, w h ic h h as s in c e b e e n r e Ther e ar e
p r in t e d w it h o ut c h an g e I t in .
p l e n ty o f f a ir ly ea r ly G r e e MS S k
c l u d e s o n l y a p a r t o f t h e ap o c f o r it.

r yp h a n ow n o wn kand p r e s e nt s
3
Th e G r e e k
M S S a r e o f t he
t h e s e in a b l in d f a s h io n w it h o u t 1 st h a n d l ot h c e n t u r ie s ; Tis c h e n
e x p l a n a t io n I t d iff e r s f r o m T is c h
. d o r f e x a m in e d o n l y p a r t ia l l y a
t e x t o f t h e a p o c r yp h al L at in p a l im p s e s t o f it w h ic h is
’
e ndo r f s

g o s p e l s ( E va ng e lia A p o c r yp h a , e d .
p r o ba bl y o f t h e fi f t h c e n t u r y .

T isc h e n do r f , L ip s ia e , 18 7 6 ) b o t h S o a r g u e s Th e Ca th o lic E n cy
in th e t itl e s o f t h e g o s p e l s , t h e c l o p e dia 60 8 ; T is c h e n d o r f s e e m s
,

d is t r ib ut io n o f t h e t e x t s u n d e r t h e in c l in e d t o dat e t h e G o s p e l o f
v
r e s p e c t i e t it l e s , a n d t h e d i is io n v T h o m a s a l ittl e l ate r t h a n t h at o f
in t o c h ap t e r s v
I ha e , ho w e e r ,
. v J a m e s , a n d t o h o l d th a t w e p o s
s o m e t im e s u s e d Ho n e s w o r d in g s e s s o nl y a f r a gm e n t o f it
’
.

k
in ma in g qu o tatio n s O l de r tha n
.
 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

t ex t has r ea che d us t h r o ugh the pri n te d e diti o n s T ischen .

“
d o r f w a s ho w ev e r u nwilli n g t o o m it in t h is n e w co l le c
, ,

ti o n o f the a p o crypha l go sp e ls that an ci e nt an d m e m o ra bl e

”
m o n u m e n t o f the s up e rstiti o n o f o ri e n ta l Ch risti a n s an d ,

f o r the s am e r e a s o n w e s h a ll surv e y its m e dl e y o f m ir a cl e

a n d m a gic in t h e pr e s e n t c ha pt e r S p e aki n g o f t h e flight .

i nt o E gypt th is go spe l s ays An d the L o rd J e sus p e r f o rm e d

,

a gr e a t m an y m ir a cl e s in E gypt w h ic h a r e n o t f o u n d r e c o rd e d

e it h e r in th e G o spe l o f th e I n f a n cy o r in th e P e r f e ct G o s
” 1
pe l . T isc hen d o r f n o t e d the cl o s e r e s em bl an c e o f its fi rst
n i n e c h a pt e rs t o t h e G o sp e l o f J am e s an d o f c ha pt e rs 3 6 5 5 -

t o the G o sp e l o f T h o m a s w h il e th e i n t e rv e n i n g c hapt e rs
,

“
c o nt a i n e sp e ci ally f abl e s o f the s o rt yo u m ay fi ttingly c al l
o ri en t a l fi ll e d with allu s i o n s to S at an an d d em o n s an d
,

s o rc e ri e s an d m a gic a rts ” 2
We fi n d h o w ev e r the s am e s o rt
.
, ,

o f f abl e s in th e o t h e r t h r e e a p o cryp h a l g o s p e ls ; th e r e are

si m ply m o r e o f th em in th e A r abic G o spe l o f the In f ancy .

I t app ea rs to be a c o m pil ati o n a n d m ay e m b o dy o th e r e a rli e r

s o urc e s n o l o n ge r e x t an t as w e ll a s pa ss age s f ro m the p s e ud o
J am es an d ps e ud o T ho m a s -
.

T he r e is a t e n d e n cy o n the p a rt o f o rt ho d o x Ch risti an
sc ho l a rs to d e f e r the writi n g o f a p o cryp hal w o rks to a s l at e
a d a t e a s p o s sibl e a n d t he y s e e m to h a v e a n o ti o n t ha t t h e y
,

can s a v e th e cr e dibility o r purity o f t he m ir a cl e s o f the

N e w T e st am e n t 3
by r e pr e s e n ti n g such m ira cl e s as t ho s e
r e c o rde d o f the i n fan cy o f Ch rist a s the i n ve n ti o n s o f a l at e r
age . A n d it is pr o b a bly tru e t hat a ll th e s e m a rv e ls w e r e
n o t th e i nv e n ti o n o f a si n gl e c en tury but o f a succ e ssi o n o f

E va ug . I nf
. Ar a b , cap 2 5 ,
. . w e r e r e a dy e n o ugh bo th t o r ep eat
f e c itqu e d o m in u s I e s u s p l u r im a v
a n d t o in e n t s imil ar t a l es .

in Eg yp t o m ir ac u l a qu a e n e que in
8'
v
I t m a y b e n o t e d , h o w e e r , th a t
v
e a n g e l io in f a nt ia e n e q u e in e a n v th e c h ie f m ir a c l e s o f t h e G o s p e l s
g e lio p e r f e c t o s c r ip ta r e p e r iun tu r
”
. w e r e a ttac e d a sk “
ab s u r d o r u n
2
T is c h e n d o r f p x l iii
. v .
”
w o r t hy o f t h e p e r f o r me r n ea r l y
v
A s I ha e a l r e a dy int im a t e d o n tw o c e ntu r ie s ag o b y T h o ma s
o t h e r o cc a s io n s it s ee m s t o m e n o
,
Wo o l s t o n in his D is c our s es an the
e x p l an a t io n t o c a l l s u c h s t o r ie s M ir a c l es of o u r S a viou r , 1 7 2 7
“ ”
o r ie n ta l
. Ch r is t ian ity w a s a n 17 3 0. T h e w o r ds in quo t at io n
o r ie n t a l r e l ig io n t o b e g in w it h . k
m a r s a r e f r o m J B B ur y s His
. .
’

v
Mo r e o e r , a s o u r w h o l e in e s tiga v t or y o f Fr e ed o m of Th o ug h t, 1 9 13 ,
t io n g o e s t o s h o w, b o t h c l as s ica l p 1 42
. .

a n tiqu ity an d t h e m e die al w e s t v

 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

a p oc ryphal tr e atis e s T hus the ext ant L ati n ap o c rypha in

.

n o c a s e r e pr o duc e t he G o sp e l o f J am e s a ccur a t e ly but r a t h e r

a r e i m it a t e d a f t e r it a n d i n clud e s o m e o f it o m it so m e o f
, ,

it e b llis s o e o f its t a l e s and a dd t o it

,
m e h m i
, Mal e st at e s .

in his w o rk o n r e ligi o us a rt in Fr an c e in t he thirt e e nt h c en

tury tha t The G os pel of the P s e udo M a tth ew an d The G as -

pe l of N ico de mus o r A c ts of P ila te w e r e the two ap o cryph al

g o sp e ls e sp eci all y u s e d in the tw el fth and thirt eenth cen
2
tur ies .

T ha t thef a bl es o f the Ar abic G o spe l o f the In f ancy

w e re at l e a st n o t f r e s h f r o m the o ri en t is i n dic at e d by the
w ay in w h ic h s o m e o f th e i nc id en ts in the st o ri e s o f A pul e i us
a n d A p o ll o n ius o f T ya n a a r e cl o s e ly p a r a ll e l e d
3
I n t he p a r .

l o r o f a w e ll f urn i s h e d ho us e w h e r e liv e d t w o sis t e rs with

the ir wid o we d m o t he r st o o d a mul e c a pa ris o ne d in silk
“
a n d with a n e b o n y c o ll a r ab o ut h is n e ck who m they kiss e d ,

an d w e r e f ee di n g
” 4
He w as t he ir br o t he r tra n s f o r me d
.
,

i nt o a mul e by the s o rc e ry o f a j e al o u s w o man o ne n ight

a littl e b e f o r e d a ybr e ak a lth o ugh a ll th e d o o rs o f th e h o us e
,
“ ”
w e r e l o ck e d at t he ti m e A n d w e t he y t e ll a girl w ho ha d
.
,

b een i n st antly cur e d o f l e p r o sy by us e o f p e r fu m e d w at e r

in w h ic h th e Ch rist c h ild ha d b een w as he d a nd w ho h a d t h e n
b e c o m e the m a id s e rvan t o f the virgi n Ma ry have appli e d
— 5 “
,

t o al l th e wis e m e n m a gici a n s an d divi n e rs in the w o rld

, , ,
” 6
but t hey ha v e b e e n o f n o s e rvic e to us The girl r e c o m .

m e n ds t hem to c o n s ult Ma ry w ho r e st o re s t he ir br o the r

,

t o hu m an f o rm by pl a ci n g t he Christ c h ild up o n h is ba ck .

Th is r o m an tic e pis o d e is t h en br o ugh t to a fi tti n g c o n clusi o n

by t he m a rri a ge o f the br o the r to the girl w ho ha d a ssist e d
in his r e st o r a ti o n to h is righ t b o dy A s t he d e m o n w h o
.
,
1
T is c h e n do r f p p x x iii . c raft an d mag ic The . r e se m
xx i
”
v . bl an c e t o Ap ul e ius is al s o n o te d in
Mal e pp .2 0 7 8
-
. A N V III 3 5 3
, , .

‘ ‘
S ince w r iting t h is , I fi n d th at T is c h e ndo r f E va ug , .
q a u tia e
Mal e h a s be e n imp r e s s e d b y t he A r a bic u m c ap s 2 o 2 1, .
-
.

“
s ame r e s e m b l a n ce . He w r ite s I bid c ap 17
.
, . .

“ “
p 2 07 , . S o m e c hap te r s in I bid , c ap 2 0, n ul l um in mun
. .

t h e a p o c r yp h a l g o s p e l s a r e l i e k do d o c tum au t m agu m a u t inc a n

t h e L if e o f A p o l l o ni us o f Tya na t ato r e m o m is im us qu in ill um
v k
o r e e n l i e Th e G o lde n A s s , p e r a c ce r s e re mus ;
”
sed n ihil n o bis
m e at e d w ith t h e b elie f in w it ch p ro f uit .
 THE CHR I S TI AN AP O CR YP HA

in t he f o r m t f ul b e gga r wa s c ausi n g t he pla gu e

of an ar

at E p he sus a n d w h o m A p o ll o n ius h a d st o n e d t o d ea t h ,

tur ne d at the l ast m o m en t i n t o a m a d do g s o S at an w he n , ,

f o rc e d by th e p r e s e n c e o f t h e Ch rist ch ild t o l e av e the b o y

Jud as r an aw ay like a m a d do g
,
1
T he r e vivi n g o f a c o rps e
.

by an E gypti an p r o p he t in t h e M e tam or ph os es in o rd e r tha t

th e d ea d m an m ay t e ll w h o m u r d e r e d h im is p a r all e l e d in
b o th the A r abic I n f an cy an d the go sp e ls o f T h om a s an d the
P s e ud o Ma t the w by th e c o n duct o f J e sus w h en a ccus e d o f
—

thr o wi n g an o t he r bo y d o w n f r o m a ho us e t o p T h e t ext -
.

r eads : The n t he L o rd J e sus go i n g d o w n st o o d o v er t he

d ea d boy an d s a id with a l o ud v o ice Z e n o Z e no w ho t h re w ,
‘
, ,

yo u d o w n f r o m th e h o us e t o p T h en th e d ea d b o y an
-

L o rd tho u didst n o t t h r o w m e d o w n b ut s o an d
‘
s w e re d , , ,
-

” 2
s o did .

Man y w e r e the o cc a si o n s up o n w hic h t h e Christ c hild o r

h is m o th e r c o u n t e r a ct e d th e o p e r ati o n s o f m agic o r r e li e v e d
p e rs o n s w ho w e r e p o ss e ss e d by d em o n s Kissi n g him cure d .

a brid e w ho m s o rc e e s h a d m a d e du m b a t h e r w e ddi n g
3
r r ,

a n d a brid e g r o o m w ho w as k e pt by s o rc e ry f r o m e nj o yi n g

his wi fe w a s cur e d o f his i m p o t e n c e by th e m e r e pr e s en c e

o f t he ho ly f a m ily w h o l o dge d in his h o us e f o r th e n ight
4
.

Mary s pityi n g gl an c e w as su ffici en t to exp el S at an f r o m a

’

w o man p o ss e ss e d by d em o n s 5
A n o t he r upright w o man
.

w ho wa s o f t e n v e x e d by S a t an in the f o rm o f a s e rp en t
when s he w e n t t o bathe in t he ri v e r w hich r em i n ds o n e
6
,

s o m ew hat o f O lym pi a s an d N e ct an e bus w a s p e r m an en tly

7
,

cur e d by kissi n g th e Ch rist ch ild An d a girl w ho s e bl o o d .

,

S at an us e d to suck m ir acul o usly disc o m fi te d h im wh en h e

,

E va ug I nf
. A r a b , c ap
. .
35 .
,
s ide , w hich J uda s s t r uc h im ,
on
”
k
E x t e m p l o e x ivit e x p u e r o ill o t h e J e w s p ie r c e d w ith a l an ce .

I bid c ap 44 ; E va ng Tho ma e
1’
s a t an a s f ug ie n s c a n i r ab id o s im i .

L a t c a p 7 ; P s M a tt h c a p 3 2
”
l is
. T he a p o cr yp ha l g o s p e l a dds ,
.
, . . . .

“
This s a m e bo y w h o s t r u c J e s u s , ”
k a

‘
E va ng I nf A r a b c ap 1 5 . . . .

w hil e h e w a s s t ill p o s s e s s e d I bid ca p . 19 ,

, qu i v e n e fi cio
.

“ ”
b y t he d e m on a n d o ut o f w h o m
, tac tu s u x o r e f r u i n o n p o t e r a t .

ti
S atan w en t in th e f o r m o f a do g ,
I bid , c ap 1 4 . . .

“
w as J uda s I s car io t , w h o b e t r aye d I bid , ca p 16 . . .

Hi m t o the J e w s A nd t hat s a m e .
7
S e e b e l o w , c h ap t e r 2 4 .
 MA G I C A N D EXP ER I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

a pp ea r e d in the s ha pe o f a h uge dra go n by putti n g up o n he r

h e a d a n d a b o ut h e r e y e s a s w a ddli n g cl o t h o f J e sus w h ic h
Mary h ad giv en t o h er Fir e t he n w e n t f o rt h and w as sca t .

t e r e d up o n th e dr a go n s he a d an d e y e s a s f r o m th e bli n ki n g
’
,

e ye s o f th e a rt f ul b e gg a r w h o c a us e d th e pl a gu e in th e L ife

o f Apo l l o uius of Tyan a an d h e fl e d in a p an ic A pri e st s

1 ’
.
,

t hre e y ea r o ld s o n w ho w as p o ss e ss e d by a gr eat m ultitud e

- -

o f d e vils w h o utt e r e d m an y str an ge t h i n gs a n d w h o t h re w

, ,

st o n e s at ev e ryb o dy w as lik e wis e cur e d by pl a ci n g o n his

,

h e a d o n e o f Ch rist s sw a ddli n g cl o t he s wh ic h Ma ry had

’

h u n g o ut t o dry I n t h is c a s e th e d e vils m a d e t he ir e sc ap e
.

“ ” 2
t h ro ugh h is m o uth in the sha p e o f cr o ws an d s e rpe nt s .

S uc h m a rv e ls m ay o ff e n d m o d e r n t a st e but h av e t he ir pr o b
a bl e pr o t o typ e in t h e m ir a cl e s wr o ugh t by u s e o f P a ul s
’

ha n dk e rc h i e f a n d u n d e r w e a r in the N e w T e st am e n t an d il
lustr a t e lik e the pla ci n g o f spittle o n the e ye s o f the bli n d
,

m an the gr e a t h ea li n g virtu e t he n a scrib e d t o t h e p e r s p ir a

,

ti o n and o t he r s e cre ti o n s an d ex creti o n s o f the hum an b o dy

S ick c h ildr e n a s w e ll a s l e p e rs w e r e cur e d by the w a te r
in w h ic h J e sus ha d b a the d o r by w ea ri n g c o a t s m a d e o f
his swa ddli n g cl o t h e s 3
w hil e the c h ild B a rtho l o m e w wa s
,

s n atc he d f r o m the v e r y j aws o f d ea th by the m e re s me ll o f

t he Ch rist c h ild s ga r m e n ts t h e m o m e n t h e w a s pl a c e d o n
’

J e sus be d O n th e r o a d to E gypt is a b als am w h ich was

’ 4
.

pr o duc e d f ro m the sw e a t w h ic h ra n d o w n t he re f r o m the

” 5
L o rd J e sus T he Ch ri st c h ild cur e d s n ak e bit e in th e c a s e
.
-
,

o f h is br o t he r J a m e s by bl o wi n g o n it in th e c a s e o f h is pl ay ,

f e ll o w S i m o n t he Ca na a n it e by f o rci n g the s e rp e n t who

, ,

h ad stu n g him to c o m e o ut o f its ho l e an d suck a ll the p o is o n

“
f r o m th e w o u n d a f t e r w h ich he curs e d the s n ak e so t ha t
,

it i mm e di at e ly burst a su n de r an d di e d ” 6
When the bo y .

J e sus t o o k all th e cl o th s w a iti n g to be dye d with di ffe r e nt

c o l o rs in a dy e r s s ho p an d t h r e w them i n t o t he f urn ac e the
’

dy e r b e ga n to sc o ld him fo r t his m isc h i e f but the cl o th s a l l ,

‘ l‘
E va ng I nf A r a b ,
. . . c ap s .
3 3 34
-
. I bid , c ap 2 4
. . .

3 “
I bid , c ap s 1 0 - 1 1
. . . I bid , c a p s 4 2 —4 3 ; P s
. . .

C om
8
I bid , c ap s 2 7 - 3 2
. . .
4 1 ; E vang Th o m L a t , 1 4
. . . .

‘
I bid , c ap 3 0
. . .
p a r e p p 2 7 9 80 a bo e
.
-
v .
 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

en tly di ed When a t h ird boy r an i n t o J e sus an d kno ck e d

.
1

As t ho u ha st th ro wn m e d o wn s o s h alt
“
him d o w n h e s a id , , ,

t ho u fall no r e ve r ris e ; an d t ha t i nst an t the bo y f e ll d o w n

,

a n d di e d
?
Whe n J e sus t ea che r st a rt e d to w h ip h im his ’

h an d with e r e d an d he di e d A ft e r w h ic h w e a r e n o t sur
.

pris e d to hea r J o se ph s ay to Ma ry He nc e f o rt h w e will

“
,

n o t a ll o w h im t o go o ut o f the h o us e ; f o r e v e ry o n e w ho dis
” 3
plea s e s h im is kill e d .

A s has b een i n dic at e d in the f o o t n o t e s many o f the -

f o r e go i n g m a rv el s a r e r e c o u n t e d in t he P s eu d o Ma tthe w an d -

L a ti n G o sp e l o f Tho m a s a s w e ll a s in t he A ra bic G o sp e l o f
the I n f a n cy The P s e ud o Matt he w al s o t e ll s ho w li o n s
.
-

a d o r e d t h e Ch rist c h ild a n d w e r e b a d e by him t o go in p e a c e

4
.

“
An d ho w he t o o k a d e a d c h ild by the ea r and susp en d e d
h im f r o m the earth in th e sigh t o f all An d th e y s aw J e su s .

speaki n g with him lik e a f at he r with his s o n And h is spirit .

r e tur ned un t o him and he liv e d aga i n And all m arv el e d .

th e r eat ” 5
. When a rich m an n am e d J o s e ph di e d an d wa s
l am e n t e d J e sus a s k e d h is f athe r J o s e ph why he did no t he lp
,

h is d e a d n am e s ake When J o s e ph a sk e d w hat t he re wa s

.

“
tha t he c o uld do J e sus r e pli e d T ak e the h an dke rch i e f wh ich
, ,

is o n y o ur h ea d an d go an d put it o ve r the f a c e o f the c o rps e

a n d s a y t o h im May Ch rist s av e yo u
,
‘
J o s ep h f o ll o wed .
’

“ ”
the s e i n structi o n s e x c e pt that he s a id S alve t te I cs us in ,
-
,

“ ”
st e a d o f S a lve t te Chr is tus wh ich w as p o ssibly the reas o n ,

h
w y t h e d ea d m a n up o n r e vivi n g a sk e d W h o is J e sus ? ”
,

Whil e n o v e ry e lab o r at e p a r aphe r nali a o r c e remo n i al

w e r e i nv o lv e d in the m i ra cl e s a scrib e d t o the Ch ri s t ch ild
in th e A r abic G o sp e l o f the I n f a n cy it is p e r haps w o rt h ,

n o ti n g t ha t h e w a s a lre a dy p o ss e ss e d o f al l l e a r n i n g an d n o n

pluss e d h is mast e rs wh en t hey tri e d t o t eac h him the a lpha

,

‘
E va ug I nf Ar a b , 46 ; E va ng
. . . .
a
E va ug I nf Ar a b , c ap
. . . . 49 ;
Tho m L a t , 4 ; P s Ma tth , 2 6 ,
. . . . E vang Tho m
. Lat , 12 . . Ps .

w h e r e M a r y a f te r w a r d s in du c e s M a t th 3 8
.
,
.

P s M a tt h c a p s 3 5 - 3 6
‘
J e s us to r es to r e h im t o l if e an d 2 8 , . . . .

’
E vau g I nf
. Ar a b c ap 47 ;
. . c ap . 29 .

E vau g Th o m L a t , 5 ; P s Ma tth
°
. . . . I bi d , . c ap .
40 .

29 .
 THE CHRI S TI AN AP O CR YP HA 39 5

be t , by a ski n g the m o st a bstrus e q u e sti o n s And w hen he .

a pp e a r e d b e f o r e the d o ct o rs in the t e m pl e he e x p o u n d e d t o ,

them n o t o n ly the b o o ks o f the law but n a tur a l ph il o s o phy

1
, ,

a str o n o m y p h ysics a n d m e t ap hysics

,
physi o l o gy an at o m y , , ,

an d psyc ho l o gy He is r ep r e s en t e d a s t e lli n g t hem th e

.
“
-

num b e r o f the sphe r e s an d h eav e n ly b o di e s a s a ls o t he ir ,

tri an gul ar s qu a r e an d s ex til e a spe ct ; t he ir pr o gr e ssiv e an d

, ,

r etr o gr ad e m o ti o n ; the ir tw e n ty f o urt h s an d si x ti eths o f -

tw enty f o urt h s ( p erh aps c o rr e sp o n di n g to o u r ho urs an d

-
”

m i nut e s !) a n d o t he r t h i n gs w h ic h th e r e a s o n o f m an ha d
“

”
n e v e r disc o v e r e d Furthe rm o r e the p o we rs a ls o o f the
.
,

b o dy its h um o rs an d th e ir e ffe cts ; als o th e n um b e r o f its

,

memb e rs a n d b o n e s v e i n s a rt e ri e s a n d n e r v e s ; the s e v e r a l
, , , ,

c o n stituti o n s o f the b o dy h o t an d dry c o ld an d m o ist an d , , ,

the t e n d en ci e s o f t hem ; ho w the s o ul o p e r a t e s up o n th e

b o dy ; wha t its va ri o us s en s ati o n s an d f aculti e s a r e ; the
f aculty o f spe aki n g an ge r d e sir e ; an d l a stly the m an n e r o f
, , ,

th e b o dy s c o m p o siti o n a n d diss o luti o n a n d o t h e r t h i n gs

’

” 2
w h ich the u n d e r st an di n g o f n o cr eatur e ha d e ve r r e ac he d .

I t m ay be a dd e d t ha t in t h e a p oc ryp h a l e pistl e s supp o s e d t o

have b ee n i n t e rcha n ge d be t we e n C hrist a n d Abga r us ki n g ,

o f E d e ss a t h a t m o n a rc h writ e s t o Ch rist
, I h a v e b e e n in ,

f o r m e d a bo ut yo u an d yo ur cur e s w h ic h a r e p e r f o rm e d ,

witho ut the us e o f he rbs an d m e dici n e s ” 3

.

J e sus is a ga i n a ccus e d o f m a gic in The G os pel of N ico

d emus o r A c ts o f P o n tius P il a te w h e r e th e J e w s t e ll P il at e ,

t ha t he is a c o n j ur e r A ft e r P il at e has be en w a r ne d by his
.

“
wi fe t he J e ws r e p eat D id w e n o t s ay u nt o t hee He is a
, , ,

m agici an ? B e ho ld he h at h c a us e d thy w i f e t o dr e am
,
” 4
.

I n the A d s of P a u l a n d Th e cla t o w h ic h T e rtulli an r e f e rs ,

a n d w h ic h a r e n o w s e e n t o be a n ex c e r t f r o m t he a o c r
p p y
1
La te r t h e s a m e g o s p e l ( c ap . S yr ia c in th e p ubl ic r ec o r ds o f
5 4 ) r at he r in co n s is t e nt l y r e p r e E de s s a Ho n e s ay s t hat it u s e d
.

s e nt s J e s u s as e n gage d in t h e to b e a c o m m o n p r ac t ice a m o n g
s tu dy o f l a w u n t il h is t h ir tie th Eng lis h p e o p l e t o h a e t h e e p is tl e v
ye ar . a s c r ib e d to C h r is t f r a m e d a n d
2

a
E va n g I nf A r a b , c ap s 5 1 - 5 2
. . . . .
p l ac e a p ic t u r e o f t h e S a io u r b e v
E u s e biu s s t at e s t h at h e d is
.

f o re it
v
.

‘
c o e r e d the s e l e tt e r s w r itte n in G o spe l o f N i c o d e mu s I , 1 —2 .
,
396 MA G I C AND E XP ERIMEN TA L SCIENCE ca n .

p h al A c ts fo disc
P au l , o v e r e d in 1 8
99 in a Co ptic p a pyrus ,
1

t he m o b si m il a rly cri e s o u t a ga i n st P a ul He is a m a gi ,

”
a w a y wit h h im
2
c ia n In t h e A c ts of P e te r a n d A n dr e w
.

th e y a r e b o th accus e d o f be i n g s o rc e r e rs by O n e sipho ru s ,

w h o a ls o ho w e v e r d e n i e s t h a t P e t e r c an m ak e a c am e l go
, ,

thr o ugh the e ye o f a n ee dl e N o r is he s atisfi e d when the .

f e a t is succ e s s f ully p e r f o r m e d wit h a n e e dl e a n d c am e l o f

P e t e r s s e l e cti o n but i n sists up on its b e i n g r ep e a t e d with an
’
,

a n i m a l an d i n stru m e n t o f h is o w n s e l e cti o n O ne sip ho rus .

“ ”
a ls o h as a p o llut e d w o m an rid e up o n his c am e l s b ack ’
,

a pp a r e n tly wit h t he id ea t ha t t h is will br e ak t h e m a gic sp e ll .

But P e te r s e n d s the c am el t hr o ugh the e ye o f the n ee dle ,

“ ”
w h ic h o p e n e d up lik e a gat e a s succ e ss f ully as b e f o r e , ,

a n d a ls o b ack a g a i n t h r o ugh it o n c e m o r e f r o m t he o pp o sit e

dir ecti o n .

S o m e d e t a ils a r e a dd e d by the a p o crypha to th e a cc o u nt

o f th e st a r at Ch rist s birt h T he A r a bic G o sp e l st ate s t hat
’
.

Z o ro a st e r ( Z e r adu s cht ) h a d pre dict e d the c o m i ng o f the

Magi t ha t Ma ry gav e th e M agi o n e o f Chri st s sw addli n g
,
’

cl o the s that t hey w e r e guid e d o n t he ir ho m e w a rd j o urn ey

,

by an an ge l in t he f o r m o f the st a r wh ic h had l e d them to

B e t hl e hem an d th at a f t e r t he ir r e tur n t he y f o u n d tha t the
,

sw a ddli n g cl o t h w o uld n o t bu r n in fi r e 3
T he E pis tle of .

I gn a tius to th e E ph es ians st a t e s t hat t h is st a r s h o n e wit h a

bright ne ss f ar exc e e di n g all o t he rs filli n g m e n wit h f ea r , ,

an d t ha t wit h its c o m i n g t he p o w e r o f m a gic w a s d e s tr o y e d

a n d t he n e w ki n gd o m o f G o d us h e r e d in
4
.

I n the a p o cryp ha l Epis tle of B ar n a bas o ccurs s o m e o f

t ha t a ll e go ric a l z o o l o gy wh ic h w e a r e a p t to a ss o ci at e e s
p e c ia ll y wit h t h e P h ysi o l o gus I n its n i n t h c h apt e r the h
.
y
e n a a n d w ea s e l a r e a dduc e d a s e x a m pl e s o f its c o n t e n ti o n

t hat the Mo s a ic disti n cti o n b etw e e n cl e a n an d u ncl ean an i

m a ls has a spiritu al m e a n i n g T hus the c o m m an d n o t to
.

e at t he hy en a m e a n s n o t t o be a n a dult e r e r o r c o rrupt e r o f

‘
C E, Ap o cr ypha p 6 1 1, . . Nic ene Fa th er s V I II 5 2 6-7 , .
2
Gr ee k te x t in T is che n do r f ,
s

‘
E va ng '
. Ar a b
I nf .
7 8
-
.

A po ca lyps e s Ap o c r yph p p 16 1 7 ; .
, .
-
C ap . 1 9 ( A N, I ,
E nglish t ran s l atio n , The A n te
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

p e rsua d e d s o me y o u n g m en to em brace the li f e o f p o v e rty

by c o nv e rti n g the ir pr o p e rt y i n t o gem s an d then po u n di n g
th e gem s to pi e c e s J o hn m ad e t he c r iticis m t hat th is w ealt h
.

m igh t have b e tt e r b e en distribute d am o n g the p o o r a nd ,

w hen c hal l e n ge d to do s o by the S t o ic pra y e d to G o d an d ,

h ad th e ge m s m a d e w h o l e a ga i n L a t e r w h e n th e y o u n g m en
.

l o n ge d f o r t he i r d e p a rt e d w eal t h he turn e d the p e bbl e s o n ,

the s ea sh o re i n t o go ld a n d pr e ci o us st o n e s a m ir acl e w h ich ,

is s a id to h av e p e rsu ad e d the m e di ev a l a lch em ists t hat he

p o ss e ss e d the s ecre t o f the ph il o s o p he r s st o n e 1
At any
’
.

r at e A d am o f S t Vict o r in the tw e l f th c entury wro t e the

.

f o ll o wi n g li n e s c o n c e r n i n g S t J o hn in a c han t to be u se d
.

in the c h urch s e rvic e :

Cum gemma r um p a r t e s f r actas
S o l ida s s e t h as dis tr actas
,

T r ibuit p aup e r ib us ;
I nexh au s tum f e rt thes aur um
Qui de v ir gis f e cit a urum ,

Gemm a s de lap idibus .

2

T he bri e f l e gen d o f S t S o u s nyo s which B ass et has

.
,

i nclud e d in h is e diti o n o f E t hi o pi an Ap o c r ypha is all 3

,

m a gic b e gi n n i n g wit h a n i n c an t ati o n o r m agic pray e r

,

a ga i n st dis e a s e a n d d e m o n s T he r e is a ls o a S l a v o nic ve r
.

si o n T h is S o us n yo s is pr e su m ably the s am e as the S isi n

.

n io s wh o is s a id by th e a uth o r o f th e a p o cryp h a l A c ts of

A r che la us f o rg e d a b o ut 3 3 0 3 4 0 A D t o ha v e ab a n d o n e d
4
,
—
. .
,

Man i e m br ac e d Christi an ity an d r e v eal e d to A rch el aus

, ,

s e cr e t t e a c h i n gs w h ic h en a bl e d him to trium p h o v e r his a d

ve r s ar y .

‘
Mal e 3 00 . B ut one p l e a sur e,
k
w o ul d t hin t ha t th e y m u s t n e e ds G e m s f r o m s to ne s co mm an de d
‘ '
.

b e B yz a n t in e a l c h e m is t s , if t h e R e n e B a s s e t L es a p o cr yph es ,

l eg e nd d id n o t r e a c h t h e w e s t un til Ethiopie ns , P a r is , 18 9 3 - 189 4 , vo l .

t h e s ix te e n th c e n t u r y . iv .

HL , XV , 42 S e e Mig n e , P G , X
3 ‘
. for
Whe n t he ge m s , all s m as h e d to th e o l d L a t in v
e r s io n ; t h e G r ee k:

p ie c e s , t e x t is e x t a n t o n l y in f r ag m e n t s ;
He h ad m e n de d, then th e ir p r ice s th e t r a dit io n , g o in g b ac to k
T o t h e p o o r h e h a n de d ; J e r o m e , t h a t the r e w a s a S yr iac
Q u it e e x h a u s t l e s s w as h is t r e a s ur e o r ig in a l is u n f o un de d ; t h e w o r is k
Who f r o m s t ic s m ade g o l d at
k fi r s t c ited by Cy r il .
 THE CHRIS TIAN AP o CR YP HA
Whil e o n the subj e ct m enti o n m ay be m a de o f two O l d T t
, es a
‘ t
w o rks w hic h pr o p e rly b e l o n g to the a p o crypha o f the O ld gifé yp h cr a

T e s tam e n t but w h i c h first a pp e a r du r i n g t h e C hristi an e r a

t ig
t
ii
O
,
r an
an d s o f a ll wit h i n o ur p e ri o d The A s ce n s io n o f I s aiah o f m 1
.
, e ,

wh ich the o ld L ati n v e rsi o n w a s pri n t e d a t Ve n ic e in 1 5 2 2 ,

a n d w h ic h d a t e s b a ck t o t h e s e c o n d c e n tury is s o me t h i n g ,

lik e the B o o k of E n o ch d e scribi n g I s a i ah s a sce n t t hr o ugh

,
’

th e s e v e n h e av e n s a n d visi o n o f th e m issi o n o f Ch rist In .

t he B o o k of B ar u ch o f w h ic h th e o r igi n al v e rsi o n w a s writ

,

te n in G ree k by a Ch risti a n o f the t h i r d o r f o urt h c e n tury 2

,

t he m o st i nt e r e sti n g e pis o d e is t he m a gic sl e ep i n t o w h ic h ,

like Rip V a n Wi n kle A bi m e l e ch fa lls duri n g the de s t r uc

,

ti o n o f J e r us a l e m by the Cha ld ea n s I n the l e ge n d o f J e re .

m i ah th e pr o ph e t s s o ul is abs en t f r o m h is b o dy o n o n e o c
’

c a si o n f o r t h r e e d ays wh ile o n a no th e r o cc a si o n he dr e ss e s
,

up a sto ne t o i mp e rs o n at e h i ms e l f b e f o r e the p o pul ac e w ho

a r e tryi n g t o st o n e him t o d ea th in o rd e r t ha t h e m a y g a i n ,

ti m e to m ak e c e rt a i n r e v e l ati o n s to Abi m e l e ch a n d B a r uch .

Whe n he ha s had h is s ay the st o n e a sks the p eo pl e w hy t h ey

,

p e rsist in st o n i n g it i n st ea d o f J e rem i ah agai n st w ho m the y ,

t he n turn the ir m issil e s 3

.

S uc h is n o e x ha ustiv e listi n g but r a t h e r a f e w ex ampl e s

o f the e n c o ur a g em e n t giv e n t o b e li e f in m a gic by t he Ch ris

ti an Ap o cryp ha .

1
Th eEth i p i o v i
c m d
er s o n ,d B T l ti af E ly
e an ox, r a ns a o ns o ar
f m th G
ro e k b t w t h fi f th D m t S i I l 7
ree e e en e o cu en s , er es , vo . .

an d sev th t i i t l t d
en c e n ur e s , s Th f g m t
r an s a e f th B k f
a
e ra en s o e oo o
by B t
as s e l iii ; d
vo B
. h by J u t i pan vd i ar u c s n, r ese r e n
w a s p r in t e d b e f o r e him b y D il l t h e P hil os o p hu m en a o f Hip p o l y
m an n , As c ens i o I s a ia e a e thio pi ce t u s , a r e f r o m an e n t ir e l y d iff e r e n t
e t l a tin e , L e ip z ig , 18 7 7 , an d by G n o s t ic w o r
a
k .

La u r e n c e , A s c e n s io I s a ia e va tis , R .B a s s e t, L es a p o c r yp h es
o pus c u lu m ps eu d epig r aph u s Ox , Ethiopie n s P a r is , 1 89 3 - 189 4 , vo l
, .

f o r d, 18 19 . S ee al s o R H . . i, L e L ivr e d e B ar u c h e t la
Ch a r l e s , As ce n s io n o f I s aia h, l ég e n de d e Je r e m ie
’ ’

19 00 ; r e p r int e d 1 9 1 7 in O es t e r l ey
 CHAP T E R X VII
T H E R E CO G N I TI O N S O F C L E M E N T A N D S I M O N M AGU S

Th e P s e u do Cl e m e n tin es — Wa s Rufi n u s th e s o l e me die al e r s io n ?

-
v v
v
P r e io u s G r e e e r s io n s kv
D a te o f th e o r ig in al e r s io n— I n t e r n al e vi
—
v
de n c e—
R e s e mbl an c e s t o A p u l e iu s an d P h il o s t r at us— S c ie n ce an d te

l igio n — In te r e s t in n atu r a l s c ie n ce— G o d a n d n a tu r e— S in a nd n atu r e

A ttitude t o a s tr o l o g y— A r g u m e n t s aga in s t g e ne thl ia l o gy— T he v i tu

r o us

S er e s— Th e o r y of de m o n s — O r ig in of m ag ic— F r e que n t acc u s a tio n s of

v
m ag ic— Mar e l s o f m agic— Ho w dis tin guis h m ir ac l e f r o m m agic ?
D ece it in m ag ic Mur de r o f a bo y Ma g ic is e il Magic is a n ar t
— —
v —

O th e r a cco u n ts o f S imo n Mag u s : J u s tin Mar tyr t o Hip p o l ytus P e te r s

’
—

a c c o un t in t h e D idas ca lia e t C on s titu tio nes A p os t o l o r u m — A r n o biu s , _

Cyr il an d Phil a s t r iu s— A p o c ryp h a l A c ts of P e te r a n d P au l— An ao

,

c o u n t a s c r ib e d t o M ar c e l l u s— He g es ip p u s— A s e r m o n o n S imo n s f al l
’

S imo n Magu s in m e die al ar t v .

The Tr u th her s elf s ha ll r e c e ive thee a w an der er and a

”
s trang er , a n d e nr o ll thee a citiz en o f her o w n c ity .

— R ecognitio ns I , 13 .

T HE t ti n g p oin t a nd c hi e f s o urce f o r this cha pt er will

s ar -

be the writi n gs k n o wn as the P s eudo C l e me n tines a n d m o r e -

p ar ticul a rly the La ti n ve rsi o n c o mm o n ly c a lle d The R eco g

niti o ns We s ha ll t he n n o t e o t he r a cc o u n ts o f its vill a i n
.

h e r o S i m o n Ma gus in patristic lit e r atur e

,
1
T he P s e u d o
, .

1
T e x t o f The R e c o gn i tio ns in S in c e A Hilg en f e l d D ie k le m en t
.
, .

Mign e , P G , I ; o f Th e Ho milies in R e k ogn u Ho mil ie n, 18 48 , t h e

'

P G , I I , o r P de La g a r d e , C l e m
. P s e udo Cl e m e n tin e s
-
ha e p ro v
e n tin a 1 865 E C R ic h a r ds o n
. . . v ide d a m u c h f r e qu e n t e d fi e l d o f
v
,

h a d a n e dit io n o f Th e R e c og r e s earc h and c o n tr o e r s y, of

n i tio n s in p r ep a r at io n in 18 9 3 , w hic h t h e a r tic l e s in C E, E B , a n d
w h e n a l is t o f s o m e s e e n ty M S S v R e a le n cy k l opadie
'

XXI I I ,
c o mm un ic a t e d by h im w a s p u b 3 1 2 -
v
6 , p r o id e f a ir l y r e c e n t s um
l is h e d in A Har n a c s G es c h d
. k ’
. . v
m a r ie s f r o m ar yin g e cc l e s ias tic a l
a l tc h r . L it , I , 2 2 9 3 0, but it h a s
.
-
s t a n dp o int s Fo r b iblio g r ap h y s e e
.

n o t y e t ap p e ar e d I n qu o t ing Th e p p 4 5 in t h e r e ce n t m o n o g r a p h
-
. .

R ec og n itio n s I o f t e n a a il m y s e l f v of W He in tz e , D er K l e m e ns r o
.

o f t h e l ang u a g e o f t h e En g l is h ma n u nd s ein e gr ie c his c h e n Q u e l

‘

t r a n s l a tio n in th e A nt e -N ice n e l e n 19 14 , in TU , XL , 2
,
I n th e .

Fa th e r s . s am e s e rie s , T U , XXV , 4, H
4 02 M A G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

C l em en t s e v er al ti me s as an aut ho rity o n n atur al sci en c e .

1

A r eva l us h o we ve r t h o ught t hat I sid o r e us e d s o m e o t he r

, ,

ve rsi o n o f the P s e ud o Cle m en ti n e s t han t hat o f Rufi n us an d

2 —
,

in the m e di e v a l p e ri o d a n o t h e r titl e w a s c o mm o n n am e ly , ,

Th e I tin er a r y o f Cl e m e n t ,
or Th e I tin er ar y o f P e ter .
3

W illi am o f A uve r gn e f o r i n stan c e in the first ha l f o f the , ,

“
t hirt e e n th c e nt u ry cit e s the I tin er ar imn Cl em en tis o r B o o k
o f t he disput ati o n s o f P e t e r a ga i n st S i m o n Ma gus
” 4
T h is .

I tin er ar y o f Cl e m e n t al so h ea ds the list o f w o rks c o n d em ne d

a s a p o cryp h a l by P o p e G e l a sius at a sy n o d at R o m e in

a list r e p r o d u c e d by Vi n c en t o f B e a uv a is in h is S pe c ulu m

n a tu r a l e in t h e t h irt e e n t h c e n tury a n d in t he pr e vi o us ce n
6

tury ra the r m o r e a ccur at e ly by Hugh o f S t Vict o r in .

h is D idas ca lic o n 7
I n a ll t h r ee c a s e s th e f ull titl e is giv e n
.

“
in pra ctic a lly the s am e w o rds The I ti n e r a ry by th e n ame ,

o f the A p o stl e P e t e r w h ic h is c a ll e d S a i n t C l e m e n t s
’
an ,

” 2
a p o cryp ha l w o rk in e igh t b o o ks He r e w e en c o u nt e r a .

di fficulty si nc e a s w e have s a id The R ec ognitio ns a re in

,

t e n b o o ks We fi n d h o w e v e r t h at in a n o t h e r p a ss a ge
9
.
, V in ,

c en t c o rr e ctly cite s the n i n th bo o k o f The R ec ognitions as

C l em e nt s n i nt h b o o k an d t hat the nu mb e r o f bo o k s i n t o
’
,

wh ich The R e c ogn itio n s is divide d v a ri e s in the m an u

scripts an d th a t the y to o m o r e o f t e n c a ll it The I tiner ary of
, , ,

Cl e m e n t o r e v e n a pply o t he r d e sign ati o n s R aba n us Ma u rus .

in th e n i n th c e n tury q u o t e s an utt e r an c e o f th e ap o stl e

P e t e r f r o m The H is to ry of S ain t Cl e m en t but t h e p a ss a ge ,

is f o u n d in The R ecognitio ns 10
Vi n ce n t o f B eauva is a ls o .

t f B u v i S p u lum
°
1
I id D
s o re, t m e Vi
na u r a r er u ,
n ce n o ea a s, ec
ca p x x i x x v i x xx ix x l i ( P L
s . x ,
x ,
t l 48 5 I I 4 -
, n a ur a e , 1 , , .

7
83 , 100 3 P L, 1 7 6, 7 7 8 , E r udit D ida s c
8 -
. .
,
3
P L , 8 3 , 1 003 , n o t e , S un t h a e c IV , 15 .

“
l ib V I I I R e co g n it io n um s e d ap
. I t in e r a r ium n o m in e P et ri
p a r e t I s ido r um a l ia in t e r p r e ta t io n e a p o s to l i qu o d ap p e ll at u r s an c ti
u s u m a c d ub it a r e p o s s e a n e a qua e C l e m en tis l ibr i o ct o ap o c r yp h um
”
c ir c u m f e r t u r Ru fi n i s it .
( o“r ,
i’
S e e CU , T r in ity 1 04 1 , 14 th S p e cu l u m n a tu r a l e , XXXII ,
“
ce n t u r y, fols 7 1 05 ,
-
I nc p r o
. . 12 9 , c o n ce r n in g t he m o rality of
l o g u s in l ibr um qu e m m o de r n i th e S e r e s .

” 4°
it in e r a r ium b e at i P e t r i vo ca nt . Co m p a r e R e c o g nitio n s , I , 2 7
‘
Va l o is p 2 04 . . ( P G , I , 12 2 ) w ith R aban u s Co m ,

me n t in G enes im, I , 2 ( P L , 107,

“
PL, 5 9 , 16 2 , N o t itia l ib r o r um
ls
.

ap o cryp h o r um qu i n o n r e cip iun

”
t ur .
xv11 THE RE C O G N I TI O N S AN D S I M O N MA G US 4 03

quo tes th e bl e ss e d a po stl e P e te r in

c e rt ai n l e tt e r a tt ac he d a
”
to The I tin er ar y of Cl em e n t N o l e tt e r by P e t e r is p r e .

f ac e d t o t he pri n t e d t ex t o f The R e c ogn i tio ns no r d o e s R u ,

fi n u s m e n ti o n suc h a l e tt e r a lt ho ugh h e d o e s sp e ak in his ,

pr e fa c e o f a l e tt e r by Cl em en t w hic h h e h as a lrea dy tr ans

l at e d e ls e w he r e P r efi x e d t o the pri n t e d H o milies ho w
.
,

e v e r an d in the m an uscripts f o u n d a ls o wit h Th e R e c og

,

nitio ns a r e l e tt e rs o f P e t e r a n d C l e m e n t r e sp e ctiv e ly t o
,

J am e s But the p a ss a ge qu o te d by Vi n c ent d o e s n o t o ccur

.

in e it h e r but c o m e s f ro m t h e t e n t h b o o k o f The R e c ogni

,

tio n s
1
I t w o uld s e e m t h e r e f o r e d e spit e va ri ati o n s in th e
.
, ,

n u mb e r o f b o o ks a n d in th e a rr an g e m e n t o f m a t e ri a l t h a t ,

th e L ati n v e rsi o n by R ufi n u s w as the o n ly o n e curr en t in t he

m iddl e a ges but w e c a n n o t be sur e o f t h is u n til all the ex
,

t an t m an uscript s ha ve b ee n m o r e c ar e f ully exam i n e d 2

.

T he v e rsi o n by R ufi n us di ff e r e d f r o m pr e vi o us o n e s n o t
o n ly in b e i n g in L ati n but als o in v a ri o us o m issi o n s w h ic h

he a dm its he m a d e an d p e r h aps o t he r c h an ge s t o suit it to

h is L ati n audi e n c e T hat t h e r e w a s a lr e a dy m o r e t h an o ne
.

v e rsi o n in G r e ek he s h o ws in his pre f a c e by d e scribi n g a n

o t he r t ext t ha n t h at up o n w h ic h h is tr a n sl a ti o n o r a d a pt a ti o n

w a s bas e d N e it h e r o f t h e s e t w o G r e e k t e x ts a pp e a rs t o
.

h a v e b ee n t he s a m e a s th e pr e s e n t H o milies 3
Y e t The .

H o milies w e re ap p a r e ntly in ex i st en c e at t hat ti m e si nc e ,

a S yri a c m an uscript o f 4 1 1 A D c o n t a i n s f o ur b o o ks o f . .

The H o milies a n d t h r ee o f The R ec o gn itio n s t hus in its e l f

4
,

x mi d m t f th k w M S S
1
Sp l m t
e cu u l I 7 P t n a ur a e , , . e er e a ne os o e no n
is pre t d yi g
r e s en e Wh asf Th sa R ng iti
, d h
en o e e co n o ns an as
an y oneh d iv d f m d iv i
as er f d t h m ll t b t h v
e ro ne i o un e a o e e e rs o n
S c r ip t u r e a s o u n d an d fi r m r ul e o f by R u fi n u s , e x ce p t f o r a f e w a ddi
t r ut h , it w ill n o t b e a b s u r d if t o t io n a l c h ap te r s w hic h s o m e o n e h a s
t h e a s s e r tio n o f t r u e d o g m a h e a dde d in t h e F r e n c h g r o up o f
j o in s s o m e t hin g f r o m t h e e du c a MS S , c h ap t e r s w h ic h R u fi n u s
t io n an d l ib e r a l s t udie s w hic h h e v
s e e m s t o h a e o mitt e d b ec a u s e t h e y
v
m a y h a e p u r s u e d f r o m b o yh o o d . we r e d iffi c u l t t o t r an s l ate .

Y e t s o t h at in a l l p o in t s h e t e a c h e s
a
He in t z e 2 3 , h o we e r , v
w h at is t r u e an d s h u n s w h a t is a r g u e s t h at t h e co n c l u s io n o f Th e
”
f a l s e an d p r e t e n s e T h is c o r r e . R e c og n itio n s is d e p en d e n t up o n
s p o n ds t o th e c l o s e o f t h e 4 2 n d Th e Ho m ilie s .

c ha p t e r o f t h e t e n t h bo o o f Th e k 4
P r o f e s so r E C Ric h a r dso n,
. .

R e c og ni tions . a fte r k
in dl y r e a din g this c h a p te r
S inc e w r iting t h is I l ea r n t h at in m an u s c r ip t, w r it e s m e ( S e p t 5 , .

P r o f e s s o r E C Ric h a r ds o n h a s
. . 1 9 2 1 ) t h a t h e do ubt s if this S yr ia c
 4 04 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

f ur n is h i n g illustr ati o n o f the e as e wit h w h ich new ve r

an

si on s m ight be c o m p o u n d e d f ro m o ld B o th The H omilies .

a n d The R e c ogn i tio n s a s t h e y h a v e r e a c he d u s w o uld s ee m

t o be c o n f usi o n s an d p e r v e rsi o n s o f t h is s o rt a s t he ir i n ci ,

d en ts are o bvi o usly n o t a rr an ge d in c o rrect o rde r Fo r in .

st an ce w hen the st o ry o f The R e c ognitions be gi n s Ch rist

,

is still a live an d r e p o rts o f His m ir acl e s ar e r each i n g R o m e ;

t h e s am e y ea r B a r n a ba s p ays a visit t o R o me an d C l em e nt
a l m o st i mm e di at e ly f o ll o ws him b a ck to S yri a m ak i n g the ,

p ass a ge f r o m Ro m e to Cae s a r ea in fi ft een d ays ; but o n 1

his a rriva l t h e r e he m e e ts P e t e r w ho t e lls him t hat a w e e k

”
o f y ea rs have e l a ps e d si nc e t he crucifi x i o n an d o f o the r in
t e rv e n ing e v e n ts i n v o lvi n g a c o n sid e ra bl e l a ps e o f ti me Or .

a ga i n in t h e t h i rd bo o k o f T he R e c og n i tio ns S i m o n is s aid
,

t o hav e su n k his m a gic a l p a ra ph e r n a li a in the s ea an d go n e

t o R o m e but as l a t e as th e t e n t h a n d l a st b o o k w e fi n d him
,

still in A nti o c h a n d with e n o ugh p ar ap he r nal i a l e ft to trans

f o r m th e c o u n t e n an c e o f F a ustus .

Y e t t his l a t e an d m is a rr an g e d v e rsi o n o n wh ic h R ufi nus

b a s e s his t ex t m ust hav e b e e n a lr ea dy in ex iste n c e f o r s o me
ti m e si n c e he c o n f e ss e s t hat he has b een a l o n g w h ile a bo ut
,

“
his t ra n s l at io n T he virgi n S ylvi a w ho
-
o n c e e n j o i n e d it
” ”
up o n him to r e n d e r Cl e m e n t i n t o o u r l an gu age i s n o w
”
sp o k e n o f as o f v e n e ra bl e m emo ry an d it is t o Bis ho p ,

”
G a u de n t iu s t hat R ufi n u s a f t e r m a n y d e l a ys in h is o ld a ge
“
a t l e n gt h
”
pr e s e n ts the w o rk We m ight t hus i n fe r tha t .

t h e o rigi n a l a n d pr e su m a bly m o r e s e l f c o n sist e n t P s e ud o -

C l e m e n ti n e n a rr ativ e w hic h R ufi n us e vid en tly d o e s n o t u s e

, ,

m ust d at e ba ck to a m uc h ea rli e r p e ri o d We h e a r f r o m .

o t he r s o urc e s o f The Cir c ui ts o r P e r io do i of P e te r by C l e m

e nt but t h is m ay ha v e b e e n t he v e rsi o n tr a n sl a t e d by R u
,

MS i tly d
s co r r e c ib d th f m i G
e sc r k d th
e as re e
e or s n ree , an ere are c r

b k oo f Th
s R o g iti e d t i ly ec oth n i t l o ns m p il ti
an a n o er o r en a co a ons

f o ur b k f Th H m ili
oo s o d t y t b
e ugh t i t
o es ,mp i an no e ro n o co a r so n

t h t h t hi k it m y
a e n
p s t w ith t h G
a re k Lat i a d S y i
r esen an e r ee , n, n r ac

e ar li f m i th
er v l ti th
or n f m
e e o u on an or s .

e ith f th m H w it
er o e f th . I e Th rH mili s it i
es ur t ip
er ,
1
n e o e s a r
I h v ly f m Al x d i t C
“
a t e g a ti th t
s ron no on a a on ro e an r a o a es a r ea

s tudy f G k M S S f th Ep i t h t co ume thi numb e f

o r ee o e a ns s s r o

t m
o w ill ev l til l m e v i t
es r ea d y
s or a r an a s .
 MA GI C A ND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

writ e r s ho uld be v e ry c a re f ul to avo id an ach ro n ism s in ,

w ho s e a cc o un t a s it n o w st ands a r e such gl a ri n g chr o no lo gi »

c al c o n f usi o n s a s t h o s e a lr ea dy n o t e d c o n c e rn i n g Cl eme n t s
’

v o yage to Cae s ar ea an d S i m o n s d ep a rtur e f o r R o m e But

’
.
,

as in t he c a s e o f t he N e w T e st am e n t A p o cryp h a the ex a c t ,

d at e o f c o m p o siti o n m ak e s littl e di ffe r enc e f o r o u r purpo s e ,

f o r w h ich it is e n o ugh tha t the P s e u do Cl e me n tines pl ay e d -

a n i m p o rt a n t p a rt in t h e first t h irt e e n c e n turi e s o f Ch risti a n

t ho ught vi e w e d as a w ho l e E us e bius an d Ep ip han iu s m ay

.

fi nd t he m u n p a l a t abl e in c e rt a i n r e sp e cts an d r e j e ct t hem a s

he r etic al but B a sil a n d G r e go ry utiliz e t he ir a rgu m e n ts
,

a g a i n st a str o l o gy G el a sius m ay cl a ssi f y t hem a s a p o c r y

.

ph al but Vi nc e n t o f B e a uv a is j usti fi e s a discri m i n ati n g u se

,

o f the ap o c r yph al b oo ks in ge n e r a l a n d cit e s t h is o ne in

p a rticul a r m o r e t h an o n c e a s a n a ut h o rity a n d t h e i,
n cid e nt s

o f its st o ry w e r e e m b o di e d as w e s h all s e e in m e di e v a l a rt
, , .

T he s am e re s e m bl an c e to the w o rks o f A pul e ius an d

P hil o s t ra tus t ha t w e n o t e d in the c a s e o f a n a p o c r yp hal go s

p e l is o bs e rv a bl e in th e P s e u d o C l e m en
-
tin es W e s e e in Th e
.

R e c ognitio ns t he s am e m i x e d i n t e r e st in n atur a l sci e n c e an d

in m a gic c o m bi n e d wit h r e ligi o n an d r o m an tic i n cid e n t t ha t
c ha r acte riz e d the v a ri e gat e d an d m o tl ey p age o f the a utho r
o f th e M e tam o r ph o s es an d th e bi o gr aph e r o f A p o ll o n ius o f

T y an a I t is pr o b a bly o n ly a c o i n cid e n c e t ha t t w o o f the

.

w o rks o f Apul e ius a re de dic at e d to a Fa u s ti nus wh o m he

'

“ ”
c alls my s o n w h il e Cl em ent s f athe r i s n ame d Fa ustus o r
,
’

Fa u s t in ian u s an d t h e l e ge n d o f F a ust is b eli e v e d t o o rig

,

in ate wit h h im an d t he e pis o d e s in w h ic h he is c o n c e rn e d 1

.

L e ss a ccid e n t al m a y be t he c on n ecti o n b e tw e e n P e t e r s r e
’

l igio us s ea b ath i n g a n d t h a t puri fi c ati o n in the s e a by w h ic h

-

the he r o o f t he M e tam or ph os es b e gan the pr o c e ss by w h ich

he succ e e d e d in r e ga i n i n g h is l o st hu m an f o r m Mo re co n .

s ide rab l e a r e t he d e t a il e d p a r a ll e ls t o th e w o rk o f P h il o s

t r a tu s .
2
P e t e r c o rre sp o n d s r o ughl y to A p o ll o n ius an d Cl em

‘
S ee E C R ic har dso n
. . in ’
N e ith e r P hil o s t r at us n o r Ap o l
Pape r s o f th e A m e r ica n S o c ie ty l o nius o f Tyana is m e n t io n e d ,

o f Ch u r c h His to r y V I ,
v
ho we e r . in th e inde x o f W .
xvn THE R E CO G N I TI ON S AN D S I M O N MA G US 4 07

en t to Dam is
wh il e the wiz a rds and magi are ably p e rs o n i
,

fi e d by the f am o u s S i m o n M a gus I f A po ll o n ius abst a i n e d .

f r o m al l m e at a n d wi n e an d w o r e li n e n ga r m e n ts P e t e r liv e s ,

up o n bread a l o n e wit h o live s a nd s e ldo m e v en with po t

“
, ,

” “
he rbs ; an d my dr e ss h e s ays is w ha t yo u s ee a tu n ic
, , ,

” 1
w it h a p alliu m : an d h avi n g t h e s e I r e quire n o t h i n g m o r e ,
.

L ik e P h il o s t r a tu s the P s e ud o Cl e m en t sp e aks o f b o n e s o f
-

e n o r m o us siz e w h ic h a r e still t o be s e e n a s pr o o f o f t h e e x

is t e n c e o f gi a n ts in f o r m e r a ge s ; a n d th e a cc o u n ts o f th e
2

Brahm an s an d a llusi o n s to th e S cyth i an s in the L ife of

Apo ll o n ius o f Tyan a a r e p ar a ll e l e d in Th e R ec o gn itio ns by
a s e ri e s o f b r i e f c hap t e rs o n t h e s e an d o t h e r str an g e r a c e s
- 3
.

P et e r is o f c o urs e a Je w n o t a He ll e n e lik e A p o ll o n ius but

, , , ,

in his tra i n a r e m e n w h o a r e t h o r o ughly tr a i n e d in G r e e k

phil o s o phy a n d c ap abl e o f disc ussi n g its pr o bl e m s at l en gth .

T he y als o a r e n o t wit ho ut a pp r e ci a ti o n o f p a gan a r t a n d

turn a sid e with P e t e r s c o n s e n t to visit a t em pl e up o n an
,
’
,

“ ” “
isl an d an d to ga z e e a r n e stly up o n the w o n d e r f ul co l
” ” 4
u m n s an d v e ry m a gn ific e n t w o rks o f P h idi a s J ust a s .

A p o ll o n ius k n e w al l l a n gu a ge s with o ut h avi n g e v e r studi e d

t hem s o Pe t e r is s o fill e d wit h the S pirit o f G o d tha t he is
,

“ ”
f ull o f a ll k n o w l e dge an d n o t ign o r an t e v e n o f G r eek
l ear n i n g but to de sc en d f r o m h is usu a l divi ne th em e s t o
discuss it i s c o n sid e r e d to be r a the r be n e ath h im Cl em ent .
,

ho w e v e r f e lt the n e e d o f c o a c h i n g P e t e r up a littl e in G re ek
,

m yt ho l o gy T h is m i n gl e d a ttitud e o f c o n t e m pt f o r
5 “
. the
”
b abbli n gs o f the G reeks w he n c o m p ar e d t o di v i n e r ev el a
ti o n an d o f re sp e ct f o r G r ee k phil o s o p hy w hen c o m p a re d
,

wit h a n yt hi n g e ls e is it is ha rdly n e c e ss a ry t o s ay a v e ry
, ,

c o m m o n o n e with Christia n writ e rs t h ro ugho ut the R o m an

E m pire .

T h e s am e attitud e pr e v a ils t o w a rd n atur al sci e nc e At .

the v e ry b e gi nn i n g o f th e Cl e m e n ti n e s t he curi o sity o f t he

He intze D e r K l e m e nsr o ma n un d in th e c o r r e s p o ndin g ch ap te r

’
s of
s e in e g r ie chis c h en Q u e l l e n Th e H o milies V I I I , 1 5
. .

a
1 44 pp . R e c og s I X 19 — 2 9
, .

‘ ‘
R e c og s , V I I , 6 . . R e c og s V I I 12
.
, , .

‘
R e c og s , I , 2 9 ; . not m e ntio n e d R e c o g s X, 1 5 , e t s e q
.
, .
 MA GI C A ND E XP E R I M EN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

an ci en t w o rld in re ga rd to t h i n gs o f n a tur e is s ho wn by the

q u e sti o n w h ic h s o m e o n e pro p o u n d e d to B a rn ab a s whe n he
be gan t o pr e a ch at R o m e a cc o rdi ng to The R e cognitions at
, ,

A l ex an dri a a cc o rdi n g to The H o milies o f th e S o n o f G o d , .

T he he ckl e r w a n t e d t o k n o w w h y s o sm all a cr e a tur e as a

fly has n o t o n ly s ix f ee t but w i n gs in a dditi o n wh ile the ,

e l e p h an t d e spit e its en o rm o us bulk h a s o n ly f o ur f e e t an d

, ,

n o wi n gs a t al l B a r n a ba s did n o t an sw e r th e qu e sti o n al
.
,

t ho ugh he a s s e rt e d t ha t h e c o uld i f he wis he d to m aki n g the ,

e x cus e t h a t it w as n o t fi tti n g t o sp ea k o f m e r e cr e a tur e s to

t ho s e who w e re still igno r an t o f the ir Cr e at o r 1

.

T h is u n willi n gn e ss t o disc us s n atur al qu e sti o n s by no

m ea n s c o n ti n u e s c h a r a ct e ristic o f th e C l e m en ti n e s ho w ev e r , .

N o t o n ly d o e s P e te r e x pl a i n to Cl e m e n t th e cr e a ti o n o f the
w o rld an d p r o p o u n d the ex tr ao rdi n ary d o ctri n e that a ft e r
2

“
c o m pl e ti n g the pro c e ss o f cr e ati o n G o d s e t an an ge l as
c h i e f o v e r the an ge ls a s p irit o v e r the spirits a st a r o v e r
, ,

the st a rs a d e m o n o v e r th e d e m o n s a bird o v e r the birds

, , ,

a b e a st o v e r t he be a sts a s e r p e n t o v e r t h e s e rp e n ts
, a fi sh ,

” “
o v e r th e fi s h e s o v e r m e n a m an w h o is Ch rist J e sus
3
an d
,
.

N o t o n ly d o e s h e l at e r in public d e f en d b a ptis m with w a t e r

“ ”
o n th e gr o u n d t h a t a l l t h i n gs a r e pr o duc e d f r o m w a t e rs

a n d t h a t w a t e rs w e r e fi rst cr e a t e d
4
We a ls o fi n d N ic e t a
.

a cc e pti n g t h e G r ee k h yp o t he sis o f f o ur e l e m e n ts o f t he ,

sphe ricity o f the u n iv e rs e an d o f the m o ti o n s o f the heav

,
”
e n ly b o di e s a ssign e d t o t he m by fix e d l a ws a n d p e ri o ds cit
“
,

in g P l at o s Timae us m e n ti o n i n g A rist o tl e s i n tr o ducti o n o f

’ ’

a fi ft h e l e m en t disputi n g the at o m ic t heo ry o f E picurus

5 6
, ,

a n d a lludi n g t o m e c ha n ic a l sci e n c e
” 7
He f urt he r dis
.

c uss e s the ge n e r a ti o n o f pl an ts a n i ma ls a n d hum an b e i n gs

, ,

a s e vid e n c e s o f divi n e d e sig n a n d pr o vid e n c e in w h ic h c o n

8
,

n ect io n h e c o ll e cts a n u m b e r o f e x am pl e s o f m a rv e l o us gen

”
R e c o g s , I , 8 ; Ho mi lie s , I , 10 I , 2 7 and 45
‘
. . R e c og s .
,
.

‘
’
E x t r a o r d in a r y , o f c o ur s e , o n l y R e c og s .
,
VI 8 , .

l’
in th at s in g l e an im a l s in s te a d o f R e c o gs .
, V I II , 9 , 2 0-2 2 .

“
a ng e l s , a s in t h e En o c h l it e r at u r e , R e cog s .
, V I I I , 1 5 17
-
.

v
a r e s e t o e r b ir ds , b e a s t s , s e r p e n t s ,
8
R e c o gs .
, V III , 2 1 .

e tc . R e c og s .
,
V I I I , 2 5 -3 2 .
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

l ie ve s that the si n s o f m en ar e the ca us e o f p e stile n ce s ;

“
t hat w he n c ha stis e m en t is i n flict e d up o n m e n a cc o rdi n g to
” “
t h e will o f G o d he ( i e the S un a lre a dy c all e d th a t go o d
,
. . ,

”
s e r v an t an d w ho m the ea rly Ch ri sti an s f o u n d it di ffi cult to
“
c ea s e to p e rs o n i f y ) gl o ws m o r e fi e rc e ly an d bur n s up the
” “
w o rld wit h m o r e vehe m e n t fir e s ; an d t hat tho s e w ho
2

ha v e b e c o m e a cqu a i n t e d with p r o p h e tic disc o urs e k n o w w h e n

a n d f o r w ha t r ea s o n blight h a il p e stil en c e an d such lik e
, , ,

ha v e o ccurr e d in e v e ry ge ne ra ti o n a n d f o r w ha t si n s t he s e ,

” 3
h a v e b ee n s e nt a s a pu n is hm e n t P e t e r give s the i m pr e s
.

si o n that n atur e s o m e ti m e s acts r a the r i n d ep en d en tly o f G o d

in th us pu n ish i n g the wick e d He s ays : But th is a ls o I
“
.

w o uld hav e yo u k n o w th at up o n such s o uls G o d do e s n o t

,

t ak e v en gean c e dir e ctly but His wh o l e cre ati o n ris e s up an d

,

i n flicts pun ishm en ts up o n th e i m pi o us An d a lth o ugh in th e .

pre s en t w o rld th e g o o dn e ss o f G o d b e st o ws the ligh t o f the

w o rld a n d the s e rvic e s o f th e earth alik e up o n the pi o us an d
the i m pi o us ye t n o t wit h o ut gri e f d o e s th e S un a ff o rd h is
,

ligh t an d th e o the r el em e nts p e r f o rm the ir s e r v ic e s to the

i m pi o us An d in sh o rt s o m e ti m e s e v en in o pp o siti o n to
.
, ,

th e g o o d n e ss o f th e C r e a t o r th e e l em en ts a r e w o r n o ut by
,

the cri m e s o f th e wick e d ; an d h e n c e it is th a t e it h e r th e f ruit

o f th e e a rth i s bligh t e d o r th e c o m p o siti o n o f th e a ir is
,

viti ate d o r th e h e a t o f the s un i s i n cr e a s e d b e yo n d m ea sur e

, ,

” 4
o r t h e r e is an e x c e ss o f r a i n o r c o ld T his is a cl o s e .

a ppr o a c h to th e n o ti o n o f Th e B o o k of E n o ch t h a t h u m an

s in ups e ts th e w o rld o f n a tur e an d an e v e n cl o s e r a ppr o a c h ,

t o th e t h e o r y o f th e Br ahm an s in Th e L if e o f Apo ll o nius of

Tyan a tha t pr o l o n ge d dr o ugh t is a pu n is hm e n t visite d by the
w o r ld s o ul up o n h u m a n si n f ul n e ss
-
.

S uc h v e stige s o f the w o rld s o ul d o ctri ne suc h a t en d -

,

e n cy t o a s crib e e m o ti o n an d will t o the el e m e n t s a n d pl a n e ts ,

t o p e rs o n i f y t h em a n d to t hi n k o f G o d a s ruli n g th e w o r ld
,

i n dire ctly t hr o ugh t he m pr e p a r e u s t o fi n d a n attitud e r a t he r

,

fav o rabl e to a str o l o gic al t heo ry In d e e d in the fi rst b oo k .

,

‘ ‘
R e c og s .
,
V I II , 45
. R e c og s .
, V III 4 7 , .

2 ‘
R e c og s ., V I II , 46 . R e co g s .
, V 27, .
xv1 1 THE R E CO GN I TI O N S AN D S I M O N MA G US ,
411

of The R ecognitio ns w o rds t hat

1
we are t o ld in so m an y
t he C re at o r a d o rn e d the visibl e he av e n wit h st ars s un an d , ,

“
m o o n in o rd e r t hat t he y m igh t be f o r an i n dic a ti o n o f
t hi n gs p ast pre s e n t a n d f uture an d that t he s e ce l e sti al
, , ,

“
sign s w hil e s ee n by all a r e un d e rst o o d o nly by the l ea rn ed
, ,

”
an d i n t e llige n t A str o l o gy i s r e sp e ct f ully d e scrib ed a s
.

“ ” 2
the sci e n c e o f m at he sis an d a s w a s c o m m o n in t he , ,

R o m an E m pir e a str o l o ge rs ar e c a ll e d m a the ma tici

,
3
A de .

f e nd e r ev e n o f th e m o st e x tr e me pr e t en si o n s o f t he a r t is
n o t a bu s e d a s a c ha rl a t an but is c o urt e o usly gr ee t e d as so
” 4
lea r n e d a m an a n d a l l a d m ir e h is e l o qu e n c e gr a v e m a n
, ,

n e r s a n d c a l m sp e e c h a n d a cc o rd him a r e sp e ct f ul hea ri n g
5
.
, ,

Astr o l o gy f ar f r o m b e i n g r e ga rd e d a s ne c e ss a rily c o ntr a ry

,

to r e ligi o n is th o ugh t t o f ur n ish a rgum e n ts f o r the ex ist

,

“
e n c e o f G o d a n d it is s a id t ha t A br a h am
,
b e i n g a n a s t r o lo ,

ge r w as abl e fr o m th e r ati o n a l syst em o f the sta rs t o r e c o g

,

n iz e t he C r ea t o r w h il e al l o t he r me n w e r e in e rr o r a n d
, ,

u n d e rst o o d t hat all t h i n gs a r e r e gul at e d by His P r o vi

The n u m b e r s e v e n is s o me w ha t e mpha siz e d an d 7

t he tw e lv e a p o stl e s a r e c a lle d the tw e lv e m o n ths o f Ch ris t

w h o is th e a cc e pt abl e y e a r o f the L o rd 8
S o mew h at si m i .

l ar l y th e G n o stic f o ll o w e rs o f the he r e tic Va l en ti n us m ade

m uch o f th e D uo dec a d a gr o up o f tw e lve a eo n s an d be , ,

“
liev e d a cc o rdi n g to I re n ae us
, tha t Christ su ff e r e d in the ,

twe l f t h m o n t h Fo r t he ir o pi n i o n is t hat He c on ti nu e d to
.

p r e ach f o r o n e yea r o n ly a f t e r His b aptis m ” 9

Pe t e r to o .
,

h a s a gr o up o f tw e l v e discipl e s 10
N ic e t a sp e aks o f m an .

” 11
w ho is a m icr o c o s m in the gr ea t w o rld I t is a d m itt e d .

t hat the st a rs ex e r t e vil as w e ll a s go o d in fluen ce an d t hat 12

,

“
the a stro l o ge r ca n i n dic a t e t he e vil d e sir e w h ic h m a li n
g
1 “
R e c og s .
,
I, 28 . R ec og s , I , 3 2
. .

’
f rat e r m e u s
'
R e c og s VI II 5 7 R e c og s , I , 2 1 , 43 , 7 2
'

'

, , , . .

Cl e m e n s t i bi d ilig e n tiu s r e s p o n de 8
R e c og s I V , 3 5
.
, .

bit qui p l e n iu s s c ie n t ia m m at h e s is I r e n ae us , I , 3 .

“
a tt ig it ; I X, 1 8, quo n ia m quide m
1°
R e c o g s I II , 68
.
, .

” 11
s c ie n t ia m ih i m a th e s is n o ta e s t R e c 0g s V II I , 2 8 , qui est
~
. .
,
°

4
R e co g s , X , 1 1 - 1 2
. . v
p a r u s in a l io m u n du s
”
.

R e c ogs , I X 1 8
n
.
, . R e c og s , V I I I , 4 5
. .

l'
R e c og s V I II 2 .
, , .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

” 1
virtu e pr o duc e s But it is c o n t en de d t hat p o ss e ssi n g
.
,

f r e e d o m o f the will w e s o m e ti m e s r e sist o ur d e sir e s an d

,

”
s o m e ti m e s yi e ld t o t hem a n d that n o a str o l o ge r c an p r e ,

dict b e f o r ehan d wh ich c o urs e w e will t ake .

I n fi n e a str o l o gy is criticiz e d a dv e rs el y o n ly w he n it
,

“
go es to the l en gth o f c o n t en di n g t ha t t he r e is n e ithe r an y
G o d n o r an y w o rs h ip n e it he r is t he r e a n y P r o vid e n c e in t he
, ,

w o rld but all th i n gs a r e d o ne by f o rtuit o u s chanc e an d

,

” “
g e n esi s ; t ha t w h a t e v e r y o ur g e n es is c o n t a i n s t hat s ha ll ,
” 2
b e fa ll yo u an d t hat th e c o n st e ll a ti o n s f o rc e m e n t o c o mm it

m urd e r a dult e ry a n d o t he r cri m e s

, ,
3
O n t his p o i n t N ic e t a .

a n d A quil a a n d fi na lly Cl em e n t h i m s e l f hav e l o ng di s c u s

, ,

si o n s with an a ge d a d ept in ge n et hli al o gy w h ich fi ll a l arge

p o rti o n o f the l a st t h re e bo o ks o f The R e cogniti ons an d ,

i n clud e a d o zen ch a pt e rs w h ich ar e littl e m o re t han an ex

tr a ct f r o m Th e L aws of Co un tr ies o f B ar de s anes D ivi n e .

P r o vid e n c e an d h u m an f r e e will a r e d e f e n d e d an d ,

gen e thli a l o gy is r e pre s e nt e d as an e rro r wh ich has r e c e iv ed

c o n fi rm ati o n t hr o ugh the o p e r ati o n s o f d em o n s 4
It is .

a ss e rt e d t h a t m e n ca n be k e pt f r o m c om m itti n g cri m e s by

f e a r o f pu n is hm e n t a n d by l aw ev e n if t he y a r e n atur al ly ,

so i ncli n e d an d r a c e s lik e t he S e r e s ( Ch i n e se ) an d
,

Br ahm an s a r e a dduc e d as e x am pl e s o f en ti r e rac e s o f m e n

w ho n e v e r c o m m it the cri m e s i n t o w hic h m en ar e suppo s e d
t o b e f o rc e d by the c o n st e ll a ti o n s T he a rgu m en t is als o .

S i n c e G o d is righ t eo us an d si n c e He Hi m s e l f
“
a dv an c e d ,

m a d e hu m a n n a tur e h o w c o uld it be t hat He s ho uld pl a c e ,

g e n e s i s in o pp o siti o n t o us w h ic h s h o uld c o m p e l u s to s in
, ,
” 5
a n d t h e n t ha t He s h o uld pu n is h us w h en w e do s in ? It is
f urth e r c h a rge d t h at th e c o n st e ll ati o n s ar e s o c o m plic at e d ,
1
R eco
g Xs . 2 ,
I H m ili
,
1 .H m ili n h w v P t o gu e
es , o es , o e er , e er ar s
XI V 5 th, , xi t e e f t l gi th t
s en c e o v if G i p v ilas ro o a , e en en e s s re a s,
ca l me d ic in e is im p lie d w h e n w h ic h h e d o e s n o t adm it, s til l h e
P e t e r p r o m is e s t o c u r e by p ra ye r c an w o r s h ip Him w ho is a l s o
t o G o d a n y bo d il y ill e e n if it is , v ”
Lo r d o f th e s tar s , a n d that t h e
ut t e r l y in c u r abl e a n d e n t ir e l y b e d o ct r in e o f g e n e s is is f a r m o r e
yo n d t h e r ang e o f t h e m e dic al de s t r u c ti e vto p o l ythe is m a nd
p r o f es s io n —
a c a s e , in d e e d , w hic h p a g a n w o r s hip .

v
n o t e e n t he a s t r o l o g e r s p r o f e s s t o
”
°

‘
R e c o g s , I X, 1 6 - 1 7
. .

cur e . R e c o g s , I X, 6 a n d 1 2
. .

” “
R e c og s .
, V II I ,
2 . In Th e R ec og s , I X, 3 0. .
4 14 MA GI C A ND E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

h ad b een ve x e d by an un cl ean spirit an d h ad b e en sh ut up

in a cl o s e t in c ha i n s b e c a us e o f he r vi o l e n c e an d sup er hu m an
st r e n gt h T he m e r e pr e s e n c e o f P e t e r put th is d em o n to
.

r o ut a n d the c ha i n s f e ll o ff the girl o f t he ir o w n a cc o rd 1

.

B e sid e s t he s e p e rs o n a l e n c o u nte rs with d em o n s the theo r y ,

o f d e m o n i a c al p o ss e ssi o n is di s cuss e d m o r e t ha n o nc e an d ,

a n yt h i n g o f w h ic h t he a ut ho r d o e s n o t a ppr o v e suc h a s t he ,

a rt o f h o r o sc o p e s h ea t h e n o r a cl e s the e x ce ss e s o f p a gan
, ,

rit e s an d f e stiv als an d th e an i m al go ds o f the E gypti an s

, ,

is attribut e d t o the i n flu en c e o f d em o n s 2
O n e b e c o m e s sus .

ce p t ibl e t o d e m o n i a c a l p o ss e s s i o n w ho ea ts m e a t s a crific e d

t o id o ls o r w h o m e r e ly ea ts an d dri n ks i m m o d e r at e ly
3
.

D em o n s a r e a pt t o ge t i n t o th e v e ry bo w e l s o f t ho s e w ho
f r e qu e n t dru n k e n b an qu e ts 4
I n c o n ti n e n c e t o o is a e c o m , ,

” “
an ie d by d e m o n s w h o se n o x i o us br e a t h pr o duc s an
p e

i n t em p e r at e an d vici o us pr o ge n y A n d t he r e f o r e p ar
.

e n ts a r e r e sp o n sibl e f o r t h e ir c h ildr e n s d e f e cts o f t h is s o rt

’
,
” 5
b e ca us e t he y ha v e n o t o bs e rve d the law o f i n t e rc o urs e .

A s m uc h c a re sh o uld be t ak e n in hu m an ge n er a ti o n a s in the
s o w i n g o f cr o ps But wh il e d em o n s ab o un d G o d h a s given
.
,

e v e ry Ch ri s ti a n p o w e r o v e r t he m si n c e t he y m ay b e driv en ,

o u t by u t t e r i n g th e t h r e e f o ld n a m e o f bl e ss e d n e ss
“ ” 6
Mo r e .

o ve r ,
w hat is sp o k en by the tru e G o d w he the r by pr o phets ,

o r v a ri e d visi o n s i s a lw ays t r u e ; but w hat is f o re t o ld by

,

” 7
d e m o n s is n o t a lw ays tru e .

W it h d em o n s is a ss o ci a t e d the o ri gi n o f the m agic a r t .

C e rt a i n a n ge ls t aught m e n tha t d em o n s c o uld be m a de

t o o be y m an by c e rt a i n a rt s t h a t is by ma gic al i nv o c a
, ,

T he fi rst m a gici a n s w e r e Ha m a n d h is s o n Me s
” 2
ti o n s .

r ai m f r o m w ho m the E gypti an s B abyl o n i a n s and A ssyri an s

, , ,

a r e d e sc e n d e d a n d w h o tri e d t o dr a w sp a rks f r o m t he st a rs
9
,

“
but s e t h i m s e l f o n fi r e an d was c o n su m e d by t he d emo n
‘ '
R e c og s , I X , 3 8
. . Re cog s .
,
IV, 21 .

R e c o g s I X, 6 a n d 1 2 ; I V ,
’ °
.
,
21 ; R e c 0g s 26
.
, IV , .

V , 2 0 an d 3 1 . Re m ind in g o n e o f B e n j amin
‘

‘
R e cog s , I I 7 1 I V , 16
.
, . k
Fr a n l in s m o r e s uc ce s s f ul a t
’

R e c og s , IV , 3 0
. . t e mp t t o s n a tc h th e t hunde r bo l t
”
‘
R e c o g s I X, 9
.
, . f ro m h ea v e n.
”

R e c og s , I V , 3 2 - 3 3
. .
xvn THE RE CO GN I TI O NS AND S I M O N MA G US 4 15

w h o m h e ha d cc o st e d with to o gr e at i mp o rtu n ity

a But .
” 1

o n t h is a cc o u n t he w a s c a ll e d Z o r o a st e r o r livi n g st a r
“ ”

a f t e r h is d e at h Mo r e o v e r the m a gic a r t did n o t p e ris h

.
,

“
but w a s tr an s m itt e d t o N i m r o d a s by a fl a s h ” 2
W it h t h is .

m a y be c o m p ar e d the slightly di ff e r e n t a c c o u n t o f th e o rigi n

o f m a gic giv e n by E p ip han iu s in t h e P a n a r io n writt e n ab o ut ,

37 3 5
4
-
7 A D M a gic
. is o ld e r t h
. a n h e r e sy a n d w a s a lr e a dy
in ex ist e n c e b e f o re t he ti m e o f Ham o r Mes ra im in the
a n t e diluvi a n d a ys o f J a r e d w hen it c o ex ist e d with pha r “
,

”
m acy , a t e r m h e r e us e d t o c o v e r s o rc e ry a n d p o is o n i n g ,

lic e nti o us n e s s a dult e ry an d i n j ustic e A f t e r t he fl o o d

, , .

Ep ip ha n iu s m e n ti o n s N i m r o d ( Nefip bt ) as t he fi rst tyr a n t c

a n d t he i nv e n t o r o f the e vil discipli n e s o f a str o l o gy an d

m a gic He st at e s t hat t he G re eks i n c o rr ectly c o n f us e him

.

wit h Z o r o a st e r w ho m the y re ga rd a s the fo un d e r o f m agic

”
an d a stro l o gy A cc o rdi n g t o E p ip h an iu s p har macy an d
“
.
,

m a gic p a ss e d f r o m E gy pt t o G r e e c e in the ti m e o f Ce cr o ps 3
.

In The R e c ogn i tio n s e v e ryo n e Ch ri sti a n h e r e tic p a gan , , , ,

a n d p h il o s o p he r c o n d e mn s o r pr o f e ss e s t o c o n d e m n m a gic
, ,

a n d r e f e re n c e is m a d e t o the l a ws o f the R o m an e m p e r o rs

a ga i n st it But Christi an s p a gan s an d he r e tics w h ile

4
.
, , ,

cl a i m i n g di v i ne po w er a n d pr o te cti o n f o r t hem se lv e s f r e e ly ,

a ccus e o n e a n o th e r o f th e pr a ctic e o f m a gic A n u n n am e d .

p e rs o n by w h o m P a ul is p e r h a ps m ean t stirs up t h e p e o pl e
, ,

o f J e rus a l e m t o pe rs e cut e the a p o st o lic c o m m u n ity t he r e a s

“
m o st m is e r a bl e m e n w ho are d e c e ive d by S i m o n a , ,

magici an 5
T he gu a rds a t the s e pulc h e r u n a bl e t o p r e ,

ven t the r e surr e cti o n s aid t hat J e sus w a s a m a gici an a, ,

c ha rge w h ic h is r e p e ate d by o n e o f the scrib e s an d by S i m o n

Ma gus S i m o n a ls o c alls P e t e r a m agici an o n m o r e t h an
.

o n e o cc a si o n P e t e r o f c o urs e m a k e s si m il a r ch a rge s
5
.
, ,

a ga i n st S i m o n ; h e h ad be e n e sp e ci a lly s e n t by J am e s to

Cae s a r e a in o r d e r t o r e f ut e th is m a gici an w ho w a s givi n g

h i m s e l f o ut t o be the S ta ns o r Christ 7
T he go ds o f G r ee k .

‘
R e co g s I V 2 7 , a nd I , 3 0
.
, , . I 70
R e c og s .
, , .

‘
R e c og s I V , 2 9
.
, . I , 42 a nd 5 8 ; III , 12 ,
Din do r f , I 2 8 2 2 86 7 , ,
-
.
4 7 a n d 7 3 ; X, 5 4 .

‘
R e c o g s X 5 5 ; I I I, 6 4
.
, . . R e c og s I , 7 2 .
, .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .
‘

m yt ho l o gy, too ccus e d o f h avi n g r e s o rt e d t o m agi c

,
are a

tr an s fo r m ati o n s an d s o r c e ry 1
P h il o s o ph y h o w e v e r e s
.
, ,

c ap e s the a ccus ati o n o f m a gic in Th e R e c ognitio ns and it 2

,

w a s a p h il o s o p h e r w h o d e t e rr e d C l e m en t b e f o r e t h e l a tt e r ,

ha d b e c o m e a Ch risti an f r o m his pl an o f i n v e stigati n g th e

,

pr o bl em o f the i mm o rt a lity o f t he s o ul by h iri n g an E gyp

ti an m a gici an to e v o k e a s o ul f r o m the i n fe r n a l re gi o n s by
t he a r t o f n e cr o m a n cy T h e p h il o s o p h e r c o n d e m n e d suc h
3
.

“
an a tt e m pt as un l a w f ul i m pi o us an d hat e ful to the
, ,
” 4
D ivi n ity .

But wh il e magic i s c o nd e mn e d its gr e at p o w e rs a r e ad ,

m itte d S i m o n M a gus ma k e s gr e a t b o a s ts o f the m a rv e ls

.

w h ic h he c an p e r f o r m The s e i n clud e b ec o m i n g i nvisibl e

.
,

b o ri n g t hr o ugh r o cks an d m o u nt a i n s as if the y w e re cl ay ,

p a ssi n g th r o ugh fi r e witho ut be i n g bur n e d flyi n g t h r o ugh ,

t h e a ir l o o si n g b o n ds an d ba rri e rs tr a n s f o r m ati o n i n t o an i
, ,

m al s ha p e s a n i m ati o n o f st a tu e s pr o ducti o n o f n e w pl an ts
, ,

o r tr ee s in a m o m e n t a n d gr o wi n g b e a rds up o n littl e b o ys
5
.
,

He als o a ss e rt e d t ha t he h a d f o rm e d a bo y by tur n i ng a ir
i nt o w a t e r an d t he w at e r i n t o bl o o d a n d the n s o lidi fyi n g ,

this i n t o fl e sh a feat w h ic h he r e gard e d as sup e ri o r to the

,

cr e ati o n o f A d am f r o m e a rth L at e r S i m o n u nm a d e him .

“
a n d r e st o r e d h im t o th e a ir but n o t u ntil I had pl ac e d his
,

i m a ge an d pictu r e in m y be dcham b e r as a p r o o f an d m e
m o ri a l o f m y w o rk 6
N o t o n ly d o e s S i m o n h i m s e l f m ak e
.

suc h b o a sts ; N ic e t a an d A q uil a w ho ha d b ee n his discipl e s ,

b e fo re t he ir c o n v e rsi o n by Z accheus al so bea r wit ne ss to ,

R e c og s , X, 2 2 an d 2 5
1
. Sias .

v
.

2
B ut by n o m e an s a l w ays in N e c r o m an c y is g i e n a s a p r o o f
ea r l y Ch r is t ian w r it in g s : t h us o f t h e im m o r t a lity o f t he s o u l in
C l e m e n t o f A l e x a n d r ia ( c 15 0 J u s tin s F ir s t Apo l og y, c ap 1 8,
’
.

c 2 2 0 ) in t h e S tr o m a ta I I, I , a s
, w h e r e w e r e a d,
“
Fo r l e t e e n v
s e r ts
“
th a t t h e k
G r e e s e u l o g iz e n ec r o m an c y, a nd t h e d i in at io ns v
a s t ro l o g y an d m a t h e m a t ic s an d y o u p r a ct is e by m e an s o f im m a c u
”
mag ic a n d s o r c er y a s t he h ighe s t l at e c hildr e n , a n d t he e o in g o f v k
sc i e nce s . d ep a r te d hu man s o ul s l et
”
In c o n t r as t t o L u c i an s
’
Menip t h e s e p e r s ua d e yo u th a t e e n a f te r v
pus or N e c r om a n cy in w h ic h th e
,
d e a t h s o u l s a r e in a s t at e o f s en
C yn ic p h il o s o p h e r M e n ip p u s r e
”
s a t io n .

s o r t s t o a M ag u s a t B a byl o n in
‘
R e cogs I , 5 .
, .

‘
o r de r t o g a in e n t r a n ce to th e R ec 0g s , I I , 9 . .

“
l o w e r w o r ld a n d qu e s t io n T e ir e R ecog s , II , 15 . .
4 18 MA GI C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

be i n g divid e d a gai n st h i m s e l f an d fighti n g a ga i n st hi m s e l f

, ,
” 1
h e s h a ll b e d est r o y e d L at e r in The R ec o gn itio ns h o w
.
,

e v e r A quil a st at e s t ha t e v e n t he m a gic o f th e pr e s e n t h as
,

f o u n d w ays o f i m it ati n g by c o n tr a ri e s t he e x pulsi o n o f

d e m o n s by the w o rd o f G o d tha t it can c o u nt e r act the ,

p o i so n s o f s e rp e nts by i n c an t a ti o n s an d c an e ffe ct cur e s ,

c o n t r a r y to the w o rd an d po w e r o f G o d He a dds T he “
.
,

m agi c ar t h a s a ls o disc o v e r e d m i n istri e s c o n tr a ry t o th e

a n g e ls o f G o d pl a ci n g t h e e v o c a ti o n o f s o ul s a n d the fi
, g
” 2
m e n ts o f d e m o n s in o pp o siti o n t o t he s e .

But w h il e the m ar v e ls o f m a gic ar e a d m itt e d t he re is a ,

f e e li n g t hat t h e r e is s o m e th i n g d e c e it f ul a n d u n r e a l ab o ut
“
them T he t e a ch i n gs o f th e tru e pr o phe t w e a r e t o ld co n
.
, ,

t a i n n o t hi n g subtl e n o t h i n g c o m po s e d by m agic a rt t o de
,

” 3 “ ” 4
c e iv e ,
w h ile S i m o n is a d e c e i v e r a n d m a gici an Nor .

i s he d e c e it f ul m e r e ly in h is r e ligi o us t e ac h i n g an d his o p
p o siti o n t o P e t e r ; e v en h is bo a s t s o f m agic p o w e r a r e p artly
“
f a ls e A quil a his f o r m e r discipl e s ays
.
,
But w h e n h e sp o k e
, ,

th us o f the p r o ducti o n o f spr o uts an d the p e r f o r ati o n o f the

m o u n t a i n I w a s c o n f o u n d e d o n th is a cc o u n t b e c a us e h e
, ,

wish e d t o d ec e i v e e v e n us in w h o m h e s eem e d t o pl ac e c on
,

fi de n c e ; f o r w e k n e w t h a t t h o s e t h i n gs h a d b e e n f r o m th e
d ays o f o ur f a th e rs wh ich h e r ep r e s en t e d a s h avi n g b ee n
,

d o n e by h i m s e l f l at ely ” 5
Mo r e o v e r n o t o n ly d o e s S i m o n
.
,

d e ce iv e o th e rs ; h e is h i m s el f d e c e i v e d by d em o n s as P e t e r
t w ic e a s s e r t s z 5
He is d e lud e d by d e m o n s yet h e t h i nks
“
,

” “
th at h e s e e s th e v e ry subst an ce o f th e s o ul A lth o ugh in .

th is h e i s d e lud e d by d em o n s ye t h e h as p e rsu a d e d h i m s e l f
,

t ha t h e h a s th e s o ul o f a m urd e r e d bo y m i n ist e ri n g to h im
”
in w h a t e v e r h e pl e a s e s t o e m pl o y it .

T h is st o r y o f h a v i n g s a c r ific e d a pu r e b o y f o r purp o s e s
o f m a gic or divi n ati o n w a s a st o ck ch arg e wh ich w e ,

h a v e pr e v i o usly h e a rd m a d e a gain st A po ll o n ius o f T ya n a

a n d w h ic h w a s al s o t o ld o f th e e a rly Ch risti an s by the ir

‘
R e c og s , II I 5 7 6 0 ; X, 66
l
.
,
-
. R e c og s .
,
I I, 5 .

l'
’
R e c ogs V I I I , 5 3
.
,
. R e c og s .
,
I I, 10 .

” °
Re c og s , V I I I , 60
. . R e c og s .
, I I , 16 , a nd I I I, 49 .
xv1 1 THE RE C O GN I TI O N S AND S I M O N MA G US 4 19

p agan enem i e s an d o f the J ews an d he re tics in th e m iddl e

a ge s S i m o n is s a id t o ha v e c o n fe ss e d to N ic e t a a n d A quil a
.
,

w he n t hey a sk e d ho w he w o rk e d h is m a gic that he re c e iv e d ,

a ssist a n c e f r o m th e s o ul o f a bo y u n sulli e d a n d vi o l en tly

“
,

”
sl a i n an d i n v o k e d by u nutt e r abl e a d j ur a ti on s
,
He w e n t .

o n t o e x pl a i n t ha t the s o ul o f m a n h o lds th e n e x t pl a c e a f t e r

G o d w h e n o n ce it is s e t f r e e f r o m th e d a rk n e ss o f th e b o dy
,
.

A n d i mm e di a t e ly it a cquir e s p r e sci e n c e w h e r e f o r e it is in
,

v o k e d in n e cr o m an cy
”
When Aquil a a sk e d w hy the s o ul
.

did n o t t ak e v e n gea n c e up o n its sl aye r i n st ea d o f p e r f o rm

in g the b e he sts o f m a gici an s S i m o n a n sw e re d t hat the s o ul
,

n o w h a d th e l a st j ud gm e n t t oo vividly b e f o r e it t o i n dulge

in v en gea n c e a n d t ha t t he a n ge ls p r e sidi n g o v e r -such s o uls

,

“
do n o t p e rm it t he m to r e tur n to e a rt h u n l e ss a d j ur e d by
” 1
s o m eo ne gr e a t e r than t he m s e lve s N ic et a t h e n in dig
.

“
n an tl y i n t e r po s e d A n d do yo u no t f e a r th e day o f j ud g
,

m e n t w h o do vi o l en ce t o an ge ls a n d i n v o k e s o uls
”
,
? As a
m a tt e r o f f a ct t he c h a rge t ha t S i m o n h a d m urd e r e d o r v io
,

l en tly sl a i n a bo y is r a t he r o v e rdr a w n si n c e the bo y in qu e s

,

ti o n w a s the o n e w ho m he had m a d e f r o m a ir in the fi rst

pl ac e an d w ho m he si m ply tur n e d ba ck i n t o a ir a ga i n cl ai m ,

in g h o w e v e r t o ha v e t h e r eby pr o duc e d a n u n sulli e d hu m an

, ,

s o ul A cc o rdi n g to The Ho milies h o w e v e r he p r e s en tly

.
, ,

c o nfid e d to N ic e t a an d A quil a t ha t the h um an s o ul did n o t

surviv e the d eath o f the b o dy an d t ha t a d e mo n r e ally
r e sp o n d e d t o h is i nv o c ati o n s 2
.

N e v e rt hel e ss the c ha rge o f m urd e r t hus m a d e a ga i n st

,

S i m o n illust r a t e s t h e cri m i n a l c h a ra ct e r he r e a s usu ally as

“
scrib e d to m a gic S i m o n i s s a id to be w ick e d a b o ve m ea s
.

” “ ”
ur e ,
a n d t o d e p e n d up o n m a gic a r ts an d wick e d d e vic e s ,

“ ” 3
a n d P e t e r a ccus e s h im o f a cti n g by n e f a ri o us a rts .

“
S im il a r l y, in a p a s s ag e c o n name s of s up e r io r an g e l s ,w h o in
t a in e d o n l y in Th e H o m il ies V,,
t h e ir t u r n m a y be a dj u r e d by th e

5 , Ap p io n r e c o m m e n d in g to C l e m na m e o f G o d .

v
,
“
e n t a l o e in c a n tat io n w h ich h e C o n c e r n in g t h is bo y s ee
h a d l e a r n e d f r o m a n Eg yp tia n R e c og s , I I , 1 3 - 1 5
. I II , 44 -4 5 ;
w h o w as w e ll v
e r s e d in m a g ic , H o milies I I , 2 5 -3 0
“
, .

e x p l a in s t h a t de m o n s o b e y t h e R e c o gs , I I , 6 ; I I I ,
. 13
v k
.

m ag ic ian w h e n in o e d b y t h e
 42 0 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

S i m o n in h is tur n c a lls P e te r a m agici an a go dl e ss m an , ,

i nj uri o us cu nn i n g ign o ran t an d pro fe ssi n g i m p o ssibili

, , ,

” “ ” 1
ti e s an d a ga i n a m a gici an a s o rc e r e r a m urd e r e r
, , , .

A f u r t he r c ha r a ct e ristic o f m a gic w h ich c o me s o ut

cl e a rly in The R ec ogni tio ns i s that it is an a r t D em o n s .

an d s o uls o f th e d e a d m a y h a v e a g r e a t d e al t o do wit h it ,

but it a ls o r e quir e s a h um an o p e r a t o r an d m ak e s us e o f
m at e ri als dr aw n f r o m t he w o rld o f n a tur e I t wa s by .

a n o i n ti n g his f a c e wit h a n o i n t m en t w h ic h th e m a gici an h ad

c o m p o u n d e d t ha t the c o u n t e n an c e o f Fau st in ian us was

tr an s f o rm e d i n to the lik en e ss o f S i m o n wh il e App ion and ,

A n ubio n w ho an o i n t e d t he ir f a c e s with the j uic e o f a ce r

,

ta i n he rb w e r e the r eby en a bl e d still t o re c o gn iz e F aus

,

t in ia n u s as h i m s e l f I n a n o t h e r p a ss a ge o n e o f S i mo n s
2 ’
.

dis cipl es who has d e s e rt e d him and c o m e to P e te r t e lls ho w

-

S i m o n ha d m a d e h im c a rry o n h is b ack to th e s e a s ho r e a
“ ”
bu n dl e o f his p o llute d an d a ccur se d s e cr e t t h i n gs S im on .

t o o k the bu n dle o ut to s ea in a bo at an d la te r re tu rn e d
w it h o ut it s
S i m o n n o t o n ly e m pl o y e d n atur al m at e ri a l s
.

in his m a gic but w a s r e ga rd e d a s a l e a r n e d m an e v e n by

,
.

his en em i e s He i s by p r o fe ssi o n a m a gici an yet ex c ee d

.
“
,
” 4
ingly w e ll tr a i n e d in G r e e k lit e ra ture He is a m o st .

ve he m e n t o r a t o r tr a i n e d in the di al e ctic ar t an d in the

, ,

m e s h e s o f syll o gis m s ; an d w ha t is m o st s e ri o u s o f all he ,

” 5
is greatly skill e d in th e m a gic a rt A n d h e e ng a ge s wit h
.

P e t e r in t he o l o gic a l d e b at e s I t is a ls o i n t e r e sti n g to n o t e
.

a s an illustr a ti o n o f t he c o nn e cti o n b e tw e e n m a gi c a n d

ex p e ri m e n t a l sci e n c e t h a t S i m o n in b o a sti n g o f his f ea ts

,

“
o f m a gic s a ys ,
Fo r a lre a dy I h av e a c h i e v e d m an y t hi n gs
,
” 5
by w ay o f ex p e r i m e n t .

I n the P s e ud o Cl e m e n ti n e s w e a r e t o ld t ha t S i m o n in
-

t en d e d to go to R o m e but The R e cognition s a n d The ,

Ho milie s d e a l o nly with th e c o n flicts b e tw ee n P e t e r an d

S i m o n in v ari o us S yri an citi e s an d do n o t f o ll o w t hem to
“ “
R e c o gs .
,
I I I , 7 3 ; X, 5 4 . R e c og s , I I , 5
. .

“ “
R e c ogs .
,
X, 5 8 . R e c o s , I I, 9 ,
g . Mul ta e te nim
“
R e c og s .
,
II I , 6 3 . 1am m i h i e x p e r im e n t i c au s a co n
‘ ”
R e c ogs .
,
II, 7 . s u mm a t a s un t .
 42 2 MA GI C AND E XPE RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

His discipl e s buri e d h im th ey w e r e dir ect e d but he nev e r

, as ,
“ ”
r eapp e a r e d fo r he w as no t the Christ
, .

P e t e r h i m s e l f is r e pre s e nt e d a s bri e fly r e c o u n ti n g his

struggl e at R o m e with S i m o n Ma gus in the D idas cal ia
A po s to l o r u m an ap o cryph al w o rk o f pr o b ably the t h ird
,

c en tury ex t an t in S yri ac an d L ati n a nd m o r e f ully in

, ,

th e p a r a ll e l p a ss a ge o f th e G r ee k C o n s ti tu tio n es A po s to l o
r um ,
writt e n p e r ha ps ab o ut 4 0 0 A D 1
Pet e r f o u n d . .

S i m o n at R o m e dr a wi n g m an y a w ay f r o m the ch urch
“
a s w e ll a s s e duci n g th e G e n til e s by h is m agic o p e r ati o n a n d
” “
virtu e s o r in the G r e ek v e rsi o n m a gic ex p e ri m ents an d
, , ,
” 2
the w o rki n g o f d e m o n s I n th e S yri a c an d L ati n ac
.

c o u n t P e t e r t hen st a t e s t ha t o n e day h e s aw S i m o n flyi n g

“
t hr o ugh the a ir An d st an di n g b en e at h I s a id In the virtu e
.
,
‘

o f t h e h o ly n a m e J e sus I cut o ff yo ur virtu e s An d s o ’

, , .

f a lli n g he br o k e t h e a rc h ( t h igh ) o f his f o o t

? 3

But he did n o t die si n c e Pe t e r g o e s o n to s ay t hat w h il e

,

“
m an y t he n d e p a rt e d fr o m him o the rs w ho w e r e w o rt hy ,

o f h im r e m a i n e d wit h h im I n the l o n ge r G r e ek v e rsi o n

.

S i m o n a nn o u n c e d h is fligh t in th e thea t e r Wh il e all ey e s .

.

w e r e tur n e d o n S i m o n P e te r pr aye d a ga i n st h im Mean

, .

w h il e S i m o n m o u n t e d al o ft i n t o m id a ir b o r ne up P e t e r -
, ,

s ays by d em o n s an d t e lli ng the p eo pl e that he w as a sc e n di n g

, ,

t o h eav e n w h en c e h e w o uld r e tur n bri n gi n g t h em g o o d tid

,

i ngs T he p eo pl e appl aud e d h im a s a go d but P e t e r str etch e d

.
,

f o rt h h is h an ds to heav e n supplic a ti n g G o d th r o ugh th e ,

L o rd J e sus t o d a s h d o w n the c o rrupt e r an d curt a il the

p o w e r o f the d em o n s He a sk e d f urt he r ho w ev e r t hat
.
, ,

S i m o n m ight n o t be kill e d by h is f all but m e r e ly bruis e d .

P e t e r als o a ddr e ss e d S i m o n a n d t he e vil p o w e r s w ho w e r e

supp o rti n g h im r e quiri n g t ha t he m ight f all a n d b ec o m e a
,

l augh i n g st o ck to t ho s e w ho ha d b e en d e c e iv e d by h im
-
.

The r eup o n S i m o n f e ll wit h a gr e at c o m mo ti o n a n d bruis e d

F X F k D id v idi
“
. . un li t C
, as ca a e di p d ou in un a e r o ce en s

s t itu tio n es A po s to l o r u m, 1 9 05 , I, il l um p e r a e r a vo l a nt e m e t f e r e
3 2 0 -
1 ba tu r . E t s ub s is t e n s dix i : I n
v
.

2
7 6 at 20m; th a n ? » p a y mfi émr ei p l q
’
. ir tu te s a n c ti n o m in is I e s u e x c ido
m
.

ica l t u m y éuep y e tq . vir t u t e s t u as Et s ic r ue n s f e m u r

.

”
p e dis s ui f r eg it .
XV I I THE R E C O G N I TI O N S A N D S I M O N MA G US 42 3

h is b o tt o m s o l e s o f his f e e t I t will be n o t e d t hat

an d t he .

he r e a s in the a c c o u n ts by s o m e o t h e r a utho rs P e t e r al o ne
, ,

struggl e s w ith S i m o n M agus l e n di n g c o l o r to the Tubi n ge n ,

the o r y o n c e sugge st e d in c o n n e cti o n wit h th e P s eud o

Cl e m e n ti n e s t ha t S i m o n Ma gus is m e a n t t o r e pr e s e n t th e
,

a p o stl e P a ul .

A r n o biu s w r iti n g a b o ut 3 00 A D gi v e s a s o m e w ha t
, . .
,

di ff e r en t a cc o u n t o f S i m o n s m o d e o f flight an d f a ll He ’
.

s ays t hat the p e o pl e o f R o m e s aw the cha ri o t o f S i m o n “

Magus an d h is f o ur fi e ry h o rs e s bl o w n aw a y by the m o ut h
o f P e t e r a n d v a n is h a t th e n am e o f C h rist T he y s a w I .
,

s ay ,
him w h o h a d trust e d f a ls e g o ds a n d b ee n b e t r aye d
by t he m in the ir f r igh t pr e cipit a t e d by his o w n w e igh t an d
lyi n g w it h br o k e n l e gs T he n a f t e r he ha d b e en c arri e d
.
,

t o B r u n da w o rn o ut by h is sh am e a n d su ff e ri n gs he a ga i n
, ,

” 1
h url e d hi m s e l f d o w n f r o m th e h ighe st ridge o f t he r o o f .

Cyril o f J e rus al em 3 1 5 3 86 A D a l s o spe ak s o f S i m o n s

’
-
, . .
,

b e i n g b o r n e in a ir in the c h a ri o t o f d e m o n s a n d is n o t ,
“

surpris e d tha t the c o m bi n e d pra y e r s o f P e t e r a n d P aul

br o ugh t him d o wn si n c e in a dditi o n to Je s us s pr o m is e to
,
’

a n sw e r t he p e titi o n o f t w o o r t h r e e g a t he r e d t o ge t h e r it is

t o be r e m e m b e r e d t ha t P e t e r c a rri e d th e k eys o f h e av e n a n d
t hat P aul had be en ra pt to the th ird he a v en a n d hea rd se cre t
w o rds Ph ilas tr ius ano the r writ e r o f th e f o urth c en tury
2
.
, ,

d e scrib e s S i m o n s d ea t h m o r e v a gu e ly st ati n g t ha t a f t e r
’

P e t e r had driv e n him f r o m J e rus a l em h e c a m e t o R o m e

w her e they e n ga ge d in an o the r c o n t e st be fo r e N e r o S i m o n .

w as w o rste d by P e t e r o n e v e ry p o i n t o f a r gu m en t a n d , ,

“
s m itte n by a n a n ge l di e d a m e r it e d d ea t h in o r d e r t hat the
f a lsity o f h is m a gic m igh t be e vid e n t t o a ll m e n 3
But
it is ha rdly w o rth w h il e to pil e up such bri e f a llusi o n s to
S i mo n in th e w r iti n gs o f the f at h e rs 4
.

Ar no biu s , A dve r s us g en tes I I , ,

in C S E L ; al s o in P L , vo l 12 .

v
.

“
S ulp ic iu s S e e r us , 6
3 3 42 0,
-
“
Cy r il , Ca the c he s is , V I, 15 , in Chr o n , I I , 28 , an d T he o d o r et ,
.

PG 3 3 , 5 64 . c 3 86 4 5 6, Hae r e ti ca r u m f a bu la r um
-

“
Fil a s tr ii diver s a r u m h er es e o n c o mp e n diu m I , 1 ( P G 83 , 344 )
,

libe r c ap 2 3 , e d F Ma r x , 1 89 8
, . . . v
h a e n o th in g n e w t o s a y .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

O t he r f ull e r c un ts o f S i m o n s do i n gs a t R o m e a r e ’
a co

c o nt a i n e d in the S yri ac Tea ching of S im o n Cephas an d in 1

t he ap o c h r yphal A c ts of P e ter a n d P a u l
2
I n the f o r m e r .

P e t e r urge s the p e o pl e o f R o m e n o t t o a ll o w th e s o rc e re r
S i m o n to d e lud e t he m by s embl an c e s wh ic h a r e n o t r e a liti e s ,

a n d he r a is e s a d ea d m an t o li f e a f t e r S i m o n ha s f a il e d

t o do s o I n the l att e r w o rk S i m o n o pp o s e s P e t e r an d P a ul
.

in th e pr e s en c e o f N e r o a n d a s usu a l th e y ch arge o n e an o the r

with b e i n g m agici an s S i m o n a ls o a s usu al affi rm s th at h e
.

is Christ an d we a r e t o ld th at the c h i e f pri e sts had c alle d

,

J e sus a wiz a rd S i m o n ha d alre ady m ad e a gr ea t i m pr e s

.

si o n up o n Ne r o by c ausi n g bra z en s e rpe n ts to mo ve an d

st o ne st atu e s to l augh an d by a lt e ri n g bo th his f ac e an d
,

statur e an d c han gi n g first t o a c h ild a n d then to an o l d m an .

Ne r o als o a ss e rts t ha t S i m o n h as r a is e d a d ea d ma n an d
t hat S i mo n h i m s e l f r o s e o n the t h ird day a f t e r be i n g be
h e a d e d I t is l a t e r ex pl a i n e d ho w ev e r that S i m o n had
.
, ,

a rr an ge d t o h a v e t h e b e h e a di n g t ak e pl a c e in a d a rk c o rn e r

an d t h r o ugh his m a gic ha d substitut e d a r am f o r hi m s e l f .

T he r am app ea r e d to b e S i m o n u n til a f t e r it h ad b ee n d e
c apit a te d w he n the ex e cuti o ne r di sc o v e r e d t hat the hea d w as
,

t ha t o f a ram but did n o t d a r e r e p o rt the f a ct to Ner o .

Whe n S i m o n met th e ap o stl e s in N e r o s pre s e nc e he c aus e d ’

gr e a t d o gs to rus h sudd enly at P e t e r but P e t e r m ad e them ,

van is h i n t o a ir by s h o wi n g t hem s o m e b re a d w h ic h he h ad

b een s e cr e tly bl e ssi n g a n d br ea ki n g As a fi n a l t e st S i m o n .

pr o m is e d t o a sc e n d t o h eav en i f Ne r o w o uld build him a

t o w e r in the Cam pus Ma rtius whe re my a n ge ls m ay fi nd
“
,

m e in the a ir f o r t he y c ann o t c o me t o m e up o n e a rt h amo n g

,
”
si nne rs The t o w e r w as duly pr o vid e d an d S i m o n cr o wne d
.
, ,

with l aur e l b e gan to fly succ e ss fully u ntil P et e r t ea r f ully

, ,

e n treat e d by P a ul to m ak e ha st e a dj ur e d t he a n ge ls o f,

S a t an w h o w e r e supp o rti n g S i m o n to l e t h im dr o p S i mon .

t hen f e ll up o n the S acr a Via an d his bo dy w as br o k en i n t o

“
A N V III 6 7 3 5
, ,
-
. G k h l C t ti La s re e sc o ar , o n s an ne
2

.
Ib d
i 4 7 7 85 ; G
.
, k t xt i
-
i t
ree l t d p t o f th e wo k
e n car s, r ans a e ar r
T i sc h e n do r f , A c ta Ap os to l o r u m in to L at in in 1 49 0 .

Ap o c r yph a 18 5 1, pp 1 - 3 9
, Th e . .
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

A c hapt e r is d e vo t e d to S i mo n Ma gus in the His tor y of

the J ewis h War of t he so - cal l e d Heges ipp u s
wh ic h , a n am e

is t ho ught to be a c o rrupti o n o f J o s e phus si n c e the w o rk in ,

l arge me a sure r e pr o duc e s t ha t h i st o ri an At any r at e it .

was n o t writt e n u n til the f o urt h c e n tury an d i s pr o b ably

a tr an sl ati o n o r a d a pt ati o n by A mbr o s e I t s a cc o u nt o f .

S i m o n Ma gus c o m bi n e s the st o ry o f h is c o m p e titi o n w i t h

“
P e t e r in r a isi n g th e d ea d f o r in suc h w o rk s P e t e r wa s he ld
,

m o st c e l ebr a t e d with tha t o f his flight an d fa ll He is

, .

r e pre s e n t e d a s l a u nc h i n g his fligh t f r o m t he C a pit o li n e H ill

a n d l eapi n g o ff the T a rp e i an r o ck T he p eo pl e m arve l e d .

a t his flight s o m e r em a rki n g t ha t Christ h ad ne ve r p e r

,

f o r m e d suc h a f ea t a s t his But w hen P e te r praye d a gain st .

“
h im ,
stra ightway his pr o p e ll e r w as t an gle d up in P e t e r s ’

v o ic e a n d h e f e ll n o r w a s h e kill e d but w e ak e n e d by a
, , , ,

” 1
br o k en le g with dr e w to A r icia and di e d the r e
,
.

Fi n ally p a ssi n g o ve r o the r L a ti n a cc o u n ts o f the co n

,
-

t e st be tween the ap o stl e s an d S i m o n Ma gus to be fo u n d in

t he A po s to lic H is tor ies o f t he P s e ud o A bdi a s
2
a n d in a -

w o rk a scribe d t o P o p e L i nus w e may n o t e a s e r mo n wh ich

3
,

ha s b e en v a ri o usly a scrib e d in the m an uscripts an d pri n t e d

e diti o n s t o A ugusti n e A m br o s e a n d Max i m us T h is s er
4
.
, ,

m o n i n t en d e d f o r t he ann iv e rs a ry o f the day o f m a rtyrd o m

,

o f P e t e r a n d Pa ul pr o c ee ds to i n quire the c aus e o f the ir

,

d eat h an d fi n ds it in the f a ct t ha t a mo n g o the r m ar ve ls the y

“
pr o str at e d by t he ir p r ay e rs t ha t m a gici an S i m o n in a
h ea dl o n g f a ll f r o m the e m pty a ir F o r w h e n t he s a m e .

S i m o n c all e d h i m s e l f Ch rist an d a ss e rt e d th a t as the S o n

he c o uld a sc e n d u n t o the F a th e r by flyi n g a nd sudde n ly , ,

“
He g es ippus ,
III , 2 ed C F
. . . e ff e c t of a ir - w a ve s up o n de l icat e
Web e r“ an d J . C ae s ar , Ma r bu rg, m ec ha n is m s .

186 4 , e t s ta t im in v
o c e P e t r i im
”
ed . Fabr ic iu s , Co d . ap o cr .
,
I,
p l ic a t iis r e m ig iis a l a r um q ua s 4 1 1 ; A S , J un e V , 4 2 4 .

“
s um s e r at c o r r u it , n e c e x a n im a t u s B iblio t h P a tr u m,
. C o l o gne ,
e s t, s e d f rac t o d e b il it at u s c r ur e 16 1 8 , I , 7 0 .

‘
A r iciam c o n c e s s it a tqu e ibi m o r P r in te d P L, 3 9 2 12 1 -2 , a mo ng ,

t un s e s t . I e a r n e s tly r e co mm e nd th e k
w o r s o f A ug us t in e , S e r
t his p as s ag e to t h o s e w h o de l ig h t m o n cs S upp os ititi, C CII T he .

in fi n d in g a n c ie n t p r ec u r s o r s o f g r e a te r n umb e r o f M S S a s s ign it
v
m o de r n in en tio n s a s an e x a mp l e to Max imus .

of k
r e m a r a bl e in s ig ht in t o the
xvu THE RE CO GN I TI O N S AN D S I M O N MA G US 42 7

r ais e d up by m agic a rts b e gan to fly t hen P e t e r o n h is kn e e s , ,

pr aye d the L o rd an d by s a cr e d pr aye r o ve r c am e the m agic al

,

l evit ati o n Fo r th e pr aye r a sce n d e d to the L o rd b e f o r e the

.

fli e r an d th e j ust p e titi o n a r r iv e d e r e the i n iquit o us pr e s ump

,

ti o n P e te r I s ay th o ugh pl ac e d o n th e gr o u n d o bt a i n e d
.
, , ,

wha t he s o ugh t b e f o r e S i m o n r e ache d the h eav en t o w ards

which he w as t en di n g S o th en P e te r b r o ugh t h im d o wn .

lik e a c aptive f r o m h igh in a ir an d f alli n g pr e cipit ate ly , ,

up o n a r o ck he b r o k e h is l e gs An d th is in c o n tum e ly o f
, .

h is f ea t s o th a t he w h o j ust b e f o r e h a d t r i e d t o fly o f a sud
, ,

de n c o uld n o t e v e n w a lk a n d h e w h o h a d a ssu m e d wi n gs ,

l o st ev en his f ee t B ut l e st it app ear str an ge tha t w h il e th e

.
,

ap o stl e w a s p r e s e n t tha t m a gici an sh o uld fly th r o ugh the

,

a ir e v e n f o r a w h il e l e t it be e x pl a i n e d th a t th is w as due t o
,

P e t e r s p a ti e n c e F o r h e l e t h im s o a r th e h igh er in o rd e r
’
'

tha t he m igh t f all the f a rthe r ; f o r h e w i sh e d h im to be car

ri e d a l o f t w he r e e v e ry o n e c o uld s e e h im in o rd e r that all ,

”
m igh t s e e h im w h e n h e f e ll f r o m o n h igh The pr ea ch e r .

t he n d r aws t he m o r a l t hat p r id e go e s b e f o r e a f a ll .

T he st ruggl e o f P e t e r a n d P a ul wit h S i m o n M a gus a t

R o m e app ea rs in Th e G o l de n L eg e n d c o m pil e d by J a c o p o ,

de Vo r a gi n e in t h e t h i r t e e n t h c e n tury a n d w a s lik e wi s e a ,

f a vo rit e t h e m e o f G o t h ic s ta i n e d gl a ss At Cha r tre s a n d .

An ge r s P e t e r m ay be s e en r o uti n g S i m o n s d o gs by bl e ssi n g
’

br e a d ; at B o urge s an d L y o n s S i m o n an d P e t er c o m p ete in
r a isi n g the d e a d ; w hile w i n d o ws at Chartr e s B o urge s , ,

T o urs R e i m s a n d P o iti e rs s ho w t he a p o stl e s pr ayi n g an d

, ,

S i m o n f a lli n g a n d b r e a ki n g his n e ck 1
T h is l a st sc e n e a n d .

a ls o t he di s put a t i o n b e f o r e N e r o a r e r e pr e s e n t e d in t he

e a r li e r m o s a ics o f t h e e l e v e n t h o r t w e l f t h c e n tury w h ic h

th e N o r m an rul e r s o f S icily h a d e x e cu te d in th e c a th e dr a l
o f M o n r e a l e an d t he r o y a l c h a p e l o f t h e ir c a s t l e a t P a l e rm o
2
.

Mal e , R e ligi o us A r t in F r an ce , l eg e n d r e a ds ,
“
Hic pr a e c e p to P e tr i
19 1 3 , p . 2 97 , n o t e s 3 a n d 4 ; p . o r a tio n e P a u li S im on M ag us
2 98 , n o t e I . c e c idi t in ter r a m
” “
He r e at
,
—

“
c o m m an d
’
r e p r e s e n ta t io n s
’
The two ar e P e te r s an d P a ul s
e s s e n t ia ll y ide nt ic a l . S im o n f a l l s p r ay e r S im o n Ma gus f all s t o
”
h ead fi rst , a n d th e a cc o mp a n ying e a r th.
 CHA P TE R X VI II
T HE C O N FE S S I ON OF C Y P R IA N A N D S O M E S I M I L AR S TO RI E S

Th e Co nf es s ion Cyp r ian His in it iat io n int o m ys t e r ies— His th o r

of —

o ugh s tu dy o f n a t u r e , di in a t io n an d m a ic
, g Th e l o v
r e o f E g yp t—
An d —

o f Ch a l dea —
Cyp r ia n s p r a ctic e o f m ag ic a t An tio c h— A Ch r is t ian irg in
’
v
de f e at s th e magic o f t h e d e m o n s S umm a r y o f Cy p r ian s p ictur e o f —
’

m agic— Ch r is tian s a cc u s e d o f m agic A s to r y f r o m Ep ip ha nius —

’
J o s e p h s e x p e r ie nc e o f m ir acl e an d m agic— Le g e n d o f S t J am e s an d .

He r mo g e n e s t he m agician— O the r c o nte s ts o f ap o s tl e s an d m agicians

in Th e G o lde n L eg en d .

To t he cco u nts o f the c o nt e st s o f P et e r an d P aul with

a

S i mo n Ma gus whic h w e r e r e c o rd e d in o u r l a st c h a pte r w e

s hall add in t his s o m e o the r e n c o u n t e rs o f e a rly Christi an s
with ma gici an s an d to th e picture o f m agic c o n ta i n e d in
,

the P s e ud o C l e m e n ti n e s t ha t pre s e n t e d by Cyp ri an in h is

-

Co nf es s io n I f S i m o n Ma gus di e d i m p e n it en t in the m id s t
.

o f h is m a gic v e ry di ff e r e n t wa s the e n d o f Cypri an a

, ,

m agici an by pr o fe ssi o n in the t h ird c e n tury w ho a f t e r b e i n g , ,

e duc at e d f r o m c h ild ho o d in he at h e n m yst e ri e s a n d th e m a gic

a r t r e p en t e d a n d w a s b a ptiz e d b e c am e bis h o p o f A n ti o ch
, , ,

a n d fi na lly a c h i e v e d a m a rtyr s cr o w n
1
I n the C o nf es s ion
’
.

curre n t u n d e r his nam e an d w hic h m o st critics a gree w as

c o m p o s e d b e f o r e the ti m e o f Co n st an ti n e is de scribe d his
2

G k ree d L ti an t xt i Cyp i a A ti hn d 0 ve n r an vo n n oc en , e . . .

p ar all l e l m co u i AS S pt ns L mm 89 9 E t h p
n G k d, e . a ,
1 ,
io i c, r ee , an
V II p p zo4 ff F . G m i P t g d
. A d
o r a n ac er an , n e ro ra ca .

f p vi S i t I mp M m i VII I
'

co u t
n o dit i
re o us e ons see c en . er . e o r es ,
I bid , p 18 2 B is ho p J o h n Fe l l s e r ie , C l h is t ph ilo l IV , 6
'

. . . . . .
,
. IIp a
p u b l is he d a L at in t e x t f r o m t h r e e Si s 63V 6 7 i
7 ua p r bp wv e
. r p t a uo fi Ka i

O x f o r d MS S I n D igby 3 0, 1 5 th
. I o va r ivns , w it h a n A r ab ic e r s io n , v ed
.

c e n t u r y, fol 2 9 . w h ic h 1 h a e v Ma r ga r e t D G ib s o n , 1 9 0 1 , . in
e x a m in e d t h e w o r din g d iff e re d
, S tu dia S ina i tic a , N o 8 . .

“
c o n s ide r abl y f r o m t h at o f t h e I bid p ip sa S Cyp r i an a
. 18 0 , .

L a t in t e x t in A S T h e b r ie f . n o m in e v
u l gat a C o n f e s s io qu am
M a r tyr iu m o f Cyp r ia n a n d J u s a nt e C o n s ta n t ini a e ta te m s c r ip t am
t in a f o ll o w s in t h e s am e o l um e v esse c r it ic i p l ur im i e t iam r igidi
”
o f AS a t pp 2 2 4 -6 S a hidis c h e
. . ores f ate ntur .

Br u chs tii ck e d er L eg en de vo n
42 8
4 30 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

ho w m a tt e r w as c o n f us e d a nd divid e d and the pr o fu n diti e s

”
o f si n ist e r a n d cru e l l e g e n ds . Fr o m the Ph rygi an s he
l ear n e d live r divi n ati o n ; am o n g the b arb a ri an s he studi e d
a uspic e s an d th e si gn ific an c e o f th e m o v e m e n ts o f qu a d

r up e ds a n d h o w t o i n t e rpr e t o m e n s an d th e l a n gu a g e o f
,

birds an d th e s o un ds m a d e by ev e ry ki n d o f w o o d an d st o n e
, ,

o r by th e d e a d in t o m b s a n d t h e cr e a ki n g o f d o o rs He .

b e c am e a c qu a i n t e d with the p al pit ati o n s o f the l i m bs the ,

m o v e m e n t o f the bl o o d an d puls e in bo di e s al l th e e xt en ,

s i o n s an d c o r o ll a ri e s o f r a ti o s a n d n u m b e rs dis e a s e s si m u
,

“
l at e d a s w e ll a s n atura l ,
an d o a t h s w h ic h a r e h e a rd
yet are
”
n o t a udibl e , a n d p a cts f o r disc o rd Th e r e w as in fi n e
.
, ,

n o t h i n g w h at e v e r in e a rt h o r s e a o r a ir t ha t h e did n o t

k n o w wh ethe r it w a s a m atte r o f sci e n c e o r phan t asy o f

, ,
“
m e c han ics o r a r tific e ,
e v e n d o w n t o th e m a gic tr an sl ati o n
”
o f writi n gs a n d o t h e r t h i n gs o f th a t s o rt .

A t tw en ty Cypri an w a s a dm itt e d t o th e s h ri n e s at a n ci en t
Mem ph is in E gypt and l e ar n e d w ha t c o mm u n ic ati o n and
re l ati o n s hip ex ist e d be tw ee n d e m o n s and e a rthly t h i n gs an d
“
in w h a t st a rs an d l aws a n d o b j e cts the y d e light He w it .
,

n e s s e d i m it a ti o n s o f e a rt h qu ak e s r a i n
, a n d st o rm s at s e a
, .

He s aw the s o uls o f gi an ts h e ld in d a rk n ess and f an ci e d

t ha t th ey sust a i n e d the e a rth a s a l o ad o n t he ir sho ulde rs .

He saw the c o m m u n ic a ti o n s o f s er p e n ts with d emo n s id e as ,

o f t r a n s fi gu r a t io n s ,
i m pi o us pi e ty sci en ce wit ho ut r ea s o n
, ,

i n iquit o us j ustic e and t h i n gs t o psy turvy gen e ra lly B e

,
-
.

sid e s the f o r m s o f va ri o us si n s a n d vic e s such a s f o r n ic a

,

ti o n an d av a ric e w hic h sugge st the m e di e v a l p e rs o n ific ati o n

,

o f the s e v en d e a dly si n s h e s a w th e t h r e e h u n dr e d a n d si x ty
,

“
fi ve v a ri e ti e s o f a il m e n ts ,
a n d t h e e m pty gl o ry a n d t he
”
e m pty virtu e with w h ich the pri e sts o f E gypt had d ec e ive d
t he G r e e k phil o s o p h e rs .

A t t h irty Cyp ri an l e ft E gypt f o r Chald ea in o rd e r to

a cqui re its l o r e c o n c e r n i n g a ir ,
fi r e an d ligh t
,
He r e h e .

w a s i n struct e d in th e qu aliti e s o f st a rs as w e ll a s o f h e rbs ,

a n d th e ir
“
c h o rus e s lik e dr awn up b attl e li n e s
-
”
He w as .

t aught the h o us e a n d r e la ti o n s hips o f each st a r a n d its

XV I I I THE CO N F ES S I O N O F C YP R I AN

a ppr o pri at e f o o d an d d r i nk A ls o the m eeti n gs o f spirits

.

wit h m e n in ligh t the t h r ee hu n dr e d an d si x ty five d em o n s

,
-

w ho di v id e a s m an y p a rt s o f th e e the r b e tw e e n t he m an d ,

th e s acri fi c e s lib ati o n s an d w o rds a ppro pri ate t o e ach

, , .

Cyp r i a n s e duc a ti o n h a d n o w a dv an c e d t o suc h a po i n t t hat

’

t h e d e v il h i m s e l f h a il e d h im m e r e y o ut h a s he w as as a
, ,

n e w J am br e s a skil f ul a n d r e li abl e pr a ctiti o n e r a n d w o r th y

, ,

o f c o mm u n ic a ti o n with h i m s e l f Cyp r i a n a ga i n e x pl a i n s
.

a t t h is p o i n t t h a t in al l t he st a rs a n d pl a n ts a n d o t h e r w o rks

o f G o d the d evil h a s b o u n d t o h i m s e l f lik en e s se s in pr ep

a r ati o n t o w a ge w a r wit h G o d a n d His a n ge ls but the s e

‘

lik en e ss e s a re s ha d o wy i m a ge s n o t s o lid subst an c e s T he

,
'

d e v il s r a i n is n o t w a t e r his fi r e d o e s n o t bur n h is fi s h are

’

, ,

n o t fo o d a n d h is g o ld is n o t ge n ui n e
,
T h e d evil o bt a i n s
.

the ma t e ri a l f o r his pr o ducts f r o m the v ap o rs o f s acrific e s .

Cypri an n o w r e tur n e d f r o m Ch ald ea an d wr o ugh t m a r

“ ” “
ve ls at An ti o c h lik e o n e o f the a n ci en ts an d m ade m an y ,

e x p e ri m en ts o f m a gic an d be c a m e c e l e b r a t e d a s a m a gici an

an d ph il o s o ph e r e n d o w e d wit h v a st k n o wl e dg e o f t h i n gs

i nvisibl e ”
. Me n ca m e t o h im to be t aught m agic o r t o
s ecure t he ir e n ds by h is a ssist anc e An d h e ea sily help ed .

them a ll s o me t o the gr atific ati o n o f pl eas ur e o the rs to

, ,

triu m ph o v er the ir a dv e rs a ri e s o r e v e n t o sl ay t he ir riva ls .

His c o n sci en c e s o m et i m es prick e d him at the e vil d ee ds

wh ich h e th us wr o ugh t with the a id o f d em o n s but a s yet ,

he did n o t d o ubt t h a t the d e vil wa s al l p o w e r f ul .

But then the c a s e o f the Christi an girl Justi na r ev eal e d

t o h im th e w e ak n e ss an d f r aud o f th e d evil D et e r m i n e d.

t o d e dic at e he rs el f t o a li f e o f v irgi n ity J usti n a r e pul se d ,

the l o v e o f th e y o ut h A gl ai des w h o s o ugh t Cypri an s a ssist

’

a nc e But in v a i n : the d em o n f a il e d t o a lt e r J usti n a s d et e r ’

.

m i nati o n a n d w as no t e v e n a bl e t o gi ve an o t he r girl the

f o r m o f J usti n a a n d s o d e c e i v eA gl aide s J usti n a w a s s h o w n
.

the f o r m o f h e r l o v e r but s h e c a ll e d up o n th e Virgi n an d th e

, ,

d ev il w a s f o rc e d t o v an is h in s m o k e N o r did dis eas e an d

.

o t he r pl a gu e s an d t o r m e n ts a ffe ct h e r r e s o luti o n He r p ar .

e n ts ,
ho w e ve r w e r e si m il a rly afflict e d u n til t h e y b e s o ugh t
,
432 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI E N CE ca n .

he r t o m ar ry Agl a i des , but i n st ead s he cure d them o f t he ir

a il m e n ts by t he sign o f t h e cro ss T he d e vil t hen i n flicte d
.

a pl a gu e o n th e e n tir e c o mm u n ity an d d e liv e r e d an o r a cl e

to t he e ff e ct t ha t the p e st c o uld be st a y e d o n ly by the m ar

r iage o f J usti n a a n d A gl a ide s but he r pr ay e rs turn e d the
,

wrat h o f the public f r o m he r se l f a ga i n st Cypri an When .

t he m a gici an in disgu st curs e d th e d e m o n f o r the e vil p a ss

t o w h ich h e h a d th us br o ugh t h im the d e m o n m a d e a f e r o ,

c io u s a tt a ck up o n h im f r o m wh ich Cypri an s av e d h i m s e l f
,

j u s t in the n ick o f ti m e by c al li n g up o n G o d f o r a id an d
m aki n g th e sign o f the c r o ss He th en publicly c o n fe ss ed
.

his c r i m e s as a m a gici an bur n e d his bo o ks o f m a gic an d

, ,

w a s b aptiz e d i n t o t he C hri sti a n f a ith 1

.

Cypri a n s C o nf es s io n th us r e pr e s e n ts m agic as a v e ry
’

e l ab o r a t e a r t re quiri ng l o n g study a n d a t ho r o ugh k no w l

,

e dg e o f n a tur a l o bj e ct s a n d pr o c e ss e s T he m a gici an h a s .

his b o o ks a n d h e m ust als o be a bl e t o r e a d t he b o o k o f

,

n a tur e .A str o l o gy an d o th e r a rts o f divi n a ti o n ar e i n t e gr a l

p arts o f m a gic But m a gic is als o r e pre s en t e d as the w o rk
.

o f e vil spirits T h is i n v o lv e s n o t m e r e ly a N eo P l at o n ic
.
-

s o rt o f a ss o ci a ti o n o f d em o n s wit h n a tur a l f o rc e s an d

r egi o n s o f ea rth o r sky but a ls o the sp e ci fi c a ss o ci ati o n o f

,

t he d e vil f o r e vil purp o s e s wit h o bj e cts in n a ture a d o ctri n e ,

wh ich w e shall fi n d a ga i n in the w o rks o f a m e di e val s a i nt ,

Hild e ga rd o f Bi n gen Furt he rm o r e m a gic a ids in th e co m

.
,

m issi o n o f cri m e a nd is d a n g e r o us e v e n to the m a gici an

a ga i n st w ho m t he d e vil m ay turn While m a gic i nv o lve s .

study o f n atur e and u s e o f n atur a l f o rc e s an d a ss oc i a ti o n s ,

“ ”
an d w e als o h e a r o f m an y ex p e ri m e n ts o f m a gic it is ,

sc a rc e ly r e pr e s en t e d a s o p e r ati n g sci en tific a lly in the C o nfes

s io n . I t is m ystic c o n f us e d s h a d o wy i m it a tiv e i m agi n ary
, , , , ,

l acki n g in s o lidity an d r e ality f r a udul e n t an d de c e ptive ,

.

Fi nally th is c o m pl ex a r t th is u n ive rs a l syst em o f k n o w l

, ,

e dg e is ea sily b alk e d a n d o v e rthr o wn by the f ar si m pl e r

,

“
S he ll ey it m ay b e r e c al l e d, in
,
M ag ic o P r o dig ios o , in w h ich
18 2 2 t r a n s l a t e d s o m e s c e n e s p ub ,
C yp r i a n , J us tin a, an d the de m o n
l is h ed in 1 82 4 , f r o m Calde r on s
’
fig u r e .
4 34 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

the public b a th but s he re p ell e d h im by m aki ng the s ign o f

,

th e cr o s s His c o m p an i o n s t he n tri e d to d evis e s o m e m o r e

.

p o we r f ul m a gic f o r his be nefit and t o o k him at sun s e t to ,

a c e m e t e ry f ull o f c a v e s w h e r e f o r t h r e e succ e ssiv e n igh ts

the wiz a rds v a i nly pli e d t h e ir a r ts in th e a tt e m pt t o gr a ti fy

his lust But in e v e ry i n sta n c e the y w e re f o ile d by the
.

nam e o f Ch rist a n d t h e sign o f t he cr o ss

1
.

J o s e ph th e gu a rdi an o f th is s am e yo un g man fin ally

, ,

b ec am e c o n ve rt e d t o Ch risti an ity a f t e r Ch ri s t had app ear ed

r e p eat e dly to him in dre am s a nd cure d h im o f dis ea s e s an d
a f t e r h e h i m s e l f by em pl o yi n g t he n ame o f J e sus h a d cur e d
, ,

a m a n o f a d e m o n i a c a l p o ss e ss i o n w h ic h m a d e h im go

s h am e l e ssly ab o ut the t o w n in a n ud e st a t e A f t e r h is c on .

v e rsi o n J o s ep h st a rt e d t o c o m pl et e as a Ch ri sti an chu rch

,

a n u n fi n is he d structur e in T i be ri a s c a ll e d t he Adr ian a io n ,

w h ich the citiz e n s pr evi o usly had tri e d t o c o nv e rt i n t o a

p ublic b at h When the J e ws e nd eav o re d to r ui n his un
.

der tak ing by be witchi ng th e f ur n a c e s w h ic h he ha d e re ct e d

f o r the pr ep a rati o n o f quick li m e he c o u nt e r a ct e d t he i r -
,

m a gic by m a ki n g the sign o f the cr o ss spri nkli ng hi s f ur ,

n a c e s wit h ho ly w at e r an d s ayi n g in the n am e o f J e sus o f

,

“
N a z a r e th L et t h e r e be p o w e r in t h i s w a t e r t o c o u n t e r a ct
,

a ll p ha r m a cy a n d m a gic e m pl o y e d by t h e s e m e n an d t o

i n still su ffici ent e n e rgy i n t o the fi r e to c o m pl e t e the ho us e

o f t he L o rd
”
Wit h t hat his fi r e s bla z e d up V i o l en tly
.
2
.

Ve ry si m il a r b o th to the Co nf es s io n o f Cypri an an d the

st o ry o f S i m o n Magus is the l ege n d o f S t J am e s the G reat .

“
Ep ip h an ius , P a na r ion, e d D in . B ut th e two m iddl e n a me s s ug
do r f , I I , 9 7 - 104 ; e d P e tav iu s , .
g e s t th e s to n e s , s m a r ag dus o r
I 3 1A - 1 3 7 C . e m e ra ld, a nd a s b e s t o s The p o e t
.

“
I de m . T h e a tte m p t t o b e w itch al s o
”
v k
in o e s
“
C ir c e o f m an y
t h e f u r n a c e s r e m in d s o n e o f t h e d r ug s to c a s t in j u r io us s p e l l s ,
f o u r te en th Ho m e r ic ep ig r a m , in a n d a p p e al s t o Chir o n t o c o m
w hic h th e ba r d t h r e a te n s t o c u r s e p l e te t h e w o r of k
d e s tr uctio n .

t he p o tt e r s
’
f ur n ac es i f t h e y d o He f ur th er p r ays t hat t he f ac e o f
n o t p a y him f o r h is s o n g , a n d t o any p o tt e r w ho p e e r s in to t h e f u r
“
s umm o n t h e d e s t r o ye r s o f f u r n a c e may b e bur n e d This e p i
.

”—
g r a m i s p r o ba bly o f l at e dat e
’
n a ce s , Ebw p 16 sp as Eudp a ybv ‘
.

S e e A A be l , H o me ri Hy mn i, E pi
" ’

re It a l Aa fier o v 176é E a BdIcr nv, .

w o r d s u s ua l l y in t e r p r e te d a s n a m e s g r a mm a ta B a tr a ch o myomac hia,
L ip s iae , 1 886, p p 1 2 3 -4
,

f o r m is c h ie v o us P uc k s a nd br aw l . .

ing g o bl in s who s ma s h p o tte r y .

XVI I I THE CO NFES S I O N OF C YPR I AN 43 5

an d He rm o ge n e s the m agici an wh ich is f o un d in The G o lden

,

L eg end a n d w h ic h w a s o f te n r e pr o duc e d in m e di e v a l st a i n e d
gl ass wi n d o ws Ja m e s c o nv e rt e d to Ch r i sti an ity a disci pl e
1
.

o f He r m o ge n e s w h o m th e m a gici a n h a d s e n t a ga i n st h im

when h e w a s pr each i n g in J udea Wh en th e a n gry wiz a rd .

c a st a sp e ll o ve r h is e rstw h il e discipl e the l a tt e r w as f r eed ,

by m e an s o f S t J am e s s cl o ak When the magici an s ent

.
’
.

d em o n s to f e tch b o t h the c o n ve rt a n d th e s a i n t J a m e s made ,

t hem bri n g He rm o gen e s to him i nst e a d but t hen s e t him ,

f r e e t e lli n g him t ha t Christi an s r e tur n e d go o d f o r e vil

,
.

He rm o gene s n o w fe a re d the v e n ge an c e t ha t the d emo n s

w o uld tak e up o n h i ms e l f an d s o J ame s gav e his st a ff to
,

h im t o pr o t e ct h i m s el f with S o o n a f t e rw a rds He r m o gen e s

.

t h r e w al l his b o o ks o f m agic i n t o the s ea an d w as ba ptiz e d .

in f a ct a s Mal e s ays
“ ” “
I n Th e G o l de n L eg e n d ,
a l m o st
, ,

a l l th e a p o stl e s h a v e t o c o n t e n d with m a gici a n s But it is S t . .

S i m o n an d S t Jude w h o striv e with the m o st f o rm id abl e o f

.

s o rc e re rs an d t he y chall en ge him e v en in th e v e ry s an ctu a ry

,

o f m a gic a r t the t e m pl e o f t h e S un a t S u a n ir n e a r B a byl o n

, ,
.

Un dis m aye d by the sci en c e o f Z o ro a ste r an d Aphax ad t he y ,

f o r e te ll t he f utur e t he y c aus e a n e w b o rn b ab e t o sp e ak
,
-
,

the y subdu e tige rs and s e rp e n ts an d f r o m a statu e t he y ,

c ast o ut a demo n w hich sho ws its e l f in the s hap e o f a bl ack

,

” 2
E t h i o pi an an d fl ee s utt e ri n g r auc o us cri e s I f t h is l a st .

e x o rcism r em i n ds us s o m e w ha t o f t he ex pl oits o f A p o ll o n ius

o f T y an a still m o r e do the p e r f o rm an c e s o f S t An
,
.

“
dr e w who m ust surp ass al l the m a rv els o f the m agici an s
,

be f o re he can c o nv e rt A si a and G r e e c e He drive s a w ay .

s ev e n d em o n s w ho in the s hap e o f sev e n gr e at do gs d e s o l ate

the t o wn o f N ic aea a n d h e e x o rcis e s a spirit wh ic h dw e ll s
,
” 3
in t he ther ma e a n d is w o n t t o str an gl e th e b at he rs .

Mal e R e lig ious Ar t in Fr a nc e,

,
“
Mal e p .
3 06 .

1’
19 13 , pp 304-6
. . I bid , p 3 07
. . .
 C HA PTER XI X

O RI G E N A N D C E L S U S

Cel s us
’
ch a rg es of Ch r is t ianity— Heb r ew magic as
mag ic ag ain s t

d e p ic te d by Ce l s u s— Va r io us r e c r im ina tio n s o f m agic— O r ig e n s dis tin c

’

t io n be t w e e n m ir a cl e s a n d m ag ic O r ig e n f r ee s J e w s a s w e l l a s Ch r is
—

t a in s f r o m t he c h ar g e o f m a gic
’
—
Ce l s u s s c ep tical de sc r ip tio n o f m ag 1c
— Ce l s u s s ugg e s t s a co nne c tio n be tw e e n m ag ic a n d o c c ul t ir tu e s in v
n a t u r e— Cel s u s on m ag ic ian s a n d de m o n s— O r ig e n a s c r ibe s m ag ic t o
d e m o n s— Ma gic is an e la bo r a t e a r t— T h e Mag i o f S c r ip tu r e w e r e n o t

O r ige n s B ibl ical c o m m e nta r ie s

’
diff e re nt f ro m o th e r m ag ic ian s —

B a l a am a nd th e p o w e r o f w o r ds Lim itatio n s t o th e p o w er o f P ha r a o h s
’
—

mag ic ia n s W a s B a l aam a p r op h et o f G o d o r a m ag ic ian B al aa m s

’
— —

m ag ic e xp e r im e nt s Lim itatio n s to h is m ag ic p o w e r — Di in e p r o p h e cy
—
v
dis t in c t f r o m m a g ic a n d d i in atio n— Th e v
e n t r il o qu is t r e a l l y in o e d v v k
S am u e l f o r S a ul— Ch r is tia n s l e s s a ff e c te d by m ag ic th an p hil o s o p h e r s
a re —
T h e ir s up e r s t itio u s m e th o ds a ga in s t m ag ic— I n ca nta tio n s— The
p o wer of w o r ds —
O r ig e n a dm it s a c o n n ec t io n be tw ee n th e p o we r o f
w o r ds m ag ic— J e w is h an d Chr is tian
an d e mp l o y me nt o f p o w e r f ul n am es

is r eall y m ag ic— C e l s us t h e o ry o f d e m o n s O r ige n c al l s de mo n s w ic e d

’
-
k
—
v
B ut be lie e s in p r e s iding a n ge l s A l a w o f s p ir itua l g r a itatio n —
v
Attitude of Ce l s u s t o w a r d a s t r o l o gy— Attitu de of O r ig e n t o wa r d as

tr o l o g y— Fu r t h e r dis c u s s io n in h is C o mm en tar y G e n es is — P r o bl e ms on

v
o f t h e w a te r s a b o e t h e fi r m a m e n t a n d o f o n e o r m o r e h e a e n s v
A ugu ry d r e a m s , a n d p r o p h ec y— A n im al s a n d ge m s — O r ige n l ate r a o
,

c u se d o f co un t e n an c ing m agic .

I N t he c e l ebr a te d w o rk o f O rigen Agains t Cels a s wri t ,

1

t e n in the first h al f o f t h e t h ird c en tury th e subj e ct o f ,

m a gic is o ft e n t o uc h e d upo n l a rge ly b e c a us e Ce lsus in his ,

Tr u e Dis c o ur s e h a d s o f r eq u en tly br o ugh t c ha rge s o f m agi c

a g a i n st J e sus His Ch risti an f o ll o w e rs an d the J e wis h p eo
, ,

p l e f r o m w h o m t h e y h a d spru n g Ce lsus h a d c a ll e d J e su s .

“
G k t xt i Mig P G V l f
ree e n g d
ne B ii h ,
d O ig
o . er u n er
'

c er es r e n es

XI . E n g lis h t r a n s l a t io n in th e g eg e n C e ls us in d e n Ha n ds c hr if
A n te -N ic e n e F a the r s , o f w hic h I te n dies es W
e r k es un d d er P hi

g e n e r al l y m a e k
use in quo ta l o ha lia P r o l eg o me na zu ein er
.

t io n s f r o m t h e w o r O n th e k . k r itis c he n A us ga be , 1889 , 1 57 pp , .

M S S o f th e Ag ains t C e ls us s e e ( TU , V I,
P a ul K oe ts cha u, D ie Tex tii ber lie
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CH AP .

s o rc e ry in c o n s e qu en c e o f wh ich c e rt a i n ph an to m s ap
,

p ea r in o b e di en c e to the sp e lls em pl o ye d by the m agici an s ” 1

.

C elsus al s o in d e scribi n g th e m an y s e l f styl e d pr o phe t s

, ,
-
,

R e d eem e rs a nd S o n s o f G o d in th e Pho e n ici a an d P a l e s

,
“
ti n e o f his o wn ti m e st at e s t ha t t he y mak e u s e o f str an ge
, ,

f ana tica l an d q uit e u n i nt e lligibl e w o rds o f w h ich n o r ati o n a l

, ,
” 2
p e rs o n can fi n d any m ean i n g a n d t ha t t h o s e pr o p he ts
,

w ho m he hi m s e l f ha d hea rd had a f t e r w a rds c o n f e ss e d to

“ ” 3
him t ha t t h e s e w o rds r ea lly m ea n t n o t h i n g Y et e ve n .

t he Ch risti a n s Ce lsu s c o m pl a i n s w ho c o n d em n al l o the r

— —

o r a cl e s r e ga rd as m a rv e l o us an d a cc e pt u nqu e sti o n i n gly

,

“
tho s e s ayi n gs w h ich w e r e utt e r e d o r w e re n o t utt e re d in
J ud e a a f te r t he m an ne r o f tha t c o u n try a s i n d ee d the y are ,

still d e live r e d amo n g the p e o ple s o f Phoen ici a an d Pale s

” 4
ti n e.

T o t he s e accus a ti o n s o f Ce lsu s O rige n h i m s e l f a dds th at

the J e w s a ffi r m th a t J e sus p a ss e d H i m s e l f o ff a s Ch rist by
m ean s o f s o rc e ry w h ile the E gypti a n s c ha rge Mo s e s an d
5
,

t he Hebr e ws wit h the pr a ctic e o f s o rc e r y duri n g t he ir st ay

“ “
in E gypt O rige n o n the o t he r ha n d sp eaks o f
.
,
t he ,

”
m a gic al a rts an d rit e s o f the E gypti an s a n d h o lds t hat it
w as by divi n e aid an d n o t by sup e ri o r m a gic t h at Mo s e s
pr e va il e d o v e r P ha r ao h s m agici an s ’ 7
Ce lsus f o r his p a rt
.

“
ha d a ccus e d J e sus duri n g His r e sid e n c e in E gypt o f hav
ing t he r e a c q uir e d s o m e m ir a cul o us p o w e rs o n whic h the ,
” 8
E gypti a n s gr e atly prid e t he m s e lv e s .

O r ige n r e pudi at e s the c h a rge s o f m a gic m ad e a gai n st

Ch rist a n d His f o ll o w e rs as sl an d e rs He a ss e rts tha t Ch ris .

tia n ity o n the c o n tra ry strictly f o rbids t h e pr a ct ic e o f m a gic

a rts a n d t h a t t he s e l o st m uc h o f t he ir f o rc e at t he birt h
9
,

” He c o n t en ds t hat n o m a gici an w o uld t each such

o f Ch rist .

n o bl e d o ctri n e s as t h o s e o f Ch risti an ity O rigen go e s s o

11
.

“
f ar a s t o d e n y t hat e ven the f al s e Ch rists an d f al s e
'
i
v 9, ,
I I I, 46 ; I V , 5 1 .

“ “
V I I, 9 . I , 28 .

“
V II , 1 1 . I , 38 .

“ 1°
V I I, 3 . I , 60 .

5 11
I II , I . 1, 3 8 .

‘
II I 5. .
 O RI G EN A ND CEL S US 439

pr o phe ts who s hall s ho w gr eat sign s an d w o n de rs will

, ,

be s o rc e r e rs a n d he st a t e s t ha t n o s o r c e re r h a s e ve r cl a i m e d
,

to be Ch rist a n am a zi n g a ss e rti o n in V i e w o f h is o wn
1 —

a llusi o n s t o S i m o n Magus Wo rks o f m a gic an d m ir a cl e s

.
,

O rige n affi r m s a r e n o m o r e a lik e t ha n a r e a w o l f an d a

,

do g o r a w o o d pig e o n a n d a d o v e
-
T he y a r e h o w e v e r s o
.
, ,

clo sely r el at e d that if o n e a d m its t he re ality o f m agic he

must also b e li e ve in divi ne m ira cl e s j ust a s th e ex ist e n c e ,

o f s o p h ist r y pr o v e s t ha t t he r e is suc h a t h i n g as s o u n d a rgu

m en t a n d an a r t o f di al e ctic 2
Mo r e o v e r in o n e p a ss a ge
.
,
”
O rige n a dm its tha t t he r e w o uld i n d e e d b e a r e s e m bl a n c e
“
b e tw e en m ira cl e s and m agic if J e sus lik e the d e a l e rs in
, ,

m a gic a rts ha d p er f o r m e d His w o r ks o n ly f o r s ho w ; but

,

n o w t he r e is n o t a si n gl e j uggl e r w ho by m ean s o f h is p r o ,

c ee din gs i n vit e s h is sp e ct a t o rs to r e f o r m t h e ir m a nn e rs o r
, ,

tr a i n s tho s e to the f e a r o f G o d who ar e a m az e d at what

t h ey s ee n o r w ho tri e s t o p e rsu a d e t hem s o to liv e a s m en
,

” 3
w ho a re t o be j ustifi e d by G o d O n t he c on tr a r y O rige n
.
,

“
a ss e rts t ha t t h e m a gic i an s o w n liv e s a r e full o f the gr o s se st
’

”
a n d m o st n o t o ri o us si n s .

S i n c e it is o n e o f O rige n s c h i e f c o n c e r n s to up ho ld
’

Hebr e w pr o p he cy a s a pr o o f o f Chr ist s divi n ity a lth o u gh ’

C e lsus subj e cts th e a rgu m e n t f r o m p r o p he cy t o ridicul e ;

t o d e f en d t he O l d T e st a m en t a ga i n st Ce lsus att a cks a s a n
’

i n spire d r e c o rd o f grea te r an tiquity th an G r e ek phil o s o phy ,

h ist o ry a nd lit e r atur e wh ic h he a ss e rts h ave st o l e n trut h s

, ,

“
f r o m it ; an d t o m a i n t a i n t h a t t he r e is n o discr e p a n cy be
tween the G o d o f t he G o sp e l an d the G o d o f t he L aw 4 ”

si n ce t h is is s o it is i ncu m b e n t up o n him to r e but als o the

,

a ccus ati o n s o f m agic l a id by Ce lsus a t the d o o r o f t he

J e ws O rigen t he r e fo r e a ss e rts tha t the J e ws d e spis e d

.
“

a l l ki n ds o f di v i na ti o n a s t h a t w h ic h b e witc he s m e n t o n o
”
purp o s e an d cite s th e pr oh ibiti o n o f L eviticus ( X I X 3 1 )
, ,

a ga i st wiz a rds a n d f a m ili a r spirits

n “
.

VI I , 25.
V 4a.
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE CH AP .

T he R eply to C e l s us is o f e sp e ci al i nte re st t o us b e c aus e

it pr e s e n ts as it w e r e in p a r all e l c o lu m n s f o r o ur i n sp e cti o n
th e cl as sic a l an d t he Ch r isti an c o n c e pti o n s o f a n d attitud e s
t o wa rds m agic B e f o r e pr o c ee di n g th e r e f o r e t o i n quir e
.
, ,

ho w f ar j ustifi e d O rige n s e em s t o b e in t hus a cquitti n g o r ,

Ce lsus o n the o t he r han d in c o n d e m n i n g Ch ri s ti a n s a nd

, ,

J ews o n the c ha rge o f m a gic it is e ss en ti a l to n o t e what

,

m a gic m e an s f o r e ith e r a ut ho r .B o th e vid en tly r e ga rd it

a s a t e r m o f r epr o a c h a n d as usu a lly e vil in c ha r a ct e r
1
.

C e lsus lists a s f ea ts o f m a gic t he e x p e lli n g o f d e m o n s a n d

dis e a s e s f r o m m en o r the sudd en pr o ducti o n o f t abl e s
, ,

dishe s an d f o o d as f o r a n ex pe n si v e b an que t o r o f an i m a ls
, ,

w ho m o v e a b o ut a s if a liv e . Ce lsus ho w eve r s e e m s t o

, ,

”
sp ea k with a s n ee r o f the ir m o st v ene r at e d a rts an d de
“
scribe s the ban qu e t dis he s a s d a i n ti e s havi n g n o r e al ex ist
”
en ce a n d th e an i m als a s n o t r e a lly livi n g but h avi n g

o n ly t h e a pp e a ra n c e o f li fe . T he r e f o r e the e n sui n g c o m
m e nt o f O rige n s e e m s u n usu a lly stupid o r u n f a i r wh e n ,

he tri e s t o c o n vict Ce lsus o f i n c o n sist en c y o n th e gr o u n d

t ha t by t he s e e x pr e ssi o n s he a ll o w s a s it w e r e the ex ist enc e
“

o f m a gic w he r e a s O rig e n h i n ts t hat it w a s he w ho wr o te

,

” “ ”
s e v e r a l bo o ks a ga i n st it . The s e e x pr e ssi o n s a r e o n the ,

c o n tra ry pr e cis e ly tho s e wh ich a m an w ho h ad att ack e d

,

m a gic as d e c e ptiv e w o uld u s e . Ce lsu s f urt he r st a t e d t h at

a n E gyp ti a n n am e d D i o n ysius h a d t o ld h im th a t m a gic a rts

h a d p o w e r o n ly o v e r t he u n e duc at e d an d m e n o f c o rrupt
“

” “
m o r a ls but ha d n o e ff e ct up o n ph il o s o p he rs b ec aus e t he y
, ,
” 2
w e r e c a r e ful to o bs e rve a h ea lt hy m ann e r o f li f e C e lsus .

“
hi m s e l f o bs e rve d that th o s e wh o in m a rke t pl ac e s p e r f o r m -

m o st disr e put abl e tricks an d c o ll e ct cr o wds a r o u n d t h em

” 3
w o uld n e ve r appr o a ch an a ss em bly o f wis e m en .

I t w a s a t t he re q u e st o f a C e lsus m o r e o v e r t ha t the s ec o n d
, ,

c e n tury s a tiri s t L uci a n wr o t e his A lexan der o r P s eud o

m a n tis in w h ic h s o m e o f the tricks o f a m a gici an i m p o st o r
4 -

an d o r a cl e m o n ge r a r e e x p o s e d
-
an d in w h ic h a llusi o n is
,

”
III, 52 .

“
S ee ca p . 21 .
 MA G I C A ND E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

ha d b e en ac qu a i n t e d wit h the n a tur e o f d em o n s and t he ir

o p e r a ti o n s in the m a gic a rts he w o uld n o t hav e bl am e d
,

Ch risti a n s f o r n o t w o rs h ipi n g t he m 1
The n a tur a l i n f e r .

e n c e f r o m t h is st a t em e n t is t h a t Ce lsus did n o t a ss o ci at e

d em o n s with ma gic O rigen h o w e ve r d e picts h im as.

, ,

sp eaki n g o f tho s e w ho e m pl o y the a rts o f m agic a nd

” 2
s o rc e ry an d w h o i n v o k e t he b a rba r o us na m e s o f d e m o n s ,

a n d w e ha v e a lr ea dy h e a rd h im c e n sur e c e rt a i n Ch risti an

pr e s byt er s f o r t he ir b a rb a ro us bo o ks co n t a i n i n g the n ame s

I t t he r e f o r e be co m
” 3
a n d m a rve l o us d o i n gs o f d e m o n s . es

e vid e n t t ha t m a gici an s a tt e m pt t o a v a il th e m s e lv e s o f the

a id o f d em o n s w he t he r Ce lsus b e li e v e s t ha t t he y succ e e d in
,

the ir a tt em pt o r n o t .

O r ige n at any r ate b e li e v e s t hat ma gici a n s a r e a id e d

by e vil spirits an d f o r h im d em o n s b ec am e the p ar am o un t
,

fact o r in m a gic j ust a s it is the y who ar e w o rs h ip e d in

,

p a ga n t em pl e s as go ds an d w ho i n spir e the p a gan o r a cl e s 4

.

I n d e e d j ust a s Cel sus ha s k e pt c a lli n g t he Ch risti an s s o r

,

c e r e r s s o O rige n is i n cli n e d t o l ab e l al l h e at he n r e ligi o n s

, ,

r ite s an d c e r e m o n i e s a s m a gic
,
He q u o te s the P s a l m ist as
.

” 5
“
s ayi n g t ha t a ll the go ds o f the he athen a r e d em o n s He .

st ate s t hat the d e dic ati o n o f p a gan t em pl e s st atu e s and the , ,

“
l ik e a r e a cc o m p an i e d by curi o us m a gic al i ncan t a ti o n s
p e r f o r m e d by t ho s e who z ea l o usly s e r ve the d em o n s with
” 5 “
m a gic a rts Divi na ti o n in ge n e r a l he b e li e ve s pr o c ee ds
.
, ,

r a the r f ro m wicke d d emo n s t han fr o m a nyth i ng o f a be tte r

” 7
n a tur e .He d o e s n o t t h i n k o f m a gic a s a d e c epti o n he ,

d o e s n o t e n dea vo r to ex p o s e its f r a uds he acc e pts its m ar ,

“
vel s a s f a cts but d e cl a re s tha t m a gic and s o rc e ry ar e p r o
,

duce d by wick e d spirits h e ld sp e llb o u n d by e l ab o r at e,

” 3
i n can ta ti o n s a n d yi e ldi n g t he m s e lve s to s o rc e r e rs O rige n .

s e e m s in d o ubt w he t he r th e d em o n s a r e c o e rc e d by the sp e lls

“
a n d c h a r m s o f magic o r yi e ld th e m s e lv e s willi n gly .

“
V II, 67 . V ,42 .

“
V I, 3 9 .
I I, 5 1 . S e e al s o V , 38 ; V I , 4 5
“
V I 40, . V I I , 69 ; V I I I , 5 9 ; I , 60 .

‘ “ “
V I I 3 a nd 3 5 . S ee V II , 67 , de m o n s
v
,

an d t h e ir s e e r al o p e r a t io n s ,
5
P s x c v1, 5
. .

‘
V I I, 69 . w h e th e r l e d o n to the m by th e
 ORI G E N A N D CEL S US

As we s hal l O rig e n
l ea st rea dy t o attribut e
s ee , is at

great p o w e r to i n c an tati o n s an d he d oe s n o t d e n y th at ,

ma gic is an e l ab o r a t e a r t W it h suc h v a ri o us a rts o f m agic

.

he c o n tr a sts the si m p licity o f Ch r isti a n pr a ye rs a n d a dj ura

“ ”
ti o n s wh ich the pl a i n e st p e rs o n can u s e o r the Ch risti an ,

c a sti n g o ut o f d em o n s w hic h is p e r fo rm e d f o r the m o st

“ ” 1
pa rt by u n l ett e r e d p e rs o n s O rige n a ls o sugge sts t ha t
.

the n atur a l pro p e rti e s o f pl an ts an d a n i m als a r e a f a ct o r in

m agic w he n he cit e s N um e niu s th e P yt h ago r ean s des c r ip

’
,

ti o n o f the E gypti a n d e ity S e r apis He p a rt ak e s o f the .

e ss e n c e o f a l l t he a n i m a ls a n d pl a n ts t ha t a r e u n d e r t h e

co n tro l o f n atur e that he m ay app ear to hav e b e en fa s h i o n e d

,
-

i n t o a go d n o t o n ly by th e i m age m ak e rs with the a id o f

,
-

pr o fan e m yst e ri e s an d j uggli n g tricks e m pl o y e d t o i n vo k e

dem o n s but a ls o by m a gici an s an d s o rc e r e rs ( ud y w t
,
’
o Ka

a p g mtv) a n d t ho s e d e m o n s w ho a r e b e witc h e d by t he ir
'

” 2
i n c an ta ti o n s A n o t he r p a ss a ge p o i n ti n g in the s am e di
.

“
r e cti o n is O r ige n s de scripti o n o f the m an who is curi o usly
’

i n quisitiv e ab o ut the n am e s o f d em o n s t he ir p o we rs an d ,

a g e n cy the i n c a n t a ti o n s th e h e rbs pr o p e r t o t h e m a n d the

, , ,

s to ne s with the i n scripti o n s grave n o n t he m c o rre sp o n di n g ,

” 3
symbo lica lly o r o t he r w is e t o t he ir tr a diti o n a l s ha p e s .

T hus a lth o ugh O rige n l a ys the e m ph a sis up o n d e m o n s we ,

s ee t h a t h e a d m its m o st o f th e o t h e r cust o m a ry e l e m e n ts in

m agic .

O rige n d o e s no t lik e P h il o Judae u s A pul e iu s an d s o me

, ,

Christi an writ e rs disti ngu is h tw o us e s o f the w o r d m agic

,
-
,

o n e go o d a n d o n e e vil He d o e s n o t di ff e ren ti a t e b etw e en

.

vulga r m agic an d m aligna n t s o rc e ry o n t he o ne han d an d

the l o r e o f l e ar ne d M a gi o f th e e a st o n the o t he r han d He .

co n u rat io n s
j of th o s e w ho a r e c ho o s e c e r t a inf o r m s an d p la ce s ,
s k il l in t h e a r t , o r
ed u r g e d o n by w h e t h e r b e c a u s e t h e y a r e d e t a in e d
th e ir o w n in c lin at io n s
“
. t h e r e by v
ir t u e o f c e r t a in c har m s ,
Al so V I I , 5 , th o s e s p ir its th at o r b eca u s e f o r s o m e o th e r p o s
a r e a tt a c h e d f o r e n t ir e a g e s a s I ,
s ibl e r e as o n v
t h e y ha e s e l e ct e d
may s ay, to p ar t ic ul ar dw e ll in g s th o s e h a u n t s .

y ap mom m a
“
an d p l a c e s , w h e t h e r b y a s o r t o f V I I, 4 d) : 25q a .

m ag ical f o r c e o r by th e ir o wn r o to frr o v n p dr r o vm .

“
n at u r a l in c l ina t io n s V , 38 .

“
Al s o V I I 64 ,
t h e d em o n s
, VI II 6 1 , .
 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

si mply s ays tha t the a r t o f m agic ge ts it s n am e f r om the

Ma gi an d t h at f r o m them its e vil i n flu en c e ha s b ee n tr an s
m itte d t o o t h e r n a ti o n s 1
Ce lsus ha d r a n k e d t h e Ma gi
.

a m o n g divi n e ly i n spir e d n a ti o n s but O rige n o b j e cts t o t h is .

Y e t he r e c o gn iz e s t ha t t he wis e m e n o f the e a st who f o l

l o w e d the st a r o f B e thl ehe m and c am e to w o rs h ip the i n f an t
Christ w e r e Ma gi 2
But he s e em s to r e ga rd t hem as o rdi
.

n a ry m a gici a n s w ho w e r e a ccu s t o m e d to i n v o k e e vil

,

spirits 3
He t h i n ks t hat th e c o m i n g o f Ch rist disp e lle d th e
.

d em o n s and h i n de r e d the Magi s sp ells a n d cha rm s f ro m ’

w o rki n g as usu a l T ryi n g to fi nd the r ea s o n fo r t his they

.
,

w o uld n o te the n e w st a r in the sky O rigen will n o t a d m it .

t h at the y c o uld do a ll t h is by m e a n s o f astr o l o gy n o r e v en ,

t ha t the y w e re a str o l o ge rs at al l ; he accu s e s Ce lsus o f

blu n d e ri n g in c a lli n g t hem Cha ld e an s o r a str o l o ge rs 4
.

Ra th e r he t h i n ks t ha t t h e y c o uld fi n d a n e x pl an a ti o n o f
the st a r in t h e pr o p h e ci e s o f B a l aam
5
w h ich t he y p o ss e ss e d
a s Mo s e s t o o r e c o rds
“ “
a n d w h ic h pr e dict e d ,
The r e s ha ll ,

a ris e a st a r o ut o f J a c o b a n d a m an ( o r as in th e Ki n g
, ,

” 7
J am e s v e rsi o n a sc e pt e r ) s ha ll ris e up o ut o f I sr a e l
’
, .

I n a n o th e r tr e a tis e th a n th e R eply to C e l s a s O rigen f urt he r

e x pl a i n s t h a t th e M a gi w e r e d e sc e n d e d f r o m B a l a am a n d
“
s o o w n e d his writt e n p r o p h e ci e s B a l aa m w a s p e r ha ps
.

a lludi n g t o t he s e v e r y Ma gi d e sc e n d e d f r o m him w ho c am e

t o a d o r e J e sus wh e n he p r o p he si e d t ha t his s ee d s h o uld

“
V I 80, . w is s d e n s ie be n Pl an et f ur s t en g e
”
I, 58 . w idm e t .

“
I , 60 . N u m be r s XXI V , 1 7
, .

‘
I, 58 T h e Ma gi h ad be en
.
7
S im il a r l y a n En g lis h e r s io n v
c o n f u s e d w it h t he C h a l d e a n s s e v ( in a n O x f o r d M S o f th e e a r l y
e r al ce n t u r ie s b e f o r e b y C t e s ia s 1 st h c e n t u r y, L a u d Mis c , 65 8 ) o f .

in h is P e r s ica ca p 1 5 ; s ee D F . . . Th e H is to r y of th e Th r e e King s
Miin te r D e r S te r n d er We is e n :
,

, o f Co l o g n e o r m e d ie a l acc o u n t
,
v
U n ter s u c h u ng en tibe r d as Ge o f t h e t r an s l at io n o f t h e r e l ic s o f
bu r ts j a h r Ch r is ti, K o p e n h a ge n th e Ma g i, in f o r ty- o n e c h a p t e r s
p . 14 . w ith a p r e f ac e , o p e n s it s fi r s t
“
B a l a a m h im s e l f w as s o m e th mg c h a p te r w ith t h e w o r ds , Th e
of an as t r olog er a c c o r din g to m at e r o f th e s e t h r ee w o r s h ip f u l
Mu n te r , D e r S te r n d er We is e n
“
, a n d bl is s id k k
in g is t o e n th e b e
1 82 7 , p 31 . Die s ie be n A l t ar e
.
g yn n yn g of t he p r o p h e c ye o f
”
die de r m o a bitis ch e S e h e r B il e a m B a l aa m .

an ve r s ch ie d e ne n O r t e n e r r ic h te t e
“
In N u m e r o s Ho milia XII I , in
-

( I V B Mo s e , XXI I I ) w a r e n g e
. Mign e , P G , XII , 6 7 5 .
446 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

Yahw eh by virtu e o f wh ich he p r e dict e d the f utur e an d ,

” 1
g o t f r o m G o d w h at e v e r h e wis h e d .

Th e m a gici a n s o f E gypt t o o w h o withst o o d Mo s e s an d

, ,

A a r o n be f o r e P h a r ao h w e r e a bl e t o turn r o d s i n t o sn ak e s
,

a n d w at e r i n t o bl o o d f e a ts w h ic h n o m an c o uld ac c o m plis h
,

by me r e b o dily str e n gt h I n d e e d b e c aus e the ki n g o f E gypt

.
,

k ne w that h is m a gici an s c o uld do such thi n gs by a human

a r t o f w o rds h e t h o ugh t a t fi rst at l ea st t h a t Mo s e s to o
, , ,

w as d o i n g th e s am e t h i n gs n o t by the h e lp o f G o d but by
t he m a gic a rt T he r e was h o w e v e r a V e ry s e ri o us li m it a
.
, ,

ti o n to the m agici an s p o w e r By the a id o f d emo n s t he y

’
.

c o uld tur n go o d i n t o e vil but th e y c o uld n o t r e pa ir the dam

a ge w h ic h t h e y h a d d o n e o r r e st o r e th e e vil t o g o o d The .

r o d o f Mo s e s o n th e o th e r h an d n o t o n ly d e v o ur e d t h e irs
, ,

but tur n e d ba ck f r o m a s n ake i n t o its o r igi n a l f o r m an d it 2

,

w a s n e c e ss a ry f o r Mo s e s to pr ay to G o d in o rd e r t o st ay the
o t he r pl a gu e s .

O rige n cl a ssi fi e s B a l aam as a m a gici an n o t a s a pr o ph et , .

T h is s e e m s to hav e b e e n the pr ev al e n t p a tristic an d m e di ev a l

'

vi e w a lt ho ugh the B iblic al a cc o u n t in N u mb e r s r e pr e s e nts

,

B al aam as in cl o s e an d c o n st an t c o mm u n ic a ti o n with G o d
a n d t h e S e c o n d E pistl e o f P e t e r c alls him a pr o phet al
3

th o ugh it c o n d em n s h is t em p o ra ry m ad n e ss in s ee ki n g th e
”
w a ge s o f u n right e o us n e ss J o s e phus to o c alls him the
.

b e st pr o phe t o f his ti me but o n e w ho yi e ld e d t o t em pt ati o n 4

.

A fi f t e en t h c e n tury tr e a tis e o n th e tr a n sl ati o n o f the r e lic s o f

“
t h e t h re e ki n gs to C o l o gn e t e lls us t ha t c o n c e r n i n g th is
B a l aam t he r e is an alt e rc ati o n in the e a s t be tw e en the
”
Ch risti an s a nd the J e ws ; th e J e ws ho ldi n g t h at he w a s
n o pr o p h e t but a divi n e r w h o pr e dict e d by m a gic a n d

di abo lic a l a rts the Christi an s a ss e r ti n g t ha t he w as the

,

fi rst pr o phe t o f the G en tile s 5

T he pr o bl e m c o n ti n u e d to
.

“
W. H
. B e nn ett, B a laa m, in n a r r ati e v
f a il s t o e nl ig h te n us .

“
E B , l 1 th e ditio n . I I , 1 5 - 16 .

“ “
O ne Can n o t h e lp w o nde r ing A n tiq , I V , 6 . .

J o ha n n is Hil de s h e me n s is , L iber
l‘
w h e th e r P ha r a o h s m a g ic ian s l o s t
’

t he ir r o d s f o r g o o d a s a r e s u l t d e triu m r eg u m trans la tion e , 1 47 8 ,

of
.
v
t hi s m an oeu r e , b ut it is a cap . 2.

p o i nt up o n w hi c h the S c r ip tura l
.
XI X O R I GEN AND CE L S US 447

ex e rci se the i n genuity o f L uthe ran s and theol o gi an s o f the

R e f o rm e d Churc h e s an d in 1 8 4 2 w as t he m a i n t he m e o f a
,

tre a tis e o f 2 9 0 p age s in wh ich Hebr e w w o rds an d qu o t a

ti o n s f r o m Ca l v i n a bo u n d 1
.

O rige n r em a r ks t ha t m a gici an s di ffe r in th e am o u nt o f

p o w e r t he y p o ss e ss B al aam w as a v e ry f am o us an d ex
.

p e rt o n e kn o wn th r o ugh o ut the who l e o ri e n t He h ad

-
,
.

giv en m an y e x p e ri m en t a l pr o o f s ( exper im en ta ) o f his skill

a n d B a l a k ha d f r e qu en tly e m pl o ye d him Th e t r an sl at o r .

R ufi n u s s r e p e a t e d u s e o f the w o rds exper im e n ta a n d ex

’

per tus h e r e is an i n t e r e sti n g i n dic ati o n o f th e cl o s e c o nne c

ti o n bet w een m a gic a n d e x p er i m en t 2
.

G r eat h o w ev e r as w a s B al aam s f am e an d p o w e r he
’
, , ,

c o uld o n ly curs e an d no t bl e ss a n i n dic ati o n tha t he o p e r

,

a t e d by the a ge n cy o f d e m o n s w ho a ls o o n ly w o rk e vil

a n d n o t go o d I t is tru e t h at Ki n g B a l ak s a id t o h im
.

”
I k no w t ha t w h o m yo u bl e ss will be bl e ss e d but O rigen
“
,

r e ga rds thi s as f als e fl a tt e ry Magici an s e m pl o y the serv.

ic e s o f evil spirits but c an n o t i n vo k e such an ge ls a s M ichae l

, ,

R aph ae l a n d G abri e l m uch l e ss G o d o r Ch r ist Ch risti an s

, , .

a l o n e h av e the p o w e r t o do t h is a n d t he y m ust c ea s e e n tir e ly

,

f r o m the i n v o c a ti o n o f d em o n s o r th e Ho ly S pirit will fl ee

f r o m t he m .

It i s tru e a ls o tha t G o d in th e e n d did sp e ak th ro ugh

t he m o ut h o f B a l a am an d t ha t he bl e ss e d i n st e a d o f curs e d
I sr ae l . O rigen will n o t a d m it ho w e v e r t h at B a l a am wa s
, ,

w o rthy o f t h is o r t ha t a m an c an be b o t h a m a gici an a nd
,

a pr o p he t ; if G o d sp a k e t h r o ugh B al a am it w a s o n ly to ,

prev en t the d e m o n s f ro m c o m i n g an d he lpi n g B al aam t o

curs e I sr ae l O rigen als o att em pts to s o lve the di ff i culti e s
.

E W He n gs t e nbe r g, D ie G e
“
. . J er o m e ,
a nd s ome
m o de r n s w h o
s c hic h te B il e a ms u n d s e in e Weis h o l d t h at B a l aa m w as o r ig in a l l y
s ag u ng e n B e r l in , 1 842 He n g s t e n
. v
a d e o u t m an a n d t r u e p r o p h e t
k v
,

b e rg t r ied t o ta e m idd l e g r o un d w h o f e l l t h r o u gh his co e t o u s n e s s .

“
b e t w e e n P h il o J u dae u s , A mb r o se , E t id e o q u a s i e x p e r t u s in t al i
A ug us t ine , G r e g o r y o f N y s s a , b us in o p in io n e e r at o m n ib us qu i
T h eo do r e t , an d o t h e r s w h o r e e r a n t in O r ie n t e C e r tu s e rgo
g a r d e d B a l aa m a s a g o dl e s s f a l s e B a l a c h de h o c e t f r e que nter ex
”
p r o p h e t a n d m ag ic ian , a n d th e p er tus .

c o n t r ar y o p in io n of T e r tullia n.
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

an d i n co n sist e n ci e s i nv o lve d in the r e p ea t ed a ppe a r anc e s and

c o n flicti ng c o mm an ds o f G o d an d the an ge l to B al aam .

Fi n a lly w e m ay n o t e t hat O rigen s ee s the si m il a rity be

tw een the u s e o f c auldr o n s hape d trip o ds in hum an a rts-

o f divi n a ti o n a n d t h e d o n n i n g o f th e e ph o d by the pr o p he ts

d e sc rib e d in the O ld T e st a m en t But he affirm s t ha t divi ne

1
.

p r o phe cy an d divi n ati o n ar e tw o di ffe r en t th i n gs an d cite s

t he Biblic a l pro h ibiti o n o f th e l att e r .

In his c o m m e n t a ry up o n th e First B o o k o f S am u e l 2
,

O rige n t ak e s t h e gr o u n d t h at w h e n S a ul c o n sult e d th e witc h

o r v e n tril o q uist (éy y p g w s) S am u e l s gh o st r ea lly a pp e a r e d
’
'
aor i o

a n d sp o k e t o S a ul f o r the S c r iptur a l a cc o u n t pl a i n ly s ays

,

t hat the w o m an s aw S am u e l an d t hat S a m u e l sp o k e t o

3

S a ul . Co n s e qu e ntly O rige n can n o t a gr ee with t ho s e w h o

h av e h e ld t ha t t he w o m an d e c e iv e d S a ul o r t ha t b o t h s he
a n d h e w e r e d e lud e d by a d e m o n w h o assu m e d th e gui se o f

S am u e l N o d e m o n h e t h i n ks c o uld ha v e pr o phe si e d t ha t
.
, ,

th e ki n gd o m w o uld p a ss t o D avid I t ha s b ee n o b j e ct e d
.

t ha t t he e n chant r e ss c o uld n o t r a is e the sp irit o f S am u e l

f r o m t he i n fe r n a l r e gi o n s be c a us e he w as a go o d m an but ,

O rige n ho lds th a t e v e n C h rist d e sc e n d e d t o h e ll a n d t h a t

a l l b e f o r e Him h a d t he ir a b o d e t h e r e u n til He c am e t o

r e l ea s e t hem Fr o m this p o siti o n n o t e v e n the p a r abl e o f

.

D iv e s a n d o f L a z a rus in A b r aham s b o s o m wit h t he gr e a t

’

gul f fi x e d b e tw een th em can shak e O rig en .

O rigen disput e s the st at e m e n t o f Ce lsus t ha t ph il o

s o phe rs a r e n o t a ffe ct e d by the m a gic a rts by p o i n ti n g o ut
th at in Mo ir agen e s s L if e of Apo ll o nius of Tyan a wh o w a s
’

h i m s e l f b o t h a p hil o s o p h e r a n d m a gici an it is affir m e d t hat ,

“
o t h e r p h il o s o p h e rs w e r e w o n o v e r by h is m a gic p o w e r and
” 4
r e s o rt e d to him a s a s o rc e r e r O n th e o t h e r han d O rige n
.

m ak e s the c o u nt e r a ss e rti o n t h a t the f o ll o w e rs o f Christ

-

“
w ho liv e a cc o rdi n g to His go sp e l usi n g n ig ht a n d day c o n ,

1
I n Ho m il y XI V S a u l , w ith s ix ma n us c r ip t s
’
. s aw
“
Mig n e , P G , XII , 1 0 1 1 -2 8 . o f t h e S e p t u a g in t a n d s o m e m o d
“ ‘
J G Fr a z e r
. . I I, 5 2 2 , c m c r it ic s , in s t e a d o f , A n d w h en
v
n o t e , h o w e e r , s ay s o f I
“
S a m ue l , . t h e w o m a n s a w S a mue l
“
.
’

XXV I I I , 1 2 : I t s e e m s th at w e V I, 4 1 .

‘
m u st r ea d An d w h e n t he w o m a n
,
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

ce rt ai n d em o ns alt ho ugh he a d m its t hat Ch risti an s w a rd o ff

,

m a gic by r e gul a r u s e o f pre scrib e d pr ay e rs an d f r e qu en tly

“
e x p e l d e m o n s by r e p e titi o n o f the si m pl e n am e o f J e sus ,

a n d c er tai n o the r w o r ds in w h ic h t he y r e p o s e f a it h a cc o rd ,
” “
in g t o th e h o ly S criptur e s or th e n am e o f J e sus acco m
,

p a n ie d by t h e a nn o u n c e m e n t o f t h e n a rr a tiv e s w h ich r e l a t e

to Him ( pr e su m ably a r ep e titi o n o f the n am e s o f the f o ur

E v an ge lists ) 1
. It is e ve n p o ssibl e f o r p e rs o n s w ho ar e n o t
tru e Christi an s t o m ak e u s e o f the n am e o f J e sus to w o rk
w o n d e rs j ust a s m a gici an s u s e the Hebr e w n am es 2
.

O rige n ho w e v e r d o e s n o t try to j usti f y t he s e He br e w

, ,

a n d Ch risti an f o r m ul ae a d j ur a ti o n s a n d e x o rcis m s o n th e
, ,

gro u n d tha t the y ar e si m ply pr a ye rs to G o d who Hi m s e l f ,

t hen pe rf o rm s t he cur e o r m ir acl e wit ho ut c o mpul si o n .

O rige n b e li ev e s t hat t he r e is p o w e r in the w o rds t he m s e lve s ,

as w e h av e alr e a dy h e a rd h im st a t e in sp e a ki n g o f B al aam .

T hi s is s e e n f r o m the f a ct t ha t w he n tr a n sl at e d i n t o an
o the r l an gu a ge t h e y l o s e t he ir o p e r ativ e f o rc e a s t h o s e who ,

a r e skill e d in t h e u s e o f i n c a n t a ti o n s h a v e n o t e d T hus n o t
3
.

wha t is si gn i fi e d by the w o rd s but t he qu a liti e s an d p e culi

,

a r it ie s o f t h e w o rds t h em s e l v e s a r e p o t e n t f o r t h is o r t h a t
,

e ff e ct . It s ee m s str a n ge t h at O rige n s ho ul d t hus cit e e n

c hant e rs w hen in the s e nt e n c e j ust pr e c e di n g he had sp o k en
,

“
of o u r J e sus w h o s e n am e h as b ee n m an i f e stly s ee n t o ha v e
,

driv en o ut dem o n s f r o m s o uls an d b o di e s Wa s the

.

divi ne n am e a l o n e and n o t G o d the c aus e o f the m ir acl e ? I t

m ay be a dd e d h o w e v e r t hat O rige n d e n i e d t h at l an gu a ge s
, ,

w e r e o f hu m an o rigi n But he has alr ea dy go n e f ar al o n g

4
.

“
th is li n e an d in th e previ o us c hapt e r has stat e d tha t the
” “
n atur e o f p o w e r f ul n a m e s is a dee p an d m yst e ri o us sub
” 5 “
j e ct. S o m e suc h n am e s h e go e s o n to s ay a r e us e d by
, ,

th e l e a r n e d a mo n gst t he E gypti an s o r by the Ma gi am o n g ,

t he P e rsi an s and by t he I n di an p h il o s o phe rs c all e d Br ah

,
”
m an s .

v
I , 6 I t a l so , h o w e e r , s ugg es t s
.

t h e e ffi cac y a s c r ib e d by t h e Man
da ea n s t o th e r e p e titio n o f p as
s ag e s f r o m t h eir s a c r e d b o o s k .
 O R I G EN AN D CE L S US

L at e r on w o rk in a p a ss age wh ich w e h av e
in the ,

al r ea dy cit e d O r ige n w ax e d i n dign a n t wit h Ce lsus f o r

,

spe aki n g fa vo ra bly o f the Ma gi i nv ent o rs o f the d e st ructive ,

magi c a r t But n o w he sp e aks al m o st in a t o n e o f r e sp e ct

.

“
o f m a gic sta ti n g t ha t i f
, the s o c a ll e d m a gic a ls o is n o t a s
-
,

”
f o ll o w e rs o f E picurus ( i e m e n lik e Ce lsus w ho m O rigen
. .
,
-

“
a ccus e s o f b e i n g a n E picur e an ) a n d A rist o tl e t h i n k an e u ,

t ir e ly c hao tic a ff a i r but a s t ho s e skill e d in suc h m att e rs

,

S h o w a c o n n e ct e d syst e m c o m prisi n g w o rds k n o w n to v e r y

,

”
f e w p e rs o n s t hen suc h n am e s a s A d o na i a nd S abao th
,
” “
p e rt a i n t o s om e mystic the o l o gy an d when pr on o u n ce d , ,

with th at att en d an t tr a i n o f ci r cum st an c e s w h ich is appr o

”
p r ia t e t o t h e i r n a tu r e ar e p o ss e ss e d o f gr e a t p o w e r
, .

T he s e l a st c l aus e s m ak e it cl e a r th at J e ws a nd Chris
ti an s w e r e guilty b o th o f i n c an tati o n s an d m agic ho w eve r /

m uc h O r ige n m a y pr o t e st t o the c o ntr a ry I t can h a rdly .

“
be a rgu e d t ha t O rig e n m ea n s to disti n guis h t h is s o c a lle d -

”
m agic f r o m th e m a gic a r t w h ich he c o n d e m n s in o t he r
p a ss a ge s f o r n o t o nly i s it e vid en t that the f o ll o w e rs o f Epi
,

c u r u s a n d A rist o tl e m ak e n o suc h disti n cti o n but O ri gen ,

h i m s e l f in o t he r p a ss a ge s a scrib e s the e m pl o ymen t o f suc h

Hebre w n am e s to o rdi n ar y m a gici an s a n d d e cla r e s t ha t suc h
“
i n v o c a ti o n s o f G o d are f o un d in t r ea tis e s o n m a gic in m an y
” 1
co unt r i e s . O rigen a l so s t at e s in h is C o mm e n tar y upon
Ma tthew t hat th e J e ws a r e r e gard e d a s a d e pts in a djura
2

ti o n o f d em o n s a n d t hat the y e m pl o y a dj ur atio n s in the He

bre w l an gu a ge dr aw n f ro m the b o o ks o f S o l o m o n Mo re .

o v e r h e c o n ti n u e s in t he pr e s en t p a ss a ge
,
A n d o t h e r n am e s , ,

a ga i n curr en t in t he E gypti an t o n gu e a r e e ffic a ci o us a g a i n st

, ,

c e rt a i n d em on s w ho c an o n ly do c e rta i n th i n gs ; an d o the rs
in the P e rsi an l an gu a ge h a v e c o r r e sp o n di n g p o w e r o v e r
o th e r spirits ; a n d s o o n in e v e ry di ff e r e n t n a t i o n f o r di ff e r ,

”
e n t pu r p o s e s . A n d wh e n o n e is abl e t o ph il o s o ph iz e
a b o ut th e myst e ry o f n am e s he will fi n d m uc h t o s ay re
,

sp e cti ng the titl e s o f the an ge ls o f G o d o f w ho m o ne is ,

“
I V , 3 3 ; I , 2 2 e tc , .

“
I n Ma th XXV I , . 23 ( Mign e , P G , XIII ,
 MA G I C A ND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

ca ll e d Mic hae l a n d ano the r G a bri el a n d a n o t he r R aphae l

, , ,

a ppr o p r i a t e ly t o th e duti e s w h ic h t he y disc h a rge in the w o r ld .

”
A n d a si m il a r p h il o s o p hy o f n am e s a ppli e s a ls o t o o u r J e su s .

B e twee n suc h m ystic t he o l o gy a n d ph il o s o phy o f n ame s the ,

G no stic di a g r a m o f th e O p h it e s an d t h e d o w n righ t i n c an
1
,

t a t io n s o f th e m a gici a n s t h e r e is sur e ly littl e t o ch o o s e

, .

Fr o m t he n am e s o f G o d a n d an ge ls by utt e ri n g w h ich ,

suc h w o n d e rs m ay be p e r f o rm e d w e turn t o the spirits ,

t hem s e lv e s Ce lsus s eem s to t h i n k o f de m o n s as spiritua l

.

b e i n gs w ho a c t a s i nt e rm e di a ri e s be t w e e n the supr e m e D eity

a n d th e w o rld o f n a tu r e a n d h u m a n s o ci e ty He b e li e ve s .

“
t ha t in a ll pr o b ability the v a ri o us qu a rt e rs o f t he e a rth
w e re f ro m the b e gi n n i n g a ll o tt e d to di ff e r e n t sup e ri n te n d
” 2
in g spirits He w a r n s th e Ch risti a n s t h at it is a bsurd f o r
.

t hem to t h i n k t hat t he y ca n e sc ap e th e d em o n s by si mply

r e f usi n g t o e at the m ea t t hat ha s b ee n o ff e r e d to id o ls ; the
d em o n s are e ve rywhe re in n ature a n d o n e c ann o t e at br ea d ,

o r dri n k wi n e o r t a st e f ruit o r br ea t he th e v e ry a ir wit h o ut

r e c e ivi ng t he s e gi fts o f n a tur e f r o m the d em o n s to w ho m

“
t h e v a ri o us pr o vi n c e s o f n a tu r e h a v e b ee n a ssign e d The .

E gypti an s t e a c h t h a t e v en th e m o st i n sign ific an t o b j e cts a r e

c o mm itt e d to d em o n c a r e an d the y di v id e th e h um an b o dy
,

i n t o th irty s ix pa rts ea ch in c ha rge o f a d em o n o f the air

-
,

w ho s h o uld be i n v o k e d in o rd e r t o cur e an a il m e n t o f t h a t
p articul a r p a rt 4
Ce lsus m e n ti o n s s o m e o f t he n am e s o f
.

t he s e th irty s ix dem o n s : Chn o um en Chn ach o um e n Cn at

-
, , ,

S ic at Bi o u B r o u a n d o t h e rs
, , , Ce lsus h o w e v e r d oe s n o t
.
, ,

a cc e pt t h is E gypti an d o ctri n e wit h o ut qu a lific a ti o n He sus .

p eets O rige n t e lls us t hat it l e a ds t o w a rd m a gi c an d h enc e

, ,
-
,

a dds th e o pi n i o n o f t h o s e wis e m e n w h o s ay t ha t m o st o f
“

t he e ar t h d e m o n s a r e t ak e n up w it h c a r n a l i n dulge n c e bl oo d
-
, ,

o d o rs s w e e t s o u nds an d o the r such s e n su al th i n gs ; and

,

the r e f o r e the y a r e u n abl e to do m o re than h eal the b o dy ,

o r f o r e t e ll t he f o rtu n e s o f m e n a n d citi e s a n d do o t h e r such ,

“
S e e p 3 66 in Ch ap t er XV
. on
G n o s t ic is m .

V ,
25 .
4 54 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

w ho i m pri n t e d ch his n ative l an gu a ge to the di ffe re nt

o n ea
” 1
p arts o f the e arth a cc o rdi n g t o the ir d e s e rts He co n .

c l u de s by s a yi n g T he s e r em a rks a r e t o be u n d e rst o o d a s
,

” 2
b e i n g m ad e by us with a c o n c eal e d m ean i n g but the r e ,

s eem s littl e d o ubt as to his subst an ti al a gr eem en t with the

V i e w o f Ce lsus I n d e e d l at e r w he n Ce lsus a ss e rts t ha t
.
,

Ch risti an s c ann o t ea t dri nk o r br e a th e witho ut be i n g in

, ,

d ebt ed to d em o n s O rige n re sp o n ds We i n d ee d als o m a i n

“
, ,

ta i n th e ag en cy a n d c o n tr o l o f c e rt a i n b e i n gs wh o m w e
m ay c a ll i n visibl e h usb an d m en an d gu a rdi an s ; but w e
” 3
d eny t hat t ho s e i n visibl e a ge n ts a r e d e m o n s .

In h is f o urt e en t h ho m ily o n N u m b e r s a s ext an t in R u ,

fi n us s tr an sl a ti o n O r ig e n a ga i n sp e aks o f pr e sidi n g an ge ls
4
’
,

“
in t h e s e w o rds An d w ha t is s o pl ea s an t wh at is s o m a g
.
,

n ifi ce n t as th e w o rk o f t he s un o r m o o n by w h o m t h e w o rld

i s illu m i nat e d ? Y e t t he r e is w o rk in the w o rld its e l f to o f o r

a n ge ls w h o a r e o v e r b e a sts a n d f o r a n ge ls w ho p r e sid e o v e r

e a rth ly a r m i e s T he r e is w o rk f o r an ge ls wh o pr e sid e o v e r
.

t he n a tivity o f a n i m als o f s e e dli n g s o f pl an t ati o n s an d , , ,

m an y o the r gr o wt hs A n d a ga i n t h e r e is w o rk f o r an ge ls
.

w ho pr e sid e o ve r h o ly w o r ks wh o t e ach the c o m pr e he n si o n

-
,

o f e t e r n a l ligh t a n d t he k n o wl e dge o f G o d s s ecr e ts an d th e

’

sci en c e o f divi n e th i n gs Ho w t h is p ass age m ight be us e d

.

t o e n c o ur a ge a b e li e f in m a gic is m a d e e vid e n t by th e p ar a
ph ra s e o f it in The O ccul t P hil os ophy o f Hen ry Co r n e lius
A gripp a w ritt e n in 1 5 1 0 a t the cl o s e o f the m iddl e a ge s
5
, .

He r e p r e s e n ts O rigen as s ayi n g “
T he r e is w o rk in the ,

w o rld its e l f f o r a n ge ls w h o pr e sid e o v e r ea rthly a rm i e s ki n g ,

d o m s pr o vi n c e s m e n b e a sts t he n ativity an d gr o wt h o f
, , , ,

a n i m als s h o o ts pl a nt s a n d o t he r t h i n gs givi n g t h a t virtu e

, , , ,

”
w hich t he y s ay is in t h i n g s f r o m th e i r o ccult pr o p e rty .

“
I n t he tr e a tis e D e P r in cipiis O rige n st at e s t ha t p arti en ,

l a r o ffic e s a r e a ssign e d t o i n dividu al a n ge ls as curi n g dis ,

e a s e s to R a p h a e l a n d the c o n duct o f w a rs t o G a bri e l

,
T h is .

n o ti o n h e p e rh aps d e riv e d f r o m th e B o o k o f E n o c h w h ic h ,

“
V , 30 .
“
Mig n e , P G, XI I , 680 .

“ “
V 32, . I II, 12 .

“ “
V I II , 31 . I, 8 .
x rx O R I G EN A ND CEL S US 455

h o we v e r , h e stat e s in his R eply to Ce ls a s is n o t a cc epte d by

t he c hurc he s a s di v i n e ly i n spi r e d
1
He f urt he r d e cl a r e s o n
.

th e a ut ho ri ty o f p as s a ge s in th e N e w T e st a m e n t t h a t t o o n e
a n ge l th e Churc h o f t h e E p h e si a n s w a s e n trust e d ; t o a n

o t he r t ha t o f S m yr n a ; t ha t P et e r ha d h is a n ge l a n d P aul
,

”
h is n ay t h at
,
—
e v e r y o n e o f t h e lit t l e o n e s o f th e Chu r ch

h as h is an ge l w ho d a ily be h o lds the f a c e o f G o d 2

.

O rig en a dv an c e s a f u r the r t h e o ry c o n c e rn i n g spirits ,

w hic h ma y be d e scrib e d a s a s o rt o f l aw o f spiritu a l gr av -

I t is t ha t w h e n s o uls a r e pur e a n d n o t w e ight e d

“
ita tio n .

”
d o wn with s in as with a w e igh t o f l e a d t hey a sc e n d o n ,

h igh w h e re o t he r pur e a n d e t he r e al b o di e s a n d spirits dw e ll ,

l eavi ng he re b e l o w the ir gr o ss e r b o di e s a l o n g wit h the ir

”
i m puriti e s P o llut e d s o uls o n th e c o n tr a ry h a v e t o st a y
.
, ,

cl o s e to e arth whe r e t hey w an d e r ab o ut s e p ul c he rs a s gho s ts

an d a pp a riti o n s O rige n t h e r e f o r e i n f e r s t h a t p a gan g o d s
3
.

“
who a r e a tt a ch e d f o r e n tir e a ge s to p a r ticul a r d w e lli n gs
”
a n d pl a c e s o n e a rt h a r e wick e d an d p o llut e d spirits
,
O ri .

g e n o f c o urs e will n o t a d m it t h a t C h risti a n s o r J e w s bo w

d o wn e v e n to ange ls ; such w o rs hip the y r e s e rv e f o r G o d
a l o ne
4
.

B o t h Celsus a n d O rige n cl o s e ly a ss o ci at e with the w o rld

o f i n visibl e spirits w h e t he r t h e s e be a n g e ls o r d e m o n s t h e
, ,

visibl e heav en ly bo di e s a n d thus l ea d us f r o m m a gic wh ich

, ,

O rige n m ak e s s o d e p e n d e n t up o n d e m o n s t o the ki n dr e d ,

subj e ct o f a str o l o gy the ps e ud o sci en c e o f the sta rs Ce lsus

,
-
.

ha d c e n sure d the J e ws a n d by i m plic a ti o n th e C hr isti a n s

f o r w o rsh ipi n g h e av e n an d th e an ge ls an d e v e n a pp a riti o n s ,

pr o duc e d by s o rc e ry an d e n cha n tm e n t an d yet at the s am e ,

ti m e n e gl e cti n g w ha t in his o pi n i o n f o r m e d the h o li e st an d

m o st p o w e r f ul p a rt o f the h e av e n n am e ly th e fi x e d st a rs a n d , ,

who pr o phe sy t o e v e ry o n e s o disti n ctly th r o ugh

“
t h e pl an e ts , ,

w ho m al l pro ductiv e ne ss r e sults the m o st c o n spicu o us o f ,

” 5
sup e rn a l he ra lds r ea l h eav en ly an ge ls
,
T h is s h o ws t ha t .

Ce lsus w a s m uc h m o r e f a v o r a bly i n cli ne d t o w a rd a stro l o gy

“
V 54 ; , see B ook f
o E n o ch, XL, V I I, 5 .

9 . V 6 ,
-
9 .

Ma tt h e w XV I I I , ,
10 .
5
V , 6 .
4 56 M A G I C AND E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

t han t o w a rd m a gic a n d l e ss sc e ptic al c o n c e r n i n g its va lidity .

O r ig e n a ls o r e pr e s e n ts Ce lsus a n d f urt h er m o r e th e S t o ics

—
,

P l at o n ists a n d P yth a g o r e a n s as b e li e vi n g in th e t h e o ry o f
,
—

t he mag n us a nn us acc o rdi n g t o w h ic h w h e n the c e l e sti a l

, ,

b o di e s a ll re tur n t o the ir o rigi n al p os iti o n s a f t e r the l aps e o f

s o m e t ho us an ds o f ye a rs h ist o ry w ill b e gi n to r e p ea t its e l f
,

a n d t h e s a m e e v e n ts will o ccur a n d t h e s am e p e rs o n s liv e

o v e r a ga i n O rige n a ls o c o m pl a i n s t h at Ce lsus r e ga rds

1
.

a s a divi n e ly i n spir e d n a ti o n th e Cha ld ean s

-
w h o w e r e th e ,

f o u n d e rs o f d e c e it f ul ge n e t h li a l o gy as w e ll a s th e Ma gi
2 ”
,

w ho m Ce lsus e ls e w h e r e id e ntifi e d with the Chald e an s o r

a str o l o ge rs but w ho m O rige n as w e hav e s een re ga rds
,

r athe r as the fo u n d e rs o f m a gic .

O rig e n is o pp o s e d b o t h t o t h is a rt o f c a sti n g ho r o sc o p e s
a n d d e t e r m i n i n g t he e n tir e li f e o f t he i n dividu a l fr o m h is

n ativity a n d t o t h e t h e o ry o f t h e ma gn us a nn us b e c aus e h e
3
, ,

is c o nvi n c e d t ha t t o a dm it the ir t r uth is t o a n n i hil at e f re e

will But h e is f a r f ro m havi n g f r e e d h i m s e l f fundam en
.

t ally f r o m the astro l o gic al a ttitud e t o w a rd the st a rs ; i n de e d

he still s ho ws v e stige s o f the o ld p a gan t e n d e nc y t o w o rs h ip
them as divi n iti e s He is c o nvi n c e d t hat the c e l e sti al b o di e s
.

a r e n o t m e r e fi e ry m a ss e s a s A n a x a g o r a s t e a c he s
4
,
T he .

b o dy o f a st a r is m at e ri a l it i s tru e but a ls o e the re al But

, , .

f u r t he rm o r e O rige n is i n cli n e d to a gr e e b o t h in th e D e pr in ,

“ h
cipiis
5
a n d in th e C o n tr a Cels u m t at th e st ars a r e r a ,

t io n a l b e i n gs ( kw/ ma K i a ir vo i a th e l att e r w o rd ha d a l
o a a—

r e a dy be e n a ppli e d to them by P hil o Judaeu s ) p o s s e ss e d o f

“
f r ee will an d illu m i n at e d with th e ligh t o f k n o w l e dge by
—

t ha t wisd o m w h ic h is the r e fl e cti o n o f ev e rl a sti n g light .

He i n t e r pr e ts a p a ss a ge in De ut e r o n o m y t o m ean t hat the

7

st a rs ha v e in ge n e r al b een a ssign e d by G o d to all the n a

ti o n s ben e ath the he a v e n but a ss e rts t ha t f r o m th is syst em
,

o f a str a l s a tr api e s G o d s c h o s e n p eo pl e w e r e e x em pt e d
’
He .

“ “
IV , 67 ; V, 2 0 2 1 -
.
V ,
II .

“ D e p rin ci piis , I , 7
V I, 80 . .

“
D uhe m ( 1 9 3 19 1 7 ) ’ I I 44 7 ,
1 - V ,
10 .

“
t r e at s o f L es Per e s de l Eglis e e t D eu t .
,
IV , 19 -2 0
.

”
l a G r a n de A n n é e .
4 58 MA GI C AN D E XPE R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

t he c o nve rsi o n o f e ac h i n dividu a l t o Christi an ity t o f at al

n e c e ssity L ik e P h il o Juda e u s O rige n h o lds t hat the st a rs
.

a r e m e r e ly sig n s i n stitut e d by G o d n o t c a us e s o f the f utur e

, ,

a nd qu o t e s p a ss a ge s f r o m th e O l d T e stam e n t in supp o rt o f

his V i e w ; lik e the B o o k of E n o ch he h o lds that m en w e r e

i n st r uct ed in th e i n t e rpr e t ati o n o f the st ars s ign ifi cat io n s ’

by the f all en an ge ls He a rgu e s at l en gt h t hat divi ne f o re

.

k no wl e dge d o e s n o t i m p o s e n e c e ssity Wh ile ho w e ve r G o d .

, ,

i nstitute d the st a rs as sign s o f t he f utur e He i nt en d ed that ,

o nly the a n g e ls s h o uld b e abl e t o r e a d t h em an d d e e m e d ,

it b e s t f o r m an ki n d t o rema i n in ign o r an c e o f the f utur e .

Fo r it is a m uc h grea t e r t a sk t han li e s wit h i n h u m an p o w e r

“

t o l ear n tr ul y f r om the m o ti o n o f t he st a rs w hat e ac h p e r

” 1
s o n will d o a n d su ff e r T he e vil spirits h av e ho w ev e r
.
, ,

t aught m en the ar t o f a str o l o gy but O rige n b eli ev es t hat it

,

is s o di fficult a n d r eq uir e s such sup e r hu m an a ccur a cy tha t

t he pr e dicti o n s o f a str o l o ge rs a r e m o re lik e ly to be wr o n g
th an righ t His t o n e t o w ard a str o l o gy is th us disti nctly
.

m o r e u n f av o r abl e h e r e t han in the R eply to Ce ls us I n ar .

gu in g t ha t the st a rs a r e m e r e ly sign s O rige n a sks why m en ,

a dm it t h at the fligh t o f birds an d c o n diti o n o f en tra ils in

a ugury a n d liv e r divi n ati o n a r e o n ly sign s a n d yet i n sist th a t

-

t he st a rs a r e c a us e s o f f utur e e v e n ts T he a n sw e r o f
2
.
, _

c o urs e is si m pl e e n o ugh : all n atur e is u n d e r th e c o n tr o l o f

,

the st a rs w h ic h a lik e pr o duc e th e e v e nts sign i fi e d an d the

a cti o n o f th e birds o r c o n diti o n o f the liv e r sign i fyi n g t h em .

B ut the q u e sti o n is n o t abl e beca us e it was a ls o put by P lo

ti n us a littl e l a t e r in the sa me c entury .

I n ex pl a i n i n g th e B o o k o f G e ne sis O rigen s aid that c e l e s

ti a l an d i n f e rn al vi rtu e s w e r e r e pr e s en te d by the w at e rs
a b o ve a n d b e l o w the fi r m am en t r e sp e ctiv e ly T h is fi gur ativ e .

i n t e rpre t ati o n gave o ffenc e to m any l at e r Christi an write rs ,

a lt h o ugh s o m e o f t h e m w e r e r e a dy t o i n t er pr e t t h e w at e rs

a bo v e a s c e l e sti a l virtu e s but n o t t o t ak e th e w a t e rs be l o w

,

“
a s sig n i f yi n g evil spirits Co n c e r n i n g the q u e sti o n o f a
.

“
“
P G XXI 489
, , . L ib II v. 10, it B il , 11, .
, c es as ,

I bid 5 0 1 - 5 02 H o mil 3 in H Ep ip h a mus ,

D Huet,
. . .

“
P . . O r ig enianor um Ha er LXI V .
, , 4, a n d E pis t ad .
XIX O RI G EN A N D CEL S US

plur ality o f heaven s O rigen s ays in the R eply to Cels us ,

T he S criptur e s w hic h a r e curr en t in the Churc he s o f G o d

do n o t sp e a k o f s e v en he av en s o r o f an y d efi n it e n u m b e r at
al l but t he y do app ea r to t ea c h t he e x ist en c e o f h e av e n s
, ,

w het he r tha t m ean s the sphe re s o f t ho s e b o di e s w h ic h the

” 1
G r ee ks c a ll pl an ets o r s o m e t hi n g m o r e m yst e ri o us .

O f o t he r p a gan m et ho ds o f divi n ati o n t han a str o l o gy

O rige n dis appr o v e d and cl a ss e d t hem a s w e hav e s ee n a s , ,

t he w o rk o f d e mo n s He w as i m pr e s s e d by the w e ight o f
.

t e sti mo ny to the va lidity o f augury a ltho ugh he st at e s that

2
,

it has been dispute d w he the r t he r e is a ny such ar t but he ,

a ttribut e d t he trut h o f the pr e dic ti o n s t o d e m o n s a cti n g

t h ro ugh the an i mals and po i n t e d o ut that the Mo s aic law

f o rbade augury an d cla ssifie d as u n cl ean the an i m als c o m
3

m o nly empl o ye d in divi n ati o n T he tru e G o d he he ld

’

.
, ,

w o uld n o t emplo y irr ati o nal a n i mals a t al l to rev e al the

f uture no r e v e n any c han c e hu m an b e i n g but o n ly the pur e s t
, ,

o f pr o p he tic s o uls O rige n w o uld a pp e ar f o r the m o me nt

.

t o hav e f o rgo tt en B alaam s a s s ! Mo re o v e r h e h i m s e l f ac

’

cept ed o t he r c h ann e ls o f f o r e k n o wl e dg e t ha n ho ly pr o p he cy ,

an d b e li e v e d t h a t dre am s o f t e n w e r e o f v a lu e in t h is r e sp e ct .

When Ce lsus criticizi n g the S criptur al st o ry o f the fligh t

,

i nt o E gypt st ate d that an an ge l d e sc en de d f r o m heave n to

,

w a rn J o s e ph an d Ma ry o f the d an ge r t h r eate n i n g the Chri st

c hild O rige n r et o rte d t hat the a n ge lic w a rn i n g c ame r ather
,

in a dr e am an o ccurr e n c e w h ich s e e m e d in n o w a y m ar
—

“
vel o us to h im si n c e in m a n y o t he r c a s e s it ha s h app en e d
,

that a dr eam has s ho w n pe rs o n s the pr o p e r c o urs e o f a c

” 4
ti o n . O rige n gr a n ts t hat all m e n d e s ir e t o a sc e r t a i n the
f utur e a n d a rgu e s t ha t th e J e ws m ust h a v e h a d divi n e
pr o phe ts o r si n ce they w e r e f o rbidde n by the Mo s a ic l aw to
, ,

“ ”
co nsult o bs erve rs o f ti m e s a n d divi n e rs t hey w o uld have ,

J oan J er os o lymit
.
3; .
, c ap . J e r o me , V I, 2 1 .

“
E pis t . 61 a d P a mma c h .
, c ap .
3; I V , 90 9 5
-
.

“
G r ego r y Nys s , lib in H . . O r ig e n qu o te s , Y e s hal l n o t
Aug u st in e C o nf e s s
,
XIII , 1 5 ; p r a ct is e a ug u r y n o r o b s e r e t h e v
I s ido r e , O r ig in , V I I , 5 . . fl ig h t o f b ir d s
”
w h ic h is f o u n d in
,

S ee al s o D uh e m ( 1 9 13 - 1 9 1 7 ) I I , t he S e p tua g in t, L ei/ i t , XI X, 2 6 .

“ “
48 7 , L e s e aux s up r a c é l e s t es . I 66
, .
4 60 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

h ad no m ean s
s atis f yi n g th is un i v e rs al h um an cr avi n g
of .

I t w as t o sl a k e t h is p o pul a r curi o sity c o n c e r n i n g the f utur e ,

O rigen t h i n ks t h a t the He br e w s e e r s s o m e ti m e s pr e dict e d

,

t h i n gs o f n o r e ligi o us sign ific an c e o r o the r l a sti n g i m po r

“
t an c e 1
O n c e O r ige n a llud e s t o p h ysi o g n o m y s ayi n g
. If , ,

the r e be a ny truth in the d o ctri n e o f the physi o gn o m ists ,

”
w he t he r Zo pyr us o r L o x us o r P o l em o n .
2

The allusi o n s to n a tur a l sci e n c e in the R eply to Cels a s

a r e not n um er o u s T he r e a r e a f e w p a ss a ge s w he re a n i m a ls
.

o r ge m s a r e m e n ti o n e d T he r e m a rks c o n c e rn i n g an i m al s
.

m en ti o n t he usu a l f av o ri t e s a n d e m bo dy f am ili a r n o ti o n s
w h ich w e e it he r hav e a lr e a dy m et o r s ha ll m e et a ga i n a n d
a ga i n Ce lsus sp e a ks o f t h e k n o wl e dg e o f p o is o n s a n d
3
.

me dici ne s p o ss e sse d by a n i m al s o f pr e dicti o n s by birds o f, ,

a ss e m bli e s h e ld by o t h e r an i m a ls o f t he fi d e lity wit h w h ic h

,

e l e p ha nts o bs e rve o a t h s o f t he fili a l a ff e cti o n o f t he st o rk

, ,

a n d o f t h e A r a bi a n bird t h e p h o e n i x O rige n i m pli e s the

4
.
,

be li e f th at the w ea s e l c o n c e iv e s th ro ugh its m o ut h w hen h e

“
s ays O bs e rv e m o r e o ve r to w h at pitc h o f wick e d ne ss the
, , ,

d em o n s p r o c ee d s o t ha t t h e y e v e n a ssu m e the b o di e s o f
,

” 5
w e a s e ls in o rd e r to r e veal t he f utu r e O rigen a ls o a d .

duc e s the m arv e l o us m e th o ds o f gen e r ati o n o f s eve r al ki n ds

“
o f a n i m a ls in supp o r t o f t h e virgi n birt h o f J e sus O ri .

gen s allusi o n s to gem s c an sc ar c e ly b e cl a ssi fi e d a s n atur al

’

sci e n c e He c o n t en d s t ha t P l a t o s stat em e n t t ha t o u r p r e
.
’

ci o n s st o n e s a r e a r e fl e cti o n o f gem s in t hat b e tt e r l a n d is

t ak en f r o m I s a i ah s d e scripti o n o f the city o f G o d In a n
’ 7
.

o t he r p a ss a ge O rige n a ga i n qu o t e s I s a i a h r e ga rdi n g th e

w alls f o un d a ti o n s b a ttl em e n ts an d gat e s o f v a ri o us pr e

, , ,

c io u s st o n e s but s t a t e s t h a t h e c a nn o t st o p to e x am i n e t he ir
-
,

“
spiritu a l m ean i n g a t pr e s e n t In o n e o f his h o m ili e s o n
.

th e B o o k o f N u m b e rs O rig e n displ ay s a f av o rabl e a ttitud e

t o w a rds m e dic al and ph ar m ac e utic al i nv e stigati o n s ayi n g , ,

“
I, 36 . A p ul e iu s a s s um e t he bo dies of
“
I . 33 . w e a s e l s in o r de r to r ob a co r p s e.
“ °
I V , 8 6-88 . I, 3 7 .

‘ '
IV , 9 8 . V I I, 30 .

5 “
I V 9 3 ; it wil l b e r e call e d that
, V I I I , 1 9 -2 0 .

t h e w itc h e s in Th e G o ld e n A s s o f
 C HA PTE R XX

O T H E R C H R I S TI A N DI S CU S S I O N O F M A G I C B E F O R E A U G U S TI N E

P l an of t his c h ap t er — Te r tullian on m ag ic— A s t r o l ogy attac k ed-w

Re s e m bl an c e t o Min u ciu s Fe lix —

La c tan tius —
Hip p o l ytus on m agic an d

a s t r o l o gy— Fr a uds of m a g ic ian s in a n s w e r in g q u e s t io n s —

O th e r t r ic ks
an d ill u s io n s— D e f ec t s a n d m e r it s of Hipp o lytu s ’
e xp o s u r e of m ag ic
and m ag ic it s el f Hipp o l yt u s s o ur ce s— J u s tin Ma r ty r an d o th e r s
’
of —

on t h e w it c h o f En d o r G r eg o r y o f Nys s a a n d Eu s t athiu s co n
—

c e r n ing t h e v
en t r il o qu is t G r eg o r y o f Nys s a Ag ains t F a te— A s t r o l o gy
—

a n d th e b ir t h o f Ch r is t— Ch r y s o s t o m o n t h e s t a r o f th e Mag i— S ix th

Ho mily o n Ma tth ew — Th e s p u r io u s h o mily— Num be r n am e s , an d h o me ,

o f th e Ma gi— L it u r g ical d r a m a o f th e Ma gi ; Thr ee K ings o f C o l o g n e

An o th e r h o m ily on th e Magi —
P r isc ill ian is ts an s we r e d— Number an d

r a ce of the Magi again .

I N th is chapt e r w e s hall suppl em en t the pictur e o f the Chris

ti an attitud e t o w a rds m agic suppli e d us in pr e c e di n g c hap
t e rs by s o me a cc o u n ts o f m agic in o th e r Ch risti an write rs o f
the p e ri o d b e f o r e A ugu sti n e A f t e r givi n g the o pi n i o n s
.

o f a f e w L ati n f at he rs Min u c ius F e li x T e rtulli an a n d L ac

, , ,

t ant iu s w e s hall c o n sid e r the e x p o sur e o f m a gic d evic e s in

,

Hipp o lytus R efu ta tio n o f A ll H er es ies t he n c o m p a r e th e

’
,

utt e r an c e s o f o t he r f at he rs c o n c e rn i n g th e witch o f En do r
with t ho s e o f O rigen an d fi nally discuss the tr eat m en t o f
,

t h e Ma gi an d t he st a r o f B e t hl e h e m in b o t h th e ge n ui ne an d
th e spuri o us h o m ily o f Ch rys o st o m o n t h at th em e a ddi n g ,

s o m e a cc o un t o f the m e di e v a l d e v e l o p m e n t o f the l e ge n d o f
t he t h r ee Ma gi a lt h o ugh l e avi n g u n til l a t e r t he st a t e m en ts
,

o f m e di e v a l t h eo l o gi a n s a n d a str o n o m e rs c o n c e r n i n g t he

sta r o f the Ma gi Th is m ak e s a r a the r o m n ibus c hapte r

.
,

but its c o m p o n en t p a rts a r e to o bri e f to s ep ar at e a s disti n ct

c hapte rs and t he y al l suppl ement the pre c e di n g ch apte r o n
O rige n an d Celsus .
C HAP . XX O THER CHRI S TI AN D I S C U S S I O N

S o m e i mp o r t an t f eatur e s o f O rig e n s acc o u n t o f ma gic

’

ar e duplic at e d in the writi n gs o f th e w e st e r n c hurch f a the r ,

Te r tulli an w ho ,
wr o t e at a bo ut the s am e ti m e o r p e r haps a
f e w y e a rs b e f o re O r igen A g a i n th e J e ws a r e r e p r e s en t e d
.

a s c a lli n g Ch rist a m a gici a n a n d w h e n T e rtulli an c h a ll e n ge s

1
,

t he e m p e ro rs t o a ll o w a Ch risti an e x o rcist t o a pp ea r b e f o r e
them an d att em pt to e x p e l a d em o n f r o m s o m eo n e s o p o s
s e ss e d an d f o rc e th e spi r it to c o n f e ss its evil cha r a ct e r he ,

ex p e cts t h a t his Ch risti an e x o rcist will be a ccus e d o f e m

pl o yi n g m a gic A ga i n di v i n a ti o n an d m a gic a r e a ttribut e d

2
.

t o th e f a ll e n an ge ls ; in f a ct T e rtulli an f o ll o ws th e B o o k ,

of E n o c h in st a ti n g t h a t m e n w e r e i n struct e d by the f a ll e n

an ge ls in m e t a llur gy a n d b o t a n y a s w e ll a s in i n c an t a ti o n s
“
a n d a str o l o gy T h e d e m o n s a r e r e p r e s e n t e d a s i n visibl e
.

“ ”
and e v e ry w h e r e in a m o m e n t L ivi n g a s t he y do in th e .

a ir n e a r th e cl o uds a n d st a rs th ey ar e e n abl e d t o pr e dict ,

the w e at he r T he y s e n d dis e a s e s an d t h e n p r e t e n d t o cu r e
.

them by the r e c o mm en d a ti o n o f n o v e l r e m e di e s o r p r e s c r ip
“
ti o n s quit e c o n t r a r y t o a cc ept e d m e di ca l p r a ctic e 4
T he r e .

” 5
is hardly a hum an be i n g w h o is u n att e n d e d by a d em o n .

Magici an s a r e d e sc rib e d by T e r tulli an a s pro duci n g ph an

t a s m s i n sulti n g the s o ul s o f the d e a d i n j uri n g b o ys f o r
, ,

purp o s e s o f di v i n ati o n s e n di n g dr eam s an d p e r f o rm i n g

, ,

“
m an y m i r a cul o us f e a ts by t h e i r c o m plic a t e d j uggl e ry .

“ ”
T h e sci e n c e o f m a gic is w ell d e fi n e d a s a m ulti f o r m c o n
ta gio n o f the h u m an m i n d a n a r t ifi cer o f e v e ry e rr o r a de , ,

”
str o y e r o f s a f e ty a n d s o ul As ex am pl e s o f w e ll k n o w n .
-

m a gici a n s T e rtulli a n lists O s tan e s a n d T yp ho n a n d Da r

d an us a n d Da m ige r o n an d Ne ctabis a n d B e r e n ic e T e r
7 3
.

“
T e r t ull ian, A p o l og y c ap 2 1 ; ,
. L ithic a , an d in t h e A p o l ogy o f
s o a l s o Cyp r ia n , Liber d e i d o l or u m A p u l e iu s , c a p 4 5 ; is c it e d in t h e
.

va n i ta t e c ap 13. L at in t e x t o f
. G e o p o nica a n d w a s r e g a r de d by
,

v k
,

T e r tu l l ia n in P L , o l s 1 - 2 ; E n g . V Ro s e a s th e G r e e s o u r c e o f
.

Ev a x a n d Ma r b o d o n
“ ”
l is h t r an s l a t io n in A N , v o l 3 . . t h e L at in
“
A po l o g y c ap 2 3
, . . s to n e s
. B N 7 4 1 8 , 1 4 t h c e n t u r y,
D e c u l tu f e min ar u m, I, 2 . A m ig e r o n is de l apidibu s w a s ,

A p o l ogy, cap 2 2 . .
p r in te d by P it r a , S p ic S o l e s m ,
. .

“
D e a ni ma cap 5 7 , . . I I I , 3 2 4 3 5 , a n d A b e l , O r ph e i
-

“
A p o l ogy c ap 2 3
, . . L ithic a p 1 5 7 , e t s e q
, . S e e f ur
.

t h e r P W , D a m ig e r o n
“
D e a ni ma , c ap 5 7 D amig e r o n
. . .

“
is me nt io n e d in th e O r p h ic p o e m , P r e s um abl y Ne c ta n e bus .
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

tulli an st at e s that a lit e r atur e is curren t wh ic h pro m is e s t o

e v o k e gh o sts f r o m the i n f e r n a l r e gi o n s but t hat in suc h,

c a s e s the d ea d a r e r e al ly i m p e rs o n at e d by d em o n s a s w a s ,

t h e f a ct w he n th e pyt h o n e ss s e e m e d t o sho w S am u e l t o S a ul ,

a p o i n t o n w h ic h T e rtulli a n dis a gr ee s wit h O rige n Magic is .

t he re f o r e f a ll a ci o us a p o i n t w h ic h T e rt ulli an em pha siz e s

,

m o r e t h an O rige n did a lt h o ugh T e rt ulli a n is n ot v e ry ex

,

p l ic.it H e a v e rs t h a
“
t it is n o gr ea t t a sk to d ec e ive the
”
o ut e r e ye o f him w ho s e m e n t a l i n sigh t it is e a sy t o bli n d .

T he r o ds o f P ha r ao h s m a gici a n s s ee m e d to tur n i n t o s nak e s

’

,
“
but Mo s e s r ea lity d e v o ur e d t he ir d e c e it
’ 1 ”
.

Te rtulli an f urth e r div e rge s f r o m O rig en in d e fi n it e ly

cl a ssi fyi n g a stro l o gy as a sp e ci e s o f m agic a l o n g with that
o t h e r v a ri e ty o f m a gic w h ic h w o rks m ir a cl e s A str o l o gy is .

a n ar t w h ic h w a s i n v e n t e d by th e f a ll e n an ge ls an d with

w hich Christi an s s ho uld hav e n o th i ng t o do T e rtulli an .

w o uld n o t m en ti o n it but f o r the f a ct tha t re c e ntly a ce rt a i n

p e rs o n has de fe n d e d his p e rsist en c e in t hat pr o f e ssi o n t hat ,

is pre su m ably a f t e r he h ad b e c o m e a Christi an T e rtul

,
.

li an st a te s a ga i n u nlik e O rigen th at the Ma gi who c am e

, ,

f r o m th e e a st t o the Ch rist c h ild w e r e a str o l o ge rs

“
We —

k n o w the u n i o n e x isti n g betw ee n m a gic an d a str o l o gy

but th at Ch rist s f o ll o w e rs a r e u n d e r n o o bliga ti o n to as
’

t ro l o gy o n t he i r a cc o u n t a lt h o ugh he a g a i n i m pli e s t he ex
,

is t en ce o f Christi an a str o l o g e rs in th e s a rc a stic r em a rk ,

“
A str o l o gy n o w a d ays f o rs o o t h tr eats o f Ch rist ; is the
— -
, ,

sci e n c e o f the sta rs o f Christ n o t o f S atur n an d Ma rs

,
”
.

A s O rige n a ffir m e d th at the p o w e r o f the d e m o n s and o f

m agi c w a s gr e a tly w e ak e n e d by the birt h o f Ch rist s o T e r
-
,

tulli an affi r ms tha t the sci e n c e o f the st a rs w as a ll o w e d to

e x ist u n til t he c o m i n g o f t he G o sp e l but t ha t si n c e Christ s
’

“
birth n o o ne s ho uld c a st n ativiti e s Fo r si n c e t he G o sp e l
.

y o u wil l n e v e r fi n d s o p h ist o r Ch a ld e a n o r e n ch a n t e r o r

divi n e r o r m a gici a n w ho ha s n o t b e en m an i f e stly pun

” 2
is he d. Te rtulli an r e j o ic e s t ha t the m a the ma tici o r as

“ “
I t is Aa r o n s
’
rod in th e King D e ido la tr ia, c ap . 9 .

v
J am e s e r s io n .
4 66 M A G I C AN D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

th at spri n g o f the f all en an ge ls and the d aught e rs o f

th e o ff
m en w e r e a di ff e re nt v a ri e ty o f d e m o n f r o m t h e ir f athe rs
an d m o re t e rr e stri al B e t h a t a s it m ay he affi r m s t hat the
.
,

e n tir e ar t a n d p o w e r o f th e m a gici a n s c o n sist in i nv o c a ti o n s

“
o f d e m o n s w ho d e c e iv e hu man visi o n by bli n di n g illusi o n s
s o t h a t m e n do n o t s e e w h at d o e s e x ist a n d t h i n k t ha t th e y
” 1
s e e w hat d o e s n o t e x ist the v e ry e x pr e ssi o n t h at w e hav e
,

j ust hea rd fro m Min ucius F e li x Mo re sp e ci fic ally L a ctan

.

tius r e gards n e cr o m an cy o r acl e s liv e r divi n ati o n augury

, ,
-
, ,

a n d a str o l o gy as a ll i n v e n t e d by t he de m o n s L ik e O rige n
2
.

he e m p ha siz e s th e p o w e r o f the si gn o f th e cro ss an d the

“
n am e o f J e sus a ga i n st th e e vil spirits a n d h e i m pli e s t h e
,

po w e r o f the n am es o f spirits w hen he st at e s t hat alt ho ugh ,

d em o n s m ay m a squ e r ad e u n d e r o the r f o rm s a nd n am e s in
p agan t em pl e s an d w o rs h ips in m agic an d so rc e ry they a re
,

a lw ays su mm o n e d by t h e ir tru e n am e s th o s e c e l e sti a l o ne s

,

w h ich ar e r ea d in s acr e d lit e r a tur e 4

.

Fro m t he s e a cc o u n ts o f m agic in L a ti n f ath ers which ,

do littl e m o re t h an r e i n f o rc e t he i m pr e ssi o n s w h ic h w e had

a lr e a dy g a i n e d c o n c e r n i n g t he Ch risti a n a ttitud e w e c o me ,

t o a v e ry di ff e r e n t discus s i o n by Hipp o lytus w ho wr o t e in

G r ee k a lt ho ugh h e liv e d in I t aly E us e bius a n d J e r o m e
.

st a t e t hat O rigen as a y o u n g m an heard Hipp o lytus pr ea ch

at R o m e ; in 2 3 5 h e w a s e x il e d t o S a rdi n i a ; th e n ex t y ea r

his b o dy w a s br o ught b a ck to R o m e f o r buri al I n Hip po ly .

tus i n stea d o f att a ck s up o n astro l o gy a s i m pi o us i mm o ra l

, , ,

an d f at alist ic a n d up o n m a gic as e vil a n d the w o rk o f

,

d em o n s we hav e a n a tt em pt t o pro v e astr o l o gy i rr ati o nal

,

a n d im pr a ctic abl e a nd t o s h ow t ha t m a gic i s b a s e d up o n

,

i m p o stur e an d de c e it In the fi rst f o ur o f the n i ne b o o k s

.

o f his P hil os ophu me na or R efu ta tio n o f A ll H er es ies 5

Hip
po lytu s s et f o rth the t e n ets o f the G r ee k ph il o s o phe rs the ,

syst em of the a str o l o ge rs an d the pr actic e o f the m a gici an s

,

“
I I , 15 . by E Mil l i 18 5 1 D u ck
. d er n , n e r an
d Abb
'

I I 17 , . S h id w i
c i ne85 9 e n n 1 , an e

‘
IV , 2 7 . C i i 860 G
ru ce k t xt i P G
n 1 . r ee e n ,

I I , 17 . v l XV I p
o t 3 ; E gl i h t
. l
, ar n s ra n s a
5
T he w o r a k w s di c v d i t i i A N v l V
s o e re n on n , o . .

1 84 2 at Mo u n t Ath o s an d e d it e d
 O THER CHRI S TI AN DI S C US S I O N

in o rd e r l at er t o be abl e t o sho w ho w m uch the va ri o us he re

tics h ad b o rr o w e d f r o m the s e s o urc e s His s e c o n d an d t h ird .

b o o ks a r e n o t ex tan t ; it is in th e f o urth b o o k o r w h at is l e f t
o f it t ha t w e h av e p o rti o n s o f h is discussi o n o f a str o l o gy an d

m a gic 1
.

I n exp o si n g the f rauds o f ma gici a n s Hipp o lytus us e s the

w o rd p ay s an d n o t y our a s o rc e r e r He t e lls ho w th e
o , ,
.

m a gici an s pr e t en d t h a t th e S pirits giv e r e sp o n s e th r o ugh a

m e dium t o qu e sti o n s w h ic h th o s e c o n sulti n g th em h a v e
written o n p apyrus p er haps in i n visibl e ink a n d f o ld e d up
, , ,

a f t e r w h ic h the p a pyrus is pl a c e d o n c o a ls a n d bur n e d The .

ma gici an h o w e v e r o p e r a ti n g in s em i d a r k n e ss a n d m aki n g
, ,
-

a gr e a t n o is e a n d div e rsi o n a n d pr e t e n di n g t o i n v o k e t he

d em o n is r eally o ccupi e d in sp r i n kli n g the bur nt p apyru s

,

with a m i x tur e o f w a te r a n d c o pp e r a s ( vitri o l ? ) o r f um i

ga ti n g it wit h v ap o r o f a gall n ut o r e mpl o yi n g o the r m e th
o ds t o m ak e t h e c o n c e a l e d l e tt e rs visibl e Ha v i n g by s o m e .

such m e tho d disc o v e r e d the qu e sti o n h e i n structs th e m e ,

dium w ho is n o w supp o s e d t o be p o ss e ss e d o f d em o n s an d
,

is re cli n i n g up o n a c o uch w hat an s w e r to giv e by w his

,

p e ri ng to him th ro ugh a l o n g h idd e n tu be c o n struct e d o ut

o f th e wi n dpip e o f a cr an e o r t e n br a ss pip e s fitt e d t o ge th e r .

I t will be r e c a ll e d tha t it w as by such a tub e m a d e o f the

wi ndpip e s o f cr an es that Al e x an d e r the f als e pro phet ac ,

c o rdi n g to L uci an c aus e d th e a rtifici a l hea d o f h is go d to

,

giv e f o rt h o ra cl e s Hipp o lytus a dds t hat a t th e s am e ti m e

.

the m a gici a n pr o duc e s al a r m i n g fl am e s an d liquid s by such

c he m ic al m ix tur e s as f o ssil s alts an d E trusc an w ax an d a
“
gra i n o f s alt A nd when t his is c o n su m e d the s a lts bo un d
.
,

” 2
upwa rd a n d give the i m pr e ssi o n o f a st r an ge V isi o n .

Hipp o lytus al s o r e veal s ho w m a gi c i an s s e cr e tly fi ll e ggs

with dye s ho w t he y c aus e s he ep to b ehe a d t hem s e lv e s a gai n st
,

a sw o rd by s m e a ri n g t he ir t hr o a ts wit h a drug w h ic h m ak e s

t hem itch ho w a r am di e s if its he a d is m e r e ly be nt b a ck

,

f a ci n g the s un h o w t he y o bstruct t he ea rs o f go ats with

,

R . G an s chin ie tz Hippo lytos’ , t ext .

Ca pi te l g ege n die Mag ier 1 9 1 3 in , ,

“
R ef u ta tio n o f A l l Her es ies I V
, ,

TU 3 9 , 2 15 a c o m m e n tar y o n th e
, , 28 .
 M A G I C A ND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

w ax sot hat t he y c an n o t br e at he an d pr e s ently die o f s u ff o

c ati o n ho w o ut o f s ea f o am t he y m ak e a c o m p o un d w h ich
, ,

lik e alc o ho l will its e l f bur n but n o t c o n sum e the o bj e cts

,

o v e r w h ic h it is p o ur e d
1
He t e lls ho w the m agici an p r o
.

duc e s st a ge thu n d e r ho w he is a bl e to plu n ge his h an d i nt o

,

a b o ili n g c a uldr o n o r w a lk o v e r h o t c o a ls wit ho ut b e i ng

burn t an d ho w h e c an s e t a s eem i n g pyr am id o f st o n e o n

,

fi re . He t e lls ho w the m agici an s l o o s en s eals an d se a l t hem

up a ga i n j ust a s L uci an did in his A l ex an der o r The P s eu d o
,

P r ophe t; h o w by m e a n s o f t r a p d o o rs m irr o rs an d the lik e

- -
, ,

d evic e s th e y s ho w d em o n s in a c auldr o n ; ho w t hey pretend

t o s h o w fl am i n g d em o n s by ign iti n g dra wi n gs w h ich th ey _

hav e sk etc he d o n the w all wit h s o me i n fl amm a bl e subst an c e

o r by l o o si n g a bird w h ic h h a s b ee n s e t o n fi r e T he y m ak e .

t h e m o o n app ea r i n d o o rs a n d i m it a t e th e st a rry sk y by at
t a ch i n g fi s h sc a l e s to the c e ili ng The y pr o duce the s en s a
.

ti o n o f an e arthqu ak e by bur n i n g th e o rdur e o f a w e as el

with the st o n e m agn e t up o n an o p en fi r e T hey c o n struct a .

f als e skull f r o m the can] o f a n o x s o m e w ax an d s o m e gum

, , ,

m ak e it s p eak by m e an s o f a h idd en tub e an d t hen c a us e it ,

sudd en ly to c o ll aps e an d dis a pp e a r o r to burn up 2

.

Th is ex p o siti o n o f the fr a uds o f the m a gici an s by Hipp o

lytu s is r at he r br o k e n an d i n c o he r e nt at l e a st in the f o r m ,

in wh ich h is t e x t h as r e ach e d u s 3
A ls o w e do no t h av e
.

m uch m o r e fa ith in s o m e o f th e m e tho d s by wh ich he s ays

the f e a ts o f m a gic a r e r ea lly d o n e th an h e h a s in the w ays
by wh ich th e m a gici an s cl a i m to p e r f o rm them But whil e .

h is n o ti o n s o f th e ch em ic a l a cti o n o f c e rt a i n subst an c e s an d
o f the o ccult V irtu e o f o t he r s m ay b e i n c o rr e ct t he n o t e ,

“
S in ce w r iting th is s e n t e n ce I n ot m e n tio n e d in t he o l de r
v
h a e f o u nd an a r tic l e by D ie l s o n v
S c h l e tt s t a dt e r s io n o f th e Mo ppae
v
t h e d is c o e r y o f a l c o h o l in S o c la vi c u l a I f t h is b e s o Ad e l a r d
.
,

cie tas R e gi a S cie n tia r u m A bha n dl

, .
P hil o s -His t C la s s e , B e r l in, 1 9 13 ,
. .
in w hich h e a r g ue s f r o m th is
p as s a g e in Hip p o l yt us t hat th e
o f B a t h w a s p e r ha p s th e fi r s t t o
in t r o duc e it f r o m t he A r ab s o r
t h e o r ient , al t ho ugh Die l s do e s
no t s a y s o .

v
d isc o e r y w a s m a de in t h e Al e x
“
R ef u ta tion of All Her es ies I V , ,

a n dr ia n p e r io d an d t hat it r ea ch e d 2 9 -4 1 .

“
w e s te r n Eu r o p e ag a in o n ly In s o me p l aces the te xt is il
.

th r o ug h th e A r abs abo ut th e l eg i bl e .

t w e l f t h c e n t ur y, s in ce a l co ho l is
 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

wit h O rig en th is qu e sti o n an d f urth e r i n f o rm s u s that

on ,

th e an ci en t r abbis w e r e w o n t t o s ay th at a s o ul i n v o k e d with
in a y ea r a f t e r its d ea t h as S am u e l s w a s w o uld be s ee n by
’

t he v e n tril o q uist but n o t hea rd a n d h e a rd by the p e rs o n

,

c o n sulti n g it but n o t s ee n an o bs e rv a ti o n w h ich sugge sts

,

t hat S aul w as d e ce ive d by ve ntril o q uis m w h ile by o the r s ,

pr e sen t the gho st w o uld be n e ithe r s e en no r heard .

Tw o e ccl e si a stics o f t he f o urt h c e n tury c o m p o s e d s pe

c ial tr ea tis e s up o n the v e n tril o quist o r witc h o f E n d o r in

w hic h t he y t o o k the o pp o sit e vi e w f r o m tha t o f O rigen .

T he b r i e f e r o f t h e s e tw o tr e a tis e s is by G r e g o ry o f N yss a 1

who st at e s wit h o ut m e n ti o n i n g O rige n by n am e t hat s o m e

, ,

pr e vi o us writ e rs have c o n ten d e d that S am u el w as truly in

v o k e d by m a gic with divi n e p e r m issi o n in o rd e r th a t h e

m igh t s ee h is m ist a k e in h a vi ng c a ll e d S a ul th e e n em y o f v e n
t r il o quis ts But G r ego r y be li e ve s that S am u e l w as alr e ady
.

in p a ra dis e a n d h e n c e c o uld n o t be i n v o k e d fr o m th e in
f e rnal r e gi o n s ; but t h at it w a s a d e m o n f r o m t he i n f e rn a l
“
r e gi o n s w h o pr e dict e d to S aul T o m o rr o w yo u an d J o n a
,
-

than s ha ll be with me The l o n ge r tr e atis e o f E us tath ius

.

o f An ti o c h is a dir e ct an sw e r t o O rige n s a rgu m e n t as it s

’

titl e Co n cer n in g the Ven tr il o quis t agains t O r igen i n di

,
2
,

c at e s E us tath ius ho lds t hat it w as ill e ga l to c o n sult ven

.

t r il o quis t s in V i e w o f S aul s o w n pr e vi o us a cti o n a ga i n st

’

them an d o t he r p ro h ibiti o n s in S criptur e an d t ha t O rigen s ,

’

r e m a rks a r e to be d ep l o r e d as t e ndi n g t o enc o ur a ge si m pl e

m e n t o r e s o r t to a rt s o f divi n a ti o n E u s tathius c o n t e n ds t ha t
.

t h e witc h did n o t i nv o k e S am u e l but o n ly m a d e S aul t h i nk

t hat s he did an d tha t S aul h i m s e l f did n o t s e e S amu e l
,
.

P ha ra o h s m a gici a n s si m il a rly d e c e iv e d th e i m a gi n ati o n with

’

s h a d o ws an d sp e ct e rs wh en they pre te n d e d to tur n r o ds i n t o

s nak e s an d w a t e r i nto bl o o d E us tathiu s d o e s n o t agree
.

wit h O rige n tha t S am u e l w as in he ll He ho ld s t hat the .

pr e dicti o n s m ad e by the ps eu d o S amu e l w e r e n o t i mp o ssibl e

-

f o r a d e m o n t o m ak e a nd i n d ee d w e r e n o t strictly a ccur ate

, ,

“
Hep ! r ij s ky y a o r p mbdo v, P G , XLV ,
'
2
Mg ,
i n e P G , XV I I I ,
6 1 3 74
-
.

1 07 - 14 .
 O THER CH S TI AN DI S C US S I O N
R I-
47 1

si n ce S aul did n ot d ie the v e ry n ex t day but the day a ft e r

it an d si n c e n o t o n ly J o n a than but h is t h ree s o n s w e r e sl a i n
,

wit h h im .
1
Furt he r m o r e Da v id w a s a lr ea dy s o pr o m i n en t
,

in public a ffa irs t h a t a d e m o n m ight e a sily gu e ss t hat h e

w o uld succ ee d S aul .

G r e g o ry o f N yss a a ls o c o m p o s e d a tr e a tis e e n titl e d ,

A gain s t F a te in t he f o r m o f a disput ati o n b e tw e en a p a ga n

,
2

p h il o s o phe r an d h i m s e l f a t Co n stan ti no pl e in 3 8 2 A D His . .

o pp o n e n t h o lds t ha t th e li f e o f m a n is d e t e r m i n e d by the c o n

s te l l at io n s a t h is n ati v ity up o n wh o s e d e cr ee e v e n c o n v e r
,

si o n to Christi an ity w o uld thus be m a d e de p en dent G r e g .

o r y a ssu m e s t h e p o si t i o n o f o n e h it he rt o ig n o r an t o f th e

pri n cipl e s o f the ar t o f a str o l o gy o f wh ich the ph il o s o phe r

,

h a s t o i n f o rm h im but o n g e n e r al gr o u n ds it s e e m s v e ry
,

un lik e ly that h e r eally w a s a s ign o r an t a s th is o f such a wide

spr e a d sup e rstiti o n Furt he rm o r e he is su ffici en tly r ea d in
.
,

the subj ec t t o i n c o rp o ra t e s o m e o f B a r de s an es a r gu m en ts
’
,

o f w h o s e tr ea tis e b o t h G r e go ry s titl e a n d di a l o gu e f o r m are

’

re m i n isc e n t S o m e o f G r e go r y s re a s o n i n g ho wev e r m ight

.
’

, ,

w e ll be that o f a tyr o a n d is sc a rc el y w o rt h el abo r ati n g h e r e

Whe n th e writ e r o f the G o spe l a cc o rdi n g t o Matthew
i n clud e d the st o ry o f the wis e m en f ro m the e a st who had
s een the st a r t he r e c an be littl e o r n o d o ubt tha t he in
,

s e r te d it a n d t ha t it ha d b e e n f o rm ul a t e d in t he first pl a c e ,

n o t m e r e ly in o rd e r t o s a tis f y th e o rdi n ary u n l ea r n e d r e a d e r

,

with p o rt en ts c o nn ect e d with the birt h o f J e sus but to se cure ,

th e a pp ea r a n c e o f supp o r t f o r t he ki n gs h ip o f J e sus f r o m

t hat ar t o r sc ie n c e o f a str o l o gy w hic h s o m a ny p e rs o n s then

h e ld in h igh e ste e m T o a n a ge w h o s e subli m e st sci e n c e w a s
.

st a r gazi n g it w o uld s eem fit ti n g an d al m o st i n evitabl e t hat

-

G o d sho uld ha ve a n n o u n c e d t h e c o m i n g o f the P ri n c e o f

P e a c e in t h is m a nne r a n d t he a cc o u n t in t he G o sp e l o f Mat
,

t he w is in a s en s e an a tt e m pt t o p r e s en t the birth o f Ch rist

in a way to c o m ply wit h th e m o st s ea rc h i n g t e sts o f c o n t e m
”
The K in g J am es ve r s io n , Fir s t be w ith m e , in s te ad of tho u a nd
“ ”
S amue l XXV II I , 1 9 r e a d s
, , an d
,
J o n at h a n .

t o mo r r o w s h al t tho u a n d thy s o n s Mign e ,

P G , XII, 1 43 -7 4 .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

p o r ar y sci enc e But the e a rly Christi an s w e r e rel ative ly

.

r ud e an d u n l e tt e r e d an d t h is e ff o rt t o c o n struct a r o y a l h o r o
,

sc o pe f o r J e sus is a crud e an d f a ulty o n e f r o m the a s tr o l o gi

c al st an dp o i n t F o r th is h o w e ve r th e auth o r o f the G o s
.
, ,

l n d n o t t he ar t o f a str o l o gy is o bvi o usly r e s p o n sibl e As

p e a .

a r e sult h o w ev e r o f the G n o stic r e a cti o n a ga i n st a str o l o gi

, ,

cal f a t a lis m o r o f a n o r t ho d o x Ch risti an o pp o siti o n to b o t h

G n o stics a n d a str o l o ge rs m o st o f th e e a rly f at he rs o f th e

,

c hurch d e n i e d t h at t h is p a s sa ge i m pli e d any re c o gn iti o n o f

t he trut h o f a str o l o gy a n d a tt e m pt e d t o e x pl a i n a w ay its
o bvi o us m e an i n g I n d o i n g t h is t h e y o f t e n m a d e t he crud e
.

a n d i m p e r f e ct a str o l o gy o f th e G o sp e l a crit e ri o n f o r cr iti

c iz in g the a rt o f a str o l o gy its e l f .

O f p a tristic c o m m e n t a ri e s up o n th e p a ss a ge in th e G O S
p e l o f M a tt h e w d e a li n g wit h t h e M a gi a n d th e st a r o f B e t h
le he m o n e o f the f ull e st a n d m o st f r e qu e ntly cit e d by m e
“
di e v al writ e rs is t ha t attribut e d to Ch rys o s t o m I s ay at .

”
tribut e d be c a us e in a dditi o n t o h is gen ui n e si x th ho m ily
,

up o n Matthe w t he r e w a s ge n e ra lly a scribe d to Chrys o st o m

1

in t he m iddl e a ge s a n o t h e r ho m ily w h ic h is e x ta n t o nly in

L ati n a n d h a s b ee n t h o ught t o be th e w o rk o f s o m e A ri a n
2
.

T he f am o u s S t J o hn Ch rys o st o m w as b o rn a t An ti o c h
.

a b o ut 3 4 7 A D a n d t h e r e studi e d r h e t o ric u n d e r th e n o t e d
. .

s o ph ist L iban iu s Fr o m 3 9 8 to 4 04 h e h e ld th e o ffi c e o f
.

p atri a rc h o f Co n st an ti n o pl e ; t hen he w as e x il e d to Capp a

d o ci a w he r e he di e d in 4 0 7 O n e d e t ail o f his b o yho o d m ay
.

b e n o te d b e c a us e o f its c o nn e cti o n wit h m a gic When he .

w as a l a d the tyr an ts in the city b e ca m e suspici o us o f pl o ts

,

a ga i n st t h e m a n d s e n t s o ldi e rs to s e a rc h f o r b o o ks o f m a gic

an d s o rc e ry . O n e o f t h e m e n w ho w a s a rr e s t e d a n d p ut t o h

d e at h ha d tri e d to rid hi m s el f o f the d am a gi n g p o ss e ssi o n

o f a b o o k o f m a gic by t h r o wi n g it i n t o th e riv e r Chr ys o s .

t o m a n d a pl ay m a t e l at e r u n susp e cti n gly fis he d a n o bj e ct o ut

o f the w a t e r w h ic h tur n e d o ut t o be t h i s v e ry b o o k an d ,

“
Mign e P G , L V I , 6 1 , e t s eq . n o m in e c ir c um f e r t u r . I bid , 602 ,
.

v
,
“
Mig ne ,
P G , L V I, 63 7 , e t s eq . et s eq .
,
fo r o p in io n s of a r i o us

Ho mily II , O p u s im p e r f e c tum in p a s t w r it e r s as t o it s a u th e n t 1c 1t y .

Ma tth a e um qu o d C h r y so s to m i
47 4 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE e mu
»
.

c l udes that s o m e i nvisibl e virtu e put o n the f o rm o f a sta r .

He t h i n ks t hat the s t a r app e a r e d t o the Magi a s a r e fl e cti o n

u p o n t he J e ws , w h o ha d r e j e ct e d pr o ph e t a f t e r pr o phe t ,

wh e re a s th e app a riti o n o f a si n gle st a r w as suffi ci e n t to bri n g

b a rb a ri an Ma gi t o the f ee t o f Christ A t the s am e ti m e he
.

b e li e v e s that G o d e sp e ci ally fav o r e d the Ma gi in vo uch s afi n g

t hem a st a r a sign t o w h ich they w e re a ccust o m e d as th e
, ,

m o d e o f ann o u n c e m e n t . T hus h e c o m e s d an ge r o usly n e a r

t o a d m itti n g t a citly w h a t he h a s j ust b ee n d e n yi n g n am e ly
, ,

t hat the st a rs a r e sign s o f the f utur e an d tha t th e r e i s s o m e

th i n g in t he ar t o f a stro l o gy I n s ho rt the st a r a pp e are d
.
,

to t he Ma gi b e c a us e t he y a s a str o l o ge rs w o uld c o m pr e hen d

its m ean i n g Ch rys o st o m d e n i e s t his o pe n ly an d d o e s h is
.

b e st to th i n k up a r gu m en ts a ga i n st it but he c an no t rid his

,

subc o n sci o us tho ught o f the id ea .

T he o t he r ho m ily a scrib e d t o Ch rys o st o m r e p e a ts s o me

o f t he p o i n ts ma d e in t he ge n ui n e h o m ily but a dds o t h e rs
,
.

T he pr e a c he r has r e a d s o m e w h e r e p e r ha ps in O rige n w he r e
,

w e h av e a lr ea dy m e t th e sugge s ti o n t h a t t he Ma gi ha d
,

l e a r ne d t ha t the st a r w o uld a pp e a r f r o m the b o o ks o f the

“
divi n e r B a l aam w ho s e divi n ati o n is als o put i n t o the O ld
,

T e st am e n t : A st a r s hall a ris e f r o m J ac o b an d a m a n s h all

‘

co m e f o rth f r o m I sr ael an d h e sha ll rul e al l n a ti o n s

, But
.
’

the pr e a c he r d o e s n o t st a t e w hy it is a n y b e tt e r to h av e such
a pr e dicti o n m a d e by a divi n e r t h an by an a str o l o g e r The .

preache r h as a ls o he a rd s o m e c it e a writi n g w h ich is n o t ,

sure ly auth e ntic but yet is n o t d e structive t o the Fa it h an d

r at he r pl e a si n g to the e ff e ct tha t in the e x tr em e e a st o n
,

the s h o re s o f the o c ea n liv e a p eo pl e w h o p o ss e ss a writi n g

i n scribe d wit h the n am e o f S eth an d d e ali n g with the ap
p e a r a n c e o f t h is st a r a n d th e gi f ts t o b e o ff e r e d T h is
.

writi n g w as han d e d d o w n f r o m f athe r t o s o n t hr o ugh suc

c e ss ive g en e r a ti o n s a n d tw e lv e o f the m o st studi o us m e n o f
,

th e ir n u m be r w e r e cho s en to w atc h f o r the c o m i n g o f the

st a r a n d w hene ve r o n e di e d ano the r w as ch o s en in h is
, ,

pl ac e T he y w e re c all e d Ma gi in the i r l an gu age be caus e

.

the y gl o ri fi e d G o d sil ently E ve ry ye a r a ft e r the t hr e shi ng

.
 O THER CHRI S TI AN DI S C US S I O N 47 5

of the h arve st th ey cli mb e d a m o u n ta i n to a c ave with de

light ful spri ngs s ha d e d by ca re f ully s e l e ct e d tr e es T he re .

they w a s he d them s elv e s an d f o r th r ee d ays in sil en c e pr aye d

a n d pr a is e d G o d .Fi n ally o n e y e a r the st a r a pp ea r e d in
the f o r m o f a littl e ch ild with th e lik en e ss o f a cr o ss ab o v e
it ; an d it sp o ke with them an d t augh t t hem an d i n str ucted
them t o s et o ut f o r Judea When they h ad s et o ut it w en t
1
.
,

b e fo re t hem f o r two ye a rs duri ng wh ich ti m e f o o d an d

,

dri n k w e re n ev e r l acki n g in the ir wa ll ets O n t he ir r e tur n.

they w o rsh ip e d an d gl o rifi e d G o d m o r e s e dul o usly th an

e v e r an d pr e a c h e d t o t h e ir p e o pl e Fi n a lly a f t e r the r e sur
.
,

r ecti o n the ap o stl e Th om a s V isite d tha t r e gi o n an d they

,

w e r e b aptiz e d by him a n d w e r e m a d e his a ssist an t pr ea ch e rs .

T h is t al e is i n d e e d pl e a si n g e n o ugh a n d it sav e s t he Ma gi
,

f r o m all i m put ati o n o f m agic a rts an d e m pl o ym en t o f

d e m o n s an d e ve n d en i e s t hat they w er e a st r o l o ge rs But .

a s a d e vic e t o e sc ap e t he n atur a l i n f e r en c e f r o m th e G o spe l

st o ry t hat the birt h o f Christ w a s an n o u n ce d by th e st a rs

a n d in a w a y wh ic h a str o n o m e rs c o uld c o m pr eh en d it is c e r

t a in ly f a r f e tch e d a n d s h o ws h o w Ch risti an th e o l o gi an s
-
,

w e re put to it to fi n d a w ay o ut o f the di ffi culty T he .

ho m ily go e s o n t o a d v a n c e s o m e o f t he usu a l a rgu m en ts

a ga i n st a str o l o gy suc h a s t hat the st a r s c an n o t c aus e e vil
, ,

tha t the h um an w ill is f r ee an d th a t a sci e n c e o f i n dividu al

,

h o r o sc o p e s c ann o t ac c o u n t f o r a ll m e n w o rs h ipi n g id o ls
b e f o re Ch rist an d ab an d o n i n g id o l atry an d o the r an ci en t
cust o m s the r ea fte r o r fo r t he p e r ish i n g in the d e luge o f
,

al l m e n e x c e pt t h e f a m ily o f N o ah o r f o r n ati o n a l cust o m s

,

such as circu m cisi o n am o n g th e J e ws a n d i n c e st am o ng

th e P e rsi an s . He r e w e a ga i n pr o b ably s ee the i n flue n ce
of B a r de s an e s .

We have al r ea dy n o t e d that O r ige n s eem s to ha ve bee n

the first o f th e f at he r s t o st at e t h e n u m b e r o f t he Ma gi a s
Mal e , R e ligio us Ar t in Fr an c e , in th e t h ir t e e nt h c e nt u r y . We
1 9 1 3 , p 2 08 , w as n o t a bl e t o t r a ce
. s h a ll , v
h o w e e r , fi n d it m e n t io n ed
t h e l eg en d t h at t h e s t a r o f t h e in th e t w e l f t h c e n t u r y b y Ab e l a r d,
Magi ap p ear e d w it h th e f ac e o f a v
wh o de r i e d it f r o m t his s p u r io us
c h il d b e y o n d Th e G o l de n L eg e n d ho m il y o f C hr y s o s to m .

c o m p il e d b y J ames o f V o r ag in e
47 5 MA G I C A ND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

t hr ee w he r e a s the ho m ily j ust c o n s id e re d i m pli e s tha t the re

,

w e r e tw e lv e o f t he m The ir r e pr e s e n t ati o n in a rt a s th r e e
.

in n um b e r did n o t b e c o m e ge n e r a l u n til th e f o urth c e n tury 1

,

w h ile the d e picti o n o f them as ki n gs w as a ls o a gr a du al

a n d ac c o rdi n g t o K e h r e r l a t e r gr o wt h B o uché L ecl ercq
2 —
, , .
,

citi n g an e ar li e r m o n o graph st a t e s t hat the r o y a lty o f the

3
,

Ma gi w a s i n v en t e d t o w a rd s th e si x th c e n tu r y t o s ho w the
f ulfill m e n t o f O ld T e st am e n t pr o ph e ci e s 4
an d th a t B e d e is ,

t he first w ho k n o ws t he ir n am e s But Mal e s ays The ir “

.
,

m yst e ri o us nam e s a r e first f o u n d in a G r e e k c h ro n icl e o f

th e b e gi nn i n g o f t he si x t h c e n tury tr a n sl a t e d i n t o L a ti n by
Me r o vi n gi an m o nk B ithis a r e a Melich io r
” “
a an d are , , ,

T he p r o v e n a n c e o f t h e Ma gi w a s v a ri o usly
” 5
G athas p a .

st a t e d by the Christi an f a t he rs A r abi a acc o rdi n g to Justi n

5

Ma rtyr Ep iphan iu s an d T e rtulli an o r P s e ud o Te rtulli an ;

, ,
-

P e rsi a acc o rdi n g to Cl e m e n t o f A l e x an dri a B a sil a n d Cyril ; , ,

P e rsi a o r Chald e a a cc o rdi n g to Ch rys o st o m a n d D io do r us

o f T a rsus Cha ld ea a cc o rdi n g t o J e r o m e an d A ugusti ne an d
the p h il o s o p h e r C h al c idiu s in his c o mm e n t a ry up o n P l at o s
’

Tim aeus 7
T he h o m ily w h ic h w e w e r e j ust c o n sid e ri n g
.

ga v e the i m pre s s i o n t ha t t he y c am e f r o m I n di a .

I n th e m iddl e a ge s th e Ma gi a pp e a r e d in liturgic al dr am a
a s w e ll a s in a r t An e a rly i n st a n c e is a t e n th c en tury
.

l e cti o n a ry f r o m Co m pi egn e n o w pr e s e rv e d at P aris w he r e

3
, ,
“
Th y e twi ar ep t d ce e h ( i !
so re L k II 2
r e s en ed cr c e s c s ee u e, , 1 an
on th l b
e t ly
e a v d Ch i
ora e l b uf t l a
car e p u mo r s e oe e
’
ne o r n

in t h e m u s e um t r e r l ac c o mp l is se m e n t de s p r o p h é
’
tian s a r co p h ag u s
a t S y r ac u s e , S ic il y, w h e r e a l s o t h e ti e s .

“
man g e r , o x , a n d a s s a r e s h o wn R e ligio us Ar t in Fr a n c e, 1 9 13 ,
( c2o m p ar e n o te 4 b e l o w ) .
p . 2 14 n o te , f o ll o w ing , I p re s um e ,
Hug o K eh r e r , D ie He ilig en Kelir er
’
s k
w o r , a s h e do e s o n p .

dr e i K bn ig e in L itte r a tur u nd 2 13 .

K u n s t L e ip z ig , 19 08 , 2
, o ls An v .
“
de ta il e d r e f e r e n c e s s e e
Fo r
e a r l ie r w o r k
o n t h e t h r e e Ma g i is Mu n t e r , D e r S ter n d er We is e n ,

I n c h o f e r , Tr e s M agi E va ng e lici, 1 82 7 , p 1 5 ; a n d B o u c h é L ec l e r cq ,
.
-

Ro m e , 1 6 39 . 1 89 9 p 6 1 1 w h e r e t h e y a r e s ta t e d
, .
,

C Th ilo , E u s e bii Al ex a n
. s o m e w h a t diff e r e n t l y .

d r in i o r a tio Hep l da r p o vbjuwv ( pr a e C o m m in P la t on is Tima eu m,

7
.

m is s a de m a g is e t s te l la qua e s I I v i 1 2 5 ; q uo te d by Mii nt e r
, ,

tio n e ) e C o d R eg P ar pr im u m . . .
pp 2 77 8 .
-

e di ta ,
P r o g r Ha l a e , 1 83 4
. .
8
E N 168 1 9 , f o l 49 r Co r p us . .

“
A B o uc h é L e c l e r c q , L As Ch r is t i 1 34 e a r l y 1 2 t h c e ntur y
’
-
.
, ,

f o l 1 V , h a s a b r ie f Mag o r um
“
tr o l o g ie g r e c qu e 189 9 , p 6 1 1 , La . . .

v
,

r o ya u té de s Ma g e s f ut in e n té e t r ium qu i D o m in o I n f an t i a u r u m
v
( e r s l e V I e s ié c l e ) , c o mm e l a o bt ul e r e n o m in a e t de s c r ip t io
”
.
 MA G I C A N D EXP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

Fi nally w e m ay n o t e the c o n t e nts o f the ho m ily o n the

Magi w h ich i m m e di at ely pr e c e d e s th e liturgic a l dr am a c o n
c e rn i n g them in t he ab o ve m e n ti o n e d t e n t h c e ntury l e cti o n
a ry
1
. T he Ma gi a r e s a id t o ha ve c o m e o n the th irt ee n th
day o f Ch rist s n ativity T h at t he y c am e f r o m th e O ri e n t
’
.

was fitti n g si n c e the y s o ught o n e o f wh o m it h a d b een

writte n E cce vir ar iens I t was als o fi tti n g th at Christ s
, .
’

c o mi n g s ho uld b e anno un c e d to s he phe rds o f I sr ael by a

rati o n a l an ge l t o G e n til e Ma gi by a n irr a ti o n a l sta r
, T h is .

st a r a pp ea re d n e ithe r in the st a rry he ave n n o r o n ea rt h but

in the a ir ; it ha d no t ex ist e d be f o r e an d c e a s e d to e x ist a f t e r
it had ful fi ll e d its fu n cti o n A ltho ugh h e has j ust s a id tha t .

the st a r a pp ea r e d in the air an d n o t in the sky th e pre ac he r ,

n o w a dd s t h a t wh e n a n e w m an w a s b o rn in th e w o rld it

w as fi tti n g t ha t a n ew st a r s h o uld a pp e a r in the sky He .

a ls o in p o i n ti ng o u t h o w al l th e e l e m e n ts r e c o gn iz e d t h at
,

the ir Cr e at o r had c o m e i n t o the w o rld st at e s tha t the sky ,

s ent a st a r the s ea a llo w e d Him to w al k up o n it the s un

, ,

w as d a rk e n e d st o ne s w e r e br o k en a n d the eart h qu ak e d
,

whe n He di e d .

S i n c e the he r e tics k no wn as P riscilli an ist s h ave a dduc e d

t he st a r a t Ch ri s t s birth t o pro v e t ha t e v e ry ma n is bo rn
’

u n d e r the f at e s o f the st a rs the preac he r en d eav o rs to ,

a n sw e r t h em He ho lds t ha t si n c e the st ar c am e t o w he r e
.

J e sus l ay He c o ntr o ll e d it r athe r t han vic e v e rs a T hen .

f o ll o w the usu al a rgu m e nt s a ga i n st g e n e t h li a l o gy t hat m an y

m e n b o r n u n d e r th e sign A qu a rius a r e n o t fis he rm en t ha t ,

s o n s o f s e r f s ar e b o r n at the s am e ti m e a s pri n c e s an d the ,

v i Cx R v di im i Ch i t
’
ch p t
a ers t l gue
ar e s .
58 o e s ca a o 1- , e eren ss o n r s o

o f th L d MS S t t
e au t h t th P t i d mi
s a es d mi Fl a e a r ac o no o no o r en

L ti a n ig i l w or p i t d
na t ti d W as ll m ( i ) div i
r n e a no e o ve on e S c na

C l go o i q
ne t i n 48 d p
ua r o v id i M t i i n 1 1, an ro e nc a o na s e r e n s s cc

th t it i v y d iff
a s t f erm th l i pi p
e r en d ig i im ro Cum e c es e e sco o n ss o .

v i p i t d b y Wy k y d
er s on r n e di im m t ium
n M n e ve n e r a n ss o ru r a

W d or Th S t y f th M g i
e
“
e g or m ym v i o t i m R g m
e
”
a ,
”
o ru , o e r us r a e u .

w k d i th M S W th
.

i
n B o dl i (B d)
e an 2 32 5 Th e r nar , e or en s n e i

co v er s l y f l i 68
on A t Am i o th o w d um m i R gi en s e or s, s e s
v t lgm i l Cl m
.

i a M S w h i h th
s t l gu d t
c e ca a o e a es ser an e e nco e
‘
o o e.

in t h e 14 th c e n tu r y an d a s c r ibe s A me n . Ex p l ic it hy s t o r i a .

t o J o hn o f Hil d e s h e im , a n d it s EN f o ls
1
168 19 , l oth centur y, .

I n c ip it is p r actic a l l y t hat o f th e 46 r -
49 r .

p r inted e ditio n : A m ien s 48 1, f o l s .

 O THER CHR I S TI AN D I S CUS S I O N 47 9

s
ca e o f J ac o b and E s a u T he st a r w as m e r ely a sign to the
.

Magi an d by its twi n kli n g illu m i na t e d t h e ir m i n ds to s e e k

the n e w b o r n b ab e
-
It s e em s sc a rc e ly c o n sis t e n t th a t a st a r
.

w hich the prea ch e r has c all e d irra ti o na l s ho uld illum i n at e

m i n ds .

T h e ho m ily go e s o n to say t ha t o pi n i o n s di ff e r a s t o
wh o the Magi we r e a n d when c e t hey c am e O wi n g t o .

th e pr o ph e cy t ha t the ki n gs o f T a rsus a n d th e isl e s o ff e r

pre s e n ts the ki n gs o f the A r a bs and S he b a bri n g gi f ts s o m e
, ,

r e gard Ta rsus A r abi a an d S heb a a s the ho m e s o f the

, ,

Magi O the rs ca ll t hem P e rsi an s o r Chald e an s si n c e Ch a l

.
,

dean s a r e skill e d in a str o no m y O the rs s ay tha t the y w e re .

d e sc en d ants o f B al aam At any r ate the y w e r e t h e first

.

G en til e s to s ee k Ch rist an d t he y a r e w e ll s a id t o h av e
b een th re e sym b o lizi n g f a ith in the T ri n ity the th r ee virtue s
, , ,

f a it h h o p e an d c h a rity the th r e e sa f e gu a r ds a ga i n st e v il
, ,

tho ughts w o rds an d w o rks and the t h ree G en til e co n tr ibu

, ,

ti o n s to the Fa ith o f physics e th ics an d l o gic o r n atur al , , , ,

mo r al an d r ati o n al ph il o s o phy The pr ea che r the n i n dulge s

,
.

in f u r the r a ll e go ric a l i n t e rpr e t ati o n a n e n t He r o d a n d w h a t

was typi fi e d by the gi f ts o f th e Ma gi 1
.

Mar co S e e al s o F W K Mull e r ,
1
Po lo ( I, 1 3 - 14, ed . Y ul e . . .

an d C o r die r , 1 9 03 vo l I 7 8 , .
, Uig ur ic a I , i D ie An be tung d e r
, ,

w h o l oc at e d t h e Magi in S aba , Ma gie r , e in C hr is tlic h es B r u che

P e r s ia r e c o un t s f u r th e r l e g e n ds
, s ii ck
t‘
,
B e r l in , 1 9 08 .

c o nce rn ing t h em and t h e ir g if ts .

 C HA PTER XXI

C H RI S T I A N I T Y A N D N A T U R AL S C I E N C E : B A S I L , E P I P H A N I U S ,

AND T HE P H YS IOLOGU S
L act antiu s n o t a f a ir e x a m p l e Co m m entar ie s o n th e B ibl ic al a cc o unt
—

o f c r eat io n —
’
v
Date an d de l i e r y o f B a s il s He x a e m er o n— Th e He x a e m
er o n of Amb r o s e —
B a s il
’
s m e die v al in fl u e n ce — S c ie n ce an d r e l ig io n

S c ie n tifi c c ur io s ity o f B a s il s a udie n ce— A ll u s io n s to a m u se m e n t s— Co n

’

k
fl ict s w ith G r e e s c ie nc e — Ag r e e m e n t w ith G r e e s c ie n c e Q ualifi cat io n k —

o f t h e S c r ip tu r a l a c c o u n t o f c r e at io n Th e f o u r e l e m en t s a n d f o u r
—

qu a lit ies E n
—
t h u s ia s m f o r n a t u r e a s G o d
’
s w o r —
S in a n d n atu r e k
v
Habit s o f animal s Ma r e l s o f n a tu r e S p o n ta n e o u s g e n e r atio n— L a c
— —
k
of s c ie n t i cfi s c e p t ic is m—
S u n w o r s h ip a n d a s t r o l o gy— P e r m an e n ce o f
s p e c ies — Fin al im p r e s s ion f r o m t h e H ex a e in e r o nr — Th e M e dicin e Ches t
G e m s in t h e h igh p r ie s t s b r ea s tp l ate S o m e o th e r
’
of Ep ip h an iu s — —

g e m s —
Th e so - c al l e d P hys io l og u s ; p r o bl e m o f it s o r ig in— D o e s th e t itl e

ap p ly t o an y o ne p a r t ic ul a r t r e a t is e A n d t o w h at
—
s o rt o f a t r e at is e ?
Me die v a l a r t s h o w s a lm o s t n o s y m bo l ic in ue nc e fl of t h e P hys io l og us
— P hys i o l og u s w a s m o r e n a tu r al s c ie ntis t t h an a ll eg o r is t .

TH E pp o siti o n o f e a rly Christi an th o ugh t to n atural

o

sci en ce has b ee n r a the r u n duly e x a gge ra t e d Fo r i n st an c e .

,

L ac ta n t iu s o n e o f the l e a st f a vo r abl e to G r e ek p hil o so phy

,

a n d n a tur a l sci e n c e o f the f a t he rs s ho uld ha rdly b e cit e d ,

as typic a l o f e a rly Ch r isti an a ttitud e in suc h m a tt e rs No r .

d o e s his o pp o siti o n i m pre ss o n e a s w e ighty 1

He ridicul e s .

the t h e o r y o f th e An tip o d e s w h ic h he p e r ha ps u n d e rst an ds

2
,

‘
B e a z l e y, D a w n of
“
M o de r n h e r e , t o o , I w o n de r if he is n o t
G e ogr a phy, I , 2 7 4 , s ay s , Aug u s f o ll o w in g L et t o nn e , D es O pin io ns
t ine an d Ch r ys o s t o m f e l t a n d C o s m og r ap hiqu es d es P er e s , w ith
k
s p o e in t h e s a m e w a y, th o ug h in v
o u t h a in g e x am in e d t h e c it at io n s .

m o r e m e as u r e d l an g u ag e , a n d C e r ta in l y n o s uch attitucte is f o un d
‘

in B a s il s H ex a e m er o n Ho rn 3
’
n e ar l y all e ar l y C h r is t ian w r it e r s
‘
.

w h o t o u c h e d u p o n t h e m a tt e r did a n d 9 a s th e c it a t io n im p l ie s I .

s o to e c h o t h e
”
v
o ic e o f a u t h o r itie s ha e v not s een Ma r in e l l i, La
so un qu e s t io n e d B u t I c a nn o t
.
g e ogr a p hia e i P a d r i d e l la Chie s o ,

a g re e w ith t h is s t at e m en t He e s tr a tto da l B o l l e t tin o de l la S o cie td

g o e s o n t o im p l y t h at a m aj o r ity g e og r a fi ca ita lia na, a nn o 1 882 , p p .

o f t h e f a th e r s , k
li e C o s m a s I n di 1 1- 1 5
c o p l eu s te s k
a t t ac e d t h e b e l ie f in
,
2
D win I ns tit , I I I, 24
. . .

t h e s p h e r ic it y o f th e e a r th ; b ut
48 2 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

t he na tura l sci en ce an d to s o me ex ten t the supe rstiti o n o f

, ,

the an ci e n t w o rld .

B a sil di e d o n the fi rs t day o f J an u ary 3 7 9 A D and , . .

,

w a s b o r n a b o ut 3 2 9 When o r w he r e the n i ne ho m ili e s

.

w h ic h c o m p o s e his H exae ni e r o n w e r e pr e ache d is no t k n ow n ,

but f ro m an a llusi o n to his b o dily i n fi rm ity in the s e ve n th

h o m ily an d his f o rge t f ul n e s s th e n e x t day in Ho m ily V II I
w e m igh t i n f e r t h a t it w a s l at e in li f e T o al l app ea ra nc e s .

t he s e s e rm o ns w e re t ak en do wn an d have r eache d us j ust

a s t he y w e r e d e liv e r e d to t he p eo pl e t o w h o s e d aily li f e ,

B a s il f r e qu e ntly adv e rts The s e r m o n s w e r e d elive re d e arly

.

in t he m o r n i n g b e f o r e the a rtis an s in t he audi en ce w e nt to

th e ir w o rk a n d a ga i n at the cl o s e o f the day an d b e fo re
t he e v e n i n g m e a l si n c e B a sil s o m e ti m e s sp eaks o f the ap
,

pr o a ch o f d ark ne ss surprisi ng h im an d o f its c o n s eq u e n tly

b e i n g ti m e to st o p 1
O n e o f th e sur e st i n dic ati o n s e ithe r
.

tha t the s e rm o n s we re de liv e re d ex t em po r an eo usly o r th at ,

B a sil w as r ep eati n g with v a ri ati o n s to suit th e o cc asi o n

a n d pr e s en t a udi e n c e s e r m o n s wh ic h h e h a d d e liv e r e d s o

o f t en a s t o h av e pr actic ally m e m o riz e d o ccurs in the ,

e igh t h h o m ily w h e r e h e st a rt s t o discuss l an d an i m als ,

f o rge tti n g th a t the l a st day he did n o t ge t t o birds but i s ,

pre s en tly br o ught t o a re a liz a ti o n o f his o m issi o n by the

a cti o n s o f h is a udi e n c e a n d a f t e r a pa us e an d a n ap o l o gy
, ,

m ak e s a f r e s h st a rt up o n birds T h e H exa e mer o n w a s

.

h igh ly pra is e d by B a sil s c o n t e m p o r a ri e s an d w as r e ga rd e d

’

a s t h e b e s t o f his w o rks by l a t e r Byz an ti n e lit e r a ry c o ll e ct o rs

an d critics .

B a sil s w o rk h o w e v e r was no t the fi rst o f its ki nd as

’
, , ,

Hipp o lytus an d O rigen at l e a st a r e k no w n to hav e e a rli e r

, ,

c o m p o s e d si m il a r treatis e s an d still e arli e r in the tr eatis e

,

1
Ho mil y I w a s d el iv e r e d in th e n ing . I f w e r e ga r d Ho mil y V I
m o r nin g , v
II in t h e e e n ing ; I II a s t h e m o r n in g a d d r e s s r e f e r re d

w a s in t h e m o r n ing a n d s p e a s o f k v
t o , w e s h all h a e Ho mily V l e f t to
v
a c o m ing e e n in g a dd r e s s A t th e. v
co e r a n e n t ir e da y Ho m il y V I ,
.

c l o s e o f Ho m il y V I I B a s il u r g e s v
h o w e e r , is the l o n ge s t o f t h e
h is h ea r e r s t o ta l k v
o e r a t t h e ir n in e . I n a n y c as e Ho m ily V I I I is
v
e e n ing m e al w ha t t h e y h a e v c l ea r l y p r e ac he d in t he mo r n ing.
h e a r d th is m o r n in g an d th is e ve a n d I X at e ening v .
xx 1 CHR I S TI AN I TY AND NA T URA L S CI E N CE 4 83

of T he o p h ilus To A u to lycus w e fi n d cha pt e r s de a f ew 1

vo t e d to the s ix d ay s o f cr eati o n I n o n e o f h is l ett e rs .

“
Je r om e sta te s th a t Am b r o s e r e c e n tly s o c o m pil e d th e
Hexa em er o n o f O rige n t h at he r a t he r f o ll o w e d the vi e ws
” 2
o f H ipp o lytus a n d B a sil T h is L ati n w o rk o f A m br o s e
.

is ext ant and s eem s to me t o f o ll o w B a sil v e ry cl o s e ly At .

ti me s the o rde r o f pr e s en ta ti o n is slightly va ri e d an d the

wo rk o f Am bro s e i s l o n ge r but t h is is due t o its m o r e ,

ve r b o s e r het o ric an d gr eat e r i n dulge n c e in Biblic al qu o t ati o n ,

a n d n o t to the i n tr o ducti o n o f n ew id e as T h e B e n e dicti n e .

e dit o rs o f Am br o s e a d m it t ha t he h a s ta k e n a gre a t d eal

f r o m B a sil but d e n y t ha t h e ha s s e r v il e ly i m it a t e d him 3

.

But a striki n g i n st an ce o f such s ervil e i mitati o n is s een in

Am bro s e s duplic ati n g e v e n B a sil s m ist ak e in o m itti n g to
’ ’

discuss birds an d then ap o l o gizi n g f o r it r e m i n di ng o n e o f ,

t he C hi n e s e w o rk m a n w h o m a d e al l the n e w di n n e r pl at e s
with a cra ck an d a t o o thpick stuck in it lik e the o l d br o k en ,

pl a t e w h ic h he ha d bee n gi v en as a m o d e l I t is tru e that .

Am br o s e d o e s n o t first discuss l an d an i m al s f o r a p age a s

B a sil did but m ak e s h is a p o l o gy m o r e i m m e di a tely T he
, .

o p en i n g w o rds o f t he e ight h s e r m o n in t he t w e l f t h c h apt e r

“
o f his fi f t h b o o k a r e A n d a f t e r he h a d r e m a i n e d sil en t
,

f o r a m o m en t a ga i n r e su m i n g his disc o urs e h e s a id

, ,

T he n c o me s h is a p o l o gy e x pr e ss e d in di ff e r e n t t e r m s f r o m
,

B a sil s an d to t he e ffe ct tha t in his pr evi o us disc o urs e up o n

’

fis he s he b e c am e s o i m me rs e d in the d e pth s o f the s ea as to

f o rge t all a b o ut birds T hus the i n cid en t w h ich in B a sil
.

had e v e ry a pp e a ra n c e o f a n a tur a l m is t ak e in Ambr o s e ha s ,

a l l t he e a r m a r ks o f an a ff e ct e d i m it a ti o n I t is b a r e ly p o ssi .

bl e h o w e v e r th a t O rige n m a d e t he o rigi n a l m ist ak e an d

, ,

t hat B a sil an d Am br o s e hav e bo th i m it at e d him in it O n .

t he o t h e r han d w e a r e t o ld t h a t th e Hex a e ni e r o ns o f O rige n

,

w k
‘
Bk II p ,
0 7 ca s . m t
1 —
f th
1 . f ti en o e or o c r ea on,
’
E pi s to l a 65 ad P a mm a chiu m
, . c o n tin u e s t o c o mm e n t on th e t e x t
Au gu s t in e s D e G e n es i a d Iitte r a m , A da m f rom
’
e x p ul s io n
’
to
‘
up s
w h ic h C a s s io do r u s ( I n s titu te s , I , Pa r a d is e .

1) e s te e m e d ab o e th e co m m en v ‘
Mig n e, P L , 1 4, 3 2
1 1 -
The m o s t .

t a r ie s o f B a s il a n d Am b r o s e u p o n r ec e n t e dit io n o f t h e He x a e m er o n
G e n e s is is a s o m e w h at s im il a r
,
of Am b r o s e is by C S e b enk l . .

k
wo r , but, a f t e r a b r ie f e r t r eat V ie nn a , 1 896 .
4 84 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

an d B a sil di ffe re d f u n d am en t al ly in t h i s r e sp e ct t hat O rigen ,

i n dulge d to a gr e a t ex t e n t in all e go ric al i n t e rp r e t ati o n o f the

Mo s a ic a cc o u n t o f cr ea ti o n w h il e B a sil d e cl ar e s th at h e
1
,
“ ”
t ak e s al l in the lit e r a l s en s e is n o t a sham e d o f the
“
,
” “ ” 2
G o sp e l an d a dm its th e c o mm o n s en s e o f the S criptur e s
, .

A t any r at e B a sil s H ex ae ni er o n s ee m s t o h av e sup

’

plante d all suc h p r e vi o u s tre atis e s in G r e ek w h il e its w e st ,

e rn i n flu e n c e i s s h o w n n o t o n ly by A m br o s e s i m it ati o n o f
’

it s o s o o n a f t e r its pr o ducti o n but by L a ti n tr an sl ati o n s o f

,

it by Eus tathius A fe r in t he fi f th an d p e rha ps by D i o n ysius ,

Ex iguu s in th e si x th c e n tury Me di ev a l m an uscripts o f it

.

ar e f a irly n u m e r o us an d s o m e ti m e s o f ea rly d at e
3
an d ,

i nclud e an An gl o S ax o n e pit o m e a scrib e d to Ae l f ric in the

-

B o dle i an L ibr a ry B a rt ho l o me w o f E n gl an d in the t h ir

.
4

“
tee n th c e n tu r y q u o t e s R aba nus who use s the w o rds o f
B a sil in the H exaeni er o n f o r a d e scripti o n o f the em pyr ean
”

h eav en w h ich I h av e b e en u n abl e t o fi n d in th e w o rks o f

‘
Fial o n, Etu de s nr St
. B as il e, is n at ur a ll y
f o un d o f t en er The .

186 9 , p 2 9 6 . . o l de s t M S is s aid t o be CU
Co r p u s C h r is ti 1 9 3 , l ar g e L o m
Ho m ily I X .

bar d s c r ip t o f th e 8 t h c e n tu r y
8
F o r e x am p l e , in th e cat al o g ue , w hic h c l o s e l y r e s e mbl es B N 3 836 .

p ubl is h e d in 1 7 44 , o f M S S in t h e
t h e n R o y al L ib r a r y a t P a r is t h e r e
’
a r e l is t e d fi v e c o p ie s o f Eu s t at h iu s
O t h e r M S S a r e : B N 1 1 62 4, 1 1 th
c e n t u r y ; E N 1 2 1 3 5 , 9 th ce n tu r y ;
B N 1 2 1 3 6 , 12 1 3 th c e n t u r y ; E N
—

L at in t ra n s l a t io n , d at in g f r o m t h e 1 33 3 6 , t 1 th c e n tu ry ; B N 14 84 7 ,

n in th t o t h e f o u r t e e n t h c e n t u r y 1 2 t h c e n t u r y, f o l 1 63 ; B N n o uv
. .

2 2 00 , 4 ; 17 0 1 , 1 ; 1 7 02 , 1 ; 1 7 8 7 A, acq 49 0, 1 2 t h c e n tu r y ; V a t ica n
.

2 ; 2 63 3 , 1 ; a n d fi f t e e n c o p ie s o f 2 69 2 7 3 in cl u s i e ,
-
v 1 0- 1 5 th c e n t u
th e H ex a e m e r o n o f Am b r o s e r ie s ; Al e nco n 10 12 th c e n t u r y ;
,

1 7 18 ; 1 7 02 , 2 ; 1 7 1 9 t o 1 7 2 7 in V e ndom e 1 2 9 , 12 th c en tu r y, f o l s .

v
e l u s i e ; 2 38 7 , 4 ; 2 6 3 7 a n d 2 6 3 8 .
4 12 6 ; S e mu r 1 0 1 2 th c e n tu r y ;
8 -
, ,

v
I h a e n o t n o ted w hat M S S o f Ch a r t r e s 63 , 1 0— 1 1 th c e n tur y , f o l s .

th e Hex a e m e r o n s o f B a s il a n d 3 46 ; O r l é an s 3 5 , l 1 th c e n t ury ;
-

A m b r o s e a r e f o un d in th e B r itis h
Mu s e u m an d B o dl e ian lib r a r ie s
S o m e o th e r m e die a l c o p ie s o f
B a s il s in La t in t r an s l a t io n a r e :
’
O r l é an s 1 9 2 , 7 th c en t u r y, p a r t o f
. k
t h e fi r s t t w o b o o s o n l y ; Am ie n s
v f o n ds L e s c a l o p ie r 3 0 , 1 2 th c en
t u r y ; l e Man s 1 5 1 1 th c e n t u r y ;
,

B N 1 2 134 , 9 th c e n tu r y L o m bar d B r u s s e l s 1 7 8 2 , 10th c e n tu r y ; C L M

h an d ; V e n dom e 1 2 2 , 1 1 th c e n 2 5 49 , 1 2 th c e n tu r y ; CL M 3 7 2 8 ,

t ur y f o l s
,
1 v 6o ;
. S o is s o n s 1 2 1 ,
-
1 0th c e n tu r y ; C L M 6 2 5 8 , 1 0t h
C L M 1 3 07 9 1 2 th c e n
’
1 2 th c e n t u r y f o l 97 , Eu s ta thiu s
, . c e n tu r y ; ,

p r o l o gu e a n d a p ar t o f h is t r an s t u r y ; CL M 14 3 9 9 , 12 t h c e ntu r y ;
l a t io n ; G r e n o bl e 2 5 8 , 1 2 t h c e n v
N o a r a 4 0, 1 2 th c e ntu r y ; an d
t u r y, f o l s 1 - 4 5 ,
. Eu s t ath ii t r ans m an y o t h e r MS S o f l a t e r d a te in
l at io . th e s e a n d o th e r l ib r a r ie s .

D e pr o pr ie ta tibus r e r u m V II I,
‘
T h e He x a e m e r o n o f Am br o s e , ,

s in ce w r it t e n o r ig in a l l y in La t in , 4 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

an d th a t t he y wis h to he ar a great d e al m o re ab o ut n atural

phe n o m en a than I s a i ah o r any o t he r Biblic a l a utho r has t o
o ff e r t h e m
“
What tr o ubl e yo u have giv en m e in m y p re
.

”
vi o n s disc o urse s e xc l a i m s B a sil in h is f o urt h h o m ily by
,
“
,

a ski n g m e w hy th e ea rt h w a s i n visibl e w hy al l b o di e s ar e ,

n a t u r a lly e n du e d wit h c o l o r an d w hy all c o l o r c o m e s u n d e r

,

the s e n s e o f sigh t ? A n d p e r h aps my re a s o n did n o t a pp e a r

suffi ci e nt t o yo u P e r ha ps yo u will a s k m e new qu e s
.

”
ti o n s .B a sil gr atifi es t h is curi o sity c o n c e r n i n g the w o rld
o f n a tur e with m an y d e t a ils n o t m e n ti o n e d in th e B ibl e

but draw n f r o m suc h w o rks a s A rist o tle s M e te or o l ogy an d ’

His to r y of A n imals T h is sci en tifi c curi o sity displ ay e d by

.

B a sil s he a r e rs is the mo re i n t e re s ti n g in t hat a rtis an s w h o

’

had to l a b o r f o r t he ir d a ily br e ad a pp ea r to h av e m a d e up a
l a rge e l em e n t in his audi en ce 1
I t is p e r h ap s o n t he i r ac
.

c o u n t that B a sil o f t en s p eaks o f G o d as the supr eme a rtis an

“
o r a r t ifi cer o r a rtist o r c a lls th e ir a tt e n ti o n t o the v a st
2
,

” 3
a n d v a ri e d w o rks h o p o f divi n e cr ea ti o n an d m ak e s o th e r ,

fl att e ri ng a llusi o n s to a rt s w h ic h supp o rt li fe o r pr o duc e

e n duri n g w o rk an d t o w a t e rw ays a n d s ea tra d e
,
4
He a ls o .

s eem s to h av e a si n ce re a ppr e ci ati o n o f the a rts and adm i ra

ti o n o f b ea uty w h ich he twic e defi n es
,
5
.

At t he risk o f digr e ssi o n it is p e rhaps w o rth no ti ng ,

furthe r t hat B a sil s h ear e rs s eem to h av e b een v er y f amili a r

’

with n o t to s ay f o n d o f the am usements c o mmo n in t he

, ,

citi e s o f the R o m an Em pire T wic e h e o p en s h is s e rm o n s .

wit h a llusi o n s to the at hl e t e s o f the circus an d a cto rs o f

t he t hea t e r a pp a r e n tly a s the sur e st w ay o f quickly c ateh
6 -
,

ing the a tt e n ti o n o f h is a udi en c e w h il e o n a t h i r d o cc asi o n , ,

in c o n cludi n g h is m o rn i n g a ddre ss o n w h at app ea rs to h av e

b een a ho lid a y h e r em a rk s t ha t i f he had dis m iss e d the m
,

e a rli e r s o m e w o uld h a v e sp e n t t he r e st o f the day g am bli n g

,

wit h dic e and t ha t the l o n ge r I k e ep yo u the l o n ge r yo u

, ,

” 7
a r e o u t o f th e w ay o f m isc h i e f He als o allud e s to the .

‘
Ho m il y I I I , 1 an d 10 . VI , 9 ; V I I 6 , .

” “
I 7 ; I II , 5 an d 10
, . I I, 7 ; I II , 10 .

°
8
IV , 1 .
IV 1 ; V I,
, 1 .

"
4
I , 7 ; II I , 5 ; I V , 3 , 4 , an d 7; VIII, 8 .
xx r CHR I S TI AN I T Y AN D N A T UR AL S CI E N CE 4 87

spi nn i n g o f t o ps an d to what was app a re ntly the gam e o f

pus h ba ll -
1
.

T aki n g up the c o n t en ts o f th e H exa eni er o n m o r e in

d et a il w e m ay first n o t e tho s e p o i n ts up o n w h i c h B a sil sup
,

p o rts the st a t e m e n ts o f t he Bibl e a ga i n s t G r e e k s c i e nc e a n d

p h il o s o phy He o f co urs e i n si s t s t ha t the u n ive r s e w as
.

cr ea t e d by G o d an d is n o t c o ex ist e nt m uch l e ss id e n tic a l -

, ,

with Him He a ls o d en i e s t ha t the f o r m o f th e w o r ld

.
2

a l o n e is du e t o G o d an d t ha t m att e r is o f s e p a r a t e o rigi n
3
.

No r will he a cc e pt the a rgu m e n t s o f the ph il o s o ph e r s w h o

“ ”
w o uld r a t he r l o s e t he ir t o n gu e s t han a dm it th a t t he r e is
m o r e t ha n o n e h e a v en B a sil is r e a dy to b e li e v e n o t m e r e ly
.

in a s e c o n d but a th i rd h eav e n such a s th e a p o s tl e P a ul

, ,

s p e aks o f be i n g r apt t o He r e ga r ds a plura li ty o f h e av en s

.

a s n o m o r e di fficult t o cr e dit t ha n t he S e v e n c o n c e n tric

sphe re s o f the pl an ets a n d a s m uc h m o r e pr o b abl e than the

,

phil o s o p hic t heo ry o f the m usic o f th e sph e r e s wh ich he

“
d e cri e s as i n gen i o us f rivo lity the u n t r uth o f w hic h is evi ,

d en t f r o m the fi r st w o rd ” 4
He a ls o d e f e n ds the st a t em e n t
.

o f S criptur e t h a t th e r e a r e w a t e rs a b o v e th e fi r m am en t n o t ,

o n ly a ga i n st t h e d o ctri n e s o f a n ci e n t a str o n o m y but a ls o

5
,

“ ”
a g a i n st c e rt a i n writ e rs in the church a m o n g w ho m he ,

pro b ably ha s O rige n in m i n d w ho i nt e rp r e t the pa ss age ,

fi gur ative ly an d a s s e r t tha t the w a t e rs st an d f o r spiritua l “

a n d i n c o rp o r ea l p o w e rs tho s e abo v e the fi rm ame n t r ep r e

,

s enti n g goo d ange ls an d tho s e b e l o w the fi r m ament st an di n g

“
f o r evil d e m o n s L e t us r e j e ct t he s e t he o ri e s a s w e w o uld
.

the i n t e rpr et a ti o n s o f dr e am s a n d o l d wiv e s t a l e s

” 6 -
’
.

I n c o nn e cti o n wit h B a sil s d e f e n s e o f th e plura lity o f

’

the he a ve n s it m ay b e n o t e d t ha t R H Cha rl e s pr e s en ts . .

“
e vid e n c e t o s ho w t ha t sp e cul ati o n s o r d efi n it e ly f o r m ul a t e d
vi e ws o n the plur ality o f th e he av e n s we re ri fe in t he v e r y
cr adle o f Ch rist en d o m an d th r o ugh o ut its e n tir e d ev e l o p
” “
m ent a n d t hat the pr ev a ili ng vi e w w a s t hat o f the se ven
,

Ho mil y V , 10 ; I X, 2
1’
I, 3 .

8
II, 1 .
4 88 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I M E N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

” 1
f o ld divisi o n o f the hea v en s He f a ils ho w ev e r to dis
.
, ,

cri m i nate b e tw een the d o ctri ne o f G ree k ph il o s o phy t hat

the u n iv e rs e w a s o n e a lt ho ugh the circl e s o f t h e pl a n e ts a r e
,

s e v e n and the plur a lity o f the he a ve n s w h ic h B a sil i n sists

, ,

t hat the ph il o s o phe rs d eny ; and v e ry pr o b ably the J e wish

an d e arly Ch risti an n o ti o n s o f s ucc e ssiv e h ea v e n s f ull o f

a n ge ls a n d spirits d ev e l o p e d f r o m the sp he r e s o f t he pl an e ts .

Am o n g the va ri o us e arly h e r e si e s d e scrib e d by the f a the rs

a r e a ls o f o u n d o f c o urs e m an y a llusi o n s t o t h e s e s e v e n
, ,

sphe r e s o r heav en s T he discipl e s o f V a l en ti nus f o r e x

.
,

“
a m pl e a cc o rdi n g t o I r e n ae us an d E p iph an iu s
,
a ffi r m th a t ,

t he s e s ev e n he av e n s ar e i n t e lligen t a n d s p ea k o f them a s
an ge ls an d d ecl a r e t h a t P a r a dis e situ at e d a bo ve the ,

” 2
t hird heav e n is a p o w e r f ul an gel
,
.

O n t he o the r h an d w e m ay n o t e s o me p o i nts wh e r e
,

B a sil is in a cc o rd with G r ee k sci en c e He w ar n s h is h ear e rs .

“
n o t to be surpris e d t ha t the w o rld n e v e r f alls ; it o cc upi e s
the c e n t e r o f the u n iv e rs e its n atur a l pl ac e
” 3
,
He a dvan ce s .

n u m e r o us pr o o f s o f t he i mm e n s e s iz e o f the s un a n d m o o n
4
.

He a cce pts the hyp o th e sis o f f o ur e l em en ts but abst a i n s

fr o m p assi n g j udgm en t up o n th e qu e sti o n o f a fi f th e le
m e n t o f w h ic h the h e a ve n s an d c e l e sti a l bo di e s m ay be
He t h i n ks t ha t it n ee ds n o t t he sp ac e o f a
“
co mpo s e d 5
.

m o m e n t f o r ligh t t o p a ss th r o u g the e t h e r 6
.

Mo r e o ve r B a sil fi n ds it n e c e ss a ry to q u ali fy s o me o f
,

t he st a t em e nts in the fi rst c h apt e r o f G en es is He i n t e r .

“
p r e ts th e c o m m an d L et the w at e rs u n d e r t he he av en be
,

”
gat he re d t o ge the r u nt o o n e pl ac e to a pply o n ly to the s ea ,

o r o c e an w h ic h he c o n t e n ds is o n e b o dy o f w at e r a n d n o t
, ,
“
t o p o o ls an d lak e s r e c o gn izi n g t hat o t he rwis e o ur ex
7
,

pl anati o n o f th e cr e ati o n o f the w o rld m ay a ppe ar c o n tr a ry

t o e x p e r i en c e b e c a u se it is e vid e n t t hat a l l the w at e rs did
,

”
n o t fl o w t o ge t h e r in o n e pl a c e I n t h is c o nne cti o n h e
.

‘
C ha r l e s , Th e B o o k of th e
S e c r e ts o
o f E n o c h, I n t r o d uc t io n ,
pp . x xx i , x x x 1x .

’
I r e n ae u s I , 5 ; Ep ip ha n iu s ,
, ed .

P e tavius 1 8 6A B .
 M A GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

si n gl e pl ant , a bl a d e
gr a ss is su ffi ci en t to o ccupy al l y o ur
of

i n t e llige n ce in t he c o n t em pl a ti o n o f the skill w h ic h p r o

duce d it
” 1
. He s ee s gr eat wisd o m in s m all t hi n gs
“ ” 2
.

T h us by the a rgu m en t f r o m d e sign he is ap t t o w o rk b ack

f r o m n atur e t o t h e C r e a t o r s o t h at h is e n t h usi a s m c ann o t
,

be r e ga rd e d a s pur e ly sci e n tific G o i n g a st e p f a rth e r th an

.

“
G al e n s a rgu m e nt f r o m d e sign h e c o n t en ds t hat no t a
’
,

si n gl e th i n g ha s be en cr eat e d witho ut re a s o n ; n ot a si ngl e

” 3
t h i n g is us e l e ss .

B a s il a ls o ch e ris he s the n o ti o n w h ich w e hav e alr ea dy ,

f o u n d b o th in p a gan a n d Christi an writ e rs t hat hu m an s in ,

l e a ve s its st a i n o r has its effe ct up o n n atur e T he ro s e was .

witho ut t ho r n s be fo re th e f all o f m an an d the ir additi o n to

its b eauty s e rv e s t o r em i n d us t hat s o rr o w is v e r y nea r
” 4
t o pl ea sur e .

B a sil discuss e s the ha bits o f an i m als l a rgely in o rde r

t o dr a w m o r a l l e ss o n s f r o m th em f o r h u m an b e i n gs an d he
h as s ev e ra l p a ss age s in the styl e supp o se d t o be ch a r a c
t e r is tic o f th e P hys io l o gus But he als o r e fe rs in a n um
.

ber o f pl a c e s t o th e a bility o f a n i m als to fi nd r e me di e s with

w h ich t o cur e them s elve s o f a ilm ents an d i n j u r i e s o r to ,

th e ir p o w e r o f divi n i n g the f uture T he s ea urch i n f o re .

-

t ells sto r m s ; s hee p a n d go ats disc e rn d an ge r by i n sti n ct

“
a l o ne . T he st a rli n g e ats h em l o ck an d dige sts it b e f o r e its
”
ch ill can attack th e vital p arts ; and the q u ail i s abl e t o
f e e d o n he ll e b o re The w o u n d e d b e a r n urs e s h i m s e l f fi lli n g
.
,

“
his w o u n ds with m ull e i n an a stri n ge n t pl an t ; the f o x
,

”
h eals h is w o un ds with dr o ppi n gs fr o m the pi ne tree ; the
t o rt o is e c o u n t e r acts the v eno m o f the vip e rs it has eat en
“
by m ean s o f the he rb m ar j o r am ; an d the s erp en t heals s o r e
” 5
e y e s by ea ti n g f e nn e l .

I n d ee d f a r f r o m b e i n g l e d by h is a c q u a i n t anc e with
,

“
G re e k sci en c e i nt o d o ubti n g t he m ar ve l o us B a sil fi n ds in ,

” 6
n a tur e a t h o us a n d r e a s o n s f o r b e li e vi n g in t he m a rve l o us .

He is r e ady to a sc r ib e a sto u n di n g p o w e rs to an i mal s an d ,

1
Ho mily V , 3 .
‘
V, 6 .

“
V I I , 5 ; I X, 3
2
V, 9 . .

‘ “
V
, 4 . V I I I, 6 .
xx1 CHR I S TI AN I TY AN D N A T UR AL S CI EN CE 49 1

b eli eve s like P li n y th at the gr eate st v e ss els s a ili n g with

, , ,

f ull s ails a r e e a sily st o pp e d by a ti n y fi s h

,
” 1
He t e lls us .

t ha t na ture e n do w e d the li o n wit h such l o ud an d f o rc e f ul

“
v o c al o rgan s t ha t o ft en m uch swi f t e r an i m als a r e c augh t
by his r o a ri n g a l o n e ” 2
He als o r e p e ats in cha r m i n g styl e
.

the f am ili a r st o ry o f the ha lcy o n d a ys T he halcyo n l ays .

its e ggs al o n g the s ho re in m id wi n t e r when vi o l en t wi nds -

da s h the wa v e s a ga i n st the l an d Y et wi n ds ar e hus he d .

an d w av e s a r e c a l m duri n g t he s e v e n d ays t ha t the h al cy o n

sits an d the n a ft e r its y o un g ar e h atc he d a n d in n ee d o f

, ,

fo o d G o d in his mun ifi c e n c e gr an ts an o t h e r s e v e n d ays

“
,

to t h is ti ny a n i m a l Al l s a il o rs k n o w th is an d c a ll t he s e d ays
.

” 3
ha lcyo n d ays .

L ik e m o st an ci e n t sci entists B a sil b eli eve s t hat s o m e ani ,

m als a r e sp o n t an e o usly ge n e r a te d
“
Many birds have n o .

nee d o f u n i o n wit h ma l e s t o c o n c e iv e a circu m st an c e w h ic h ,

s ho uld mak e it e a sy f o r us to b e li eve in the Virgi n birth o f

Ch rist 4
.G r a ss ho pp e rs a n d o t he r n a m e l e ss i n s e cts a n d s o m e
”
ti me s f r o gs a nd m ic e a r e bo r n f r o m the e art h its e l f and ,

“ ” 5
m u d a l o n e pr o duc e s e e ls a t he o ry n o t m uc h m o r e am a z
,

in g t ha n the a ss e r ti o n o f m o de r n bi o l o gists t hat e e ls sp aw n

o n ly in the Me dit e rr a n e an S e a B a sil sta t e s t hat in the
“
.

e nvir o n s o f T he b e s in E gypt a f t e r a bu n d a n t r a i n in h o t
”
w e at he r the c o u n t r y is c o v e r e d with fi e ld m ic e but with ,

o ut n o ti n g th a t a bu n d a n t r a i n in upp e r E gypt in h o t w ea the r

w o uld its e l f be in th e n atur e o f a m ira cl e .

B asil is l e ss sc e ptic a l than Ap o ll o n ius o f Ty ana in

r e ga rd t o the birth o f li o n s a nd o f vip e rs r e p e a ti n g un ,

qu e sti o n i ngly t he st at em e n t that the vip e r gn a w s its w ay

o ut o f its m o t he r s w o m b a n d t h a t t he li o n e ss b e a rs o n ly o n e
’

w he lp be c aus e it t ea rs her wit h its cl aw s O f pur e ly s cie n

6
.

tifi c sc e pticis m th e r e is i n d e e d littl e in the He x a e m e r o n , , .

B a sil d o e s ho w ev e r qu e sti o n o n e o f th e p o w e rs a sc r ibe d

, ,

t o ma gici an s a n d t h is is h is o n ly m e n ti o n o f th e m a gic
,

“
1
Ho m il y V II 6 , . Ho m ily V I II 6 , .

“
I X, 3 I X, 2
2
. .

“
V II I , 5 . S e e a l s o A r is t otl e , I X, 5 .

His to r y of A nima ls , V , 8 .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

ar t . D iscussi n g t he
i mmen s e siz e o f the m o o n an d its
gre at i n flu enc e upo n t e rr e stri al n ature h e d e cl a r e s ridicul o us ,

th e o ld w iv e s t al e s w h ich h av e b e en circul a t e d e v e ryw he r e

’
-

t ha t m a gic i n c ant ati o n s can r em o v e th e m o o n f ro m its

” 1
pl ac e a n d make it d e sc en d to th e e a rt h .

S un w o rs h ip still ex ist e d in B a sil s ti m e a nd he h a ils

’

the f a ct t ha t the s un w as n o t cr e at e d u n til the f o urt h day ,

a f t e r bo t h ligh t a n d v e ge t a ti o n w e r e in ex ist en c e as a ,

s ev e r e blo w t o t ho s e who r e v e r e nce the s un as the s o urc e

o f li f e
2
Ho w e v e r h e d o e s n o t p r e t en d to be abl e to
.
“
,

” 3
s e p a r a t e ligh t fr o m t h e b o dy o f t h e s u n Theo ph ilus in .

his e arli e r discussi o n o f cr eati o n h ad sta te d p e rhaps c o py ,

in g Ph il o Judae us t ha t the lu m i n a ri e s w e r e n o t cr eat e d u ntil

,

“
the f o urth day bec aus e G o d who po s se ss e s f o r ek no wl e dge
, , ,

k ne w the f o lli e s o f t he v a i n ph il o s o phe rs t hat the y w e re ,

go i n g to s ay t hat the th i n gs w h ic h gr o w o n e art h ar e p r o

,

”
duc e d f r o m the h e a v en ly b o di e s w h ich is i n d ee d a f un d a
—
, ,

m en t a l hyo pth e s is o f a str o l o gy s o as to ex clud e G o d In .

o rd e r t h e re f o r e t h a t t h e trut h m igh t b e o bvi o us the pl a n ts

, , ,

a n d s ee ds w e r e pr o duc e d pri o r t o the h e av en ly b o di e s f or ,

” 4
w hat is p o st e ri o r c a n n o t pr o duc e t ha t w h ich is pri o r .
-

B a sil d o e s n o t m ak e th i s p o i n t a ga i n st the rul e o f in fe r io r .

__

cr e a ti o n by the hea ven ly b o di e s but in a succ ee di n g ho m ily ,

he f e e ls it n e c e ss a ry t o d e v o t e s e v e r a l p a r a gr ap h s to r e f ut a
5

”
ti o n o f the va i n sci enc e o f c a sti n g n ati v iti e s w h ic h s o m e
“
,

p e rs o n s hav e j ustifi e d by the w o rds o f G o d c o n c e rni n g s un ,

“
m o o n a n d st a rs in t he fi rst c ha pt e r o f G e n es is
,
A nd l et ,

”
the m be f o r sign s B a sil q u e sti o n s if it be p os sibl e to
.

d e te rm i ne t he e x a ct i n st an t o f birth d e cl a re s that to at ,

tribut e to the c o n st e ll a ti o n s an d sign s o f the z o di a c the

c ha r a ct eristics o f an i m als is to subj e ct t h em to ex t e r na l in
fl u e n c e s a n d d e f e n ds hu m an f r e e will in m uc h the usu al
,
“
f a s h i o n He is r e a dy h o w e v e r t o gr a n t t h a t th e v a ri a ti o n s
.
, ,

o f t he m o o n do n o t t ak e pl ac e wit ho ut e x e rti n g gr e at infl u

e n c e up o n t he o rg an iz a ti o n o f a n i m a ls a n d o f al l livi n g
‘
‘
Ho m ily V I , 11 . A d A u to lycum , II , 15 .
V I , .
5
Ho m ily V I , 5 -7 .

V I, 3 .
494 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

than B asil s attitud e is th a t o f his a udi enc e curi o us c o n

’
,

c e r n i n g n a tur e J ust as it is e vid e n t that m any o f them

.

g o t o t h e a t e rs a n d circus e s o r pl a y with dic e d e spit e B a sil s

, ,
’

d en u n ci ati o n o f t he i m m o r a l s o n gs o f the st age an d the

e vils o f g a m bli n g ; j ust s o w e susp e ct it w a s th e a ttr a ctiv e
, ,

m o rs e ls o f G r e e k a str o n o m y b o t an y a n d z o o l o gy wh ich he
, ,

o ff e r e d t hem t h at i n duc e d t h e m t o c o m e an d list e n furt h e r

t o his a rgum e n t f r o m d e sign a n d his m o r a l l e ss o n s b a s e d

up o n the s e n atur a l ph en o m en a N o r w e r e they lik e ly t o.

o bs e rv e his c e n sur e o f i n c an t a ti o n s a n d n ativiti e s mo r e

cl o s e ly than his c o n d em n a ti o n o f t he at e r an d gam i n g I t .

w o uld be r a s h to i n f e r t hat t he y a lw ays pr a ctic e d w hat he

pr eache d By th e s am e t o k e n e v en if th e ch urch f ath e rs
.
,

h a d o pp o s e d sci e n tific i n v e stig a ti o n an d it h a rdly a pp ea rs —

tha t the y did the y w o uld pr o b ably h av e b een n o m o r e suc

—

ce s s f ul in c h e cki n g it t h an th e y w e r e in c h e cki n g th e c o m
“
m e rc e o f Co n st an ti n o pl e a lth o ugh S A m br o s e r e ga rds th e
, .

ga i n s o f m e rch an ts as f o r the m o st p a rt f r audul en t an d S , .

Ch r ys o s t o m s l an gu a ge h a s b e en gen e r a lly a pp e al e d to in a
’

” 1
si m il a r s en s e .

The s am e r e c o gn iti o n o f an i n t e r e st in n atur e o n the

p ar t o f his a udi e n c e an d the s am e a pp e a l to t he ir sci en ti fic
curi o sity w hic h w e h av e s e en in B a sil s s e rm o n s is sho wn
,
’

by Ep iph an ius o f Cyp rus ( 3 1 5 4 0 3 ) writi n g in 3 7 4 3 7 5 - -

A D.
2
. He c alls his w o rk a ga i n st he r e si e s the P anar io n ,

or
“
Me dici n e Che s t his id ea b e i n g t o pr o vid e antid o te s
”
,

a n d h ea li n g h e rbs in th e f o r m o f s alubri o us d o ctri n e a g a i n st

t he v e n o m o f h e re tics w ho s e e n igm a s h e c o m p ar e s to t he
bit e s o f se rp e n ts o r wild b ea sts T h is m et aph o r is m o r e o r
.

l e ss a d he r e d to t h r o ugho ut the w o rk an d p a rticul a r h e re si e s ,

a r e c o m p a r e d t o t he a s p b a silisk dips a s bupr e stis liz a rd

3 4
, , , , ,

do g fi s h o r s h a rk m o l e c e n tip e d e sc o rpi o n a n d v a ri o us
-
, , , ,

1
Cun n ing ha m, Chr is tian O pinion th e ele v e n t h an d th e t w e lf th .

L uc ian s D e dips adibn s wil l be

a ’
o n U s u r y, p 9 . .

2
T w ic e in the c o u r s e o f th e r e c a ll e d ; s ee al s o P l in y, N H,
P a n ar io n ( D in do r f , I , 2 80 , a nd II , XXIII , 8 0 ; L ucan , P h ar s alia, I X,
4 2 8 ; P e t avius , 2 D an d 404 A ) h e 7 1‘9 .

v
g i e s t h e y ea r o f th e r e ig n o f Pl iny, NH, XXI I I , 18 ; XXX,
V al e n tin ian a nd V a l e n s n am e l y . .
xx 1 CHR I S TI AN I TY AND N A T UR AL S CI EN CE 49 5

vipe rs We a r e f u rt h e r to ld o f subst an c e s t hat driv e a w ay

.

s e rpe n ts such a s the he rbs dic tain n on a br o to n uni an d

, , ,

l iban o tis the gum s tor ax an d t h e st o n e

1
, , gaga te s A s his .

a ut ho riti e s in suc h m a tt e r s E p ip h an iu s st a t e s t h a t h e us e s

N ic an de r f o r the n atur e s o f b ea s t s a n d r e ptil e s a n d f o r ,

r o o ts a n d pl an ts D i o sc o rid e s P am philus M ith rid at e s the , ,

ki n g Call is the n e s an d P hil o I o l ao s the Bithyn i an He ra

, , ,

c l e ide s o f T a r e n tu m a n d a n u m b e r o f o t h e r n a m e s
2
, .

I f in his P an ar io n E p iph a n iu s m ak e s u s e o f an ci e n t
b o t an y m e dici n e an d z o o l o gy f o r pu r p o s e s o f c o m p ari so n
, , ,

in h is tr eatis e o n t he tw e lv e ge m s in t he br e a stpl a t e o f the

He b r e w high pri e st he p e r haps giv e s a n ex cus e an d s e ts
3

the f a s h i o n f o r the Ch r isti an m e di e v a l L apida r ies T his .

w o rk w as pr o b ably c o m p o s e d a f t e r the P an ar io n an d in ,

t h e o pi n i o n o f Fo ggin iu s e v e n l a t e r t ha n 3 9 2 A D 4
T h is . .

tr eatis e pro b ably w a s b e tt e r k n o w n in the m iddl e a ge s t han

the P a na r io n si n c e t h e f ull e st v e rsi o n o f it e x t a n t is the
,

o l d L a ti n o n e w h il e t he G r e ek t ex t wh ic h has sur v ive d

,

s eem s o n ly a v e ry bri e f e pit o m e T h e G r ee k v e rsi o n ho w .

,

e v e r e m b o di e s a go o d d eal o f w ha t is s a id c o n c e r n i n g t he
,

gem s th em s e lv e s an d t he ir virt u e s but o m i t s e n t ir ely the ,

l o n g e ff o rt t o id en ti f y ea c h o f t he t w e lve st o n e s w it h o n e o f
th e tw e lv e trib e s o f I s r a e l w h ich is l e f t u n fi n i s h e d e v en
,

in the L ati n v e rsi o n E p ip h a n iu s s h o ws hi m s e l f r at he r

.

c ha ry in r e ga rd to suc h virt u e s a tt r ibut e d t o gem s a s to

c al m st o rm s m ak e m e n p a cific a n d c o n fe r th e p o w er o f
, ,

di v i na ti o n He d o e s n o t go s o f a r a s t o o m it them e n tir ely

.
,

“
but he usu ally qu a lifi e s t hem as the a ss e rt i o n o f tho s e w ho
” “ ”
c o n struct f abl e s o r th o s e w h o b e li ev e f abl e s I t is wi th .

o u t a n y suc h qu a lific at i o n ho w e v e r t h a t h e d e cl ar e s t hat

, ,

the t o p a z w hen gr o u n d o n a p hysici an s gri n dst o n e a l ’

5
, ,

t ho ugh r e d its el f e m its a w h it e m ilky fluid an d m o re o ve r

, , , ,

Pl in y N H, XXV , 5 3 ; XXI ,
1
,
e d it io n of th e Ep ip h a
O p er a of

9 2“; XI X, 62 ; X II , 4 0 and 5 5 . n iu s , v o l I V , p p 1 4 1 - 2 48 w ith

. .
,

D in d o r f II, 45 0 ;
,
P e t a v iu s , t h e p r e f a c e a n d n o t e s o f Fo g g i
42 2 C . n iu s , an d b o t h t h e L at in an d
a
L ibe r d e XII g e mm is r a tion G r ee
“
kv e r s io n s .

a l is s a mm i s a c e r d o tis H e br a e o I bid 1 60— 62

.
, .

’ 5
r u m, p ubl is h e d in D in do r f s P 174
. .
49 6 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

t hat as m an y v e ss e ls a s o n e wis he s m ay be fill e d wit h t h is

fluid witho ut c han gin g the a pp ea r anc e o r s hape o r l e ss en i n g
t h e w e igh t o f the st o n e S kill e d ph ysici an s a l s o a ttribut e
.

t o t h is li q uid a h e a li n g e ff e ct in e ye tr o ubl e s in hydr o p ho bi a , ,

an d in t he c a se o f t h o s e w h o h av e go n e m ad f r o m e ati n g

gr ape fi s h -
.

E p ipha n ius m en ti o n s a f e w o t h e r gem s th an th o s e in the

h igh p r i e st s br ea stpl at e Am o n g t h e s e is the st o n e
’
.

hy aci n t h w h ic h w he n pl a c e d up o n liv e c o a ls e x ti n gu is he s
1
, ,

t hem wit ho ut i n j ury t o itse l f an d wh ich is als o b e ne fi ci al

t o w o m e n in c h ildbirt h an d driv e s a w a y p h an t a sm s
, Ce r .

t a i n v a ri e ti e s o f it a r e f o u n d in the n o rth am o n g the bar

b a r o us S cythi an s T he gem s lie at the bo tt o m o f a d ee p
.

v a ll e y w hic h is i n acc e ssibl e t o m en be ca us e w all e d in c o m

p l e t e l y by m o u n t a i n s a n d m o r eo v e r f r o m th e su mm its o n e
,

c ann o t s ee i n t o th e v a ll e y b e c a us e o f a d a rk m ist wh ich c o ve rs

it Ho w m en ev e r b e c am e c o gn iz an t o f the f a ct tha t t he re
.

a r e ge m s t h e r e m ay w e ll b e w o n d e r e d but is a p o i n t w h ich

E p ip h an iu s d o e s n o t tak e i n t o c o n sid e r ati o n He si m ply .

t e lls us t h at when m en ar e s en t to o bt a i n s o me o f the s e

st o ne s the y ski n s hee p a nd h url the c a rc a ss e s i n t o the val
,

l e y w he r e s o m e o f t h e ge m s a d h e r e t o t h e fl e s h T he o d o r .

o f th e r a w m ea t t he n a ttr a cts th e e a gl e s w h o s e k e e n e r sigh t ,

is pe r haps abl e to p en e tra t e the m ist a ltho ugh Ep iphanius ,

d o e s n o t s ay s o an d th e y c a rry the c a rri o n to t he ir ne sts

,

in t he m o u n t a i n s T he m e n w a tc h w h e r e the e a gl e s have
.

t ak e n the m eat an d go t he r e an d fi nd the gem s w h ic h hav e

b ee n br o ugh t o ut wit h it In th e m iddl e a ge s w e fi n d th is.

s am e st o r y in a slightly di ffe r e n t f o r m t o ld o f A l ex an d e r
the G re a t o n h is e x p e diti o n to I n di a Ep ipha n ius h as o n e
.

t h i n g to t e ll o f I n di a h i m s e l f in c o nn e cti o n with gem s ,

wh ich i s th a t a t em pl e o f F a the r L ib e r ( B a cch us ) is l o c at e d

t he r e w hich is s a id to hav e t hree hu ndr e d an d si x ty five -

st e ps all o f s app h ir e
,
— ?

1
Pp . 19 0 -
91 .
4
I bid , 1 84 .
49 8 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

E t h i o pi a n , 1
an d A r a bic ;
t ex t f r o m m e di e va l m anu 2
a G re ek
scripts m o stly o f l at e d at e ; va ri o us L ati n ve rsi o n s in
,
3

n u m e r o us m a n uscripts f r o m t h e e igh t h c e n tu r y o n ;
4
in O ld
High G e r m an a pro s e tr an sl a ti o n o f ab o ut 1 000 A D an d . .

a p o e tica l ve rsi o n l at e r in the s am e la n gu age ; an d 5

B e sti a ri e s such a s t ho s e o f P h ilip o f T hao n an d W illi am

5

1
Ho m m el D ie a e thi o pis ch e
, d u o de c im a n ima liu m I n de e d, 1t .

U e b er s e tz u ng d es P hys io l og us , wa s p r in t e d at l e a s t n in e t im es
L e ip z ig , 1 8 7 7 A bit o f it w a s. u n de r his n a m e ,— s e e Hain ,
t r a n s l a t e d by P it r a I II, 1 5 46 7 a n d in t h e w o r s o f k
4 16 7
-
. Hug h o f S t V ic to r ( Mign e , P L , .

2
L an d, O ti a S yr ia ca, p 1 3 7 , e t . 1 7 7 , 9 - 1 64 D e be s tiis e t a l iis r e bus
,

s eq .
,w ith L at in t r a ns l at io n A . libr i qu a tu or ) B o th o f t h e s e.

f r ag m e nt in Pit r a II I, v e r s io n s o cc u r in n u m e r o u s MS S ,

5 35 as d o e s a t hir d e r s io n w h ic h v
3
P it r a I I I , 3 3 8 -7 3 , u se d o p en s w it h c it at io n o f t h e r e m a r k
M S S f r o m t h e 1 3 th t o 1 5 t h c e n of J a co b in bl e s s ing his s o n s ,
t ur y T h e e a r l ie s t
. n own il l u k “
J udah is a lio n s w h e lp ”
The
’
.

m in ate d c o p ie s a r e o f 1 1 00 A D . . a uth o r t h e n c it e s P hys i o l o g us a s

an d l a t e r : s e e D a l ton , B yza n tin e u s u al c o n c e r n in g t h e t h r ee n a t u r e s
A r t and A r c ha e o l o g y, O x f o r d, of t h e lio n S e e Wo l f enbii tt e l
.

1 9 1 1 , p p 48 1 - 2 . .
44 3 5 , 1 1 th c e n t u r y, f o l s 1 5 9 6 8v,
—
.

T h e o l de s t L at in M S S s ee m
‘ “
L ibe r be s tia r u m D e l eo n e r e ge .

t o b e t w o o f t h e 8 t h a n d oth c e n b e s t ia r u m et an im a l iu m ( e st )
t u r ie s at B e r n e Edit e d by Ma i, . e t e n im ia c o b b e n e dic e n s iu da m a it
C las s ic i a uc to r e s , Ro m e , 1 83 5 , C atul u s l e o n is iuda De leone . .

”
V II , 5 8 5 - 9 6 , an d m o r e c o m p l e t e l y L e o t r e s mat u r a s h ab et L aud . .

b y P itr a I II , 4 1 8 ; al s o Misc 2 47 , 12 th c e n tu r y, f o l
. .

by G He ide r , in A r c hiv f
. . 14 0 c ap s
“
3 6, p r ae ia t abul a
. v
K u n d e o s terr e ic h G es c hic h ts qu e l . T it .De t r ibus n a tu r i s
”
l e n V ie nn a , 18 5 0 , I I , 5 4 5 ; C ah ie r
, l e o n is I n c ip
. B e s t ia r ium s e u
.

e t Ma r t in , M e l a n g e s d ar c he o l o g ie, a n im a l ium r eg is ; e t en im J ac o b
’ ’

P a r is I I I II b e n e dic e n s fi l iu m s uum U dam

m
,

IV Ca h ie r , a it Ca tul u s l e o nis J u da s fi l ius

'

z o3 55fl .

N o u ve aux m él ang es p . m e u s q uis s u s c itabit c um ; Fis io l o

1 06 ff .
g us dic it, T r e s r e s n atu r a l e s
Man n p p 3 7 7 3 p r in t s h ab e r e l e o n e m L ib r a ry o f
.

k
.

t h e L at in t e x t w h ic h h e r e g a r d s a s D u e s o f B u r g un dy 1 007 4 , 1 oth
W il l ia m l e Cl e r c s s o u r ce f r o m
’
c e n t u r y, Et en im J ac o b b e n e di
Ro yal 2 - C XII , a n d g i e s a lis t o f v c en s
”
. CL M 1 9 648 , 1 5 th c e ntu r y,
o t h e r M S S o f L at in B e s tia r ies in
“
f o l s 1 80 9 5
.
-
I g it u r J aco b b e n e
,

C LM 2 3 7 8 7 , 1 sth ce n
”
E ng l is h l ib ra r ie s . dic en s .

O t h e r m e die a l La t in B e s tia r ie s v t ur y, f o l s 12 2 0.
“
I g itu r J a c o b
-
,

v
h a e b e e n p r in te d in t h e w o r s o f k be n e dic e n s CU . T r in ity 88 4 ,

Hil de b e r t o f To ur s o r L e Man s 1 3 t h c e n t u r y in a fi ne ha n d , w ith

( Mig n e , P L , -
2 4 : r e a ll y 1 07 Eng l is h m in iatu re s , f o l 89 .

t h is p o e m c o n ce r n in g o n l y t w e l e v “
Et e n im ia co b b e n e dic en s fi l ium
an im a l s i s by T h e o bal d w h o w a s ,
s uu m iu da m a it c a t ul u s l e o n is e s t
indas fi l iu s m eu s ; t h is MS e n ds
”
p e r h a p s a bbo t a t Mo n t e C a s s in o ,

1 02 2 1 03 5 ,
-
a nd it w as p r in t ed imp e r f e c tl y .

P r int e d by La uch e rt
5
un de r th e n am e o f T h eo ba l d b e
f o r e 1 5 00 — se e th e o l u m e n um
, v p p 2 80 9 9
-

b e r e d I A 1 2 3 6 7 in t h e B r it is h
.
”
Ma x F Mann , D e r P hysio lo
.

Mu s e um a n d e n tit le d, P his io l og us g us d e s P hilipp v on Tha on u n d

Th e o ba ldi E pis c o pi d e n a tur is s e ine Q u e ll e n , Hal l e , 188 4, 5 3 pp .
XX I CHR I S TI AN I TY A N D N A T UR AL S CI E N CE 499

th e Cle rk 1
lan gu ages an d o the r ve r n acu
in the R o m an c e 2

l a rs The P hys iol ogus has b e e n tho ught to hav e o r igi n at e d

.
3

in Al ex an dri a b e ca us e o f its u s e o f t he E gypti an n am e s f o r

the m o n t h s an d b e c a us e Cl e m e n t o f A l e x an dri a an d O r ige n
a r e supp o s e d t o h av e m a d e u s e o f it But it is di fficult .

t o d e t e rm i n e w he t he r the c h urc h f a th e rs dr e w p a ss a ge s co n
c e r n i n g an i m a ls an d n atur e f ro m s o m e such w o rk o r w he t he r
it w as a c o ll e cti o n o f p a ssa ge s f r o m t he ir writi n gs up o n
“

such t hem e s Ah r en s who t ho ught he f o u n d t he o rigi na l

.
,

f o r m o f the w o rk in a S yri a c B o o le o f the Thin gs of N a tu r e 4

,

r e ga rd e d O rigen as its aut ho r In a m e dic a l m an usc r ipt .

a t Vi e n n a i s a P hys io l ogus in G r ee k a sc ribe d t o E p iph a n iu s

o f Cyp rus o f w h o m w e h a ve j ust b e e n t r e a ti n g w h il e w e

5
, ,

h ea r t ha t P o p e G e l a sius at a sy n o d o f 4 9 6 c o n d em ne d a s
a p o crypha l a P hys io l ogus w h ic h w a s writt e n by h e r e tics

a n d a scrib e d t o A m br o s e w ho s o cl o s e ly duplic at e d th e
3
,

Hexaem er o n o f B asil A w o r k o n the n atur e s o f an i mal s is

.

a ls o attribut e d t o J o hn Ch rys o st o m I am n o t sur e wh e th e r

7
.

3
Mann , B e s tiair e Divin de XI 3 08 -
27 .

G uil l au m e L e C l er c, He il br o n n ,
3
Fo r in s tan c e , A S C o o , The . . k
188 8, in F r anz o s is c h e S tu dien V I , , O l d E n g lis h E l e n e P h o e n ix a n d , ,

2 , p p 2 0 1 - 3 00
. Mo s t r ec e n t e ditio n
. P hys io l o g u s , Y al e U n i e r s ity v
by R o be r t , L e ip z ig , 1 89 0 . P r e s s , 3 64 p p , 19 1 9 . .

’ ‘ “
B e s ide s th e t w o f o r e g o in g s ee K . A h r e n s , D as B u c h der
G o l ds taub u n d We n d r in e r , E in N 1 89 2 .

tos c o ve n ez B e s tiar ius Hal l e , 1 89 2 C o d Vin d M e d 2 9 , 7 05

-
ls
. .
, . . .

Mag l iabe ch IV , 63 , 1 3 th c entu ry,

.
’ ‘
E 1r i <pa vio v éi r w xbi ro u K tn rp o v 1r ep I T fis
'
.

m ut il ate d, 5 3 f o l s , be s t ia r io m o
. l égews Tr ail e 7 631: {(1i ¢ va co k 6 yo s r
.

r a l iz a t o , in It alian p ro s e E . . I n t h e e dit io n o f P o n c e d e Le o n ,
Mo n ac i, R e n dic o n ti de l l A ccad ’
. Ro m e, 1 5 8 7 t h e r e a r e tw e n ty an i
,

d e i L in ce i, C las s e d i s c ie nz e m al s de s c r ibe d a n d t h e s ymbo l ic

,

m o r a li s to r ic he e fi l o l , vo l V ,
,
'
. . in t er p r e t at io n is v
e ry s h o r t c o m
fas c . 10 an d 12 , h a s e dite d a p ar e d to l ate r e r s io n s v He ide r .

B e s t ia r io in 64 so n e tti o n a s m an y p 5 4 3 , r e g a r de d t h is a s
.

a n im al s f r o m a p r i a t e MS a t v v
t h e o l de s t e r s io n an d a s e xta n t in
“
G ubbio ne ll ar chi io d e gli avvo
’
v c o mp l et e f o r m .

c at i Pie t r o e O de r is i L u c ar e l l i,
” “
Man s i , Co n ci l , V III , 1 5 1 , .

M S 2 5 , f o l s 1 1 2 - 2 7 S e e al s o M
. . . Libe r P hys io l o g u s ab h e r e t ic is
v
G ar e r an d K Mc K e n z ie I l B e s.
, c o n s c r ip t u s et b eati A m br o s ii
”
tia r io To s c a n o s e c o n d o l a l e z io n e n o m in e p r e s ig n a t u s ap oc r y p h u s .

d ei co dic e di P ar ig i e di R o ma in ,
7
He ide r I I, 54 8 ,
1 — 2

S tudi r om a nzi R o m e , 1 9 1 2 ; Mc
, Ph y s io l o g u s nac h e in e r Han d
K e n zie U npu blis h e d Ma n us cr ip ts
, s c h r i f t de s XI J a h r h u n d e r t s th e
in M o de r n
“
o f I ta lia n B e s tia r ie s , t e xt o p e ns a t p 552 , .I nc ip iu nt
L a n g u a g e P u blica tion s XX Dic t a J o h an n is Ch r ys o s t o m i de
v
,
“ ”
2 ; an d G a r er , S ome na tu r is b e s t ia r um La uc h e r t u s e d
.

S up p l e m e n ta r y I tal ian B e s tiar y a n o th e r M S , V ien n a 3 03 , 1 4 th

”
Ch ap te r s , in R o ma n ic R e view , ce n t ury , f ol 1 zay. which wa s
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

a P hys io l ogus s ribe d t o J o hn th e S c o t in a t en th c en tury

a c

L a ti n m an uscript is the s am e w o rk 1
.

T he P hys io l ogus is c o mm o n ly d e scrib e d a s a sy m bo lic

b e sti a r y in wh ich the c ha ra ct e r istics a n d pr o p e rti e s o f an i
,

m a ls a r e a cc o m p an i e d by Ch risti a n a ll e g o ri e s an d in s tr uc
ti o n S o m e have a lm o st g o n e s o f a r a s to ho ld tha t an y
.

p a ss a ge s o f th is s o rt a r e e v id enc e o f an a utho r s havi n g ’

e m pl o y e d th e P hysi o l o gus w h ic h s o m e h a v e h e ld i n flu e n c e d
,

the m iddl e a ge s m o r e t h an a n y o t h e r b o o k ex c e pt the Bibl e .

But P it t a s p o i n t i s w e ll t ak en t hat the P hys io l ogus is o n e

’

th i n g and the a ll e g o ric a l i nt e rp r e t ati o n t h e r eo f an o the r In .

t he c a s e o f the di sc o rd a n t v e rsi o n s o r f r a gm e n ts w h ic h he
gathe r e d and publish e d f ro m di ff e re n t m an uscripts ce n ,

t u r ie s a n d la n gu a ge s h e n o t e d o n e c o m m o n f eatur e t h at
, , ,

the a ll e go ric al i n t e rpr e t ati o n w as s ha rply s e p a ra t e d f r o m

t he e x tr a cts f r o m P hys io l ogus an d s o m e ti m e s o m itt e d e n
t ir e ly . T h is is w h a t o n e w o uld n a tur a lly e x p e ct si n c e a
h
p y s i o l o g u s is a n a tur a l sci e n tist o n w h o s e st a t e m e n ts co n

c e rn i n g t h is o r t hat the a ll e go ric a l i nt e rp r e t ati o n is p r e s um

a bly b a s e d a n d a dd e d t he r e t o But t his sugge sts an o the r
.

di ffi culty in id e n ti f yi n g P hys iol ogus a s a si n gl e w o rk T he .

a bbr e vi ati o n s f o r th e w o rd in m e di e v a l m an uscripts ar e v e ry

e a sily c o n f us e d wit h th o s e f o r p h il o s o ph e rs o r phis ici ( phys

ic al sci e n tists ) an d j ust as m e di e va l writ e rs o f t en cite what

,

th e p h il o s o p he rs s ay o r th e phis ici s ay wit h o ut havi n g r e f e r

e n c e t o an y p a rticul a r b o o k s o m ay t h e y n o t cit e w h a t
,

p yh s i o l o g i o r e v e n h
p y s io l og u s s a ys wit h o ut h a vi n g a n y
p a rticul a r write r in m i n d ? I n th e D e bes tiis a scrib e d to
c o n s ide r abl y d iff e r e n t an d w as e r it et s c r ib ad o ctus in r e gno
f u r th e r m o r e c o mb in e d w ith t h e c e l o r um q u i p r o f e r t d e t h e s a u r o
Ph ys io l o g u s of T h e o bald . An s uo n o ua e t u e te r a . E x p l ic iu n t
e a r lie r MS th an e ith e r o f t h e dic ta J o h an n is C r is o s to m i
”
A .

f o r e g o ing is C L M 1 9 4 1 7 , oth c e n P a r is M S o f t h e s am e is B N 2 7 80 ,
t u r y, fols 2 9 7 1,
.
-
L ib e r S an c t i i 3 t h c e n t u r y, 1 4 , S a n c t i I oa nn is
J o h an n is e p is c o p i r eg i a e u r b 1s Ch r y s o s t o m i l ib e r qu i p h ys io l og u s
Co n s tan tin o p o l i C r is o s to m i a p p e ll a t u r .

A ddit io n a l J o h an m s
1
q u e m de n a tu r is a n i m a l ium o r 1
d in a vit .A n o th e r V ie n n a MS is S c o tt ig e n a e P h is io l o g ia e l ib e r .

I n t h e s a m e MS a r e Macr o b ius
’
2 5 1 1 , 1 4th c e n tu r y, f o l s . 1 3 5 - 4 0,
I n c ip iun t dic t a J o h a n n is Ch r y D r ea m o f S c ipio a nd the p o e m s o f
s o s t o mi d e n at u r is an im a l iu m e t P r u de ntiu s .

p r imo de l eone S ic
 MA G I C AND EXP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

ca the drals an d the str an ge o r fam ili a r beas ts in the bo rd e rs

o f t he B ay e ux T ap e stry th e m a rgi n s o f illu m i n a t e d manu
,

sc ripts an d s o o n a n d s o f o r t h
, .

The m o re r e c en t sci en ti fi c study o f m e di eval a r t ha s

l a rge ly dissip at e d t h is la tte r no ti o n It ha s b ec o me evid en t .

t hat in the ma i n me di e val me n r e p re s ente d a n i m als in art

b e c ause t he y w e re fo n d o f an i m a l s n o t b e caus e the y w er e ,

f o n d o f a ll e go ri e s T h e ir a r t wa s n atur a l n o t symb o lic

.
, .

T he y w e re s ays Mal e
“
, cra f ts m en who d e light e d in nature
,

f o r its o w n s ak e s o me ti m e s l o vi n gly c o pyi n g the livi n g

,

f o rm s s o m e ti me s pl ayi n g wit h t hem c o m bi n i n g an d co n

, ,

t o r tin g t hem a s t h e y w e r e l e d by t h e ir o w n c a pric e St . .

“ ”
B er n a rd alth o ugh the pri n c e o f all e go rists s aw n o s en s e
, ,

in the an i m al sculptures in R o m an e s qu e cl o ist e rs an d in

ve ighe d a ga i n st t he m In sh o rt with the e xc e pti o n o f th e
.
,

“
s y mb o ls o f the f o ur e v an g e li sts t he r e ar e f ew c as e s in ,

wh ich it is p e r m issibl e to a ssign sym b o lic m e an i n g to a n i m al

” “
f o rm s an d it is e vid en t t ha t the f au n a a n d fl o r a o f
,

m e di e va l a r t n a tur a l o r f an t a stic ha ve in m o st c a s e s a v a lu e
, ,

t h at is pure ly d e c o r ative ” “
T o s um up
”
c o n clud e s Male
.
, ,

“
w e a r e o f the o pi n i o n t h a t the Be sti a ri e s o f w h ich w e he a r
s o m uc h f r o m th e a rch aeo l o gists h ad n o r e a l i n flu e n c e o n a r t

u n til t he ir subst an c e pa ss e d i n t o Ho n o riu s o f Autu n s bo ok ’

( p cul um e c cl es iae c 1 0 9 0 1 12 0 ) and fr o m t hat bo o k

S e , .
-

i n t o s e rm o n s I hav e se a rche d in v a i n ( wit h but two ex

.

c ep t io n s ) f o r r e pr e s e n t a ti o n s o f th e h e dg e h o g b ea v e r tige r , , ,

an d o t he r a n i m a ls w h ic h figur e in th e B e sti a ri e s but w h ich

” 1
a r e n o t m en ti o n e d by Ho n o rius .

T he s e a ss e rt i o n s c o n c e r n i n g m e di e va l a r t ho ld tru e als o
to a l a rge e x t e n t o f m e di e v a l lit e r atur e an d m e di e v a l sci en c e ,

a lt ho ugh t he y w e r e p e r h a p s l e ss n a tur a l a n d o rigi n a l t h a n

it an d m o re d e p en de n t o n pa st tr a diti o n a nd a ut ho rity But .

m e di e v a l m e n as w e s h a ll s e e studi e d n atur e f r o m sci e n tific

, ,

curi o sity a nd n o t in s ea rch f o r spiritu al a ll e go ri e s an d e ve n ,

G o ldst a ub r e c o gn iz e s t ha t by the t h irt e en th c e n tury the

1
Th is a nd th e p rece d ing quotation s in t he p arag ra p h are f ro m Mal e
pp .
4 8. 3 5 . 49 . 45 .
xx 1 CHR I S TI ANI T Y AND NA T UR AL S CI E N CE 5 03

sci en tific z o o l o gy o f A rist o tl e sub m e rge d tha t o f the

P hys i o l ogus in w r it e rs lik e T ho m a s o f Can t im p r é an d
A lb e rtus Ma gn us w ho a lt h o ugh t he y m ay still e m b o dy p o r
,

ti o n s o f the P hysiol ogus div e st it o f its c har acte ristic r e

,

l igio us e l e m e n ts 1
But w e r e its char a ct e ristic e le m en ts eve r
.

r eligi o us ? We r e the y n o t a lw ays sci e n tific o r ps e ud o s cien -

t ifi c ? Ah r en s h o lds t hat the titl e w as t ak e n f r o m A rist o tl e

in the first pl a c e and t ha t P li n y w as th e c h i e f s o urc e f o r
,

the c o n t e nts T he a ll e go ri e s do n o t a pp e a r in suc h e a rly

.

t ex ts a s the S yri a c v e rsi o n o r the f r a gm e n ts pr e s e rv e d in

the L ati n G l o ss a ry o f An s il eubu s N o t e v en the in t ro duc
.

t o ry sc riptura l t ex ts app e a r in the G re ek v e rsi o n a sc ribe d

t o E p ip han iu s Mo reo v e r in t h e B e sti a ri e s wh e r e the all e
.
,

o r ical a pplic a ti o n s a r e i n clud e d it is f o r th e n a tur s o f

g , e

t he an i m als th e supp o s e dly sci e n tific f a cts o n w h ic h the

,

sym b o lis m is ba s e d an d f o r t he s e a l o n e that P hysi ologus is

,

cite d in the t ex t T hus the symb o lis m w o uld app ea r to be

.

s o m ewhat a dven titi o us w h il e the ps eud o sci en c e is c o n st an t

,
-
.

I t is o bvi o us t h at the all e go rica l a pplic ati o n s c a nn o t do with

o ut t he supp o s e d f a ct s c o nc e r n i n g a n i m a ls ; o n the o t he r

han d the supp o s e dly sci e n tific i n fo r m ati o n c an an d d o e s

,

f re qu e n tly disp en s e wit h the a ll e go ri e s We do n o t k no w .

w ho w a s re sp o n sibl e f o r th e all e go ric a l i n t e r pr e t ati o n s in

t he first i n st a n c e Ho mm e l w o uld c a rry the o rigi n o f the ir
.

sym b o lism b a ck o f the Ch risti an e r a t o th e a n i m al w o rsh ip

o f P e rsi a I n di a a n d E gypt But w e a r e a ssu r e d o v e r an d
?
, ,

o v e r a ga i n t ha t N a tur a l S ci e n tist o r P hys io l ogus v o uc he s

f o r the st at e m e n ts c o n c e r n i n g the n a ture s o f a n i m a ls T hus .

th e sy mb o lic sign ific an c e o f t he lit e ra tur e t ha t h as be en

gr o upe d u n d e r the titl e P hys io l ogus has b een ex agge rat e d ,

w h il e the r e sp ect f o r an d i n t e re st in n a tural sci e n c e to w hic h

it t e sti fi e s h av e to o o f te n b een l o st sigh t o f .

‘
G ld t b
o s au ( 89 9 1 pp t f B v i a d B th l
. c en o e au a s n ar o o

35 1
0-
.Th e s a m e s t at e m e n t c o u ld me w of E ng l a n d .

”
be made w ith e q u al t r uth o f V in Ho mme l pp . x i i , xv.
 C HAP TER XX I I
A U G U S T I N E O N M A G I C A N D AS TRO L O G Y

Date and in fl ue nc e of Augus tin e— Ch r is tian ity an d magic— Ce n sure

o f m ag ic a n d th e u r gy as w e l l a s G oe tia— Magic du e t o de mo n s— Mar
v el w r o ug ht by m ag ic— Cann o t b e e qua l l e d by mo s t Ch r is t ians
s

Mir a c l e s o f h e r e tic s T h e o r y o f de m o n s— Lim itatio n s t o t h e p o we r o f

—

magic I t s f an ta s t ic c h ar ac t e r— S amu el an d th e w it ch o f En do r
—

v
N atu r a l ma r e l s R e l a tio n b e t w e en m ag ic an d s c ie n ce— S up e r s tit io n s
—

k vv
a in t o m a g ic— S u r i al o f p a g a n s up e r s t it io n a m o n g t h e l a it y— Augu s

k
t in e s a tt ac up o n a s t r o l o gy— Fa t e a n d f r ee wil l— A r g um e nt f r o m twin s
’

— D e f e n se o f the a s tr o l o g e r s El e ctio n s A r e a n im al s an d p l ant s u n de r

— —

v
t h e s t ar s — Fa il u r e t o d is p r o e the co n t r o l o f n a tu r e by the s ta r s
v
Natur a l di inatio n an d p r o p h e tic v
is io n s— Th e s t a r at Ch r is t s b ir th
’

— N atu r e o f th e s ta r s — O ro s ius o n th e P r is cillian is t s an d O r ige nis t s

Augu s t in e s l e tte r — Attitude to war d a s t r o n o my— P e r f e ct numbe r s
’
.

T HE utt e r an c e s o f A ugusti ne c o n c e rn i n g m agic an d a str o l

o gy ha v e been re s e rv ed f o r s e p a r at e tr e atm en t in th is
c hapt e r pa rtly b ec a us e o f h is la t e d at e 3 54 to 4 3 0 A D
, , . .
,

p artly b e c a us e o f the vo lum i n o u s ne s s o f his writi n gs but ,

e sp e ci a lly be c a us e o f his a ppr o a ch t o an d i n flu e n c e up o n

the t h o ugh t o f the m iddl e a ge s It is m o r e o v e r in h is

.
, ,

e p o c h m a ki n g b o o k The City of G o d w h ic h b e tt e r t han a n y

-
, ,

o th e r si n gl e e v e n t m a rks o r at l ea st su m s up t he tr an siti o n
, ,

fro m cl a ssic a l to m e di eva l civiliz ati o n f r o m the li f e o f t he ,

a n ci e n t city t o t h a t o f th e m e di e v a l c h urc h t ha t h e d e sc an ts ,

with e sp e ci a l f ul n e s s up o n m agic de m o n s an d a str o l o gy , , ,

a lt h o ugh he o f t e n a ls o r e f e rs t o t he s e t he m e s in his o t he r

treatis e s w hic h w e sha ll cit e as w e ll I s e p ar at e the w o rds

,
.
,

m a gic a n d a str o l o gy he r e b e c a us e Augu sti ne lik e m o st o f

, ,

th e f at h e rs d o e s s o O f A ugusti n e s discussi o n o f the

’

, .

Biblic a l a cc o u n t o f c r eati o n in his Co nfes s ions a n d D e G e n es i

a d li tter a m I s h a ll n o t tr ea t h a vi n g a lr e a dy pr e s e n t e d B a sil s
’

Hex ae mer o n a s a n e xam pl e o f t h is typ e o f w o rk an d o f

 M A G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

st at e d t ha t t he urgy w a s us e ful to purge the s o ul and p r e

p a re it to r e c e ive spirits a n d to s e e G o d Au gu sti n e h o w .
,

ever ,
ho lds t ha t in o t he r p a s s a ge s P o rp hyry c o n d e mn e d
t he urgy a n d in a ny c a s e he h i m s e l f r e f us e s t o s ancti o n it
,
1
.

He st o utly d en i e s t hat s o uls a r e purge d an d r e c o n cil e d to

“

G o d t h r o ugh s a cril e gi o us lik en e ss e s a n d i m pi o us curi o sity

” 2
a n d m a gic c o n s e cr a ti o n s Ve ry p o ssibly Augusti n e w o uld
.

h ave cl a sse d a s i m pr o pe r the urgy s o m e o f the us e o f p o we r

f ul n am e s d e scrib e d by O rige n .

A t any r ate A u gusti n e d e cl a r e s t hat t heurgists an d s o r

“
ce re r s a lik e a r e e n t a n gl e d in th e d e c e it ful rit e s o f d e m o n s
” 3
w ho m ay m a s qu e r a d e u n d e r t he n am e s o f an ge ls Fo r
it is to d em o n s t hat Augusti n e like m o st o f o ur Christian ,

write rs attribute s b o t h the o rigi n an d the succ e ss o f m a gic

, .

T h e d em o n s a r e en tic e d by m e n to w o rk m a rv e ls n o t by ,

o ff e ri n gs o f f o o d a s i f th e y w e r e an i m als but by sym b o ls

, ,

w h ic h c o n f o r m to the i n dividu a l t a ste o f e ac h a s a spirit ,

n am e ly v a ri o us st o n e s pl an ts
,
tr ee s an i m als i nc an ta ti o n s
, , , , ,

a n d c e r em o n i e s a g o o d bri e f su mm a ry o f th e m at e ri a ls
4 —
,

a n d m e t ho ds o f m a gic A ugusti n e b e li e ve s t ha t the spirits

.

ha d fi rst to i n st r uct m en w hat rit e s to p e r f o rm an d by w h a t

nam e s t o c a ll t he m in o rd e r t o sum m o n t h em .

But when o n c e the d em o n s hav e r e ve al e d the ir s e cr e ts ,

h en c e f o rt h t h e c ha r m s o f the m agic art ha v e e fli cac y Of .

t h e m a rv e ls w o rk e d by m ean s o f m a gic Augusti n e has littl e

d o ubt ; t o den y them w o uld i n dee d in h is o pi n i o n be to den y
t he trut h o f th e S criptur e s t o w ho s e a cc o u n ts o f P ha r a o h s
’

m a gici a n s t he witc h o f E n d o r a n d t he Ma gi an d t he st a r
5
, , ,

he a dve rts man y ti m e s in h is v a ri o us w o rk s I f a ct o rs in .

t he t he at e r a n d p e r f o r m e rs in sp e ct a cl e s a r e a bl e by a r t
a n d e x e rcis e t o displ a y a st o u n di n g a lt e r a ti o n s in t h e a pp e a r

a n c e o f t he ir e a rt hly b o di e s w hy m ay n o t t h e d e m o n s wit h ,

D e c iv D ei X 9 — 10
1
.
, , . the r e is l is te d s ep a r ate l y a t f o l .

D e tr ini ta te I V , 1 1 ; in Mign e, “
’
, 5 4V , D e m agi s P h a r a o n is , to
P L 4 2 89 7
, . w h ic h t h e M S S ca ta l o gue adds ,
‘ “ ”
D e ciU D ei X 9
'
.
, , . e t d e C L III p is c ibu s P r o b abl y
.

‘
D e c iv D e i XXI , 6
. . it is a n e x t r a c t f r o m o n e o f
k
,
l‘ ’
In G r e n o bl e 2 08 l ath ce nt ury, ,
A ugu s tin e s l o n g e r wo r s as it
co n t am m g w o r s
O

of k
A ug u s ti n e , v
c o e r s o n ly o n e l e af .
x x11 A U G US TI N E

the ir ae ri a l b o di e s pr o duc e m arv e l o us chan ge s in e l em en tary

subst an c e s o r by o ccult i n flu en c e c o n st ruct phan t o m i m age s
t o d e lud e h u m an s e n s e s A ugusti n e e ve n gr a n ts t ha t th e
? 1

m a gici a n s a r e abl e t o t e rri fy th e i n f e ri o r spirits i n t o o b edi

e n c e t o t he ir c o m m a n ds by a dj uri n g t hem by t h e n am e s o f

sup e ri o r spirits a n d t he r eby wit h divi n e p e r m issi o n to

,
“

e x h ibit t o the e ye o f s en s e c e rt a i n r e sults w h ic h s ee m gr ea t

a n d m a rv e l o us to m e n w h o t h r o ugh w e ak n e ss o f th e fl e s h
”
ar e i n c a p a bl e o f b e ho ldi n g t h i n gs e t e r n al He d o e s n o t t e .

ga rd t his a s i n c o n sist e n t wit h the a ss e rti o n o f J e sus that

S a t an c an no t c a st o ut S at an si nc e w h il e it m a y be t ha t t hus
,

dem o n s ar e ex p e ll e d f ro m sick b o di e s t he evil o n e t he re by ,

o n ly t he m o r e sur e ly t ak e s p o ss e ssi o n o f th e s o ul
?

Augusti ne f urth e r gr an ts tha t m agici an s a lt ho ugh ,

st a i ne d with cri me c a n at pre s en t w o rk m i racl e s w h ic h m o st

,

Christi an s a nd e v e n mo st s a i n ts c ann o t p e r f o r m Fo r t h is .
,

h o w e v e r he fi n ds S criptur al pre c e d e n t P ha r ao h s m a g1c 1a n s

’
.
,

p e r f o rm ed f eats w hich n o n e o f the Ch ild r e n o f I sr ae l c o uld

e qu a l e x c e pt Mo s e s w h o ex c e ll e d t he m by divi n e a id Au .

gusti ne lik e e a rli e r f at he rs us ually f a ils to m en ti o n A ar o n

, ,

in t h is c o nn e cti o n 3
T his sup e r i o r ity o f m a gici an s to m o st
.

Ch risti an s in w o rki n g m a r v e ls A ugusti n e b eli ev e s i s divi n ely

o rd a i n e d s o t h a t Ch risti an s m ay r e m a i n hu m bl e a n d pr a ctic e

w o rks o f j ustic e r a t he r t han s eek to p e r f o rm m iracl e s .

Ma gici an s s eek t he ir o wn gl o ry ; the s a i n ts striv e o n ly f o r

the gl o r y o f G o d An d the m o r e m a rv e l o us a r e th e f e a ts
.

o f m a gic t he m o r e Ch risti an s s h o uld s hu n t he m ; t he gr ea t e r

,

the p o w e r o f the d e mo n s the cl o s e r C h risti a n s s ho uld cli n g

,

to t h a t Me di at o r w ho al o n e can r a is e m e n f ro m the l o w e st
d ept hs 4
.

L ik e O rige n Augusti n e f u r t h e r dis t i n guis h e s the m ir

,

a cl e s wr o ugh t by h e r e tics b o t h f r o m m a gic a n d f r o m t h e

m ir a cl e s o f t rue Ch risti a n s He h o lds t hat e v e ry s o ul in

.

‘
D e tr ini ta te I V , 1 1
, .
38 , 7 4 .S er m o XC ,
P L 3 8, 5 62 ,
’
D e dive r s is qu a es ti o nibus cap
'

,
. v
ho w e e r , s p e a k s of Moyse s et

79 ; M ig n e PL 4
,
0 2
9 3
-
, . Aa r o n .
”
‘
S e e al s o D e ca ta c lys m o ( p e r De D ei XXI , 6 ; XV I II ,
8
cit) .
,

ha p s s p u r io u s ) , c ap 5 , Mig n e ,
. 18.

PL 4 0, 69 6 ; an d S e r m o VI I I P L ,
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

p a rt c o ntro ls its e l f an d e xe rcis e s a s it w e re a privat e j uris

dicti o n in pa rt is sub j ect t o the l a w s o f th e u n iv e rs e j ust
,

a s a n y citiz en is am e n abl e t o public j urisdicti o n Th e r e f o r e .

m agici an s p e r f o r m th e ir m a r v e ls by p r iv a t e c o n tr ac ts with
d em o n s ; go o d Christi an s pe r f o r m the irs by public j ustic e ;
b a d Ch ri s ti a n s p e r f o rm t he i rs by t h e a pp e a ran c e o r sign s
o f public j ustic e T his vi e w w o uld s ee m to i n dic a t e t ha t
1
.

G o d lik e t he d em o n s r e ga rds t he sign s al o n e a n d n o t the

, ,

cha ra ct e r a n d pu r p o s e o f the pe r f o r m e r s o t hat Ch risti an ,

m ir a cl e s if the y can be duplic a t e d by h e r e tics w o uld app e a r

, ,

t o be l a rge ly a m a tt e r o f pr o c e dur e an d ar t lik e m a gic , .

Fo r his t h e o ry o f d e m o n s an d t h e ir c h a r a ct e ristics A u
gusti n e s e e m s l a rge ly i n de bt e d to Apul e ius w ho m he cit e s in ,

s ev e r al c hapt e rs o f the e ight h an d n i n th b o o ks o f The City

of G od I n his s e p a r at e tr e a tis e
. The D ivina tio n of ,

D e m o ns he e x pl a i n s t h e ir a bility t o pr e dict the f utur e a n d

2
,

t o p e r f o r m m a rv e ls by t he k ee nn e ss o f t h e ir s e n s e t h e ir ,

r apidity o f m o v e m e n t the ir l o n g ex p e ri en c e o f n a ture a n d

,

li fe a n d the subtl e ty o f th e ir ae ri al b o di e s T h is l a st qu ality

,
.

e n a bl e s t he m t o p e n e tra te hum an b o di e s o r a ff e ct the

t ho ughts o f men wit ho ut m en be i n g a w a r e o f t he ir pr e se nc e .

Augusti ne ho w ev e r o f c o urs e d o e s n o t b e li ev e t ha t t h e
, ,

wo rld o f n atur e is c o m pl et ely u n de r the c o n tro l o f th e

d em o n s G o d al o ne c re a t e d it an d He still go v e rn s it an d
.
,

the d e mo n s a r e a bl e t o do o n ly as m uc h a s He p e r m its
1
.

T he r e w e re f o r ex am pl e s o m e t h i n g s w h ic h Ph a r a o h s
’
, ,

m a gici an s c o uld n o t do an d in w h ic h Mo s e s cl ea r ly ex
c e ll e d t hem T he y w e r e a bl e to chan ge t he ir r o ds i n to
.

s nak e s but his s n ak e d ev o ur e d t he irs Ho w the m a gici an s .

g o t t h e ir r o ds b a ck i f a t a l l n e it,
h e r A ugusti n e n o r th e
,

B o o k o f Exo dus i n fo rm s us But w he t he r with o r witho ut .

the ir m a gic w an ds t hey we r e still abl e to d uplic ate o n e o r tw o

,

o f th e pl a gu e s s e n t up o n E gypt A ugu s ti ne e xpl a i n s t hat

.

n e it he r t he y n o r th e d e m o n s w h o h e lp e d t he m r eally cr e a t e d

s n ak e s a n d f r o gs but t hat the r e a r e c e rt a i n s ee ds o f li fe

,

”
‘
D e diver s is qua es tion ibus , cap . Mign e , P L 40, 5 8 1- 9 2.

7 9 ; D e d o c tr in a C hr is tiana ,
I I, De tr i nita te, III , 8 ; PL, 42
2 0 in Mig n e P L 3 4 5 0
, , , .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

u el , r ep eati n g in his D e o cto D u l citii quaes tionibus what 1

h e had alr e a dy s a id in D e divers is qua es tio nibus a d S im

p lic ia n u m ?
I n c e rt a i n r e sp e cts A ugusti n e s tr e at m e n t o f t he
’

p r o bl em di ff e rs f r o m t h o s e w h ic h w e h av e pr e vi o usly e x

amin e d Wha t he a sks i f the i m pur e spirit whic h p o ss e ss e d

.
, ,

the pyth onis s a wa s abl e t o r a i se th e v e ry s o ul o f S am u el

'

fro m the d ea d ? I s it n o t m uch m o re str an ge t hat S atan

wa s al l o w e d t o c o n v e rs e p e rs o n a lly wit h G o d c o nc e rn i ng
t h e t e m pti n g o f Jo b an d t o r a is e the v e ry Ch rist a l o f t up o n
,

a pi n n a cl e o f th e t em pl e ? Why then m ay n o t the s o ul o f

S am u e l h a ve app e a r e d to S aul n o t u n willi n gly an d c oe rc e d ,

by m agic p o w er but v o lun t a ri ly un d e r s o m e hidd en divi ne

disp en s ati o n ? Augusti ne ho w e v e r a ls o th i nks it p o s sibl e , ,

that the s o ul o f S amue l did no t app ea r but wa s i mp er s o nat e d

by s o m e phan t a sm an d i m a gi n a ry illusi o n m ad e by di a bo lica l
ma ch i na ti o n s He can s ee n o d e c e it in the S cripture s c all
’
.

in g s u ch a p h an t o m S am u el si nc e w e a r e a ccust o m e d t o c all ,

p ai nti ngs st atu e s an d i m a ge s se en in dr eam s by the name s

, ,

o f the a ctu a l p e rs o n s w ho m t h e y r e pr e s e n t No r d o e s it .

tr o ubl e h im that th e spirit o f S am u el o r pr e ten de d spirit

p re dict e d truly t o S a ul f o r d emo n s hav e a li m it e d p o w e r o f
,

that so rt T hus the y r e c o gn iz e d Christ w he n the J ews k new

.

Him n o t and t he d am s e l p o ss e ss e d o f a spirit o f divi n ati o n

,

in The A cts t e sti fi e d t o P a ul s divi n e m issi o n A ugu sti ne

’
.

l eav e s ho w eve r as b ey o n d the l i m its o f his ti m e an d str en gth

, ,

the f urthe r p r o bl em w h e t he r t he h u m an s o ul a ft e r d e at h can

be s o e v o k e d by m a gic i n c an t ati o n s t hat it is n o t o n ly see n
but r e c o gn ize d by the livi n g I n his an sw e r to Dulcitius he .

furthe r c a lls att e n ti o n to the p a ss a ge in E ccles ias ticus ( X L V I ,

2 3 ) w h e r e S am u e l is pr a is e d as pr o p h e syi n g f r o m t h e d e a d .

An d i f t h is p a ss a ge be r e j e ct e d b ec aus e the b o o k is no t in
t he He br e w c an o n w h at s hall w e s ay o f Mo s e s w ho ap
,

p ea r e d t o t h e livi n g l o n g a ft e r his d e a t h ?
Augusti n e h ad s o m e a c qu a i nt a n c e with an ci ent n atural
sci en ce and in o n e p a ssa ge r ehea rs e s a n u mb e r o f n atura l
marv els w hich a r e f o u n d in the p a ge s o f P li ny an d S o l inu s
1 1
Q ua e s t . V I ; P L 4 0, 16
2- 5 . 11, 3 ; P L 40, 142 -4 .
xx11 A U G US TI NE

in ord e r t o s ho w p agan s t he ir i nc o n sistency in acc epti ng

such w o n d e rs an d ye t r em a i n i n g i n cr e dul o us in r e ga rd to
a n a l o go us p h e n o m e na m e n ti o n e d in t h e Bibl e S o Augusti n e .

r e he a rs e s the str an ge pro p e rti e s o f the m agn e t ; a ss er ts t hat

a d am an t can be br o k e n n e ith e r by st e e l n o r fi r e but o nly

by a pplica ti o n o f the bl o o d o f a go at ; t e lls o f Capp ado ci an

m a r e s who c o n c e i ve f ro m the wi n d ; a n d ha ils t he a bility o f
t he s al am an d e r t o liv e in t he m idst o f fl am e s as a t o k en
t hat the bo di e s o f si nne rs can subsist in hell fi r e Augusti ne .

“
als o a d m its th e virtu e o f st o n e s a n d o t h e r o b j e cts an d the
” 1
cr a ft o f men w ho e mpl o y t he se in m a rv e l o us w a ys He .

d en i e s ho wev e r tha t the Ma rsi wh o ch arm s n ak e s by the ir

, ,

i nc an t ati o n s a r e r e ally un d e rst o o d by the s e rp ents T he re .

is s o m e di ab ol ic a l f o rc e b eh i n d the ir magic as w hen S at an ,

sp o k e to Eve th r o ugh the s e r p en t ?

O n c e at l e a st ho w ev e r A ugusti ne a ss o ci at e s sci enc e an d

, ,

m a gic I n his Co nf es s io ns a f t e r sp e aki n g o f s en su a l pl e a s

.
,

“
u r e h e a ls o c e n sur e s the v a i n a n d curi o us d e sir e o f i n v e sti
” “
gati o n thr o ugh th e s en s e s w h ic h is p alli ate d un d e r the
,

”
n am e o f k n o wl e dge a n d sci e n c e T h is is apt to l ea d o n e
.

n o t o n ly i n t o scruti n izi n g s e cr ets o f n a tur e wh ic h a r e b e y o n d

o n e an d w h ic h it d o e s o n e n o go o d t o k n o w a n d w h ic h m e n

w an t t o k n o w j ust f o r the s ak e o f k n o wle dge but al s o ,

“
i nt o s ea rc hi n g thr o ugh m agic a rts i nt o the c o nfi ne s o f
” 3
p e r ve rs e sci en c e .

O f t h is d ang e r o us b o rd e rl an d b e tw een m a gic an d sci e n c e

Augusti n e h as m o r e t o s ay in s o m e cha pte rs o f h is C hr is tian
D o c tr ine 4
A f t e r m e n ti o n i n g as pri m e i n st an c e s o f h u m an
.

sup e rstiti o n id o l atry o the r f als e r eligi o n s a n d the m agic

, ,

a rts h e n ex t lists th e b o o ks o f s oo th s aye rs ( ar us pices ) an d

,

“
a ugurs a s o f th e s am e cl a ss t ho ugh s eem i n gly a m o r e
,
”
p e rm issibl e van ity I n his C o nfes s io ns h o w e v e r he t e lls
.
5
, ,

o f a s o o t h s ay e r w h o o ff e re d n o t o n ly t o c o n sult th e f utur e

f o r him but t o i n sur e him succ e ss in a p o e tic a l c o nt e st in

,

‘
De c vita te D ei, XXI , 4 -6 ; P L Co nf es s io ns X, 3 5 ; in P L vol
é
'
.
,

4 1 , 7 12
D e G e n es-i ad li tte r a m, XI,
2
28 II , 2 0 and 29 .

“
9 ; P L 34. 444 - 5 . I V . 2 -3
.
 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

which he was to en gage in the theate r The i n ciden t is a .

go o d illustr a ti o n o f the f ac t that pr e dicti o n o f the f utur e

a n d att e mpti n g to i n flu e n c e ev e nts go n a tur a lly t o ge t he r ,

a n d t ha t arts o f divi n a ti o n c an n o t be s e p a r a t e d e it h e r in

t heo ry o r practic e f r o m m a gic a rts In the Chr is tian D o c .

tr ine A ugusti n e is i n cli n e d f urt h e r to put in the same c la ss

al l u s e o f i n v o c a ti o n s i n c an t ati o n s a n d ch a ract e rs wh ich
, , ,

h e r e ga rds a s sign s i m plyi n g p a cts wit h e vil spirits a n d ,

t h e u s e o f w h ic h in w o rki n g c ure s h e a ss e rt s is c o n d em n e d
by the m e dic al pr o fe ss i o n He i s al s o suspici o us o f ligature s
.

“
an d susp en si o n s a n d st a t e s t h a t it is o n e t h i n g t o s ay
,
If ,

y o u dr in k t h e j uic e o f t h is h e rb y o ur s t,o m a c h will n o t

“
ac h e ,
a n d is a n o t h e r t h i n g to s ay I f yo u susp e n d t h is
,

h e rb f r o m the n e ck y o ur sto m ach will no t ac he Fo r in

,
.

o n e c a s e a h ea li n g a pplic ati o n is w o rt hy o f a ppr o v a l in ,

”
t h e o t he r a sup e rstiti o us sign i fi c ati o n is to be c en sur e d .

A ugusti n e r e c o gn iz e s h o w e v e r t ha t such liga tur e s an d sus

, ,

“
p en si o n s ar e c all e d by the m ilde r n am e o f n atura l r em e di e s
”
(p yh s i ca ) a n d i f t h e y a r e a ppli e d wit h o ut i n c a n t ati o n s

o r c ha r a ct e rs , p o ssibly t hey m ay he a l th e b o dy naturally by

m e r e a tta chm en t in w h ich c a s e it is l a w f ul to e m pl o y th em
, .

But t he y m a y i n v o lve s o me sign a l to d em o n s in w h ich c as e ,

t he m o re e ffi c a ci o us t he y a r e the m o r e a Ch risti an s ho uld

,

a v o id t h em .

T he s am e attitud e t o w a rd sup e rstiti o us m e dici ne is

sho w n in a s e rm o n a ttribut e d to A ugu sti n e but pr o b ably
spuri o us .
1
He r e a t e m pt e r is r e pre s e n t e d as c o m i n g to
the sick ma n an d s a yi n
“
g I f yo u h ad o nly empl o y ed that
,

e n c h an t e r yo u w o uld be w e ll n o w ; i f yo u w o uld a tt ach th e s e

,
”
cha r act e rs to y o ur b o dy yo u c o uld r e c o v e r yo ur hea lth
,
.

“
O r a n o t he r c o m e s an d s ays S e n d y o ur g irdl e to tha t
,
'

divi ne r ; he will m ea sure an d sc r uti n iz e it an d t ell yo u w hat

to do an d w he the r yo u c an re c o v e r O r a t h ird visit o r m a y
.

r e c o mmen d s o m eo n e who is skill e d in f u m igati o n T he .

p r e a c h e r w a r n s his he a r e rs n o t to succu m b to suc h a dvic e

o r t h e y will be s ac ri fi ci n g t o t he d e vil ; w h e r e a s i f th e y re f us e

2 268 -7 2
1
P L 39 , .
5 14 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE am p .

f e lt t he m o r e bo u n d w ar n his r ea d e rs a ga i n st a stro l o gy
to
in h is o ld age . He o f t e n att acks the c a ste rs o f h o ro sc o pe s
in his w o rks a n d e sp e ci a lly in the O pen i n g ch a pt e rs o f the
fi ft h b o o k o f The City of G o d o n w h ic h w e m ay c en t e r o ur
,

a tt en ti o n a s b e i n g a r ath e r m o r e e l a b o r a t e discussi o n th an

th e o th e r p a ss a ge s an d i n cludi n g a l m o st al l th e a rgu m en t s
w h ic h he a dvan c e s e ls e whe r e The s e a rgum en ts ar e n o t
.

o rigi n a l with h im but h is pr e s e n t a ti o n o f th em w a s pe rh aps

,

b e tte r kn o wn in the m iddl e age s th an any o th er 1

.

T he o bj e cti o n to a str o l o gy a s f at alistic d oe s n o t c o m e

with the be st gr a c e f r o m Augusti ne the gr e at a dvo ca t e o f
,

divi ne pr e s ci en c e an d o f pr e d e sti n ati o n an d in his discussi o n

,

in The Ci ty of G o d he is f o rc e d to r e c o gn iz e t h is f act He .

h o lds t ha t t he w o rld is n o t go v e rn e d by ch an c e o r by f at e ,

a w o rd w h ic h f o r m o st m e n m e an s t he f o rc e o f the c o n

s te llatio n s ,
but by divi ne pr o vid en c e He st a rts to accus e
.

the a stro l o ge rs o f a ttributi n g t o th e sp o tl e s s st a rs o r to the

-
,

G o d w hos e o rd e rs t he st a r s o b e di e n tly ex e cut e t he c ausi ng ,

o f h u m a n s in an d e vil ; but t h e n r e c o gn iz e s t ha t t he a s t r o l o

ge rs will a n swe r that the st ars si m ply sign i fy and in n o w ay

c a us e e vil j ust a s G o d f o r e s e e s but d o es n o t c o mp e l hu m an
,

si n f ul ne ss .

T hus t hw a rt e d in his a tt e m pt t o s ho w t ha t t he a str o l o ge rs

e n sl a v e th e hu m an will a lt ho ugh in o t h e r p a ss a g e s he still
,

give s us t o u n d e rst an d that the y do Augusti n e a d o pts an

2
,

o t he r li n e o f a rgu m e n t t hat fr o m twi n s an o ld fav o rite

, , ,

wh ich he twists first o n e w ay an d the n a n o t he r pr o p o si n g ,

t o the a str o l o ge r s a s e ri e s o f dil em m a s a s h e fi n ds t h e m

like ly to e sc ap e f r o m e ach pr ec e di n g o ne He s eem s to .

h av e b e e n m uc h i mpre ss e d by th e t h o ught t hat at th e s am e

i n st an t an d he n c e wit h the s am e h o ro sc o p e p e rs o n s w e re
b o r n w ho s e subs e qu e n t live s a n d c ha r a ct e rs w e r e di ffe r en t .

He bri n gs f o rw a rd E s a u a nd J a c o b a s ex am pl e s an d st at e s ,

tha t he h i m sel f h as k n o wn o f twi n s o f dissi m il a r se x an d

‘
U n l e s s o th e r w is e n o t e d, th e P L 34 , 278
D e dive r s is gua cs
.

e ns u mg a r g u m e n t s a r e f o u n d in tio n ibus c ap
, 45 P L 4 0, 2 8 9
.
-
.

Th e Ci ty of G o d V , 1 7
,
-
. Epis to la 2 4 6 ; PL 3 3 1 06 1 S er , .

’
D e G e n es i a d lit te r a m, I I, 1 7 ; mo 109 ; P L 38 , 1 02 7 .
xx1 1 A U G US TI N E

li fe Mo reo ve r h e t e lls us in h is Co nfes s ions tha t h e was

.
,

fi n al ly i n duc e d to a ban d o n his study o f the b o o ks o f the

“
a str o l o ge rs f r om w h ic h t h e a rgu m e n ts o f V in dic ianu s a
, ,

keen o ld m an and o f Nebr idius a yo uth o f r em a rk abl e in

, ,

”
t el le ct ha d f a il e d t o w in him by he a ri n g f r o m a n o t he r
, ,

yo ut h that his f athe r a m an o f w ealth an d r ank h ad b een

, ,

b o r n at pr e cis e ly the s am e m o m en t as a c e rt a i n wr e tche d

sl av e o n the e stat e 1
.

But the astr o lo ge rs re ply t hat e ven twi ns ar e no t b o rn

at pr e ci s e ly t he s am e i n st an t a n d do n o t h av e t he s a m e

h o ro sc o p e but ar e b o r n u n d e r di ffe r en t c o n st e ll ati o n s s o

, ,

r apidly do the he av en s re v o lv e as the a str o l o ge r N igidius ,

Figul us n e atly illustr at e d by striki n g a r apidly r e v o lvi ng

p o tte r s w hee l tw o succ e s s iv e blo ws as quic kly as he c o uld
’

in w ha t a pp e ar e d to be the s am e sp o t But w hen the w he el .

was st o pp e d a nd e xam i n e d the t w o m a rks w e r e f o u n d to

,

be f ar a p a rt Augusti ne s c o u nt e r a rgu m e n t is t ha t i f
’
.

a str o l o ge r s m ust t ak e i nt o a cc o u n t s uc h s m a ll i n t e r va ls o f

ti me t he ir o bs e rv ati o n s an d pr e dicti o n s c an nev e r a tt ai n

,

su ffici en t a ccura cy to i n sur e c o rr e ct pr e dicti o n ; an d that i f

s o bri e f a n i n st an t o f ti m e is su ffici e n t t o a lte r t he h o r o
.

s c o p e t o t ally t he n twi n s s h o uld n o t be a s m uc h a lik e a s t he y

,

a r e n o r h ave a s m uc h in c o m m o n as t h e y do f o r i n st an c e ,
-
,

f al li ng ill an d re c o v e ri n g si m ult an eo usly T o t h is th e .

a str o l o ge rs a r e lik e ly t o r e sp o n d t h a t twi n s ar e a lik e b e c aus e

c o n c e ive d a t the sa me i n stant but s o me w ha t dissi m il a r in

,

t he ir li fe b e c aus e o f the di ff e r e n c e in t he ir ti m es o f birt h .

A ugusti n e r e t o rts th a t if two p e rs o n s c o n c e ive d si m ultane

o u s ly in the s a m e w o m b m ay be b o r n a t di ff e r e n t ti m e s a n d

hav e di ff e r e nt f at e s a f t e r birth h e s e e s no r e a s o n w hy pe r
,

s o n s who a r e b o rn o f di ff e r en t m o the rs at the s ame i n st an t

with the s am e ho r o sc o p e m ay n o t die a t di ff e r en t d at e s a n d
l ea d di ff e r e n t live s But h e d o e s n o t r e c o gn iz e that ve ry
.

lik e ly the a stro l o ge rs w o uld a gre e wit h him in th is si nc e ,

t he y o f t en he ld t hat the i n flu e n c e o f the st a rs was re ce i ve d

v a ri o usly by m a tt e r He al s o a sks w hy a c e rt a i n s age is
.

‘
C o nf es s io ns , I V , 2 -3 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

s aid to have s e l e ct e d a c e rt ai n ho ur f o r i nt e rc o urs e with

“

his wi fe in o rd e r to b e ge t a marv e l o us so n po ssibly an in —

a ccur at e a llusi o n t o t h e st o ry o f N e ct an e bus u n l e ss the

1 —

ho ur o f c o n c e pti o n c o n tr o ls t he ho ur o f birt h an d c o us e ,

qu ently twi n s c o n c e iv e d t o ge the r m ust h av e the s am e ho ro

s c o pe . He als o o bj ects t ha t if twi n s f al l sick at the s am e
ti me b ec aus e o f the ir si m ult an eo us c o n c e pti o n they sho uld ,

n o t be o f o pp o sit e s e x as s o m e ti m e s h a pp en s .

El ec tio n s .
With t h is A ugusti n e tur n s f r o m the c as e o f twi n s to
urge the i n co n sist e n cy o f the a str o l o gica l d o ctri n e o f e l e c
ti o n s sugge st e d by the st o ry o f the s ag e who cho s e the
,

f av o r abl e m o m en t f o r i nte rc o urs e wit h h is wi f e He ho lds .

th at t h i s pra ctic e o f c ho o si n g f av o r abl e ti m e s is i n c o n siste n t

with the b eli e f in n ativiti e s w h ic h a r e supp o s e d to have de
t e rmin e d an d pr e dict e d the i n dividu a l s f at e a lr ea dy He
’
}
.

a ls o i n q uir e s w hy m e n c ho o s e c e rta i n d ays f o r se tti n g o ut

tr e e s an d s hrubs o r bree di n g an i m als if m en a l o ne are sub ,

j ect to the c o n st e ll ati o n s .

T his l a st cl a us e i n dic at e s ho w e x clu s iv e ly Augu s ti ne s

’

a tt a cks ar e dir e ct e d a g a i n st the pr e dicti o n o f m an s li f e f r o m

’

the s t a rs an d ho w littl e h e has to s ay r e ga rdi n g the st ars

’

c o n tro l o f the w o rld o f n atur e in ge ne r al He no w goe s .

o n t o c o n sid e r t h is l att e r p o ssibility but i nt e r pr e ts it to o in

,

the n a rr o w s e n se o f ho r o sc o p e c as ti n g a n d a s i m plyi n g that

-
,

e v e r y he rb an d b ea st m ust h av e its f a t e abs o lut e ly d e t e r

m i ne d by the c o n st e ll ati o n s a t its mo m e n t o f birt h Th is .

a pp ea rs h o w ev e r to hav e been a wid e spre a d b e li e f then

, , ,

s i n c e he t e lls us t ha t m en a r e a ccust o m e d t o t e st the skill

o f a str o l o ge rs by sub m itti n g t o t he m t he ho ro s c o p e s o f

du m b an i m als an d tha t the b e st a str o l o ge rs are able no t

,

o n ly t o r e c o gn iz e t h a t t h e r e p o rt e d c o n st e ll a ti o n s ma rk the

birth o f a beast r athe r t han t hat o f a hu m an b e i n g but als o ,

t o st at e w he t he r it w a s a ho rs e c o w do g o r s he e p , , Ne v e r , .

th el es s A ugusti n e f e e ls t ha t h e h as r e duc e d the ar t o f c a st

,

ing ho r o sc o pe s t o a n a bsurdity a s he f e e ls sur e t ha t b ea sts

,

a nd pl ants w h ich a r e s o n u m e r o us m ust fr e q u e n tly be b o r n

1
S e e be l o w . c h a p ter 24 .
5 18 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

by sayi ng tha t all thi n gs co n sid e re d i f the a stro l o ger s m ak e

, ,

m any m arv e l o usly tru e pr e dicti o n s the y do s o by t he a id ,

a n d i n spir ati o n o f th e d e m o n s an d n o t by the a r t o f n o ti n g

an d i n sp e cti n g h o r os c o p e s w h ic h h a s n o s o un d b a sis
, .

I n a n o t he r w o rk Augusti n e t e ll s o f s o m e yo u n g me n
wh o w h il e tr av e li n g a s a b o yi s h pr an k pr e t en d e d to be
, ,

a str o l oge rs an d e it h e r by m e r e ch anc e o r by n a tur a l a n d

i nn a t e p o we r o f divi n ati o n h it up o n the t r uth in the pr e dic

ti o n s w hic h the y supp o s e d th at t he y w e r e i nv en ti n g In .

the s am e c o n t e x t he pr o c e e ds to discuss in a cr e dul o us w a y

the p o ssibility o f m a rv e l o us pr o ph e tic visi o n s c o n c e rn i n g ,

w hic h he t e lls o ne o r tw o o t he r t a l l t al es f ro m his p e rs o nal -

e x p e ri e n c e He i s ho w e v e r d o ubt f ul ho w f ar the h u man

.
, ,

s o ul its e l f p o s s e ss e s th e p o w e r o f divi n a ti o n wh ich h e is ,

i ncli n e d to attribut e r athe r to spirits go o d o r ba d But , .

o wi n g t o S a t an s a bility in disguisi n g h i m s e l f as an an ge l
’

o f ligh t it is o f t e n v e ry di ffi cult t o t e ll t o w h ich s o rt o f

spirit to a sc rib e the visi o n in q u e sti o n 1

.

I n Augu sti ne s ti me the r e w e re th o s e who h eld th at

’

Christ Hi m s e l f ha d b een b o r n u n d e r the d e cr e e o f the

“

s t a rs be c aus e o f the stat em en t in the G o spe l a cc o rdi n g to

,

Ma tthe w tha t th e Magi had s e en His st ar in the e a st O f .

this m att e r Augusti n e t reats in s e v e ra l o f his w o rks He ?

d en i e s tha t t h is w o uld be t r u e ev en if o th e r m en w e r e subj ect

t o the f a t a l i n flu e n c e o f the st ars w hich h e d en i e s a s usu al ,

o n t he gr o u n d o f f r e e will
-
He c o nt e n ds that the st a r was
.

n o t o n e o f t h e pl a n e ts o r c o n st e ll a ti o n s but a sp e ci a l cr e a

ti o n si n c e it did n o t k e e p to a r e gul ar c o urs e o r o rbit but

, ,

c am e to whe r e the ch ild lay But ho w did the Ma gi k no w .

t hat it was the st a r o f Ch rist w hen the y s aw it in the e ast ,

u n l e ss by a str o l o gy ? Augusti n e c an o n ly sugge st t hat t h i s

w as r e v e a l e d t o t hem by spirits w h e t h e r go o d o r b a d he d o e s
,

n o t k no w A ugusti ne f urt he r affi r m s t ha t the st a r did n o t

3
.

1 “
D e G e n es i ad li tte r a m XI I , , S e r m o ne s 1 9 9 a n d 3 7 4 ; P L 3 8 ,
2 2 a n d 1 7 a n d 12 ; P L 34 4 7 2 3 , ,
—
102 7 -8, an d 39, 1 666 . C on tr a
6
4 7 9 4 4 5
-
6
,
-
S e e a l s o th e m ar e l v F a u s tu m I I , 1 5 P L 42 2 12
, ,
.

o u s d iv in a t 1o n s o f A l b ic e r iu s r e I n Q ua es tion es ex N o uo Tes
3 '

c o unt e d i n C o n tr a A ca de mi cos , I , to m e n to , Q ua e s t 63 , PL 3 5 , 2 2 58 ,
.

6 ; P L 3 2 , 9 14 5 . w h ic h is p r o babl y a s p ur io us
xx11 A UG US TI NE 5 19

ca us e Ch rist to l iv e a m ar ve l o us li fe but Christ c a us e d the ,

st a r t o m ak e its marve l o us app ea r anc e F o r w he n b o rn .

“
,

o f a m o t he r He sho w e d e a rth a n e w st a r in the sky Who

, , ,

”
when b o rn o f the Fat he r fo rm e d b o th hea v en an d e arth
,
.

A nd , when He is bo rn ne w ligh t is r evea l e d in a sta r ;

,

w hen He di e s o l d light is v e il e d in the s un

,
”
But the se .

r he t o rica l fl o uris he s an d antithe s e s s ee m t o a tt e st ra t he r

than dispute the sign ific an c e o f c e l e sti a l phen o me n a s o ,

t ha t Augusti n e cann o t be s a id to ha v e an sw e r e d the

a str o l o gic a l c o nt e n ti o n a n e n t Ch ri s t s birt h v e ry sat is f ac
’

to r ily .

T he pr o bl em o f the natur e o f the st a rs is o n e w hic h

Augusti n e pre f e rs t o l e a v e un s o lv e d alt ho ugh it c o m e s up ,

s e ve r a l ti m e s in his writi n gs 1
W het he r they ar e si m ply
.

lucid bo di e s wit ho ut s en s e o r i n t ellig en c e; a s s o m e t h i n k ;

o r h av e ha ppy i n t e ll e ctu a l s o uls o f t h e ir o w n a s P l at o ,

t augh t ; whe t he r the y ar e to be cla ss e d with the S e ats ,

Do m i n i o n s P ri n cip a liti e s
,
an d P o w e rs o f w h o m th e
,

a p o stl e sp eaks ; a n d w h e th e r t h e y a r e rul e d an d a n i m at e d

by spirits : al l t he s e a r e que sti o ns w hic h Augusti n e puts but ,

c o nc e rn i n g w ho s e an swe rs he f eels u n ce rt a i n His f ulle st .

discussi o n o f the m atte r is in a l ette r a ga i n st th e P riscilli an

is ts t o w h i ch we n ow c o m e .

A n i n t e rchan ge o f l e tte rs be tw ee n A ugusti n e a n d his

S p an is h discipl e O ro sius d e a ls with t he e rr o r o f the P ris
c ill ian is ts an d O rige n ists N o t h i n g is s a id t o c o n vict t he m
?

o f ma gic w h ich w a s h o w e v e r t h e c h a rg e o n w h ic h P ris

, , ,

k
wo r but w a s c ited as Augu s tin e s
’
3 88 . D e G e n e si ad li tte r a m, I I,
by Tho ma s A qu in a s ( S u m ma, 1 8 ; P L 3 4 , 2 7 9 80 -
.

I II , 3 6 , ), v B a l aam is s aid t o
a
O r o s ii ad A ug us tin u m C o ns u l
v
h a e w arn e d t h e Mag i t o w at c h ta ti o s ive C o m m o ni t or iu m de
f o r th e s tar I t is a l s o a s s e r t e d,
. er r or e P r is cil lia n is ta r u m e t O r i
v
h o w e e r , th at
“
th e s e Ch al d ean g e n is ta r u m ,
P L 3 1 12 1 1,
-
2 2 ; al s o
Magi watc h e d th e co u r s e o f th e in G S c h e p s s
. in C S EL
v
s tar s , n o t f r o m m a l e o l e n ce , bu t
”
XV II I A ug u s tin i a d O r o s iu m
.

c u r io s ity c o n ce r n in g n a t u r e ( Hi c o n tr a P r is c il l ia n is tas e t O r ig e n is
Mag i c ha ldae i n o n m a l evo l e n ti a ta s , PL 4 1 , 66 9 e t s e q
,
A ugu s t in e
.

as tr o r u m c u r s a m s e d r e r u m c ur i al s o d is c u s s e s t h e P r is c illia n is t s in
os ita te s pe c u l a ba n tu r ) . E pis tl e 2 3 7 , P L 3 3 , 103 4 , e t s e q , .

‘
E n chir id io n , s ive d e ti de, s p e, k
w h e r e h e m a e s n o cha rge e ith e r
e t c ha r ita te , I , 5 8 ; P L 4 0, 2 5 9 60 -
. of m ag ic o r as t r o l o gy again s t
D e c ivita te D e i, XI I I , 1 6 ; P L 4 1 , t he m .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

c ill ian put to d e at h but a str o l o gic al t en et s a r e a scrib e d

w as ,

t o t he m O r o sius st a t e s t ha t P ris c il l ian t a ught t ha t the s o u l

.
-

wa s b o r n o f G o d an d i n struct e d by a n ge ls but th a t it de ,

sc e n d e d t hro ugh c e rta i n circl e s o f the heav en s and w as

ca ught by e vil pri n cip a liti e s an d t hrust i n to di ff e r e n t b o di e s ;
a n d t h a t it r e m a i n e d sub j e ct to M a th es is o r t he l a ws o f

a str o l o gy u n til C h ri st s e t it fre e by His p a ssi o n o n t he cro ss .

L ik e th e a str o l o ge rs c o n ti n u e s O r o sius P riscilli an a ss o ci at e d

, ,

the sign s o f the z o di a c wit h the di ff e r e n t m emb e rs o f t he

hu ma n b o dy A ri e s a n d the h e a d Ta urus a n d the n e ck an d
,
-

, ,

an d h e a ls o t augh t t ha t t h e n am e s o f t h e p a tri a rc h s
1
s o on ;
“
o f t he tw e lv e trib e s w e r e m em be rs o f the s o ul R e ube n ,

in t he h e ad Jud ah in th e br eas t L e vi in th e he a rt an d s o
, , ,

on .O ro sius a dds t ha t the O rige n ists r e ga rd the s un m o o n , ,

a n d sta rs no t as e l em e n t a l lu m i n a ri e s but a s r a ti o n a l p o w e rs ;

an d w e h av e s ee n tha t O rige n h i m s e l f did s o .

Augusti ne in h is r e ply st a t e s t h a t w e can s e e t hat t he

s un m o o n a nd st a rs ar e c e l e sti a l b o di e s but n o t t h a t th e y
, , ,

a r e a n i m at e d He a gr e e s fi rm ly wit h P aul t ha t t he r e a r e
.

S e a ts D o m i n i o n s P ri n cip aliti e s a nd P o w e rs in t he he av e n s
, , , ,

“
but I do n o t k n o w w hat th ey a r e o r w hat the di ff e re nce
”
is be twe en t hem O n the w ho l e A ugusti n e is i n cli ne d to
.
,

re ga rd t his st a t e o f ign o r an c e a s a bliss f u l o n e He is s o m e .

wha t tro ubl e d by the v e rs e s in the B o o k o f Jo b Ho w “

,

s ha ll m an be j ust in the sight o f G o d o r ho w s hall o n e bo rn ,

o f w o m an puri f y h i m s e l f ? I f He c o mm an ds t he m o o n an d
it d o e s n o t shi n e an d if the st a rs are n o t pur e b e fo r e Him
, ,

ho w m uc h m o r e is man r o tt enne ss an d t he s o n o f m an a
”
w o r m ? Fr o m th is p a ss a ge the P riscilli an ists i n fe r that
t he st a rs h av e a r a ti o n a l spi rit a n d a r e n o t f r e e f r o m s in ,

y e t a r e pl a c e d in t h e h ea v e n b e c a us e t h e ir f a ult is l e ss t h an
“
t ha t o f si n f ul m a nki n d O rige n to o had a rgu e d. I f t he ,

st a rs a r e livi n g an d r a ti o n a l be i n gs t he r e will u n do ubt e dly ,

a pp e a r am o n g t h em b o t h a n a dv a n c e a n d a f a lli n g b ack .

Fo r th e l a n gu a ge o f Jo b the st a rs a r e n o t cl e a n in His
‘
,

w a s l ate r r e p e a t e d by S t L e o , E pis to l a X V ; s e e With

1
Th is c ha r g e .

in gto n , His to r y of M e dic in e, 189 4, p 1 7 8 ; b ut th e o ff e n s e wo ul d s e e m

.

v
a t r i ia l o n e in a ny c a s e .
52 2 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP . x x11

c o rdi n g t o m ea sur e n um b e r an d we ight Als o s ix i s the

, ,
.

fi rst n um be r w h ich can be o bt ai n e d f ro m addi n g to gethe r

its f act o rs : o ne two an d thr ee Augusti ne w as go i n g o n
, , .

t o s ay t ha t s ev e n w as a ls o a p e r f e ct n u mb e r w he n he ,

chec k e d hi m s e l f l e st he digr e ss a t to o great le ngth an d s e em

“
t o o e a ge r to displ a y his s m a tt e ri n g o f s ci en c e Hen c e he .

m e r e ly a dd e d t h a t o n e i n dic a ti o n o f s ev e n s p e r f ec ti o n w as
’

its c o m p o siti o n o f the fi rst c o m pl e t e o dd n u m be r thr e e and , ,

th e first c o m pl e t e e v en n u m b e r f o ur 1
I t is the r e f o r e n o t
, .

s urprisi n g t o fi n d a scrib e d t o A ugusti n e a s e r m o n o n th e c o r

r e sp o n den c e b e tw een the ten pl agu e s o f E gypt an d the ten

c o mm an dm en ts w h ich o p en s by r em arki n g that it is n o t with
o ut c a us e th a t the n u m b e r o f pr e c e pts in G o d s law is the
’

s am e a s the n umb e r o f pl agu e s with wh ich E gypt was a f

2
flicte d .

1
De c ivita te D ei XI 3 0-3 1
, , . He et dec e m p l agar um Eg yp ti Non
.

s ay s ab o u t t h e s a me t hin g s con es t s in e c au s a, f r at r e s d il e ct is s imi,

c e r n in g s ix an d se v en in De qu o d p r e c e p t o r um l eg is Dei
G e n e s i a d l i t te r a m I V , 2,
. n u m e r us c um n u me r o p la gar um
a
S e r mo s u pp os i ti tiu s 2 1, in q uibu s A e gyp tu s p e r cutifur ex
Mign e , P L XXXI X, 1 7 8 3 De , ac quar i v
ide tur
”
.

co nven ie n tia de ce m p r e ce p to r um
 CHA PT E R XX II I
THE FU S I ON O F P A G A N A N D C H RI S T I A N T H OU G HT I N T HE

F O U RTH A ND F I FT H CE N TU RI ES

Ne e d of qualif ying t h e p at r is t ic a tt itu de— P l an of th is c h ap t e r

J ul ius Fir m ic us Mate r nu s —

Da t e of th e M a the s is —
A r e th e a t titude s in
Fir m ic us
’
k
tw o w o r s in c o mp a t ibl e — De e r r or e is no t un f a v o r abl e to
a s tr o l o gy— Attitude o f bo th w o r s k
e m p e r o r s — R elig io u s a tt itu de
t o th e
o f th e M a th e s is
’
—
A n as t r o l o g e r s p r aye r — Ch r is t ian o bj ec t io n s t o a s
v
t r o l o gy m e t— A s t r o l o gy p r o e d e xp e r im e n ta l ly— I n f o r m a t io n t o be

g a in e d f r o m t h e t hir d a n d f o u r t h b oo s —
k
R e l ig io n a nd m ag ic ; e x o r c is ts
v
— Di in t io n
a Mag ic a s a br anch o f l e a r n in g I n te r e s t in s c ie n c e
— —

Dis e as e s in an tiqu ity— P l ace o f Fir mic us in th e h is to r y o f a s t r o l o gy

Liban ius a cc u s e d o f m ag ic— D e c l am atio n aga in s t a m ag ic ian— Fa ith o f
L iban ius in d i inatio n— v Mag ic an d a s t r o l o g y in P s e udo - Q uin t il ian dec
l am atio n s— Fus io n Chr is t ianity an d p ag an is m in S yn e s iu s o f Cyr e n e
of
— His car ee r — His in t e r e s t in s c ie n ce— B e lie f in o c c u l t s m ath
y p y be
v
tw e e n n a t u r a l o bj e ct s— S yn e s ius o n di in atio n a n d a s t r o l o gy— S yn e s iu s
a s an a l c h e m is t— Ma cr o b iu s o n n umb e r , dr e a m s , an d s ta r s— Ma r tia n u s

Cap el l a— Ab se nc e o f as tr o l o gy— O r de r s o f s p ir it s— Th e Cel es tia l

Hier ar chy o f Dionys ius th e A r e op agite .

IN r ea di n g the writi n gs o f the Christi an f a th e rs o n e i s

i mpre s se d by the fact that the ir t o n e is al mo st i nv ari ably
that o f the pr eache r In e sti m ati n g t h e r e f o re the practic a l
.

e ffec t o f t he ir utt e r an c e s it is w e ll t o r e m e m b e r t h a t t he s e

a r e c o u n s e ls o f p e r fe cti o n w h ich w e r e pr o b ably o f t e n n o t

r ealiz e d ev en by tho s e who gav e utt e r an c e to t hem Th is is .

n o t t o a ccus e t he f a t h e rs o f b e i n g p h a ris a ic a l but to sug ,

ge st t hat a s b o t h cl e rics and a p ol o gists th e y w e re pr o f e ssi o n

al ly b o u n d t o t ak e up an irr e pr o a c h a bl e p o siti o n m o r a lly an d

d o gmatic ally Ba sil has sho wn us that t he a udi en c e who

.

listen e d to his s er m o n s w e r e still u n d e r the sp e ll o f Ro m an

am us em e n ts dic e th e a t e r a n d a r e n a
, , An d the a ve r a ge l ay
, .

Ch risti a n m i n d w a s pr o ba bly m o r e ea sy g o i n g in its attitud e -

t o wa r d ma gic an d sup e rstiti o n t han Augusti ne N o t m e r el v .

523
52 4 MA GI C AND E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

l aymen mo r eo v e r but Ch risti an cl e rgy a n d a p o l o gist s o f

, ,

the d e cli n i n g R o m an Em pir e m igh t stil l h o ld to divi n ati o n

a n d a str o l o gy I t w as a ti m e a s ha s o f t e n b ee n r e m a rk e d
.
, ,

o f r e ligi o us sy n cr e tis m o f f usi o n o f p a gan an d Ch risti an

,

tho ught w hen it is n o t a lw ays e as y t o t e ll w he the r the a ut ho r

,

o f a n e x t an t writi n g is Ch risti an o r N e o P l a t o n ist o r b o th —

.

Mr G w atk in st at e s tha t the sur f ac e t ho ught o f Co n

.
“ ”

“
s ta n t in e s ti m e Ch risti a n a s w e ll as he a the n t en d e d to a
’

, ,

v a gu e m o no t he is m wh ich l o o ke d o n Ch rist an d the s un as

-

” 1
a l m o st e q u a lly go o d sy m b o ls o f t he S upr em e O t he rs .

b e li ev e d that a str o l o gy w as the trut h b a ck o f all r eligi o n s ?

I n t h is c h apt e r w e s h all t he r e f o r e c o n sid e r s o m e writ e rs

o f th e f o urt h an d fi f th c e n tury w h o a tt e st th e e x ist en c e o f

m a gic a n d a str o l o gy t hen t he i n flu en c e o f p a ga n is m o n

,

Ch risti an ity a n d o f Ch ri s ti an ity o n p a gan is m a n d the f u ,

si o n o f N eo P l at o n is m Christi an ity and a str o l o gic al the

-
, ,

o ry . T h is i n d ee d we hav e a lrea dy d o n e to s o m e e x t e n t as
, , ,

o u r pr e vi o us c ha pt e r s o n N eo P l a t o n i s m a n d o n th e Ch ris
-

ti an fat he rs h av e ca rri e d us m o r e o r l e ss i nt o t h o s e cen

t u r ie s .But n o w as an o ff s et to A ugusti ne w e t ak e up o t he r
writ e rs wh o h av e n o t yet b een tr eate d : Fir m icus the L ati n ,

Christi a n a p o l o gist an d t he astro l o ger o f t he m id fo urth -

c e n tury ; L iban ius the G ree k s o ph ist o f th e s am e c e ntury ;

,

Macr o bius an d S ynes ius N e o P l at o n ists writi n g r e sp e ctive ly

,
-

in L ati n an d G r ee k at the b e gi nn i n g o f the fi f t h c en tury ,

a n d o f w h o m o ne w a s a Ch risti an bis h o p ; an d pr o b ably in

the s am e c e n tury the discussi o n o f spirits by Marti an us Ca

p e lla in L ati n an d the P s e ud o D i o n ysius t he Are o pagite in -

G r eek . E x c ep t f o r L iban ius a n d S yn e s iu s t he s e autho rs ,

w e r e v e ry i n flu e n ti al in m e di e val L ati n l ea r n i n g an d m ight

s e rve a s w e ll f o r an i n tr o ducti o n to o ur f o ll o wi n g b o o k o n
Th e E ar ly M iddl e Ages a s f o r a c o n clusi o n to th is .

‘
Me dt er mI Hi s tor y in a s t r o l o gy at th is p er io d, s ince
'

bn dg e
'

C
I, F B o l l , Heide l be r g er A k ad S ite b , . .

k k
.

w o r , He r mippus 1 9 12 , N o 18 , h a s s h o w n it t o b e a
3
TheG re e .

or C o n c er ning As tr o l ogy h o w f o u r t e en th c e n t u r y w o r k
o f J o hn
v k
,

e e r , c a n n o l o ng e r b e r e gar d ed K at r a r i o s , w h o m a e s u s e o f a .

a s an e x amp l e o f Ch r is t ia n b e l ie f k
G re e tr an s l atio n o f Albuma s a r .
52 6 MA GI C AN D EXPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

the two wo rks i s r e ally i n co m patibl e an d w he ther the Ma

thes is wa s writt e n b e f o r e o r a f t e r the D e err o r e .

Mo mm se n c o n t e n d e d tha t it i s beyo n d d o ubt

“ ” 1
th at the
Ma the s is w a s writte n be tw ee n 3 3 4 an d 3 3 7 A D r e lyi n g . .
,

c h i e fly up on s ev e r al app a ren t m en ti o n s o f Co n st an ti ne the

G r ea t a s still livi n g T he name s Co n st an ti ne a nd Co n st an
.
,

tius a re f r e qu en tly c o n f us e d in the s o urc es ho w e v e r ? an d ,

“
e ve n whil e th e w o rds C o ns ta n tinum ma xi mum pr in cipem
,

”
et huius invic tis s im os liber os , d o min es et Cae s ar es n os tr o s ,

s e em to r e fe r u nm ist ak a bly to Co n st anti n e it m ust be r e ,

m em b e r e d t ha t the y o ccur in a pr aye r to the pl an e ts an d t o

the supr em e G o d t h a t Co n st an ti n e a n d his ch ildr en m ay rul e
“

o v e r o u r p o st e rity a n d th e p os t e rity o f o u r p o st e rity t h r o ugh

”
i n fi n it e succ e ssi o n o f a ge s A s t h is is si m ply e qui va l e n t
. .

t o e x pr e ssi n g a h o p e t h a t the dyn a sty m ay n ev e r b e c o m e

e x ti n ct it is sc arc e ly pr o o f p o sitiv e t h at Co nstan ti n e the
,

G re a t w as still livi n g w h e n Fir m icus publis h e d his b oo k .

O n the o t he r han d t o m a i n t a i n the e a rly d at e Mo mm s en was

,

f o rc e d t o tr ea t the m e n ti o n o f L o ll ian us a s o r dina r io c o n

s uli des igna to a s m e r e pr o ph e tic fl a tt e ry o r a s an a pp o i n t

m e n t he ld up by Co n st an tius f o r e igh t ee n y e a rs We k n o w .

t ha t F irm icu s a ddre ss e d th e D e err or e to Co n st an tius an d

Co nst a n s pr o b a bly b e tw ee n 3 4 5 a n d 3 5 0 ; w e k n o w t hat
,

L o ll ianus wa s city pr e f e ct o f R o m e in 3 4 2 c o ns ul o r dinar ius ,

in 3 5 5 an d pr ae t o ri an pr e fe ct in th e f o ll o wi n g y e a r ; wh e r ea s
,

w e k n o w n o th i n g c e rt a i n ly o f e it h e r o f t h e m b e f o r e 3 37
-
.

Furthe rm o r e Fir m icus ex plicitly stat e s that the writi n g o f

th e M a thes is h a s b ee n l o n g d e l a ye d a n d w h e n th e pr o m is e
3
,

t o c o m p o s e it w a s fi rst m a d e it is e vid e n t t h at n e it he r he
,

n o r L o ll ia n u s w as a y o u n g m an L o ll ia n u s w a s alr ea dy
.

c o ns u l ar is o f Cam p an i a an d a cc o rdi n g to i n scripti o n s h ad

1
He r mes XXI X 468 7 2
,
The
-
. Cons ta n tini filius ,
might wel l as
v
,
“
t r e a tis e c o uld n o t h a e b e e n c o m be r e n d e r e d C o n s ta n t iu s s o n o f
,
“
p o s e d b e f o r e 3 3 4 s in c e F ir m icu s C o n s ta n tin e , as C o n s ta n tine ,
( I , 1 3 2 3 ) r e f e r s t o an e c lip s e in
, s o n o f C o n s ta n t iu s .

“ “
t h e c o n s ul s h ip o f O p ta t u s a n d I, 1 , 3 , O l im tibi h o s l ibe llo s ,
P au lin u s w hic h o c c u r r e d in t h at Mavo r ti de c u s n o s t r um , m e dic a
ye a r . v
t ur um e s s e p r o m is e r a m e r um d iu
Fo r in s t a n c e , at I , 3 7 , 2 5 , Co n m e in c o n s ta n t ia ve r e c un diae r etar
s ta n tin us s cilic e t m aximus divi v
da it
”
.
xx1 11 P A G AN A ND CHR I S TI AN TH O UG H T 52 7

previ o usly h eld a n um b e r o f o the r o ffic e s ; w h il e still in th is

p o siti o n L o llian u s had f r e qu e n tly t o spur his f ri e n d o n to
“ ”
the t a s k w h ic h Fir m icus a s f r e qu e n t ly g av e up in d e sp a ir .

Th en L o l lia n u s b e c am e C o u n t o f a l l t he O ri en t an d c o n
ti nne d h is i m p o rtun i t i e s Fi n ally a f t e r L o llian us h a s be
.
,

c o m e p r o c o n sul an d o rdi n a ry co n sul e l e ct Fi r m icus c o m ,

pl ete s the w o r k an d p r e s en ts it to him Mean wh ile .

Fir m icus hi m s e l f w h o ha d fo r m e rly re sist e d with un

—

”
ben di n g c o n fid e n c e an d firm n e ss f a cti o us an d w ick e d an d
“
a v a r ici o us m e n w h o f r o m f ea r o f l a w suits s ee m e d t e r
,
-

”
ribl e to th e u n f o rtu n at e ; an d w ho w ith lib e r a l m i n d de ,

s p is in g f o r e n s ic g a i n s t o m e n in tr o ubl e
, di s pl aye d a
pur e a n d f a it h f ul d e f en s e in the c o urts o f law by w hich ,

up r igh t c o n duct he i n curr e d m uch e n m ity an d d an ge r ; 1

ha s —

re tir e d f r o m the s o rdid sphe r e o f l a w c o urts an d f o r um

t o sp e n d his l e i sur e wi th the divi n e m e n o f o l d o f E gypt
a n d B abyl o n a n d t o pu r i fy his spi r it by c o n t e m pl a ti o n o f

the e v e rl a sti n g s t a rs an d o f t h e G o d w h o w o rks t h r o ugh

t hem Y e t w e a r e a sk e d t o b e li ev e— if w e a cc e pt a d at e be
.

f o re 33 7 f o r the M a thes is n o t m e r e ly t h a t h e writ e s a

—

“ ”
v ehe me n t i n v e ctive a ga i n st pro f an e r e ligi o n s a d ec ad e
l a t e r but a ls o tha t tw en ty y ears a f t e r L o l l ianu s is still a
,

vigo r o us adm i n istrat o r It i s p o ssibl e but s eem s u nlik e ly

?
, .

C e rt a i n ly th e d a t e o f thE M a th es is s h o uld b e d e t e r m i n e d
witho ut a ny a ssum pti o n a s t o w ha t Firm icus r e ligi o n w a s ’

w hen he wro t e it Fo r if w e r e ga rd his attitud e s in M a the

.
,

s is a n d D e er r or e a s i n c o m p a tibl e it will b e a s di fficult to

,

e x pl a i n h o w he c o uld writ e th e D e er r or e a f t e r ha vi n g c o m

p o s e d the M a thes is a s vice vers a A f t e r the st e a d f a st a f

- .

fi r m atio n o f a str o l o gic a l pri n cipl e s in t he M a thes is it is n o

ea si e r t o e x pl a i n th e fi e r c e spirit o f i n t o l e r a n c e t o w a rd
pa
g a n is m in t h e D e e r r o r e t h a n it is a f t e r th e m e n ti o n o f C h rist
in the D e err o r e t o e x pl a i n th e o m issi o n o f t hat n am e in t h e
Ma thes is But ar e t he tw o w o r ks r e a lly i n c o m p atibl e ? My
.

a n sw e r i s N o ,
T h e div e rg e n c e s a r e such a s m ay be e x
.

1
I , 19 6 p r a e f e c t u s p r a e t o r io , v ir s ub l imis
5
-
.

’
A m m 1a n n s Ma r ce l h nu s , XV I , c o n s ta n t 1a e , cri m en acr 1 1n qui s
8, 5,
“
1ub e t ur Mavo r ti u s, tun c 1t 10 n e s p ec ta r1 .
”
 M A G I C AN D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

pl ai ne d by the di ffe r en t char a ct e r o f th e two w o rks an d

'

the di ff e r e n t ci r cu m st an c e s u n d e r w h ich t he y w e r e writt e n .

D e er r o r e is an i m p a ssi o n e d p o l e m ic v e ry p o ssibly d e liv e r e d

a s a n o r ati o n be f o r e th e em p e r o rs ; M a thes is is a l ea rn e d

c o m pil ati o n o n a ps e udo sc ie ntifi c subj e ct c o m p o s e d at l e i

-

sur e fo r a f ri en d with the he lp o f pr e vi o us tr e atis e s o n the

subj e ct Why sh o uld F ir m ic us m en ti o n Ch rist in th e M a
.

the s is ? Do e s B o e t h ius a f t e r n e a rly t w o c e n turi e s m o r e o f

,

Ch risti an gr o wth a n d a lt ho ugh h e wr o t e a w o rk o n the

T ri n ity m e n ti o n Ch rist in The C o ns o la tio n of P hil os ophy ?
,

S o m e a pp a r e n t p e tty i n c o n sist e nci e s t he r e m ay be b e tw ee n

Fir m icus tw o wo rks but if w e a cc e pt a ho st o f co nt r adic
’
,

ti o n s in Co n st an ti n e the G r ea t the fi rst Christi an e mp e r o r

, ,

w hy ba lk at s o m e i n c o n sist e n cy in a writ e r w h o urge s Co n

s t a n t in e s c h ildr e n a ga i n st pr o f an e cults ? O n t h e o t he r
’

ha n d t h e re a r e s o m e striki n g c o rre sp o n d ence s b e tw een the

,

De e r r o r e an d M a thes is .

It is n o t e w o rthy in the fi rst pl a c e tha t in the D e err or e

Fi r m ic us do e s n o t a tt a ck a str o l o gy But if he had b e en c o n
.

v e rte d to Ch risti an ity s i n c e writi n g the M a thes is and ha d

a b an d o n e d th e a str o l o gic a l d o ctri n e t he r e e x p o u n d e d w o uld
,

he ha ve f a il e d t o a tt a ck the e rro r o f t hat a r t lik e A ugusti n e

w h o te sti fie d th a t he ha d o n c e b e li e v e d in n ativiti e s ? I t is
t he r e f o re o bvi o us tha t Fir m icus d o e s n o t r e ga rd a str o l o gy
as an e rr o r e v e n at th e ti m e w h e n h e is p e n n i n g th e D e er r o r e

as a Ch ri s ti a n a p o l o gi s t Mo re o v e r his vi e w o f n atur e in
.
,

th e D e e rr o r e is q uit e in a cc o rd wit h t h a t o f the a str o l o ge r ,

an d he m a n i f e sts the r e sp e ct f o r n a tur a l sci en c e o r phys ica

r a tio w h ic h o n e w o uld ex p e ct f r o m t h e a ut ho r o f t he Ma

th es is . T hus w e fi n d him criticizi n g c e rt a i n p a gan cults as

s ha rply fo r t he ir i n c o rrect physic a l n o ti o n s a s he d oe s o the rs
f o r tr a v e styi n g Ch ri sti an m y s t e ri e s I n it s o p e n i n g c ha pt e rs
.

c e rt ai n o ri e n t a l r e ligi o n s a r e criticiz e d fo r ex alti n g e ac h

s o m e o n e o f the f o ur e l em ents ab o v e the o t he rs an d f o r ,

n e gl e cti n g t ha t sup e ri o r c o n tr o l o f th e w o rld o f t e rr e stri a l

n atur e in w h ic h b o t h C h risti a n an d a str o l o g e r c o n fi d e d .An

o t he r a rgu m e n t a ga i n st p a g an w o rs h ips is t ha t t he y i n clud e
 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP

o the is m an d d e cid e dly r e ligi o us He i n dign an tly r ep e ls .

the a ccus a ti o n t h at a str o l o gy w h ic h t e ac h e s t h a t , al l o u r

”
a cts a r e a rr a n ge d by t he divi n e c o urs e s o f th e st a rs dr aw s ,
“ ”
m e n a w ay f r o m the cult o f the go ds a nd o f r e ligi o n s .

“
We c aus e the go ds t o b e f e a re d an d w o rs h ip e d w e d em on ,
” 1
str at e t he ir m ight an d m aj e sty T he p a ss a ge j ust q u o t e d
.

a n d s o m e o t h e rs a r e sugge stiv e o f p o lyt he is m a n d Firm icus ,

“ ”
f r e q u en tly sp e aks o f the pl an e ts a s g o ds P r o ba bly in .

th is h e is r epr o duci n g the ph ra s e o l o gy an d r e fl e cti n g the at

t itude o f th e a str o l o gic al w o rks w h ich h e us e s a s his au
t ho r it ie s a n d w h ic h b el o n g t o the p e ri o d o f the p a gan p a st .

His apo teles ma ta t o o o r pre dicti o n s o f n a tiviti e s f o r v a ri o us

, ,

h o r o sc o p e s giv e littl e o r n o i n dica ti o n o f b e i n g e sp eci ally

,

a d apt e d to a Ch risti an s o ci e ty a lt h o ugh in s o m e o t he r r e ,

s p e ct s t he y fi t h is o w n a ge But w hile the w o rk c o n t a i ns

?

a c o n sid e r a bl e r e sidu e o f p a ga n is m its pr e v a ili n g c o n c e pti o n ,

“
o f d e ity is o n e supr em e G o d th e r e ct o r o f th e pl a n e ts
, wh o ,

” 3
c o m p o s e d all t h i n gs by the a rra n gem e n t o f ev e rl a sti n g law ,

a n d w h o m a d e ma n th e m icr o c o s m f r o m t he f o ur e l em e n ts
4
.

He is pra y e d to thus :
“
But l e st m y w o rds be b e r e ft o f divi ne a id and the envy
o f s o m e h a t e f ul m an i m pugn t h em by h o stil e a tt a cks who ,

e v e r t h o u ar t G o d w h o co n t in ues t day a f t e r day th e c o urs e

, ,

o f the h eav e n s in r a pid r o t a ti o n w h o p er p e tuate s t th e m o bil e

,

a git a ti o n o f o c ean s tid e s w h o s tr e n gth e n e s t e a rt h s s o lidity

’ ’
,

in th e i m m o v abl e str en gth o f its f o u n d ati o n s wh o r e f r eshe s t ,

with n ight s sl e e p the to il o f o ur earthly b o di e s who wh en

’
,

o ur str e n gth is r e n e w e d r e tu r n es t th e gr a c e o f sw ee t e st ligh t ,

w ho s tir r e s t a ll the subst a n c e o f thy w o rk by the s a lut a ry

br eath o f the wi n ds who p o ures t f o rth the w ave s o f str eam s
,

a n d f o u n t a i n s in tir e l e ss f o rc e wh o r e v o lve s t the v ari e d,

s ea s o n s by sur e p e ri o ds o f d ays : s o l e G o v e r n o r an d P ri n c e
o f a ll s o l e E m p e r o r a n d L o rd wh o m al l th e c e l e sti a l f o rc e s
, ,

9
1
k
K r o l l e t S u t s ch , I , 1 7 8
“
-1
.
1’
I , 16 , 2 0 , S u mm o il li ac r e c
S e e m y A R o m an A s t r o l o g e r to r i deo , qui o m nia p e r p e tua
a s a His t o r ic a l S o u r ce , C l as s ica l l e g is dis p o s itio n e c o m p o s uit .

“
P hi l o l og y, V I I I , 4 1 5 - 3 5 , e s p e c ial l y I 16 , 14 ; I , 5 7 , 2 ; I , 9 0, 1 1 , to
,

p 42 1
. .
9 1, 10 .
x x1 1 1 P A G AN AN D CHRI S TI AN TH O U G H T

s e rve wh o s e will is the substanc e o f p e r fe ct w o rk by who s e

, ,

f aultl e ss l aws al l n a tur e is f o r e v e r a d o r n e d an d r e gul a te d ;

tho u F athe r a like an d Mo th e r o f e v e ry th i n g tho u b o un d ,

to t hys e l f F a t h e r an d S o n by o n e b o n d o f r e l ati o n s h ip ; t o
, ,

Th ee w e e x te n d suppli an t h an ds T he e with tr e m bli n g sup

,

plic ati o n we v en e r at e ; gr an t us g r a c e to a ttem pt th e ex pl ana

ti o n o f the c o urs e s o f thy st ars ; th i ne is the p o w e r th at s o m e
ho w i m p e ls us t o tha t i n t e rpr e t ati o n W ith a m i n d pur e an d
.

s epa r a te d f r o m all e arthly th o ugh ts an d purge d f r o m ev e ry

” 1
sta in o f s in w e hav e written the s e b o o ks f o r thy R o m an s .

D o ubtl e ss the s e w o rds m igh t h av e b e en writt en by a N e o

P l at o n ist o r a p a gan but it a ls o s eem s lik e ly that the y w e r e
,

p enn e d by a Christi an a str o l o ge r .

Fi rm icus pr o vid e s n ot o n ly f o r divi n e go v e rnmen t o f

the u n iv e rs e a n d cr e a ti o n o f th e w o rld a n d m an but a ls o ,

f o r pr aye r t o G o d an d fo r h u m an f r e e will ? si n c e by th e di
vi n ity o f the s o ul we ar e abl e to r e sist in s o m e m e a sur e the
d ecre e s o f the st ars He a lso ho lds that hu m a n l a ws an d
.

m o r al st an d a rds a r e n o t r e n d e r e d o f n o av a il by t he f o rc e
o f the st a rs but a r e v e ry us e f ul t o t he s o ul in its struggl e by

t he p o w e r o f the divi n e m i n d a ga i n st the vic e s o f the b o dy 3

.

In dee d n o t o n ly is th e a str o l o ge r h i m s e l f urg e d at c o n sid e r

,
“
a bl e l en gt h t o l ea d a pur e uprigh t an d u n s e lfis h li f e but
, ,
to ,

s ho w the right w ay o f livi n g t o si n f ul m en s o tha t r e f o rm e d, ,

by y o ur t e ach i n g they m ay be f r e e d f ro m the e rro rs o f the ir

,

” 4
p a st li f e . The hu m a n s o ul is a ls o i m m o rt a l a sp a rk o f ,

t hat s ame di vi ne m i n d w hich t h ro ugh the st a rs ex e rts its

i n flue n ce up o n t e rr e st r i a l b o di e s 5
A l l t h is m ay b e c o n s is
.

t e n t o r n o t b o th with its e l f an d wit h the a r t o f a str o l o gy but ,

it m ee ts the ch i e f o bj e cti o n s that Christi an s m igh t m ak e an d

had m a de t o the ar t .

T he se an d o t h e r o b j e cti o n s t o the a r t o f n a tiviti e s a re

t he t he me t o w h ic h th e first o f the e ight b o o ks o f the M a

’
I , 28 0, 2 -2 8 . f o r t h e s uc c e s s f ul c o n tin uan ce of
2
B e s ides th e p r aye r j u s t quo t e d, th e d yn a s ty o f Co n s ta ntin e .

s e e I , 18 , 10- 1 3 S ee al so th e l o n g
. I , 1 8 , 2 5 -9 .

p r a y er a t t h e e n d o f th e fi r st b oo k 5
k
I , 8 5 -8 9 ( B o o I I , c h a p t e r
t o t h e p l a n e t s a n d s up r e m e G o d I, 1 7 , 2 2 3
-
.
5 32 M A G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

thes is is d e vo t e d Firm icus p o i nts o ut tha t s o m e o f the o the r

.

o bj e cti o n s to a str o l o gy do n o t c o rr e ctly st a t e t he d o ctri n e s

o f t h a t a rt ; o t he rs h e a d m its a r e i n ge n i o us a rgu m en ts w h ic h

s o un d w e ll o n p a p e r but he i n sists t ha t if the o pp o n en ts o f

a str o l o gy , i n st e a d o f pr o t e sti n g t hat the i n flue n c e o f the
-

sta rs at a gi v e n i n st a n t is i n c a lcul abl e w o uld put the m att e r

,

to th e t e st ex p e ri m e n t a lly 1
, they w o uld s o o n be c o nvi nc e d o f
-

th e trut h o f a str o l o ge rs pr e dicti o n s a lt ho ugh h e gran ts t hat

’
,

u n skil ful a str o l o ge rs s o m e ti m e s give wr o n g r e spo n s e s But .

he i n sists t ha t p e r so n s w ho hav e n o t t e st e d a str o l o gy e x p e r i

m e n t a lly a r e u nfit t o p ass up o n its m e rits ?
He affi rm s t ha t
t he h u m an spirit w h ic h h as di s c o v e r e d s o m a n y o t h e r sci
e n ces a n d t o w h ic h s o m uc h o f divi n ity an d r e ligi o n h a s be e n

r ev eal e d is c ap abl e a ls o o f c a sti n g h o r o sc o pe s an d th at as ,

t r o l o gic al pre dicti o n is a r e l a ti v e ly e a sy t a sk c o m p ar e d t o

t he m appi n g o ut o f t he w ho l e h e av e n s a n d c o urs e s o f t h e

st a rs wh ic h the m a thema tici hav e a lr e a dy p e r f o rm e d s o suc

c e s s f ul ly
.
3
An d he d o e s n o t s e e why a n y o ne p e rsi sts in
d e n yi n g the p o w e r o f f a t e in hum an a ffa irs wh en al l ab o ut
him h e c a n s e e the i nn o c e n t su ff e ri n g an d t he guilty e sc a p
ing ; the be st m e n suc h as S o cr at e s P l a t o a n d P yt h ago r a s
, ,

m ee ti n g a n ill f a t e ; a nd u n p r i n cipl e d p e rs o n s lik e A lcibi a d e s

a n d S ull a pr o sp e ri n g
4
.

T h e r em a i n i n g s e ve n b o o ks o f the M a thes is a r e giv e n

o v e r t o t h e a r t o f h o r o sc o p e c a sti n g T he s e c o n d b o o k c o n
.

sists ch i e fly o f pr eli m i n a ry dir e cti o n s but the o th e rs stat e

,

w ha t m e n will be b o rn u nd e r v a ri o us c o n st e ll ati o n s O f .

the s e the l a st f o ur b o o ks are ex t an t o n ly in m anuscripts o f

t he fi f t ee n t h an d si x t een t h c e n turi e s w h il e the first f o ur a r e
,

f o u n d in m a n uscripts go i n g b a ck to the e l e v e n t h c e n tury .

Mo r e o v e r a lth o ugh b o o ks fi ve t o e ight c o v e r m o r e p age s

,

than bo o ks t hr e e an d f o ur t he y do n o t supply s o m an y de
,

t a ils o r s o s atis f act o ry a pictur e o f h um an s o ci e ty in the ir

pr e dicti o n s The s e div e rge nc e s w h ic h a r e m a i n ly o n e s o f
.
,

o m issi o n do n o t i n v a lid a t e t he r e sults w h ic h w e ga i n fr o m

,

‘
Bo o k I , C h ap t er 4 (I ,
11
‘
Boo k I , Ch ap t e r 7 (I ,
19
5 34 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

he a r of i n v e s tigati n g the s e cr e ts o f al l r eligi o n s and

m en
”
o f h ea v e n its e l f O t he r i n t e r e sti n g d e scripti o n s 1
. ar e o f
“
t ho s e w ho st ay in t em pl e s in an un k em pt st at e a nd a lways
w al k a br o a d t hus an d n e ve r cut t he i r h a i r an d w ho w o uld
, ,

a n n o u n c e s o m e t h i n g t o m e n a s if s a id by t h e g o ds suc h a s ,

a r e w o n t t o b e in t e m pl e s w ho a r e a ccust o m e d to pr e dict
,
” “
th e f utur e ; an d o f m e n t e rribl e to the g o ds an d wh o de
spis e al l ki n ds o f p e r j uri e s Mo r eo v e r th e y will be t e rribl e .
,

t o a l l d e m o n s an d at t he ir a ppro a c h the wick e d spirit s o f

,

d emo n s fl e e ; an d the y f re e me n w ho a r e t hus tr o ubl e d n o t ,

by f o rc e o f w o rds but by t he ir m e r e app e a ri n g ; an d ho w

e ve r vi o l e n t th e d e m o n m ay b e w h o s h a k e s th e b o dy a n d

spirit o f m an w het he r he be ae ri a l o r t e rr e stri al o r i n fe rnal

, ,

h e fl e e s at the biddi ng o f th i s s o rt o f m an a nd f e a rs h is p re
c e pt s wit h a c e rt a i n v e n e r a ti o n T h e s e a r e t h e y w ho a r e .

”
c a ll e d ex o rcists by th e p e o ple R eligi o us g ame s an d c o n .

t e sts a r e m e n ti o n e d f o ur ti m e s : the c ar vi n g c o n s e cr ati n g , ,

a d o ri n g a n d cl o t h i n g o f i m a ge s o f t he g o ds
,
twic e e ac h ; ,

p o rt e rs at r e ligi o us c e r em o n i e s t hric e ; hym n si n ge rs twic e ; , ,

pip e pl ay e rs o n c e Fiv e p a ss a ge s r e pr e se n t p e rs o n s p r o f es
-
.

s io nal l y e n g a g e d in r e ligi o n a s gr o wi n g ric h t he r e by .

We a r e t o ld t hat m e n pr e dict the f uture e it he r by the

“

divi n ity o f th e ir o w n m i n ds o r by the a d m o n iti o n o f the

go ds o r f ro m o r a cl e s o r by the v en e r abl e discipli n e o f so m e
” 2
art . A ugu rs a r us pices i n t e rp r e t e rs o f dr e a m s m a the ma
, , ,

tici ( a str o l o ge rs ) divi n e rs an d p r o p he ts ar e m en ti o n e d

, , .

O n c e Fir m icus a llud e s t o f a l se divi n ati o n but he usu a lly im

pli e s t ha t it is a v alid a r t .

Fr o m r e ligi o n an d divi n ati o n w e e a sily p ass to the o ccult

a rt s an d sci e nc e s a n d t h e n c e t o l e a r n i n g a n d lit e r a tur e 1n
,

gen e r al f ro m w h ich o ccult l e a rn i n g is sc a rc e ly disti n guis he d

,

in t he M a th es is Ma gici an s o r m a gic a r ts a r e m e nti o n e d n o

.

l e ss than s ev e n ti m e s in v a ri e d r el a ti o n s with r eligi o n ph i ,

l o s op hy m e dici n e an d a str o n o m y o r a str o l o gy s h o wi n g th at

, , ,

m agi c w a s n o t i n v a ri ably r e ga rd e d a s e vil in t hat a ge a nd

-
,

1
K r o ll et S k u t sc h , I ,
148 , 8 an d
3
K r oll et S kut s ch , I, 2 0 1, 6 .

12 3 . 4 .
XX I I I P A G AN AN D CHRI S TI AN TH O U G HT 535

that it c o n f us e d an d i n te rm i n gl e d with the a rts an d ph i

wa s
lo s o p hy a s w e ll as w it h t he r e ligi o n o f th e ti m e s T he r e a r e
?

a n um b e r o f o t h e r allusi o n s t o s e cr e t an d illicit a rts o r writ

i n gs ; t he se ho w ev e r app ea r t o be m o r e u n f av o r ably r e
, ,

g a rd e d an d pr o bably l a rge ly co n sist o f witc hcr a f t an d po i

so nin g .

T he evid e n c e o f th e M a th es is sugge sts t hat the ci v iliz a-

ti o n o f d e cli n i n g R o m e w a s at l ea s t n o t c o n sci o us o f the in

t e lle c t ual d ec a d e n c e a n d l a ck o f sci e n tific i n t e r e st s o ge ne r
a lly i m put e d t o it We fi n d th r e e d e scripti o n s o f i n t ell e ctu a l
.

pi o nee rs w ho l e a rn w ha t n o m a st e r h as e v e r t aught t hem ,

an d o n e o t he r i n st an c e o f m en w h o pr e t e n d to do s o We .

a ls o hea r o f tho s e l ea r n i n g m uc h an d k n o wi n g all a ls o in

“
,

” “ ” “
v ent o rs an d o f t ho s e l ea rn i n g e v e rythi n g a n d d e siri n g
, ,

”
to l e a rn t he s e cr e ts o f all a r ts T h is curi o s ity it is tru e
.
, ,

s eem s t o be l ar gely d ev o te d t o o ccult sci en c e but it als o s eem s ,

pl ai n that m athem atics an d m e di ci ne w e r e i m p o r t an t f ac -

t o rs in fo u rth c en tu r y cultur e a s w ell a s the r he t o ric al

—

studi e s w ho s e r é le h as p e rhaps be e n o v e r e sti m at e d L e t us .

c o m p ar e the statistics O ra t o r y is m en ti o n e d e ight e e n ti m e s

.
,

an d it is t o b e n o t e d t hat lit e ra ry a tt a i n m e n ts a n d l e a r n i n g

a s w e ll a s m e r e e l o qu e n c e a r e r e g a rd e d a s e ss e n ti a l in an

o r a to r Me n o f l e tt e rs o t he r th an o ra t o rs a r e f o u n d in s ix
.

p a ss a ge s an d p o e ts in o n ly th r ee A p a ss a ge r ea di n g p h il o l
,
.

”
o g is t s o r th o s e skill e d in l ab o ri o us l e tt e rs sugge sts th at
f o ur i n stan c e s o f t he ph r a s e difiicil es l itter ae s ho uld p e r haps
be cl a s s e d u n d e r li n guistic r a t he r than o ccult studi e s T he r e .

a r e f o ur allusi o n s t o gr am m a ri an s a n d t w o t o m a st e rs o f
“
gramm ar a s a ga i n st o n e d e scripti o n o f c o nt en ti o us c o n
, ,

‘
Cum o n t s ay s ( O r ien ta l Re t ha t Fir m ic u s d o e s n ot use th e
“ ”
lig io ns i n R o ma n P a g a n is m , p . w or d t h eu r g y . Cu m o nt a l s o
B ut t h e an c ie nt s e x p r e s s l y
‘
s t at e s ( p 1 7 9 ) t ha t in t h e l a s t
.

dis t in g u is h e d m ag ic w h ic h w as p e r io d o f p ag a n is m t h e n a m e p h i
’
,

a l w a y s u n d e r s u s p ic io n a n d dis 10 5 0 p h e r w a s fi n a ll y a p p l ie d t o a l l
v
a pp r o e d o f f r o m t h e l e g it im at e
,
a d e p t s in o cc u l t s c ie n c e B u t in.

a n d h on o r a bl e a r t f o r w h ic h t h e Fir mic u s , w hil e m agi c a nd p h i

n am e
‘
t h e u r gy
’
was in e n t ed
”
v . l o s o p h y a r e a s s o c iat e d in t w o
T h is dis tin c tio n w a s m a d e b y p a s s a g e s , t h e r e a r e fi v e o t he r a l l u
P o r p hy r y an d o th e r s , and is s io n s t o m a g ic a n d t h r e e s e p a r ate
a ll u d e d t o by A ug u s tin e in th e m e n tio n s o f p hil o s o p h e r s .

City o f G o d but it is to b e n o t e d
,
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

t radic to ry di al e ctici an s pr o f e ssi n g t hat t hey k no w what n o ,

t ea chi n g has a c qu a i n t e d t hem with m ischi ev o us fe ll o ws but , ,

u nabl e to do a n y e ff ectiv e th i n ki n g O n the o t he r han d ,

t he r e ar e f o urt ee n allusi o n s to a str o n o m y an d a str o l og y

( n o t i n cludi n g th e ma th e ma tici a lr e a dy list e d u n d er divi n a

ti o n ) t hr ee to geo m e t ry an d s ix to o the r v a ri e ti e s o f m athe

, ,

m a ti es ?
Ph il o s o p h e rs a r e m e n ti o n e d fi ve ti m e s ; p r a ct itio n
e r s o f m e dici n e e l e v e n ti m e s ; surgeo n s o nc e ; an d b o t an
3
, ,

is ts twic e
, T he s e pr o f e ssi o n s s ee m t o be w e ll p ai d and ar e
.

sp o ken o f in c o m pli m en ta ry t e rm s .

De at h i n j ury a n d dis e a s e l o o m up l a rge in F irm icus

’
, ,

pr o sp e ctus f o r the hu m an r a c e m aki n g us r ea liz e the b en e ,

fits o f n i n e t ee n t h c e n tury m e dici n e a s w e ll as o f m o d e r n

-

p eac e 4
N o l e ss th an 1 7 4 p a ss a g e s d ea l wit h dis ea s e an d
.

m an y o f t h em list tw o o r m o r e ills Me n t a l dis o rd e rs a r e .

m e n ti o n e d in 3 7 pl a c e s ; p h ysic a l d e f o r m iti e s in s ix
5
O th e r .

sp ecific a ilm ents me n ti o n e d a r e a s f o ll o ws : bli n d n e ss and

e ye tr o ubl e s 1 o ; d e a f n e ss an d e ar tr o ubl e s 5 ; i m p e di m e n ts
,
-
,

o f sp ee c h 4 ; b a ld n e ss 1 ; f o ul o d o rs 1 ; dysp e ptics 4 ; o t h e r
, , , ,

st o m a ch c o m pl a i n ts 7 ; dys en te ry 2 ; liv e r tr o uble I ; j aun , , ,

dic e 1 ; dr o psy 5 ; spl e e n dis o rd e rs 1 ; go n o rrh o ea 2 ; o the r

, , , ,

dis ea s e s o f the u r i n ary bl a dde r an d priv at e p a rts 6 ; co n ,

sum pti o n an d lu n g tr o ubl e s 6 ; hem o rrha ge s 6 ; ap o pl exy , , ,

3 ; sp asm s 5 ills a ttribut,

e d t o ba d o r e x c e s siv e h u m o rs 1 2 ; ,

l epro sy a n d o the r ski n dis e a s e s 6 ; a gu e 1 ; f ev e r 1 ; p a i n s , , ,

in v a ri o us p a rts o f the b o dy 6 ; i n t e rn a l p a i n s a n d h idd e n ,

dis e a se s 9 ; dis ea s e s o f w o m e n 5 T he r e r em a i n a l arge

, , .

n u m b e r o f v a gu e a llusi o n s t o ill he a lt h : 2 1 t o d e bility 12 -

,

t o l a n gu o r 3 t o i n v a lids an d 4 9 o t h e r p a ss a ge s
,
O n ly e igh t , .

p a ss a ge s allud e to th e cure o f dis e a s e Am o n g the m e tho ds .

sugge ste d ar e c aut e rizi n g i n c antati o n s o rdi n a ry r em e di e s , , ,

K ll t S k t h I
‘ 5
ro e 6 26 u sc A t im i 5 ; i
, ,
ity 1 3 ;
1 1, . e s us an , n s an ,

C mp t o 3; l l
u us , ; d l ti 0; p il p ti
c a c u us , 8; m l 2 an una c s, 1 e e cs, e an

3 ; i fl m m ti
”
t ho wh
se x l t mb
o e 1 ce h li a nu f th e rs , . c o a, n a a on o e
‘
I n c l u din g t w o m e n t io n s o f b r a in ( f r e n e tici ) , 4 ; d e l ir ium , d e
c o u r t p h y s ic ian s ( a r c h ia tr i ) S ee . m e n tia, de m o n ia c s , a l ie n a tio n , a n d
C o d ex Th e o d L ib X II I , T it 3 , .
, . . m a dn e s s , o n e o r t w o e a c h ; ag ue v
p as s im f o r t h e ir p o s it io n
,
. a l l u s io n s t o m e n ta l il l s a n d in
‘
v
I l e a e this s e n t e nce a s I w r o t e j u r ie s , 5 .

it in 19 13 .
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CIEN CE C HAP .

o wn
1
an dpre ss e s his i nten ti o n o f co m p o si n g ano the r
ex

w o rk in twe lve b o o ks o n th e subj e ct o f Myr iogen es is T he ?

a s tr o l o ge r He ph aes t io n o f T heb e s w h o wr o t e l a t e r in the ,

f o urth c en tury s ee m s als o to h av e b e e n a Ch risti an s o th at

, ,

Fir m icus w a s n o t a s o litary c a s e o r an an o m aly 3

.

T h e writi n gs o f L ib a n iu s 3 1 4 3 9 1 A D t he s o ph ist an d ,
-
. .
,

r h e t o rici an t h r o w s o m e light o n the r e l ati o n s betwee n m agic

,

a n d l e a rn i n g in t he f o urt h c e n tury s ho w t ha t s o rc e ry an d ,

divi na ti o n w e r e a ctu ally pr actice d and l a rgely duplic ate im ,

pr e ssi o n s a lr e a dy r e c e iv e d f r o m A pul e ius Ap o ll o n iu s an d , ,

G a l e n a n d a Ch risti an lik e J o h n Chrys o st o m a s w e ll as j ust

,

n o w f r o m Firm icus L iban ius t e lls us h o w B e m ar chius a

.
,

riva l o f his at At he n s who w o uld h av e p o is o n e d him if he

,

c o uld i n st e a d circul at e d r e p o rts that he ( B em ar chius ) w a s

,

t he victi m o f e n c han t m e n ts a n d t ha t Liba n iu s h ad c o n sult e d ,

a g a i n st him an a str o l o ge r w h o w a s abl e t o c o n tr o l th e st ars ,

s o t h at h e c o uld c o n f e r b e n e fi ts up o n o n e m an a n d w o rk s o r

c e ry a ga i n st a n o t h e r Th is i n cid e n tally i s an o the r go o d il

.

lustr ati o n o f h o w e a sily a str o l o gy p a ss e d f r o m m er e pr e

dicti o n o f the f utur e to o p e r ative m a gic a nd o f the e ss e nti al ,

u n ity o f al l m agi c a rts T he m o b w a s a r o us e d a gai n st L i

-
.

b an i n s an d a pra e t o r w ho tri e d t o p r o t e ct him w a s o uste d

a n d a n o t h e r i n st a ll e d a t d a ybr eak w h o wa s r e a dy t o put L i

ban iu s to d ea th T o rtur e w as pr e p a r e d an d L iba n iu s w a s

.

a dvis e d to l eav e A t h e n s i f h e did n o t wi s h t o d ie t h e r e an d

, ,

t o o k the a dvic e a n d l e ft 4
.

Amo n g the d e cl am a ti o n s o f Liba n ius is o ne a ga i n st a

m a gici an 5
supp o s e d t o have b een d e liv e r e d u n d e r the f o l
,

l o wi n g circum st an c e s The city was afflicte d with a pe sti

.

1 ‘
I, 2 5 8, 1 0,
in s in gu ar i l ib r o ,
l D e vi ta s u a in L iba nn s o p his
'

qu e m de do m 1n o g e n i tu r a e et tae pr a e l udia o r a to r ia L XXI I

c h r o n o c r ato re ad Mu r i n u m n o s d e c la m a tio n es XL V e t dis s er ta
ti o n e s m o r a l es F e de r ic as M o r e l l us
” “
t r u m s c r ip s im u s ; II 2 2 9 , 2 3 , e x, ,

e o l ib r o q u i de fi n e ita e a n o bisv r e g ius in ter p r es e MS S ma xim e

s c r 1p t u s est . r eg . bibl io- t h e ca e n un c pr im u m
3
I I , 18 2 4 ; I I , 2 83 , 1 9
, . e didi t ide m qu e L a tin e v er tit
“
E n g e l br e c ht , H ep hcis tio n vo n a d H e nr ic u m I V r eg e m Chris ti a n
1 ’

Th e be n u n d s ein as tr o l og is c he s is s imu m P a r is 16 06 I I 1 5 - 18
, , , , .

Co mpe n diu m , V ie n na , 1 8 87 .
5
Mag i a c cu s a tio, I bid , I , 89 8 .
xx111 P A G AN AND CHRI S TI AN TH O UG H T

l e nc e an d fi nally s en t an em ba s s y t o the D e lph ic o ra cl e to

l e ar n ho w to e sc ap e the sc o urge Ap o ll o r e pli e d t hat the y
.

m ust s acrific e t he s o n o f o n e o f the i n h abit an ts w ho sh o uld

be d e te rm i n e d by l o t a n d t he lo t f e ll to t he s o n o f a m agici a n
, .

T he f a t he r the n o ff e r e d to st a y the pl a gu e by m ean s o f his

m a gic a r t if t he y w o uld a gr ee to sp a r e his s o n
, A ga i n st .

t his pr o p o s al L iban ius a rgu e s urgi n g the p e o pl e to c a rry o ut

,

the ir o ri gi n a l de cisi o n a nd n o t to an ge r the De lp hic go d by

vi o l a ti n g his o ra cl e w ho s e r eli ability is a tt e st e d by l o n g
,
“

ti m e a nd m uch e x p e ri en c e an d c o mm o n t e sti mo ny He .

d e cl ar e s that m a gic is an evil art an d t hat m agici a n s m ak e ,

n o o n e h appy but m an y wr e tc h e d rui n i n g h o m e s bri n gi n g , ,

dis ast e r to p e rs o ns w ho hav e n ev e r ha rm e d t hem an d dis ,

t u rbin g e v e n the spi r its o f th e d e a d He a ls o c en su r e s the

.

m agici a n f o r n o t h avi n g o ff e r e d t o s a v e the city f r o m the

pl ague b e f o re an d e x pr e ss e s s om e sc e pticism as to his m agic
,

po we r aski n g why he did no t pr ev e n t the f at al l o t f r o m

,

f a lli n g t o his s o n o r w hy h e d o e s n o t s av e h im n o w by
,

c ausi n g h im to v an ish f r o m sight o r v o uch s a fe s o m e o th e r ,

u nm istak abl e sign o f his m agic p o w e r I t a pp e a rs tha t the .

ma gici an ha d a sk e d a d e l a y s a yi n g t ha t h e m ust w a it f o r
,

the m o o n b e f o r e h e c o uld o p e r a t e a ga i n st th e pl agu e Li .

ba n ius p o i n ts o ut t ha t m e a n w h il e the citiz e n s a r e p e r ish i n g

an d t ha t f ulfill m en t o f A p o ll o s o r a cl e will bri n g i n st an t
’

r e li e f It w o uld s e em ho w e v e r tha t s o m e o f the citiz en s

.
, ,

ha d m o r e f a i th in the m a gici an th an in th e go d w h ic h s up ,

p o rt s the o ft m a d e ge n e r a l a ss e r ti o n t hat the m agic arts

-

w ax e d as p a gan r eligi o n an d its sup e rstit io us O b s e r vanc e s

waned L iba n ius c o n clud e s his o ra ti o n o r i m a gi n ary o r a
.

ti o n with t he cutti n g and he a r tl e ss wittic is m that the m a

ic ia n c an l o s e his s o n m o r e ea sily t h a n c an a n y o n e e ls e
g ,

si n c e h e will o f c o urs e still be a ble t o i n v o k e his S pirit f r o m

t he d e a d .

L iban iu s o w n f a ith in divi n ati o n is n o t o nly sugge st e d

’

by the attitud e t o w a rd the De lph ic o r a cl e in the f o r e go i n g

d e cl am ati o n but is a tte ste d by tw o p a ss age s in h is auto b io g
r aphy . His gr ea t gr eat gr an d f at he r h ad s o ex c ell e d in
— -
 MA G I C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

man tik e t hat he f o r e s aw t h a t h is ch ildr en w o uld die by st e e l ,

a lt h o ugh t h e y w o uld b e h a n ds o m e a n d gr e a t an d g o o d sp ea k

ers I t a ls o w a s ru m o r e d t hat a c e l e bra t e d s o p h ist ha d r e

.

p
dict e d m an y t h i n gs c o n c e r n i n g L iban ius hi m s e l f w hich Li ,

b an i n s a ssure s us ha d si nc e c o m e to p a ss ?

O f th e s am e typ e a s L iba n iu s d e cl am a ti o n aga i nst the

’

m a gici an is th e f o urth ps e ud o Qui n tili an d e cl am ati o n in -

L a ti n c o n c e r n i n g a n a str o l o ge r s pr e dicti o n w h ich we sh all

’

l a t e r in the tw e l f t h c e n tury fi n d B e r n ard S il v e st e r e n l a rgi n g

«

up o n in h is p o em e n titl e d M a them a ticus I n a no ther o f the .

ps eud o Qui n tili an d e cl am ati o n s t he w o rd e xper ime n ta m is

-

“
us e d o f a m agici an s f e at O h ar s h a n d cru e l m a gici an O
’
.
,

man u f actur e r o f o ur t e a rs I w o uld th a t yo u h ad n o t giv en ,

s o gr e a t a n ex p e ri m e n t ! W e a r e a n gry a t yo u ye t w e m ust ,

c aj o l e yo u Wh il e yo u i m pris o n the gh o st we kno w that

.
,

” 2
yo u a l o n e can e v o k e it .

T hat m o r e t h an fi f ty y e a rs a f t e r Fi rm ic u s a d he r en c e t o
Ch risti an ity m ight b e c o m bi n e d wit h trust in divi na ti o n o f
t h e f utur e o ccult sci e n c e an d m a gic al i n v o c a ti o n o f spirits
, , ,

a n d wit h v a ri o us o t h e r p a ga n a n d N eo P l a t o n ic b e li e f s is -
,

w e ll illustr at e d by the c a s e o f S yn es ius o f Cyr e ne a f el 3

,

lo w A fric a n a n d c o n t e m p o ra ry o f A ugusti n e
-
S ynes iu s .
,

h o w e v e r tr ac e d his d e sc e n t f r o m the He ra cl e id ae wr o t e in
, ,

G r eek a n d displ a ye d a He ll e n is m u n usu a l f o r h is ti m e a n d

,
4
, ,

1
De vita s ua , O p er a I I , 2 -3
, . v
w h e r e , h o w e e r , n o n o te is t a e n k
X
’
o f B e r th e l o t s disc u s s io n o f S yn e
2
,
1 96 , 1 1, D e s epu l cr o in ca n
ta t o . s in s a s a r e p u t e d a u th o r o f a l
3
My c ita t io n s
S yn es iu sof
’
c h e m is t ic t r e a t is e s .

k
w o r s u n l e s s o th e r w is e n o t e d, a r e
,
k
S o m e w o r s o n S yn e s iu s a r e
f r o m t h e e dit io n : S yn e s ii Cyr en a ei H D r u o n, Etu des s u r l a vie e t l es
.

oeu vr e s d e S yn e s ius , P a r is , 1 85 9 ;
’

Q u a e E x ta n t O pe r a O m nia e d J . .

k
,

G K r ab in g e r , L an ds h u t 1 8 5 0, v o l . R . V o l m a n n, S yn es iu s von
C yr e n e B e r l in , 186 9 ; W S Cr a w
.
,

I w hich h a s a lo n e a p p e a r e d Th e
, .
, . .

o ld e r e d it io n of P e t a v iu s w ith f o r d, S y n es ius t h e H e l l e n e, L o n
L a t in t r an s l atio n is r e p r int e d in d o n , 19 0 1 ; G G r ii tz m a ch e r , S yn e
.

Mig n e P G , vo l 66 102 1- 1 7 5 6 F o r . s i os vo n K yr en e L e ip z ig , 1 9 13 ,
.

v
.
,

a F r e n c h t r a n s l at io n, w ith s e e r a l I n p e r io dic al s : F X K r aus in . .

in t r o du c t o r y e s s a ys , s e e H D r u o n .
, Th e o l Q ua r ta ls c hr if t, 186 5 a nd
.

( E u vr es d e S yn es ius P a r is , 1 8 7 8 ,
. 1 86 6 ; O . k
S e e c , in P h il o l og us ,
Th e L e t ter s a n d Hym n s h a e v 18 9 3
‘
.

o f ten b e e n p ubl is h e d s e p a r at e l y . S e e C r a w f o r d, op cit , a n d . .

Fo r th is an d o th e r f ur th e r b ibl i m o n o g r ap h s l is te d in Ch r is t, op .

o gr ap hy s ee C h r is t G es ek d , . . c it , p. 1 168, n o t e s 4 a n d 8
. .

g r ie c h L itt ,
1 9 3,
. 1 I I ,
. ii,
1 1 6 7 7 1,
-
5 42 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE ca n .

bisho p .ft e r he b e c am e bis ho p he l au nche d an exco m

An d a ,

m un icatio n a ga i n st the tyr ann ica l pre f e ct An dr o n icus .

But o ur p articul a r i nt e r e st i s l e s s in his p o litic al an d

m o r e pur e ly lit e ra ry a ctiviti e s t han in his t ast e f o r m athem a
tics an d sci en c e He k new s o m e m e dici ne an d w as w e ll ac
.

q u a in te d wit h geo m e try an d a s tr o n o m y H e b e li e v e d h im .

s e l f to be the i nv en t o r o f an a stro la be an d o f a hydro sc o pe .

With th is i nt e r e st in n atura l and m athem atic al sci enc e

w en t a n i nt e r e st in o ccult sc i e nc e an d divi n ati o n His b eli e f .

t hat the u n iv er s e w as a u n it a n d al l its p arts cl o s e ly c o rr e

l at e d n o t o nly l e d him to m a i n t a i n lik e S e ne ca that w h at , ,

e v e r h a d a c a us e w a s a sign o f s o m e f utur e e v en t o r to h o ld ,

with P l o ti n us th at in a ny an d e v e r y o b j e ct th e s age m igh t

disc e rn the f utur e o f e ve ry o the r an d t ha t th e bi rds the m ,

s elv e s if e n d o w e d wit h su ffici e n t i n t e llige n c e w o uld be a bl e

, ,

t o pr e dict the f utur e by o bs e rvi n g th e m o v e m en ts o f h u m an

bip e ds I t l e d h im a ls o to the c o n clu s i o n t hat the va ri o us
1
.

p arts o f the un iv e rs e w e r e m o r e t han p a ssive m irr o rs in

w h ich o n e m igh t s ee the f utur e o f the o the r p ar ts ; that t hey
furthe r e x e rt e d by virtu e o f t he m a gic sym p athy wh ich
,

u n it e d all p a rts o f the u n ive rs e a p o t en t a ctiv e i n flu enc e o v e r ,

o t h e r o bj e cts a n d o ccurr e n c e s T he wis e m an m igh t n o t o nly .

pre dict the f utur e ; h e m igh t to a gr e at ex ten t c o n tr o l it , ,

.

Fo r it m ust b e I t h i n k t ha t o f th is wh o l e s o j o i n e d in
, , ,

sym pa t hy a nd in a gree m en t the p a rts ar e cl o s ely c o nn e ct e d ,

a s i f m e m b e rs o f a si n gl e b o dy An d d o e s n o t t his e x pl a i n .

t he sp e lls o f t he m a gi ? Fo r t h i n gs b e sid e s b e i n g sign s o f ,

e a c h o t h e r h a v e m a gic p o w e r o v e r ea c h o t he r
, T he wis e .

m an t hen is h e w h o k n o w s the r e l a ti o n s h ips o f the p a rts o f

, ,

th e u n iv e rs e Fo r h e dr a ws o ne o bj e ct u n d e r his c o n tr o l by
.

m ea n s o f a n o th e r o b j e ct h o ldi n g w ha t is a t h a n d a s a pl e dge
,

f o r w h a t is f a r a wa y a n d w o rki n g t h r o ugh s o u n d s an d m a t e
,

” 2
ri a l subst an c e s an d f o r m s S yn e s iu s e x pl a i n e d th a t pl an ts
.

1
II ep l évvrrv l wv ( O n dr ea m s ) , ch 2 . . p dy wv Zvy yes a br a i ;
'
K a i y ap fla w e
“
D ep t éy vfl y l wy ( O n D r e a ms ) , c h :
dk k ij hwv, cha n c a nna l ver a t
'

r a t T ap
e
'

wd ”
,

"
E5 6 1 y ap , o i no i , T O Dn a vr bs r o br o v “ 1 1 0 04109 9 7 00” M 6 05 ” 7 01 7
3 f
'
. .
"

o vmr a flo fis r e aur a s K a l a bmr vo v r d p ép n .

0 "7 7 0 5 1 51” EEK“ “Ya -P 5 7 00
n p o a ij xew d k k fik o cs , ar e b i ds bk o v r d 5' 5X0) ” " 04069 7 0 7 539 4

m
.

i rk e w r o v du bw wv, na l ¢ wvds , It a l m:
“a“, " d yow a .
K a i in? .
x x111 P A G AN AN D CHRI S TI AN TH O UG H T 5 43

an d st o n e srel at e d by b o n ds o f o ccult sym pathy to th e

a re

go ds who a r e withi n the un iv e r s e an d w h o f o r m a p art o f

it t hat pl ants a nd st o n e s ha v e m a gic p o w e r o v e r t he s e g o ds
, ,

an d th a t o n e m ay by m e a n s o f such m a t e ri a l subst an c e s

a ttr a ct t ho s e d e iti e s
?
He e vid en tly b e li e ve d tha t it w a s
q uite l egi ti m ate to c o n trol the pro ce ss e s o f n ature by invok
ing d em o n s .

The d ev o ti o n o f S yn es iu s to divi n ati o n has be en alre a dy

i mpli e d He regarde d it as am o n g the n o bl e st o f human
.

pursuits D r eam s o n wh ich he w r o te a tr eatis e h e vi ew e d

?
, ,

a s sign i fi c an t a n d v e ry us e f ul e v e n ts T he y a id e d h im he .
,

wr o t e in h is e ve ry day li f e an d had up o n o n e o cc a si o n
,
—
,

s av e d him f r o m m agic d evic e s a ga i n st his li fe 3

Wa r n e d .

by a dr ea m t hat he w o uld hav e a s o n he wro t e a tr eatis e f o r '

th e c h ild b e f o r e it w a s b o r n O f c o urs e he h a d f a it h in
4
.
,

a str o l o gy T he st a rs w e re w e ll n igh e v e r pre s e nt in h is

.
-

tho ught In his P r ais e of B al dn es s he c ha r act e riz e d c o m e ts

.

as f a t a l o m e n s a s h a rbi n ge rs o f t he w o rst public dis a st e r s

5
.
,

In O n P r o vi de n ce he e x pl ai n e d the supp o s e d f a ct th a t h is
t o ry r ep eats its el f by the p e ri o dical r e turn to t he ir f o rm e r
p o siti o n s o f the st a rs w h ich go v e r n o u r li f e 6
I n O n the .

“ ”
G if t of a n A s tr o la be he d e cl a r e d t h at a str o n o m y b e sid e s
be i ng its e l f a n o bl e s ci en c e pr ep ar e d m e n f o r th e divi n e r ,

myst e ri e s o f t h e o l o gy 7
.

Fi n a lly h e he ld the vi e w c o mm o n am o n g stud en ts o f

,

m agic t h at k n o w l e dge s h o uld be e s o t e r ic ; t hat its m yst e ri e s

a n d m a rv e ls s h o uld be c o n fin e d t o t h e f e w fi tt e d t o r e c e iv e

t hem an d t ha t t hey s h o uld be ex pr e ss e d in l an gu a ge in co m

pr ehen sible to the vulgar c r o wd 8
It is p e r ha ps o n t h is .

It a l a xf mar a E ide n tl y v 6 1ro 8e l 5a

. s 30 e '

m a gi c 1/
r el a y E
v f ois
.

S yn e s iu s d id n o t r egard th e m agi dp l a r o zs i
c uc i 7 631) ém r ndevoy évwv 6 7
a s m e r e im p o s t e r s . 0d 1rO Ls .

4 I’
11 ml évvn v l aw, c h 3 K a t 81) no t . . I bid , . ch . 18 .

”
Get?) r w l 7 51V ci a o) T o fi xé a p o v k l do s évdép A l tar fi i rep l 7
7 7 : KM a br bv
’

86 no t Bo r dvn n p o a rj xei , o Is é p o w n a flobv

e l xei r fi (pher e; K a i y o nr eber a i I n h is . é yxd mi o v, c h I O
'
. .

P r a is e o f B a ldn e s s é yxcb
‘
ii 1r ep l r p o vo l a s , bk . 11,

may ) . ch . 1 0, S yn es ius t e ll s h o w Ch .
7 .

th e
Egyp t ian s a tt r act de mo n s by
1
Hp 6 $ Ha t 6V LOV 7 F€p l T O II adi p o v c h 5 , . .

‘
fl
magic in u e n c e s .
'
Al a w c h 7 . Hep i a n t icomc h 4
, . . . . .

II ep l b vm ' l wv, c h . 1. Abr a t p i? 4 , 4 9 , a n d 1 42 .

 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

a cc o u nt t hat o n e o f the o ld e st e x tan t tr eatis e s o f G r e e k

a lc he m y is a scribe d t o him B e rthe l o t ho w e v e r a cc e pt e d it
.
, ,
“
a s h is st a ti n g t ha t t he r e is n o th i n g surprisi n g in S yn e s ius ’
,

h a v i n g r e a lly writt e n o n al c he m y ” 1
.

S ynes iu s i n flu e n c e d th e Byz an ti n e p e ri o d but pro b a bly

n o t t he w e st e rn m e di e v a l w o r ld But the Co mm en t a r y o f .

Ma cr o bius o n Th e D r eam of S cipio by C ic e ro is o n e o f the

tr eatis e s m o st f req u en tly e n c o u nt e r e d in e ar ly m e di ev a l L ati n
m an usc r ipts I n t he tw e l f t h c e n tury Ab e l a rd m a d e f r eq u e n t
.

r e f e ren ce to Macro bius a n d c a ll e d him n o m e an ph il o s o

“

”
phe r in the th i rt eenth A qui n a s cite d him as a n a utho ri t y
f o r t he d o ctri n e s o f N eo P l a t o n is m ?
Ma cr o bius hi m s e l f
-

affi r m e d t h a t V e rgil c o nt a i ne d pr a ctica lly all n e c e ss ary

k n o wle dge an d t ha t Cice r o s D r e am of S cipio w as a w o rk
3 ’

s e c o n d t o n o n e an d c o n t a i n e d th e e n tir e subst an c e o f p h il o s

o p hy
4
. Ma cr o bius b e li ev e d that n u m b e rs p o ss e ss o ccult
p o w e r He dilat e d at c o n side r abl e l en gth up o n e v e ry n um
.

be r f r o m o n e t o e igh t e m ph a sizi n g th e pe r fe cti o n a n d f ar

,

r ea ch i n g sign ific an ce o f e a ch He h eld the P yt hago rean .

d o ctri n e tha t the w o rld s o ul c o n sists o f n u mb er that num

-
,

be r r ul e s the ha r m o n y o f the c e l e sti al b o di e s a n d t h at f r o m ,

the m usic o f t he sp he re s w e d e riv e the n u m e ric a l v a lu e s

pr o p e r t o m usica l c o n s o n an c e 5
His o pi n i o n w as t ha t .

dre am s an d o t he r striki n g o ccurre n ce s will re ve al an o ccult

m e a n i n g t o t h e c a r e f ul i n v e stigat o r 6
A s f o r a str o l o gy he .
,

r e ga rd e d the st a rs a s sign s but n o t c aus e s o f futur e e v e n ts ,

j ust a s birds by t he ir flight o r s o ng r ev eal m atte rs o f wh ic h

t he y t he m s e lve s a r e i gn o r a n t S o the s un an d o ther pl an ets
7
.
,

t ho ugh in a w ay divi n e ar e but m at e ri a l b o di e s an d it is

, ,

n o t f r o m t h em but f r o m th e w o rld s o ul ( pur e m i n d ) w h e n c e -

,

t he y to o c o m e t hat the hu m an spirit t ak e s its o rigi n

,
8
In .

‘
O n S yn e s iu s a s a n a l c h e mis t S c ipio I I, 1 7 ,
,
U n i e r s a p hi
”
v
l o s o p h iae in te g r itas ; e d N1s a r d,
.

s e e B e r th e l o t p p 6 5 , 188 . .

90
'

p ix . . P a ri s , 1 883 .

. . v
T R G l o e r , Lif e a nd L e tte r s
5

°
I bid , I , 5 6 ; II , 1 -2
.
-
.

in th e F ou r th C en tu r y A D Ca m . I bid I , 7 .
, .

I bid , I , 1 9
7
b r id g e 1 9 0 1 p 18 7 n o te 1
, , .
, . . .

‘ °
S a tu r n a l ia I , x vi, 1 2
, . I bid , I , 14 . .

‘
C o m me n ta r y o n th e D r eam of
 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

tween s un an d m o o n c o m e spirits wh o have e spe ci a l cha rge

o f s o o t h sa yi n g dre am s pr o di gi e s o m en s an d divi nati o n
, , , ,

f r o m e n tr a ils a n d a uguri e s The y o f t e n utt e r w a r n i n g vo ic e s

.

o r a d m o n is h t h o s e w h o c o n sult t he ir o r a cl e s by th e c o urs e

o f t h e sta rs o r t h e h urli n g o f t h u n d e rb o lts T o t h i s cl a ss .

b e l o n g the G en ii a ss o ci at e d with i n dividu al m o rt als an d

“
a n ge ls w ho an n o u n c e s e cr e t t ho ugh ts t o t h e sup e ri o r
po we r . A ll t he s e th e G r eek s c a ll d e m o n s T he ir spl e n d o r .

i s l e ss lucid t han t hat o f the c el e s ti a ls but the ir b o di e s are ,

n o t su ffici e n tly c o r p o r e a l to e n abl e m e n t o s ee t h em Lares .

an d pur e r h u m an s o uls a f t e r d e a th a ls o c o m e u n d e r th is c a t e

go r y B e t wee n m o o n an d e a rth the spi r its subdivide i nt o

.

th r ee cl a ss e s I n the upp e r a tm o sphe r e ar e dem i go ds

.
-
.

“
The s e h av e c e l e sti a l s o uls a n d ho ly m i n ds an d a r e be go tt e n
in h u m a n f o r m t o th e pr o fit o f the wh o l e w o rld S uch .

w e re He rcul e s Amm o n D i o nysus O siris I sis T ript o l em u s

, , , , , ,

a n d A scl e pius O the rs o f th is cl a ss b e c o m e sibyls an d s e e rs

. .

Fr o m m id a ir to the m o u n ta i n t o ps ar e f o un d h e r o e s an d
- -

Mane s Fi n ally the e arth its e l f is i n habite d by a l o n g live d

.
-

r a c e o f dwe ll e rs in w o o ds an d gr o v e s in f o u n ta i n s an d l ak e s ,

an d str eam s c all e d P an s F a u n s s atyrs S ilv an i nym ph s

, , , , , ,

a n d by o t h e r n am e s The y fi nally die as m e n do but p os

.
,

s ess gr ea t p o w e r o f f o r e sigh t a n d o f i n flicti n g i n j ury ?

It
i s e vid e n t that Cap ell a s spiritu a l w o rld is o ne we ll fi tt e d
’

f o r a stro l o gy divi n a ti o n a n d m agi c

, , .

V ery di ffe ren t a r e the o rd e rs o f spirits d e scribe d in

The C el es tia l H ier ar chy supp o s e d t o be the w o rk o f D io ,

n ys iu s th e A r eo p a git e w h e r e ar e s e t f o rth n i n e o rd e rs o f
,

spirits in t h ree gr o up s o f th re e e a ch : S eraph i m Che rubi m , ,

a n d T h r o n e s ; Do m i n i o n s Vi rtu e s a n d P o w e rs ; P ri n c e s
, , ,

A rc ha n ge ls a nd An ge ls
, T he t h ree f o ld divisi o n r e mi n ds
.

us o f Ca p ell a but the r e the r e s embl a n c e c ea s e s T he ps e udo

, .

D i o n ysius t ak e s al l h is sugg e sti o n s f r o m the O l d an d N ew

T e st a m e n ts r a t he r t ha n f r o m cl a ssic a l myt ho l o gy a nd suc h
,

pr e vi o us cl assific a ti o n s o f spirits as that o f A pul e ius And .

1
In K o p p s
’
e d it io n pp . 2 02 - 2 3 a r e a l mo s t e n tir e l y k
t a e n u p with n o te s
s e tt mg f o r th o th e r p a s sag e s in th e c l a s s ics co n ce r n ing s uch sp ir its .
x x1 11 P A G AN AN D CHR I S TI AN TH O U GHT

whil e his sta rti ng f ro m such ve rse s o f the Bibl e a s Ev e ry

go o d gi f t an d ev e r y p e r fe ct gi f t is f r o m ab o v e d e s c en di n g ,

“
f r o m the F a t h e r o f ligh ts an d J e sus Ch rist th e tru e ligh t
,

that light e th e v e ry m a n t ha t c o m eth i n t o t he w o rld an d his

“
usi n g such p hr a s e s a s a r chif o t ic Fa the r a n d t he a rch ic
”

”
r ay ,
l e a d us to e x p ect s o m e G n o s t ic lik e sche m e o f a ss o ci a
—

ti o n o f the spirits wit h the va ri o us he av en s a n d c el e sti a l

b o di e s in f a ct he th ro ugho ut sp e aks o f the spirits s o l e ly as
,

c e l e sti al a n d d e i fo r m a n d hyp e rc o s m ic min ds and un sp eak ,

a bl e a n d s a cr e d e n i gm a s o f wh o s e i nv isibility tran sc en d ,

en ce ,
i nfin ity an d i n c o m p re h en si bility an y d e scripti o n can
,

be m e r e ly sym b o lic a n d figur a tive T h e ir f u n cti o n s s eem

.

to c o n sist c h i e fly in c o n t em pl ati o n o f the d e ity o r t he ir s u

p e ri o r o rd e rs a n d illu m i n a ti o n o f m an an d the ir i n f e ri o r
o rd e rs . T he y a r e n o t sp e cific a lly a ss o ci at e d by D i o n ysius
with t he c e l e sti al b o di e s m uch le ss wit h an y t e rre stri a l o h
,

n d s o h is a cc o u n t l ays n o f o u n d a ti o n f o r m a gic a n d
j ec t s , a

a str o l o gy u n l e ss as its tr a n sc e n d en t m ysticis m m igh t pi qu e

,

s o me curi o us p e rs o n to a tt em pt s o m e ve r y i mm at e ri al v ari
e t y o f t h e urgy a n d subli m at e d t h eo s o p h y A lth o ugh th e
.

P s e ud o D i o n ysius wr o te in G r e e k h is w o rk w as m ad e a v a il
- 1
,

abl e f o r th e L ati n m iddl e a g e s by th e tr an sl ati o n o f J o hn

t he S c o t in the n i n t h c e n tury 2
.

“
G r eek t xt i Mig P G 3 1 19 3 7 0
e n n e, ,
-
.

3
Migne , PL 12 2 , 1 03 7 - 7 0
.
 CHA PT ER XX I V
T HE S TOR Y OF N E C TA N E B U S

OR

T H E A L E X A N DER L E G E N D I N T H E E A RL Y M I DDL E AG E S
1

T h e P s e u do - Ca l lis th e n es — I t s un h is t o r ic c h a r act e r— J ul ius Va l e r ius

— O r ie n t a l v e r s io n s — Me die v a l e p it o m e s of J uliu s Va l e r ius —
L et t e r s of

A l e x a n de r —
L eo
’
s His tor ia d e pr a e liis —
Me die v al m e ta m o r p h o s is of an

c ie n t t r a ditio n— S ur i vv al of m a g ic al an d s c ie n t i c fi f e a tu r e s —
W ho w as
N e c t an e b u s —
A s c ie n t i c
fi k ey -
n o t e— Ma g ic of N e c tan e bu s— N ec tan ebus
A m ag ic dr e a m L uc ia n o n O l y m p ia s a n d t he s e r p e nt
a s a n a s t r o l o ge r— —

—
Mo r e d r eam - s e n din g ; m ag ic t r an s f o r m a t io n A n o m e n inte r p r e t ed —

T h e bir t h o f A l e x an de r T h e d eat h o f N e c t an ebu s— Th e A m azo n s a n d

—

G ymn o s o p h is ts— The L e tter to A r is to tl e .

THE ld e st v e rsi o n o f th e l egen d o r r o m an c e o f Al ex an

o

de r is n a tur a lly b e li ev e d t o h a v e b e e n writt e n in th e G r e ek

l an gu age but is tho ught t o ha v e bee n pr o duc e d in E gypt
at A l ex an dri a But the G r ee k m an uscripts o f the st o ry ar e
.

“
Th e f o ll o w in g bibl io g r ap hy in th e n e s an d o th e r
w r ite r s D . .

e l u d e s th e e dit io n s o f th e t e x t s C a r r a r io l i, L a l eg g e n da di A l e s
c o n c e rne d a n d t h e c h ie f c r it ical s a n d r o M ag n o, 1 8 9 2 G G Cil l ié ,
'
. . .

r e s ear c h e s in t h e fi e l d A Au s . . D e I u l ii Va l e r ii epito ma O x o nien

f e l d, Z u r K r itik d es g r ie c his c h e n s i, S t r a s bu r g , 19 05 G Fa r e , . . v
A lex an d e r r o m a ns ; U n te r s u c hung R e c h e r c h e s s u r l e s his toir e s f a bu
die u n e c h te n Te il e d er l ens e s d A l e x a n dr e l o G r a n d, in
’
e n ii be r
Mé l a ng es d his t litt , I I
’
d l t e s te n U e be r lie f e r u n g K ar l s , .
5
.

r uh e , 189 4 A A u s f e l d an d W
. .
K r o ll , D e r g r ie c his c h e A l exa n
de r r om an L e ip z ig ,
, 1 9 07
. 1 84 . E t h e, A l ex a n d er s Z ug z u r
L e be n s qu e l l e i m L a n d e der Fin
H . . s ter n is s , in A tti d e ll A c c a d e m ia di
’

k
B e c e r, D ie B r a h ma n n e n in d e r M o n a c o , 1 87 1 B K ii bl e r , Ju liu s
. .

Al e xa n der s ag e , K On ig s be r g , 1889 , Va l e r iu s ; R es g e s ta e A l ex a nd r i '

34 pp . E A W B u dg e , His to r y
. . . Ma cedo n is , L e ip z ig , 1 888 ( s e e p p .

of A l ex a n d e r th e G r e a t C a m xx v x x i -
v
fo r f u r th e r b ib l io g
v
,

b r idg e U n i e r s ity P r e s s , 188 9 ; t h e r ap h y ) . v

L e i, L a l ég e n de d A l e x
’

S y r ia c v
e r s io n of th e P s e u d o a nd r e d a n s l e Ta l m u d, in R e vu e
Ca llis th e n e s e dit e d f r o m fi v e M S S , d es Etu de s j u ives , I
w it h a n Eng l is h t r a n s l a tio n a n d 2 9 3 - 3 00 Me u s e l , P s e u d o Ca l lis -

E A W B udg e , Th e L if e
.

no te s . . . . th e n e s n a c h d e r L e id e n e r Ha nd
a nd E xp l oi ts of A l ex a n de r th e s c hr if t h e r a u s g e g e be n , L e ip z ig ,
G r e a t, Ca m br idg e U n i e r s ity v 1 87 1 M P H Me ye r , A l ex a n dr e
. . . .

P r e s s , 1 89 6 ; Et hio p ic His t o r ie s o f l e G r an d da ns l a l itte r a tu r e f r a n

’

A l e x an de r by t he P s e udo - Callis co is e d a m o yen dg e, 2 o l s , P a r is , v .

5 52 MA GI C AND E XP ER I M E N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

al l o f th e m e di e v a l
p e ri o d ; i n d ee d n o ne o f or Re n a iss an c e ,

t hem a n te d ate s the e l e v en th o r tw el f t h c entu r y Furthe r .

m o r e t he y di ff e r v e ry c o n sid e r a bly in c o n t ent a n d a rr an ge

,

m e n t s o t ha t the pr o bl em o f disti n gui s h i n g o r r e c o v e ri n g

,

th e o rigi n a l t ex t o f the P s e u d o Cal lis the n es as th e w o rk is -

,

c o mm o n ly c al l e d an d o f d ati n g it is o n e with w h ich v ari , ,

o u s sch o l a rs h a v e gr a ppl e d I t has b ee n h e ld tha t the o rig .

i n a l G r e ek t ex t w h ich li e s b a ck o f the l at e r v e rsi o n s w a s

writte n n o t l at e r t ha n 2 00 A D But B a sil writi n g in . .
,

G r e e k in t h e f o urt h c e n tury a n d w e ll v e rs e d in G r e e k cul -

ture is a pp ar en tly u n fam ili a r with the sto ry o f N e ct an ebus

, ,

si n c e he s ays W itho ut d o ubt t he r e h as n eve r b een a ki n g

“
,

who ha s t ak e n m e a sur e s to h av e his s o n b o r n u n d e r the st a r

” 1
o f r o y alty F o rtu na te ly w e a r e l e ss i n t e re st e d in the o rig
.

i n al v e rsi o n t han in the m e di eva l d e v el o pm en t o f the tr a di

ti o n I t sh o uld h o w e v e r pe rh aps be pr em is e d tha t c e rt a i n
.
, ,

f ea tur e s o f th e A l ex an d e r l e ge n d m ay be d ete ct e d in e mbry o

in P luta rch s L if e o f h im
’
.

1 886 . C Mii ll e r , S cr ip tor es r er um

. t he Me ch ita r ists V e n ice , , 18 42 . F .

A l ex and r i M ag n i F ir m in D ido t , ,
-
Pfi s t e r, K l e in e Tex te zu m A l ex
P a r is 18 46 a n d 1 8 7 7 ( bo un d w ith
,
a n de r r o m a n He ide l be r g , 1 9 10 ;
,

A r r ia n , e d Fr D ii bn e r ) th e fi r s t S a mml ung vu lg ar l a te inis c h er Te x

'

W Hcr o c us u H
. .

e ditio n o f t h e G r e e te x t o f the k te he r a us g . . . .

P s e udo Ca l l is the n e s
-
f r o m thr e e M o r f 4 H ef t S p ieg e l , Die A lex
,
.

P a r is M S S a l s o J ul iu s V a l e r iu s
, , a n d e r s ag e be i d e n O r ie n ta l e n,
e tc. N o e ld e k e, B eitr dg e z ur G e
-
L e ip z ig , 1 8 5 1 V o g e l s te in, A dn o
.

s c hi c h te d es A l e x an d er r o ma ns , ta tio n e s qu a e da m ex litte r is
D e n k s c hr if te n d e r K a is er l ic h e n or ie n ta l ibu s p e tita e qu a e de A l ex
A k a d emie d er Wis s e n s c haf te n in a ndr o M ag n o cir cu mf er un tur ,
Wien P hil os His t Clas s e vo l 38 ,
, . .
, . Wa r s aw , 1 86 5 A We s te r m an n , . .

V ie nna, 189 0 ; B u dg e s ay s o f th is De Ca l lis th e n e O lyn thi o et

wo r , k P r o f e s s o r N o e l dek e dis P s e u do - Ca llis th e n e C o m m e n ta tio ,
c u s s es in h is c h ar a c t e r is t ic m as 1 83 8 - 1 84 2 J . ac h e r ,
. Z
P s e ud o
t e r l y man n er th e G r e e S yr ia c , k ,
Ca l lis th e n es : F o r s c hu ng e n z ur

He br e w P e r s ian an d A r abic ve r
, ,
K r i tik un d G e s c hic h te de r dl
s io n s , a n d a bl y s h o w s h o w eac h is tes te n Auf z eic hn u n g de r A le xan
r e l ate d t o t h e o th e r , a n d h o w d e r s ag e Ha l l e , 1 86 7 ( s e e p p 2 - 3
,
.

c e r tain v
a r iat io n s in t h e n a r rat i e v f o r f u r th e r b ibl io g r ap hy o f w o r s k
v
h a e a r is e n N o o t h e r w r it e r b e
. w r itt e n b e f o r e J Za c h e r , .

f o r e him w a s abl e to co n t r o l , by I u lii Va l e r ii E pito me zu m e r s te n ,

k no wl e dg e a t fi r s t h a n d t h e s t a te , ma l h e r aus g e g e be n Ha l l e , 1 867 ,
.

m e n t s o f b o th t h e A r y a n a n d “
Hexa e m e r o n , V I, 7 O n th e .

S e m it ic e r s io n s ; v h is w o r is k o t h e r h a n d, A ug u s t ine , D e c ivita te
th e re f o r e of u n iq u e
P ad v al u e .
”
d e i V , 6- 7 , a ll u d e s t o t he s ag e w ho
,

m u th iu n A c h e k s a n dr i M a k e to s e l ec t e d a c e r t ain h o u r f o r in t e r
n az wu i, I We n e dig i dpar a n i c o u r s e w ith his w if e in o r de r t hat
s e r bu in Chaz a r u Ha m i 1 84 2 ; t h e , , h e might be g e t a ma r el o us s o n v .

A r me n ian e r s io n v
p ubl is h e d by
5 54 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE ca n .

d a ti n g wo uld als o s e rve to ex pl a i n why B as il writi n g in ,

G re e k be f o r e 3 7 9 ha d n e v e r he a rd o f a ki n g w ho ha d t ak e n
,

steps to h av e h is s o n b o r n u n d e r the sta r o f r o yalty wh il e ,

A ugu sti n e writi n g in L ati n b e tw e en 4 1 3 a n d 4 2 6 m e n

, ,

ti o n s the st o r y o f a s a ge who s el e ct e d a c e rt a i n h o ur f o r in
t e r cou r s e wit h h is wi f e in o rd e r t h a t he m igh t b e ge t a m a r
v e l o n s s o n Th is w o uld al s o sugge st tha t th e L ati n v e rsi o n
.
o

w a s o ld e r t han the G re ek a s in f act the ex t an t m a n uscripts

,

o f it a r e T he o ld e st m anuscript o f V al e rius h o w ev e r is a
.
, ,

b adl y d amage d p a li m ps e st o f the s e v en th ce ntury at T uri n .

O t he r m a n uscripts a r e o n e a t Mil an o f th e t e nt h c en tury

a n d an o t h e r a t P a ris d ati n g a b o ut T he t ex t o f Va
l e r iu s di ff e rs c o n sid e r ably f r o m the G r e e k P s eu do Cal lis -

th en es a n d w as to u n d e r go f urthe r a lt e r a ti o n in l at e r m e

di eva l L a ti n v e rsi o ns .

B e f o r e spe aki n g o f the s e we m ay men ti o n o t her o ri e nt al

v e rsi o n s o f the st o ry An Ar m en i an t ex t d at e s f r o m the
.

fi f t h ce n tury A S yri a c v e rsi o n wh ic h d at e s f r o m the s ev

.
,
“
e n th o r e igh th c en tury an d w a s m uch r e a d by the Ne st o ri
”
a ns ,
w a s its e l f d e riv e d f r o m a n earli e r P e rsi an r e n d e ri ng .

I t s eem s to mak e u s e o f b o th th e G r e e k P s e ud o Call is the ne s -

a n d Julius V a l e rius si n c e it i n clud e s i n cid en ts f r o m e ith e r

w h ich a r e n o t f o u n d in the o t he r An d it o m its a c o n sid e r

.

a bl e s e cti o n o f t h e G r ee k v e rsi o n b e sid e s a ddi n g e pis o d e s

w h ic h ar e n o t f o u n d in it a ltho ugh c o n t a i ne d in Julius V a

,

l e r ius . We h ea r furthe r o f Ar a bic an d He br ew v e rsi o n s o f

the r o m an c e w h il e m a n uscripts o f r e c e n t d at e supply a n
,

E th i o pic v e rsi o n o f the P s eu do Callis the nes o f u nk n o w n -

a ut ho rs h ip a n d d a t e t o ge the r wit h o t he r E th i o pic h ist o ri e s

,

a n d r o m an c e s o f A l e x a n d e r T h e s e a r e b a s e d p a rtly upo n
.

A r abic a n d J e wish w o rks but t ak e gr e at lib e rti e s with th e ir

s o urc e s in m aki n g a lt e r a ti on s to suit a Christi an audi e n c e ,

o m itti n g f o r e x am pl e a s Budge p o i nts o ut Al ex an d e r s vic

’
, ,

“
R es g e s ta e of Al e x ande r of t w e l f th c e ntu r ie s : R o yal 13 - A- I ,
Mac e do n ,
in th r e e MS S
c o nt ain e d R o y a l 1 2 - C - I V , a n d R o ya l 1 5 - C
o f t h e R o ya l L ib r a r y in t h e B r it is h V I , a r e n o t th e f ul l t e xt o f J ul iu s
Mu s e u m , d a t in g a cco r din g t o th e V a l e r iu s , bu t t h e e p ito m e o f which
c ata l o g u e f r o m th e el e e nt h an dv I s h al l so o n sp ea k .
xx1v THE S T O R Y O F N E CTAN EB US

t o ry in the ch ar i o t rac e an d tr an s f o rm i n g P h ilip and Al ex ,

an d e r i n t o Ch risti an m a rtyrs o r the G r e e k g o ds i n t o p atri ,

a rc h s a nd p r o p h e ts lik e E n o c h a n d E lij ah E v e n th e G r ee k .

v e rsi o n did n o t r em a i n u n a lte re d in the Byz an ti n e p e r i o d

when tw o r e c e n si o n s in pro s e a n d tw o m o re in v e rse ar e dis
t in gu is he d I n d ee d n o n e o f th e G r e e k m an uscripts o f the
.
,

w o rk an t e d at e s the e l ev en th o r tw e l f th c en tury they di ffe r ,

gr e atly an d s o me o f them a scrib e the r o m an c e t o Al ex an de r

,

h i m se l f .

S uch v a ri ati o n s in the e a st e r n v e rsi o n s o f the st o ry o f

Al ex an d e r illustr at e ho w th e m iddl e a ge s m a d e th e cl as sic a l
h e rit a ge t he ir o w n an d pr e p a r e u s f o r si m il a r a lte r ati o n s in
th e L ati n a cc o u n t curr e n t in w e st e r n E ur o p e T he w o rk o f .

Julius Val e rius tho ugh writt e n in t he rhe to ric al styl e c ha r

,

a c te r is t ic o f the d e cli n i n g R o m a n E m pir e a n d c o m p o s e d al

mo st o u the v e r ge o f th e m iddl e a ge s w as t o u n d e rgo f ur ,

t he r a lt e ra ti o n s to a d apt it m o r e cl o s e ly t o m e di e v a l t a st e an d
us e . By the n i nth c en tury if n o t ea rli e r two e pit o me s o f it , ,

ha d be en m a d e an d b e gi nn i n g wit h t ha t c e n tury m anu

, , ,

scripts o f the s ho rt e r o f t he s e e pit o m e s b ec o m e f a r m o r e

n u m e r o us t ha n t h o s e o f t he o rigi n a l V a l e rius
?

T w o s e cti o n s o f the A l e x a n d e r l e g e n d w e r e o m itt e d in

t he E pit o m e n o t b e c aus e m e di e v a l m e n h a d l o st i nt e r e st in
,

them but b e c aus e th e y h a d b e c o m e s o f o n d o f them a s t o

e n l a rge up o n t he m a n d issu e t h e m a s di sti n ct w o rks T he y .

o f t e n h o w e v e r a cc o m p a n y the E pit o m e in th e m a n uscripts

, , .

O n e o f th e s e wa s th e L e tt e r o f A l e x an d e r t o A rist o tl e o n
t he Ma rv e ls o f I n di a I t is l o n ge r t ha n the c o rr e sp o n di n g
?

“
Th l g e p it m
on i k w
er eB l g o 50 ; B
e l 15 7 ; Pa i
s no n o o na, 1 1 as e ,
1 r s,
f m
ro O f d MS
an C p
x or 5 f l 4
,
f l l w i g th
or us 1 2 0, o s . 1 02 v - 1 v, o o n e
C h i ti MS 8
r s d w b li v d
2, P an d A i t tlas S t
e f S
e e s eu o- r s o e, e cr e o e
by M y e ter b i t m di y b
o e t ; n ert Th e ly p i t d
ar e cr e s e c . ese ear r n e
tw ee n V l i d th
a er us th d it i an g iv t h ld t L t i t t
e o er e ons e e o es a n ex ,

b i f
r e er p it m
e Cil ho h w v e .d ti g b k e, w h v o e t er, a n ac as e a e s ee n o
t i
r es t p o v th h t p it m
ro e t l
e s t 8 or er e o e a ea s 00 .

to b th
e ld
e o er . S m M S S f th m v i o e o e sa e er s on
A l ex an dr i Mag ni E pis to la a d
“
ar e :
A r is to te l e m d e m ir a bi libu s I ndia e , B M R o y al 1 3 A - I f o l s s 1 v- 7 8 r , -
, .

fi r s t p r in t e d w ith S yn e s ii E p is a b e a u t if u l l y c l e a r M S o f t h e l a t e
to la e ,gr a c e c ; a dce du n t a li o r u m 1 1 t h c e n t u r y w it h c l u bb e d s t r o e s k .

E p is t o la e V enic e , 1499 ; t h e n
,
T h e Ep is t o l a is p r e c e d e d by t h e
5 56 M A G I C AND E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

c hapt e r o f Va l e rius whe r e a l e tt e r o f A l ex an d e r t o Aris

1

t o tl e i s q u o t e d an d a ls o di ff e r s fr o m any k n o w n G re ek t ex t .

T he f a ct t ha t r e f e r en c e is m a d e t o it in t he l o n ge r E pit o m e
l e a ds to the c o n clusi o n that the L e tt e r is o ld e r T h is w o uld .

a l so s eem t o b e th e c a s e with the o t he r w o rk a s h o rt s e ri e s ,

o f l e tt e rs i n t e rc h a n ge d be tw e en A l e x an d e r a n d D in dim us ,

t he ki n g o f the Br a hm an s si n c e the E pit o m e o m it s the tw o

,

c hapt e rs o f Va l e rius w h ic h t e ll o f Al e x an d e r s i nt e rvi e w ’

with the B rahm an s I t is b eli ev e d that Al cui u who di e d in

.
-
,

8 04 in o ne o f h is l e tt e rs t o Charl e m a gn e sp e aks o f s e n di n g
,

t he s e e pistle s ex chan ge d b e tw ee n A l ex an d e r an d Dindimus

a l o n g wit h th e e q u ally a p o cryph a l c o rr e sp o n d e n c e o f t he

a p o stl e P a ul a n d t h e p h il o so phe r S en e c a N o such l e tt e rs a r e .

f o u n d in th e P s e u d o Ca llis th en es f o r the t en ch a pt e rs o n
-
,

the B rahm an s f o u n d in o n e G r ee k c o d e x a r e i n t e rp o l at e d
f r o m th e tr ea tis e o f P a ll a di n s lik e wis e in the f o r m o f a ,

c o rr e sp o n de n c e ?
Julius Val e rius d o e s n o t e ven m enti o n
D in dim u s but a th ird e pist o l a ry discussi o n o f th e Br ahm an s
,

e x ists in L ati n D e m or ibus B r ac hm a n n o r u m a scrib e d t o S t

'

, , .

A m br o s e ?

E pito me o f Va l er ius an d f o l l o w e d a nd f o l l o w e d a t f o l 9 7 by th e .

by th e co r r e s p o n de n ce w ith D in Dind imu s .

dim u s . I n th e lib r ar y o f Et o n Co ll e g e
R o y a l 1 2 - C- I V , 1 2 th c e ntur y . a n im p e r f e c t c o p y o f t h e E pis to l a
R o yal 1 5 - C-V I , 1 2 th c e n tur y . f o ll o w s O r os ius in a MS o f t h e
Co tt o n N e r o D V I II , f o l 169 . . e a r l y 1 3 th c e n t u r y, 1 33 , B L 4 , 6,
S l o a n e 1 6 1 9 , 1 3 t h c e n tu r y , f o l s . f o l s 85 r 87
.
-
.

12 — 1 7 . A s o m e w h at d iff ere n t a n d l ate r

A r un d e l 2 42 , 1 sth c e ntur y, f o l s . v e r s io n o f th e L e tter to A ris to tl e
w a s p ubl is h e d in 19 10 a t He ide l
_

160 - 83 .

B L La u d Mis c 2 4 7 , 1 2 th c e n
. . b e r g by Fr ie d r ic h P fi s t e r f r o m a .

t ur y, f o l 1 86 ; p r e c e de d a t f o l 1 7 1
. . B a m b e r g M S o f t h e 1 1 th c e n
“
v
by t h e O rt u s ita e t o b itu s Al e x t u r y, t o g e t h e r w ith P a l la dins a n d
a n dr i Ma c e d o n is ,
”
and f o ll o w e d t h e co r r e s p o n de n c e w it h D ind i
at f o l I 9 6V by t h e l e t te r t o D in
. mus . v
P fi s t e r b e l ie e d a l l th e s e t o
d im us . be t r an s l at io n s f r o m th e G r e e k .

B N MS S 2 8 7 4 . 4 1 2 6. 4 8 7 7 . 4880. An An gl o - S a x o n e r s io n o f th e v
5 06 2 . 6 1 2 1 . 6 3 65 . 6 5 03 . 683 1 . 7 5 6 1 . L e tte r to Ar is t o tl e w a s e dite d b y
8 5 18 , 8 5 2 1 A , E pis to l a d e i tin e r e e t C o c ayn e in 1 86 1 ( s e e T W r ight,
k .

s i tu I n dia e ,
’

8607 , E pis to la e e iu s R S 3 4 ; x x ii)

“
v .

n o m in e s c r ip ta e an d 2 69 5 A , II I , 1 7
’
.
,
“
6 186 , 6 3 65 , 63 8 5 , 68 1 1 , 6 83 1 , 8 SO I A , Fir s t p ubl is he d by J o achim
f o r R e s p o ns io a d D ind im u m . C a m e ra r ius a b o ut 1 5 7 1 .

CL M 1 13 19 , 1 3 th c e n tu r y, f o l .
“
P ubl is h e d w ith P a l la dins by
88, A l e x a n dr i epis to la a d A r is S ir E dw ar d B is s e in 1 665 ; MS S
t o te l e m d e r e bus in I n dia g e s tis , a r e n um er o u s .

p r e c e de d a t f o l 7 2 by t h e E pito m e
.
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI EN CE CHAP .
.

Mo re o v e r st o ry o f Al ex an de r e spe ci ally a s a da pt e d
,
th e ,

by the m iddle a ge s c o n t a i ne d a l a rge am o un t o f m agic an d

,

sci en c e m o re e sp eci ally the f o rme r T he E pito me m ight

, .

o m it a gr e a t d ea l el s e but it k e pt i n t a ct t h e o p e n i n g p o rt i o n
,

o f th e P s e u d o Ca llis th e n es an d o f Julius V a l e rius c o n c e r n

-

in g th e a dv en tur e s o f N ecta n ebus th e s age an d m a gici an ,

fro m Egypt the a str o l o ge r an d the n atur al f athe r o f Al ex

,

an d e r .I n d ee d the titl e s in s o me m an uscripts sugge st th at

,

N e ct anebus c am e to riv a l A l ex an d e r f o r m e di e v a l r e ad e rs a s
t he he r o o f th e st o ry T hus w e fi n d a His tor y of A l exa nder
.
,

K ing f Mo a c e d o n a n d of N e c ta n ,e b o K in g f gyp
o E t o r , ,
1

an a cc o u n t O f the Lif e an d D ee ds of N eptan a bus as tr o n o ,

“ ”
m er o f Egypt? o r a L a ti n m et ric a l v e rsi o n by U il ik inu s
o r A r e t in u s Q u il ich in u s o f S p o l e t o in 1 2 3 6 en titl e d The ,

His to r y of the S cien ce of the E gyptians an d of N eptana

bus the ir king wh o af ter w ar ds was the tr u e fa ther of A lex
?
a n de r

P li n y in the N a tur al be lisk o f His tory d escrib e s the o

N e ctheb is ki n g o f E gypt w h o m h e pl ac e s fi ve c en turi e s be

, ,

f o r e A l ex an d e r the G r ea t 4
P lut a rc h ho w e v e r in h is li fe .
, ,

o f A ge s il a us an d N e p o s in his li f e o f Ch ab r ias m e n ti o n a

N e ct ane bu s II w ho struggl e d a ga i n st P e rsi a f o r the t h r o n e

o f E gyp t ab o ut 3 6 1 B C a n d l a t e r w a s f o rc e d t o fl e e to . .

E th i o pi a I n the Al ex an d e r r o m anc e h o w e v e r it is t o
.
, ,

Ma ce d o n th at N e ct an e bus r e trea ts A N ectabis is list e d as .

a m a gici an a l o n g wit h O s t an es T yph o n D a rd an us D am i , , ,

ge r o n an d B e ren ic e by T e rtulli an writi n g a b o ut 2 00 A D

, ,
5
,
. .

A s a m att e r o f f a ct in the T h irti e th Dyn a sty w e r e tw o ki n gs

,

n am e d r e sp e ctiv e ly N ek tan ebes o r N e k h t H ar c h het wh o

'

- -
,

r ul e d 3 7 8 t o 3 6 1 B C a n d N ek t an e bo s o r N e k h te n e bof
-
. .
, ,

who rul e d 3 5 8 t o 3 4 1 B C B o th ha ve l e f t c o n sid e rabl e . .

“
Har l e ian 5 2 7 f o l s 4 7 5 6 , .
-
. f ol s . De N e c tan abo
200v -2 1 2 v,
q u o m o d o ma gnum g e nu
“
Amp l o n Q ua r to 12 f o l s
.
, . 2 00 m a go
2 0 1 ; p r e s u m a bl y it in c l ude s o n ly e r 1t Al a n d r um Eg i p ti s ap 1e n
ex
.

t ho s e c h ap t e r s c o n ce r n e d w ith t es .

N ec tan e bu s N H XXXV I , 14 an d 19 .

Mign e
.

“ -
C U L 14 2 9 ( G g I , .
1 4 th
°
D e a nima c ap 5 7 , in
'
, . ,

c e nt u r y, N o 5 , 3 5 fol s. . Al so in PL I I , 7 9 2 .

C U T r in ity 104 1 , 14 th c e n t ur y,
 xx1v THE S TO R Y O F N E C TAN EB US

buildi n gs ?
is the l att e r who w a s f o rc e d by the P e rsi an s
It
t o fl ee t o E th i o pi a n i n e y ears b e f o r e A l ex an d e r c o n q u e r e d
E gypt an d w h o is th e h e r o o f o ur sto ry T he st e l e o f Met .

t e rn ic h is c o v e r e d wit h m agic a l f o rm ul ae a scrib e d t o N ec

?
t an e bo
A no e t sugge stive o f b o t h n atural sci en c e an d o ccult sci
e n c e i s struck by t h e o p e n i n g p a ss a ge o f th e L a ti n e pit o m e s

a n d o f the o ld e st G r e e k m an u s cript ; t h e fi rst p a g e o f Julius

Va l e rius is m issi n g an d has to be suppli e d f ro m t he e pit o m e s .

“
Th e first w o rds ar e T h e E gypti an s age s a n d the fi rst s en ,

t enc e d e sc r ib e s t he ir sci en tific a bility in m e a suri n g the ea rth

an d in tr a ci n g th e r e v o luti o n s o f th e h ea v e n s a n d n u m b e ri n g
“
the st a rs . A n d o f t h e m al l N e cta n abu s is r e c o gn iz e d to
hav e b ee n t he m o st prud e n t f o r the e l e m e n ts o f the
”
un ive rs e o b e ye d him I n th e o p e n i ng se nt e n c e s o f the
.

o ld e st G r e e k v e rsi o n an d o f th e E t h i o pic v e rsi o n e v e n m o r e

e m p h a sis is l a id t han in the E pit o m e s up o n t he l ea r n i n g o f

the E gypti an s in g e n e r al a n d o f N e ct a n e bus in p a rticul a r ,

a n d o f the cl o s e c o n n e cti o n o f t h at l e a r n i n g wit h a str o l o gy

a n d m a gic
?
We r ea d N o w the r e li v e d in t he l an d o f
“
,

E gypt a ki n g w h o w a s c a ll e d B ek ta n is an d h e w as a f a m o u s
,

m a gic i an a n d a s a ge a n d h e w as d e e ply l e a rn e d in the wis

,

do m o f th e E gypti a n s An d h e h a d m o r e k n o wl e dge t h an
.

a l l the wis e m e n w h o k n e w w h a t w a s in the d e pt h s o f the

N il e an d in the abyss e s an d w h o w e r e skill e d in the k n o w l

,
-

e dg e o f th e st a rs a n d o f t he i r s e a s o n s a n d in th e k n o w l e dge

o f th e a stro l ab e an d in th e c a sti n g o f n a ti v iti e s An d by .

h is l e a r n i n g a n d by h is o bs e rv a ti o n s o f th e st a rs N e ct an e bus
was a bl e t o p r e dict w ha t w o uld b e f a ll a n y o n e w ho w a s a bo ut
” 4
t o be b o r n . I n o n e L a ti n m a n usc r ipt o f th e fi f t ee n t h ce n
tury th e His to r y of A l exan der the Gr e a t b e gi n s with th e
“
Th e f o r m e r buil t a T e m p le o f t aneb o s b e f o r e t h e T e m p l e o f t h e
I s is , n o w a h eap o f r u in s at , E ig ht ee n th D yn a s ty at Me din e t
B e hbit e l - Ha g ar a n d a c o l o n n ade Ha b u .

“
t o t h e T e m p l e o f B ib is in t h e B e rth e l o t -
30
.

oa s is o f K hir g e h ; a n d h is n a m e
3
Th e S y r iac v e r s io n , on th e
a p p e a r s up o n a g a te in t h e T e m p l e c o n t r a r y, e m p h a s iz e s t his p o in t
o f M o nt a t K a m a k B e s ide s t h e
. les s
‘
.

V e s tibul e of N e k t an e bo s at
’
B u dg e s t r an s l a tion of th e
Phil ae th e r e is a c o ur t o f N ek v
Et h io p ic e r s io n .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I M E N TA L S CI E N CE CH A P .

s en ten c e B o o ks t e ll us ho w p o we r f ul th e r ace o f th e
,
” 1
E gypti an s w e r e in m a t h e m a tics an d th e m a gic a r t .

Nex t w e a r e t o ld an d t he a cc o u n t is pr a ctica lly th e s ame

,

in a ll th e v e rsi o n s o f the st o ry h o w by m ean s o f h is b a si n ,

fill e d with w a te r h is wax i m a ge s o f sh ips a n d m en h is r o d o r

, ,

w an d o f e b o n y an d th e i nc ant a ti o n s with w h ic h he a ddr e ss e d

,

t he go ds ab o v e an d b e l o w N e ct an e bu s h a d b ee n h ithe rt o a bl e ,

t o d e str o y all the a r m i e s an d t o si n k a ll the fl e e ts t ha t h a d

c o me a ga i n st h im But w he n o ne day h e f o u n d his m agic
.

u nava ili n g to s av e him h e sh av e d h is h ea d an d b eard an d fl e d

,

t o Ma c e d o n w h e r e in li n e n ga rb he pli e d t he trad e o f an
,

a str o l o ge r .

I n t h is he s o o n b e c a m e s o c el ebr at e d th a t the f am e o f his

p r e dicti o n s r ea ch e d th e ea rs o f the que en O lym pi a s who co n ,

s ul te d h im duri n g an a bs e n c e o f P h ilip When s he a sk e d .

N e ct an e bus by m e an s o f w ha t a r t he divi n e d the f uture s o

truth fully he an sw e r e d that t he r e w e re m an y v a ri e ti e s o f
,

divi n ati o n Julius V a l e rius and the L ati n e pit o m e s m e n ti o n

.

spe ci fi c ally o n ly i n te rpr et e rs o f dre am s an d a str o l o ge rs but ,

the G r e e k S yri a c an d E t h i o pic v e rsi o n s giv e m o r e e l ab

, ,

o r a t e lists o f v a ri o us ki n ds o f divi n e rs N e ct a n e bus n e x t

?

pr o duc e d an a stro l o gic al t able t a d o r n e d with go ld an d iv o r y

a n d wit h e a c h pl a n e t an d t he h o r o sc o p e r e pr e s e n t e d by a dif

f e re n t st o ne o r m e t a l W ith the a id o f th is he r e a d the

.

CL M 2 1 5 , f o l s 1 7 6 9 4 , Eg ip
“ “
.
—
s el f am an Egyp tian p r o p h e t, a
t io r u m g e n t e m in m a th e m at ic a m ag u s , an d a c o unte r of th e
m agi c a quam in a r t e f uis s e al e n
”
v s t ar s . B u dg e , E th iopic His to r i e s ,
”

t e m lit te r e t r a dunt .
p 1 1 , Th e n N e c t a n e ‘
. bu s a n s w e r e d
P s e u do Ca l lis the n es , I, 4 c as t an d s aid u n t o h e r Yea Th o s e
z —
, , .

ers of h o r o sc o p es , r e a de r s o f wh o h a e v k
n o wl e dg e o f t h e o r b s

s ig n s, int e r p r e te r s of d r ea m s , of v
h e a en a r e o f ma ny in ds k .

v e n t r il o qu is t s , a ugu r s g e n e th l i S o m e a r e in te r p r et e r s o f d r e a m s ,
v k
,

a l o g is t s , t h e s o c a l l e d m a gi t o
- and s ome ha e n o w l e dg e of

v
w h o m d i in a t io n is a n o p en bo o
”
k . w h at s h a l l h a pp en in t h e f ut u r e ,
B udg e S y r ia c e r s io n p 4 v Th e a n d s o m e u n d e r s t an d o m e n s an d ,

v
.
, , ,

in t e r p r et e r s o f dr e a m s a r e o f s o me c a st n a t i it ie s , and th e r e
k
m an y in ds a nd th e n o w e r s o f k a r e b e s ide s a ll t h o se w h o no w k
s ig n s, th o s e w ho u n d e r s t and ma gic a n d wh o a r e r e no w n e d b e
v
di in atio n C hald e a n a ugu r s a n d c a u s e t he y a r e le a r ne d in th e ir
k
,

v
ca s t e r s o f n at i it ie s ; t h e G r e e s k a r t, a n d s o m e a r e s il l e d in t h e
c a l l t h e s ig n s o f t h e z o diac
‘
sor m o tio n o f t h e s t a r s o f h e a e n : v
’
c e r e r s ; a nd o th e r s a r e c o un t e r s
’
v k
b ut I h a e f u l l n o w l e dge o f a l l
o f t he s ta r s A s f or me all o f
.
,
t he s e t hing s .

th e s e a r e in m y h a n d s a n d I my
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

pl a i ne d by a n i nte rpre t e r o f dr eam s to P h ilip as si gni f yi ng

that his wi f e w o uld hav e a s o n by the go d Amm o n N ev e r .

thel e s s P h ilip w a s s o m e w ha t suspici o us a n d h a st e n e d to

bri n g his w a rs t o a cl o s e a n d hurry ho m e Ne ct ane bus ho w .
,

e v e r r e n d e ri n g h i m se l f i n visibl e by m e an s o f th e m a gic a r t
, ,

c o nti n u e d t o d e c e iv e b o th ki n g an d qu e en O n c e he te rri .

fi e d th e c o urt by a pp e a ri n g a ga i n in the f o rm o f a huge h iss

in g s e rp e n t but put h is h e a d in O lym p ia s s lap a n d t he n
’
,

k iss e d he r T he re up o n he tu r n e d f r o m a s e rp en t i n t o an
.

e a gl e an d fl ew a w a y P h ilip w as t he n r ea lly c o nvi n c e d t h at

.

his wi f e s l o ve r w as t h e go d Am m o n
’
.

B e f o re the birt h o f A l ex an d e r the f o ll o wi n g o men be fell

P h ilip A s he s at a bs o rb e d in t h o ugh t in a pl a c e w he r e t he r e
.

w e r e m any birds flyi n g ab o ut o n e o f th em l a id an e gg in his ,

la p. I t r o ll e d to t h e gr o u n d t he s h ell br o k e an d a s nak e , ,

issu e d f o rt h I t ci rcl e d ab o ut the e gg she ll but w hen it

.
—

tri e d to r ee nt e r the s he ll w as pr ev en t e d by d eat h When .

An tipho n th e i n t e rpr e t e r o f o me n s w a s c o n sult e d c o n c e r n

, ,

ing th is p o rte n t h e s a id t ha t it sign ifi e d t ha t a s o n sh o uld be

,

b o rn w ho w o uld c o n qu e r the w o rld but die b e fo r e he c o uld

r e ga i n his native l an d .

T he day o f O lym p ia s s d e liv e ry n o w appr o ache d an d

’

N ec tan ebu s in h is o ffi c e o f a str o l o ge r st o o d by her side t o

, ,

t ell he r w hen the f a v or a bl e m o m en t ha d a rriv e d f o r th e birth

o f h e r c h ild O n c e he urge d he r t o w a it si n c e a ch ild b o rn
.
,

a t t ha t m o m e n t w o uld b e a sl a v e a n d a c a ptiv e A g a i n he .

b a d e he r r e stra i n he r s e l f f o r at that m o m en t an e ffem i na te

,

w o uld be b o r n A t l a st th e f av o r abl e i n st an t c am e f o r the

.

birth o f a w o rld c o n que r o r an d A l ex an d e r w as b o r n am id ,

a n e a rth qu a k e t h u n d e r a n d ligh t n i n g
,
I n th is c a s e th e r e
, .
,

f o r e the m o m e n t o f birt h is r e ga rd e d a s c o n tr o lli n g the de s

,

ti ny Man y a str o l o ge rs ho w e v e r c o n sid e re d the m o ment

.
, ,

o f c o n c e pti o n a s o f gr e a t e r i m p o rt a n c e ; w e ha v e al r e a dy

it s he w ed P hil ip a dr e am . m a ny l an ds a n d c o un t r ie s an d

B u dg e , E thiopic His to r ies p 2 1 , . s eas , a n d it c a m e toP h il ip by

k
,
“
Th e n N ect a n e bu s t o o a s wif t n ig ht an d s to p p e d . A n d it c a me
bir d an d m u tt e r e d o e r it c e r ta in v t o p a s s a t th a t v e r y h o-u r
char ms an d n am e s , a nd in t ha t P hilip saw a ma r e l o u s v
o n e day a n d o n e nig ht it t r a e r s e d v d r eam .
x x1v THE S T O R Y O F N E CTAN E B US

he ard Augusti n e t ell o f the s age who cho se a c e rt ai n ho ur

f o r i n t e rc o urs e with his wi fe in o rde r t o b e ge t a m a r v e l o us
s o n ; a n d in t h e t h irt e en t h c e n tury A l be rtus M a g n us in h is ,

“
tre atis e o n an i ma ls i n f o rm s us t ha t N e ctan ebu s the n atur a l
, ,

fathe r o f A l ex an d e r in h avi n g i n te rc o ur s e with his m o the r

,

O lympi a s o bs e rv e d th e ti m e w h e n the s un w a s e n t e r i n g L e o
,

a n d S a tu rn w a s in T a urus si n c e h e wis he d his s o n t o r e c e iv e,

” 1
the f o r m an d p o w e r o f t h o s e pl an e ts .

T he d e at h o f N e ct an ebus w a s a s cl o s e ly in a cc o rd with
the st ars as w as th e birt h o f A l e x a n d e r At the a ge o f .

tw e lve A l ex an d e r f o un d N e cta n e bus in c o n sult ati o n with

O lym pi a s a n d att r a ct e d by his a st r o l o gic a l t abl e t m a d e him
, ,

pr o m is e t o s ho w him th e st a rs at n ight T h en a s N e ct an ebu s .

w alk e d a l o n g st a r ga zi n g A l ex an d e r pus he d him i n t o a st ee p

-
,

pit wh ich they chan ce d to p ass an d N e ct an eb us l ay the r e with ,

a br o k en n e ck Whe n he a sk e d A l ex an d e r the r ea s o n f o r
.

his ac t the b o y r e pli e d t ha t it w a s in o rd e r t o c o n vi n c e h im

,

o f th e f utility o f h is a r t si n c e h e g a z e d a t th e st a rs u nm i n d
,

f ul o f w ha t t h r e at e ne d him f r o m th e gro u n d But N ectan e .

bus r e but s t h is r e v is e d v e rsi o n o f the m a id s e rv an t s t au nt ’

to T ha l e s by t e lli n g A l e x a n d e r t ha t he h a d b e e n f o r e w a rn e d
by the st a rs t h a t he s h o uld be kill e d by his o w n s o n an d by ,

r evea li n g to A l ex an d e r th e s e cr e t o f his bi r t h ?

I n c o n cludi n g t h e st o ry o f N e ct a n e bus it is p e r ha p s w o rth

wh il e to e m ph a siz e t he f act t ha t t he e pit o m e s a n d J ulius
Val e rius o f t en u s e th e w o rd m agus o f N e ct a n ebus a s a n as
t r o l o ger an d t h a t in g e n e r a l m a gic a str o l o gy a n d divi n a , ,

ti o n a r e i n diss o lubly c o n n e ct e d .

h w v
“
I na thno pl er N t
a ce , b i t t h p it b t
o e ly
er, e c an e us n o e , u on
A l be r t c a ll s Phil ip A l e x a n d e r s
’
f ul fi ll s it .I n t h e Et hio p ic v e r
f ath e r , D e ca n s is e t pr opr ie ta tibus s io n N ec t an e bu s is r e p r e s e n t e d a s
'

e l e m e n to r u m et pl a n e tar u m II , ,
e du c a t in g A l e x an de r f r o m h is
o

11, 1 . v
s e e n th y e a r o n in p h il o s o p h y
“
T h e s t o r y is be t te r t o l d in th e a n d l e tt e r s a n d th e w o r in g o f k
S yr iac v
e r s io n ( B udg e 1 4 , mag ic a n d t h e s t a r s a n d t h e ir
”
w h e r e A l e x an d e r d o e s n o t p u s h s ea s o n s . A r is to t l e b e c o m e s Al e x
N e ct ane bu s int o th e p it un til a f t e r
’
a n de r s t ut o r o n l y a f t e r t h e d e ath
k
h e h a s a s e d t h e a s t r o l o g e r if h e o f N e ct a ne bu s .A r is to tl e , to o , is
k no w s his o w n f a te a n d h a s b e e n r e p r es e n t e d as an a dep t in a s
t o l d t h a t N e c t a n e bu s is t o b e s l a in t r o l o gy, a m u l e t s , a n d t h e u s e o f
by h is o w n s o n A l e x an de r th e n
. m ag ic w ax im ag e s ( B u dg e ,
.

att e m p t s to f o il f a t e by p u s h ing E thi opic His tor ies , p p 3 1 , x l v ) . .

 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

S o me cc o u n t is giv en b o t h in Julius Val e rius an d the

a

l o n ge r e pit o m e o f Al ex a n d e r s ex ch an ge o f l e tt e r s w ith the

’

A m a z o n s a n d o f qu e sti o n s w h ic h he put t o the G ym n o s o

n di a i h B r m s ) n d t h e ir r e pli e s N i
p h is t s o f I ( e t .e a.h a n a e .

the r o f the s e pr o m isi n g them e s h o w e v e r r e sults in the in , ,

t r o du c t io n o f an y m a gic o r o ccult sci e n c e W e als o fi n d in .

t he S tr o m a ta o f Cl e m e n t o f A l e x a n dri a a list o f t e n qu e s
1

ti o n s w h ich Al ex a n d e r pr o po u n d e d t o te n o f the G ymn o s o

p h is ts o f I n di a a n d t he ir i n ge n i o us an sw e rs giv en u n d e r
p a i n o f d e a t h if t he ir r e s p o n s e s pro v e d u n s a tis f act o ry .

N o r d o e s A l ex an d e r s l e tt e r t o A rist o tl e o n the m a r ve ls
’

o f I n di a r e v ea l m a n y sp e cifi c i n st an c e s o f sup e rstiti o n t ha t

ar e a t all i n t e r e sti n g Fo r t he m o st p a rt it r e c o u n ts his

.

m a rc h e s th e su ff e r i n gs o f his a rm y fr o m t h irst c o m bats

, ,

wit h wild be a sts s e rp e n ts a nd h ipp o p o tam us e s an d the

, , ,
“
tre a sur e s wh ich he c apture d A l ex an d e r st at e s th at in f o r
.

m er l e tt e rs I i n f o r m e d yo u ab o ut th e e clips e o f th e s un a n d
m o o n an d the c o n st an cy o f th e st a rs an d th e sign s o f the
” 2
a ir . He te lls n o w ho w ev e r o f a pl ac e wh e r e t h e r e ar e two
, ,

tr ee s o f the s un an d m o o n sp e aki n g I n di an an d G r eek o ne

, ,

m a sculi ne a n d th e o th e r f e m i n i n e f r o m w h ich o n e m ay l e a r n
,

w hat the f utur e has in st o r e f o r go o d o r e vil As t o t h is .

A l ex an d e r w a s i n cli ne d t o be i n cr e dul o us but the n a tiv e s ,

“
swo r e t ha t it w a s tru e an d his c o mpan i o n s urge d him no t
,

”
t o b e d e f r a ud e d o f the e x p e ri e n c e o f s o gr e a t a t h i n g Ac .

c o r din gly h e m a d e h is w ay to th e sp o t d e spit e th e inn um er

a bl e b e a sts a n d s n ak e s w h ic h b e s e t h is p a t h Cha stity w a s .

e ss e n ti a l in o rd e r t o a ppr o a c h th e tr e e s a n d h e a ls o h a d t o ,

l ay a sid e his ri n gs r o y a l r o be s a n d s ho e s
,
T he s un tr ee
,
.

t hen t o ld h im a t d awn t ha t h e w o uld n ev e r s e e ho m e o r his

m o t he r a n d sist e rs a ga i n At e v e n tid e the m o o n tr e e a dde d
.

t ha t h e w o uld die at B abyl o n T he t h ird a n d fin al r e sp o n s e

?
,

1
V I, 4 . J a m es ( III , 48 3 9 1 ) a r e t w o r e p
-

“
Ro ya l 13 - A - I , f o l 5 3 V r e s e n t in g t h e h e r o s co ll o qu y w ith
’
. .

8
I n CU T r in ity 1 44 6 ( 12 5 0 th e m o o n t r e e ( f o l 3 1r ) Ma r c o
. .

A D ) Th e R o ma n ce of A l e x
. . P o l o a l s o t e l l s o f th e s e m ar e l o u s v
a n de r in Fr e n c h v
erse by Eu t r ee s
“
And s e e R o u x d e R o ch e lle ,
s ta c h e ( o r T h o m a s ) o f K ent, N o t 1c e s u r l A r b r e d u S o l e il o u
’
,

a mo ng 15 2 p ic tu r es lis te d by A r br e S ec dé c r it d an s l a r e l a tio n
,
 CHA P TE R XX V
P O S T- CL A S S I CA L M E DI CI N E

Thr e e r e p r e s e n t at i e s v m e dicin e— Biblio g r ap hical

of p o s t -
cl a s s ical

n o te —
Me dical co mp en diums : O r iba s iu s an d P aul o f A egin a— Aé tius
o f A m ida— Ho w s u p e r s t it io u s a r e A etiu s and A l e x a n de r o f T r a l l e s ?

Co m p o und m e d ic in e s— Aetiu s m e r e l y r e p r o duce s th e s up e r s titio n o f

_

G al e n O c c u l t s c ie n c e m ix ed w ith so m e s c e p t ic is m— Al e x an der o f
—

T r a ll e s O r igina lity o f his w o r — His m e die al in fl u e n ce— His p e r

—
k v
s o n a l e x p e r ie n ce— E xt e nt o f h is s u p e r s tit io n— P hysi ca— O ccu l t ir tue v
o f s ub s t an c e s ap p lie d e x t e rn al ly— O th er t h in g s u s e d a s l ig a t ur e s an d

a m ul e t s— A s t r o l o gy an d s c ul p tu r e of r in g s— I n ca nt a t io n s— Co n j u ra

t io n o f an h e r b — Me die al v v
er s io n s ee m s l e s s s up e r s tit io u s t han the

o r igin al t e x t —
Mar ce ll u s : date and id entity —
“
Mar ce l l us Emp ir icus
S up e r s titio u s c h ar ac te r o f his m edic in e P r e p a ra tio n o f g o at s bl o o d
’
—

A r abbit s f oo t Mag ic t r an s f e r o f d is ea s e— P l in y an d Mar c ell us

’
— —

c o mpa r e d o n g r e e n liz a r ds a s ey e -cu r e s — M o r e liza r dr y— U s e o f s tone s

a n d an h er b— R igh t a n d l e f t : n um b e r— I nc anta t io n s an d cha r acte r s

Th e a r t o f me dic in e s ur i e s t h e b ar bar ian in a s io n s vv v .

IN t his chapt e r as r ep re s e nt ativ e s o f p o st cl assic al me dici ne -

a n d its i n flu e n c e up o n m e di e v a l L a ti n m e dici n e w e shal l

c o n sid e r th re e writ e rs w ho s e w o rk s d at e f r o m the cl o se o f

t he f o urt h t o t he m iddl e o f the si x th c en tury Marc ellus o f ,

B o rd ea ux o r Ma rce llus E mpir icu s Aé tius o f Am id a in ,

Me s o p o t am i a an d A l ex an d e r o f T r all e s in A si a Mi n o r
,
1
. .

T he y hav e j ust be en m e n ti o n e d in t he ir c h r o n o l o gic a l o rd e r ,

t h av b D i A g h il k d d A tius
1
' '

Th e e ap p r no
e a rs o e e en e u en e un e es e

co mp l t e ed iti f A é tiu
e ion oA mid G i hi h s u d n a us a, r ec sc n

G ree k Th fi t ight f h i ix d ut h h
. e rs e go J Hi hs s e sc er a u s . vo n . rs c

teen b k woo p i t d t V i
s er e b g p p x i 2 04 L ip ig 89 9
r n e a en c e er , .
, , e z ,
1 .

in 1 5 3 4 , a n d th e n in th a t L e ip zig A e tii s e r m o s e x tid e c imu s et

in 1 7 5 7 , bu t f o r t h e e n t ir e s ix t e e n u l tim u s ( Aen o v w -
7r é p l . ra cu uni pg .

k
b o o s o n e m u s t u s e t h e La tin 1r a 0wv E r s t e n s au s H S S
e tc .
)
t r a n s l a t io n o f C o r na r iu s , B a s e l , ve r Off e nt l m 1t Abbil du ng e n , e t c ,
. .

1 5 42 , e t c , w hic h I h a e r e a d in
. v v .S Z v
e r os , p p
.
’

,
1 7 2 , L e ip z ig , . k
S t e p h an u s , M e dic a e ar tis prin 1 9 01 .

cip e s , 1 5 67 . Ac u o u Ani bi vo v Ao yo s Bexa r o s Tr ey/

Ir '

R ec e n t e dit io n s o f p o r tio n s o f 7 0 s, e d 5 Z e r bo s , 19 09 , in Em o r y
. .

A é tiu s a r e : Aer i o v k o yo s Owbexa r o s p o m m Er a i p ei a , AOnva , vo l 2 1

’ '
. .

1rp wr o v vvv exdoflei s

‘
in ro I ewp yi o v A '
. My t o Al e x an de r o f
r e f e r e nc e s
K wa r oump o u, pp . 1 12 , 13 I , P a r is , T r a ll e s a r e b o t h t o t h e t e x t o f
1802 . S te p h an u s ( 1 5 67 ) a nd th e m o r e
 CH A P . x xv P O S T-CL AS S I CAL MED I CI N E 5 67

but altho ugh Mar c ellus an te d a te s th e o the r two by a f ull

c e n tury w e s hall c o nsid e r him l a st si n c e he wr o te in L ati n
, ,

w hil e t hey wr o t e in G r eek an d si nc e he i n clud e s Ce ltic w o rds ,

an d pr o b ably Ce ltic f o lk l o r e an d si n c e h e s e e m s t o h a v e -
,

r ece nt e ditio n by T h eo do r P u s c h A n o t her w o r k

b y P u s c h m an n
mann , A l ex a nd er vo n Tral l es may al s o b e n o t e d : N a c h tr cig e e u
'

O r igin a l tex t un d U ber s e txu n g A l ex a n d e r Tr a l lia n u s Frag .

n e bs t e in er e in l e i te n d e n A bha n d m e n te a u s P hil u m e n u s a n d P h i
lu ng V ie nn a , 18 7 8 9 , 2 o l s
,
-
v
T h is . lag r iu s n e bs t e in e r bis h e r n o c h
v
g i e s a m o r e c r it ic a l t e x t t h an an y u n g e dr u c k te n A bha nd lu ng ii b er
v
p r e io us e ditio n , bu t u n f o r t u A ug e n k r a n k h e i t e n B e r lin , 18 8 6 ,
,

n at ely P u s c h m an n a do p t e d s t il l in B e r l in e r S tu die n f c l a s s P hil o l . . .

an o t h e r a rr an gement in t o b o o s k u n d A r c ha e o l V , 2 ; 1 88 p p , in
.
,
.

t h a n t h o s e o f t h e M S S an d p r e i v wh ic h h e s e g r e g a t e s a s f r ag m e n t s
ous e dit io n s , an d al so in m y of P h il u m e n u s an d Phil ag r iu s
o p in io n did n o t m a e a s u ffi c ie n tk p o r t io n s o f t h e t e x t o f A l e x a n de r
s tu dy o f t h e La t in M S S His in . a s f o u n d in t h e L a t in M S S .

t r o du c tio n c o n ta in s in f o r m at io n My r e f e r en c e s f o r t h e D e
c o n ce r n in g A l ex a n d e r s lif e an d m e dic a m e n tis o f Ma r c e l l us ap p ly
’

v
t h e M S S a n d p r e io u s e dit io n s o f t o He l m r e ic h s e dit io n o f 18 89 in
’ "

h is w o r k s . t h e T e ubn e r s e r ie s This e dit io n

v
.

A a l u a bl e e a r lie r s tu dy on is ba s e d o n a s in g l e M S o f th e
A l ex an de r w a s th a t o f E Mil . n in t h c e n tur y at L a o n w h ich
wa r d, p ublis h e d in 1 7 3 3 u n d e r t h e He l m r e ic h f o ll o w ed V a l e n tin
t it l e , A L e tte r to th e H o n o ur a bl e R o s e in r e g a r din g a s th e s o l e e x
S ir Han s S l oa n e B ar t , e tc a n d . ta n t c o de x o f t h e w o r As a k .

in 17 34 a s Tr a l lian u s R e vivi r e s u l t R o s e in du l g e d in in g e n io u s
s e e ns 2 2 9 pp
,
Mil w a r d w a s p r e
. th e o r ie s t o e x p l a in h o w t h e e di tio
p a r in g an e dit io n o f A l e x a n de r pr in c eps by I an u s Co rna r iu s ,
o f T r a l l e s , b ut it w a s n e e r p ub v B a s e l , 1 5 36 , in c l u d e d t h e p r e ta
l is h e d His e s t im at e o f A l e x
. t o r y l e t t er a n d o t h e r p r e lim in ar y
a n d e r s p o s it io n in t h e his t o r y o f m at e r ia l n o t f o u n d in t h e La o n
’

m e d ic in e f u r n is h e s an in c id e ntal M S , w h o s e fi r s t l e a e s an d s o m e v
p ic tur e o f in t e r e s t o f t h e s t at e o f o th e r s a r e m is s ing .

m e dic in e in h is o w n t im e , th e
ea r ly e igh te e n t h c e n tu r y
T h e o l d L at in t r a n s l a tio n o f
A l e x an der o f T r al l e s w a s th e
fi r s t t o b e p r in t e d a t L yo n s , 1 5 04 ,
B ut a s a m a t t e r o f f ac t B N
. 6 880, a c l e a r a n d b e a ut if ul l y w r it
t e n M S o f t h e n int h c e n t u r y , c o n
t a in s t h e D e m e dic a m e n tis e n t ir e
w it h a l l t h e p r e l im in a r y l e tt e r s .

A l ex andr i ya tr o s pr a c tic a c u m v
Mo r e o e r , it is e ide n t t hat t he v
e x p o s itio n e g l os e in te r lin ear is e ditio pr in ceps w as p r in t e d d i
Ja c o bi de P a r tibu s e t ( S im on is ) r e c t l y f r o m t h is M S , w h ic h c o n

J a n u e ns is in m ar gin e p o s ite , a l s o t a in s n o t o n l y n o t e s by Co r n a r iu s
‘

v
P a ia, 1 5 20 an d V e n ic e 1 5 2 2 . k
but t h e m a r s o f t h e c o m p o s it o r s .

v
Ne x t ap p e a r e d a e ry f r e e La tin T h e t e x t o f th e e dit io n o f 1 5 3 6
t r an s l a t io n by T o r in u s in 1 5 33 a n d wa s r e p r o du c e d in th e m e dic al
1 5 4 1 , P a r aphr as e s in l ibr o s o m n e s co l l e c t io n s of A l du s , M e dic i
A l ex an dr i Tr a ll ia n i Th e G r e e
. k a n tiqu i, V e n ic e , 1 5 4 7 , a n d S t e p h
'

tex t of Al e x an d e r w as fir st anu s , M e dica e a r tis p r in cip es ,

p r in t e d by S t e p h a n u s ( R obe rt 1 5 67 .

Et ie n n e ) in 1 5 4 8 ( e d J G o up yl ) . . . J ac o b G r imm , Uber Ma r ce l lus

Th e L a t in t r an s l at io n by G u in th e r B ur dig a l e n s is in A bh a n dl d k g l . . .

A k ad d Wis s 2 B er l in
,

o f A n de r nac h , w h ic h is i n c l u de d . . . .

in S t e p h an u s fi r s t ap p p 4 9 6 0, dis c u s s e s th e e ide n c e
. 2 -
v
p e a r e d in 1 5 49 , S t r a s bu r g and , f o r p l a c in g Ma r c e l l u s un de r t h e
wa s r e p r in t e d a n u mbe r o f t im e s . o l de r T h e o d o s iu s lis t s t h e Ce l t ic
.
5 68 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP
.

be e n tiv e o f G aul if n o t o f B o rd e a ux an d thus is geo

a na , ,
1

gr ap h ic a lly cl o s e r to the sc en e o f m e di ev a l L a ti n l e a r n i n g .

A é t iu s a n d A l ex an d e r h av e th e cl o s e r c o nn e cti o n n o t o n ly
wit h the ea st e r n an d G r e e k w o rld but a ls o with the p a st
cl a ssic a l m e di ci n e o f G al en an d s o will pro vid e a b e tt e r
-

p o i n t o f d e p a rtur e P r e su m a bly f r o m the pl a c e s an d p e ri o ds

.

in w h ic h t h e y liv e d a ll t h r e e o f o ur a ut h o rs w e r e Ch r i sti an s
, ,

but it m ust be s a id that the ch i e f evid en c e o f Ch risti an ity

in t he ir w o rk s is the us e o f Ch ri sti an o r He br e w pr o p e r
n am e s in i n c an t a ti o n s an d t he r e a r e s o m e an a l o go us r e lics
,

o f p a gan sup e rstiti o n .

A s T r ibo n ian a n d Justi n i an b o il e d d o wn the v o lu mi n o us

l e gal lit e ra tur e o f Ro m e i n t o o n e Diges t s o the re was a ,

si m il a r t e n d en cy t o r educ e the p a st m e dic al writi n gs o f the

G r e e ks i n t o o n e c o m p en di o us w o rk P a ul o f A e gi n a writ .
,

in g in t he s e v e n t h c e n tury o bs e r v e s in h is pr e f a c e 2
t h at
,

it is n o t righ t w h e n l a wy e rs who usu ally h av e pl e n ty o f ti m e

,

t o r e fl e ct o v e r t h e i r c a s e s h a v e ha n dy su m m a ri e s o f t he ir
s ubj ec t t o w h ic h t h e y c an r e f e r th a t p hysici an s w ho s e c a s e s ,

o f t e n r e q uir e i m m e di a t e a cti o n s h o uld n o t a ls o h av e s o m e

w o r ds an d e x p r e s s io n s f o un d in there s ee m s to defi n ite be no

t h e D e m edica m e n tis a nd al s o , p r o o f th a t h e w a s f r o m th at c ity .

one h un d r e d s p e c im e n s o f it s J ul e s Co mb ar ie u , L a mu s iqu e e t
k
f o l l o r e a n d m a g ic
-
T h is a r tic l e
. l a ma gie 1 9 09 , p 8 7 , s ay s in r e f
,
.

was r e p r in t e d in K l e in e r e S c hr if e r e n ce t o t h e f o ll o w in g in ca n t a
te n I I
,
1 14 5 1 , w h e r e it is
-
t io n r e co mm e n de d by Ma r c e l l u s ,
f o l l o w e d a t p p 1 5 2 7 2 by a s up
.
-
t e tun c r es on c o br e g an gr es s o ,

p l e m e n ta r y p ap e r Ube r die M ar
“
J c r e m a’ r qu e e n p a s s an t qu il f aut
’

c e l lis c he n F o r me l n l i e w is e r e
, k f r o tte r l oeil e n d is ant c c c ar m e n ,

p r in t e d f ro m th e A c a de m y et qu e d a n s l e p a t o is d u Midi,
P r o ce e ding s f o r 18 5 5 , p p 5 1 68 br eg u a o u br e g e s ig n ifi e f r o tte r
’ ’
-
. . .
,

T h e m ag ic o f M a r c e ll u s w a s Ma r c e ll u s s i j e n e m e t r o mp e ,
,
”
f u r th e r t r e at e d o f by R Heim , . é ta it d e B o r d e a ux .

D e r e bus ma g icis Ma r ce l li m e dici, G r im m , h o w e e r v p 45 5 ,

”
.

in S c h e da e phil o l H e r ma n n o
. in t e r p r e t e d br eg a n as
“
l ie s
“
U s en e r o bla ta e pp 1 1 9 37 ,
-
. br e ig an g e n p l vo n br ea g l ii g e ,
. .

w h e r e h e adds n ova m ag ica ex an d t h e w h o l e lin e a s in m o d e r n

Ma r c e l li l ibr is c o l la ta w h ic h I r is h teith n a in u cr e s oin g o
“
G r im m h ad o m itte d . br e ig a n g r e as a ( fl e u c h vo n un s
“
Ma r c e l l us is o f te n c al l e d o f s ta ub h inn e n z u d e r l iig e n g e n o s
B o r d e au x , n o t ably in G r im m s ’

a r t ic l e , Uber M ar c e l l u s B u r dig a
“
S t e p ha n u s 3 47 , e t
l e ns is , 18 4 7 ; a l s o by C W K ing , . . s eq . Fo r a n E n g lis h t r a n s l atio n
T h e Gn o s tics a n d t h e ir R e ma ins , o f the te x t s e e F A da m s , Th e .

188 7 p 2 19 ; a n d by J G F r az e r ,
,
. . . S e ve n B o o k s of P a ulus A eg in eta,
The G o l d e n B o ug h, I , 2 3 ; but L o n do n , 1844 - 18 47 .
 MA G I C AN D E XPE R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HA P .

m ight the r e f o re ex p e ct to po ss e s s an e spe ci a l i nte re st f o r

o u r i n v e stiga ti o n .

O f the li fe an d p e rs o n a lity o f A e tius w e k n o w v e ry littl e ,

but i n a s muc h a s he m e n ti o n s S t Cyr il a rchbis ho p o f Al ex.

,

a n dri a an d P e t e r t h e A rc h i a t e r a p h ysici a n o f T he o d o ric

, , ,

wh il e he h i m s e l f is cite d by A l ex an d e r o f T r a ll e s h e s e em s ,

to hav e liv e d a t t he e n d o f th e fi f th a n d be g1n n 1n g o f the

si x t h c en tury An d si n c e A l ex an d e r cit e s h im o n ly in h is
?

bo o k o n fev e r s w h ic h se em s t o hav e b een c o m p o s e d a f t e r

t he r e st o f his w o rk it s ee m s pr o b a bl e t h a t A et iu s w as a l
,

m o st c o n t em p o r a r y wit h him a n d wr o t e in th e si x th r a t he r
t han the fi f t h c en tury His Te tr a bibl os each o f the f o ur
.
—

b o o ks subdivid e s i n t o f o ur s e cti o n s an d o f t e n t he s e ar e
sp ok en o f as si x t een b o o ks o ccupi e s a m iddl e p o siti o n n o t
—

o n ly in ti m e but in l e n gt h be tw e e n t he w o rks o f O riba sius

a n d Pa ul a n d r e s e m bl e s th e l att e r in m aki n g a gr e a t d e a l
,

o f u s e o f t he f o r m e r A é t ius ex tr acts f r o m the o l de r

’
-
.

writ e rs a r e s h o rt e r t han t ho s e o f O riba sius h o w ev e r an d , ,

he a ls o di ff e rs f r o m him in c o m bi n i n g s e v e r al a ut ho riti e s in
a si n gl e c ha pt e r th e m e t ho d usu a lly a d o pt e d by t he m e di e v a l
,

L ati n e n cycl o p e dists I t has b ee n n o t e d t h a t the w o rdi n g

.

o f the o rigi n al a ut h o riti e s w a s o f t e n pr e s e rv e d in t h e o ld e st

m e di eva l m a n uscripts o f Aet ius u n ti l t he c o pyists o f the ,

ti m e o f the I t a li an R e n a iss an c e b e gan to t o uc h up the styl e

in a cc o rd an c e wit h t he ir e rr o n eo us n o ti o n s o f w h a t c o n sti
tute d cl a ssic a l G r e e k I t m ay a ls o be s a id t ha t t h e s e sys
?

t e m a t ic a l ly a rr a n ge d han db o o ks o f O rib a sius A et iu s a n d , ,

t he r e st w he r e o n e c o uld fi n d w h at o n e w a s l o o ki n g a f t e r
, ,

w e r e f a r sup e ri o r in syst e m a tic an d o rd e rly pr e s e n t ati o n

t o the discursiv e w o rk s o f G al e n w h ic h lik e m an y o t h e r ,

cl a ssic a l writi n gs o f t e n s e em r am bli n g an d with o ut an y

,

p a rticul a r pla n ?
Th is m o r e l o gic a l i f s o m e w ha t cut a nd ,
-

“
Mil w a r d p . 19 ; P u s ch to fi nd co n fi r m ed by M il wa rd
ma nn I, 1 04 .
p . in th e p a r t icu l a r
29,
“
C h Da r e m be r g , His to ir e de s
. c a s e o f A l e x a n d e r o f T r al l e s , o f
S cie nc e s M é dic a l es , P a r is , 1 8 7 0, I ,
“
wh o m he w r it e s : As o ur
2 42
“
.
’
a ut h o r s s t il e is e x c e l l e n t , s o l i e k
T h is ge ne r al im p r e s s io n r e w is e is h is m e t h o d a n d t h e r e is ,

c e iv e d f ro m r e a din g m a n y c l a s s i n o r e s p e c t in w hic h h e is m o r e
v
c al an d m e die a l w o r s I w a s gl a d k dis ting uis h e d f ro m th e o th e r
xxv P OS T CL A S S I CAL
-
MEDI CI N E

dri e d m e tho d wa s als o to be a vi r tue o f m e di eva l L ati n

,

l ea r n i ng Whe the r Aetiu s dir e ctly i n flu en c e d the L a ti n m id

.

dl e a ge s is d o ubt f ul si n c e n o e a rly L ati n tran sl a ti o n o f h im

,

s eem s to be kn o wn ?
T h e w o rk o f O r iba s ius h o w e v e r , ,

e x ists in L ati n tr an sl a ti o n in m a n u s c r ip t s o f t h e s e v e n t h c e n

tury a s w ell as in o t he rs o f t he n i n t h an d tw e l fth ?

T he w o rks o f A e tiu s an d A l ex an d e r o f T r a ll e s do n o t
i m pr e ss m e a s c o nt a i n i n g an u n usu ally l a rge am o u n t o f
sup erstiti o us m e dici n e Much l e ss am I i n cli n e d to agr e e
.

with P ay n e t hat t he y ar e r e sp o n sibl e f o r the i n t r o ducti o n

i n t o cl assic al m e dici n e o f m a gic a l e l em en ts d e r iv e d f ro m
the e a st T h e s e e l em e n ts w h e th e r d e ri v e d f r o m th e o ri e n t
.
,

a n y m o r e t h an a ny o t he r f e a tur e o f cl a ssic a l civiliz a ti o n o r

n o t at a n y r at e h a d b e e n a p r o m i n e n t f ea tu r e o f cl a ssic a l
,

m e dici n e l o n g b e f o r e the d ays o f A et ius a n d A l ex an d e r a s ,

P li ny s r e vi e w o f m e dici n e b e f o r e h is ti m e a bun d a n tly

’

p r o v e d an d as is a ls o s ho w n by the e x tr ao rdi n ar y virtue s

w hic h P li n y hi m s e l f h is c o n t em p o ra ry D i o sco ride s an d
, ,

e v e n the gr e a t G a l e n a ttribut e d t o m e dici n a l si m pl e s .

It is tru e t h at A c ti n s a n d A l ex an d e r ab o u n d in r e cip e s
f o r e l ab o r a t e m e dic a l c o m p o u n ds c o m p o s e d o f n u m e r o us in
g r e d ie n ts O f
. suc h c o n c o cti o n s o n e e x a m pl e m ust su ffic e a ,

pl a ste r wh ich Aet ius r e c o mm e n ds f o r tum o rs hard lum ps , ,

“
a n d go ut O f th e t e re bi n t h t r e e o f the st o n e o f A sia o f
.
-
, ,

bitu m en thr e e hun dre d a n d si x ty dr am s e a c h ; o f w a sh i n g

s o d a ( s puma e nitr i ) c al f f at w ax l aure l be rri e s a m mo n i a
,
-
, , , ,

a n d t hym e t h r e e h u n dr e d an d f o rty dr am s e a ch ; o f t h e

st o n e pyrit e s an d quick li m e o ne hun d r e d an d tw en ty d r am s

-

e ac h ; o f th e a s h e s o f a sps w h ic h h a v e b e e n bur n e d a liv e o n e

G r ee k k
w r it e r s in p hy s ic th an in t r a n s l a tio n s of G ree k m e dic al
t his . k
T h e w o r s o f Hipp o c r at e s , w r it e r s
“
.

G a l en , a n d inde e d o f a ll o f th e m BN 1 02 3 3 , 7 th c e n t u ry u n c ia l ;
e x c ep t it be A r e ta e u s a r e n o t BN n o uv acq7 8t h c e n
16 1 9 , -

v v
. .

o n ly er y o l u m in o u s bu t p u t t o t u r y, d e m i u n c ia l ; B N 9 33 2 , ot h
-

g e th e r w ith l it tl e o r n o o r d e r , a s c e n t u r y, f o l 1 O r ibas n s yn o p s is
v
.

is e ide n t e n o ug h t o a ll s u c h a s m e d ic a ; CL M 2 3 5 3 5 , 1 2 th c e n
v v
h a e b e e n co n e r s an t w it h th e m
”
. t u r y , f o l s 7 2 a n d 1 12
. V Ro s e , . .

“
B a t e mbe r g I, 2 5 8 9 , -
S o r an u s , 1 882 , p p iv- v, s p e a s o f
. k
sa id t h at a ma s s o f M S S in a a s ix t h c e nt u r y La tin e r s io n o f v
s co r e o f E u r o p ean l ib r a r ie s co n O r ibas ius .

t a in e d a s y e t u n ide n t ifi e d La t in
572 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

h u n dr e d an d f o rty
dram s ; o f o l d o il two p o u n ds First .

lique f y t he o il an d w ax the n the bitu m en w h ich s ho uld

, ,

h a v e first b ee n pulv e riz e d A dd t o t h e s e the f at an d p r e s

.
,

e n tly th e a m m o n i a a n d t e r e bi n t h ; a n d w h e n t he s e a r e t ak e n

o ff t h e fi r e m ix in t h e li m e a n d st o n e o f A si a the n th e ,

l aur e l be r r i e s a n d w a s h i n g s od a a n d fi n ally a f t e r the m e dic a

—
,

” 1
m en t h a s c o o l e d spri n kl e th e a sh e s o f a sps up o n it S uch .

c o n c o cti o n s a r e to a l a rge ex t e n t bo rr o w e d by Aet ius Al e x ,

a n d e r a n d M a r c e llus f r o m e a rli e r writ e rs

,
Mo r e o v e r w h il e .
,

P li n y ha d e x clud e d suc h c o m p o u n d s f r o m the p a ge s o f his

N a tur al H is tor y h e h a d a ls o m a d e it a bu n d an tly e vid e n t
,

t ha t t he y w e r e alr e a dy in ge n e r a l u s e by h is ti m e an d the y ,

a r e t o be f o u n d in gr e a t n u m b e rs in th e w o rks o f G a l e n

w ho cit e s m an y f r o m pr e c e di n g w rit e rs .

I n d e e d it w as f r o m G a l en h i m s e l f an d n o t f r o m the c as t
,

t ha t A etiu s at l ea st d e rive d h is m o st striki n gly sup e rstiti o us

p a ssa ge s T h is w as a ccid e n t a lly an d c o n v i n ci n gly pr o v e n
.

by m y o w n ex p e ri e n c e It s o ha pp e n e d t ha t I w r o t e an ac
.

c o u n t O f the p a ss a ge s in the Te tr a bi bl os o f Aet ius b e f o r e

I h a d r ea d e x t e n si v e ly in G a l e n s w o rks When I c am e ’
.

t o d o so I fo u n d t ha t al m o st e v e r y p a ss a ge t h a t I h ad
,

s e l e cte d to illustra t e the sup e rstiti o us sid e o f Aet ius w a s

c o nt ai n e d in G a l en : f o r ex am pl e the us e a s an am ul et o f a ,

gr ee n j a sp e r susp e n d e d f r o m the ne ck by a t h r ead s o as to

t o uch the abd o m e n ; the sto ry o f the re ape r s who f o un d
2

t he d e a d vip e r in t h e ir wi n e a n d cur e d i n st e a d o f killi n g

t he su ff e r e r fr o m e l e p ha n ti a sis t o w ho m t he y g av e the wi n e -

t o dri n k ; the ta l e o f h is pr ec e pt o r w h o r o a st e d riv e r cr abs

3

t o an as h in a r e d c o pp e r dis h in A ugust duri n g do g d ays o n -

_

th e e igh t ee n t h day o f th e m o o n an d a d m i n ist e r e d th e p o wd e r

,

da ily f o r f o rty days to p e rs o n s bitt e n by m ad d o gs 4

S uc h .

Te tr a bibl o s , I V , iii, 1 5 . 1 ( K u h n XI I
, 3 11 ,
“ ‘
I bid I , iv, 9 , w h e r e G al e n is
.
,
Te tr a bibl o s I , ii, 1 7 5 ; K uhn
n o t c it e d, a n d II I 1, 9 w h e r e
, , XI I , 3 5 6 9 G al e n is n o t c it e d in
-
.

G a l e n is c ite d I n G al e n , D e s im
. t h is , n o r in a n y o f t h e f o l l o w in g
plicibus I X, 11, 1 9 ( K ii hn , XI I ,
, p a s s ag e s f r o m t h e Te tr a biblo s
lis te d in t h e n o te s, unl e ss t his is
“
I bid , I , 11, 1 7 0 , wh e r e G al e n is
. e x p r e s s ly s tate d .

n o t c it e d ; D e s imp lic ibus XI , 1, ,

57 4 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

” 1
b een c e le brat e d as a m yst e ry S uc h u s e o f e a rt hw o r m s
.

c o n ti nu ed a f e atur e o f m e di e va l d en ti stry .

O f m y o rigi n a l s e l e cti o n s f r o m A etius v e ry f ew ar e no w

le f t an d it is no t u n lik e ly tha t t hey to o m igh t be f o un d
,

s o m e whe r e in G al e n s w o rks if o ne l o o k e d l o n g eno ugh

’
.

Aet ius a ss e rts t ha t dri n ki n g bitu m e n o r a sphalt in w at e r

will pr e ve nt hydr o p ho bi a f r o m d e ve l o pi n g ? an d r e co mmen ds
f o r w o u n ds i n flict e d by s e a s e rp en ts an a pplic ati o n o f l e a d
wit h a slic e o f the s e rp en t its e l f ?
He t ak e s the f o ll o wi n g
pre s cripti o n f r o m O rib asius To cur e i m p o tency an o i n t .

th e big t o e o f the righ t f o o t wit h o il in w h ich th e p ul ve riz e d

a s h e s o f a liz a rd h a v e b e e n m i x e d T o c he ck t he o p e r ati o n .

o f t h is p o w e r f ul sti m ul an t o n e h a s m e re ly t o w a sh o ff the

o i n t m e n t f r o m th e t o e O n th e o t he r h an d an i n st an c e
4
.
,

o f a sc e ptic a l t en d en cy is the cit ati o n o f t he vi e w o f P o si

do n iu s t ha t th e s o c a ll e d in cu bus is no t a d em o n but a dis

-

e a s e a ki n t o e pil e psy an d i n s an ity an d m a rk e d by s uff o ca

ti o n l o ss o f v o ic e heavi n e ss an d i m m o bility It m ay als o

, ,
5
,
.

b e n o t e d t ha t in discu s si n g t he m e dici n al vi r tu e s o f the

b eave r s t e sticl e s A cti n s d o e s n o t i n clude th e st o ry o f its
’

biti n g t hem o ff in o rd e r t o e scap e its h u n t e rs ?

He d o e s ,

ho w eve r cit e s ev e r al autho riti e s P is o Men el bus S i m o ni d e s

, , , , ,

A rist o d e m us an d P he re cyde s f o r i n st a n c e s o f the re ma rk

,

a bl e p o w e rs o f c e rt a i n a n i m a ls in disc o v e ri n g th e pr e s en c e

o f p o is o n s a n d pr e s e rvi n g t he m s e lv e s an d th e ir o w n e rs f r o m

t h is d ange r : a pa rt ridge w ho m a d e a gr eat n o is e and fuss

w he ne v e r an y me dic am en t o r p o is o n w a s be i n g pr epa r e d
in the h o us e ; a p e t e a gl e w h o w o uld a tt a ck any o n e in th e
h o us e who ev en pl o tt e d suc h a t hi n g ; a p e a c o ck wh o w o uld
g o t o t h e pl a c e w h e r e t h e d o s e h a d b e e n pre p a re d a n d r a is e
“
T t bibl
e ra I I iv 3 4 ; K iih
os il in w h i h e th w ms h v e
n o c ar or a

k
, ,

XII 860 P h p
, . l
er a sb a d
c o s er cor e e n co o e .

“
r e s p o n de n ce t h an this co ul d be Te tr a bibl o s I , 11, 4 9 .

“
f o und I n h is p r ec e ding
.
33rd Te tr a bibl o s I V , i, 39 .

c h a p te r , h eade d Cu r a tio e r o s o r u m Te tr a bi bl o s III , iii, 3 5 .

d e n tiu m ex G a l en o , A et ius in
“
Te tr a bibl a s I I , ii, 1 2 Ma r .

e l u de s u s e o f t h e t o o t h o f a d e a d c e l l u s , c a p 2 0 ( p 1 88 ) al s o s p e a s
. . k
v
d o g p ul e r iz e d in v
in eg a r , w h ich of
“
t ho s e w ho o f t en t hin t h at k
is t o b e h e ld in t h e m o uth o r ,
t h e y a r e m a de s p o r t o f by a n 1n
”
fi ll 1n g th e e ar n e x t t h e t oo th w ith c ub a s .

”
f um igat e d ea r th w o r m s o r w ith Te tr a bibl os , I, 11, 17 7 .
x xv P OS T- CL AS S I CAL MEDI CI N E

a clam o r o r ups e t the r e c e pt acl e c o n t a i n i n g the p o ti o n o r

, ,

dig up a ch a rm if it had b een buri e d u n d e rgr o u n d ; an d a

,

p e t ic h n e um o n an d p a rr o t w ho w e r e e n d o w e d wit h v e ry

si m ila r gi fts A etius s ho ws a slight t e n d en cy in the dir ec

?

“
ti o n o f a stro l o gic al me dici n e givi n g a list o f ti m es o r
,
”
d ai n e d by G o d f o r the risi n gs an d s e tti n gs o f v ari o us stars ,
“
si nc e the s e a ffe ct the air an d wi n ds an d si n c e the b o di e s ,

o f p e rs o n s in g o o d h ea lt h an d m uch m o r e s o th o s e o f th e
,
” 2
sick ar e a lt e r e d acco rdi n g t o the st at e o f the air
,
But o n .

th e w ho l e o f o ur t h r ee a ut ho rs A etiu s s ee m s to c o n t a i n the
, ,

s m a lle st pro p o rt i o na l amo un t o f sup e rstiti o us m e dici n e and

o ccult sci e n c e .

Al ex a n d e r o f T r all e s wa s the s o n o f a p hysici an an d ,

a cc o r di n g t o t he Byz an ti n e h ist o ri an A gat h ia s t h e yo u n g

3
, ,

e s t o f a gr o up o f fi ve disti n guis he d br o th e rs i ncludi ng ,

Anthem ius o f T r a ll e s a rch it ect o f S t S o ph i a at Co n st an ti

,
.

n o pl e a n d Met r o do ru s th e gr am m a ri an
, w ho m Justi ni an ,

summ o n e d a ls o to his c o urt Al ex an d e r h ad visit e d I t al y

.
,

G aul an d S p a i n a s w e ll as all p ar ts o f G r e e c e b e f o r e s e t
,
4

tli n g d o w n in o l d age w hen he co uld no l o n ge r e n gage in

,

a ctiv e m e dic a l p r a ctic e to th e c o m p o siti o n o f h is m agn u m

5
,

o pus in tw e lv e b o o ks b e gi n n i n g with th e h e a d e y e s an d ea rs , , ,

a n d e n di n g with g o ut an d f e v e r A sid e f r o m h is cit ati o n o f

.

Aetius in the b oo k o n f e ve rs the l a t e st write r n am e d by ,

Al exa n d e r is J a c o bus P s yc hr e s tu s ph ysici an to L e o th e ,

G r e a t ab o ut I t s ee m s r a th e r str a n ge that A l ex an d e r
s ays n o t hi n g o f the p e stil en c e o f
A l ex an d e r e m b o di e d th e r e sults o f his o w n pr a ctic e to a
m uc h gr e at e r e x t e n t than O rib a sius a n d A etiu s His b o o k .

is m o re a r e co rd o f his o w n m e dic a l o bse rvati o n s an d e x pe r i

e n c e s t h an a c om pil a ti o n f r o m p a st writi n gs a f a ct r e c o g ,

’
Te tr a biblos , I V , i, 86 . t r a ve l d t h r o u gh G r e e c e , G aul ,
“
Te tr a bibl o s I , iii, 164 This . S p a in , a n d s e v e ral o the r p l ac e s
p a s s a g e w a s p r in t e d s e p a r a t e l y in w h o s e m e n t io n w e fi n d up a n d
t h e U r a n o l og io n o f D P e t a viu s ,
. do w n in his w o r s
5
”
k .

P a r is , 163 0 an d 1 7 03 . P u s c h m a n n ( 187 8 ) I , 2 88 , 816 « a t

“
Ag ath ia s , D e im p e r io e t r e bus
’

yép wv Ro w dy n e cda p xd: It a l xdp vew

'
"

g es tis J us tinia ni, P a r is , 1860, p

’
. Ol mén bvvdp evo s
1 49 .
5
Mil w ar d p 25 . .

‘
M1l wa r d p 17 ,. he P u sc h m a n n I , 83 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CHAP .

n ize d fi rst e diti o n w hich e n titl e d it P r actic a an d

in the ,

“
tho ugh he p a ys a due d e f e re n c e to the anc i e nts yet he is ,

s o f ar f r o m putti n g an i m plicit fa it h in w ha t t he y h a v e

a dv a n c e d t ha t he v e ry o f t e n diss e n ts f r o m t he ir d o ctri n e s
” 1
.

P u schm ann r e ga rd e d h im a s th e fi rst d o ct o r f o r a l o n g ti m e

w ho h ad d o n e a n y o rigi n a l th i nki n g ? a n d e st e em e d his
p ath o l o gy a s h igh ly as h is th e r a pe utics h a d b e en e st eem e d
by his si x te ent h c e n tury tr an sla t o r G ui n the r o f An d e r ,

n ac h Fri en d wr o t e o f him in the e a rly e ight e e n th ce n

3

tury His m etho d is ex tr em e ly r ati o n al an d j ust an d a f te r

,

al l o ur disc o v e ri e s a n d i m pr o v em en ts in p hysick s ca rc e an y
” 4
th i n g can be a dd e d to it A l ex a n d e r s ee m s t o h a v e be e n
.

a pr a ctiti o n e r o f m uc h r e s o urc e an d i n ge n uity sto ppi n g ,

hem o rrh a ge o f th e n o s e by bl o wi n g d o w n o r f uzz up th e

n o strils t h r o ugh a h o ll o w r ee d a n d dir e cti n g p ati e n ts a , ,

tho us an d y ea rs b e f o r e the disc o v e ry o f the E ust a ch i an tube ,

t o sn ee z e wit h m o ut h an d n o s e st o pp e d up in o rd e r to dis
l o dge a f o re ign o bj e ct f ro m the ear ?
A cc o r di ng t o Mil
w ard A l ex an de r w a s th e fi rst G r eek m e dic al write r to m en
,

ti o n r h ub a rb a n d t ap e w o r m s an d the first p r a ctiti o n e r t o

—
,

o p e n the j ugul a r v e i n s I n d e e d A l e x an d e r a dvis e s bl o o d

?
,

l e tti n g a gr e a t d e al but Milw a rd w hos e a ge still appro v e d

, ,

“
o f t h a t pr a ctic e n o t e s th a t h e w as
,
n o w ays a ddict e d t o

t ho s e sup e rstiti o us rul e s o f o p en i n g th is o r that v e i n in

pa rticul a r ca s e s w hich s ev e r al o f t he anci e nts an d s o m e
” 7
e v e n a m o n g th e m o d e r n s ha v e b e e n s o v e ry f o n d o f .

Fi n ally Al ex an d e r s c o n cis e an d o rd e rly m etho d o f pre s en t a

,
’

ti o n c o m p a r e s f av o r a bly wit h that o f the cl as s ica l m e dic a l

writ e rs .

A l ex an d e r s bo o k tr a v e l e d w e st as its a ut h o r h ad d o n e
’
, ,

a n d w a s curr e n t in a f r e e a n d abb r e vi a t e d L a ti n tr a n sl a ti o n

f r o m a n e arly d a t e 3
I n fa ct it w a s f r o m th e L a ti n v e rsi o n
.
,

“
Mil w a r d p . 27 . I bid , p p 48-9
. . .

S e e V Ro s e , He r mes , V III ,
“ “
P u s c h m an n 1 5 2 -3 . .

“
S tep h an u s I, 13 1 .
39 ; A n e c d o ta I I , 1 08
,
. I p r e s um e
“
F r ie nd I, 1 06 . t h a t B N 9 3 3 2 , oth ce n t ur y, f o l .

l“
Mil w a r d pp 6 5 6, 5 7
—
. 13 9 ,
“
A l e x a n dr i h iat ro s o fi s t e
e t s eq . t h e r ap e u t ( i ) c o n ( l ib r i t r es ) 15
I bid .
, pp . 1 04 , 2
9 3,
-
71 . th e f r ee La t in t r a n s l atio n in a
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE CHAP .

m edicus ,c un t e r e d in t h irt e e n t h c e n tury writ e rs o n the

en o

n atur e o f t h i n gs lik e T ho m a s o f C a n t im p r é an d B a rt h o l o

m e w o f En gl a n d h ave r e fe r e n c e to A l e x a n d e r o f T r a lle s
, ,

si n c e a tr eatis e o n f ev e rs is a ls o a scrib e d to A l exan d e r o f

A p h r o disi a s ? w h il e a w o r k o n t he puls e a nd uri ne in
f e ve rs is t ho ugh t t o be by s o m e m e di e v a l A l ex a n d e r ?
And
m e dic a l tr e a tis e s a r e s o m e ti m e s a scrib e d e v e n t o A l exan d e r
t he G r ea t o f Ma c e d o n in th e m e di e v a l m an uscripts ?

We ha v e a lre ady s aid t hat A l ex an de r is n o me re co m

pil e r but em bo di e s the r e sults o f his o w n o bs e rva ti o n an d
e x p e ri e n c e duri n g a l o n g p e ri o d o f tr av e l an d m e dic al
practic e He f re qu ently a sse rts t hat he h a s t e ste d t h is o r
.

t ha t f o r h i m s e l f o r t hat the pr e scripti o n in qu e sti o n has

,
” 4
b e en a ppr o ve d by l o n g u s e a n d ex p e ri e n ce
“
s o t h a t it ,

is n o t surprisi n g t ha t we fi n d the nam e A l ex an d e r still a s

“ ”
s oc iate d with m e dic a l e x p e ri m e n ts in m a n uscripts d a ti n g
fr o m the tw e l ft h t o fi f t ee n t h c e n turi e s ?
O n e o f his cur e s
“ ”
f o r e pil e psy he l ear ne d f r o m a rustic in T usc an y
( T h u s c ia ? ) but a f t e rw a rds o f t e n e m p l o y e d wit h succ e ss
“
hims e l f ?
I t is a m a rv e l o us a n d e x c e pti o n a l m e dici n e
”
whic h yo u will c o mm u n ic at e t o n o o ne c o n clude s A lexan ,

Thu s in V endOm e 1 09 ( s e e ta m agn i Al e x an dr i Mac e do n n

”
n o te 2 , p 5 7 7 ) be s ide s t h e e x t r a ct s
.
q uo d f a c it s t o m a t ic is e p il e n ticis .

f ro m A l e x an de r o f T r a l l e s w e S t e in s c h n e ide r , c it e d by P us c h
“
fi n d a t f o l 5 8, A l e x a n de r ( Ap h
. m a n n ( 187 8 ) I , 1 06, h a s a l s o
r o dis ie ns is ) a m ic u s v e r it at is in n o t e d t h e a t t r ibu t io n in He b r e w
t e r t io lib r o s u o ubi d e f e br ibu s M S S t o A l e x an de r th e G r ea t o f
co m m e m o r at
”
T h e A r ab s s ee m
. a wo r k v
o n f e e r u r in e , an d p ul s e ,
,

to v
ha e c o n f us e d th e s e t wo p r e s u m ab l y id e n tical w ith t h at
A l e x an de r s : s e e S te in sc h n e id e r m e n t io n e d in t h e f o r e go ing n o te .

“
p 6 1 ; P us c h mann
. S te p han us ( 1 5 6 7 ) I , 1 7 6 , 2 04 ,
s 2 16 , 2 2 5 ; a n d P u s c h m a n n , I I , 5 7 5 ,
S e e the dis cu s s io n by C h o ul a n t a r e a f e w s p ec im e n s .

“
in Ja n u s p 5 2 , an d
. A mp l o n Q u a r to 2 04 , 12 13 th
,
—

He n s c h e l in D e R e n z i ( 1 85 2 -9 ) c e n tu r y , f o l s 9 0 5 , Ex p e r im e n t o
.
-

I I , 1 1 , o f a 1 2 th c e n t u r y M S a t r um A l e x a n dr i m e d ic i c o l l ect io
“
B r e s l au , Libe r A l e x a n dr i d e s u c c in c t a . D igby 7 9 1 3 th c en ,
“
a gn o s c e n dis f e br ibus e t p u l s ibu s t u r y, f o l s 1 80 9 2 v
. Al e x a n dr in a
-
,
”
et u r in is ; al s o P u s c h m an n e x p e r im e n t a d e l ib r o p e r co mp e n
( 18 7 8 ) I , 1 05 6 , c o n c e r n in g B N
-
d io se e x t r act at a m e l io r a ut n o
G re e k M S 2 3 16, whic h s e e m s t o bis v is u m e s t ad s in g ula s e g r itu
k
be a l a t e G r e e t r a n s la tio n o f it, ”
_

din e s A dd it io n a l 34 1 1 1 1 sth
k
.
,

a n o th e r in s ta n c e t h a t a G r e e t ext ce n t ur y , fo l Ex p e r im e nta
77,.

is n o t n ec e s s a r il y th e o r ig ina l .
”
A l e x a n d r i in E n g l is h
, .

“ ”
C o r p u s C h r is t i 18 9 , 1 1 - 12 th S te p h an us I , 1 5 6 ; P us c h mann
“
ce n tu r y, f o l s 1 5 ,
-
. A n tido tu m p ig II , 5 63 .
xxv P O S T- CL AS S I CA L M ED I CI N E 57 9
de r , r athe r su r prisi n g p r oh ibiti o n in vi ew o f the f act that
a

it w a s a p o pul a r r em e dy to b e gi n wit h F o lk l o r e ho w ev e r
.
-
, ,

is o f ten supp o s e d to be k ept s e cr e t A no the r gen e r al rul e

.

w hich ho lds tru e in A l ex an d e r s c a s e is t ha t the s e e m piric a l

’

r em e di e s a r e apt to be the m o st su pe rstiti o us an d c o n v e rs e ly ,

t hat m arve ls ar e apt to be suppo rte d by s o l em n a ssuran ce

o f t he ir ex p e ri m e n t al t e sti n g .

T w o c e n turi e s a go Milwa rd wr o t e o f A l ex an d e r o f
“
T r a ll e s But t he re is ano t he r o bj e cti o n to o ur autho r s ’

c har a ct e r wh ich I c ann o t pr e t en d to s ay m uch in d e f en c e

o f an d t ha t is h is b e i n g a ddic t e d t o c h a r m s an d a m ul e ts
, , .

I t is v e ry surprisi n g t hat o n e w h o disc o v e rs s o m uch j udg

m en t in o t he r m att e rs s h o uld s h o w s o m uc h w e ak n e ss in
” 1
this . A l e x and e r c e rt a i n ly d e vo t e s m o r e sp a c e t o sup e r
s t itio n r e l a tiv e ly t o t he l en gt h o f h is b o o k t han A et ius d o e s

a n d a ls o is ho spit abl e t o a wid e r r an ge o f m o r e o r l e ss

m a gic al n o ti o n s a nd pra ctic e s O n e n o tic e s h o w e v e r in

.
, ,

his b o o k tha t t he tr e a t m e n t o f c e rt a i n dis ea s e s suc h as ,

e pil e psy c o lic go ut and qu art an fe ve r i s m o r e like ly to

, , , ,

i nvo lv e m agic al an d a str o l o gic a l pr o ce dure t han t hat o f

o t he r a il m e n ts suc h a s e a r a c he a n d dis o rd e r o f the spl ee n .

T h is is als o ap t t o be th e c a s e wit h o th e r a n ci e n t a nd
me di e v a l m e dic a l w o rk s But it is d o ubt f ul if the dis tinc
.

ti o n c an be sha rply dr a wn t ha t m a gic wa s r e s o rt e d t o m o re

in t ho s e dis ea s e s w h ich se e m e d m o st m yst e ri o us an d i ncur
a bl e .

T he c h i e f circu m st an c e w h ich r e n d e rs s o me p a rts o f P hysica .

A l exan d e r s w o rk m o re sup e rstiti o us t h an o t he rs is t hat

’

h e s o m e ti m e s a f t e r c o n cludi n g t he usu a l m e dic a l de s c r ip

,

ti o n o f the dis e a s e a n d pr e scripti o n s f o r it a dds a list ,

o f w ha t h e c a lls p hysic a l o r n a tur a l m e dici n e s (qb uca) va

,

w h ich ar e f o r the m o st p art ligatur e s and s us pe ns 1o n s but

i nv o l v e a ls o the em pl o ym en t o f i n c ant ati o n s a n d e n gr ave d
i mage s o r cha r a cte rs App a ren tly he c alls t he s e r em e di e s
.

h
p y s ica b e
,
c a us e t h e y supp o s e dly a ct by s o m e p e culi a r pro p
e r ty o r o ccult virtu e o f t h e subst an c e w h ic h is b o un d o n

“
Mil wa r d p . 1 68 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE CH AP .

or susp e n d e d an d c o n stitut e a s o rt o f n atur al m agic Al ex .

“
a n d e r e x pl a i n s t ha t si n c e s o m e c ann o t o bs e rv e a di e t n o r
e n dur e m e dici n e the y c o m p e l us in th e c a s e o f go ut t o
,

e m pl o y p hysic a l r e m e di e s a n d liga tur e s ; a n d in o rd e r t h a t

t he w e ll tra i n e d physici a n m ay be i n struct e d in e v e r y sid e

-

o f h is ar t an d a bl e to h e lp a ll sick p e rs o n s in e v e ry w a I
y ,
” 1
c o m e to t h is subj e ct T h is ra t he r a p o l o ge tic t o n e a n d
.

the f a ct t ha t h e s e p a r at e s the phys ica f r o m his o t h e r r e m e di e s

s h o w t h a t he r e ga rds t he m a s n o t quit e o n th e s am e l e v e l

wit h n o rm al m e dic a l pro c e dur e He go e s o n to s ay ho w .

,
“
e ve r t hat a ltho ugh t he r e a r e m an y o f t he s e physic a
,

r eme di e s w h ic h a r e e ffic a ci o us h e w ill writ e d o wn o n ly ,

t ho s e pr o v e d tru e by l o n g us e In discussi n g f e v e rs he a ga i n
.

j ustifie s t he i nclusi o n o f phys ica in m uc h the s am e way a n d

s a ys t ha t t ho s e n o w m e n ti o n e d w e re l ea r ne d by him duri n g
a l o n g e x t e n d e d p r a ctic e an d e x p e ri e n c e I t is t o be n o t e d
- ?

tha t s o m e o f th e s e ch apte rs o n physic a l liga tur e s do n o t

a pp e a r in t he L ati n v e rsi o n in t h r ee b o o ks a t l ea st a s it w a s ,

pri nt e d in 1 5 04 .

O n e liga tur e w h ich is q uit e c e l e br a t e d a n d a ppr o v e d by

”
m a n y a n d w h ic h i n st a n tly l e ss e n s th e p a i n o f ulc e rs in the
f ee t m ak e s u s e o f m uscl e s f r o m a wild a s s a wild b o a r
, , ,

an d a st o rk bi n di n g the righ t m uscl e s ab o ut the p ati e n t s ’

right fo o t a nd the l e f t m usc l e s ab o ut the l e f t f o o t S o m e .

p e rs o n s h o we ve r do n o t i n t e rtwi n e the m uscl e s o f the sto rk

, ,

wit h the o t he rs but put them s e p a rat e ly i nt o the ski n o f a

s ea c a l f
-
A ls o t he y t ak e c a r e t o bi n d the o th e r m uscl e s
.

a b o ut t h e p a ti e n t s f ee t w h e n th e m o o n is in the w e st o r m a
’

ste ril e sign an d a ppr o ac hi n g S aturn O the rs bi n d o n the .

t en d o n s a n d cl a ws o f a vultur e o r the f e e t o f a h a r e w ho,

s ho uld r e m a i n a liv e A l ex an d e r s ee m s to r e ga rd the c a rca ss

?

o f the a s s a s e sp e ci a lly r e m e di a l in t h e c a s e o f e pil e psy In .

S p a i n h e l e a rn e d t o u s e th e skull o f a n a s s r e duc e d t o a s he s
an d he r e c o m m e n ds e m pl o yi n g t he f o r e he a d a n d br a i n o f a n

“
S t e p h an us I , 3 12 ; P u s chmann an d 339 ; P usc h ma nn I , 4 0 7 , 4 3 7 .

“
I I, 5 7 9 . S te p h a n u s I , 3 12 P usc h m an n
“
S te p h an u s I , 3 4 5 , see al s o 2 96 II 5 79
, .
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

as O s tan e s an d D em o critus ,
te lls h o w the l atte r su ff e r e d
an d

in y o uth f r o m e pil e psy u n til an o r a cl e f r o m De l ph i i n structe d

h im t o m ak e u s e o f the w o r m s in go a ts br a i n s Wh e n a ’
.

go a t s n e e z e s vi o l e n tly s o m e o f the s e w o r m s ar e ex pe ll e d
,

i nt o h is n o strils w h en c e t he y s ho uld b e c a re fully extr a ct ed

,

in a cl o t h witho ut a ll o wi n g t h e m t o t o uch the gro u n d .

E it he r o n e o r t h r e e o f t h e m sho ul d t h e n b e w o rn ab o ut the
e pil ep tic s n e ck wr a pp e d in t h e t h i n sk i n o f a bl a ck sh e e p
’ ?

O n e p a ss a g e h a s alr e ady be e n cite d w he r e a str o l o gic al

c o n diti o n s w e r e o bs e rv e d Al ex a n d e r s o m e ti m e s pr escribe s
.

the day o f the m o n t h up o n w h ic h t h i n gs s h a ll b e d o ne ; an

o il f o r i n st a n c e
,
is t o be pr e p a r e d o n th e fi f t h o f Ma rch
,
?

I n o n e pl ac e A l e x a n d er a dvis e s e n gr avi n g up o n a c o pp e r
die a li o n a ha l f m o o n a st a r an d the n am e o f the b ea st
,
-
, ,
.

T h is is t o be w o r n e n cl o s e d in a go ld ri n g up o n the f o urth
fin g e r ?
T hat t he li o n m ay n o t st an d f o r a sign o f the
z o di a c is sugge st e d by ano the r i n structi o n c o n c e rn i n g an
e n gr av e d st o n e t o be s e t in a g o ld ri n g an d w h ich is t o be ,

c a rve d with a fi gu r e o f He rcul e s su ff o c ati n g a li o n 4

Fo r .

go ut ho w e v e r o n e writ e s a v e rs e o f Ho m e r o n a c o pp e r
, ,

pl at e w he n the m o o n is in L ibr a o r L e o Fo r c o lic o n e in

?

scrib e s up o n an ir o n ri n g wit h an o ct an gul ar circu m f e r en c e

“ ” 5
a c ha r m b e gi nn i n g Fl ee fl ee c o lic
, , ,
.

T he e m pl o y m e n t o f suc h i n c an t ati o n s is ex pr e s s ly j usti

“
fi e d by A l ex an d e r w ho m a i nt a i n s t hat e v e n
,
the m o st
”
divi ne G al e n w h o o n c e t ho ught tha t i n c an t ati o n s w e r e o f
,

n o a v a il c am e a ft e r a l o n g ti m e and m uc h ex p e ri en c e t o
,

b e c o n vi n c e d t ha t t he y w e r e o f gr e a t e ffi c a cy Al ex an d e r .

t hen q u o t e s f ro m a tre atis e w h ic h is no t ext an t but w hich

h e a ss e rts i s a w o rk by G a l e n e n titl e d O n m e dical tr ea tme n t ,

in H o m er S o s o m e t h i n k t ha t i n c a n t a ti o n s a r e lik e o ld
7 “
.

wiv e s t al e s a n d s o I t h o ught f o r a l o n g w h il e but in pr o c e s s

’
,

“
Fo r th e p a s s ag e s in this p a r a II, 3 7 7 .

5
g p
r a h s e e S t e p h a n u s I ,
1 6
5 7,
-
S t e p h a n u s I , 3 13.

“
1
3 3 ; P u s c h m a n n I 6
,
6
5 , 5 7 73
1 -
. S t e p h a n u s I , 2 9 6 ; P usch man n
“
S te p h an u s I , 3 1 2 . II 3 7 7 .

S te p ha n us I , 2 8 1 ; P usc hmann
“
S t e p h a nu s I , 2 8 1 ; P u s c h m a n n
I I, 4 7 5 . I I . 47 5 .

‘
S te p ha n u s I , 2 96 ; P u sc h m ann
x xv P O S T- CL AS S I CAL MED I CI N E

of ti m e f ro m pe r fe ctly pl a i n i n st an c e s I ha v e bec o m e p er
s u a de d t ha t t he r e is f o rc e in t h e m f o r I h av e ex p e ri e n c e d
,

the ir a id in the c a se o f p e rs o n s stun g by sc o rpi o n s An d .

n o l e ss in t h e c a s e o f bo n e s stuck in t h e t h r o a t w h ic h w e r e ,

stra igh tway ex p e ll e d by an i n c an t ati o n A l ex a n de r h im .

“
se l f the re up o n c o nti nu e s I f suc h is the t e sti m o n y o f
,

divi ne st G al en and man y o the r an ci en ts wha t prev en ts us ,

to o f r o m c o mm u n ic a ti n g t o yo u t ho s e w h ic h w e hav e l e a r n e d
f ro m e x p e ri e n c e a n d w h ic h w e h av e re c e iv e d f r o m trust
”
w o rt hy f ri en ds ?
B o th i nc ant ati o n s an d o bs e rvan c e o f a stro l o gica l c o ndi
ti o n s pl ay an i mpo rtant p a rt in the i n structi o n s giv en by
Al exan d e r f o r diggi n g an d plucki n g with i m pre c a ti o n s an
he rb t o be us e d in the t r e at m en t o f fl ux io n s o f ha n ds o r -

f ee t .
“
When the m o o n is in A qu arius un d e r P isce s dig ,

b e f o r e sun s e t n o t t o uch i n g the r o o t A ft e r diggi n g with

,
.

two fi n ge rs o f th e l e f t ha n d n am e ly th e t h u m b a n d m iddle
, ,

fi n ge r s ay I addr e ss yo u I addr e ss yo u s a cr e d h e rb I
, ,
‘
, ,
.

summ o n yo u to m o rr o w t o the ho us e o f P h ili a to stay the

-

fl ux io n o f f e e t an d h an ds o f t h is m an o r t h is w o m a n But .

I a dj ur e yo u by th e gr e a t n am e I a o th S ab a o th G o d wh o , , ,

e st ablis h e d th e ea rt h a n d fi x e d the s e a ab o u n di n g in fluid

fl o o ds who d e sicc ate d L o t s w i fe an d m a d e her a sta tue o f

,
’

s alt r e c e iv e the spirit o f thy m o the r earth an d its p o w e rs

, ,

an d dry up t h is fl ux io n o f f e e t o r o f h an ds o f t h is m a n o r

w o m an O n the m o rr o w e r e su n ris e t aki n g the b on e o f

.
’
,

s o m e d ead an im al dig up the r o o t an d ho ldi n g it s ay I

, , ,
‘

a dj ur e yo u by th e s ac r e d n a m e s I a o th S ab a o th A d o n a i
, , , ,

E l o i an d spri nkl e a pi n ch o f s a lt o n th a t r o o t s ayi n g A s

’ ‘
, , ,

th is s alt is n o t i n cr ea s e d s o be n o t the a ilm e n t o f th is m an

,

o r o f th is w o m an T h e n bi n d o n e e n d o f th e r o o t t o th e
’
.

p ati ent taki n g c ar e that it is n o t m o ist an d susp en d the r e st

, ,

o f it o v e r the fi r e f o r
3 6 0 d ays 1
T h e m e n ti o n o
. f
”
m o t h e r
e a rt h in t h is c h a r m p e r ha ps i n dic at e s a n ul t i m a t e p a an
g
o rigi n but t he allusi o n s t o o n e G o d a n d t o i n cid en ts in t h e
, ,

O l d Te st ame n t an d the u s e o f n am e s o f spirits s ho w J ewis h

,

“
S te p han u s I , 3 14 ; P u s ch m an n I I, 5 8 5 .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI M EN TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

or Christi an i n flu en c e wh il e the n um be r 3 60 p e rha p s po i n ts

,

t o the G n o stics .

Wh il e in c o n f o rm ity with the cha r act e r o f o ur 1nve s t iga

ti o n we hav e em pha siz e d th o se p a ss a ge s in Al ex an d e r w h ich
a r e sugg e stiv e o f m a gic an d its m e t h o ds it s ho uld be s a id ,

tha t m an y o f the p a s s a ge s w hic h w e hav e cit e d a r e app a r

e n tly n o t f o u n d in t he m e di e va l L ati n v e rsi o n s w h ic h s ee m
1

t o o m it m an y al t ho ugh n o t al l o f t he c h a pt e rs d e v o t e d to
, ,

ph ysica l ligature s He r e then app a ren tly is a c a s e whe r e

.

the e a rly m e di e v a l tr a n sl a t o r an d a d a pt e r i n st e a d o f r e ,

t a i n i n g an d e m pha sizi n g the supe rstiti o n o f the p ast ha s ,

l a rge ly purge d his t e x t o f it But w e have n ext to c o n sid e r

.

a L a ti n w o rk writt e n a pp a r e n tly a b o ut the y ea r 4 00 A D

, . .

a n d k n o w n t o us t h r o ugh tw o m a n uscripts o f th e ni n t h

c e ntury in w h ich m agic is f ar m o re r am p an t th an in an y

,

ve rsi o n o f A l ex an d e r o f T r all e s J udgi n g ho w e v e r f r o m

.
, ,

t h e s m all n u mb e r o f e x t an t m a n uscripts it w a s l e ss in fl uen ,

ti al t h r o ugh the m e di eva l p e ri o d than w as Al ex an de r s b o o k ’

.

T h e D e m e dicam e n tis o p e n s in o n e o f the t w o e x t an t

m a n uscripts wit h a d e dic a t o ry l e tt e r f r o m Ma r c e llu s an
“ -
,

illustri o us m an o f th e m a i n o ffic e o f T he o d o sius the

E ld e r to h is s o n s
?
T h is a scripti o n is gene r a lly a c
ce p t e d a s g e n ui n e a n d G ri m m b e li e v e d t h i s t o b e t he s am e
,

Marc e llus a s the physici an wh o is gr ate f ully m en ti o n e d to ,

ge the r with h is s o n s then m e re i n f an ts in th e l e tte rs o f

, ,

L iban iu s w h o s e s e v e r e h e a d ach e s Ma rc e llus h a d a ll e vi at e d

, ,

a n d a s t h e M ar ce l l us m agis ter o fiici o r u m w h o is m e n ti o n e d

‘

twic e in the Theo do s ian Co d e und e r the y ea r 3 9 5 T he

-
.

d ate o f the D e me dicamen tis m ay be f urthe r fi x e d f r o m its

i ncludi n g a si ngul a r r em e dy fo r spl ee n w h ic h the p atri a rch
“

”
G ama li e l r e c e n tly r ev eal e d f r o m p r o v e d e x pe ri m e n ts T his .

I f th M S S wh i h I h v e
“
e , ct th aw f d d li
no e i no t a e ne an n co r r e c
“ ”
e x a m in e d, ag r ee w it h th e 1 5 04 co p y in w h ic h T he o do s ii S e n .

e dit io n . is r e p l ace d by t h e o do s ie n s i .

“
B o th in B N 6880 a n d t h e e di He lm r e ic h o n t h e o th e r
t io n o f B a s e l , 1 5 36 ,
“
Ma r c e l l u s h an d , h a s r e p l ac ed
“
ex m a gn o
“ ”
v ir in l u s t e r e x m a g n o o ffi c io Th eo g
o ffi c io by e x m a g is t r o o ffi c io .

d o s ii S en . fi l iis s u is s al ut e m I t is p e r h ap s o p e n t o do ubt
d ( ic it ) . I n th e MS , ho w e e r , v w he th e r t h e
“
S en
”
g o e s w it h
.

a l a t e r h a n d h a s w r itte n a bo e v “
Th eo do s ii o r Ma r ce ll us
” “ ”
.
5 86 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

l aud e d he purch a s e d f r o m an o ld wi fe o f A f rica who cure d

,
-

ma n y a t R o m e by it w h il e t h e a uth o r h i m se l f ha s e m pl o y e d
,

“
it in the cur e o f s eve r a l pe rs o n s ne ithe r o f h um bl e rank
”
n o r u nk n o w n w ho se n am e s it is sup e rflu o us to m en ti o n
, .

T h is r em e dy is a c o n c o cti o n o f suc h th i n gs a s a sh e s o f d ee r
h o rn n i n e gra i n s o f w h ite p ep p e r a littl e myrrh an d an
, , ,

A f ric an s na il p o u n d e d s he ll an d al l w h il e still alive in a

m o rt a r a nd t hen m i xe d wit h F a l e r n i an wi ne Ve ry d e t a il e d .

a n d e x plicit dir e cti o n s a r e giv e n as t o it s pr e p a r a ti o n an d

a d m i n istr a ti o n i n cludi n g an i n structi o n t o dri n k the d o s e

,

f a ci ng t o w a rds the e a st ?
In an o t he r p ass a ge Ma rc e llus
“
s ays o f c e rt a i n c o m po un ds I f the r e is any fa ith bo th I , ,

m ys e l f hav e al w ays f o u n d t he m by e x p e ri e n c e to be us e f ul
rem e di e s an d I can st at e t ha t o t he rs ar e o f the s am e m i n d ;
a n d I will a dd t h is t hat o t he r m e dici n e s c an n o t c o m p a r e t o
,

this li n i m en t wh ich in si mil a r c a s e s se ve r al o f my fri en ds

, ,

who m I trust as I do m ys e l f hav e affi rm e d o n o ath the y ,

” 2
h av e f o u n d by e x pe ri e n c e a r em a rk abl e cur e O f an eye .

“
r em e dy he r ema rks An d t hat w e m ay beli ev e the autho r
,

o f t h is r e m e dy f r o m e x p e ri e n c e he st a t e s t ha t a f t e r h e h ad ,

b e en bli n d f o r twe lve y e a rs it r e st o r e d h is sight withi n

tw e n ty d a ys ” 3
Ma rc e llus a ls o fr e q u en tly c o upl e s m arv e l
.

“
o u s n e s s wit h e x p e ri m e n t ati o n s ayi n g Y o u will ex p e ri e nc e
, ,

”
a w o n d e r f ul r e m e dy I n o n e p ass a ge he us e s th e w o rd
.

“
ex p e ri m e n t a s a v e rb r a t h e r t han a s a n o u n c o i n i n g a n ew ,

e x pr e ssi o n e xper im en ta tu m r e m e diu m but his c o mm o n e st

4
, ,

e x pr e s si o n s a r e de exper ime n ta o r de exper ime n tis ex ,

“
e o f his
?
p e r tu m a n d ex per ier is o r exper ie tu r
,
S o m e xp er i

3 4 6.
1
Cap . 29 pp . 0 -
12 3 . 1 5 ; 1 2 9 . 2 1 ; 1 3 3 . 10 ; 1 4 5 . 3 3 ;
“
C ap 3 5.
p 361
. . 14 8. 2 5 ; 149 . 2 6 ; 160. 18 ; 1 7 6. 5 ;
“
Ca p 8 .
p 80
. . 1 7 8, 2 5 ; 1 86 , 1 5 ; 1 9 0, 2 0 ; 1 9 2 , 3 1 ;
“
C ap 5 .
p 49
. . 2 1 1, 1 ; 2 2 2 , 18 ; 2 2 4 , 3 1 ; 2 3 0, 3 ;
Fo r s uc h m e n t io n s o f e x p e ri 1 5 ; 2 3 6 , 14 ; 2 3 9 , 8 a n d 2 6 ;
5
2 3 5,
e n c e a nd e x p e r im e n t s e e t h e f o l 2 42 , 8 a n d 2 3 ; 2 48 , 20 ; 2 5 6, 9 ;
lo w ing p a s s ag e s in t h e 188 9 e di 2 58, 5 ; 2 6 4 , 2 1 ; 2 7 6 , 3 5 ; 2 8 1 , 19
t io n , n u m be r s r e f e r r in g t o p ag e and 27 2 8 2 , 1 5 ; 3 08, 3 12 , 6
a n d lin e : 3 1. 7 ; 3 4 . 3 ; 3 5 . 1 4 ; a nd 1 9 a n d 2 2 ; 3 14 . 2 5 ; 3 2 6 . 2 8 ;

44 . 2 ; 5 3 . 1 ; 64 . 3 4 ; 32 7 . 1 3 ; 33 4 . 2 9 ; 3 43 . 2 3 ; 3 5 1 . 2 3

7 4. 2 ; a nd 2 5 ; 3 5 3 , 4 ; 3 5 4 . 1 9 ; 3 5 6. 6 ;
8 0, 2 8 ; 8 1 , 2 9 ; 8 9 , 3 a n d 2 9 ; 3 62 , 3 2 ; 3 7 0, 2 2 a n d 3 7 .

9 6, 14 a n d 3 1 ; 102 , 2 7 ; 1 2 0, 3 2 ;
x xv P O S T- CL AS S I CA L MEDI CI N E 5 87

e nce s r e a lly a r e pu rp o siv e ex p e ri m en ts a s w he re o n e dis , ,

c o ve rs whethe r a tum o r is scr o f ul o us by a pplyi n g an e a r th

wo rm to it The n put the wo rm o n a l ea f a n d if the tum o r
.

w a s sc r o f ul o us t he w o r m will tur n i n t o ea r th T he f o ll o w
?
,

in g e x p e ri m e n t i n dic a te s th a t su ffe r e rs f r o m spl ee n s h o uld

dri n k in vi n e gar the r o o t o r dri e d l eave s o f the tam ar isk .

G iv e t am a risk to a pig t o e at f o r n i n e d ays th en kill the ,

a n i m a l a n d yo u will fi n d it wit h o ut a spl ee n

?

A s Ma rc e llus a pp eals the m o st to e x p e ri e n c e s o he is ,

by f ar the m o st given t o sup e rstiti o n a n d f o lk l o r e o f o ur -

th ree a utho rs P ra ctic al ly h is e n ti re w o rk is o f the ch ar

.

a ct e r o f t he p a ss a ge s d e v o t e d t o P hys ic a by A l e x a n d e r o f

T r a ll e s . He i n dulge s in n o m e dic a l t heo ry h e d o e s n o t ,

di a gno s e di s ea s e s n o r pr e scrib e a re gi m en o f he alth in the

,

f o r m o f b a th i n g di e t an d e x e rcis e His w o r k is wh o lly

’

.
, ,

c o mp o s e d o f m e dic am en ts an d f o r the m o st p a rt e m pirica l

o ne s . B e sid e s th e e l ab o r ate c o mp o u n ds w h ich w e r e
so f r e qu en t in A et ius a n d A l e x a n d e r h e is e x tr e m e ly ,

a ddict e d t o a bsurd r igrn ar o l e a n d a l l s o r ts o f sup e rstiti o us

pr a ctic e s in the applic ati o n o r a d m i n istr a ti o n o f m e dici n al

si m pl e s His pha rm a cy i n clud e s n o t o n ly he rbs an d gem s
.
,

t o w h ich he a ttribut e s o ccult v irtu e a n d w h ich h e s o m e ti m e s

dire cts to hav e e n grav en with cha ra ct e rs a n d figure s such ,

a s S S S o r a dr a go n surr o u n d e d wit h s e v e n r a ys
3
th e —

e m bl e m o f the A g a t h o d a e m o n but a ls o all ki n ds o f an i m a ls , ,

r e ptil e s an d p arts o f the s am e a f te r th e f a sh i o n o f P li n y s

, ,
’

m e dici ne .He is c o n sta n tly c a lli n g i n t o r e quisiti o n such

t hi n gs as the a s h e s o f a m o l e the bl o o d o f a bat the br a i n s , ,

o f a m o us e th e g all o f a h y e n a th e h o o f s o f a liv e a s s th e
, , ,

l iv e r o f a w o l f w o m a n s m ilk s ea ha r e s a w h it e spid e r
’
-
, , ,

with ve ry l o n g l e gs an d c en tipe d e s o r m ultip e de s e spe ci ally

‘

, ,

t he va ri e ty t hat r o lls up i n t o a b a ll w h e n t o uch e d But it is .

sc arc e ly f e asibl e to s ep a r a te Marc e llus m a t e ri als f r o m h is ’

pr o c e dur e s o w e will b e gi n to c o n sid er t hem t o ge the r in

,

s o me pre scripti o n s w he r e an i m al s pl ay the l e adi n g p art .

3
Ca p s an d
: C ap
Ca p
.

.
15
23
p
p
.

.
146
2 39
.

. 2 08 a n d
.

2 44
20
.
24 pp .
 MA G I C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

Fo r tho s e su ff e ri n g f ro m st o ne is r e c o m men d e d a r em edy

pr e p a r e d in the f o ll o wi n g f as h i o n In A ugust shut up in a .

dry pl a ce f o r th r ee d ays a go a t pre fe r ably a wild o n e w h o ,

is o ne y ea r o ld a n d f e e d h im o n n o th i n g but l aur e l a n d
,

giv e him n o w a t e r t o dri nk ; fi na lly o n the th ird day w hich ,

s h o uld f all o n a T hursd ay o r S u n d a y kill him B o th the , .

p e rs o n w h o kills th e go at an d the pa ti e n t sh o uld be cha ste

an d pur e Cut the g o a t s th r o a t an d c o ll e ct his bl oo d it
’
—
.

is b e st if the bl o o d is c o ll ecte d by n ak e d b o ys an d burn it —

t o a n a s h in a n e a rt he n p o t A f t e r c o m bi n i n g it wit h v ari
.

o u s h e rbs an d drugs t h e r e ar e f urth e r dir e cti o n s t o f o ll o w

,

a s t o ho w it m ay b e st be a dm i n ist e r e d t o th e p a ti e n t Mar .

c e l lus by th e w ay a ffi r m s t h a t a d am an t can be br o k en o n ly
, ,

by go at s bl oo d ’ ?

T he f o ll o wi n g pr e scripti o n i nv o lv e s t he f am ili a r supe r

“
st it io n t h a t a r abbit s f o o t is lucky : Cut o ff the f o o t o f a
’

live r abbit an d tak e h a irs f r o m un de r its b elly an d let it go .

O f th o s e h a irs o r w o o l m ak e a str o n g th r e a d an d with it

bi n d the r abbit s f o o t to the b o dy o f the p ati e n t an d yo u will
’

fi n d a m a rv e l o us r em e dy But the r em e dy will be e v en m o r e

.

e ffi c a ci o us s o t h a t it is h a rdly cr e dibl e if by c h an c e yo u fi n d
, ,

t h at b o ne n am e ly the r abbit s an kle b o ne in the dun g o f a

, ,
’
-
,

w o l f wh ich yo u s ho uld gu a rd s o tha t it n e ithe r t o uche s the

,

e a rt h n o r is t o uc h e d by w o m an N o r s h o uld a ny w o m an .

t o uch t ha t thr ea d m a d e o f the r abbit s w o o l ”

Ma rc e llus ’
.

f urthe r r e c o mm e n ds t h a t in r e l ea si n g th e r abbit a f t e r t aki n g

its w o o l yo u sh o uld s ay Fl e e fl ee littl e r abbit an d t ak e th e
, , , ,

” 2
p a i n a w ay with yo u .

O f suc h m a gic a l tra n s fe r o f dis ea s e t o o t he r an i m als o r

o bj e cts t he r e a r e a n u m b e r o f e x am pl e s T o o th ac he m ay .

b e st o pp e d by st a n di n g o n the gr o u n d u n d e r th e o p e n sky
a n d spitti n g in a f r o g s m o ut h a n d a ski n g it t o t ak e the
’

t o o tha c he a wa y wit h it an d t hen r e l ea si n g it ?

E v e n co n
s um p t iv es w h o s e e m c e rt a i n t o d ie a n d w h o l a b o r c o n ti n u a lly

wit h an u nbe a ra bl e c o ugh m ay be c u re d by givi n g th em ,

“
C ap . 26 pp . 2 64 - 6 . see c ap . 2 8, p . 2 98 .

“ “
Ca p . 29 p .
3 11 ; an d Cap . 12 , p . 12 3 .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

a nd th ey mark the littl e sto n e s c all e d cina edia which ar e ,

b o u n d o n f o r tum o rs o f the gr o i n with n i n e sign s and t ak e ,

o ut o n e d a ily O n the n i n th day th e y l e t the liz a rd go an d

.
,

”
k ee p the p ebbl e s f o r p a i n s o f the e ye s P li n y n ex t pr o c e e ds :
.

O the rs put e a rth u n d e r a gr ee n liz a rd th a t h as b ee n bli n d e d

a n d s h ut it up in a gl a ss v a s e with ri n gs o f s o lid ir o n o r g o ld .

Whe n th r o ugh the gl a ss th e liz a rd is s ee n to h ave r e c o ve r e d

its sight it is r e l ea s e d an d the ri n gs ar e us e d f o r s o r e e ye s
, .

Th is r ecip e is in Ma rc e llus wh o h o w e v e r w o rds it dif , ,

f er e ntly an d a dds t hat th e liz a rd m ust be bli n d e d with a

c o pp e r n ee dl e tha t the ri n gs m ay be o f silv e r el ectrum
, , ,

o r c o pp e r t h at the v a s e m ust b e c a r e f ully s e a l e d a n d o p e n e d

,

o n the fi f t h o r se v e n t h da y f o ll o wi n g a n d t h a t o n e s h o uld ,

n o t o nl y w e a r t h e ri n gs a f t e rw a rds o n o n e s fi n g e rs but a ls o
’

f r e qu e n tly a pply the m t o o n e s e y e s a n d str e n gt he n the sigh t

’

by l o o ki n g t h r o ugh t hem He f urt he r ca uti o n s t o l e av e the

.

v a s e in a cl e an gr a ssy sp o t t o c o ll e ct th e ri n gs o n ly a f t e r
,

the li za rd h as d e p a rt e d t o c a tc h th e liz a rd in th e fi rst pl a c e

,

o n a T hursd a y in S ep t e m b e r b e tw e en the n i n et ee n t h an d

tw e n ty fi f th day o f the m o o n an d t o hav e the o p e r ati o n pe r

-
,

f o r m e d by a v e ry pur e a n d c ha st e m an Ma rc e llus als o .

st at e s t hat a n am ul e t m a d e e ith e r o f the e y e s o f the s a id

liz a rd en cl o s e d in a l ea d bull o r go ld c o i n o r o f its bl o o d ,

c augh t o n cl ean w o o l an d wr app e d in purpl e c l o t h will

e ff e ctu ally pr ev e n t e ye dis ea s e s Me an wh il e P li n y f o r his
.

p art ha s go ne o n to t e ll h o w effi ca ci o us the a s he s o f gr een

liz a rds ar e .

Ma rc e llus e m pl o ys gr e en liza rds in o th e r c o nne cti o n s

w h ich a r e n o t p a r a ll e l e d in P li ny T o st ay c o lic o n e bi n ds
.

a b o ut the p a ti en t t h r e e ti m e s wit h an i n c a nt a ti o n a str in g

wit h w h ic h a c o pp e r n e e dl e ha s b ee n t h rea d e d an d dra wn

t h ro ugh a liz a rd s e ye s a f t e r w h ic h the r e ptil e is r e l e a s e d
’
,

a t t he s am e p o i n t w h e r e it w a s c a ptur e d I n a n o th e r p a s
?

s a ge Ma r cell us r e c o mm e nds the dr awi n g by a silv e r nee dl e

-

o f t h r e a ds o f n i n e di ffe r en t c o l o rs o t h e r t h an bl a ck o r w h it e

t h ro ugh the eye s o f a new bo r n puppy b e f o r e t hey o pen and

-

1
Cap . 29, p .
3 13 .
xxv P O S T- CL AS S I CAL MED I CI N E 59 1

ita p
ut er a nu m t r w h ic h t h e puppy is t o b e
e ius ex eun t, a f e

t h r o wn i n t o th e rive r But t o r etur n to o ur liz a rds Fo r

?
.

tho s e s uff e r i n g f r o m live r co m pl a i n t the liv e r o f a liz ard

is to be extr a ct e d with t he p o i n t o f a r e e d a n d b o u n d in -

purpl e o r bl ack cl o th to the p ati e n t s right sid e o r suspe nd e d ’

f r o m his ar m wh il e the liz a rd is t o b e dis m iss e d a liv e with

,

the s e w o rds L o I se n d yo u a w a y aliv e ; s e e t o it t hat n o

,
“
,
”
o n e w ho m I t o uc h h e n c e f o r t h h as liv e r c o m pl a i n t
2
To .

i n sure a wi f e s fid e lity o n e t o uc he s he r with t he tip o f a

’

liz a rd s t a il w hich has b een cut o ff by the l e f t han d He r e

’ ?

a ga i n t he liz a rd is r el e a s e d but a pp a r e n tly is n o t e x p e ct e d

t o surviv e f o r l o n g si n c e o n e is i n st ruct e d t o ho ld the t a il

“
,

s hut in the palm o f the s am e h an d u n til it di e s In a .

f o urt h e x a mpl e t he liz a rd is n e ithe r m util a t e d n o r r e l ea s e d

but hu ng in the d o o rw ay o f a spl en e tic s be dr o o m w he r e it ’

will t o uch his he a d a n d l e f t han d a s he c o m e s a n d go e s 4

.

O n e o r tw o o t he r pr e scripti o n s m ay be a dd e d w he r e th e
pro c e dure is c o nn e ct e d wit h he rbs o r st o n e s r at her t han
with an i m als O n en t e ri ng a city o n e is a dvis e d t o pick up
.

s o m e o f the p ebbl e s lyi n g in th e r o a d b e f o r e the city gat e ,

st ati n g t hat t he y a r e be i n g c o ll e ct e d f o r h e a d a che T hen .

bi n d o n e o f t hem o n the he ad an d t hr o w the o t h e rs b eh i n d

yo ur ba ck wit ho ut l o o ki n g ar o u n d A c e rt a i n h e r b m ust
?

be ga th e re d o n T h ur s d ay in a w a n i n g m o o n W he n it is .

a d m i n ist e r e d in dri n k th e r e cipi e n t m ust t ak e it st a n di n g

,

a n d f a ci n g the ea st He re c e iv e s the cup f ro m the righ t

.

h an d a nd t he n in o rd e r n o t to l o o k b a ck r e tur n s it t o t he
, ,

l e f t to him w ho ga ve it O nly t h e se tw o p e rs o n s s ho uld .

t o uch the dri n k ?

R igh t a n d l e f t a s j ust illustrat e d a r e m uc h o bs e rv e d

, ,

in Marc e llus m e dici ne

’
When a t o o th ache s o n th e l e ft
.

sid e o f the m o ut h a ho t c o o k e d dri e d be an is a ppli e d to

,

the right e lb o w f o r t h r e e d a ys a pr o c e s s w h ic h is r e v e rs e d ,

“
C a p 2 9 , p 3 14
. . P l in y h a s a . r e n da qu e e iu s du m cu m ea c o is
”
s imil ar p r o c e du r e w ith a f r o g a n d t a ng e .

“
a r eed . C ap . 23, p . 2 39 .

“ 5
Cap 2 2 , p
. . 2 30 . Cap . 1, p .
34 .

3 5
Ca p 3 3 , p
. .
3 47 , m u l ie r em ve C ap . 2 5, p 2 47 . .
59 2 M A G I C AN D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

i f the t o o th is o n the right side Th e f o ll o wi n g e x e rcis e ?

r e c o mmen d e d f o r a sti ff n e ck w o uld s eem to st an d m o r e

ch anc e o f succ e ss than m o st o f Ma rc e llus p r e scripti o n s ’
.

Wh il e f a sti n g t he p ati en t sho uld spit o n his righ t han d an d

rub h is right t high an d th en do the same wit h his l e f t ,

h a n d an d t h igh Th ric e re p eat e d th is is w arr an t e d t o w o rk

.

a n i m m e di a t e cur e A ri n g w o r n o n th e m iddl e fi n ge r o f
?

t he l e f t h an d is s a id t o st o p h icc o ugh T h e p o w e r o f th e
?

pl ane ts o r o f me re n u m b e r is i n dicat e d in the a dvic e giv en ,

s e ve r a l ti m e s to m ak e s e ve n kn o ts in a stri n g
,
4
O n c e in .

s t r uct io n s a r e giv e n t o m ak e a s m an y k n o ts a s the re a re

l ett e rs in t he p a ti e n t s n am e ? ’

I n c an t ati o n s an d c h ar a ct e r s a s ha s a lr ea dy bee n i n ci ,

de n t ally illustrat e d a bo u n d in Ma rc e llus pa ge s S o m e ar e

,
’
.

in G r e e k s o m e in L ati n s o m e p e rh a p s in Ce ltic ; m any

, , ,

a s w e h a v e s een a r e c o he r e n t st a t e m e n ts
, c o mman ds o r , ,

r e qu e sts ; m an y o t he rs ar e t o al l a pp e a ran ce a j a rgo n o f

m e an i n gl e ss w o rds lik e t he j i n gl e A rgida m mar gi ddm
, , , ,

s tu r gida m
5
w h ich is t o be r e p e at e d s ev en ti m e s o n Tu e sd ay
,

a n d T h ursd a y in a w an i n g m o o n t o cur e t o o t h ac h e Ma r .

c e l lus w e ll c a lls o n e o f t h e s e car m e n idio ticu m Fo r st o m

7
.

a ch a n d i n t e sti n a l tr o ubl e s h e r e c o m m e n ds pr e ssi n g th e

“
a bd o m en wit h th e l e f t t h u m b a n d s a yi n g A d a m b e d am , , .

”
a l am ,
be tur al em b o tum , T h i s is to be r e p eat e d n i n e
, .

ti m e s the n o n e t o uc he s the e a rth wit h the s am e t hu m b an d

,

spits t he n s ays the ch ar m n i n e m o r e ti m e s an d a ga i n f o r a

, ,

t h ird s e ri e s o f n i n e t o uc h i n g the gr o un d an d spitti n g n i n e

,

ti m e s a ls o A la ban da a la ban di alam ba is a n o th e r i n c an t a

.
, ,

ti o n v a ri o usly r ep ea t e d thric e with ha n ds cl a sp e d ab o ve

,

a n d be l o w the a bd o m e n Y e t an o t h e r c o n sists in r ubbi n g

.

t he abd o m e n wit h the l e f t t h u m b a n d t w o littl e fi n ge rs an d

“
s ayi n g A tr e e st o o d in the m iddle o f the s ea a n d the r e
,

h u n g a n u rn f ull o f human i n t e sti n e s ; t h r e e v 1r g1n s w e n t

Cap 1 2 , p 1 2 6
. . .
7
Cap 3 6 , p 3 7 9
. . . Ma r c e l l u s e m
“
C ap 1 8, p 1 7 8
. . .
p loy s the p hr a s e , o f co u r s e , to
“
‘
C a p 17 , p 1 7 6
. . . ind ic a t e a v
o r p e r s o n a l 1n
p r i at e
.

Ca p 3 2 p p 3 3 7 , 33 8 , 3 40
.
, . . c a n ta t io n a n d a s a m at t e r o f f a c t
,

it is s o m e w h a t l e s s a b s ur d th an
5
Ca p 8 , p 7 0 . . .

°
Ca p 1 2 , p 1 2 3
. . . a n u m b e r o f o th e r s .
 CHA P T ER XXV I
P S E U DO -
L I TE R A T U R E IN N A T U RA L S C I E N CE O F T H E E A RL Y
M I DDL E A GES

G e n e r al c ha r ac te r— M e dicin e o f P l iny— Her bar ium o f Apu leius

S p ecim e n s of it s o cc u l t s c ie n c e —
A P r ec an t at io n of all he rbs —
O th e r
t r e at is e s a c co m p a n y in g the H e r bar iu m —
Co s m og r aphy o f A e thicus
I ts m e die v al in fl u e n c e —
Ch ar a c te r of th e w o r k —
Its a tt itu d e to m ar v el s
—
Th e G e op o nic a —
Magic and a st r o l o gy t h e r e in— D io s c o r ides — T ex tual
his t o r y of th e D e m a te r ia m e dica A l te r atio n s m a de in th e G r e e t e x t
—
k
- D io s co r ide s littl e k
n o w n t o L at in s be f o r e t he m iddl e a g e s P a r tial —

v e r s io n s D e h e r bis f e m ininiS — T h e f ul l e r L at in
in L at in —
e r s io n s v
P e t e r o f Aban o s a cco un t o f t he m e die al e r s io n s— P s e u do - Dio s c o r ide s
’
v v
o n s to n e s Co n c l u s io n s f r o m th e t e x tual h is t o r y o f D io sco r ide s— Mac e r
—

o n h e r bs ; it s g r e a t c u r r e n c y P r o bl e m o f dat e a n d a uth o r— V ir tue s

—

a s c r ibe d t o h e r b s— E xp er im e n ts of M ace r .

A writi n gs w h ic h s eem s to h av e b e en v e ry c ha r
CL A S S o f

ac te r is t ic o f th e w a n i n g cultur e o f th e d e cli n i n g R o m an

E m pir e a n d the sc a n ty e r uditi o n o f t he e a rly m e di e v al p e ri o d

we r e the bri e f e pit o m e s o f o r di s o rd e rly c o ll e cti o n s o f f rag,

m e n ts f r o m t h e writ e rs o f t he cl a ssi c a l p e ri o d
,
S uc h .

w o rks o f ten p a ss e d u n d e r the n am e o f s o m e f am o us a utho r

o f th e pr e vi o u s p e ri o d a n d s o m e ti m e s ar e m o r e o r l e ss b a s e d

up o n his writi n gs Mo st o f the w o rks in the fi e ld o f nat

.

ur a l sci e nc e a r e o f s uc h d e riva tive o r ps e ud o aut ho rs h ip : the -

M edicin e o f th e P s e ud o P li n y th e Her bar ium o f the P s e ud o -

,

A pul e ius th e g e o gr ap h ic a l w o rk ascrib e d to A eth icu s th e

, ,

G e o po nica the tr e atis e s o n h e rbs attrib ut e d to Ma c e r an d

,

D i o sc o rid e s I n d ee d the w ho l e t e x tu a l hist o ry o f the l at

.
,

t e r s D e m a ter ia me dica i s s o f ull o f vicissit ud es and un

’ ’

c e rta i n ti e s t hat I h a v e p o stp o n e d it s tr eatm e nt u ntil t hi s

c hapt e r T he n am e s o f th e a ctu al c o m pil e rs o r abbrevi at o rs
.

o f t h e s e w o rks a r e usu a lly u n k n o w n a n d it is a ls o usu ally

i mp o ssibl e t o d at e t he m wit h an y a ppr o ac h to acc ura cy .

59 4
CHAP . xxvr P S E UD o - LI TER A T URE IN S CI EN CE 595

R o ughl y sp eaki n g o f them a s a w ho l e they m ay be s aid to ,

h av e gr a du a lly t a k e n o n th e ir pr e s en t f o r m at al m o st an y .

ti m e be twe e n the th ird an d t e n th c en turi e s I n th e c as e o f .

t he s e w o rks o f n a tur al sci e n c e a t l ea st it i s n o t quit e f a ir ,

to cl a ss t hem a ll a s bri e f e pit o m e s o r dis o rd e rly c o ll e cti o n s .

I n s o m e w e s e e a n o bvi o us a tt em pt t o r e a rr a n ge the o l d
m at e ri als in a f o rm m o re c o n v e n i e n t f o r pr e s e n t u s e In .

o t he rs t o t he st a ge o f a bbr e vi ati o n f r o m a n ci e n t a ut ho rs h as

succee de d ano t he r st a ge o f l a t e r a dditi o n s f r o m o the r

s o urc e s .

T h e M e di cin a o r A r t o f M e dicin e o f th e P s e ud o P li n y
, ,
1 -

c o n sists o f t hr e e b o o ks in wh ich m e dic a l p a ss a ge s dr aw n ,

f r o m P li n y s N a tur al His to r y a r e r e a rra n ge d a cc o rdi n g to

’

dis e a s e s i nst e a d o f a s in t he ge n ui n e P li n y by si m pl es T he
, , .

first two b o o ks d e a l wit h dis e a se s o f the hu m an bo dy in

d e scen di ng o rd e r f ro m to p t o t o e an d f r o m he a d ache to
go ut a f av o rit e a rr an gem en t t hr o ugho ut th e c o urs e o f
,

m e di e v al m e dici n e T he l a st b o o k t he n c o n sid e rs afflicti o n s

.

w hich ar e no t n e c e ss a rily c o n n e ct e d with a ny p a rticul a r p ar t

o f t he b o dy such a s w o un ds an d f eve rs T h us th is co m
, .

il i a tt e sts P li n y s m e di e v a l i n flu e n c e an d t h e pr ac tic a l
’

p a t o n

u s e m a d e o f his w o r k w h il e it o f c o urs e c o n ti n u e s m uc h
,

o f his m e dic al m a gic a n d sup e r stiti o n T h e c o m pil e r s r e

’
.

a rr an g e m e n t is an e ss en ti a l o n e if the m e dic a l r ec o mm e n da
,

ti o n s o f the N a tur al His to ry w e r e t o be m ade a v a il a bl e f o r

r e a dy r e f e ren c e In th is c a s e the r e fo r e the e pit o m iz e r has
.
, ,

ra the r i m pr o v e d up o n t han dis o rd e r e d the a rr an gem e n t o f

the o rigi n al T h is c o m pil ati o n is b e li e v e d t o ha v e b e en us e d
.

by Ma rc el lus Em p ir icu s an d a L e tter of P lin ius S e c un dus

,
z

t o his fr ie n ds a bo u t me dicin e w h ic h M a rc e llus giv e s a l o n g

,

with o th e r m e dic al e pi stl e s is t ho ugh t t o be th e pre f ac e o f

,

the abbre vi a t o r w ho in t ha t c a s e d e picts h i m s e l f a s c o m

,

p o si n g his v o lum e s o t ha t h is f ri en ds a n d h i m s e l f w hen

t r aveli n g m ay av o id the p aym en t o f ex o rbit an t f ee s a sk e d
by st r an ge physici an s I f w e c an r e ga rd e v e ryth i n g in the
.

“ P lin ii S e c un di I u n ior is de m e
di e i n a li br i tr es , e d V R o s e , Lip
. .
Me dic ina P l in 11
V I I I ( 18 7 4 ) 1 9 66 -
,
”

.
in Herm es ,

“
$ 13 6
, 18 7 5 . V Ro s e , U e b e r d ie
.
 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

w o rk of Ma rc e llus a s w e h av e
it as havi n g b ee n writt en by
4 0 0 t he
,
M e dicin e of
P lin y m ust h a v e b ee n writt e n duri n g
the d e cli n i n g R o m an E m pir e T he m a n uscripts use d by .

R o s e in h is e diti o n w e re o f t he t e n t h a n d tw e l f t h c e n tu r i e s .

T he r e is a ls o a l a t e r v e rsi o n o f t h e M e dicin e of P liny in

fi ve b o o ks ? o f w hich th e tw o l ast ar e e n tir e ly n e w a dditi o n s ,

th e fi f th b e i n g an e x tr a ct f r o m th e o l d L ati n tr an sl a tio n o f
A l ex an d e r o f T r a ll e s A n d in the fi rst thr e e b o o ks the
.

e a rli e r P s e ud o P li n y h a s b e e n w o rk e d o v e r wit h a dditi o n s

-
.

T he P s e ud o P li n y is a ls o e m b o di e d wit h a lt e r ati o n s an d
-

a cc o m p an i e d by s o m e pr ay e rs a n d in ca nt at 1o ns i n a t en th

c en tu ry m an uscript at S t G a ll ?
.

S e v e r a l w o rks b e side s the s ix c o m m o n ly r e ga rd e d as

gen ui n e w e r e attribut e d t o Apule ius in the m iddle a ge s
3
,

g r am matica l an d r he t o rica l tr eatis es the He r m etic

4 5
,

A s cl epius 5
a tr eatis e o n physi o gno my an d the v e ry
,
7
,

wide spr ea d S pher e of L if e an d D ea th o f which we sh a ll ,

tr ea t in an o the r chapt e r ?
We s hall n o w c o n sid er the
“
H er bar iu m of Apu leius the o ne o f his spuri o us w o rks , ,

w hic h h as m o st to do wit h the w o rld o f n atur e an d with , ,

t h e ex c e pti o n o f th e bri e f S pher e t he o n e w h ic h o ccurs ,

m o st o f t en in the m an uscripts The H er bar ium w a s fi rst .

pri n ted ab o ut 1 4 8 0 by the physic i an o f P o p e S ixtu s IV

C P lin t i S ec u ndi M e dic ina,
. S ee S ch an z 1 39 -4 0 .

Th o m a s P igh in uc ci us , R o m e ,
5
ed . S e e be l o w p 68 3 . S ch an z f a il s
.

1 5 09 . t o m e n t io n it a m o n g t h e a p o c r yp h a l
“
Co de x S t G a l l 7 5 1 ; de s c r ib e d
. k
w o r s o f Ap u l e iu s
“
,

by V R o s.e , Her m es , V I I I , 4
8 -
55 ; H K Obe r t, D e P s eu do -Apu l ei
.
'

An e c d o ta I I , 1 06 . h e r ba r u m m e di c a m in ibus Bay ,
“
Fo r t h e lis t o f h is s ix g e n uin e r e uth 1 888
, . S c h an z ( 1 9 05 ) 1 3 8 ,
k
w o r s se e a b o e p 2 2 2 v . . m e n t io n s o n l y c o n tin e n ta l M S S ,

a l th o ug h th e r e ar e n um e r o u s MS S
“
D e n o ta as pir a ti o nis an d De
dip h th o ng is , e d O s a n n , Da r m
. o f it in th e B r it is h Mu s e u m an d
s ta dt , 18 2 6 , w ith D e or th o g r ap h ia , B o dl e ia n l ibr a r ie s , s o m e o f w h ic h
a f o r g e r y by a s ix t e e n th c e n t u r y v
h a e be en u s e d a n d o th e r s de
h u m an is t . s c r ibe d by O Co c a yn e in h is
. k
Hep l épp nve l a s , s o m e tim e s p r in t e d e dit io n o f t h e He r bar iu m an d th e
5

as t h e t h ir d b o o of th e D e k o th e r t r e a ti s e s a cc o m pa n yi n g it
d og ma te P la to nis S o m e s cho l a r s ,
. in his L e e c h d o ms Wor tcu nn ing , ,

v
h o w e e r , r e ga r d it a s g e n u in e , a n d a n d S ta r cr af t o f Ear ly E ng l a nd ,

t h e r e a r e a n u m b e r o f MS S o f V ol . I ( 186 4 ) in R S XXXV .

it f r o m th e oth 10th , a n d 1 1 th c e n
,
N o r do e s S c han z n o te Co c ayn e 8
’
k
tur ie s S e e S c ha n z
. 12 7 - 8 . bo o k .

5
S e e a bo e p 2 9 0 v . .
59 8 MA G I C AN D E XP ER I M EN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

E gy pti an , S yri an , G allic , D aci a n , S p an ish , Ph rygi an ,

T u s c an . By no m ean s
t he s e are list e d in e v e ry c a s e
a ll o f
-
,

h o w eve r T he virtu e s o f th e h e rb s o f t en o p e r a t e in a n
.

o ccult m ann e r o r pr o c e dur e sugge stiv e o f m a gic is in

,

v o lve d in c o ll e cti n g o r applyi n g t he m O f t en dis ea s e s ar e .

cur e d m e rely by ho ldi n g a n h e rb in the han d w ea ri n g it ,

wit h a stri ng a bo ut the n e ck o r pl aci n g it b eh i n d o ne e ar , ,

o r w e a ri n g it in a ri n g L u n atics f o r ex am pl e a r e tr e at e d
.
, ,

by bi n di n g an h e rb a b o ut the n e ck wit h r ed cl o th when

th e m o o n is w ax i n g in t h e sign o f th e bul l o r the fi rst p a rt
o f the sc o rp i o n N o t o n ly d o e s o bs e rv an c e o f a str o l o gy
.

a ssist th e m e dici n a l a pplic a ti o n o f h e rbs ; pl an t s a r e in tur n

o f a ssista n c e in t h e pursuit o f a str o l o gy T o l ea rn u n d e r .

t he rul e o f w h a t st a r yo u ar e be in a st at e o f purity pluck , ,

the he rb Mo n ta s t e r k ee p it in a bit o f cl e an l i ne n u ntil yo u

,

fi n d a w h o l e gr a i n o f w he a t in a l o a f o f bre a d the n pl ac e ,

t h is wit h th e he rb u n d e r y o u r pill o w an d pr ay to the s e v en

pl an e ts to r ev e a l y o ur gua rdi an sta r to yo u in y o ur sl eep .

I n d e e d pr aye rs a n d i n c an t ati o n s a r e f r e qu e n tly e m pl o y e d

an d in o n e c a s e m ust b e r e p e a t e d n i n e ti m e s S o m e ti me s .

t h e he rb its e l f is a ddr e ss e d as in t he c o n j ur ati o n ,

“
He rb ,

E r ys t io n I i m pl o r e yo u to a id m e an d ch e e rfully a ff o rd
,

m e a ll y o ur vi r tu e s an d cur e an d m ak e w h o l e a ll tho s e ills

wh ich Ae scul a pius an d Chir o n the c en t au r m ast e rs o f ,

”
m e dici ne he al e d by m ean s o f yo u
,
S o me ti m e s the e a rt h .

is c o n j ur e d a s in the pra ye r be gi nn i n g Ho ly go dd e ss
“
,

E a rt h S uc h pr ay e r s a r e sc a rc e ly c o n s o n an t wit h Ch ris
”
.

t ian ity an d in s o m e ma n uscript s have b ee n o m itt e d a n d r e

pl ac e d by the L o rd s P ra y e r o r o the r Christi an f o rm s o r
’
,

l e f t in wit h t he ir w o rdi n g sl igh tly a lt e r e d to a v o id p a gan

is m ?
P e rs o nal purity an d cl ea n cl o th i n g ar e o f t e n e n
“
D a r e mbe r g 1 1 -1 2 , s a id c e n tu r y h a n d ha s a dde d a p a s
t h at t h e p a g a n in c a nt at io n s w e r e s age in L a t in w h ich m ay b e t r a n s
v
p r e s e r e d i n t a c t i n a n um b e r o f l at e d :
“
I n t h e n ame o f Ch r is t,
MS S at O x f o r d a n d Ca mb r idge . Am en .I c o n j ur e y o u, h e r b, t ha t
Co n j ur a t io n s o f h e rb s a r e n o t l im I m ay c o nque r by l o r d P e t e r e t c .

it e d t o th e P s e u do A p u l e iu s i n b y m o o n a n d s ta r s e tc a n d may .

v
m e die al M S S but s o m e t im es o c y o u c o n q u e r a ll m y e n e mie s , p o n

c u r s in g l y a s in P e r ug ia 7 3 6 , 1 3 th t iff a n d p r ie s t s an d al l l a ym e n
ce ntur y w h e r e a t f o l 2 6 7 a 14 th
,
. and a l l w o m e n a n d a l l l a wy e r s
x xv1 P S E UD O -L I TER A T UR E I N S CI EN CE

j o i ne d up o n tho s e g athe ri n g the he rbs and such ins tr uc

ti o n s a r e a dd e d a s to m a rk the circl e a bo ut t he plan t wit h
go ld silve r iv o ry the t o o t h o f a wild b o a r an d the ho r n
, , , ,

o f a bull o r t o fill th e h o l e wit h h o n e ye d f ruits

, S o me .

h e rbs pr o t e ct t he ir b ear e rs f r o m a ll s e rp e nts o r e v e n f r o m

al l e vils . O t he r s lik e a sp a r a gus i f yo u u s e a dry r o o t o f it
,

t o spri n kl e the p ati e n t with spri n g w a t e r br eak t he sp e ll o f ,

witchcra f t A sp a r a gus is a ls o b en efici a l f o r t o o thach e an d

.

w o n d e r fully reli ev e s a tum o r o r bl a dd e r tr o ubl e if it is ,

b o il e d in w at e r an d dru n k by th e p ati ent f a sti ng f o r s ev en

d a ys an d a ls o us e d in b ath i n g f o r a n u mb e r o f d a ys But .

o n e m ust be c a r e f ul no t t o go o ut in the c o ld duri n g t h is

ti me n o r t o t ak e c o ld dri n ks 1

I n s o m e m an uscripts a P re c an t ati o n o f all he rb s is

pla c e d a t the b egi n n i n g o f the tr e atis e ?
It p r e scrib e s such
pr o c e dur e as h o ldi n g a m irr o r o v e r the h e rb b e f o r e plucki n g
it be fo r e su n ris e u n d e r a w an i n g m o o n T he p e rs o n pluck .

ing th e h e rb an d utt e ri n g the i n c an t ati o n m ust be b ar e f oo t ,

u ngird e d chast e and w ea r n o ri n g T he pl an t is a dj ur e d

, ,
.

“ ”
n o t o n ly by the livi n g G o d an d the ho ly n am e o f G o d ,

S ab ao t h but a ls o by S e i a the R o m an go dd e ss o f s o wi n g
, , ,

“ ”
a n d by GS wh ich pr e su m ably st an ds f o r G aia S eia an
, ,

e x pr e ssi o n w h ic h is o n c e writt e n o ut in f ull S o m e m e an .

in gl e s s w o r ds a r e als o r e p e at e d .

T he H er bar iu m i s o f t e n acc o m pan i e d in the m an u

scripts by o the r t r ea tis e s o n h e rbs ascrib e d to D i o sc o r id e s
a n d Ma c e r o f w h ic h w e s ha ll sp e ak pr e s e n tly ; by a w o rk
,

o n t he m e dici n a l pr o p e rti e s o f a n i m a ls o r m o r e p a rt icul a rly ,

o f qu a drup e ds by S ex tus Pap ir iu s P lac idus A ct o r

3 4
,
an —

w h o a r e a g ain s t m e e t c In . a c ce p it a s c o l ap io et c hir o n e c en
S l o an e 1 5 7 1 , 1 sth c e n tu r y, f o l s . t au r o m a g is t r o L ege. f e l icit e r .

1 - 6, a t t h e c l o s e o f f r a g m e n t s o f P r ec an t a t io o m n iu m h e r ba r u m a d
”
a L at in - En g l is h dic t io n a ry of s in g u l as c u r a s CU T r inity 1 1 5 2 ,
.

h e r b s is a L at in p r a y e r e n t itl e d, 1 4 th c e n tu r y f o l ,
1 G o n vil l e a n d
. .

B e n e dic tio o m n iu m h er bar u m Ca iu s 34 5 , 1 4 t h c e n t u r y, f o l 89 V . .

v
.

“ “
T h e a b o e p a s s a ge s a r e f r o m O r P ap yr ie n s is Pl a c itu s .

“ “
S l o an e 1 9 7 5 and th e e d itio n o f P e r h ap s m e r el y f o r a uc to r .

I 5 47 ed . Fabr ic iu s , B ibl G r a ec XI I I ,
. .

“
A s h m o l e 143 1 , 1 1th c e n tu r y, 3 9 5 4 2 3 , S e x ti P la c iti l ibe r de me
-

“
f o l 3 r , In n o m in e do min i in c ip it
. di c in a e x a n ima libus .

h e rb o r al ium a p ul e ii p l a t o n is qu g d
 MA GI C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

o the rw is e quite un k n o w n p e rs o n age ; by a l ette r c o n c e r n 1

”
ing a littl e b e a st f r o m the ki n g o f E gypt o r A e scul a pius t o
t h e e m p e r o r O ct a vi an A ugustus ; a n d by i n tr o duct o ry l e t
2

t e rs such a s w e fi n d pr e fa c e d t o the D e me dicam en tis o f

,

Ma rc e llus E m piri on s o f H ipp o cr at e s t o his Mo ecen as

“
,
” 3

An t o n ius Mu s u s t o M o ec en a s A gripp a
“ ”
an d T he e pistl e .

o f th e E gypti an ki n g o r A e scul apius t o A ugustus h o w e v e r , ,

really f o rm s the i n tr o ducti o n o r o pe n i n g chapte r t o the

tr eatis e o f S ex tus P ap ir ius Plac idu s o n th e m e dici n a l pr o p
e rt ie s o f an i m a ls a n d a f t e r the littl e b ea st o r qu a drup e d
,

c a lle d m e la o r tax o f o ll o w f a st the st a g s e rp en t f o x ha r e

4
, , ,

sc o rpi o n an d s o f o rth A s f o r the tax o A ugustus 1s t o ld

, .
,

th a t by m ean s o f it h e can pr o t e ct hi m s e l f f r o m s o rc e re rs ,
.

a v o id d e f e cti o n s in his a rm y a n d pr e s e rv e h is tr o o ps f r o m ,

t h e p e stil en c e w h ich th e b a rb a ri an s bri n g an d th e city o f ,

R o m e f r o m b o th p es t ilen ce s an d fir e s T o t h i s e n d a lus
-
.

t ra tio n s h o uld be p e r f o r m e d wit h it s fl e sh an d it s h o uld ,

t he n be buri e d at the city ga te s O n e w ay to a ppr o pri at e .

its vi rtu e is to e xtr a ct its l a rge t eeth re p eati n g a j argo n o f ,

stran ge w o rds the w h il e .

An o t h e r c h a r a ct e ristic pr o duct o f d e cli n i n g a n ti q u e

l ea r n i n g an d o f ea rly m e di ev al e ffo r t is f o un d in the fie ld
o f g eo gr a p h y in th e C o s m ogr a phy o f Ae th icu s I stri en s
'

tra n sl a t e d i n t o L ati n by t he pri e st J e ro m e ( Hier o nymus

P r es byter ) T he o ld e st m an uscript is o ne o f t h e e ight h
.

“
In Mo ntp e llie r 2 77 , 1 st h c en f ul l e r w o r of k
A e s c ula p iu s t o
t ur y , L ib e r S es t i p l ato n is de a ni Aug u s tu s c it e d by Th o m as o f Can
m a l ibu s ,
”
p e r h ap s b e c au s e t h e t im p r é , A lb e r tu s Magn u s , a n d
A p ul e iu s o f t h e He r bar iu m is V in c e nt o f B e au a is S ee a l s o v .

c a ll e d a Pl a to n is t I n D igby 4 3 ,
. P e te r o f Ab an o , D e v e nen is , c ap .

“ “
l at e 1 4 th c e n t u ry , f o l 1 5 , L ibe r .
5 , in e p is to l a E s c”ul ap ii p hil o s o p h i
S e p tip l an ti P ap ie n s is de b e s tiis ad O ctavian um B ut p e r hap s .

e t av ibu s m e dic in a lis In Ra w. th e s e w r it e r s r e f e r t o t h e e n tir e

l in s o n C- 3 2 8, 1 st h c e n tu r y, f o l
“
. wo r
“
k
o f S e x tus P a p ir iu s .

12 8 ,
I n c ip it l ibe r P ap ir ien s is e x E d R u e lliu s , w it h S cr ibo n ius
.

a n im a l ib u s e x a vib u s
”
T he w o r k L ar g us , P a r is , 1 5 2 9 .

v v
.

is s o m e t im e s f o un d in j ux tap o s i I n a l a te r m e die al o c abul a r y

t io n
“
w ith a s o m e w h a t s im il a r v
tax us is g i e n a s a s yn o n ym f o r
Lib e r m e dic in al is d e s e c r e tis G a t h e a n im a l ca ll e d c a ma l e o n : A l
”
l ie n i, c o n c e r n in g w h ich s e e be lo w, p hi ta , e d D a r e mbe r g f r o m B N
.

c h a p te r 6 4 , I I 761
, . 69 5 4 a n d 69 5 7 in D e R e nz i, Co l
“
V R o s e ( 18 7 5 ) 3 3 7 8 s u g g e s t s
.
-
l e c tio S a l e r n ita na , I I I , 2 7 2 -3 2 2 .

t h at t h is is a f r a g m e nt f r o m a .
 MA G I C A N D E XPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

in t e rpre t the f a ulty syn t ax o f its L a ti n that f ro m him the ,

e t h ic a l p h il o s op h y o f o t he r sa ge s dr e w its o rigi n s S ome .

w ha t l a t e r R o ge r B a c o n s a id in disc u ssi n g f aults in the study

“
o f t h e o l o gy in h is d ay Fr o m the a ut ho riti e s o f the ph ilos o
,

h r s wh o m th e s a i n ts cit e I s h all a bst a i n e x c e pt th a t I will

p e ,

s tr e n gt he n t he utt e r an c e s o f E t hic u s th e a str o n o m e r an d

Al chimu s the p h il o s o p he r by t he a ut ho rity o f th e bl e ss e d

J e r o me si n c e n o o ne c o uld cre dit t ha t t he y had s a id s o man y
,

m a rv e l o us th i n gs a b o ut Christ a n d the an ge ls an d d em o n s
a n d m e n wh o a r e t o be gl o rifi e d o r d am n e d un l e ss J e r o m e
” 1
o r s o m e o th e r s a i n t pr o v e d t h a t t h e y h a d s a id s o .

A s B ac o n s w o rds i n dic a t e C h ri s ti an i n flu en c e is m an i
’
,

f e st in the Cos m ogr aphy a ltho ugh a s they a l so i n dica t e

, , ,

t he o rigi n al A ethic u s is n o t supp o s e d t o hav e b e e n a Ch ris

ti an but a s o n e m an uscript i n f o rm s us an A c a d em ic p hi
, , ,

l o s o ph er ?
O ri e n t a l i n flue n c e to o is p e r h a ps sh o wn in flights
, ,

o f p o e tic a l l an gu a g e a n d u n r e s tr a i n e d i m a gi na ti o n
. in a ,

n um b e r o f a llusi o n s to A l ex a n d e r the G r e a t a n d in a n e x ,

t r ao r din a r y ign o r a n c e o f e a rly R o m an h ist o ry w h ich l ea ds

t h e a ut ho r t o t e ll ho w R o m ulus i n va d e d P a nn o n i a an d f o ught
”
a ga i n st t he L a c e d ae m o n i an s
“
Ho w gr ea t ca rn a ge
. he ,

“
e x cl a i m s ,
in L ace dae m on ia No ricu m a n d P anno n i a I stri a
, ,

a n d A lb a n i a n o rth e r n r e gi o n s n ea r m y h o m e
,
fi rst at the ,

h an ds o f th e R o m an s an d th e tyr an t N um it o r th en un d e r ,

th e br o t he rs R o m ulus an d R e m us a n d l at e r u n d e r t he first ,

”
T a r q ui n t he P r o ud
,
T h e a ut h o r e ul o giz e s Ath en s a s we ll
.

a s A l e x an d e r an d m en ti o n s a p eo pl e c a ll e d Tur chi
,
but ,

w hethe r o r no t he has T urks in m i n d w o uld be ha rd to s ay .

A s w e hav e it th e C o s m ogr aphy cit e s b o th the E thicu s

,

a n d th e Al ch im us t o w ho m R o ge r B a c o n r e f e rr e d In d e e d . ,

o u r tr e a tis e d o e s n o t pr e t e n d to b e th e o rigi n a l w o rk o f Ae

“
S t e e l e , O pe r a ha c te nus in e dita, cu m t r an s tulit s e n t e n t ia s ve r itat i
1 9 05 ,
Fa sc 1, p p 1 - 2
. . . c o n s o na s ex lib r o e iu s de m e x
“ t e s tim o n ia s
CU L 2 1 3 , 14 th ce n tu r y, f o l s . c e r p s it et e a s de m

1 03 v 14 ,
-
“
Q ui hu n c l ib r um l e g it s c r ip tu r e n o s t r e c o n fi r m a vit Non .

in te ll ig a t Eth ic u m p h iIO S O p h u m e n im e r a t is t e p h il o s o p h u s Ch r is
n o n o m n ia dix is s e qu e h ic s c r ip t ia n u s s e d E th n ic u s se t p r o f e s s io n s
t a s u n t, s e t S o l in u s ( s o J a m e s , b ut A c h ade m ic u s .

J er onim us in d Av e z ac, p 2 3 7 ) qu i
’
.
xxvx P S E UD O -L I TERA T URE I N S CI EN CE 603

t hi eus whic h it r ep eat e dly cit e s but is app a ren tly the w o rk
, ,

o f s o m e ep it o m ize r o r a bbre vi a t o r wh o i n t e rsp e rs e s r e m a rk s

a n d c o mm e n ts o f his o wn a n d a cc o rdi n g t o o n e m an u s cript

, , ,

m ak e s the st at em e n ts o f A e th ic us c o n f o r m t o Ch risti an
S criptur e Fr o m th e v o lu m e s o f th e o rigi n al w or k he m ak e s
.

o n ly a f e w ex c e rpts pr o f e ssi n g t o o m it w h at is u n h ea rd o f
,

o r u n k n o w n o r s ee m s t o o f o rm id abl e a n d i n cludi n g o n ly ,

with hesit an cy a f ew bits c o n c e rn i n g un k n o wn rac e s o n the

t e sti m o n y o f hears a y T he e n igm a s o f Aeth icus an d o th e r
.

ph il o so ph e rs o ft en giv e o u r a bbr e v i ato r pa us e an d he r e ,

ga rds as i n cr e dibl e t he st o ry o f A et h i cus t h at the Am az on s -

n urs e y o u n g m i no t a urs a n d c e n t a urs w h o fi gh t f o r t h em in

r et urn Aethicu s a ls o t e lls o f the w o n d e r ful a rm o r o f th e

.

Am az o n s w h ich t he y tr eat wit h bitu m en an d the bl o o d o f

t he ir o w n o ff spri n g In Cr e te Aeth icus f o u nd he rbs un
.

k no wn in o the r l an ds w hich w ard o ff f am i n e Ve ry b e au .

ti f ul gem s ar e m e nti o n e d i n cludi ng th o s e ex tract e d f ro m

,

t h e bra i n s o f i mm en s e dr a go n s an d b a s ilisks but littl e is s a id ,

o f t he ir vi r tu e s o ccult o r o t he rwis e
, I n d e e d the a m o u n t
.
,

e it he r o f sp e cific i n f o r m a t io n o r sp e cific m isi n f o r m a ti o n in

th e b o o k is v e ry sc an ty I t d e a ls l a rg e ly in u n c o uth r h e t
.

o ri e, glitt e ri n g ge ne r aliti e s a n d o bscur e allusi on an en t the

,

w an d e ri n gs o f A ethicu s o ve r the f a c e o f the e ar th an d the

stran ge m a rv e ls wh ich he e n c o u n t e re d in dist ant l an ds He .

i s d e scribe d a s w e ll v e rs e d in a str o l o gy a n d as r ep r o vi n g
t he a str o l o ge rs o f S cyt h i a ( a n d M an tu a ( a nd o n e p as

s age va gue ly speaks o i the st a rs a s sign s o f the pre s en t an d

f utur e ; but o t h e r wis e t he a bb r e vi a t o r gi v e s littl e e vid e n c e
o f k n ow l e dg e o f th e subj e c t a l tho ugh R o g e r B a c o n cit e d
1
,

E thions A s tr o n o mic us in C o s m ogr aphia o ne o f h is

‘

au
'

as

th o r it ie swhe n discussi n g the qu e sti o n o f J e sus Christ s ’

n a ti v ity an d its r e l ati o n t o the st a rs an d a lt ho ugh P ic o d e ll a

,

Mir a n d o l a r a nk e d the C os m ogr aphy a s o n e o f the m o st ab

surd o f a str o l o gic al w o rks A s f o r m a gic in o n e p a ss a ge
?
,

ma lefici an d magi are c en sur e d al o n g w ith id o l at e rs a n d th e ,

B r idg e s I , 2 67 8 Cite d by d Ave z ac p p

’
-
.
, . 2 5 7 a n d 2 67 .
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

a utho r pr es e ntly sp e aks o f va i n c ha ra ct e rs an d s upe r s ti ‘

ti o us d o ctri n e s But e ls ew he r e a m a gici an ( P irr onius

.

ma gus ) is n am e d as the i n v e n t o r o f s h ips a n d disc o v e r e r o f

purpl e O n the wh o l e in its l o o s e an d ha zy w ay the Cos
.
,

m ogr aphy n o t o n ly is r o m an tic an d r e ligi o us e n o ugh t o ap

p ea l t o m e di e v a l r ea d e rs it a ls o is o f a c h a r a ct e r to o ff e r e n
,

c o u r a ge m e n t i f n o t d at a t o a l at e r a n d m o r e d e t a il e d in
, ,

t e r e s t in a lc he m y o ccult virtu e s a stro l o gy a n d m a gic

, , , .

Up o n the subj e ct o f a gricultur e in the e arly m iddl e a ges

w e h a v e th e c o ll e cti o n k n o w n a s the G e o po n ic a I t pr o p e rly .

b e l o n gs to Byz anti n e lite ra tu r e a n d p e rhap s had littl e dir e ct

i n flu en c e up o n w e st e r n E uro p e N ev e rthel e ss at le ast a po r .

ti on o f it up o n vi n e ya rd s w as tran sla t ed i n t o L ati n by B ur

g u n d i o o f P is a in t h e tw e l f t h c e n tury
?
I n a n y c a s e as t he
”
o n ly f o r m a l tr e a tis e o n G r ee k a gri cu ltur e e x t an t it is a
“

ra the r i m p o rt an t h isto ri ca l s o urc e ; it a ls o is a go o d spe ci

m en o f e a rly m e di e v a l co m pil a ti o n s f r o m cl a ssic a l w o rk s ;
a n d in its i n clusi o n o f sup e rstiti o us a n d m a gic a l d e t a ils it

is pro b ably r o u ghly re pr e s e n t ativ e o f the p e ri o d whe the r ,

in e a st o r w e st I n the f o rm w h ic h w e n o w p o s s e ss it w as
.
-

publis he d ab o ut 9 5 0 A D an d de dic a te d t o t he Byz an ti ne

. .

e m pe r o r Co n s ta n ti n e V I I o r P o rp hyr yge nn e to s
,
But th i s .

issu e wa s p e rha ps littl e m o re than a n a bbr evi at e d r evisi on

o f the w o r k o f Ca s s ia n u s B a ssus o f t he si x t h c e n tu r y w ho s e ,

i ntr o duct o ry w o rds t o h is s o n a r e still giv e n at the b e gi n

n i n g o f th e s e v e n th b o o k Ca s s ian us i s b e li e v e d in his turn
.

t o h a v e b e e n e sp e ci ally i n d e bt e d t o t w o f o urth c e n tury

writ e rs V in dan ius A n at o l ius o f B e irut w ho s e ag ricultur al
, ,

t ea ch i n g wa s o f a s o b e r an d r a ti o n a l s o rt an d D idymus o f ,

A l ex a n dri a w h o w as m o r e gi v e n to sup e rstiti o n a n d m agic

,
2
.

N e v e rt he l e s s m a gic an d a str o l o gy fi n d n o pl a c e in the

,

i nd ex to th e m o st r e c e n t e diti o n o f th e w o rk ?
A surv e y ,

h o w e v e r o f the t ex t it s e l f r e v e a ls s o m e i n dic a ti o n s o f the

,

“
V ie nn a 2272 1 4 th c e n t u r y
h
fol . s ia n i B as s i s c h o las tici d e r e r us
,
92, D e v 1n d e m 11s a B u r g u n d i o n e ti c a e c l og a e , L 1p s 1a e , T e ubn e r ,
t r a n s l a tu s : P a r s G e O p o n ic o r u m . 189 5 . P W c r itic ize s t his e dit io n a s
“ . .
“
S uc h is t h e v 1e w s e t f o r th 1n l e ide r v Ol lig Its
‘

P W G e o po nic a .
p r e f ac e lis t s t h e e a r l ie r e d1t1o n s .

3
H B e ck h, G eop onica s ive Cas
.
 MA G I C A ND E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

p a rtly up o n p e rs o nal o bs e rvati o n and ex p e ri en ce a s w ell a s

pr evi o us bo o k s .

Di o sc o rid e s i n flu en c e c o nti n u e d and e v en i n crea se d as

’

ti m e w e n t o n ; but if f utur e c en turi e s w e r e d ee ply i n flu en c e d

by h is b o o k it w as als o s e ri o usly a ffe cte d by them f o r it
, ,

s eem s t o hav e b ee n sub j ect e d to a l o n g s e ri e s o f r ep eat ed

abbr e vi a ti o n s an d o m issi o n s a dditi o n s a n d i n t e rp o l a ti o n s
, ,

c h an ge s in f o r m a n d in o rd e r T hus a l l s o rt s o f v e rsi o n s
.

o f w h a t w a s c a ll e d D i o sc o rid e s c am e i n t o b e i n g but whic h in ,

s o m e c a s e s can h a rdly b e r e ga rd e d as m o r e than c o m pil a

ti o n s f r o m all the f a v o rit e ph a rm a ci e s o f th e ti m e in wh ich ,

t h e ge n ui n e D i o sc o rid e s c o n stitut e d but a r e m n an t o r a c o r e .

Thus m o st ea rly pri n t e d e diti o n s o f w ha t purp o rts t o be the

D e m a ter ia m e dica m ust be han dl e d with gr e at c auti o n an d ,

it m ay p e r haps be d o ubt e d if e v en the l at e st e ffo rt o f Max

We ll m ann to re c o v e r the o rigi n al G r e ek tex t ha s been e n
t ir e ly succ e s s ful O f th e fi ve b o o ks r e ga rd e d a s ge n ui ne
?

a n d o rigi n a l t he fi rst d ea lt wit h spic e s s a lv e s a n d o ils ; t he , ,

s e c o n d wit h p a rt s o f an i m als an d an i mal pr o ducts lik e m ilk

,

a n d h o n e y wit h gr a i n s
,
v e ge t abl e s and p o t he rbs O ther
, ,
-
.

pl an t s a n d r o o ts w e r e c o n sid e r e d in the th ird and fou r th

b o o ks w h il e the l a st d ealt w it h wi ne s an d m i n e rals
,
?

Whe the r we n o w p o ss e ss D i o sc o rid e s o rigi na l t ex t o r ’

n o t a t an y ra t e t he o ld e st G r ee k m an uscripts d o n o t c o n t a i n
,

it but o n ly that p o r ti o n d e a li n g with he rb s Mo r eo v e r this

,
.
,

h a s b e e n r e arr an ge d in alph ab e tic al o rd e r an d h as b een

a d a pt e d t o fi t a s e t o f pictur e s o f pl a n ts w h ic h w e r e p e r h aps

t ak en o v e r f r o m the w o rk o f Cr ateua s o n e o f D i o s c o rid e s ,

’

chi e f s o urce s S uch is the f am o us e arly si x th c en tury il

.

l um in a te d m a n uscript m ad e f o r Juli ana A n ic ia d aught e r o f ,

the e m p e r o r O lyb r iu s ( 4 7 2 A D ) an d wi f e o f the c o n sul

. .

“
Th e fi r s t tw o v
o l u m es , p ub f u r t her W e l l m an s
’
ar t icl e s
D io s k u r ides in P au l y- Wis s o wa ,
”
l is h e d at B e r l in in 1 9 07 , 1 9 06 , coy
e r e d t h e fi r s t f o u r o f t h e fi ve g e n u a n d in H e r m e s , XXX II I , ( 189 8 )

in e b o o s k v
A p r e io u s a tt e m p t 3 60 ff .

v
.

“
w a s K S p r e ng e l s e dit io n in o l s H l Bo m vct w, vrep l {qJwv n a vr o lwv,
’ '
‘
. . cp

K ii hn s M e dici
’
25 26-
of C J . . 1r €p l n a vr o iwv éh a lwv, map ! 3a
1

G r a e ci Le ip z ig, 18 2 9 O n th e t ex. Op wv, n ep l o l vwv It a l d

. v, is a n o t h e r
,

t u al h is to r y a n d p r o b l e m s s e e o r de r s ugg e s t e d .
xxvx P S E UD O -L I TE R A T UR E I N S CI EN CE

Are o bindus 5 ( b o ut
a lp h12
a b e tic a l
A re . T he a

a rr a n ge m e n t o f th e G r ee k t ex t o f D i o sc o rid e s w as m a d e at

s o me ti m e b etw een G al en and O ribas ius w ho cite s f r o m it ,

in the f o urth c en tury N o t o n ly w e r e th e fi ve b o o ks o f the

.

genui n e D e ma teria me dia n i n te rp o l ate d but a dditi o n al ,

“
spuri o us bo o ks w e re a dde d O n Ha rm ful D rugs an d O n
“

The w o rk o n m e dici n a l si m pl e s a ttribut e d t o

” 2
P o is o n s .

D i o sc o ride s is ex t an t in n o m a n uscript e arli e r t han th e f o ur

t een th c e n tury an d s o me v e rsi o n s o f it a r e m uc h m o r e i nt e r

p o l a te d t h a n o th e rs A s G al e n d oe s n o t cit e it w h il e O r i
.

bas ius an d Aetiu s do us e it it is a ssu me d t ha t it w as c o m ,

‘
The MS is sa id S in g e r
by f atal e ff e c ts of th e h e r b
Th e r e .

( 1 9 2 1 ) 60, t o ha e n o w be e n v a r e r o ug h r e p r o du c t io n s o f t his

r e mo e d v f r o m V ie nn a t o St . l a st p ic tu r e in W o l tm an n a nd
k
Mar s Libr ar y at V e n ic e ; it
’
Wo e r m ann, His to r y of P ain tin g,
w a s p r o cu r e d f r o m C o n s tan t in o p l e I , 19 2 - 3 , a nd S ing e r ( 19 2 1 ) 62 .

When th e text p r o p e r begin s th e

.

in 1 5 5 5 f o r t h e f utu r e E mp e r o r
Max im ilian I I ( 15 64 A il lu m in a tio n s are co n fi ne d to
p h o to gr ap h ic c o p y w as p ub l is h e d m e dic in al p l an t s .

in 1 9 06 in th e L e ide n Co ll ec tio n, O t h e r e ar ly G r e e k
m a n us c r ip ts
C odices G r ae ci e t L a tini by A W , . . a r e t h e C o de x N e ap o l ita n u s for ,

S ij th o ff , w ith an in t r o du ctio n by me r ly at V ien n a, no w at St .

A vo n P r e m e r s t e in C W e s s e l y, k
Ma r s , V e n ic e , an e ighth ce n
’

J Man tuan i ( C We s s e l y,
.
. ,

and . . t u r y p a limp s e s t f r o m B o bb io , a n d
C odex An cid e I u h an a e e t c ,
'

, . a P a r is co de x , ( B N G r e e 2 17 9 ) k
S ee al s o A . v
P r e m e r s t e in in t h e
. o f t h e n in th c e n tu r y A n A r abic.

A us r ian Ja hr bu c h ( 19 03 ) XXI V, t r an s l at io n f r o m t h e G re e s e ems k

1 05 é v
to h a e b ee n ma de ab o u t 8 5 0 ; a
v
I h a e e x amin e d t h e f a c - s im il e c e ntu r y l a t e r t h e B y z an t in e e m
o f this MS an d f o u n d t h e l ar g e p eror s ent a Gr ee k
m an u s c r ip t o f
but f a de d a n d p a r tia l l y o bl ite r at e d D io s c o r ide s t o t h e c a l ip h in S p ain .

il l um in atio n s w h ic h p r ece de th e F o r t h e f u l l t e x t o f th e D e m a
te xt r a th e r dis ap p o int in g a f t e r te r ia m e dica w e a r e d e p e n de n t o n
v
h a ing r e a d t h e de s c r ip t io n o f M S S o f th e 1 1 th, 12 th, 13 th an d
t h e m in D a l to n s B yza n tin e A r t,
’
l a t e r c e n t u r ie s .

( 9 ) 4 6 1 , w h ich , ho w e e r ,
1 1 1 6 0 -
v ”
Hep l onk nr np iwv (ba p p oucwv an d
‘
'

I p r e s um e is a c c u r at e a n d s o r e wep t io fié k wv, e dit e d by S p r eng el

p r o duc e h e r e Th e s e l a r g e ill um i
. in K uh n XXV I , a s w a s
n at io n s in c l u de a p o r t r a it o f J u t h e Hep i ezn ro p io r wv drrk d w r e K a i o vu
’ '

l ian a A nic ia, a n o r n a m e n tal p ea Oé r wv ¢ a p udxwv T h e II ep i (ba p udxwv

f
.

co c k w ith t ail s p r e ad, g r o u p s o f éuwet p l a s .

“
( Ex p e r im e nt al P har
d o cto r s e n g age d in m e dic a l dis o f w h ic h a L a t in e r s io n , v
c us s io n s , a n d D io s c o r id e s h im s e l f A lpha be tu m e m pir icu m , s ive D ios
s ea t e d w r it in g , a n d a g ain s e a t e d c o r idis S te p h am A tk e nie n s is
’

et
“

o n a f o l din g s t o o l r ec e i in g t h e v d e r e m e diis e x p e r tis w as ,

her b m an d r ago r a ( w h ich, o f e d it e d by C W o l f , Ziir ic h , 1 5 8 1, is

'

v v
.

c o u r s e , w a s a m e die a l f a o r it e ) an a l p h ab e t ic a l a r r an g e m e n t by
f r o m a f e mal e fi gu r e p e r s o n if y d is ea s e s a s c r ib e d t o D io s co r ide s
v “
ing D is co e ry ( Eifip na t s ) , w hil e in a n d S te p h e n o f A th e n s ( a n d o th er
the f o r e g r o un d a d o g d ie s in w r it e r s ) .
”
a g o n y, p r e s u m ab l y from th e
 MA GI C AND E XP E RI M EN TAL S CI E N CE CH AP.

po s ed in the t h ird
rly f o urth c en tury wit h a f o rge d de d
o r ea

ica t io n to a c o nt emp o r a ry o f D i o sc o rid e s but tha t it m a d e ,

c o n sid e r abl e u s e o f t he ge n ui n e D i o sc o rid e s to w h ich it b o re ,

m uc h t he s am e r e l a ti o n a s t he M e did na F linn did t o t he

His to r io N a tnr al is L at e r ho w e ve r s o m e Byz a nti n e co m
.
, ,

pile r o f the e l e v e nt h tw e l f th o r t hirt e e n th c entury i ntr o

, ,

duce d a gr e a t d e a l o f n e w m a t e ri al f r o m Ga l en s ge nui ne
’

an d spuri o us w o rks in t h a t fi e ld a n d f r o m J o hn o f D amas

1
cu s .

What mo r e e sp e ci ally c o nc e rn us a r e the me di ev al L ati n

v e rsi o n s o f D i o sc o rid e s A s a m a tte r o f f act a ltho ugh the
.
,

D e mat er ia me dia ; w as f r o m t he st a rt h ighly re gard e d a nd

.

wid ely us e d by G r e e k physici an s it s e em s to hav e b ee n lit ,

tl e k n o w n t o L ati n writ e rs u n til t h e v e rge o f th e m e di e v a l

p e ri o d G ar gil ius Ma rti alis a R o m an writ e r o n a gr icul
.
,

ture in the t hird c en tury o f o ur e r a w as the o n ly o ld L ati n ,

a ut h o r t o cit e D i o sc o rid e s w h ic h h e did h o w e v e r n o l e ss

, , ,

t han e igh te e n ti m e s in his M e dricina e ex o ler ibus e t pomis ‘

.

T h is h as l e d to the sugge sti o n t h a t h e w a s p er h a p s r e sp o n si

ble f o r t he fir s t L a ti n tr a n sl a ti o n o r v e rsi o n o f D i o sc o rid e s ;
but it s eem s unlik e ly t hat the w o rk ha d be en put i nt o L ati n
a s e a rly a s h is ti m e si n c e it is n o t cit e d a ga i n by a L ati n
,

writ e r u ntil the si x th cen tury an d is no t us e d by such me di

c a l a ut ho rs a s S e r e n u s S a m m o n icu s C a ssius Feli x Th e o , ,

d o rus P r is cian u s an d Ma rc e llu s E mpir icus

, .

But at l ea st a p o rti o n o f D i o sc o rid e s s e em s to hav e b ee n

tran sl at e d i nt o L ati n by the ti me o f Ca ssi o do rus who writ , ,

ing in th e fi rst ha l f o f the si x t h c e n tury st at e s t ha t tho s e ,

who c ann o t r e a d G ree k m ay c o n sult t h e H er barinm D ios c o r

2
T h is n atur ally sugge sts a v e rsi o n li m it e d to m e dic
'

n dis .

i n al pl an ts lik e th e early G r eek t ex t in th e man uscript o f

Juli ana An icia T his i m pr e ssi o n i s c o nfir m e d by the pre fa c e
.

t o s o m e e arly L a ti n v e rsi o n o f D i o sc o rid e s w h ich R o s e dis ,

c o ve r e d in o n e o f the m an uscripts o f the H er bar iu m of

‘
Max We l l m ann , D ie S c hr if t h is a r t ic l e D io sk u r ide s in P a ul y
”

d es Dios k u r id es Hep l (inr NI w W“is s o w a .

¢ a p udxwv, 1 9 1 4 a n d , co l . 1 14 0 of D e ins t dw h t cap 3 1

. . . . .
 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

of th e D e ma ter ia, me dicais f ull o f L ati n is m s and b ar

. It
ba r is m s but o t he r w is e r e pr o duc e s the c o m pl e t e a nd ge n ui ne
D i o sc o rid e s o r is supp o s e d to do s o
, R o s e a n d We ll m an n 1 .

s ay t ha t it w a s c ur r e n t f r o m th e si x t h c e n tury o n a n d t he
,

f e w e x t an t m a n usc r ipt s o f it da t e f r o m t he ea rly m e di e va l

p e ri o d 2
O n e r ea s o n f o r t his s e e m s t o b e t h a t th is lit e r al
.

tr an sl ati o n w as re pl a c e d by an o t he r L ati n v e rsi o n w hic h in

a B am b e rg m a n uscript is a scrib e d to Co n st an ti nu s A f ri
3

c amus the m e dic al tran sl at o r a n d writ e r o f the el ev e n th c en

,

tury I n th is v e rsi o n the it em s ar e ar r an g e d alphab e tic ally

.
,

an d a dditi o n s a r e e m b o di e d f r o m o t h e r s o urc e s T h is ve r .

si o n a pp ar e ntly b e c am e m uc h be tt e r k n o w n than the e a rli e r

“
lit e r a l tr an sla ti o n an d ha s b ee n c all e d the m o st wid ely dis
s em i n at e d handb o o k o f p ha rm a cy o f the w ho l e l at e r m iddl e
” 4
a ge s
“
. I t is st a t e d by R o se to be id e n tic a l with the D y as
c o r ide s up o n w h ic h P e t e r o f A ban o l e ctur e d an d c o m
,

m e nte d ab o ut 1 3 00 a n d w hic h was pri n te d at Co ll e in 1 47 8

a n d a ga i n a t L y o n s in

P e t e r o f A b a n o t e lls us in h is pr e f a c e 6
t hat in his
ti me t he re w e re curre n t tw o di ff e ren t v e rsi o n s altho ug h ,

b o th ha d the s am e pre f a c e O n e o f the s e w as in fi ve b o o k s .

wit h a gr ea t m an y s ho rt c hapt e rs s o s ho rt in f a ct tha t o ft e n ,

t h e tr e at m e n t o f a si n gl e t h i n g w a s sc a tt e r e d o v e r s e v e r al
c hapt e rs This v e rsi o n w as r a re in L ati n T he o t he r y e r
. .

si o n c o n t a i n e d f e w e r but l o n ge r ch apt e rs with m at e ri al a dde d

fr o m G a l en P li n y an d o t he r writ e rs T his v e rsi o n wa s
, , .

A n e c d o ta g r a e ca e t g r a e c o
1
c o r r e ct l y date d, it a n d B o l o g n a
Ia tin a B e r l in 1 864 I I 1 1 5 a n d v
U n i e r s ity Libr a r y 3 7 8 , 1 2 th c e n
W e l l m an n
, , , ,

1 1 9 ; He r m e s V I I I , 3 8 tu r y, w h ic h is s a id t o d iff e r f r o m
p xx i . . t h e p r in t e d e dit io n s , a r e t o o e a r l y
2‘
B N 9 3 3 2 , 8 th c e n t u r y ; CLM to b e P e t e r o f A ba n o s
’
e r s io nv .

3 3 7 , 9 1 0t h ce n t u r y f r o m
- Mo n t e “
E xp lici t dyas c o r ide s qu e m
C a s s in o ; e d T M A u r a ch e r e t
. . .
p e tr u s paduane n s is l eg e n da c o
H S ta dl e r , in R o m F o r s c h I ,
. . . r e x it e t e x p o n e n do qu ae u tilio r a

49 -
1 0 5; X ,
1 8 1 2 47 a n d 3 68 -
446 ;
-
s un t in l u c e m d edux i t, Co ll e ,
X I , 1 - 1 2 1 ; XII , 1 6 1 - 2 43 . 14 7 8 Dios co r ide s dig es tus a l
.

p ha b e tic o o r din e a ddi tzs ann o ta

'
3
Co d B a m L - I I I - 9
. . .

PW
‘ “ ” ‘

Dio s k u r ide s A f a ir l y . tiu n c u lzs

'
br evibus et tr a c ta tu
e a r l y M S is C U J e s u s 44 , 1 2 - 1 3 t h a qu a r u m , L u g du n i, 1 5 1 2 And se e
.

“
c e n tu r y, f o l s 1 7 14 5 r ,
—
. d ia s c o r id e s Ch a p 7 0, A p p e n dix I I
. .

p e r m o d um al p h a be t i d e v ir tu t ib u s
6
v
I h a e r e a d it in EN 682 0,
h e r ba r um e t c o m p o s it io n e o l e f o l 1 r , a s w e l l a s in t he 14 7 8 e di
.

r um .
”
v
I h a e n o t se e n it b ut, if t io n .
XXVI P S E UD O -L I TERA T UR E I N S CI EN CE

a rr an ge d a lphab etic ally I t w as th is v e rsi o n wh ich Aygr e .

a d f o ll o w e d a n d i m it a t e d but s o m e ti m e s t h e r e w e r e
1
g a t o r h ,

”
c ha pt e rs in e it he r Dya sco r ide s wh ich w e r e m issi n g in
Aggr ega to r P e t e r h a d a ls o s een an alp hab e tic a l v e rsi o n o f
.

Di o sc o r id e s in G r eek .

The r e s e e m s a ls o to ha v e be en curr e n t at l e a st in the ,

lat er m iddle a g e s a P s eud o D i o sc o r id e s o n st o n e s dr awn

,
-
,

in p a rt lik e the F e min in e H er bs f r o m the ge n ui n e D e ma

, ,

ter ia: m e dica w ho s e discussi o n o f th e virtu e s o f st o n e s is

,

i n cr e dible e n o ugh Th is D ios c or ides o n S to n es is cit e d by

2
.

A rn o ld o f S ax o n y a n d B a rt ho l o m e w o f E n gl an d in the
t h irt eenth c entu r y an d p o rti o n s at l e ast o f the w o rk a r e ex
,

t an t in m an uscripts at E r furt an d Mo n tp e lli e r 3

A w o rk .

o n p hysic a l liga tur e s is a scrib e d t o D i o sc o rid e s in a l at e

m an uscript but is r ea lly a c o ll e cti o n o f it e m s f r o m v a ri o us

4
,

a ut ho rs si n c e D i o sc o r id e s o n th e m a rv e l o us vi r tu e s o f a n i

m als h e rbs an d st o n e s e sp e ci ally when b o un d o n the b o dy

, , , ,

h e ld in th e han d o r w o rn a r o u n d the n eck , .

T h e h ist o ry o f the m e di e v a l ve r si o n s o f D i o sc o rid e s ,

e v e n in t he bri e f an d i n c o m pl e t e o utli n e giv e n he r e is in ,

structiv e sho wi n g us in ge n e r a l the viciss itud e s t o w h ich

,

the tr a n s m issi o n o f the t ex t o f an y a n ci en t a ut ho r m ay h a v e

been subj e ct e d but m o re e sp e ci a lly pro vi n g t hat the m id
,

dl e a ge s w het he r L ati n o r Byz an ti n e w e r e r e a dy to t ak e

, ,

gr eat lib e rti e s with an ci en t a utho riti e s an d to ad apt them

t o t he ir o w n t a st e an d r e qui r e m e n ts An d i n d e e d w hy .
,

s ho uld the y n o t re arr ange a n d m ak e a dditi o n s t o their

1
A wor k
by S e r ap io n w hich D io s co r ide s , V,
8 4 1 33
-
a mo n g,

S im o n C o r d o o f G e n o a t r an s l at e d
f r o m A r abic in t o L atin w ith t h e
h e l p o f Abr ah am , a J e w o f T o r
to s a S e r ap io n s ta te s a t t h e b e
. k u n g e n die in d e n A r a bis ch e n
g in n in g t h a t h is w o r is a co m
bin at io n o f D io s co r id e s a n d o f th e
k
o t h e r t hin g s d e s c r ib e s e in e g a n ze
R e ih e vo n h oc h s t z w e if e lh a f t e n
S te in e n m it u n g l a ubl ic h e n W ir
k v
A r z n e im it te l e r z e ic h n is s e n
”
un d
S te in b ii c h e r n n ie de r k e h r e n
.

wor of G al en o n m e dic in al 3
A mp l o n Fo l io 4 1 , f o l s 3 6 - 7 ;
. .

s imp l e s Aggr e g a to r w a s p r in t e d
. Mo n tp e l l ie r 2 7 7 c a p s 46—6 7 o f t h e
, .

in 147 9 L ibe r S e r apio nis

,
ag t r e a t is e en t itl e d L i ber a r is to te l is
,

g r e g a tus in m e d ic in is s imp l ici d e l a pidibus p r e c io s is s e c u nd um

bus Tr a ns la tio S ym o n is I a n u en v e r bo s o pie n tiu m o n tiqu o r u m
'

. .

s is in te r p r e te A br aa m iu de o to r S lo an e 3 8 48, 1 7 th ce n tur y, f o l s .

tu o s ie ns i d e a r o bic o in la tin u m . 6
3 40-
.

2
Rus a k p 5 , s a y s th a t .
 MA GI C AN D EXP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

D i o sc o rid es ? A ft e r
it wa s a c o m pil ati o n to b e gi n with
all .

But the c as e o f D i o s co rid e s has al s o t augh t u s that w e do

n o t h av e t o w a it u n til t he m e di e v a l p e ri o d f o r t he a pp e a r

a n c e o f n e w v e rsi o n s o f a n an ci e n t a ut ho r

W ith the p o s sibl e ex c e pti o n o f t he Her barium o f the

P s e ud o A pul e ius pr o b a bly the b e st k n o w n si n gl e an d dis
-
,

ti nct tr ea t m en t o f the virtu e s o f h e rbs pr o duce d duri n g the

m iddl e a ge s w as t h e p o e m D e vir ions her bar um w h ich cir
cul a te d u n d e r the n am e o f Ma c e r Fl o ridus It w as o f t en
1
.

cit e d by the me di ev al en cycl o p e di s ts a n d o t he r write r s o n

n a tur e a n d m e dici n e in th e tw e l f t h an d t hi rt e e n th c e n turi e s
2
.

I t is f o u n d in a n An gl o S ax o n v e r si o n a nd w as e ve n tr an s
- 3

l a te d i n t o D an is h in the e arly th irt ee n th c entury 4

Manu .

s cripts o f it a r e v e ry n u m e r o u s an d th e r e a r e m an y e a rly
5

pri n t e d e diti o n s E v en a s r e c e ntly a s the fi rst hal f o f the

6
.

n i n e t e e n t h c e n tury a h ist o ri a n o f m e dici n e an d n a tur a l sci

e n c e in th e pr e f a c e o f h is e diti o n o f Ma c e r st at e d a s o n e
, ,

a rgu m en t f o r t he m o d e r n study o f m e di e v a l m e dici n e t h at

m uch m ight b e l ea r n e d fro m writi n gs o f t ha t p e ri o d c o n

c e rn i n g the virtu e s o f he rb s 7
.

T he p o e m w a s c e rt a i n ly n o t writt e n by the cl assic al p o et ,

Ae m il ius Ma c e r w ho w a s a f ri en d o f V e rgil an d O vid an d

, ,

wh o s e d e scripti o n s o f pl an ts birds an d r e ptil e s a r e c it e d

, ,

by P li n y in his N a tur al His tor y an d a ls o pr e s e rve d in s o me

e x tr a cts by the gr a m m a ri a n s P r o o f o f t h i s is that o u r
.

Ma cer F l o r id us d e vir ibus her m ent e d up o n th e p o e m ; p ublish e d

bar u m u n a c u m Wa l af ri di S tr a b y C h r is tian Mo l bec h , Co p e nha
b o nis , O th on is Cr e m o n ens is e t g en , 18 2 6 .

ls
I o a nnis F o l cz c a r minibus s im ilis T he r e ar e l a r g e n umb e r in
a
a r g u m e n ti, ed . v
L udo ic u s Ch o u t h e M S S co ll e c t io n s o f t h e B r it
l a n t 18 3 2
, . is h Mu s e um a l o n e S o m e s a id to
.

”
V . Ro s e him s e l f c o r r ec t e d b e o f th e 1 2 th c e n tu r y a r e Ha r
( H e r m e,
s V III 33 1 ) t h e s t r an g e
,
0 -
l e ia n 4 3 46, a n d a t E r f ur t A m p l o n .

s ta t e m e n t w hic h h e h a d m a de v
O c ta o 6 2 a a n d 6 2 b .

( H er m“e s V I”II , 63 ) t hat th e S e e th e B r itis h Mu s eu m cat a

6
,

nam e Ma c e r is n o t f o un d in l o g u e o f p r in t e d b o o s I ha ek . v
c o n n e c t io n w it h t h is w o r k
u n t il u s e d b e s id e s
’
C h o ul a n t s t e x t o f
M S S o f th e 1 4 t h an d 1 sth ce n tu 1 83 2 a n il l u s t r at e d o c t a o e d itio n v
r ie s. B o th th e t r eat is e a n d t h e p r o b abl y o f 1 4 89 Th e p o e m a l s o
.

n a m e a r e f r e qu e n t in t h e e a r l ie r a p p ea r s in m e dic a l c o ll ec t io n s
MS S . s u ch as M edici a n tiqu i o m n es .

“
C o tt o n V it e ll iu s C , I II
, . A l du s , V e n ic e 1 5 4 7 , f o l s 2 2 3 -4 6
, . .

‘
Th e D a n e , Ha r p e s t r e n g w h o ,
7
C h o ul an t ( 1 83 2 ) P r e f a ce .

die d in 12 44 , t r a n s l at e d a n d co m
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HA P .

p o e t d o e s no t a pp ea r to have m uch o f his o wn to

O ur
o ff e r o n the sub j e ct o f t he vi rtu e s o f h e rbs When he d o e s .

n o t cit e his a ut h o rity by n am e h e usu a lly qu a li fi e s th e st a t e ,

“
He d o e s
” ” “
m e n t m a d e by a v a gu e r t h e y s ay o r it is sa id .

n o t c o n n e ct c e rt a i n h e rbs wit h c e rt a i n st a rs o r o th e rwis e

i n tro duc e a nyth i n g t ha t ca n b e c a ll e d a str o l o gic a l He r e .

p eats P li n y s st a t e m e n t o f the po w e rs a scrib e d to ve rv a i n by

’
.

t he m agi suc h as t o gai n o n e s d e sir e s w in t h e f ri e n ds h ip o f

’

, ,

the p o w e r f ul a n d disp e l dis e a s e a n d f e v e r

, P li n y ha d sp o k e n .

“ ”
o f t he m agi a s r a v i n g a b o ut t h is he rb ; o ur p o et s a ys :
“
A lt ho ugh p o t e n t N a tur e c a n gr an t suc h virtu e s ,
” 1
Y e t t he y r e ally s e em t o us idl e o ld w i v e s t a l e s
’
-
.

N ev e rt he l e ss he hi m s e l f ab o ut fi ft e en li ne s b e fo r e h ad s a id
of v e rva i n :
th e

I f h o ldi n g th is h e rb in th e h an d yo u a sk the p ati e n t

, , ,

S ay br o t he r ho w ar e yo u a n d the p ati e n t an sw e rs We ll
‘ ‘ ’
-
, , , ,

He will liv e ; but if he s ays I ll t he r e is n o h o p e o f s a f e ty

‘
,
” ’
.
2

O ur p o et n o t o nly th us a ss o ci a t e s wit h he rbs the virtu e o f

divi n ati o n but is guilty o f sy m p athetic m a gic wh en he be
,

lie ve s t hat the a n ci e n t s l e a rn e d by e x p e ri e n c e t h a t Dr ag o n te a

o r s n a k e w ee d disp e ls p o is o n s w a rds o ff s n a k e s an d is go o d
-
, ,

f o r sn ak e bit e f r o m o bs e rvi n g the si m il a rity b etw e en t he

-

sp o tt e d ri n d o f the he rb a n d the ski n o f a s n ak e O do o r 3

.

Ma c e r rep eats G al en s st o ry o f c uri n g an e pil eptic bo y by

’

susp en di n g a r o o t o f p eo n y a b o ut his n eck and l at e r as

1
,
‘

s e rts the s am e virtu e f o r th e he rb pyr e thr um E ve n m o r e?

m a gic al is th e c e r em o n y f o r curi n g t o o t hac he w h ic h he t ak e s

fr o m P li n y an d wh ich c o n sists in diggi n g up th e he rb S e
n e ci o n wit h o ut u se o f ir o n t o uc h i n g th e a c h i n g t o o th with it
,

th re e ti m e s an d the n r e pl aci n g th e pl an t in the pl ac e w he r e

,

it c a m e f r o m s o t hat it w ill gr o w a ga i n P li n y is a ls o cit e d

6
.

1
Lin e s 1 9 0 1 -2 , Q uae , qua m vis
'
s p on der i t Vive t, si
eg e r , ve r a
na tu r a p a te ns c o n c e de r e p os s e t ma le s pes e s t nu l lo s o ln it s
,
.

Va n a to m e n n o bis e t an ilia iur e

3
He rb 5 4 , l ine s 1 7 2 8
vid en tu r .
‘
He r b 4 9 , l ine s 1 6 1 7 -2 7 .

“
“
L in e s 188 1 3 , Ha n c h e r ba m
-
He r b 6 7 , lin e s 2 09 5
g e s ta n d o ma n u s i qu er is a b eg r o
°
He r b 5 1 , lin e s 1 685 -9 .

D ic f r a ter qu id a g is ? be n e s i r e
 xxv1 P S E UD O L I TE R A T UR E I N S CI EN CE
-

c o n c e rn i n g the sw all o w s r e st o ri n g the sight o f it s yo un g by

’

swa llo w wo rt 1 -
O u r p o e t a ls o r e p ea ts such b e li e f s a s t h a t
.

th e h e rb B ugl os s a pr e s e r v e s th e m e m o ry ? o r t h a t th e s m o k e
o f A r is to chia disp e ls d em o n s a n d e x h il a r a t e s i n f a n ts If
?

the h iv e s ar e an o i n t e d wit h th e j uic e o f th e h e rb B ar r o cus ,

t he b e e s will n o t d e s e r t t h e m ; w h il e c a r r yi n g t h at pl a n t w i th
o n e is a p r o t e cti o n a ga i n st th e sti n gs o f b e e s w a sps an d , ,
-

S pid e rs Am o n g the v irtu e s m o st f r e qu e n tly att r ibut e d t o

4
.

he rbs a re e x p e lli n g o r killi n g w o r m s c uri ng p e s ti fe r o us ,

bit e s o r p o is o n s an d pro vo ki n g uri ne o r v o m iti n g O n the

,
.

w ho l e Mac e r c o n t a i n s o n ly a m o d e ra t e am o u n t o f sup e r
“
,
”

s t it io n alt ho ugh r at he r m o r e pr o p o rti o n a lly t h an Wa l a f r id

,

S tr a b o .

A lt ho ugh O do o r Mac e r s e e m s t o m ak e n o o rigi n al c o n

t r ibution to bo t an y cit e s aut h o riti e s f r e qu e n tly an d spe aks
, ,

o f t e n o f th e an ci e n ts o r me n o f o l d h e a ls o a t l e a st o n c e ,

“ ” 5
cit e s ex p e rts a n d w e ha ve als o s e en his b e li e f tha t the
a n ci en ts ha d t e st e d the virtu e s o f pl an ts by e x p e ri e n c e Th is .

r athe r sligh t ex pe ri m e n ta l c ha r a cte r o f the w o rk is f urt he r

e m p ha siz e d in s o m e m a n uscripts o f it w he r e the title is ,

Ex p e ri m e n ts o f Ma c e r
“ ”
a n d t he m a tt e r s ee m s t o h a v e

been r e a rr an ge d u n d e r dis ea s e s i n st ea d o f by he r bs
- 6
.

1
He r b 5 2 . 1 06 - 1 7 , Ex p e r im enta Mac r i A d .

”
He r b 3 4 l in e s 1 1 3 5 8
,
-
. do l o r e m cap itis A cc ip e b al s a m u m
.

8
He rb 4 1 l ine s 142 1 2
,
-
. e t in s t ill a a dd e s u c u m
‘
He r b 5 0 l in e s 1 64 1 63
,
-
. c e l id o n ie et s up e r p o n e v
ul n e r i
5
He r b 6 9 Cymin u m l in e s 2 1 18
, , bu s .
”

9, Ho c o r th o p n o ic is m ir a m p r ae s A r u n d e l 2 9 5 , 1 4 t h c e n t u r y, f o l s .

Ex p e r im e nt a Ma c r i c o l
“
t ar e m e de l a m Ex p e r ti dicun t c u m 2 2 2 33
-
,
”
p us c e s ae p i u s h a u s tu m . l e c t a s ub ce r tis cap itulis a G o t e
”
V ienn a 2 5 32 , 12 th c e n tur y, f o l s . f r ido .
 CHA P TE R XXV I I
O T H E R E A RL Y M E DI E V A L L E AR N I N G

B O E T H I U S , I S I DO R E, B E DE , G R E G O R Y T H E G R EA T

Ar idity o f e ar l y m e die v al l ear n in g— His to r ic im p o r t anc e of Th e C o n

s o la tio n o f P hil o s o phy— Me die v a l r e a din g— I n fl u e nc e of th e w o r s o fk
Bo e th iu s— His r e l a tio n to a n tiqu ity an d m iddl e age s —Att itude t o th e
s ta r s— F at e an d f r ee w il l— Mu s ic of th e s tar s v
a n d un i e r s e— I s ido r e

of v
S e ill e— Me th o d of t h e E tym o l og ie s — Its s o u r c e s— N atu r al m ar e l s v
— I s ido r e is r ath e r l es s h o s p itabl e t o s u p e r s t it io n t h an P l iny P o r t e n t s
—

—
Wo r d s and n u m b e r s— His to r y of m agic — D e fi n itio n of m agic— Fut u r e
in flu en c e of I s ido r e
’
mag ic— A ttit ude t o a s t r o l o gy— I n t h e
s a cc o unt o f

De n a tu r a r e r u m — B e d e s s ca n ty s c ie n c e B e de s D e n a tur a r e r u m
’ ’
—

v
Di inatio n by thunde r R iddl e s o f A l dh e l m G r e g o r y s D ia l o gu es
— —
’

S ig n s a n d w o n de r s w r o ugh t by s ain t s Mo r e m o n is h mir a cl es— A —

k
k
m o n as tic s na e c h a r m e r B a s iliu s the m agician— A d emo n s al ad— I n
- —

cant atio n s in O l d I r is h— T he Fili .

THE rudite f o rtitude o f studen ts o f th e Me r o vi n gi an

e

p e ri o d c o mma n ds o ur a d m ira ti o n but s o m eti me s i n cli ne s us ,

t o w o n d e r w he t her an y o n e witho ut a s o m e w h a t dry a s dust - -

c o n stituti o n c o uld p en e tr a t e f ar o r t a rry l o n g in the d e s e rt

o f e a rly m e di e va l L ati n l e a r n i n g wit h o ut p er is h i n g o f i n t e l

l ectu al t hirst A s a rul e the writi n g s o f th e ti m e sho w n o

.

o rigi n a lity w ha t e v e r an d l eas t o f a ll a ny sci e nti fi c i n v e sti

,

ga t io n ; t he y a r e o f v a lu e m e r e ly a s an i n dic ati o n o f w ha t
p a st bo o k s m e n still r ea d a nd w ha t pa rts o f p ast sci en c e
t he y still po ss e ss e d s o m e i n t e re st in Un d e r the s am e c a t e .

g o ry o f c o n d emn ati o n m ay be pl a c e d m o s t o f the Car o li n gi a n

p e ri o d s o fa r a s o u r i nv e stigati o n is c o n c e r n e d We s ha ll .

t he re f o r e tra ve rs e r a pidly th is p e ri o d o f spa rs e sci e n tific

pro ductivity a n d s ha ll be d oin g it a m pl e j ustic e if f ro m its ,

me a ge r list o f write rs w e s e l e ct f o r c o n sid e ra ti o n B o e t h ius

o f I t a ly a t t h e o p e n i n g o f the si x t h c e n tury a n d G r e g o ry

the G r e at a t its cl o s e I s id o r e o f S p a i n a t the o p en i n g o f th e

,

6 16
 MA GI C A N D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

m uc h tte nti o n has n o t b e en given to m e di ev al writi n g an d

a

t o o littl e to m e di e v a l r e a di n g o f w h ich s o m uc h m e di ev a l
,

writi n g in L a ti n at l e a st is littl e mo re than a r efl ecti o n We

, , .

ge t t he ir i ma ge f a i n t p e rh a ps an d p a r ti al ; but they h ad the

,

r ea l o bj e ct I t has be en a ssum e d by so m e m o de r n scho l ars

.

t hat m e di e va l writ e rs ha d usu a lly n o t r ea d the w o rks e s ,

p ec ia l ly o f cl a ssic a l a n ti q uity w h ic h t h e y pr o f e ss t o cit e

,

a n d q u o t e but r e li e d l a rge ly up o n an th o l o gi e s a n d
, fl legi a
o r i .

I n the c a s e o f v a ri o us l a te r m e di e v a l a ut ho rs w e s hall hav e

-

o cc asi o n t o discuss t h is q u e sti o n f urt he r Fo r the pr e s ent

.

I m a y s ay th a t in go i n g th r o ugh th e c at a l o gu e s o f c o l le c
ti o n s o f m e di ev al m an u s cript s I have no tice d fe w flor ilegia
o r a n t ho l o gi e s f r o m t he cl a ssics in m e di e v a l L a ti n m an u

scripts p e rh aps Byz an ti n e o ne s f r o m G r eek lit e r atur e ar e

,
—

m o r e c o mm o n an d f ew i n d e e d c o mp ar e d to the n u mb e r o f
—

m an uscripts o f t he o l d L a ti n write rs t he m s e lve s We o w e .

t he v e ry pr e s e rv a ti o n o f t he L ati n cl assics to me di e v al
scrib es who c o pi e d t hem in the n i nth a n d t en th c en turie s ;
why d eny t at t e y r d t e
h h e a h m ? L a ti n flor il egia o f any s o rt
do n o t e x ist in i m pr e ssive n u m b ers but o t he r ki n ds a r e a s
,

o f t en m et wit h a s a r e t h o s e fr o m cl a s s i c p o e ts o r pr o s e

w rit e rs f o r i n st an c e s e l e cti o n s f r o m the churc h f at he rs

, ,

t hem s e lve s O n the who l e the i m pr e s s i o n I hav e re c eiv e d

.
,

is tha t tho s e a ut ho rs i n clud e d in flor ilegia c o mm o npl ac e ,

b o o ks and o t he r m an uscripts m a d e up o f m isc e llane o us ex

,

tr a cts w e r e lik e wi se the a utho rs m o st r ea d in to to I am

,
.

t he r e f o re i n cli n e d to r e ga rd the florilegia as a pro o f t hat the

a ut h o rs i n clud e d w e r e r e a d r a t h e r t h an t ha t t he y w e r e n o t .

But f r o m e x t an t L a ti n man uscripts o n e ge ts the i m pr e ssi o n

t hat the w ho l e m att e r o f flor ile gia is o f ve ry slight i mp o r
t anc e and that the t heo ry hit he rt o b a s e d up o n them is a
,

surv iv al o f the pre j udic e o f the cl assic al ren a iss ance aga i nst
“
th e d a rk a ge s .

At any r at e h o w e ve r sc an ty m e di e v al libr a ri e s m av
,

ha ve b e en t he y w e r e ap t to i n clud e a c o py o f The C a ns o la
,

tio n of P hil os ophy an d ho w e v e r littl e r ea d s o m e o f t he i r

,

v o lum e s m ay hav e bee n its p age s w e r e c e rt a i n ly w e ll

,
 XXVI I E ARL Y ME DIE VAL LEARN I N G

th um b e d . L ists
its c om m e n ta t o rs tr an sl ato rs and im i
of , ,

t ato r s a n d o t h e r i n dic ati o n s o f its v a st m e di ev a l i n flu e n c e

,

m ay b e f o u n d in P e ipe r s e diti o n 1
O th e r writi n gs o f B o e
’
.

t hi n s w e re a ls o w ell kn o wn in the m iddle age s an d i n cr eas e d

his r e puta ti o n t hen His tran sl a ti o n s an d c o m m en t a ri e s
.

up o n the A rist o t e li an l o gic al tr ea tis e s a r e o f c o u r s e o f gre at

2

i mpo rt ance in the hist o ry o f m e di e va l sc ho l a sticis m His .

tran sl ati o n s an d a d apt a ti o n s o f G ree k tre a tis e s in ar ithme

t ic ge o me try an d m usic o ccupy a si m il a r pl a c e in the h is
, ,

t o ry o f m e di e v a l m at he m atic a l studi e s I nd e e d h is tr eatis e

3
.
,

“
o n m u s ic is s a id t o ha v e c o n ti n u e d to be the st apl e r e quisite
f o r th e m usic a l d e gr ee at O x f o rd u n til f ar i n t o the e igh t
” 4
e e n th c e n tury T h e w o rk o n th e T ri n ity an d s o m e o th e r
.

the o l o gic al tr a cts attribute d to B o e t h ius by Ca ssi o d o rus an d

,

th r o ugh the m iddl e a g e s a r e no w a ga i n a cc e pt e d as ge n ui n e ,

by mo de rn scho l a rs an d pla c e B o e th ius Christi an ity b eyo n d ’

q ue sti o n 5
.

B o e t hius ha s o ft en be en r e ga rd e d a s a l a st re pre s ent a tiv e

o f R o m an st a t e s m a n sh ip an d o f cl a ssic a l civiliz a ti o n His .

d e f e n s e o f R o m an pr o v i n ci a ls a ga i n st the gre e d o f t he G o t hs ,

his st an d e v e n u n t o d ea t h a g a i n st T he o d o ric o n b e ha l f o f the

r ights o f th e R o m a n s e n a t e an d p eo pl e h is pre s e rv ati o n ,

th r o ugh tr a n sl a ti o n o f th e l e a r n e d tr e atis e s o f ex piri n g an

1
Anicu Ma n lu S e ver in i B o e ti i
’
t hr o w f u r th er lig h t up o n the
P hi l os op hia e C o ns o la tio nis L ibr i p r o b le m s co nne c t e d w it h t he
qu in qu e, e d R P e ip e r , L ip s ia e ,
. . m a th e m a tica l t r e a t is e s a s c r ibe d to
18 7 1 , p p x xx ix - x l i, l i l x ii
. S eev -
v . B o e thiu s Man itiu s m e n t io n s n o
.

a l s o Ma n it iu s pp 33 5
I t w a s by s e e in g c o m f o r t in
The C o ns o la ti o n of P h il o s ophy
.
-
. E n g l i s h M S S in t h is c o n n ec tio n ,
k k
bu t t h e r e a r e l i e l y t o b e s o m e a t
L o n d o n , O x f o r d o r Ca m b r idg e
, .

‘
a f t e r t h e d ea t h o f B e at r ic e t h a t B o e thiu s C o n s o l a tio n of P hil
’

D a n t e w a s l e d in t o a n e w w o r l d o s o p hy t r a n s l a t e d f r o m t h e La t in
,

of l it e r at u r e , s c ie n c e , an d p h i v
by G e o r g e C o l ill e 1 5 5 6 ; e d w ith , .

l o s o p h y, a s h e t e ll s u s in his C o n I n t r o duc t io n by E B B o x , L o n . .

vi vio c it e d b y O r r p 1 do 189 7 , p x iii

‘

p an it iu s
M y
. .
, . .

“
Manit iu s p p 2 9 32
-
19 1 1 )
s 6;
i Bg
. .
pl -
8
I bid , 2 6 8 . A t th e t im e
. U s e n e r , A n e c d o ta H o l d e i n n,
w en t t h r o u g h th e a r io u s c at a v 1 87 7 , p p .
4 8 5 9 ; E K Rand D e r
-
. .
,

l o g u e s o f M S S in th e B r itis h Mu
,

d em B o e thiu s z ug es c hr ie be ne
s e u m it e m by it e m it w a s n o t m y Tr a k ta t D e fi d e c a th o l ic a , 1 0 1
9
v
.

in t e n t io n t o in c l u de B o e th iu s in T h e D e dd e c a th o l ic a h o w e e r
v , ,

t h is in e s t ig a t io n a n d I a m th e r e ,
is n ot m e n t io n e d by Ca s s io do
f o r e unabl e t o s a y w h e th e r th e r u s an d i s r e g a r d e d a s s u r io u
p s
Mu s e um h as M S S w hic h m ay
.
 MA GI C A ND E XP ERI M E N TAL S CI E N CE
'

C H AP .

tiqu ity , an d st c l assic a l L ati n styl e an d n um e ro us

the al m o
a llusi o n s t o p a gan m yt h o l o gy o f Th e C o ns o l a tio n o
f P hi
l o s oph y: a ll t h e s e c o m bi n e to supp o rt th is vi e w
—
B ut th e .

m iddl e a ge s a ls o m a d e B o e th ius th e i r o wn an d s e v e r a l ,

p o i n ts m ay be n o t e d in wh ich The C o ns ol a tio n of P hil os ophy

in p a rticul a r fo r e sha d o w e d t he ir a ttitud e a n d pr o f o u n dly in
fl u en c e d t h e m B o t h a Ch risti an an d a cl a ssicist b o th a
.
,

t heo l o gi an an d a ph il o s o phe r B o e thius s et a s ta n d a rd w hic h

,

subs eq u en t t ho ught w as to f o ll o w f o r a l o n g ti m e T he .

v e r y f o r m o f h is w o rk a di a l o gu e p a rt in pr o s e an d p a rt in
,

v e rs e re ma i n e d a m e di e val f av o rite And the f a ct that t his

, .

si x th c en tury a utho r o f a w o rk o n the T ri n ity c o n s o l e d his

l a st h o urs with a w o rk in w h ich Ch rist an d the T ri n ity a r e
n o t me n ti o n e d but w h e re P h o e bus is o f t e n n am e d a n d w h e r e
,

P h il o s o phy i s th e a utho r s s o l e i n t e rl o cut o r th is f a ct c o m

’
—
,

b in e d wit h B oe th ius gre a t m e di e v a l p o pul a rity gav e p e r

’
,

p etual lic e n s e to t ho s e m e di e v a l writ e rs w ho cho s e to dis

c uss p h il o s o p h y a n d t h e o l o gy a s s e p a r a t e sub j e cts an d f r o m

disti n ct p o i nts o f vi e w T he gr ea t m e di e v al i n fluen ce o f

.

A rist o tl e an d P l a t o a n d in p a rticul a r o f the l att e r s Tima eus

’

, ,

a l s o is alr e a dy m an i f e st in The C o ns o l a tio n o f P hil os ophy .

A rist o tl e it is tru e a pp e ars t o be i n c o rre ctly cr e dit e d by

, ,

B o et hius with the a ss e rti o n t hat th e eye o f the ly nx can s ee

t hr o ugh s o lid o bj e cts but th is a scripti o n o f spuri o us state
1
,

m e n ts to th e S t a girit e al s o c o rr e sp o n ds to the a ttributi o n o f

e ntir e spuri o us tr e a tis e s t o h im l a t e r in the m iddl e a ge s .

O f t he w a ys in w h ic h The C o ns o la tion of P hil os ophy

i n flu en c e d m e di e va l t ho ugh t tha t wh ich is mo st ge rm ane to
o u r i n v e stig ati o n is its attitud e t o w a rd th e st a rs an d t he

pro bl e m o f fa t e an d f r ee will The he av enly bo di e s a r e .

a pp a r e n tly e v e r pr e s e n t in B o e t h ius t h o ugh t in t h is w o r k

’
,

an d e sp e c ially in t h e p o e tic al i n t e rlud e s he k ee ps m en ti o n

-

in g P h o e bus the m o o n th e u n iv e rs e the sky a n d the st a r ry

, , , ,

c o n stell ati o n s P er ar dua a d as tr a wa s a tru e s ayi n g fo r

.

t ho s e l a st d ays in wh ic h he s o l a c e d h is disg rac e an d p ai n

with ph il o s o phy It is by c o n te m pl ati o n o f the heav en s
.

‘
De c o ns o l .
phil os I II , 8 , 21 .
 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE CHA P .

divi ne pro vid enc e t o whic h the re is n o disti n cti o n b etw een
,

p a st pre se n t an d f ut u re
, ,
1
A s t h e h u m an r e a s o n c a n c o n
.

c e ive u n iv e rs als a lt h o ugh s e n s e an d i m a gi n a ti o n a r e a bl e t o

,

d eal o n ly with p a rticul a rs s o th e divi n e m i n d can f o r e s ee the

,

f utur e a s w e l l a s t h e pr e s e n t But t he re ar e s o me th i n gs .

w hich a r e u n d e r divi n e pr o vid en c e but w h ic h ar e no t sub

j ect to fa t e D ivi n e pr o vid en c e i m po s e s n o f at al nec e ssity
?

up o n the hu man will w hich is f ree t o cho o s e its c o urse

,
3
.

Th e w o rld o f n atur e h o w e v e r ex i sti n g witho ut will o r rea

, ,

s o n o f its o w n c o n f o r m s a bs o lut e ly t o th e f a t a l s e ri e s p r o
,

v ide d f o r it A s f o r c han c e B o e t h ius a gr e e s wit h A ri s t o tl e s

’
.
,

P hys ics t h at t h e r e is r e ally n o suc h t h i n g but t hat w hat is ,

c o mm o n ly a scribe d to c han c e r e a lly re s ults f r o m an unex

p e c t e d c o i n cid en c e o f c a us e s a s w h e n a m an pl o wi n , g a fi e ld
fi n ds a tr e a sur e w h ich an o th e r h as buri e d t he re 4
T hus .

B o eth ius m a i nt a i n s the co ex ist en c e o f the f at al se ri e s ex

-

pre ss e d in t he st a rs divi n e pr o vid en c e an d hu m an fr ee will

, , ,

a th e sis lik e ly t o r ea ssur e Ch ri s ti a n s i n cli n e d t o as tr o l o gy

who ha d be e n s o m e w h at disturb e d by the f ul m i na ti o n s o f

th e f at h e rs aga i n st th e g en e thltiaci j ust a s his c o n st an t rh ap ,

s o diz in g o v e r the st a rs a n d h e a v e n s w o uld l ea d t he m t o r e

g ard the sci enc e o f the sta r s a s se c o n d o n ly to divi ne w o rs hip .

I n d e e d his p o siti o n w a s the usua l o ne in the subs e qu e nt

,

m iddl e a ge s .

T he st a rs al s o c o m e i nt o B o e t h ius tr eatis e o n m usic

’
,

whe r e o n e o f the t h r e e v a ri eti e s o f m usic is d e scrib e d a s

m u n d an e w he r e t he m usic o f the sphe re s is d e cl ar e d t o
,

e x ist a lt h o ugh i n a udibl e t o us a n d w h e re e a c h pl a n e t is c o n

,

n e cte d wit h a m usic a l c h o rd P l a t o is q u o t e d a s havi n g

.

sa id no t in v a i n that the w o rld s o ul is c o m p o u nd e d o f

, ,

m usic a l h a r m o n y an d it is a ffi rm e d t ha t the f o ur di ff e r e nt
,

an d c o n tr a ry e l e m e n ts c o uld n e v e r be u n it e d in o n e syst em

u n l e ss s o m e ha r m o n y j o i ne d the m 5
.

D e c o ns o l phil o s , V , 4 6 e se n t ia c o ntuetur
1
p ra .

” ‘
I bid IV ,
.
I bid V , 1 .

“
m usi ca li br i qui nqu e, I
.

a
I bid V , 2 3 a n d 6 , 1 1 0, tam
— De ,

e t s i n u ll a m n at u r a e h abe at ne c e s 1-2 a nd 2 7 ; in Mign e , PL 6 3 , 1 16 7

s itat e m a t q u i de u s e a f u tu r a ua e 1 3 00
q .

l ibe rt ate p r o ve n i unt

_

ex a r bi t r ii
XXVI I E A RL Y MED I E VA L L EA RN I N G 62 3

I sid o r e w a s
bo rn ab o ut 5 60 o r 5 7 0 b ec am e bis ho p o f ,

S eville in 5 9 9 o r 6 0 0 a n d di e d in the y e ar 6 3 6 , A lt h o ugh .

m e n ti o n sho uld pe r ha ps be m a d e o f h is b r i e fe r D e n a tur a

a tr e a tis e d e dic a t e d t o Ki n g S is e but w ho r e ign e d
1
r e r um ,

f ro m 6 1 2 to 6 2 0 I sid o r e s c h i e f w o rk f r o m o u r st an dp o i n t
’

is the E tym o l ogia e ?

His f r i e n d bis h o p Br a uli o w r iti n g , ,

a f t e r I sid o r e s d e a th sa ys t hat he ha d l e f t u nfi n is he d the

’
,

co py o f th is wo rk wh ich he m a de at h is re que st but th is w as ,

a pp a re n tly a s e c o n d e diti o n si n c e in a l e tt e r writt e n t o I s i ,

d o r e pr o bably in 6 3 0 B rauli o sp ea ks o f c o pi e s as alr e a dy

,

in circul a ti o n a lth o ugh he d e scrib e s t he ir t ex t a s c o rrupt

,

an d a bbr e vi a t e d But a pp a re n tly th e w o rk ha d b e e n c o m

.

p o s e d s ev en years be f o r e t his 3
T he E tym o l o gies w as un .

d o ubt e dly a w o rk o f gre at i m p o rt an c e an d i n flu e n c e in the

m iddl e ag e s but o n e s ho uld no t be l e d a s s o m e writ e rs ha v e
, ,

b e e n i n t o ex agge ra t e d pr a is e o f I sid o r e s e ruditi o n o n th is

,
’

a cc o u n t Fo r th e w o rk s i m p o r t a n c e c o n sists c h i e fly in
’
4
.

s ho wi ng ho w sc anty w as the k no w l e dge o f the e arly m iddl e

a g es I t s i n flu e n c e a ls o w o uld s e e m n o t t o h av e b ee n e n
.

t ir e ly be nefici al si n c e writ e rs c o n ti n u e d t o cit e it as a n au

,

tho r ity as l at e as th e th irt ee n t h c e n tury w h e n it m igh t hav e ,

b een ex p e cte d to h ave o utlive d its us e f ul n e ss We suspe ct .

t hat it pro v e d t o o han dy an d c o n v e n i e n t an d t en de d to en

c o ur a ge i n t ell e ctu a l l azi n e ss an d st a gn a ti o n m o r e tha n any
an t ho l o gy o f lit e r a ry qu o t a ti o n s did A r eva lus list e d t en .

1
Mign e ,
P L 8 6
3 , 9 3 1 0 18
-
In . D ar k A g es ; I si d or e o f S eville ,

Ha r l e ian 3 09 9 , 1 1 3 4 A D , th e . . 1 9 12 , in C o l u m bia U ni ve r s ity

E tym o lo gi es a t f o l s 1 - 15 4 ar e .
, S tu die s in His tor y e tc 48 , p p
,
.
, vo l . .

f o l l o w e d by t h e D e na tur a r e r u m ,
1 -2 7 4 F o r I s id o r e a n bibl io g r ap h y
.

t h e l a s t c h a p te r o f w h ic h ( f o l
’
. s ee p p 1 7 , 2 2 3 , 46 7 o f B r e h a u t s
.
- —

164V ) is n u m b e r e d 4 2 in s te a d o f int r o duc t io n .

48 a s in Mig n e B ut up t o c h ap
.
3
Man itiu s pp 6 0 -
61 ; .

t e r 2 7 , U tr u m s id er a a n im a m ha B r e h a ut p 34 . .

v
be an t, th e di is io n into c h a p t e r s
4
T o s a y , f o r e x a m p l e , th a t s o
s e e m s th e s a m e a s in t h e p r in t e d h o s p itabl e a n a tt it u d e t o w a r d p r o
t ex t . f an e l e ar n in g as I s ido r e dis p l aye d
1
Mign e ,
P L 82 , 7 3 7 2 8 , a r e p r in t
-
v
w a s n e e r s u r p a s s e d t h r o ug h
”
o f t h e e dit io n o f A r e va l u s R o m e , , o ut th e m iddl e a ge s ( B r e h aut ,
17 96 .L a r ge p o r t io n s o f t h e E ty p . is u n f a ir
m a n y l ate r to
v
m o l og ies h a e b e e n t r an s l a te d in t o w r ite r s a s o u r d is c u s s io n o f t h e
,

En g lis h w it h a n in t r o duc t io n o f n at u r a l s c ie n ce o f t h e t w e l f th a n d
v
so me s e e nt y p ag e s b y E Bre . th ir t e e n th c e n tu r ie s w ill s ho w .

h aut, A n E n c yc l op e dis t o f th e
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI E N CE C HAP .

pri n t e d e diti o n s o f it b e f o re 1 5 2 7 sh o wi n g th at it w a s as,

p o pul a r in the ti m e o f the R en a iss an c e a s in the m iddl e a ge s .

T he E tym o l ogies is littl e m o r e t han a dicti o n a ry in ,

wh ic h w o rds a r e n o t list e d a lpha be tic al ly but u n de r subj e cts

with a n a ve r a ge o f f r o m o n e to a ha l f d o z en li n e s o f d e riva
ti o n an d de fi n iti o n f o r each t e rm T he m e th o d is as Breh aut
.
,

“
w e ll s ays to tr e a t e ac h subj e ct by
, defin i n g the t e r m s
” 1
be l o n gi n g to it . P ursui n g t his m e t ho d I sid o r e tr e ats o f ,

v a ri o us a rts an d sci en ce s h um an i n te r e sts an d n atur al phe

,

n o m e n a : th e s ev e n lib e r a l a rts m e dici ne an d l aw ; ch r o

, ,

n o l o gy an d bibli o g r ap h y ; th e c h urch r e ligi o n an d th eo l o gy , ,

t he st at e an d f am ily p hysi o l o gy z o o l o gy b o t an y m i n e r al
, , , ,

o gy g e o gr a p h y
, an d a st r o n om y ; a rc h it e ctur e an d a gr icu l
,

tur e ; w ar and sp o rt ; a rm s an d a rm o r ; sh ips an d c o stum e an d

v a ri o us ut en sils o f d o m e stic li fe S uch is the cl a ssi fic a ti o n
.

w h ic h l at e r m e di e v al w r ite rs w e re to a do pt o r a d apt r athe r

than the a rr an gem e n t f o ll o w e d in P li n y s N a tural Hi sto ry ’
.

I sid o r e s a ss o ci ati o n o f w o rds an d d e fi n iti o n s u n d e r t o pics

’

m ak e s an appr o a c h a t l e a st t o th e a rticl e s o f e n cycl o pe di a s

, ,

s o me ti m e s the re is a bri e f di scussi o n o f the gen e ra l t o pic

b e f o r e the p articul a r t e rm s an d n am e s a r e c o n side r e d ; s o m e
ti m e s t he re a r e c h r o no l o gic a l t abl e s f am ily tr ee s o r lists ,
-
,

o f sig n s a n d a bbre vi a ti o n s I n s ho rt I sid o r e f o r m s a c o n

.
,

n ec tin g li n k b e tw ee n P li n y an d the e n cycl o p e dists o f t he

th irt e en th c e n tury .

I n a pr e f a t o ry w o rd to Br auli o I sid o r e d e s crib e s th e

E tym o l o gies a s a c o ll e cti o n m a d e f r o m his r e c o ll e cti o n an d
n o t e s o f o l d a ut h o rs ? o f w h o m h e cit e s a l a r ge n u m b e r in

t h e c o urs e o f the w o rk It ha s b ee n susp e ct e d t h at s o m e o f

.

t he s e write rs w e r e k n o wn to I sid o r e o n ly at s e c o n d o r th ird

h and ; at a ny ra t e he h a s no t m a d e a v e ry discri m i n a ti n g s e
l e cti o n f ro m the i r w o rks a n d he has be en a cc u se d m o r e t han
o n c e o f n o t cl ea rly u n d e rst a n di n g w h a t h e tri e d t o a brid ge .

O n the o th e r han d I sid o r e s e e m s to m e t o displ ay a n o t abl e

,

‘
B r e h au t p 34. . l ectum , atqu e ita in qu ibu s dam
’
Mign e , PL 8 2 , 7 3 , O p u s de
“
l o c is a dn o tatu m , s ic ut e x s tat c o n
”
o r ig ine q ua r u m da m r er um, ex s c r ip tu m s tyl o m a io r u m .

v e te r is l ec tio n is r e co r da t io n e c o l
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

an i m a ls wild be as ts m i n ut e an i m als s e rp en ts w o rm s fi s h
, , , , , ,

birds an d m i n ut e flyi n g cr eatur e s I sid o re a ls o t ends to

, .

a scribe m o r e m a rv e l o us virtu e s t o a n i m a ls t h an t o pl an ts

o r st o n e s Fr o m P li n y an d S o linu s ar e re pe a t e d the t al e s
.

o f t he b a silisk e c he n e is an d th e lik e wh il e A ugusti ne s

1 ’
, , ,

C o m m e n tar y o n the P s al ms is cit e d f o r t he st o ry o f the a s p

r e si sti n g the i n c an t a ti o n s o f its charrne r s by l ayi n g o ne e ar
t o th e gro u n d a n d st o ppi n g up the o th e r e ar wit h t he e n d o f
its ta il ?
O n the o t h e r ha n d I sid o r e o m its P li n y s sup e r
,
’

s t it io us a ss e rti o n s c o nc e rn i n g the riv e r t o rt o is e a n d giv e s

o n ly his criticis m t ha t t he s t a t em e n t t h a t s h ips m o v e m o re

sl o wly if the y h av e the f o o t o f a t or t ois e a bo ard is in cr e d

ibl e .
3
E v e n in th e b o o ks o n m i n e ra ls a n d v e ge t a ti o n w e
still hear o f an i m a l m arv e ls : ho w the c o l o ri n g m atte r cin
1 ‘

n a b a r is c o m p o s e d o f th e bl o o d s h e d by the dr a go n in its
,

d eath struggl e with the e l ep h an t h o w the fi e rc e st bulls gr o w ,

t ame u nd e r the E gypti an fi g tre e ho w sw a ll o ws r e st o re th e

-
,

sigh t o f the ir yo un g wit h the sw a ll o w w o rt o r o f the use o f -

,

f enn el a nd r u e by the s n ak e a n d w e a s e l re sp e ctiv e ly the ,

f o rm e r t a sti ng f e nn el to en a bl e h im to s h e d his o l d ski n and ,

the l att e r e ati n g r ue t o m ak e him i mm une f r o m v e no m in

fi ghti n g the s na k e A ll t he s e item s too ar e f r o m P li ny
.
, , .

But o n the who l e I s ho uld e sti m at e th a t I sid o r e c o n ta i n s

l e ss sup e rstiti o us m att e r e v en pr o p o rti o nally t o his m eage r
c o nt en t t han P li n y d o e s in c o nn e cti o n with the vi rtu e s o f
an i m al s pl an ts a n d st o ne s I n discussi n g pl an ts he s ays
, , .
.

no th i n g o f c e r e m o n i a l plucki n g o f t h e m a nd h e c o n t a i n s

pr a ctic a lly no tra c e s o f a gricultur a l m agic He d escrib e s .

a s a sup e rstiti o n o f t he G e n til e s the n o ti o n t h a t th e h e rb

s cyl la susp e n d e d w ho l e at the t hr e s ho ld drive s a way all

, ,

e vils
5
. He m e nti o n s th e u s e o f m an dr a go ra as an anaes
t he tic in surgic a l o p e ra ti o n s a n d r em a rks t ha t its r o o t is o f
,

h u m an f o r m but s ays n o t h i n g o f its a pplic ati o n s in m agic

6
.
,

I n his discussi o n o f st o n e s h e r e p eats a ft e r P li n y and S o

“
E tym o l X I I , 4 , 6
.
,
an d 6, 34 . XI X , 17 , 8 .

“
I bid XI I , 4 , 12 I bid , XV I I, 9 , 8 5
6
. . . .

1bid , XV I I , 9 , 3 0
°
I bid X II , 6 , 5 6
1,
. . .

‘
I bid , XV I I , 7 , 17
. an d 9 , 36 ;
xxvn E A RL Y M E D I E VA L L E AR N I N G

li n us the ma rv e l o us virtu e s a scribe d to a n um be r o f t hem ,

but f o ll o ws P li ny s m e tho d o f m ak i n g th e m agici an s r e

’

sp o n sibl e f o r t he s e a ss e r ti o n s o r o f i n s e r ti n g a w o rd o f c au
“ ”
ti o n such a s if this is to be b eli e v e d with e ac h st at e m en t .

Fi nally he i ntro duc e s t o gethe r a n um b e r o f c a s e s o f m ar

vel o u s p o w e rs a scrib e d t o st o n e s wit h t he i n tr o ducti o n ,

The r e a r e c e r t a i n ge m s e m pl o y e d by the G en til e s in th e ir

“

” 1
sup e rstiti o n s .

I sid o re lists a n u mb e r o f m yt h ic a l m o n st e rs a s w e ll a s P o r t ents .

c a s e s o f p o rt ent o us birth s in the t h ird chapt e r D e po r ten tis , ,

o f h is e l e v en t h b o o k He t he re affir m s t h at G o d s o m e ti m e s
.

wish e s to sign i f y f uture e v e n ts by m e an s o f m o n str o us birth s

“
a s w e ll a s by dr e am s an d o r a cl e s a n d d e cl a r e s t h a t t h i s has ,

” 2
be en pr o ve d by n ume r o us e x p e ri e n c e s .

“
Br ehaut is i m pr e ss e d by I sid o re s c o nfi d en c e in w o r d s ’

wh ich he t h i nks re ally a m o u nt e d to a b eli e f str o n g t ho ug h

“
,

p e rhaps s o m e what i n a r ticula te that w o rds w e r e t r an sc en ,

” 3
d e n t a l e n titi e s I sid o r e s f a it h in t he p o w e r o f w o rd s
’
.

d o e s n o t s eem ho w ev e r to hav e le d him t o r e c o m me n d the

, ,

u s e o f an y i n c an t a ti o n s ; h e w as c o n t e n t wit h e ty m o l o gi e s

a n d a ll e go ric a l i n t e rpr e ta ti o n He w a s a ls o a grea t be li ev e r

.

in the m ystic sign ific a n c e o f n u m b e rs an d wr o t e a s e p a r at e

tr e atis e upo n t ho s e n um be r s wh ic h o ccur in t he s acr e d
S criptur e s I n t he E tym o l og ies t o o h e m o r e t h a n o n c e
.
, ,

dw ells up o n th e p e r fe cti o n o f c e rt a i n n u mb e r s We h av e .

a lr e a dy h e a rd h o w p e r f ec t m o st o f th e n u m b e r s up t o tw e l v e

a r e but t h is i s o u r first o pp o rtu n ity t o h ea r t h e P yt ha go r e a n

,

m et ho d a ppli e d t o the n um b e r tw e n ty t w o Ho w e v e r I s i -
.
,

d o r e is n o t the first t o do th is ; he i s i n d ee d si m ply qu o ti n g , ,

“
o n e o f th e f a t h e r s E p ip h a n iu s T h e m o diu s is s o c a ll e d
1 ‘
-
,

b e caus e it is o f p e r f e ct m o de Fo r th is m ea sur e c o n t a i n s .

f o r ty f o ur p o u n ds th a t is tw e n ty tw o s ex tar ii
-
, A n d th e
,
-
.

r ea s o n f o r th is n um b e r is tha t in th e b e gi nn i n g G o d p er
f o r m e d tw e n ty tw o w o rks -
F o r o n the first da y He m a d e
.

‘
1
E tym o l .
, XVI, 6 15 , 2 1 -2 . E tym o l , XV I , . 2 6, 1 0, f ro m
“
I bid XI , 3 , 4 quo d p l ur im is
2
.
, , Ep ip ha n iu s , L ibe r de p o nd e ri bus
”
e t ia m e x p e r im e n tis p r o b at u m e s t . et m e ns ur is .

B r e haut p 3 . .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

s e v en w o rks n am e ly u n f o rm e d m a tte r a n ge ls ligh t th e

, , , , ,

upp e r heav e n s earth w a t e r an d a ir O n th e s e c o n d day

, , , .

o n ly o n e w o rk t h e fi r m a m e n t
, O n th e t h i r d day f o ur t h i n gs :
.

t h e s e a s s e e ds gr a ss a n d tr e e s
, , O n th e f o urth day th r e e
, .

t hi n gs : s un a n d m o o n a n d st ar s O n the fi f t h day t hr ee : .

fi s h a n d a q u a tic r e ptil e s a n d flyi n g cr ea tur e s O n th e si x th .

day f o ur : b e a sts d o m e stic a n i m a ls l an d r e ptil e s an d m an

, , ,
.

A n d a ll tw e n ty tw o ki n ds w e r e m a d e in s ix d a ys
- 1
An d t he r e .

a r e tw e n ty tw o ge n e r a ti o n s f r o m A d am t o J a c o b
—
And .

twe n ty tw o b o o ks o f th e O ld T e st am en t
-
A n d th e r e .

a r e tw e n ty t w o l e tt e rs f r o m w h ic h th e d o ctri n e o f th e divi n e
—

l aw is c o m p o s e d T he r e f o r e in a cc o rd an c e with th e s e ex
.

a m pl e s t he m o dius o f tw e n ty t w o s ex tar n w a s e st a blis h e d -

by Mo s e s f o ll o wi n g the m ea sur e o f s a cr e d l aw An d al .

tho ugh v a ri o us p e o pl e s h av e a dd e d s o m e th i n g to o r ign o

r an t ly subt r a ct e d s o m e t h i n g f r o m its w e igh t it is di v i n e ly ,

pr e s e r ve d am o n g the Hebr e ws f o r such r ea s o n s With .

“ ”
such m en t al m a gic an d pi o us a rithm e tic as I sid o r e s ,
’

f ri e n d Br a uli o c a ll e d it m ight the Ch risti a n a tt e m pt to sa t e

,

the i nh e r it e d t h irst wit h i n h im fo r t he o p e r a tiv e m a gi c a n d

p a gan divi n a ti o n in w hic h his c o n sci en c e an d churc h n o
l o n ge r a ll o w e d him t o i n dulge .

I sid o r e s c h a pt e r o n th e M agi o r m a gici an s w h ich o c

’

c urs in h is e ight h bo o k o n th e c hurc h an d div e rs s e cts is a ,

n o t a bl e o n e o f w h o s e gr e a t f utur e i n flu e n c e w e s h a ll pr e s
,

e n tly sp e a k His o w n b o r r o wi n g he re is o n ly in s m all p a rt

.

f r o m P li n y s f am o u s p a ss a ge o n the s am e t h e m e O n suc h
’
.

a subj e ct I s id o r e n a tu r a lly h a s r e c o urs e m a i n ly t o Ch r isti an

write rs : Augusti n e J e r o m e L act an tius T e rt ulli an Fr o m

, , ,
.

the o cc a si o n a l si m il a r i t y o f his w o rdi n g t o t h e s e a ut ho r s it

s e e m s f a irly c e rt a i n t ha t his a cc o u n t is a pa tc hw o rk f r o m
th e i r w o rks an d the c o n t e x t is to o Ch risti an to hav e b ee n
,
‘

dr aw n in to to f r o m s o m e R o m an e n cycl o p e dist n o w l o st t o
us P er ha ps the m o st n o t e wo rthy p o i n t a b o ut I sid o r e s c hap
.
’

te r is t h a t he h as m a d e m a gic a n d m a gi c ian s the g e n e ra l an d -

1
He nce , p r es um ably, t h e s ex tar ii f r o m
, s ex .
 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

ma tici w ho ,
as I sid o r e t s
sp o k en o f in the G o spe l as
no e ar e

M agi an d hor o s c opi

,
“
S o r tilegi a r e t ho s e w ho pro fe ss the
.

s ci e n c e o f divi n a ti o n u n d e r t h e pr e t e n d e d guis e o f r e ligi o n

t h ro ugh c e rt a i n d e vice s c all e d s or tes s an c tor um and pre dic t

”
by i n sp e cti o n o f c e rt a i n scriptur e s S a lis a tor es a r e t ho s e .

w ho pr e dict f r o m t he j e rks o f the ir li mb s To t h is list o f .

magic a rts I sid o re a dds in the w o rds o f A ugusti n e al l liga

ture s an d susp e n si o n s i nc an tati o n s a nd c ha ra ct e rs w h ic h
, ,

the a rt o f m e dici n e c o n d e mn s an d w h ic h ar e si m pl y the w o rk

o f th e d e vil W ith m e n ti o n o f th e o rigi n o f augury am on g
.

t h e P h rygi a n s t h e dis co ve r y o f pr a e s tigium w h ic h d e c e iv e s

,
-

t he e ye by M e r c ury an d th e re v e l a ti o n o f ar us picin a by Ta
,

gus t o the E tru s c an s I sido re cl o s e s the c ha pt e r S o me o f

, .

its it em s will be f o u n d a ga i n in his D e difi er en tiis ver bor um 1

,

liste d u n d e r the appro pria te l e tt e rs o f the a lphabe t It m ay .

a ls o be n o t e d t h a t he bri e fly tr e a ts o f tr a n s f o rm a ti o n s w o rk e d

by m agic in the f o urt h ch apte r o f t he e l e v en th bo o k o f the

E tymo l og ies .

We tur n to the futur e i n flu en c e o f th is acco un t o f magic

w h ich s eem s t o hav e be en fi rst pa tche d t o ge the r by I sid o re .

Juic e l e ss a s it is it s ee m s to ha v e b e c o me a s o r t o f st o ck o r
,

ste r eo typ e d trea tm en t o f the sub j e ct with succ ee di ng Ch ris

ti an writ er s d o w n i n t o t he tw e l f th ce n tury S o m ew hat al .

t e r e d by o m issi o n o f p o e tic al qu o ta ti o n s o r the i n s e rti o n o f

tran siti o na l s ent en c e s it w a s o the rwis e c o pi e d a lm o st w o rd
,

f or w o rd by R abanus Maurus ( ab o ut 7 8 4 to in his

De c o ns a nguin e o r um nuptiis et de m ag or um pr aes tigiis
f als is qu e
'

divina tio nibus tr ac ta tus ,

an d by Burcha rd o f .

Wo rm s an d Iv o o f Ch artr e s ( di e d 1 1 1 5 ) in th e ir r e sp e ctiv e
c o ll e cti o n s o f D e cr e ta wh il e Hin cm ar o f R he i m s in his D e
,

divo r tio L o thar ii e t Te tbergae c o pi e d it wit h m o re o m is

'

si o n s It was a ls o in subst an ce r e t a i n e d in the De cr e tum o f

?

Mign e , P L 83 9 . n us w o r d f o r w o r d f o r s o me t e n
Fo r R ab an u s a cc o u n t s ee c o l u m n s a f t er t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f
Mign e , PL 1 1 0, 1097 - 1 1 1 0 ; B ur t h e ir m ut ual e x c e r pt f r o m
c h a r d , P L 1 40, 8 39 e t I vo , d o r e , w hil e I vo i s i de nti cal W
i th

P L 16 1 , 7 60 e t s e q ; Hin c ma r , P L B u r ch a r d f o r fi f t e e n m o r e c o l
v v
.

Mo r eo e r , B ur I n S o m e Me di e a l Co n
“
12 5 , 7 16 -
29 umus .

Th e Mo ni s t
.

ch ar d co nt in u e s t o f o l l o w R aba c e p t io n s o f Magi c , .
 xxv11 E AR L Y MEDI E VAL L EARN I N G

G r ati an in the twe l fth c en tury , wh en , to o , Hugh o f S t Vic .

to r pro bably m a d e u s e o f it a n d J o hn o f S a lisbury ma d e it

the b a sis o f his f ulle r discuss i o n o f the subj e ct I sid o r e s .
’

a cc o u n t o f m a gic lik e his discussi o n o f m an y o t he r t o pics

, ,

s o u nds as if h e ha d c ea s e d thi nki n g o n the subj e ct and it ,

m ust hav e me an t still l e ss t o tho s e w ho c o pi e d it J o hn o f .

S alisbury is th e fi rst o f t hem t o put a n y li f e i n t o the sub

j e c t a n d giv e us a ny a ssur a n c e t ha t such a r t s w e r e stil l pr ae

tic e d in his day We hav e ho w e ve r o the r evid enc e that

.
, ,

m agic c o n ti nu e d to be pr a ctic e d in t h e i nt e r v a l A n d such .

pr actice s a s the s or tes s anctor um tho ugh i n clud e d in Is i ,

J an uar y , 1 9 15 , XXV , 1 07 - 39 , I t h e s a m e t im e a s my a r ticl e ( Ro

s ta t e d (p . th at
1 09 , n o te 2 ) I ma n ic R e vie w V , 3 , , but ,
1 9 14 ;
t h o ught t h at I w a s t h e fi r s t t o o w in g p r o ba b l y t o w ar c o n ditio n s ,

p o in t o ut t h e id e n t ity o f’ t h e s e t h is is s u e did n o t a c t ua l l y a pp ear

f o u r a cc o unt s w ith I s ido r e s . u n t il a f t e r t h e n u m b e r o f The
S in ce th e n, h o w e e r , I h a e n o v v Mon is t c o nta in ing m y art ic l e ) ,
t ic ed th at Ma n it iu s p 2 99 , . ca m e n e a r n o tin g th e s a m e t h in g
n o tes t h e ide n t ity o f R a ba n u s k
w h e n h e sp o e ( p 2 2 5 ) o f I s i.

w ith I s ido r e , D a s s Hr aban s ich

“ ’ “
do re s c h ap t e r as qu o t e d at
a uch s o n s t ga n z a n I s ido r a n l eh n t, l e n gt h by G r at ian — w ho s e e m s
b e w e is t e r in der S ch r if t D e c o n
'
v
t o m e , h o w e e r , t o g i e th e s ub v
s a ng u in e o r u m n up tiis im Ab
’
s ta n c e o f I s ido r e s c h ap t e r r ath e r
s c hn itt de ma gicis a r tibu s ( Mign e , t han h is e x ac t w o r d in g an d —

1 09 , der aus E tym 8 , 9 . f u r t h e r n o t e d t ha t f o u r l in e s o f

A l so Mr C C I We bb,
”
s t amm t . . . . . L a tin w h ic h h e qu o t e d w e r e f o un d
in h is 1 909 e ditio n o f t h e P o ly k
a li e in R a b an u s , Hin c ma r , I vo ,
c r a tic u s n o t e s J o h n o f S al is b ur y s a n d t h e P o ly cr a ti c us o f J o hn o f
’

b o r r o w ing s f r o m I s ido r e a n d I vo S a lisbu r y .

o f Ch a r t r e s Fin al l y, J Han se n,
. . I n m y a r tic l e I a l s o s tat e d
Zau be r wa hn I n quis itio n,
,
und P r o f e s s o r B u r r , in a no t e t o h is
H ex e npr oe es s im M itte la l ter , 1900,
‘
p ap e r on The L ite r a tu r e of
’
a t p 4 9 n o t e s th at I s ido r e s s e t c h
. k W itchc r a f t ( A m er ica n His tor ica l
’

o f t h e his to ry o f m ag ic e ep s r e k A s s o cia tio n P ap er s I V , p .

c u r r ing in m e die al w r it in g s , a t v 24 1 ) h a s d e s c r ibe d t h e a c co u n t s

p 7 1 t h e d ep en d e n ce o f R ab anu s
. of Ra ban us a n d Hin c m a r but
an d Hin cm ar up o n I s ido r e , a nd w ith o ut e xp l ic itl y n o t in g t h e ir
p er hap s h e s o m e w h e r e n o t e s t h e clo s e r e s e m b l an c e , a l th o u g h he
ide n tity w ith t he f o r e g o in g o f th e c h a r ac t e r iz e s R aban u s a r t ic l e a s
’

‘
m ag ic in B ur c h a r d m ain l y
’
acco u nt s of co m p il e d . P r o f ess o r
an d t h e o t h e r d e c r e ta l is t s , b ut in B u r r s ub s e qu e n tl y w r o te t o m e ,
“
th e a b s e n ce o f a n in de x t o h is T hat I did n o t m e n t io n t h e r e
“
vo l u m e I d o n o t fi n d s u c h a p a s l at io n in my o ld p a p e r o n Th e
s ag e . At p 1 2 8, h o w e e r, h e
. v Lit e r atur e o f W it c h c r a f t
”
w as
n o t e s tha t J o hn o f S a lis bur y s d e
’
p ar tly b e ca us e th e y bo r r o wed
s c r ip t io n o f m agic is in p a rt t a e n k f r o m o th e r s o u r c e s a s w e l l a n d
wo r d f o r w o r d f r o m I s ido r e a n d p a r tl y b eca us e I s ido r e is him s e l f
R ab a n u s . a c o m p il e r . I h o p e d t o co m e ba c k
P r o f e s s o r Hamil to n , in o n e o f t o t he m att e r in a m o r e c ar e f ul
S tor m -Ma k ing
.

his p ap e r s on s t u dy o f t h e w h o l e g e ne s is o f
S pri ng s, which app e a r ed a t abo ut k
the s e s to c p as s ag e s
”
.
 63 2 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

do r e s sto ck d efi n iti o n o f m agic w e r e pro b ably no t gene r a lly

’
,

r e ga r d e d a s r epr e he n sible 1
.

I sid o r e s re p e titi o n o f t he vi e ws o f the f athe rs c o n c e r n

’

in g d e m o n s is s o bri e f a n d trit e t ha t w e n e e d n o t f urth e r 2

n o tic e it but tu r n t o his a ttitud e t o w a rd a str o l o gy

, We ha v e .

j ust he a rd him a ss o ci a t e a str o l o ge rs wit h prac titi o ne rs o f

t he m a gic a rts but in his t h ird bo o k in discussi n g th e
,

q u a d r ivi u m h e st a t e s t h a t a str o l o g
y is o n ly p art ly s u e r s t i
p
ti o us an d p a rtly a n a tur a l sc i e n c e T he sup e r s titi o us v a ri ety .

i s t hat pursu e d by th e mathe ma tici w ho a ugu r the f utur e

f ro m t he st a rs a ssign th e p a rts o f t he s o ul an d b o dy t o the
,

sign s o f the z o di a c an d try to pre dict t he n a tiviti e s an d

,

c har a ct e rs o f m en f r o m the c o urs e o f the sta rs S uch sup e r .

“
s t itio n s a r e wit h o ut d o ubt c o n tr a ry t o o u r f a ith ; Ch ris

ti an s s ho uld s o i gn o r e t he m t ha t t h e y sh all n o t ev en app ea r

t o ha v e be e n w ritt e n
”
Ma the s is o r the a ttem pt to pre dict
.
,

future e v en ts f r o m t he st a rs is d eno u n ce d a cc o rdi n g to I s i , ,

“
d o re n o t o n ly by d o ct o r s o f the Christi an r e ligi o n but als o
,

”
o f th e G e n til e s P l at o A rist o tl e a n d o th e rs
,
—
,
I sid o r e als o
, .

s tat e s that t he re is a disti n cti o n b e tw e en a stro n o m y an d a s

t r ol o gy but w ha t it is e sp ec i a lly b e tw e en a str o n o m y a n d
, ,

n atur a l a str o l o gy h e f a ils t o e lucid a t e

3
.
,

I n t he pr e fa c e to his D e n a tur a r er u m w h ich d e als c h i e fly ,

with a str o n o m ic a l a n d m e t eo r o lo gica l p hen o m en a I sid o r e ,

“
a ss e rts t ha t it is no t sup e rstiti o u s sci en ce to k n o w the na
tur e o f t he s e t h i n gs if o nly t he y a r e c o n sid e re d f ro m the
,

”
st an dp o i nt o f s ane a n d s o b e r d o ctri n e He a ls o st at e s t hat .

h is tr e a tis e is a bri e f sk e tc h o f w ha t h a s b ee n w r itt en by

,

t he m e n o f o l d an d e sp e ci a lly in th e w o rks o f Cat ho lics In .

it s o m e o f th e st o ck qu e sti o n s wh ich gav e di ffi culty to

“
Ch risti an sci e n tists a r e bri e fly discuss e d f o r i n st an c e Con , ,

c e rn i n g the w at e rs w hic h a r e abo v e the he av e n s an d ,

“
Whe t he r the st a rs have s o uls 4
I sid o r e r e j e cts as ab
“

A qui a s t r o n o my in E tym o l , I II
1
S e e b el o w, c h ap te r 60 on .
, 27 . In
nas . E tym o l , I I I , 2 5 , h e a s c r ibe s
. th e
“
E tym o l , V II I , 1 1 , 15 17 ; D if
.
-
'
v
in e ntio n o f a s t ro n o my t o t he
f er‘ e n tia r u m II‘, 14 , . Egyp tian s a n d th at o f a s t ro l o gy
I n d e e d , D ifl e r e n tiar u m , I I , 3 9 , t o th e Ch ald e a n s .

‘
h e d e fi n e s a s t r o l o gy a s h e h a d Cap s 14 a n d 2 7
. .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

T he sci en ti fi c a c quisiti o ns o f B e d e hav e to o o f ten b e en

r e fe rr e d to in ex a gge r a te d t e rm s S har o n T ur ne r s aid o f .

h im ,
“
He c o ll e ct e d an d t augh t m o r e n atur al truth s with
f e w e r e rr o rs t h an a ny R o m an b o o k o n the s am e subj e cts
h ad a cc o m plis h e d T h us his w o rk displ ays an a dv an c e
.
,

n o t a r e tr o gr a d ati o n o f h u m an k n o wl e dge ; a n d fr o m its

j udici o us s e l e cti o n an d c o n c e n tr ati o n o f the b e st n atur al

ph il o s o phy o f the R o m an Em pi r e it d o e s h igh cr e dit to the
” 1
A n gl o S ax o n go o d s e n s e
-
Dr R L P o o le m o r e mo d
. . . .

e ra te ly s a ys o f B e d e
“
He sh o ws an ex t en t o f k n o wl e dge in
,

cl a ssic al lit e r atur e an d n atur al sci enc e e n tir e ly u nriv alle d

in his o wn day an d pr o b ably n o t surpa ss e d f o r m any gene r a
” 2
ti o n s to c o m e B e d e p e r haps k n e w m o r e n atur a l sci en ce
.

than an yo n e e ls e o f h is ti m e but i f s o th e o the rs m ust h av e , ,

k n o wn pr actic a lly n o th i n g ; his kn o wl e dge can in n o se n s e

be c all e d e x t en siv e A s a m atte r o f f act w e h av e e vid en c e
.
,

th at h is ex tr em ely bri e f an d e l em e nt ary tr eatis e s in th is

fi eld we r e n o t f ull e no ugh to s atis f y e ven h is c o n tem p o r ari e s .

I n t he pr e fa c e t o his D e te mpor u m r a tion e 3

h e s ays t hat
previ o usly he ha d c o m p o s e d tw o tr eatis e s D e natur a r er um ,

a n d D e r a tio n e tempo r u m in bri e f styl e a s h e t h o ugh t fitti n g

,

f o r pupils but t ha t w he n he b e gan to t e ach th em t o s o m e

,

o f th e br e th r e n th ey o b j ect e d th at th ey w e r e r e duc e d to a
,

m uch bri e fe r f o r m th an t he y wish e d e sp e ci ally the D e te m ,

p a r ib u s w h ic
,
h B e d e n o w pr o c e e ds t o r e vis e a n d a m pli fy .

I t is n o t e w o rthy t ha t in o rd e r t o ful fi ll th e m o nks d e sir e f o r

’

a f ull e r tr e a t m e n t o f th e subj e ct h e f o u n d it n e c e ss ary t o do

s o m e f urthe r r ea di n g in the f a the rs In a dditi o n to B e de s .

’

o w n st a t em e n t o f h is a im the f r e qu e n cy with which w e

,

fi nd m an uscripts o f ea rly d at e o f the D e na tur a r er u m a n d

4

1
His to ry o f the Ang lo S ax ons ,
-
EN 15 685 ,9 t h ce n tur y ; B N n o uv .

II I , 4 03 . ac q . 16 12 , 1 6 1 5 , an d 1 63 2 , a l l ot h
o r 1 o t h c e n t u r y ; A m ie n s 2 2 2 , 9 t h
I l lus tr a tio ns o f the His tor y of
2

M e die va l Th o ugh t, 1884 , p 2 0 p c e nt u r y ; Ca m b ra i 9 2 5 , ot h c e n

1 8 in 1 9 2 0 e dit io n
. .

v v
t u r y ; I r e a 3 , 9 th c e n tu r y ; I r ea
6 , l o th c e n tu r y ; B e r l in 1 2 8 , 8 —9 tli
.
'

Mign e ,
P L 0 2
9 , 93 4 -
.
c e nt u r y ; B e r l in 1 3 0 , 9 -l ot h c e n
4
A f e w MS S , c h ie y f r o m fl t u r y ; C L M 1 8 1 5 8 , 1 1 t h ce n tur y ;
F r an c e e a r l ie r t h an t h e 1 2 th c e n CL M 2 15 5 7 , 1 1 th ce n t ury .

v
,

t ur y, a r e : B N 5 5 43 , 9 th ce n tur y ; I h a e n o t no t ed t h e MS S o f
x xvn EAR L Y MEDI E VAL L EARN I N G

D e te mpo ri bus sugge sts that the y w e r e em pl o ye d as t ex t

b o o ks in the m o na stic scho o ls o f the e arly m iddl e a ge s As .

the Car o li n gi an p o e t ex pr e ss e d it ,

B e da dei famulus n o s tr i didas cu l us evi

F al ce pi a so phie v e ter um s a ta l a ta per agr ans .

Of B ed e s Hexae m er on w e sp o k e in an e arli e r c hapt e r

’
.

His chi e f e x t ant ge nui n e sc i e n tific t r e atis e is the a f o re s a id

D e n a tur a r er um a v e ry curt a il e d di scussi o n o f a stro n o m y
1
,

an d me t e o r o l o gy It i s v e r y si m il a r t o I sid o r e s tre a tis e o f

’
.

the s am e titl e but is e v en bri e f e r o m itti n g f o r th e mo st

, ,

part the m en ti o n o f a utho riti e s an d the Biblic al qu o t ati o n s

an d a ll e go rica l ap plic a ti o n s w h ic h m ak e up a c o n sid e r a bl e

po rti o n o f I sid o r e s bri e f w o rk O n e o f the few aut ho riti e s

’
.

w ho m B e d e d o e s cite i s P li ny in a discussi o n o f the c ircl e s

o f t he pl an e ts L ik e I sid o re h e a cc e pts c o me ts a s sign s
?

o f w ar an d p o litic a l c ha n ge o f t e m p e sts a n d p e stil en c e

?
,

He als o st at e s t hat the a ir is i nh abite d by e vil spirits wh o

ther e await th e w o rs e t o r m en ts o f the day o f j udgm en t 4
.

I n his Biblic al c omm e n ta ri e s B e d e bri e fly e ch o e s s o m e o f the

vi e ws o f the f at hers c o n c e r n i n g m agic a n d d em o n s f o r in ,

st an ce in h is trea tm ent o f the witch o f E n do r

,
5
.

B ed e als o tran sl a te d i n t o L a ti n a tr eatis e o n divi n ati o n

f ro m t hu n d e r p e rha ps f r o m the w o rks o f the si x t h c e n tury
,

G r ee k writ e r J o hn L ydus , I n the pre f a c e t o Her e f r idus

.
,

at wh o s e r e qu e st he ha d un d e rt ak e n t h e tr a n sl a ti o n he sp eaks ,

o f it as a l a b o ri o us a n d d an ge r o us t ask sur e to e x p o s e him ,

t o the att acks o f the i nvidi o us an d d e tr a ct o rs w ho will p er

haps i n si n u at e t hat h e is p o ss e ss e d o f an evil spirit o r is a
practiti o ne r o f m agic T he thr e e chapte rs o f th e tr eatis e
.

giv e the sign i fic an c e o f thu n d e r f o r the f o ur p o i n ts o f the

c o m pa ss the t we lve m o nths o f the ye a r a n d the s ev en d ays
, ,

o f the we e k Fo r i n st an c e if t hu n d e r a ris e s in t he east

.
, ,

B e de in th e B r itish Mu s eum a n d °
I bid , Ca p 2 4
. . .

‘
B o dl e ian c o ll e c t io n s . I bid , Cap 2 5
. . .

1 l‘
P L 9 0, 18 7 -2 7 8 ; th e t ex t o c e n I n S a mu e l e m pr ophe ta m al
p i es but a s mal l p o r tio n o f th ese
.

l eg or ica exp os itio, I V , 7 ; PL 9 1,

c o l u mn s .
7 01 .

”
I bid Cap 1 4
.
, . .
 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE CHAP .

a cco rdi n g tr a diti o n s o f subtl e ph il o s o ph e rs th e r e will

t o th e
be in the c o urs e o f t h a t y e a r c o pi o us e ff usi o n o f h u m a n
bl oo d E a ch sign ific ati o n is i n tro duc e d wit h s o m e b o m b a s
.

tic ph ra s eo l o gy c o nc e r n i n g the a gil e gen iu s o r sa gaci o us in

v es tiga t io n o f t he p h il o s o p he rs w h o disc o v e r e d it O the r
1
.

tr a cts o n divi n ati o n w h ic h w e r e a tt r ibute d to B e d e a r e pr o b

a bly spuri o us a n d will f o r th e m o st p a rt b e c o n sid e r e d l at e r

in c o n n e cti o n wit h o the r tre a tis e s o f th e s am e s o r t ?

S o m e i n t e r e st in a n d k n o wl e dge o f n a tura l sci e n c e is

displ ay e d in the m etric a l riddl e s o f S t A ld he l m abb o t o f
3
.
,

Ma l m e sbury a n d bi sho p o f S he rb o rn e who di e d in 7 0 9 the “

, ,

fi rst E n glis hm an who cultiv at e d c la ssic a l l e a r n i n g with any

succ e ss a nd the fi r st o f who m any lit e r a ry r e m ai ns a r e p r e
s erve d
”
Mo st o f them a r e c o n c e rn e d with an i m als such
.
,

as silkw o r m s pe a c o ck s a l a m a n d e r be e sw an li o n o stri c h
, , , , , , ,

d o ve fi s h basilisk c am e l e agl e t ax o be av e r w eas e l

, , , , , , , ,

sw all o w c at cro w un ic o r n m i n o t a ur S cyll a an d e l ep han t ;

, , , , , ,

o r with h e r bs a n d tr e e s such as he li o tr o pe p e ppe r n e ttl es , , , ,

he ll e bo r e a n d p a l m ; o r with m i n e r a ls suc h as s alt a d am a nt

, , , ,

a n d m a gn e t ; o r wit h t e rr e stri a l an d c e l e sti a l p h e n o m e n a suc h ,

a s ea rt h wi n d cl o ud r a i nb o w m o o n P l e i a d e s A rcturus
, , , , , , ,

L uci f e r an d n igh t , T he re is a cl o s e r e s e m bl an c e be tw ee n
.

s o m e o f the se riddl e s an d a sc o r e o f cita ti o n s f r o m an Ad

he l m us m a d e in the t h irt ee n t h c en tury by T h om a s o f Can ti m
pré in h is D e na tur a r er u m 4
P itr a h o w e v e r sugge st e d
5
.
, ,

D e to n itr uis libe llus ad He r e n o t c o r r e s p o nd

1
ing o n o c e n ta u r do
i r1i‘du m PL 9 0 609 14
, ,
-
. to the r id dl e De m o n o ce r o s iv e
S e e b e l o w c h a p te r 2 9 . u-nic o r ni ; th e t wo a c c o un t s of
,
8
T h e A e n ig m a tu m L ibe r f o r m s S c yl l a ar e I do
d iff e r e n t ; an d
a p ar t o f th e L ibe r d e s e p te n a r io n o t fi n d c a c u s o r o n ag er o r h a r p y
e t d e m e tr is in A l dh e lm s w o r s
’
k o r s ir e n o r l o c u s t o r t h e I n dian
a s e d it e d by G il e s O x f o r d 18 44 , , , a n t s l ar g e r t h a n f o x e s in t h e R id
a nd r e p r in t e d in M ig n e , P L 89 , d l e s a s e dit ed by G il e s .

18 3 99-
. T h e p a s s ag e s in w h ich Th o m as
‘
C a nt imp r e s c it at io n s o f A d o f Ca n t im p r é c it e s A dh e lm u s a r e
h el mus s e em a lm o s t ce r t ain l y p r in t e d t o g e th e r by P it r a ( 18 5 5 )
d r a w n f r o m t h e A e n ig m a ta in I II ,
t h e c a s e s o f L e o c ic o n ia hir u n , ,
ls
P it r a ( 1 85 5 ) I II , x x i O nl y v .

din us n yc tic o r ax s a l a m an der l u

, , ,
in th e c a s e o f th e s al a m a nd e r
l ig o ( o r l o l ig o ) , pe r n a dr ag u n
, ,
d o e s Pitr a s ay, Th o m as h u c a d
tia l apis ( na tr ix ) , m yr m ic o l e on ,
d u x it A dh e l mi S h ir b r un e n s is
c o lo s s u s an d m o l o s s us
, O n th e . a e n ig m a d e S al a m a n dr a va t e m gu e
”
o the r h and, t h e c itat io n s c o n ce r n a p h il o s o p h o c l ar e dis tin xit .
 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

I n the Dia l ogu es G r e g o ry rr at e s to P e te r the Deac o n

na

s o me o f the virtu e s sign s and ma r ve l o us w o rks o f s ai n tly

, ,

m e n in I ta ly w h ic h h e h as l ea rn e d e it h e r by p e rs o n al ex e r i
p
e n c e o r i n dir e ctl y f r o m th e st at e m e n ts o f g o o d an d trust

w o rthy witn e ss e s T he first st o ry is o f Ho n o ratus the s o n

.
,

o f a c o l o n us o n a vill a in S am n iu m When the l ad evi n c e d his .

pi ety by abst a i n i n g f r o m m ea t at a b an qu e t given by his

p a rents t hey ridicul e d him d e cl a ri n g that h e wo uld fi nd n o
, ,

fi s h to e at in t ho s e m o u n ta i n s But whe n th e s e rv an t pres

.

e ntly w e n t o ut to dra w s o m e w a t e r h e p o ur e d a fi s h o ut o f ,

t he pitche r up o n his r e tur n w h i c h pr o vid e d the b o y wit h

e n o ug h f oo d f o r th e e ntir e da S ub s e qu e n tly th e l ad w as
y .

g iv e n h is f ree d o m a n d f o u n de d a m o n a st e ry o n t he sp o t .

S till l a t e r h e s av e d t h is m on a st e r y f r o m a n i m p e n di n g ava
-

l an c he by fr e q u e n t c a lli n g up o n th e n am e o f Ch rist an d u s e
o f th e sign o f t h e cr o ss By the s e m ean s h e st o pp e d t he
.

l an dslid e in m id c o urs e an d th e r o cks m ay still be s e e n l o o k

-

ing as i f t he y w e r e sur e t o f all .

A t al e f o ll o ws o f G o th s w ho st o l e a mo nk s h o rs e but
’
,

f o u n d t he m s e lv e s u n abl e t o f o rc e th e ir o wn h o rs e s t o cr o s s
t h e n e x t riv e r to w h ic h t he y c am e u n til t h e y had r e s t o r e d
his h o rs e t o the m o n k I n an o the r c a s e wh e r e Fr anks c ame
.

t o plu n d e r t h is s a m e m o n k h e r em a i n e d i n visibl e t o th em
,
.

T h is s am e m o n k w a s a discipl e o f th e a f o r e m e n t io n e d Ho n - -

o r a tu s an d o n c e r a is e d a w o m an s child f r o m t he d ea d by
’

pl aci n g up o n its br ea st an o l d sho e o f his m a ste r wh ich h e

c h e ris h e d a s a s o uv en ir T hus h e c o ntri ve d to s atis f y the
.

m o th e r s pl e a di n g an d at the s am e ti m e pr e s e rv e h is o w n
’

mo d es ty an d h u m ility G r e go ry d o e s n o t d o ubt t hat t he

.

w o m an s fa ith a ls o c o ntribut e d t o the m ira cl e G r e go ry

’
.

a dds h o w e v e r th a t h e t h i n ks th e virtu e o f p ati e n c e gr e at e r

, ,

than sign s an d m ir a cl e s an d t e lls ano th e r st o ry o f the s ame

m o n k to illustr a te th a t v irtu e .

We m ay p ass o n h o w e ve r to the third c h apt e r which

c o n t a i n s a st o ry o f the ga rd en e r o f a m
, ,

o n a st e ry w h o set a

s n ake to c atch a th i e f who had m ad e d epr e d a ti o n s up o n the

“
g ard en a dj uri n g the s n ak e a s f o ll o ws : In the n ame o f
,
xxvn EARL Y ME DI E VA L L EARNI N G

J e sus I co mm an d yo u to gu ard th is appro ach and n o t pe rm it

”
t he t h i e f t o e n t e r h e r e T he s e rp e n t o b e di e n tly stre tche d
.

its l en gt h a cro ss the pa th an d w hen the ga rd en e r r e tu r ne d

,

l at e r he f o u n d the thi e f han gi n g he a d first f r o m the he dge

, ,

in w h ic h his f o o t ha d c a ugh t a s he w a s cli m bi n g o v e r it a n d

had be e n surp ris e d by the sigh t o f the s e rp e n t T he m o n k o f .

c o urs e then f r e ely gav e the th i e f wh at he had c o me to st e al ,

but a ls o o f c o urs e gav e him a bri e f m o ra l l e ctur e w hich wa s

p er haps l e ss w e lco m e .

A f t e r a bri e f a cc o u n t o f a m ir acul o us r e l e a s e f r o m s ex u al
p assi o n G r e go ry c o m e s to a t al e o f B asilius the m a gici an .

T h is i s the s a m e m an c o n c e rn i n g w ho s e a rr e st an d tri a l o n “

the c ha rge o f pr a c t ici n g m a gic a n d si n ist e r a rts w e fi n d

dir e cti o n s giv e n in tw o o f the l e tte rs o f Ca ssi o do rus Ac 1
.

c o rdi n g t o G re go ry he t o o k r e f uge with the a id o f a bisho p

in a m o na st e r y al t ho ugh th e a bb o t s aw s o m e t h i n g di ab o lic al
,

a b o ut him f r o m the v e ry st a rt S o o n a virgi n w h o w a s

.

u nd e r the c ha rge o f the m on a st e ry bec ame s o i n f a tu at e d

with B a silius as to c all publicly f o r him d ecl a r i n g tha t s he ,

sh o uld die un l e ss he c am e to he r aid T h e abb o t th e n ex .

p e l l e d h i m f r o m t h e m o n a st e ry o n w h ic h o cc a si o n B a silius
,

c o n f e ss e d t ha t h e ha d o f t e n by h is m a gic a rts susp e n d e d the

m o n a st e ry in m id a ir but t hat he h a d n e v e r be en a bl e to in
-

j ure anyo n e w ho w a s in it T h is is m o r e d e t a il e d i n f o rm a
.

ti o n c o n c e r n i n g the n a tur e o f B a silius m agic than Ca ssi ’

o do r us giv e s us G r e go ry f urthe r a dds tha t n o t l o n g a f t e r

.

B asilius w a s bur ne d to d eat h at Ro m e by the z ea l o f the

Ch risti an p e o pl e .

A f em a l e s e rv ant o f t h is s am e m o nast e ry o n c e ate a l et

t uce in t h e ga rd e n wit h o ut m aki n g the sign o f the cr o ss
first an d b e c am e p o s se ss e d o f a d em o n str a ightwa y When
, .

the a bb o t wa s su mm o n e d th e d em o n a t t e m pt e d to e x cu se
,

h i m s e l f ex cl a i m i n g
,
“
Wha t have I d o n e ? w ha t hav e I
,

d o ne ? I was j ust sitti ng o n a l ettuc e w hen s he c am e a l o n g

”
a n d ate m e . T h e a bb o t n e v e rth e l e ss i n dign an tly pro c ee d e d
t o driv e the ev il spirit o ut o f h is s e r f .

‘
Va r io r u m IV , E pis t . 2 2 - 2 3, Mign e , P L 69 , 62 4 -2 5 .
640 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP XXVI I
S uch a re a sp e ci m en s o f the m o nkish m a gi c that w as
fe w
c on sid e r e d p e r f e ctly l e giti m at e an d r aptur o usly a d m ir e d at
t he sam e ti me t ha t m e n lik e B asilius w e re bur n e d at the
st ak e o n c ha rge s o f m a gic by the z ea l o us Christi an p o pul a c e .

We m ay a dd a w o rd at th is p o i nt c o n c e r n i n g O ld I ris h
lit e ratur e W h ic h a s it has re a che d us is al m o st e n tir e ly
1
, ,

re ligi o us in cha ra ct e r ? pr o duc e d an d pre s e rv e d by the Ch ris

ti an cl e rgy Y e t w e fi n d a num b e r o f tr a c e s o f m a gic in
.

t he s e r em a i n s o f Celtic l e ar n i n g an d lit e r ature duri n g the

d a rk a ge s I n de e d th e s o l e d o cum en t in th e I rish lan
.
,

gua ge wh ich is a scrib e d to S t P a trick is a Hymn o r i n c an .

t at io n in w h ic h he i n v o k e s the T ri n ity an d t he p o w e rs o f
n a tur e to a id h im a g a i n st t he e n c h an t m e n ts o f w o men ,

s m ith s an d wiz a rds By re p eati n g t h is rhythm ic al f o rm ul a

, .

P a trick an d his c o m p an i o n s are s a id t o hav e be c o m e i nvisibl e

t o Ki n g L o iga ir e an d h is D ruids T he sp e ll is pe r h aps as .

o l d as P a trick s ti m e T h r e e o t he r i n c an ta ti o n s f o r uri n a ry
’
.

dis e a s e s o r e e y e s and to extr a ct a t ho r n ar e c o n ta i ne d in

, ,

th e S t o w e M iss al An I ris h m an uscript o f the e igh th o r

.

n i n t h c e n tu r y in th e m o n a st e ry o f S t G a ll h as f o ur sp e lls .

f o r si m il a r purp o s e s an d a n o the r is f o u n d in a n i n t h cen

tu r y c o d ex pre s e rv e d in Ca ri n th i a .

T h e I ris h h a d th eir F ili c o rr e sp o n di n g s o m e wh a t to th e

D ruids o f G a ul o r B rit a i n T h e y w e r e p e r ha ps l e ss cl o s e ly
.

c o nn e ct e d with h e ath en rite s si n c e the ch urch s eem s to h ave ,

b ee n l e ss o pp o s e d t o t hem t han to the D ruids T he y w e re .

p o e ts an d l e a rn e d m en an d a l a rge p art o f th e ir l ear n i n g at

, ,

l ea st o rigi n ally s e em s t o hav e c o n siste d o f m a gic an d div

,

in a t io n T he r e a r e m a n y i n st an c e s in I rish lit e r a tur e o f t h e ir

.

disfiguri ng the f ac e s o f t he ir e n em i e s by r a isi n g bl o tc he s

up o n the m by the p o we r o f w o rds wh ic h t hey utt e re d S t . .

P a trick f o rba d e tw o o f t he ir t hr e e m e tho ds o f divi n ati o n .

I d iv w h th vd i I l d
1
er th e f l l w i g f ts
e o o p n ac e er r e s er e n re an ,
“
f ro m E . C Q u igg in , I r is h L it
. S co t l a n d, o r e l s e wh e r e are
,
”
e r atu r e , in EB V 62 2 e t s e q , .
,
a ll , o r n e a r l y a l l , o f f o r e ign o r i
whe r e f u r th e r b iblio g r ap h y is g in —
k
Mac in n o n , in th e I n ter
v
gi en . na tio n a l C o ngr es s of Medicin e ,
z u
Thc Gae l ic mgdical MS S , Londo n , 19 13 : p 4 1 3 : '
 6 42 MA G I C AND E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C HA P .

ch apt e r a im s at n o ex h austiv e tr eatm en t o f A r abic sci enc e

an d m a gic in th e n i n th c e n tury but m e r e ly by pr e s en ti n g , ,

a f e w pr o m in en t ex am pl e s t o giv e s o m e id ea o f it an d o f ,

its i n fluen c e up o n the m iddl e a ge s In subs e qu en t ch apt e rs .

we s ha ll h a v e oc ca si o n t o m en tio n m an y o th e r such m e di ev al
tr an sl ati o n s f r o m A r abic an d o th e r o ri en t al l an gu age s .

Wo r ks of O n e o f th e gr e a t n am e s in th e h ist o ry o f A r abic l ea rn
‘
in g is th a t o f A lk in di ( Y a kfi b ibn I sh ak ibn S abb ah al
Ki n di ) wh o di e d ab o ut 8 5 0 o r 8 7 3 A D
,
1
C o m p ar a tiv e ly . .

f ew o f his writi n gs h av e c o m e to us h o w ev e r a lth o ugh , ,

s o m e tw o hu n dr e d titl es pr o v e th a t h e c o v er e d the w h o l e
fi eld o f kn o wl e dge in h is o w n day He tr an sl at ed the w o rks .

o f A rist o tl e an d o t h e r G r e e ks i n t o A r a bic a n d wr o t e upo n ,

ph il o so p h y p ol itics m ath em atics m e dici n e m usic a str o n

, , , , ,

o my an d a str o l o gy
, discri m i n a ti n g li t tl e be tw een sci en c e
,

a n d supe rstiti o n in h is en th usi a s m f o r ext en siv e kn o wl e dge .

T h e fi rst tr e atis e o f his to app ea r in pri n t w a s a n a str o l o gi c a l

o n e o n w ea th e r pr e dicti o n in L a ti n tr an sl ati o n I n 1 8 7 5 L o th
?

pri n t e d an A r abic t ext o f h is tr ea tis e o n th e th eo ry o f

c o n j u n cti o n s Mo r e r e c en tly N agy has e dit e d La ti n v ersi o n s
.

o f so m e o f h is p hi l o s o p h ic a l o puscul a an d Bj or nb o h as
'

publishe d an o ptic al tr e atis e by h im en ti tl e d D e s pec tac ul is .

I n a m an uscript o f th e c l o si n g f o urt ee n th c en tu ry ar e
c o n t a i n ed s ev e r al s ets o f e r r o rs o f A rist o tl e an d v ari o us
A ra bs a ls o o th e rs c o n d em n e d at P a ri s in 1 3 4 8 a n d 1 3 63
, ,

at O x f o rd in 1 3 7 6 an d so o n Am o n g t h e s e a r e list e d the
, .

G Fl ii ge l , A lkin d i g en arm t de r
1
.
,
ki nd i Tid eus , a nd P s e udo -E uc lid
, .

P h il os op h d e r A r a be r , e in V o r bi l d D r ei O p tis c h e l Ve r k e L eip z ig , ,

s ei n e r Z
e it L e ip z ig 18 5 7 , , . 19 1 1, in A bb o n d l z G es ch d . . . .

F . D iet er i c i, D ie N a tu r a n M a th l Vis s XXV I 3

. .
, , .

N a t ur p h zl o s o p h ie F o r f u r th e r b ibl io gr ap h y s e e
'

s c ha uu ng a nd
d e r A r a b er im z e h n te n J a h r h un th e l a s t n am e d w o r
-
an d S t e in k
d e r t B e r l in 1 86 1
, , . s c hn e ide r ( 1 9 0 5 ) 2 3 -4 , 4 7 . ( 1 9 06 )
O L o th A I- K ind i a ls A s tr o l og
.
,
.

in Ilf o r g e nl an dis c he F o r s c h u ng e n . Th e A p o l og y of A l K ind y ( S ir

F es ts c h r if t f i ir F l e is c he r , Le ip W m Mu ir L o n do n 1 882 ) is a
'

.
, ,

z ig .
1 87 5 p p 2 533 3 09 ,
, .
-
d e f e n s e o f Ch r is t ia n ity by an o th e r
A N agy D i e p h i l o s o ph is c he n
.
, w r it e r o f ab o ut th e s a m e t im e .

A s tr o r um iu d ic is A l k in d i C c
’
A bha n d l u ng e n de s A I K ingl is -
, ,

p h a r d e p l uv ii s i m br ibu s e t ve n tis
'

1 89 7 in B e itr ag e z G e s ch d . .

P hil o s d M it te l al t I I , 5 m uta ti o ne , e x o dicina

'

. . . ac ae r is
A A B j or n b o a n d S V o gl , A l
. . . P e tr i L ie c h te ns tei n : V e ne ws , I 5 07 .
x xv111 A R A B I C O C C UL T S CI EN CE

E r r or s f
o A lk in di in the M agic Ar t .
1
T he a llusi o n is to a

tr eatis e by va ri o u s ly styl e d The The ory of the

A lk in di ,

M agic A r t o r O n S tellar R ays w h ich is f o un d in L ati n ,

v e rsi on in a n um b e r o f m e di e v al m an uscripts ? but w h ich

ha s n e v e r b ee n publis he d o r d e sc r ib e d a t all f ully .

Al k in di b e gi n s t he tr e atis e by a ss e r ti n g th e a str o l o gic a l

d o ctri n e o f r a di ati o n o f o ccult i n flu e n c e f r o m the st a rs .

The div e rsity o f o bj e cts in n a tur e d e p e n ds up o n t w o th i n gs ,

the div e rsity o f m a tt e r a n d the v a ryi n g i n flu e n c e e x e rt e d by

the r ays f r o m the st a rs E a c h st a r h a s its o w n p e culi a r
.

fo rc e a n d c e rt a i n o bj e cts a r e e sp e ci a lly u n d e r its i n flu e n c e ,

w h ile the m o ve m e n t o f th e st a r s t o n e w p o siti o n s an d the “

”
c o llisi o n o f t he ir r ays p r o duc e such an i n fi n it e v a ri ety o f
c o m bi na ti o n s that n o tw o thi n gs in t h is w o rld a re e v e r
f o u n d a lik e in a l l r e sp e cts Th e st a rs ho w e v e r a r e n o t .
, ,

A mp l o n .
Qu a r t o 15 1, f ol s . 17 Ex p lic it t h e o r ia m ag ice a r tis
v
s i e libe l l u s A l k in di d e r adiis s te l
I n th e 14 1 2 ca tal o gu e o f Am l atis an n o p e r m e T h e o d s c r ip tus
’

p l o n iu s , Ma t h 4 8 w as
“
. Th e o r ic a D o m in i
Alk in di de r adiis s t e llic is s e u a r R aw l in s o n C- 1 1 7 , 1 sth c en tur y
c iu m m g ic a r u m v e l de p h is ic is l i
”a
( a cc o r din g to Ma c r ay, but s in c e
g at u r is a n d at p r e s e n t A m p l o n . t h e M S o n c e b e l o n g e d t o J o hn o f
Q ua r t o 349 14 t h c e n tu r y, f o l s
,
. L o n d o n it is m o r e li e l y t o b e k
47 , V 6 5 ,
V 6 6 r v ,
1 6~
r -
v, 2 9 r , c o n 1 3 t h c e n t u r y ) , f o l s 1 5 7 - 69 ,
. I n c ip
“
t a in s L ibe r A lk in di d e r adiis it th e o r ica A lk in d i e t e s t d e
O m n e s h o m in e s qu i s e n s ibil ia cau s is r e d d e n d is c ir ca O p e r atio ne s
Ex p lic it t h e o r ic a a r t is m agis k a r a c te r u m e t c o nj u r a tio n e s e t
( s ic ) .Exp l ic it A lk in di de r a di is s u ff u m ig a tio n e s e t ce t e r is h u in s
s t e l lic is . m o d i qua e p e r t inent a d a r te m
Ha r l e ian 1 3 , 1 3 th c e n tu r y, g ive n
‘
m ag ica m O m n e s ho m in e s qu i
.

by J o h n o f L o ndo n t o S t Augu 5s
’
. s e n s ibilia .

t in e s A bb e y, Can t e r bu r y ( 1 111 166, B N n o uv a cq 6 16 , 144 2 A D ,

’
. . . .

“
J am e s , 33 0 f o ls 1 66 7 4 ,. de -
L ibe r J aco b i A l c hin di d e r a diis .

r a d iis s t e l lic is O m n e s h o mine s CU T r in ity 9 3 6 ( R 1 5 , 17 ) i 7 t h .

qui s e n s ibil ia e x p l ic it Th e o r ia ce n t u r y, A l k y n du s de R a diis .

A r t is Mag ice Al k in d i
”
. v v
S t e G e n e ie e 2 2 40, 1 7 th c e n
.

D ig by 9 1 , 1 6th c e n t u ry, f o l s . t u r y, f o l 3 2 .
—
s in c e t h e t r e a
66 —80, A l k in du s de r a diis s te l l a t is e is l is t e d b e t w e e n t w o o th e r s
“
r um , O m n e s h o m in e s qui s e n w h ic h be g in at f o l s 68 a n d 1 1 2 , .

s ib il ia s e n s u p e r c ip iu n t . v
r e s p ec t i e l y
“
A lk yn du s de
D ig by 1 83 , e nd 1 4th c e n tur y, r a d iis ; d e v
ir t ute v e r b o r u m .

f o l s 3 8 —4 5
. . S t e in s c hn e id e r 3 2 , ha s
S e l d e n s u p r a 7 6 ( B e r n ar d a l r e a dy l is t e d f o u r o f t h e s e M S S ,

f ol s .
4 7 r 6 ov
—
“
I n c ip it t h e o r e it a k
bu t w as m is ta e n in t hin in g Co t k
a r t ium m ag i ca r a m Cap itul um
. t o n A p p e n d ix V I f o l s 63 v 7 o r ,
, .
-

“
d e o r ig ine s c ie n t ie O mn e s h o rn i . E x p l ic it I a co b a l k in d i de th eo
”
nes qu i s e n s ibilia s e n s u p e r c ip r ica p l a n e t ar u m , t h e s a m e t r ea
s e a s Th e Th eo r y o f th e M ag ic
ti
l un t . S el de n 3 46 7 $4 , .

Can o n Mis c 3 7 0, f o l s 2 4 0 5 9
. . .
-
,
qr t .
644 MA GI C AN D E XP E RI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HA P .

th e on ly o b j e cts whic h e m it r ays ; ev e ryth i n g in the w o rld

o f t he e l e m e n ts r a di a t e s f o rc e t o o
,
Fir e c o l o r an d s o u n d
.
, ,

a r e e x a m pl e s o f t h is . T h e sci e n c e o f p hysic s c o n sid e rs the

a cti o n o f o bj e cts up o n o n e a n o t h e r by c o n t a ct but th e s a e s
g
,

k n o w o f a m o r e o ccult i n t e r acti o n o f r em o t e o bj e cts sug

ge ste d by the p o w e r o f t he m agn e t a n d th e r e fl e cti o n o f an
i m age in a m irr o r All such e m an a ti o n s ho w ev e r a r e in
.
, ,

the l a st a n a lysis c a us e d by th e c e l e sti a l ha r m o n y w h ich ,

go v e r n s by n e ce ssity al l the c han ge s in th is w o rld T h u s .

t h e m e n o f o ld by e x p e ri m e n ts an d by cl o s e scruti n y o f
,

t h e s e cr e ts o f b o t h sup e ri o r a n d i n f e ri o r n a tur e an d o f the

disp o siti o n o f the sky c am e to c o m pr eh en d m an y h idden
,

t hi n gs in the w o rld o f n ature an d w e r e a bl e to disc o v e r

the n a m e s o f t h o s e w ho h a d c o m m itt e d th e f t a n d a dult e r y .

Alk in di ha s t hus pre p a r e d t he r ea d e r s m i n d f o r the c o n

’

sid e ra ti o n o f phen o m e n a b e yo n d the r ea l m o f o rdi n ary

physic a l a cti o n At t he s am e ti m e he has appr o ache d the
.

o ccult by a rgui n g o n t h e a n a l o gy o f n a tu r a l ph en o m e n a

a n d h e h as l a id d o w n a s a f u n d am e n t a l sci e n tific pr e m is e

what we n o w r e ga rd a s a sup e rstiti o n o f a stro l o ge rs In .

o t he r w o rds h e is n o t u n a w a r e o f a di ff e r e nc e in m e t h o d
,

a n d c h a r a ct e r b e tw e e n p h ysics a n d a str o l o gy be tw ee n sci

,

e n c e a n d sup e rstiti o n ye t he tri e s t o f o rm ul a t e a sci e n ti fi c

,

basis f o r w ha t is r e ally a b e li e f in m a gic .

Alth o ugh A l k in di d o e s n o t a s I r e c a ll us e the w o rd

, ,

m a gic he n e x t a rgu e s in f av o r o f w h a t i s c o mm o n ly c all e d

,

th e m a gic p o w e r o f w o rds .He affirm s th a t th e h um an

i m agi n ati o n can f o r m c o n c e pts an d then em it r a ys wh ich will
a ffe ct e x t e ri o r o bj e cts j ust a s w o uld the t h i n g its e l f w h o s e

i m a ge the m i n d ha s c o n c e iv e d Muscul a r m o v e m en t an d
.

sp e e c h a r e the tw o ch ann e ls by wh ich the m i n d s c o n c e pti o n s ’

c an b e tr a n s f o rm e d i n t o a cti o n Fr equ e n t ex p e ri m en ts have

.

pr o ve n cl e a rly the p o t e nc y o f w o rds w he n utt e r e d in e x act

a cc o rd a n c e w it h i m a gi n a ti o n a n d i n t e n ti o n a n d w he n a c
,

c o m p a n i e d by due s o l e m n i ty fi r m f a it h an d str o n g d e sire

, , .

T h e e ff e ct pr o duc e d by w o rds a n d v o ic e s is h e ight e n e d i f

they are utt er ed und er f avorabl e astro l o gical condi ti ons ,
 M A G I C AN D E XPE R I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

s te ll at io n s e m it r a ys h avi n g s o m eth i n g o f the virtu e o f the

c el e sti a l harm o ny Alk in di als o d e f e n ds the pr a ctic e o f
.

a n i m a l s a cri fi c e Whe the r G o d o r spirits ar e pl a c at e d t he r e

.

by o r n o t n o n e the l e ss the s a crific e is effic a ci o us if mad e

, ,

wit h hu m an i n te n t an d due s o l emn ity an d in a cc o rdanc e

with the c e l e sti a l ha rm o n y The sta r an d sign w h ich are
.

d o m i n an t when a ny v o lu n ta ry act o f th is s o rt is b e gu n rul e ,

t hat w o rk to its fi n i s h T he m a t e ria l an d f o rm s e m pl o ye d

.

s ho uld be a ppr o pri at e to the c o n st e ll ati o n o r the e ffe ct pr o ,

duce d will be disc o rd a n t an d p e rv e rt e d .

It will h av e b ee n n o t e d tha t Al k in di mo r e t han o n c e

a ss e rt s t h a t h is c o n clusi o n s h av e b e e n d e m o n str a t e d ex p e r i

m e n t a lly Th us w e h av e o n e m o r e e x am pl e o f t he c o nne c
.

ti o n supp o sititi o us o r r eal b e tw een m agic and ex p e ri m en t al

, ,

m e tho d .

The d o ctri ne he r e s e t f o rt h by Al k in di o f the r a di a ti o n

o f f o rc e an d h is e x pl a n a ti o n o f m a gic by a st r o l o gy we r e

bo t h to b e v e ry i n flu e n ti a l c o n c e pti o n s in L ati n m e di ev al
l ea r n i n g We s h all fi nd R o ge r B a c o n f o r e x am pl e r e
.
, ,

p e atin g the s am e vi e w s in a l m o st the s am e l an gu age co n

c e rn i n g st e ll a r r ays a n d t he p o w e r o f w o rds an d it is ,

a ppr o pri a t e t ha t in tw o m an uscripts h is utt e r an c e s a r e pl a c e d

t o ge t he r wit h t h o s e o f A lk in di 1
.

A lk in di s tr e a tis e D e s o mn o e t vis io n e as w e h av e it in
’

the L ati n tr a n sl ati o n by G e ra rd o f C r e m o n a a cc ep ts cl a ir

2
,

v o ya nc e a nd divi n ati o n by dr eam s a s tru e an d a sks why w e

s ee s o m e t h i n gs b e f o r e t h e y h app e n why w e s e e o t h e r t h i n gs
,

w h ic h r e quir e i n t e r p r e t a ti o n b e fo r e the y r ev e al the future ,

a n d w h y a t o t h e r ti m e s w e f o r e s ee th e c o n tr a ry o f w h at is

t o be 3
. His an sw e r is t hat the m i n d o r s o ul h a s i nn at e

an d
1
I n D igby 9 1 R o g e r B ac o n o n r e ta r da t io n of o ld age p er
v
P e r s p e ct i e is f o l l o w e d by A l h a p s a l s o d e r a diis s o la r ibu s .

k in d i o n t h e r ay s o f t he s t ar s ,
2
E d it e d by N ag y A MS
w hil e in D igby 1 83 a m ar g in al o f th e l a t e 12 th o r e a r l y 1 3 t h c e n
to A l k in di s t r e a t is e r e a ds t u r y w hic h N a gy f a il s t o n o t e is
’
no te
“
N o ta h o c qu o d e s t e x t r a c t um de D igby 4 0 f o l s 1 5 v-2 5 , de s o m n o
, .

k
l ib r o R o g e r i B a un de c e l o e t e t v is io n ib u s
‘
.

m undo , c ap itu l o de n u m e r o c e l o N a g y, p 18 , Q ua r e a ute m vi

.

rum ,
”
and f o ll o w ing t h e w o r k de am us quas d a m r e s a n t equa m
v
o f A l k in di w e h a e B a co n o n t h e s in t ? e t qu a r e videa mu s r e s cu m
XXV I I I A RA B I C O CC UL T S CI EN CE 64 7

na tura l k n o wl e dge o f thes e th i n gs an d th at it is i t s el f ,

the s e a t o f al l sp e ci e s s e n sibl e an d r ati o n a l Visi o n is .

w hen the s o ul dis m iss e s the s en s e s a n d e m pl o ys t ho ught ,

a n d t he f o r m ativ e o r i m a gi n a tiv e virtu e o f th e m i n d is m o r e

a ctiv e in sl e e p t h e s e n siti v e f a culti e s w h e n o n e is a w a k e

, .

Wh il e by s o m e p e rs o n s at l ea st o pi n i o n s o f A lk in di in
, ,

h is Th e o r y of th e M agic A r t w e r e r e ga rd e d a s e r r o n e o us ,

Alb e rtus Magn us in his S pe c u l u m as tr o n o miae list e d

am o n g w o rks o n j udici a l a st r o l o gy wit h w h ic h h e t ho u h t
g
“
tha t the c hurch c o uld fi n d n o f a ult a b o o k o f Al ch in di ”

wh ich o p en e d with the w o rds R ago ta s fui 1

T h is is a .

wo rk o n w eathe r pr e dicti o n wh ic h still ex ists in a n u mb e r

o f m an uscripts a n d w as pri n t e d in 1 5 0 7 a t V e n ic e a n d i n
2
,

1 5 4 0 a t P a ris t o ge t h e r wit h a tr e a tis e o n th e s am e th em e

,

by Album as ar o f w ho m w e s hall sa y m o r e pr e s en tly

,
?

inte r p r e tat io n e s ign ifi can t e s res p l an e t ar u m s e c u n du m iaco b um al

a n te qu a m s in t ? e t q ua r e vid e a m u s ki n di .
”
S ee al s o E N 7 3 1 6, 7 3 2 8,
r es f a cie n t e s n o s vide r e co nt ra 7 44 0 . 7 48 2 ,
r ia m e a r um Th e w o r ds o f a n a n o n y
o p e ni n g
“S ec
p . a s tr o n . c ap .
7. Mo r e m o u s Tr a c ta tus d e m e te or o l o
f ully t h e I n c ip it i s , R o ga t u s g ia in V ie n n a 2 3 8 5 , 1 3 th c e n t u r y,
f ui quo d m an if es t e m c o ns il ia p h il f o l s 46 49 , s h o w t h at it is t h e
.
-

o s o p h o r um
“
. A l k in di A . v
e r y s im il a r t r ea t is e
D igby 68 , 14t h c e n tur y, f o l s . o n w e a t h e r p r e dic tio n , D e s u br a
1 2 4 - 3 5 , L ibe r A l k in dii de im p r e s diis p la n e ta r u m o r D e p lu v iis ,
s io n ibu s t e r r e e t a e r is acc ide n t ibu s . is a sc r ib e d t o Ha l y an d e x is t s in
C U C l ar e Co l l e g e 1 5 ( Kk 4 , t h r ee D ig by M S S ( 6 7 , f o l 1 2 v ;
v
. .

“
c. 1 2 8 0, f o l s 8 1 3
.
-
,
I n n o m in e d e i 9 3 , f o l 18 3 ; 1 4 7 , f o l 1 1 7 V ) an d
. .

e t e iu s l a u de E p is t o l a A lk in di de in s o m e o t h e r M S S n o te d by
r e bu s a e r ibu s e t p l uv iis c u m s e r S t e in s c h n e id e r It be l o n gs ,
. I
mo n e agg r e g a to et u tili d e a r ab ic o s u s p e ct, t o g e th e r w ith a b r ie f
in l atinum t r a n s l ata
”
Ho ly d e dis p o s itio n e a c r is ( D ig
v
.

S te in s ch n e id er ( 1 906 ) 3 2 g i e s by 9 2 , f o l 5 ) w h ic h S t e in s ch n e i
.

t h e t itl e as D e im pr es s io n ibu s
‘

d e r l is t e d s e p a r at e l y .

S o m e n o t ion o f t h e n u mb e r
3
a er is , and s ugg e s t s t ha t it is t h e
s am e as a D e p l uviis o r B e o f t h e s e a s t r o l o g ical t r ea t is es o n

n u bibu s , w hic h s e e m s t o b e th e t h e w e a t h e r m a y b e ha d f r o m t h e
v
c a s e , a s t h e y h a e th e s a m e I n f o l l o w in g g r o up o f t h e m in a
c ip it— S t e in s c h n e id e r ( 1 9 05 ) 1 3 s ing l e M S .

as do e s a D e im br ibus in D ig by V ie nn a 2 4 3 6, 14 th c entu r y,
Fin it u r He r man n i
“
1 7 6, 1 4t h c e n t u r y, fo ls. 6 1 63-
. f ols . 13 4 6,
-

”
S t e in sch n e ide r al s o s ugg e s t e d t h at l ib e r de ymb r ib u s e t p l u viis
EN De imp r es s ionib us 1 3 6- 8, I o h a n n e s His p a l e n s is , T r a c
‘

7 3 32 ,
p lan e tar u m w as p r o b a bl y the t a t u s de m u ta t io n e a e r is
s am e t r e at is e ; a n d t h is is s h o w n 1 39 , Ha o m a r d e p l u viis
t o b e t r u e by t h e Ex p l ic it o f A l 1 3 9 4 0, I d e m d e q ua lita t e ae r is e t
—

k in di s t r e a t is e in a n o th e r M S ,
’
t e mp o r um
C o tt o n A p p e n d ix V I , f o l 6 3 V , . 140, v
de p l u ia, f ul gur e , to n itr uis
“
Ex p l ic it l ibe r d e im p r e s s io n ibus et v e nt o
 MA GI C AND EXPERIMENTAL S CI EN CE CHA P .

A ma j o rity i n d e e d o f the w o r ks by Alk indi e x tant in

, ,

L a ti n tr a n sl a ti o n a r e a str o l o gi c al 1
S e v e r a l w e r e tr an sl a t e d
.

by G e ra rd o f Cr em o n a a n d o n e o r tw o by J o hn o f S pa i n
,

an d R o b e rt o f C h e st e r G eo m an ci e s a r e a ttribut e d t o
?

A lk in di in m a n usc r ipts at Mu n ic h ?
L o th no te s co nc e rn
ing A lk in di s a str o l o gy wh a t w e h av e a lr e a dy f o u n d t o be
’

t he c a s e in his t h e o ri e s o f r a di a ti o n an d m agic a r t a n d o f
divi n a ti o n by dre am s ; n ame ly t ha t w hil e he beli ev e s in ,

a str o l o gy u n c o n diti o n a lly h e tri e s t o pur su e it a s a sci e n c e

,

in a sci e n tific w ay o bs e rvi n g m at he m atic a l m e t ho d an d

,

physic a l l a w s as t he y s ee m e d to him w h il e he atta ck e d

— —

t h e vulga r sup e rstiti o n s w h ic h w e r e p o pul a rly r e ga rd e d as

a str o l o gy .

T he a str o l o gic a l tr e atis e by Al k in di o f w h ich L o th ,

e dit e d th e A r a bic t e x t is a l e tt e r o n the durati o n o f the

,

e m pir e o f th e A r a bs Th is bit o f p o litic al pr e dicti o n w as

.
,

a s f a r a s L o th k n e w th e first i n st an c e o f th e th e o ry of
,

c o n j u n cti o ns in A rabi an a str o l o gy The th eo ry w as that .

l e ss e r c o n j u n cti o n s o f the pl an e ts wh ich o ccur ev e ry tw en ty ,

y ea rs m iddli n g c o n j u n cti o n s w h ich c o m e e v e ry tw o hun

,

dr e d an d f o r ty ye a rs an d gr eat c o n j un cti o n s which o ccur

,

o n ly e v e ry n i n e h u n dr e d an d si x ty y ea rs ex e rt a gr ea t l n ,

fl ue n ce n o t o n ly up o n th e w o rld o f n ature but up o n po

l itica l a n d r e ligi o us e v e n ts a n d e sp eci a lly th e gr e a t c o n
, ,

j u n cti o n s o pen n e w p e ri o ds in h ist o ry T hus as L o th s ays

, .
, ,

t he c o n j u n cti o n is f o r t h e m a cr o c o s m o s w ha t the ho r o s c o pe
is f o r m an the m icr o c o s m o s ; the o n e f o re c asts the f at e o f
14 0— 1 , D o r o c h iu s , D e h o r a p l u ie v Ac h alis de B a l dac p hil o s op h i de
e t v e n t o r u m c a l o r is e t f r ig o r is f utu r o r um sc ien tia ; Co r p u s Ch r is
1 4 1 I d e m D e h o r a p l u ie
, , v t i 2 5 4 f o l 19 1
, .
“
de a s p e c tibus
,
”

1 4 1 2 , A lk in d u s
-
a lia s D o r o c hiu s ,
, a f r ag m e nt f r o m a 14 th c e n tu r y
D e a e r is qu a l itat ibu s MS S .

1 42 ,
I d e m , D e im b r ibu s ’
MS S R o b e r t s t r an s l at io n
of
’

1 43 J e r g is , D e p l u v iis o f A lk in d i s
’
,
Ju dg m e n ts a r e nu
1 9 8 2 06 I a co b u s A lk in du s L ib e r
, , ,
m e r o u s in t h e B o dl e ian l ib r ar y :
d e s ig n ifi c a tio n ibu s p l a n e t a D igby 9 1 , f o l 8 0 A s hm o l e 1 7 9 ;
.

r u m e t e o r um n at u r is a lia s
,
2 09 ; 3 69 ; 4 3 4 ; a n d e x t r a c t s f r o m
d e p l uv u s
”
. it in o th e r MS S It o p e n s,
.

1 “
T h e ir t itl e s ar e l is t e d by Qaua m qua m p o s t Euc l ide m .

S t e in s c h n e ide r ( 1 9 06 ) 9 9 ; 3 1 3 -
. CL M 3 9 2 i sth, c e nt u r y, fol .

W e m a y n o te E N 69 7 8, 1 4th c en 80 8
4 9, i 6 t h c e n t u r y, f o l s , 2 0 - 1
7 2 .

t u ry, I n c ip it e p is to l a A l k in di
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

wo rk c o n j un cti o n s and re vo luti o n s w as pri nt e d a ga i n in

on

1 5 1 5 an d a ls o e x ists in m an y m an uscripts A Fr en c h tr an s
?

l ati o n w h ic h Ha gi n s th e Je w w o rki n g f o r He n ri B a t e o f ,

Ma li ne s m a d e in 1 2 7 3 o f L e livr e de s re v o luti o n s de
,
“

”
si ecl e o f wh o s e s ix cha pt e rs he tr an sl at e d o n ly f o ur ?
,

pr o b abl y a ppli e d t o a p a rt o f th i s w o rk .

A lb e rtus Ma gn us in th e S pe culum as tr o n o miae in listi n g ,

irr epr o a ch abl e w o rks o f a str o n o m y and a str o l o gy men ti o n s ,

“ ”
a B o o k o f Ex pe ri m en ts by Album as ar i n st ea d o f the Co n
j un cti o n s an d R e v o luti o n s al o n g with his F l ow er s and I n tr o
du c tio n ?
T h is b o o k o f ex p e ri m e nts by Album as ar i s o f te n
m e t with in th e m anu scripts It is a di ff e r en t a n d sh o r te r .

w o rk than t hat in e ight p a rts o n Co nj u ncti o n s but its e l f ,

1
S te in s chn e ide r p 47 . . CL M 5 1 , 148 7 , a n d 1 5 03 .
”
HL 2 1 . 499 5 03 —
. V ie n n a 2 43 6, 1 4t h f olc en tu r y,
8
S pe c a s tr o n cap 6
. He g i e s . . . v l o win g J o h n o f S p ai n s t r an s l atio n
’

t h e I n c ip it o f t h e E x p er im e n ts o f o f t h e I n tr o du c to r iu m m ag nu m at
“
A l bu m a s a r as S c ito h o r a m in t r o i f o l s 1 8 5 a n d a Liber m ag nar um
o

-
.

t us
”
w h ic h s e r e s t o ide n tify i t v c o niu n c tio n u m at fols 1 44 9 8 , .
-

w ith t he f o l l o w ing : c o m e s at f o l 2 42 , .Lib er e x p er i

A mp l o n Q u a r t o 3 6 5 , 1 2 th c en
. m e n to r um s e u C ap itul a s te lla r u m
t ur y , f o l s 1 - 18 , l ibe r e x p e r ime n
. o bl ata r e gi m agno S ar r a c en o r um
”
t o r um . ab A l bum a s o r e Th e . In cip it
“
A s h m o l e 3 69 - V 1 3 th c e n t u r y, h e r e is D is p o s it io e s t ut d iga m
”
f o l s 1 03 - 2 3 v,
. in c ip it l ibe r ab a r ie t e s ic in itium b ut the
in r e vo l utio n e a nn o r um m un di . t r eat is e is in c o m p l e te .

P e r f e ctus e s t l ibe r e x p e r im e n t o I n so m e M S a t O x f o r d whic h

r um I cann o t n o w ide n t if y t he F l o r es
A s h m o l e 3 93 , 1 sth c e n tu r y, f o l . o f A l bu m a s a r c l o se w ith th e s t ate

9 5 V , I t e m A l b u m a s a r d e r e vo l u m e nt t ha t t h e b o o of k
Exp e r i
t io n ibu s an n o r um m un di s i e d e v m en t s w il l f o ll o w
“
A diff e r e n t
.

e x p e r im e n t is h a n d t h e n a dd s The f o l l o w in g
E N 16 2 04 1 3 th c e n tu ry, pp 3 02
“
, . wo r k is A l bum azar o n th e r e o
”
v
333 , R e vo l utio a nn o r u m m un di l utio n s o f y ears , w h il e a t h ir d
P e r f ec tu s e s t l ibe r e x p e r i h an d a dds t he e xp l an atio n , A nd
me n to r u m A l bu m a s a r a c co r d in g t o s o me a uth o r itie s it
A r s e nal 880 , 1 sth c e ntur y, f o l 1 . a nd t h e b o o k
o f e x p e r im e n t s a r e
A r se na l 1 036 , i 4 th c en tur y, f o l . o n e, wh ich is t he c as e .

1 04V . I n s o m e MS S , h o w e e r , an o the r v
D ij o n 1 04 5 , 1 sth c e ntury, f ol . t r eat is e on r e o l ut io n sv ae co m

p a n ic s th e E x p er ime n ts In
Othe r
.

MS S E xp er i c o nt ain ing ~
A m p l o n Q ua r to 3 65 it is f o l
.

m e n ts o f A l bum as a r bu t w h e r e I l o w e d a t f o l s 1 8 -2 7 by S en ten cie

.

a m n o t s u r e o f th e w o r ding o f
'

d e r evo l u cio n e a n n o r u m, w hil e in

L a ud Misc 5 9 4 it is p r ec e de d a t
.

t h e I n c i p it a r e : . .

Lau d Mis c 5 94 , 14- 1 5 th c e n

. . f o l 1 06 by L i ber A l bu mas a r d e
.

t u r y, f o l 1 2 3 Libe r e xp e r ime n
. r e vo lu tio ni bus a n n or u m c o l l ec tus
t o r um . a fl o r ibus a n tiqu o r u m p hil os op ha
Ha r l e ian 1 , f o l s 3 1 -4 1 , de e x . r um wh ich is t h e s ame as th e
,

p e r im e n tis in r e vo l ut io ne ann o F l or e s .

r um m und i .
xxv111 A R A B I C O CC UL T S CI E N CE

d eal s with the subj e ct o f r e vo luti o n s I t is no t h o weve r .

, ,

t o be c o n f us e d wit h still an o t he r w o rk by A lbum as a r o n

r e vo luti o n s a s c o nn e cte d wit h n ativiti e s ?

A n o t he r w o rk o n a str o l o gy with w h ich th e n am e o i .

Album as ar is c o n n e ct e d is cit e d by m e di e v a l w rit e rs n o t ably ,

P e t e r o f A b an o ? a s A l bu mas a r in S a dan ( o r S a d am ) ,

an d is a ls o f o u n d in L a ti n m a n uscripts w h e r e it is a ls o
” 3
c all e d Ex ce rpts f r o m the S e cr e ts o f Album as ar S te in .

schne ide r r e ga rd e d the L ati n tr an sl a ti o n a s a s ho rt en e d o r

i nc om pl e te v e rsi o n o f an A r abic o rigi n al en titl e d al M uds a -

k ar e t o r Me mor a bilia by Abu S a id S chads an w h o wr o t e

’

, ,

d o w n th e an swe rs o f h is t each e r t o h is que sti o n s T he r e .

4

is als o a G r eek tex t en titl e d Mys ter ies wh ich di ffe rs co n

, ,

s ide ra bl y f r o m t he L a ti n a n d o f w h ic h S a d a n p e rh aps m a d e

use
5
. Th e L a ti n v e rsi o n m igh t be d e scrib e d a s a m iscel
l an e o u s c o ll e cti o n o f a str o l o gic a l t e ac h i n gs a n e cd o t e s a n d , ,

a ctu a l c a s e s o f A lbum a s ar g a th e r e d up by his discipl e s an d

s o me what re s emb l i n g L uthe r s Ta ble Tal k in f o r m ’

-
.

We hav e a lr ea dy allud e d to the tr eatis e o n w eathe r p r e

dicti o n by Albumas ar w hich wa s pri n te d with a si m il a r
1
T he dis t in c t io n b e tw ee n th e se Album a s ar in S a dan Dix it .

v k
ar io u s w o r s is m a d e qu it e c l e a r S adan , A udivi Al bu maya r dic e n
in E N 1 62 04 , i 3 th c e ntu r y, w h e r e t e m quo d o m n is it a viven t ium v
1 - 18 3 i s J o h n o f
’
at p p . S p ain s p o s t D e u m e s t s o l e t l un a
t r an s l at io n o f t h e L iber in tr o du c Ex p l ic iun t e x ce r p ta de s ecr e tis
tar tu s m a io r in e ig ht p a rt s ; a t A l bu m a s a r .

18 3 - 3 02 t h e C o nj u n c tio ns a l s o in
,
Ca t c o d . . a s tr a l . G r a ee . V , i,
e ig h t p ar t s ; a t 3 02 333 t h e R evo
-
1 42 ,q u o t e s f r o m a 1 st h c ent ury
l u tio a n n ar a m mu n di o r Libe r M S , E x p l ic iun t e x c e r p t a d e s ec
e xp e r ime n to r u m ; at 3 3 3 - 3 5 3 th e r e tis A l bu m a s a r is p e r S a d an dis
F l o r es an d at 3 5 3 -3 69 t h e D e r e v o
,
c ip ul u m c u i u s ( e iu s ? ) e t vocatur
”
_

lu tio n e a nn ar a m in r evo l u tio n e l ibe r A l bu m a s a r is in S a dan .

“
n a tivita tu m , w hic h o p e n s O mn e The t r e a t is e a c co r d ing , to
te mpu s br e ve es t o p e r a n di S te in s c hn e ide r 3 8 , is
6 -

At t h e s a m e t im e t h e E x p l ic it o f a l s o f o u n d in A m p l o n Q u a r t o 3 5 2 . .

t h is t r e at is e b e ar s w it n e s s t o t h e C L M 8 2 6, 14 th c e n t ur y w r itt e n ,

ea s e w ith w h ic h t h e s e w o r s o f k an d il l u m in a t e d in B o h e m ia , f o l s .

A l bum a s ar a r e c o n f u s e d f o r it ,
2 7 - 33 T r ac t at u s d e n at iv it atibu s ,
Z
,
“ “
wa s a t fi r s t w r itt e n , E xp l icit libe r D ix it a da n : a u d iv i A l bu m a z ar
a l bu mas a r d e r e vo lu ti o n e a nno dic e n te m
‘
r u m m u n di an d s o m e o th e r h a n d
, S t e in s c hn e ide r 36 3 8 .

ha s c r o s s e d o ut this l a s t w o r d a n d 6
C a t c od as tr o l G r a e e V , i
. . . .

I n V ie nn a M S 10 5 8 3 , i sth
“
s ub s t it ut e d n a tivita tis . 1 42 .

“ “
C o n cilia to r , Diff 1 5 6 . . c e n tu r y 9 9 f o l s , w e fi nd a
, . de
L au d Mis c 5 9 4 , 1 4 - 1 5 t h c en
‘ ”
. . r e v o l u t io n ibu s n a t ivit at um by
t u r y f o l s 1 3 7 -4 1 , Lib e r S a da n , s i e
, . v “
A l bum a s a r g r e co in l at in um .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

w o rk by Alk indi in 1 5 0 7 an d 1 5 4 0 an d als o o f t e n acco m ,

“
p an i c s it in the m an uscripts In th is b o o k o f r a i n s a cc o rd
.

” 1
in g to th e I n di a n s A lbum as a r i s v a r i o usly dis guis e d
u n d e r the n am e s o f G aph ar J a fa r an d I a f ar an d is c all e d , ,

a n I n di a n E gypti a n o r B a byl o n i a n I n h is L ati n t ran s l a ?

, ,

ti o n o f it Hugo S an cte lle ns is t ells h is p atro n the an tist e s

“
,

M ic hae l t ha t the tr e a tis e w a s writt en by G aphar an an ci en t

”
,

a str o l o ge r o f I n di a a n d h as si n c e b een a bbr e vi at e d by a

, .

T ille m u s o r Cile n ius o r Cyle n iu s Me rcurius ?

T o Japh ar
a ls o a ttribut e d a M in o r I s ag oga t o a str o n o m y in s ev e n l ec

tur e s o r s er m on es w h ic h A d e l a rd o f B ath is s a id to have

,

tr an slat e d f r o m the A r abic 4

.

We tu rn n ex t t o Co sta ben L uca o r Qust a ibn Lii qa o f

'

, ,

B aalb ek a n d e sp e ci ally to his tre atis e O n P hys ical Liga tur es

, ,

o r m o r e f ully Th e E pis tle c o nc e r ning I n ca n ta ti ons A dj ur a

, ,

tio ns a n d S us pe ns i o ns fr o m the N ec k
,
Th e sci e nti fi c i m .

p o rtan c e o f C o st a ben L uc a m ay be s een fro m the ci rc um

st an c e tha t the M echa nica o f He ro o f A lex an dri a o f w h ic h ,

th e G r e e k t e x t is f o r the m o st p a rt l o st h as be en pr e s e rv e d ,

in the A ra bic tra n sl ati o n w h ic h Co st a pr e p a r e d in 862 866 -

1
B N 7 3 16 , 1 sth c e ntu r y, $1 3 , iudic ia p r o ut I n do r um
3
l ibe r im br iu m s ec un do s I n do s T h e t e x t p r inte d in 1 5 07 a n d
a u th o r e J a f a r ; s o t o o B N 7 3 2 9 , Hug o s t r an s l at io n
’
1 5 40 is So .

1 st h c e nt u r y, $6 ; E N 7 3 1 6 2 16 , is B o dl e ian 463 ( B e r n ar d 2 4 5 6 )
“
d e m u tat io n e t e m p o r um s e c un 1 4 t h c e n tu r y , f o l s zo r 2 4 r ,
-
. In
d um I n do s , s e e m s , h o w e e r , t o be v c ip it libe r im b r iu m e dit um a I a f ar
an o t h e r an o n ym o u s t r e a tis e on as t r o l o g o et a l e n io e t m e r
t h e s a m e s u bj e c t P er h ap s th e
. c u r io ( Cil e n io M e rc u r io ) co r r ee
f o l l o w in g , a l th o ug h n o t s o l is t e d to .
”
v
S e e a l s o S a il e 1 5 ( B e r n a r d
in th e c a tal o g ue is by A lbu m a s a r
, . Lib e r im b r ium ab a n t iqu o
“
D igby 1 9 4 , f o l 1 47 v S ap ie n t es
. I n do r u m a s t r o l o g o n o m in e J a f ar
I n di d e p l uviis in dic a n t s e c u n dum e ditu s de in de a Cyl e n io Me r c u r io
,

l un a m , c o n s ide r a n t e s ip s iu s m an a bb r e v iatu s .

“
s io n e s quu m d o m in u s a s p e c t u s D igby 68 1 4 th
, c e n tu r y, f ol .

“
a s p ic it do m in u m v e l es t e i c o n 1 16 Y s ago g a m in o r J ap ha r is m a
j u n ctu s
2
. t h e m at ic i in a s t r o n o m ia m p e r Ad
C o r p u s Ch r is t i 2 3 3 , 1 3 - i sth h e l a rdu m B a t ho n ie n c e m e x A r a
c e n t u r y, f o l 12 2 .
J a p h ar p h il o b ic o s u m p t a Q u ic u n que p h il o s o
.

s o p h i e t a s t r o l o g i Ae g yp t ii Cu m .
p h ie s c ie n c ia m a l tio r e m s tudio
v
m u l t a e t a r ia de n u bium c o n g r e c o n s ta n t i in qu ir e r is
g a t io n e p r e ce p ta I n do r um t r a x it S l o a n e 2 03 0 f o l s 8 3 8 6v, a c
, .
-

a u c t o r i ta s c o r d in g to Ha s in s in EHR k
C o d C an tab Ii I 1 3 ,
. . I nc ip it - -
but m y n o te s , w hic h it is
l ib e r G a p h a r de t e m p o r is m u t a n o w t o o l a te t o v
e r if y, s u gg e s t
t o n e qu i dic it u r G ea z a r B ab il o t h at it is a f r a g m ent o cc up ying
i .

n i enS i s U ni e r s a
. v
as t r o no m iae l es s tha n a p age a t f o l 87 . .
654 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE ca n .

t he L iber de l iga tur is phys icis , a s he calls it is the s o urce

,

w he n c e he has bo rr o w e d st a t em en ts co n c e r n i ng gems as
c r ibe d to A rist o tl e an d D i o sc o rid e s .

O ur treatise is in the f o rm o f a r e ply by Co sta ben L uc a

“ ”
to s o m eo n e w ho m h e a ddr e ss e s a s d e a r e st s o n and who
h as a sk e d h im w h a t v a lidity t he r e i s in i n c an t ati o n s a dj ur a ,

ti o n s an d susp en si o n s f r o m o ne s ne ck and w hat the b o o ks

,
’

o f t he G r ee ks a n d I n di an s h a v e to s ay up o n t he s e matt e rs .

T he w o rdi n g o f Co st a s e pi stl e v ari e s c o n s id e r ably in the

’

pri n t e d e diti o n s o wi n g pr o b ably to c a re l e ss i n te rpr e t at io n

o f t he ma n uscripts o r c a r e l e ss c o pyi n g by the e a rli e r scribe s ,

but its gene r al t e no r is the s am e .

Co st a fi rst a ffi rm s t ha t a ll th e anci e nts h av e a gr ee d th at

the virtu e o f the m i n d a ff e cts the st at e o f the b o dy G a l en .

in p a rticul a r is c it e d a s t o the e ff e ct o f p a ssi o n s up o n h e alt h

an d the a dvis a bility o f th e p hysici an s c hee ri n g t h e m i n ds
’

o f gl o o m y p ati en ts e v en by r e s o rt t o d e c e pti o n t o a li m it e d

e x t e n t i f it s e em s n e c e s s a ry
, A p e r f e ct m i n d gen e rally go e s
.

with a p e r f e ct b o dy an d an i m pe r f e ct m i n d with an i m p e r
f e et b o dy a s is s ee n in the c a s e o f ch ildr e n o l d m en an d
, , ,

w o m en o r in the i nh a bit a n ts o f the i n t e m p e r a t e z one s

, ,

e ith e r t o rrid E th i o pi a o r th e f r o z e n n o rt h He r e o n e t ex t .

sp e ci fi e s S c o tl an d ( S c o tie ) an o the r S chytie w h ich i s pe r , ,

h a ps i nt en d e d f o r S cyth i a Co st a the r e f o r e a rgu e s t h at if

-
.

a n y o n e b e li e v e s t ha t a n i n c an t a ti o n will h e lp him he will a t ,

l ea st be b en efi t e d by his o wn c o n fi d en c e An d if a p e rs o n is .

c o n stan tly a f r a id t ha t i n c an t ati o n s m ay b e di r ect e d a gai n st

him he m ay e a sily f r e t h i m s e l f i nt o a f ev e r
,
Th is Co st a .
,

t hi nks w as w hat S o cr a t e s had in m i n d wh en he d e scrib e d

,

“
i n c an t ati o n s as w o rds d e c e ivi n g r ati o n al s o uls by t he ir in
”
t e r p r et a tio n o r by t h e f e a r t h e y pr o duc e o r by d e sp air .

A cc o rdi ng to A lbe r tus Magnus w ho e m bo di e s a go o d d eal,

o f C o st a s E pis tl e in h is Min e r a ls S o cr a t e s s a id m o r e f ully

’
,

t h at i n c ant ati o n s o r p e rh a p s b e tt e r e n chan tm ents w e re

, ,

m a d e in f o ur w ays n am ely by susp e n di n g o r bi n d i n g o n

, ,

o b j e cts by i m pr ec a ti o n s o r a d j ur ati on s by c ha ra cte rs and

, , ,

by i m age s ; and t ha t t he y d e me nt r a ti o nal s o uls s o tha t they

xxv11 1 AR AB I C O CC UL T S CI EN CE 65 5

f a ll i nto fea r an d d e sp a ir o r ris e t o j o y an d c o nfi d en c e ; an d

tha t thr o ugh t he s e a ccid ent s o f t he m i n d bo di e s a r e a lt e r e d
e i the r in t h e dir e cti o n o f h e a lth o r o f c h r o n ic i n fi r m ity
?

Co st a st a te s t h a t the m e dica l m e n o f I n di a b e li e v e t h at in
ca n ta t io n s a n d a dj u r a t io n s a r e b e n e fici a l B ut h e s ays n o th .

in g to i n dic at e t ha t t hey m uc h l e ss the G r e e ks o r h i m s e l f

, ,

hav e f a it h in th e effic a cy o f i n c a n t a ti o n s o r w o rds to w o rk

c han ge s in m a tte r per s e o r directly n o r d o e s he s ay any ,

th i n g to i n dica t e th a t d em o n s m ay be summ o n e d an d given

o rd e rs by t h is m e t h o d P e rh aps h is discussi o n o f i n c an t a
.

ti o n s i s a trifl e c o n strai n e d an d n o t suffici en tly o utsp ok en ,

but it is m o d e rat e an d sci e n tific an d s ho ws a f a i r d e gr e e o f

sc ep ticis m f o r t ha t p e ri o d e sp e ci ally whe n w e c o m pa r e it
,

wit h Alk in di s a ttitud e t o wards the p o w e r o f w o rds

’
.

Co st a ben L uc a s a ttitud e t o w a rd s s o rc e ry s eem s the

’

s ame as t o w a rds i n c an t ati o n s He c o nc lud e s h is discussi o n

.

o f t his p o i n t by a st o r y o f a c e rt a i n g r e a t n o bl e o f o u r

c o u ntry w ho ha d c o n v i n c e d h i m s e l f that he h ad be en b e
witc he d an d c o n s e qu e n tly b e c am e i m p o t e nt A f t e r va i n ly .

en d e a v o ri n g t o c o n vi n c e h im t h a t t h is w a s si m ply due t o

his i ma gi n ati o n Co st a d e cid e d t ha t t he re w as n o th i n g t o

,

do but hu m o r him in his d e lusi o n He t he r e f o r e sh o w e d

.

him a p a ss a ge in The B o o k of Cl e opa tr a w h ic h pr e scribe d

a s a n a p h r o disi a c t h e a n o i n ti n g o f t h e e n ti r e b o dy wit h t h e

ga ll o f a cr o w m i x e d wit h s e s am e T he n o bl e f o ll o w e d the
?

pre scripti o n an d ha d s o m uc h f a it h in it t ha t his i m agi n ary

c o mpl a i n t dis app ea r e d .

Fi na lly Co st a c o n sid e rs t he qu e sti o n o f the validity o f

am ul e ts o r liga tur e s a n d susp e n si o n s w h ic h w e h av e h e a r d
, ,

S o cr a t e s cl a ss wit h i n c a n t a ti o n s a dj ur a t io n s c h a ra ct e rs a n d
, , ,

i m age s Co st a s ays t hat h e ha s r e ad in m an y w o rks by the

.

a n ci e n ts t h a t o bj ects susp e n d e d f r o m the n e ck a r e p o t en t

n o t t h r o ugh t he ir n a tu r a l but t he i r o ccul t p r o p e r ti e s
,
He .

will n o t d en y t ha t t his m ay be s o but is i n cli ne d as b e fo r e ,

1
Min e r a l . I I, iii, 6 ( ed. B o r gn e t, w o r d : it is siz a m e l on in one t e x t,
V , 55 s es a m e l e o n i n an o th e r
.

“
I am n ot ce r ta i n as to th i s
 MA GI C AND EXP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

to a ttribut e the r e sult r a th er to the c o m f o rti n g e ffe ct w hic h

suc h th i n gs have up o n o n e s m i n d He pr oc ee ds ho w e v e r
’
.
, ,

t o list a n u m b e r o f susp en si o n s r e c o m m e n d e d by an ci en t
w rit e rs.

First he cit e s f r o m A rist o tl e in th e B o o k o f S t o n e s 3 ,

spu r i o us tr e atis e o f wh ich w e sh all h a v e m o r e to s ay in the

ch a pte r o n A rist o tl e in the m iddl e a ge s a n um b e r o f e x ,

am pl e s o f th e m a rv e l o us p o w e r s o f g e m s w o r n suspe n d e d

f r o m th e n e ck o r s e t in a r i n g up o n th e fi n g e r O n e augm e n t s .

t he fl o w o f s a liv a a n o t h e r c h e cks th e fl o w o f bl o o d
,
T he .

sto n e hyaci nt h en a bl e s its bea re r to p a ss s a fe ly t h r o ugh a

p e stil e n t r e gi on an d m ak e s h im ho n o r e d in me n s tho ughts
,
’

a n d pr o cur e s t h e gr an ti n g o f h is p e titi o n s by rul e rs T he .

e m e r a ld w a rds o ff e pil e psy whe r e f o r e w e o f ten pr e sc rib e

,

t o n o bl e s t hat t he ir c h ild r e n s h o uld w ea r t h is st o n e hu n g

”
a b o ut t h e n e ck l e st t h e y i n cu r t h is i n firm i ty .

Co st a a ls o cit e s s o m e r e c o mm e n d a ti o n s o f liga tur e s a nd

susp en si o n s f r o m G a l e n such a s curi n g st o m a ch ache by
,
-

susp en di n g c o ra l ab o ut th e n e ck o r a bd o m e n o r th e dun g ,

o f w o lv e s w h o ha v e e at en b o n e s w h ich s ho uld pr e fe r a bly

,

be bo u n d o n with a t h r e a d m a d e f r o m the w o o l o f a s hee p

e a t e n by t h at w o l f T o D i o sc o rid e s a r e a ttribut e d suc h
.

a m ul e ts a s th e t e e t h o f a m a d do g w h o h a s bit a m an w h ic h ,

will s a f e gu a rd t he ir w ea re r f r o m e v e r be i n g s o bitte n
a n d it w o uld be s o m e w ha t o f a c o i n cid e n c e if he w e r e ,

a n d t he s e e d o f wild s a ff r o n w h ic h he ld in th e h an d o r w o r n
,

a b o ut t he n e ck is go o d f o r the sti n gs o f sc o rpi o n s The

, .

I n di an s a r e cit e d f o r w ha t is a r e cip e r a t h e r t han an am ul e t

-

s te r eu m pha n tinum
e le cu m melle mix tum et in vu lva

mulier is positu m na mgn am per mittit p s m

co n ci er e
o e . An d
s ay t h a t a w o m a n w h o spits t h ric e in a f r o g s m o ut h will
’

n o t c o n c e iv e f o r a y e a r A n u m b e r o f o t h e r e x am pl e s ar e
.

give n wit ho ut m e n ti o n o f any p a rticul a r autho rity S o m e .

o f t he m , i n d e e d a r e v e ry fam ili a r an d c o uld be f o u n d in

,

m an y a uth o rs a n d w e s hall m e e t t he m in o t h e r c o n t ex ts
, .

Co st a c o n clud e s by s a yi n g t hat h e h i m s e l f ha s n o t t e st e d
t he s e st at em en ts ex tra ct e d f r o m the w o rks o f the anci e nts ,
 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

an d i n dee d w e fi n d ve ry si m il ar vi e ws in his P an tegni an d 1

in his tr e atis e O n Me l an ch o ly Th e w o rk h as a ls o be e n a s .

c r ibe d t o A u gu sti n e
2
I s aa c A vic e nn a A l ex a n d e r N eck am
3 4
, , ,

T ho m a s o f Can t im p r é a n d A lb e rtus Magn us ,

?
A di ff e r e n t
w o rk with a si m il a r titl e an d s o m e w hat s i m il a r c o nt en ts is
th e D e s pir itu e t an ima w h ich is pri n t e d with th e w o rks ,

o f A ugusti n e but w h ich cit e s such lat e r a ut ho rs as B o e

t hiu s I sid o r e B e d e A lcui n S t B e r n a rd a n d Hugh o f S t
, , , , .
, .

Vict o r t o wh o m a ls o it h as b ee n a ttribute d
,
?
T ho m a s
A q ui n a s c a ll e d it th e w o rk o f an a n o n ym o us Cist e rci a n 8
.

But to r etur n t o o ur tr eatis e .

Co st a be n L uc a has a s w e hav e h i n t e d s o m e div e rti n g

, ,

p a ss age s in the fi e lds o f physi o l o gica l psych o l o gy He be .

l ieve s in th e ex ist e n c e o f s pir itus wh ic h is n o t spirit in o ne ,

“ ”
o f o u r s e n s e s o f t h a t w o rd bu t a subtl e b o dy u nlik e the
, ,

s o ul w h ic h is i n c o rp o r e a l T his s ubtl e s pir itus p e ris he s w hen

.

sep a ra t e d f r o m the b o dy an d it o p e rat e s m o st o f the vit al

pro c e ss e s o f the b o dy such a s br e athi n g a n d th e pulse s en s a ,

ti o n an d mo v em ent T he t wo f o rm e r pr o c e ss e s ar e o p e r at ed
.

“
by s pir itus a risi n g f r o m the he a rt a nd b o rne in the pul s at
”
ing v e i n s t o vivi f y th e b o dy T he tw o l a tt e r pr o c e ss e s a r e
.

c aus e d by s pir itus w hich a ris e s f ro m the bra i n an d o p e rat e s

thr o ugh the n e rve s T hus s pir itus is the c aus e o f li f e in
.

the b o dy an d it l e av e s t h is m o rt a l f r am e wit h o u r dyi n g

gasp The cl ea r e r an d m o r e subtl e t his s pir itus is the mo re
.
-
,

r ea dily it le n ds it s e l f to m en t a l pr o c e ss e s w h il e the m o r e ,

p e r fe ct the hu man b o dy the m o re p e r f e ct the s pir itus an d

,

th e h u m an m i n d Hen c e the i nt e ll e ctu al p o w e rs o f c h ildr en

.

a n d w o m e n a r e i n fe ri o r a n d t he s a m e is tru e o f r a c e s sub
,

x c e ssiv e h e a t o r c o ld lik e the E t h i o pi an s o r S l a vs

j ec t e d t o e .

1
Th eo r ica, III , 1 2 . de diff e r e nc ia s p ir itu s e t a n im e
.
.

l‘
11
Co r p us Ch r is t i 1 5 4, l ate 1 3 th S o s a y s Co x e , a n en t Co rp us
c e nt u r y, pp 3 5 6 7 4 , a s c r ib e d t o
.
-
Ch r is t i 1 14 , a n d S t e in sc hn e ide r
Au g u s tin e in bo th T it ul u s a n d p .
43 .

E x p l ic it .
°
Mign e
,
P L 4 , 7 7 9 83 2
0 -
.

3
S . Ma r c o 1 7 9 , i 4th ce n tu r y, 7
B y T r ith e m ius ; bu t e a r l ie r s o
f o l s 5 7 - 9 , 83 L ibe r Y s a ac d e d if
.
,
c it e d by V in c e n t o f B e a u va is
f e r e n tia s p ir itu s e t a n im a e . ( PL 4 0, 7 7 9 S e e al s o Ex o n .

‘
v
CU G o n il l e a n d Ca iu s 1 09 , 23 , i t h c e nt u r y
3 f ol 196 V, . .

13 th c en tu ry, f o l s 1 6 v,
“
A ic enn a
.
-
v Mi gn e , PL 40, 7 7 9 -80 .
xxv1 11 A RA B I C O CC U L T S CI EN CE

He re w e h av e th e s am e v i ews r e pe at e d a s in the E pis tl e c on

cer n ing I n can ta tio n S o m e ph ysici an s an d ph il o s o p h e rs
.

th i n k t ha t the r e a r e tw o v e s se ls in t he h ea r t an d that t he re
is m o re s pir itus t ha n bl o o d in th e l e f t han d v e ss e l a n d m o r e
bl o o d than s pir itus in t h e right h an d v e ss e l T he s pir itus
.

in the br a i n be c o m e s m o r e subtl e a n d apt t o re c e iv e the

vi r tu e s o f the s o ul by its p a ss age f r o m o n e ca vity o f the
br a i n to ano ther T he l e ss subtl e s pir itus the bra i n us e s
.

”
f o r t h e fi ve se n s e s ; Co st a sp e a ks o f ho ll o w n er ve s f r o m
the br a i n t o the eye t h r o ugh w h ic h the s pir itus p a ss e s f o r
the purp o s e o f visi o n T he m o st subtl e s pir itus is e m pl o ye d
.

in the h igh e r m e nt al pr o c e ss e s suc h a s i m agi n ati o n m em o ry , ,

an d r e a s o n.

Co st a b en L uc a giv e s a n am usi n g ex pl a n a ti o n o f h o w
t he se pr o ce ss e s tak e pl ac e in t he br a i n T he o p en i n g b e
.

tw ee n the an t e ri o r a n d p o st e ri o r v en tricl e s o f the br a i n is

“
cl o s e d by a s o rt o f v alv e whic h he d e scribe s a s a p ar ticl e
o f the b o dy o f t he br a i n si m il a r t o a w o r m
”
. W he n a m a n
is in the a ct o f r e c alli ng s o m ethi n g to m emo ry th is v a lv e ,

o p e n s an d t h e s pir itus p a ss e s f r o m t he a n t e r i o r t o t he p os

te r io r c avity . Mo r e o v e r th e sp e e d wit h w hic h this v a lve

,

w o rks o r r e sp o n ds di ff e rs in di ff e r e n t br a i n s a n d th is f act
,

e x pl a i n s w hy s o m e m e n a r e o f sl o w m e m o r y a n d w hy o t h e rs

a n sw e r a qu e sti o n s o m uch s o o n e r T h e h a bit o f i n cli n i n g

.

t he h ea d w h e n d e ep in c o git a ti o n is a ls o t o be e x pl a i n e d

as t en di n g to O p e n th is va lve Ho w e ve r the r e la ti v e
.
,

subtlety o f the s pir itus is a n o the r i m p o rt an t f a ct o r in i n t e l

l e ctu al ability .

O the r m e di e val w rit e rs di ff e re d s o m e w ha t f ro m t he s e

vi ews o f Co st a be n L uc a a s to the n a tur e o f s piri tus a n d
the c aviti e s o f th e br a i n Fo r i n st a n c e Co n st a n ti n us
.
,

A f ric anus in his tr e a tis e O n M e lan ch o ly st at e s t h a t the

s pir itus o f th e br a i n is c a ll e d the r a ti o n a l s o ul w h ic h i s
,

i nco n sist en t with th e disti n cti o n dr aw n be twe en s o ul an d

spirit in the o t her trea tise I n th e e l e ve n t h c en tury both
.

Co n st an ti nus in his P an tegn i an d A na to my o r D e humana

 MA G I C AN D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C HA P .

n a tur a,
1
an d P e tr o cel lu s the S a l e rn it an in his P r a c tica ; 2
in
th e tw e l f th c e n tury b o th Hild e ga rd o f Bi n gen a n d the 3

P s e ud o A ugusti n i a n L iber de s pir i tu e t an ima ;

- 4
in th e -

th irt ee n t h c en tury b o th B a rt h o l o m e w o f E n gl an d w ho ,

s eem s to cite Jo h an n itiu s ( Hun a i n ibn I sh ak ) o n th is p o i n t 5

,

an d Vi n c e n t o f B e a uv a is a gr e e t h a t t he br a i n h a s t h r e e m a i n

c aviti e s T he first is phan t a stic f r o m wh ich th e sen se s ar e

.
,

c o n tro ll e d w he re the s e n s a ti o n s a r e r e gist e r e d an d w he r e

, ,

t he pr o c e ss o f i ma gi n a ti o n go e s o n The m iddl e c e ll is .

l o gic a l o r r ati o n a l an d t he r e the f o r m s r ec e iv e d f r o m the

,

s en s es an d i m a gi n ati o n a r e ex am i n e d an d j udge d T he .

th ird c e ll r e t ai n s s uc h f o r m s a s p a ss th is e x am i n ati o n an d
“
s o is th e s e a t o f m e m o ry T h e P s e ud o A ugusti n e h o we v e r
.
-
, ,

r e pre s en ts it f urthe r a s th e s o urc e o f m o t o r a cti v ity Co n .

s t an t in u s a n d Vi n c e n t o f B e a uv a i s w h o qu o t e s him in th e ,

t hirte en t h c e n tury f urthe r disti n guis h the p han t a stic c avity

,

as h o t a n d dry t he l o gic a l c e ll a s c o ld a n d m o ist a n d th e

, ,

s e a t o f m em o ry as c o ld an d dry Mo r eo v e r the ph an t a stic .

,

c ell w h ic h m ultipli e s f o rm s c o n t a i n s a gr ea t d e al o f s pir itus

a n d v e r y littl e m e dull a w h il e th e c e ll o f m e m o r y w h ic h r e
,

t a i n s the sm all e r n um b e r o f f o r m s s e l e ct e d by r ea s o n c o n
t a i n s m uc h m e dull a an d littl e s pir itus T hus the gen e r al .

p o i n t o f vi e w o f t he s e o the r aut ho rs r e s em bl e s t hat o f Co st a

be n L uc a d e spit e th e div e rge n c e f r o m h im in d e t a ils T hey .

pe r haps a ls o o w e s o m e t h i n g to Augusti n e w ho in his gen ui ne ,

w o rks sp e aks o f th e th r ee c e lls o f the br a i n but m ak e s the

1 6
B o th p a s s a g e s w e r e e x c e r p t e d S im il a r l y E G B r o w n e . .

by V in c e n t o f B e au a is , S p e c u v p 12 3 , w r it in g o f A r a bian m e di
.

l u m n a tu r a le , XXI X, 4 1
”
. e m e a n d A i ce nn a , s a y s , v “
Co r r e
D e R e n z i ( 1 8 5 2 - 9 ) I V , 1 89 ; s p o n d in g w it h th e fi v e e x t e r n al
P e t r o c el l u s is v
e r y b r ie f o n t h e s en s e s t a s te ,
, to uc h , h e a r ing ,
c e ll s o f t h e b r a in . s m e ll in g an d s e e in g
,
a r e th e fi ve ,
“
S in g e r p p 4 5 a nd 5 1 , . in t e r n a l s e n s e s o f w hic h t h e fi r s t
,

h a s n o t e d t h a t Hil d e g a r d s d e th e c o m p o un d s en s e
’
an d s ec o nd ,

s c r ip t io n o f t h e b r a in a s di ide d v ‘
( o r s e n s u s co mm un is ) a n d th e
’

in t o t h r e e c h a mb e r s is a n t ec e de d im agina t io n a r e l o cat e d in t h e an
,

by th e L i ber d e h u ma n a n a tu r a
“
t e r io r v
e n t r ic l e o f t h e b r a in ; t h e
o f Co n s ta n t in u s a n d c o n ta in e d
, in t hir d a n d f o u r th th e c o - o r din a t ,
”
t h e w r it in g s o f S t A ug u s t in e. . in g a n d e m o t io n a l f a c ul tie s , in th e
‘
P L 4 0 7 9 5 c ap 2 2
, , . . m id b r a in ; a n d th e fi f th, th e m e m
-

ls ”
D e pr o pr ie ta tibus r er um, II I , o r y , in t h e h in d br a in
-
G a le n h a d .

10 a nd 1 6 ; V , 3 . s o m e w h a t s im ila r ide as .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

p o i n ts w e r e c e le br at e d as fe stiva ls T h e y o bs e rv e d the ?

ho us e s an d st ati o n s o f th e pl ane t s t h e i r risi n g s an d s e tti ngs , ,

c o nj u ncti o n s an d o pp o siti o n s a n d rul e o v e r c e rt ai n ho ur s ,

o f the day a n d n igh t S o m e pl a n e ts w e r e m a sculi n e o t he rs

?
,

f em i n i ne ; s o m e lucky o the rs u n lucky ; the y w e r e r e late d

3
,

t o di ff e r e n t m et a ls ; the di ff e r en t m e m b e rs o f t he hu man
4

b o dy w e r e pl ac e d u n d e r di ffe r en t sign s o f th e z o di ac ; 5

an d in g en e ra l e a c h pl an e t h ad its o wn a ppr o pri at e fi gur e s

an d f o r m s a n d rul e d o v e r c e rt a i n cli m at e s
,
r e gi o n s and , ,

t h in gs in natur e Mo st o f t his h o w eve r is a str o lo gical

.
, ,

c o m mo n pl ac e w hethe r o f p agan s Mo ham m e d an s o r Ch ri s , ,

ti an s N o r w e r e the S a bi an s p e culi ar in a ss o ci ati n g in

.

t ellectual subst a n c e s o r spirits wit h the pl an e ts ?

It w as
o n ly in w o rs h ipi n g t h e s e an d d e n yi n g th e e x i st en c e o f o n e

G o d a nd in t he ir pr actic e o f s a crifici a l divi nati o n that th e y

c o uld be disti n guishe d as h eath en o r p agan Ho w ev e r they .
,

s eem to have d e v o t e d a ra th er u n u s u al am o un t o f att enti o n

to a str o l o gy an d o the r f o rm s o f ma gic suc h as o r a cul a r
heads m a gic k no ts and fi gu r e s an d s eal ri n gs c arv e d
8
,
9
,
-

with p eculi a r an i m al fi gure s T he s e l ast t h ey o f ten buri ed .

with the d ea d f o r a ti m e in o rd e r to i n cr eas e the ir virtue ?0

Th e bit a t a ny rat e se em s to have prid e d h i m s e l f up o n

, ,

b e i ng a d e scen d an t o f p a gan an ti quity In a p a ssage pr ais .

ing h is n ativ e t o w n he s a id
“
We a re the he i rs and p o st erity ,
” 11
o f heat h e n is m a n d h e d e scrib e d wit h v en e r a ti o n a rui n e d
,

G r e ek t em pl e at An ti o ch 12
He had ho w e ve r s o m e r e ligi o u s
.
, ,

dis agreemen t with the S a bi an s o f Ha rran and w as fi nally

f o rc e d to l ea ve 13
He m et a phil o s o p he r wh o t o o k him to
.

B agd a d whe r e he b ec am e o n e o f the Ca liph s a str o n o m e rs ’

an d f o un d e d th e r e a S abi an c o m m u n ity t o his o wn t a st e .

‘ u
Chw o l s o n , I I, 3 86 9 7 , 5 00, 5 2 5 , -
Q u o t e d byB is h o p G r e go r y
53 0 , 676 . B a r - h e b r ae u s in his S yr ia n C hr o n
3
I bid , I 7 3 7
.
, . ic l e : Chw o l so n , I , 1 7 7 -8 0 .

“ 1“
I bid , I I 3 0, 3 7 3
.
, . Ch w o l s o n , I , 1 9 5 ; I I , 62 3 .

‘ ”
I bid I I 4 1 1 , 65 8, 83 9
.
, . I bid , I , 4 82 -3. .

l’ “
I bid I I , 2 5 3 . A ga in th er e s e e m s t o be u n
°
I bid I , 7 3 8
.
, . c e r t a in ty a s t o da te s , s inc e th e
’
I bid 1, 7 33 4
.
,
-
. A r abic s o u r c e s n am e a cal ip h wh o
“
I bid I I , 19 , 148 , 1 5 0
. . w a s n o t c o n t e m p o r a r y w ith the
“
I bid I I , 2 1 , 1 38 -9 .
p h ilo s o p he r in qu es tio n : Chwo l
m
I bid , I , 5 2 6 ; II , 14 1
. . s o n, 1, 5 48 -9 .
 XXVI I I A R AB I C O CCUL T S CI EN CE 6 63

His u me r o us re ligi o us writi ngs s ho w the value wh ic h he

n ~

att ac h e d t o v a ri o us S abi a n us a g e s a n d ri te s : c e r e m o n i a l s

at buri als h o urs o f pr ay e r ru l e s o f pu r i ty an d i m purity

, ,

a n d c o n c e rn i n g t h e a n i m a ls t o be s a crific e d r eadi n gs in ,

h o no r o f the di ff e r e n t pl an ets ?

T he bit w a s a writ e r o f e n cycl o p e dic r a n ge an d tr an s

lat e d f r o m t he G r e ek i nt o A r a bic o r S yri ac such autho rs
2

a s A p o ll o n ius A rc h i m e d e s A rist o tl e E uc lid Hipp o cr at e s

, , , , ,

an d G a le n He w a s f a m e d ab o v e all as a p h il o s o ph e r
.
“ ” 3
,

but m o st o f his ph il o s o ph ic al w o rks a r e l o st but s o m e ge o ,

me tric a l tr e atis e s by him a r e ex t a n t a n d a w o rk o n w e ights ,

a pp ea r s in L a ti n tr a n sl a ti o n A g r o up o f f o u r a str o n o m ic a l
?

treatis e s by him al s o o ccurs with f a ir f re qu en cy in m e di ev a l

m an usc r ipts ?
O n the b a sis o f th e s e sp e ci m e n s o f his a s
t r o n o my De l a m br e wa s n o t m o v e d t o a ssign him a n y gre at
pl ace in the h ist o ry o f the sci en ce ; Chw o ls o n o bj e cts t hat
t hey ar e to o bri e f t o do him j us t ic e but t hey a r e pr o bably
7
,

the cr eam o f his o w n c o n tributi o n s to the sub j e ct o r the

m iddl e a ge s w o uld n o t hav e tr an sl ate d an d pr e s e rv e d them
s o s e dul o usly .

What e ve r T he bit s c o ntributi o n s to p o sitive k n o wl e dge

’

m ay o r m ay n o t ha v e b ee n t her e is n o dispute a s t o t he f act

,

that he w a s giv en to o ccult sci en ce an d e ven sup e rstiti o n .

His attitud e t o wa rds a lc h e my i nd ee d is d o ubt f ul as a , , ,

w o rk o f alchem y is a scribe d to him in o n e m an uscript o f

“
l
C h w o l so n , I , 4 8 5 Ch w o l s o n
. Ha r l e ian 13 , fol . 1 18 Th e bit
p e r h a p s l a y s him s e l f o p e n a l itt l e v
d e m o t u o c t a e s p e r e ; f o l 1 2 0v .

t o t h e c h a r g e o f a r g u in g in a c ir L ibe r Th e bit h b e n C o r a th d e h is
’
c l e , s in c e T h e b it s w r it in g s a r e h is q ui in dig e n t e x p o s it io n e a n te
m ain s o ur ce co nc e r n ing S abian q ua m l e g it u r A l m a g e s tu m ; 1 2 3
is m . Lib e r T h eb it d e ym ag in at io n e
3
I bid , I , 5 5 3 -64 , f o r a l is t o f h is
.
sp er e et c ir c u l o r u m e iu s di e r v
t r an s l a t io n s o f , e x t ra c t s f r o m , a nd s o r um ; 1 2 4v L ib e r T h e b ith de
c o mm e n t a r ie s up o n G re e wo r s k k . q ua n t itatibus s te l l a r um e t p l ane
3 t ar um
I bid I , 484
.

, .
A l s o in Ha r l 6
3 47 , .$ 1 1 -
14 ;
‘
B N 102 60 , i 6th c en tur y, In Tan n e r 1 9 2 , i 4 th c e n tur y f ol , .

c ip it l ibe r K ar a s t o n i d e p o n de r i 1 03 E N 7 1 9 5 i 4 t h c e n tur y, $12

,

bu s e ditu s a Th e bit 1 5 ; Ma g l ia be c h XI - 1 1 7 , 1 4 t h c e n
.

h lio Co r e .Al s o in B N 7 3 7 7 B , 14 t u r y ; C U L 1 7 6 7 ( I i I I I , 3 ) 12 7 6 .

1 st h c e n t u r y, $3 ; 7 42 4 1 4t h c e n
, A D , f o l s 86 9 6 ; a n d m a ny o th e r
. . .
-

t ur y, $6 ; V ien n a 5 2 03 , 1 sth c e n MS S .

“
t ur y, f o l s 1 7 2 80
.
-
Fo r o th e r M S S
. D e l a mb r e ( 1 8 19 ) 7 3 .

s e e B j or nb o ( 1 9 1 1 ) 1 4 0
1
. C hw o l s o n, I , 5 5 1 .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

u t t c en tury an d s o me n o t es a gai nst the ar t in

t h e f o r ee n h
a n o the r But o f his a d he si o n to a str o l o gy t he r e is n o
?

d o ubt ? an d Chw o ls o n n o t e s his i n t e r e st in the m ystic p o w e r

o f l e tt e rs a n d m a i c c o m bi n a ti o n s o f t he m ? But t he o n e
g
o u t s t a n di n g e x am pl e o f h is o ccult sci e n c e is his tr ea tis e o n

i ma ge s wh ic h se em s to hav e b een a f av o rit e wit h the L ati n

,

m iddl e a ge s si n c e it a pp e a rs to ha ve b e en tr a n sl at e d i n t o
,

L ati n twic e by A d e la r d o f B at h a n d by J o hn o f S e v ill e

,
4 5
,

B N 65 1 4 , $10, Th e bit de a l c hy n o m iae fue r it U ndo ubte dly

1

mia ; A m p l o n Q ua r t o 3 1 2 , w r it t e n t h e t w o w e r e th e s am e .

v
.

be f o r e 1 32 3 A D fol . 2 9,
.
,
.
5
Of J o hn of S e ill e
’
s t r an s l at io n
N a tu l e Th e bith c o n tr a a l c him ia m . th e MS S ar e more n um e r o u s . Th e
2
A wor k
o n j udg m e n t s is a s f o l l o w in g w ill s e r e a s a r e p r e v
c r ib e d t o h im in a Mu n ic h M S , s e n ta t ive . R oy al 1 2 - C-XV II I,

C L M 5 88 , 14th c en tu r y, f o l 1 89 . 14 t h ce n t u r y, f o l s 1 0v - 1 2 r ,
. D ix it
Th e bit e s de iu dic iis , f o l l o w e d by, t he byt h b e n co r a t e t dix it a r is t o
‘

2 2 0 L ibe r iudic ia l is P t o l o m e i, 2 3 3 t e l e s qu i p hil o s o p hia m e t g e o m e t

L i be l l a s d e iu diciis and 2 38 , r ia m e x er cet et o mnem sc ie n
M o dus iu dica n di
'
T h e t r e atise
. t ia m l e g it e t ab a s t r o n o m ia va
o n fi f t e e n s ta r s , fi f t e e n h e r b s , a n d e nu s f u e r it c r it o ccup at u s et
fi f t e e n s to n e s , w h ic h a s w e h a e v vac uu s q u o d d ig n io r g e o m e t r ia e t
s e e n is u s u al l y a sc r ibe d t o He r m e s a l tio r p h il o s o p h ia e s t y m ag inu m
o r E n o c h , is at t r ibu t e d t o T h e b it s c ie n tia . Ex p l ic it t r a c tatu s de
in a t l e a s t o n e M S , E N 7 3 3 7 , p ag e im ag in ib us T h e bith B e n c o r at h
12 9 t r a n s l at u s a I o ha n n e Hy s p a l e n s i
a t qu e L im ie n s i in Lim ia e x A r a
3
1. 5 5 1 .

L yo n s 3 2 8, f o l s 7 0-7 4 , L ibe r bico in L a tin um

4
S it l a us deo
.

p r es tig io r u m Th e b i dis ( E lbidis ) m ax im o .

s e c un d u m P t o l e m e u m e t He r m e T his is th e v
e r s io n c it e d by
t em p e r A d he l a r du m b a t h o n ie n Mich ae l S c o t in his L iber I n tr o
“
s em t r an s l a tu s , o p e n in g Q ui , d u c t o r iu s ( B o d l e ian 2 66 , f o l 2 00 ) .

c un qu e g e o m e t r ia a t qu e p h il o s o p ia v
wh e r e h e g i e s t h e I n c ip it , D ix e
p e r itu s a s t r o”n o mia e e x p e r s f u e r it r unt e n im th e b ith b e n c h o r a th e t
o c io s u s e st . I n th is M S t he a r is t o t e l e s q uo d s i q u is p hil o s o
“
t re a t is e c l o s e s w it h th e w o r ds , ut p h ia m e t c , s ub s tan tia lly a s
.

p r es t ig io r u m a r t if e x f ac ul tat e a bo e v .

n o n d e c idat . T h is s e e m s t o b e B ut n o w c o m e s a g o o d j o e on k
the o nly MS k
n o w n w h e r e the Al be r tu s , w h o h as l is te d a m o ng
t r a n s l at io n is a s c r ibe d t o A d e l ar d
g ood a s t r o n o m ic a l b oo s of k
o f B a th I t s e e m s t o ha e o n c e v i m ag e s ( S p e c u lu m as tr o n o mia e ,
k
.

v
b e e n p ar t o f A r a n c h e s 2 3 5 1 2 th , c ap x i , B o r g n e t , p 64 2 ) t h e w o r
.

”
.

c e n t u r y, w h e r e t h e s a m e t itl e is of T he b it h e b en c h o r a th o p en
“
l is te d in t he ta bl e o f c o n t e nt s . in g D ix it A q ui p h il o s o p h i
.

k
Ha s in s , in E HR ( 1 9 1 1 ) 4 9 5 , f a il s am w hic h o f co ur s e is t h at
t o ide nt if y t h e w o r , c a l l in g it
“ ”
k j us t m en t io n e d T h us h e c o n
.

a t r e at i s e o n h o r o s c o p es I t is . de m n s o n e t r a n s l at io n o f t h e s am e
t o b e n o t e d , h o w e e r , t h at A l v k
bo o a n d ap p r o e s the o th e r ; is v
b e r tu s Ma g nu s in l is t in g b a d n e c v
h e p e r h ap s h a ing s o m e f un a t
k
r o m a n t ic b o o s o n im a g e s in t h e t h e e x p e n s e o f t h e o pp o n e n t s o f
S p e cu lu m a s tr o n o m ia e ( c ap x i, . b o th a s t r o l o gy a n d n e c r o m a n c y
?

B o r g n e t X, 6 4 1 ) g i e s th e s a m e
, v I t wil l b e n o ted t h a t it is A r is
I n c ip it f o r a l ibe r pr a es tig io r u m to t l e , r a th e r t h an He r m e s o r
by He r m e s , Q u i g e o m e t r iae a ut
“
P t o l e m y w h o is c it e d at t he s ta r t
,

p h il o s o p hiae p e r itu s , e x p e r s a s tr o v
in J o hn o f S e il le s tr an s l atio n
’
I .
 MA GI C AND E XP E RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

u onp wh ic h the y ar e e ngra v e d is u n i mp o rt an t a n d t hat l e ad ,

o r t in o r br o n z e o r go ld o r silv e r o r w ax o r m ud o r an y

thi n g yo u pl e a s e will do T he e ss e n ti al t hi n g an d the p e r

.

f e ct io n o f m a ste ry is c a r e f ul c o n fo r m ity to a s tr o l o gic al

c o n diti o n s T h is sci en c e o f i mage s is i n d ee d a s A rist o tl e
.
,

a n d P t o l e m y h a v e t e stifi e d th e a c m e o f a str o l o gy
, N ev e r .

t he l e s s a f t e r the i m a ge h a s b ee n pr o p e rly c o n struct e d t he r e

, ,

i s usu ally s o m e no n a str o l o gical c e r em o n y to b e exe cute d in

-

c o nn e cti o n with it wh ic h s a vo rs o f m a gic O ft en the i m age .

is to be buri e d n o t h o w ev e r in a gr ave a s in the c a s e o f

,

t he an ci e n t curs e s up o n l e a d t a bl e ts but in t he h o us e o f
,

s o m eo ne c o n c e r ne d O n c e tw o i m a ge s ar e to be pl ace d f aci n g
.

e a ch o t h e r a n d wr a pp e d in a cl e an cl o th b e f o r e bu r yi n g

t hem I nstructi o n s a re a lso given as to the dire cti o n in

.

w h ich the p e rs o n bu r yi n g the i m a ge sh ou ld f ac e Als o .

f o rm s o f w o rds a r e pr e scrib e d w h ich a r e to be r ep eat e d a s

the i ma ge is buri e d O n c e t he n am e o f t he p e rs o n whom
.

“
it is d e sire d to i nj ure is t o be writt e n with n am e s o f ha t e
o n the ba ck o f the i m age Am o n g the o b j e cts supp o s e d
.

t o be ac h i eve d by suc h i m a ge s a r e drivi n g o ff sc o rp i o n s de ,

s tr o yi n g a giv en r e gi o n c a usi n g m is f o rtu n e s t o h app e n t o

,

o th e rs , re co v e ry o f st o l en o b j ects succ e ss in busi ne s s o r

,

p o litics pr o t e cti o n fr o m p o ssibl e i nj u r y a t the hands o f

,

th e ki n g o r the c a usi n g o f an e n em y s d eat h by b r i n gi n g

’

h im i nt o di s f a vo r with th e m o n a rc h T he treatis e cl o s e s
.
,

a t l ea st in t h e pri n t e d t e x t wit h a
,
n a d m issi o n o f it s es s en
“
t ially m a gic c ha r act e r by s ayi n g ,
An d t his i s w h at G o d
t he h igh e st wish e d t o r e v eal to his s e r van ts c o n ce r n i n g

m a gic t ha t His n am e m ay be ho no r e d an d pr a is e d an d ev e r
,

e x a lt e d thr o ugh th e a ge s But n o m en ti o n is ma d e o f

.

“
d em o n s u nl e ss an i n structi o n t o n ame o ne i mage by a
, ,

”
f am o us nam e a llud e s to s o me spirit .

We sh all n ow c o n clud e th e pr e s ent survey with s ome

a cc o u n t o f R a sis an d his writi n gs wit h the e x c e pti o n o f a
,

n u mb e r o f bo o k s o f e x p e ri m e n ts a scrib e d t o h im but w h ich ,

it i s i mp o ssibl e to se p a r a t e fr o m th o s e as crib e d to G a l en
xxv111 A R AB I C O C C UL T S CI EN CE

an d o t her a ut ho rs an d o f w h ich w e shal l tr eat l at e r u n d e r

,

the he a d o f suc h ex p e r i m e n t a l li t e r a tur e .

The f ull n am e o f R a sis o r R h a z e s w a s Abu B akr

Muham m ad ibn Z ak ariy a a r R azi the l a st w o rd i n dic ati ng
1 -
,

h is birt hpl a c e in P e rsi a T he da t e o f h is birth is u n c e rt a i n

.
,

p e rh aps ab o ut 8 5 0 He di e d in 9 2 3 o r
. F o r the f acts
o f h is li f e w e a r e d e p e n d e n t up o n tw o A r abic writ e rs o f
“ ”
the t h irt ee nt h c en tury w ho do li t tl e e x c e pt t e ll o n e g o o d
3

st o ry a f t e r ano the r a bo ut him o r qu o t e h is f am o us s ayi n gs

, ,

m o st o f w h ic h s o u n d a s if cull e d f r o m the w o rks o f G al en .

When ab o ut t hirty y ea rs o f age R a sis c am e to B a gd ad an d

is s aid to hav e bee n attr a ct e d to the study o f m e dici ne by
hea ri n g ho w a n i n fl am e d a n d sw o lle n f o r e ar m w h ich gave
grea t p a i n was ma rv el o usly cur e d by the applica ti o n o f an
”
he rb w h ic h c ame to be c a ll e d the vivifi er o f the w o rld
,
“
.

In the e a rly y e a rs o f t he t en t h c e n tury R a sis s e r ve d a s physi

cia n in t he ho spit al at B a gd a d A cc o r di n g to W it h i n gt o n
.

he ha s be e n c all e d th e first a n d m o st o rigi n a l o f the gr ea t

Mo sl em p hysici an s He als o w a s i nt e r e ste d in p h il o s o phy
.

an d a lc hem y as h is writi n gs will s ho w

, .

T he re ha s c o m e d o wn t o us a list o f s o me 2 3 2 w o r ks -

a scrib e d t o R a sis S o m e o f t he m a r e p r o b ably m e r e ly d if

?

fe r e n t w o rdi n gs o f th e s am e titl e o t he rs ar e v e r y lik e ly ,

c hapt e rs r e pea t e d f r o m his l o n ge r w o rks bu t a t any r ate ,

t hey s e rv e to give us s o m e id ea o f his i n t e re sts and the

“
v
A l s o g i e n a s Mu h amm a d ibn th e g e n e r al a cco un t l if e
of the
k
Za ar iya ( Abu B a r ) a r - R az i an dk an d w o r s k
o f R as is w hic h f o l
k
Abu B e r Mo ha m m e d b e n Z ac l o w s I a m in d ebt e d t o G S A . .

k k
.

R an in g s T h e L if e a n d W o r s
’
h a r iah .

Withingto n in h is M edica l His o f Rh a z e s p p 2 3 7 68, in Tr a ns

, .

,
v
tor y 1 89 4, g i e s t h e dat e a s 9 3 2 , a c tio n s o f t h e S eve n te e n th I n ter

p e r hap s by a mis p r in’t . n a tio na l C o ng r e s s of M edicine ,

“
I bn A bi U s a ibi a ( 1 2 03 12 69 , S e c tio n X XII I L o n do n 1 9 13 , , .

“
him s e l f a p h y s ic ian a nd s o n o f Th e l is t is r e p r o d u ce d by
a n o c ul is t )
“
S o ur c e s o f I n f o r ma k
R an in g ( 1 9 13 ) in A r a b ic a nd
t io n co n c e r n in g Cl as s e s o f P h y La t in , l a r g e l y o n t h e ba s is o f a
s ician s ,
’
c o m p il e d at D a m as c u s , v
M S at t h e U n i e r s it y o f G l a sgo w ,
12 4 5 --
1 2 46 , e d by Mu l l e r , C air o ,
. w h ic h co n t a in s a La t in t r a n s l a
188 2 ; a n d Ibn Kh a l lik a n ( 12 1 1 t io n by a G r ee k
p r ie s t , w h o d ie d
1 28 2 )
“
O bitu a r ie s o f Me n o f in 1 7 2 9 , o f t h e A r ab ic w o r of k
N o te , w r itte n be tw ee n 1 2 5 6 a nd U s a ibi a , o r p a r t o f it, m e nt io n e d
’

12 7 4 v
in th e p r e io u s n o t e : Hunte r ian
Fo r th e se t itl e s a nd mo s t of L ibr a r y, M S 44 , f o l s 1 - 1 9v . .
 MA G I C AND E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

gro u n d he c o v e r e d al tho ugh o f c o urs e s o m e m ay be in

,

c o rre ctly a ttribute d to h im E diti o n s o f the L ati n tr an s .

l at io n s o f s o m e o f his c h i e f m e dica l w o rks w e r e pri n t e d

be f o r e the e nd o f the fi f t ee nth c e n tury a t Mil an in 1 4 8 1 an d
B e rgam o in T he s e c o n t a i n the f am o us L iber A lma n
s o ris o r L ibe r E l M ans ur i dic tus wit h its t e n sub o rdi n a t e
-

tr ea tis es : ( 1 ) i n tro ducti o n t o m e dici n e an d discussi o n o f

h u ma n an at o my ( 2 ) the d o ctri n e o f t em p e r am en ts a n d
,

hu m o rs an d a discussi o n o f th e a r t o f p hysi o gn o m y ? wit h

a c h apt e r o n ho w t o s e l ect s l av e s 3) di e t a n d drugs ( 4 ) , ,

h ygi e ne ( 5 ) c o s m e tics ( 6 ) rul e s o f hea lth an d me dici n e s

, ,
“
f o r tr av e l e r s ( 7 ) surg e r y o r the a rt o f bi n di n g up br o k en
,

bo ne s and c o n c e r n i n g w o u n ds an d ulc e rs ( 8 ) p o is o n s (9 ) , ,

tr e at m en t o f dis e a s e s f r o m h ea d to f o o t ( 1 0 ) f eve r s Fo l , .

l o wi ng th is in b o th e diti o n s c o me his w o rks o n D ivisi o n s ,

o n dis e a s e s o f th e j o i n ts o n th e dis e as e s o f c h ild r e n an d

, ,

his Aph o rism s o r s ix b o o ks o f m e dici n al s ecr e ts O th er .

writi n gs by Ra si s f o u n d in o n e o r bo t h o f the pri nt e d e di

ti o n s a r e a bri e f tr eatis e o n S urge ry Ca ut e ry an d L e e che s 3
, , ,

the b o o k o f S y n o n y m s t he t abl e o f an tid o t e s an d so m e

, ,

o t h e rs w h ich w e s h a ll h av e o cc a si o n to m e n ti o n l a t e r His .

tr eatis e o n the p e stil e n c e o r o n s m allpox an d measl e s was

pri n t e d m an y ti m e s f r o m the fi f t e e nt h to six te en th c entu ry .

I n the list o f 2 3 2 titl e s a r e t hr e e w o rks w h ic h all s eem

t o be a r o n th e s am e p o i n t an d a r e p e r h aps di ffe re n t de s c r ip
ti o n s o f o ne tr e atis e o r e ls e s ho w that t his was a f av o rit e
,

them e with R a sis T he id ea in all th r ee s eem s to be th at n o

.

physici an is p e r f e ct o r c an cur e a ll dis ea s e s o f all p ati e n ts ,

I h av W o l f bii t
“
x mi e d b th t h e
e a ne du d o p t ly : se ce se ar a e s ee en
Mu s e u m ;
0

e d i ti o n s at th e B r itis h tel 885 , 1 sth c e ntur y, f o l

2 1, .

W ith in gto n do e s n ot m e n tio n Ph iso n o m ia Ra s is , f o l 2 , Ph is o .

t h em in his His to r y o f M edici n e , no m ia A r is t e t e lis , Ra s is e t P h il o

but c ite s e dit io ns o f th e C o n ti m e n is s u mm o r u m
, magis t ro r um
n ens , V e n ice , 1 5 4 2 , a n d O per a in p h il o s o p h ia .

P a r v a 1 5 1 0, a n d a m o d e r n e d i
,
“
I t o c c up ie s but a l ittl e o e r v
t io n ( 18 5 8 ) b y t h e S y d e n h a m S o t h r e e p ag e s in t h e 1 4 8 1 e dit io n .

c ie ty o f O n th e S m a l l P o x a n d S in c e in t h e m iddl e o f t h e t r e a tis e
M e a s l es T he
.
p ag e s ar e not w e r e ad Ma g is t er r as is f ec it c au
n um be r e d in t h e e dit io n o f 1 4 8 1 , t e r iz a r i u id e m a r th e t ic u m
q
s o t h a t I s h al l n o t b e a b l e t o g i e v e t c , it i s
.
p e r h ap s by a d is c ip l e
e x ac t r e f e r e n ce s to t h e m . r a t h er t h an Ras is him s el f .

“
T h is w as s o m e t ime s r ep r o
67 0 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

'

of B eauva is , m a de u mb e r o f cit ati o n s f ro m the tre atis e

a n

D e s alibus e t a lu mini bus attribut e d t o R asis but B e rt he l o t ,

1

r e ga rd e d t h is w o rk a s l ate r than R asis and it is n o t f o u n d

x

a m o n g o u r e igh t titl e s T he L u m en l um inis w h ich is a s

.
,

c r ib e d t o R a sis a n d s e e m s to h a v e b e en tr an sl at e d by
2

Mic hae l S c o t in the early t h irt een t h c entury is a ls o m a i n ly

3
,

d e v o t e d to th e s e t wo subst an ce s s alts and a lums A B o o k

,
.

o f S even ty is a scribe d t o R a sis a s w e ll as t o G e b e r B e rthe .

l o t w as i n cli n e d t o thi n k t h a t a B o o k of S e cr e ts p e rh aps

w ent b ack t o R a sis At l eas t s o m e go o d st o ri e s ar e t o ld
.

by A r abic ch r o n icl e rs o f R a sis c o n n e cti o n with alch em y

’
.

O ne is t o the e ff e ct t ha t he a b an d o n e d the ar t as a r e sult

o f a s o u n d be a ti n g t o w h ic h t he c a lip h s ubj e ct e d him w he n

h e f a il e d to tran s m ut e m e t al s at o rd e r Ano th e r st at e s t ha t
.

in pre p a ri n g the e li x ir h e i n j ur e d his e y e s with its v ap o rs

a n d w as cur e d by a p hysici a n w h o ch a rge d h im a f ee o f

fi ve h u n dr e d di nars R a sis p a id the d o ct o r s bill but re

’
.
, ,

m arki n g th at at l a st he h ad disc o v e r e d the tru e a lc h emy

an d t h e b es t a rt o f m ak i n g go ld d e v o t e d the r e m ai n d e r o f
,

his li f e to the study a n d pr a ctic e o f m e dici n e ?

Ra si s a ls o wr o t e tr ea tis e s o n m at he m atic s a n d the st ars

but it i s n o t a lways eas y to i n fe r th ei r c o n tent s f r o m the
titl e s wh ich hav e al o ne r each e d us o r to tell wh en mathe
ma tica m ean s a str o l o gy I n o n e w o rk he s e em s to hav e
.

s ho wn the exc elle n c e an d utility o f mat hema tica but t o hav e ,

c o n f ut e d t ho s e wh o ex t o ll e d it be y o n d m e a sur e ?
In a
l e tt e r he d e n i e d th at the risi n g a n d s etti ng o f the s un an d
o th e r pl an e ts w a s be c a us e o f th e e a rt h s m o ti o n an d he ld
’

“
t hat it w as due to the m o v em en t o f the c e l e sti a l o r b In .

a n o t he r l e tt e r h e discuss e d t he o pi n i o n o f n a tur a l p hil o s o

h r s c o n c e r n i n g t he sci e nc e s o f t he st a rs and w he the r o r

p e

“
B e r th e l o t I , 68 a nd l a tu s a m ag i s t r o mich ahel e s c o tto

286 7-
O n th e a l c h e m y o f R as is p h il o s o p h o .P r int e d by J . Wo o d
v
.

s e e f u rt h e r in t h is s a m e o l um e B ro wn p 2 40 e t s e q . .

“
t h e c h ap t e r , L A l c himie de R as is L ip p m an n
’
p 4 00 c i t .

e t du P s e ud o -A r is t a te. ing th e B iog r aphies o f Albai haqi

“
E N 6 5 14 a n d 7 1 5 6 . ( 1“105
“
R ic c a r dian 1 1 9 , f o l 3 5 V , I nc i
.

“
k
R an i n g, $8 .

p it l ibe r l umin is l umin um t ra n s I bi d $107

. .
 x xv111 A R AB I C O CC UL T S CI EN CE 67 1

not t he sta rs w e re livi n g b e i n gs R asis als o discuss e d t he

?

di ff e re n c e betw ee n dream s f r o m w h ich the f utur e can be

f o r e c a st an d o t he r dr e am s ?
T h e ti tl e O f ex or cis ms f as ci , ,

n a tio ns and in can ta tio ns u n d e r w h ic h a cc o r di n g t o N e gri s

’
, , ,

L a ti n tr an sl a ti o n R a sis discuss e d the c a us e s a n d cur e s o f

dis e a s e s by t he s e m e tho ds a n d m a gic a r ts s ho uld in R an , ,

ki n g s o pi n i o n be m o r e a cc ur at e ly tran sl at e d as The B o o k
’
,

o f D ivis io ns a n d B r a n ches
?
A w o rk O n the N eces s ity of
P r ayer is als o i n clud e d in t h e list o f 2 3 2 w o rks a scribe d
to R a sis
4
w h il e a L apid ary p r o duc e d f o r Wen z e l II o f
,

B o hem i a ( 1 2 7 8 1 3 0 5 ) cit e s R a sis O n the vir tues of w or ds

-

?
a n d char ac ter s

He re wit h c o nclud e o ur pre s e n t surv e y o f Ar a bi a n

we
o ccult sci e n c e e s p e ci a lly in the n i n t h c e n tury a lt h o ugh in ,

t he f o ll o wi n g c ha pt e rs w e s h a ll f r e qu e n tly e n c o u n t e r its
i n flu en c e W e have f o u n d the o ccult sci e nc e cl o s e ly a ss o
.

c ia te d wit h n a tur a l sci e n c e an d di ffic ult t o s e v e r f r o m it .

I n the aut ho rs an d w o rks r e vi e w e d w e h a v e f o u n d b o th

sc e pticis m and sup e rstiti o n b o th r a ti o n alis m an d e m piricis m
,
.

But p e r haps the m o st i m pr e ssiv e p o i n t is t ha t ev en sup e r

s titio n pr e t e n ds to b e o r a tt em pts to b e sci en ti fi c .

R k i g $ 34
“ “
an n ,O th
1 t itl . I bid $ 3
er es . 1 .

“
in m ath e m at ic s an d a s t r o n o m y I bid $5 1
. .

“
a r e : 7 3 , L ibe r d e s p h aer is e t m e n I bid $1 5 8 , D e n e ces s ita te pr e
‘
.

s u r is c o mpe n dio s is ; 1 2 8, D e s ep c a tio n is .

“
_

te m p la n e tis e t d e s apie n tia ; 1 5 5 , P r in t e d a s t h e La p ida r y o f

D e qua dr a to in m a th es i epis to l a ; Ar is to tl e, Me r s e bur g , 14 7 3 , p 2 . .

a l so 1 09 an d 1 10 .
 CHA P T ER XX I X
L A TI N A S TR O L O G Y AND DI V I N A T I O N I E S P E CI A L L Y IN T HE

N I N T H , T E N T H , A N D E L E V E N T H C E N T U RI E S

A s tr o l o gy in G aul b e f o r e the t w e l f th c e n tu r y— Figur e s of a s tr o

l o g ic al m e dic in e —
v
T h e d i in e q ua te r nit ies of R a o ul G l ab e r— Ce l e s tial
p o r tents a n d o th e r m a r e l s v
A n e l e enth —
v c e n tu r y c a l en da r — A st r o lo gy
an d v
di ina t io n in e c c l e s ia s t ic al c om p a ti— N o tk e r on th e m y s t ic d a t e of

Ea s te r— P r e dict io n f r o m t h e K a l e n d s of J an ua r y
O th e r di ina tio n by
— v
th e da y of th e w e e k —
v
D i in a tio n by th e day o f th e m o o n— Auth o r s hip
of m o o n bo o -
k S ph
s— er e s of lif e a n d d e at h : in G r e e k
Me die al Lat in
—
v
v e r s io n s— S ur v iv l f
a o s u c h m e th o ds in m e dic al p ra ct ic e o f ab o u t 14 00

Egyp tian da y s — T h e ir h is to r y— M e d ie a l a tt e m p t s t o v e x p l a in th e m
O th e r p e r il o u s day s Fir m ic us r ead by a n a r c h bis h o p o f Y o r
—
Re la k —

t io n o f L a t in as t r o l o g y t o A r ab ic A p p e n dix I S o m e man u sc r ip ts o f
—
.

th e S p h e r e of P y t ha g o r a s or Ap ul e ius — Ap p e n dix I I . Egyp tian day s

in e ar l y me die v al ma nu s c r ip ts .

A S T RO L O G Y ha d c o n ti n u e d
fl o urish in G aul in th e l a st de
to
c l in in g d a ys o f th e R o m a n E m pir e d e spite the strictur e s ,

o f Ch risti a n writ e rs an d cl e r gy a n d it w a s o n e o f t he
1
,

first sub j e cts to r e vive a f t e r the d a rk n e s s o f the Me r o

v ingia n p e ri o d T w o c e n turi es a go G o uj e t in a tr eatis e
.

o n t he st at e o f th e sci e n c e s in Fr a n c e fr o m th e d ea t h o f

Ch a rl e m ag n e to t ha t o f Ki n g R o b e rt n o t e d t ha t f r o m the
r e ign o f Cha rl em agn e a str o n o m y c o n ti n ue d to be in c r ea s
“
in gly studi e d T he c o u nc ils in th e ir d e cr ee s the bis ho ps
.
,

in t he ir s t atut e s t h e ki n gs in t he i r c a pitul a ri e s e x pr e ssly

, ,

r e c o mm en d e d t he study o f it to the cl e rgy ” 2

W ith th e .

study o f a stro n o m y n atur ally d e v e l o p e d a b e li e f in a s

t r o l o gy A cc o rdi n g t o th e H is to ir e L ittér a ir e de l a F r anc e
.

it b e c am e quit e the f a s h i o n duri n g the r e ig n o f L o uis the

“
S e e D e l a V ill e d e M ir m o n t, c ie n n e s , 1 9 02 , p . 1 15 1 9 03 , p .

L As tr o l og ie c he z l es G a l l o - R o 1 9 06 , 12 8
’
2 55 p .

“
m a in s B o r d ea u x , 1 9 04 ; al s o p ub
,
G o uj e t p .
50 ; c it e d by
l is h e d in R e vue d es E tu des a n C J o u r da in pp . 2 8- 9 .
67 4 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

R am , th e f e e t on P isc e s ,
w h il e the i n te r v en i n g m em be rs o f
t h e b o dy a r e m a rk e d by t he ir r e s p e ctiv e sig n s O f t he s e ,
—

W ick e rs he i m e r f o u n d n o n e be f o re the tw e l ft h ce n tury But .

in a m e dic a l m an uscript o f th e e l e v e n t h c e n tury th e tw e lv e

si gn s with the ir n a m e s an d the n am e s o f the p a rts o f the
hu m a n b o dy t o w h ic h t he y a pply a r e gr o up e d a b o ut a ha l f
figur e o f Christ w h o h as H is righ t h an d r a is e d to bl e ss
, ,

wh il e ab o ut His he a d is a hal o o r s un disk with tw e lv e r ays ? -

L e ss f a v o r abl e to a stro l o gy is the a cc o m p an yi n g l e gen d ,

“
A cc o rdi n g t o the ra vi n gs o f the ph il o s o phe rs th e tw e lv e
sign s a r e th us d e n o t e d O n th e p a ge f o ll o wi n g th e t ex t de
scribe s the twe lv e sig n s a cc o rdi n g t o the G en til e s S chem e s .

in w h ic h the w o rld t he y e a r an d m an w e r e a ss o ci at e d an d
, , ,

whe r e a r e sho w n the f o ur e l em e nts f o ur s ea s o n s f o ur , ,

hum o rs f o ur t em pe r am e n ts f o ur a ge s f o ur c ardi nal

, , ,

p o i n ts a n d f o ur wi n ds ar e f r e qu e n tly f o u n d in ex t ant m anu

, ,

scripts o f the n i n th t e n th an d e le v e nth c enturi e s

, ,
?

S uch a ss o ci a ti o n r e m i n ds o ne o f the o p e n i n g o f the

c h ro n icl e o f R ao ul G l ab e r writt en in the e le v e nth c e n tury
, ,

S i n c e w e a r e t o tr ea t o f e v e n ts in th e f o ur qu art e rs o f
“

t h e e a rt h it w ill b e w e ll t o t o uc h fi r st up o n the p o w e r o f
,
”
divi n e an d a bstr a ct quat e rn ity T h e r e a r e f o ur e l e m e nts .
,

h e giv e s u s to u n d e r s t a n d f o ur vi rtu e s an d f o ur s en s e s
,
.

T he re ar e f o ur G o sp e ls a n d t he y h av e t he ir r e l a ti o n t o -

the f o ur e l e m e n ts Ma tthe w d e ali n g with Ch rist s i n c ar n a

’
.
,

ti o n c o rr e sp o n ds to e a rt h ; Ma rk t o w at e r si n c e it em pha
, ,

siz e s b aptis m ; L uk e to a ir b ec a us e it is the l o n ge st G o spe l ;

,

“ Al s o V a tic L at 64 5 , 9 th ce nt ury,
Ch a r l e s S ing e r , S tu dies in the . .

His tor y a nd M e th o d o f S cie n c e , f o l 66 , V e n to r um im ag in e s e r i n

.

O x f o r d, 9 7 ,
1 1 Pl a t e XV ,
o p p o s it e
-
c ir c u l o A d a m in m e dio f e r a r u m ;

p 4 0 r e p r o d u c e s t h is ill u m in a t io n . f o l 66 V , Pl a n eta r um fi gu r a T h is
. .

v s a m e M S c o n ta in s a c o n j u r at io n
.
,

T h e MS , E N 7 02 8 , s e e m s t o h a e
o n ce b e l o n g e d t o t h e abb e y o f S t . w r it t e n in a l at e r h an d o f t he
Hil a r y a t P o it ie r s . v
e l e e nth or t w e l f th c e n tu r y
'

“
B e s id e s t h o s e in F r an c e m e n f o l 4 v,
. I n n o min e p at r is
k
t io n e d by W ic e r s h e im e r m ay b e a m bu l a ve r un t
.

Tr e s ang e l i in

n o t e d t w o o f t h e t e n t h c en t u r y a t m o n te .

Mun ich : C L M 1 862 9 , f o l 1 05 , Fo r s uc h a n a s tr o l o g ic al dia

k
.

g r a m in a n A r abic w o r o f th e
“
T a b ul a c o s m ic a c u m n o m inibu s
v e n t o r um ,g e r m a n ic o r u m q uo t e nth ce n tur y s e e E G B r o wne . .

que CL M 1 87 64 , f o l s 7 9 80”,
.
-
( 9 )
1 2 1 1 1 7 8
-
.

S ch e ma de g e n it ur a mun di .
xx1x L A TI N AS TR O L O G Y AN D D I VI N A TI O N 67 5

an d J o hn to fi r e o r e t he r a s the m o st spiritu al I n like .

m an n e r c an be a ss o ci a t e d wi th the f o ur c a rdi n a l vi r tu e s
t ho s e fo ur f am o us ri v e rs wh ic h ha d t h e i r s o u r c e s in P a ra
dis e : P his o n a n d pruden c e G e o n an d t em p e r an c e the T igris
, ,

a n d f o rtitud e t he E up h r a t e s a n d j ust ic e
, Fi n ally the a ge s
.

o f t h e w o rld a r e f o u n d t o b e f o ur by R ao ul i n st e a d o f t h e
,

s ix e r a s c o rr e sp o n di n g t o t h e d ays o f cr e a ti o n w h ich w e

find in I sido r e B e d e a n d o th e r m e di e v al h ist o ri a n s ; an d

, ,

t he se f o ur a ge s als o r e l a t e to the f o ur v irtue s T he d ays o f .

Ab e l En o c h and N o ah w e r e d a ys o f prud e n c e ; but o n

, ,

l eavi n g No ah w e hav e t e m p e r anc e m a rki n g the a ge o f Abr a

ham an d the pa tri a rc h s f o rtitud e is the f e atur e o f the ti m e
o f Mo s e s an d t h e pr o p he ts ; w h il e j ustic e c h a r a ct e riz e s t h e

p e ri o d si n c e the i nc a rn a ti o n o f the W o rd .

The f a it h o f R a o ul an d his c o n t em p o r a r i e s in the m ystic

sign ifican c e o f n u m b e rs if n o t als o in a str o l o gy a n d the
, ,

f act t h at t h e y w e r e c o n st an tly o n t he l o o k ou t f o r p o rt e n ts
an d pr o digi e s a r e f urt he r att e st e d by t he str e ss l a id in his
,

c hr o n icl e up o n the t ho us a n dth an n i v e r s a ri e s o f Christ s birt h ’

“
a n d o f His p a ssi o n .S a ys R ao ul A f t e r the m ultiplicity
,

o f pr o digi e s w h ic h a l t h o ugh s o m e c a m e a lit t l e b e f o r e a nd

,

s o m e a trifl e a f t e rw a rds happ en e d in the w o r ld a r o u n d the

,

t ho usandth y e a r o f Chr ist the L o rd the re w e r e m an y in

,

du s tr io us m e n o f s a g a ci o u s m i n d w ho pro ph e si e d t ha t th e re
w o uld be o the rs n o t i n fe ri o r to the s e in the tho us an dt h y ea r
”
o f o u r L o rd s p a ssi o n Th at t he y w e r e n o t m ist ak e n in
’
.

this pr emo n iti o n he s ho ws l at e r by s ev e r al c hapt e rs i n clud ,

in g a n a cc o u n t o f th e e clips e o f th e s un in t ha t y e a r L ik e .

m an y a no t he r m e di e v a l h ist o r i an R ao u l is c a r e f ul t o n o t e
,

th e a pp ea r a n c e o f c o m e ts in th e B ay e u x t ap e stry o f the
—

sam e c e nt ury o n e m a rks t he d e a t h o f E d w a rd th e Co n f e ss o r

R ao ul a ls o b e li e v e s t ha t i f a li v i n g p e rs o n is visit e d by
spirits e ithe r go o d o r e v il it is a sign o f his appr o ac hin g
, ,

d e a th ; he ho lds the usu al vi e w tha t d e m o n s m ay s o m e ti m e s

w o rk m a rv e ls by di v i n e pe rm issi o n a n d t ells o f a m agici an
,

i mpo st o r w ho m he s aw w o rk m ir acl e s upo n pse udo r e lics -

.
67 6 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

But f r o m the sup e rstiti o n o f m e di e v a l ch r o n icl e rs we must

tu rn b a ck t o a str o l o gi cal m an uscripts pr o p e r -
.

A n e l e v e n t h c e n tury c a l e n d a r at Am i en s 1
r e v eals bo th
a si m pl e f o r m o f a str o l o gic a l m e dici n e an d a b e li e f in s o m e

p e culi a r sign ific an c e o f the n u m b e r s e v en w he the r a s a ,

s a cr e d o r an a stro l o gic al n u m be r At the hea d o f ea ch .

m o n th a r e bri e f i n st r ucti o n s as t o w h a t he rbs to u s e duri n g

t ha t m o n t h a s to bl ee di n g and b at h i n g an d what di se a s e
, ,

m ay m o st e a sily be cure d t he n ?
I n the s am e m anuscri p t
o n e m i n i a tu r e s h o ws s o m e o n e striki n g s e v e n b ells wit h a

ha m m e r p e r h a ps as n o te s in a sc a l e an d an o t he r m i n i atur e
, ,

r e pr e se n ts a s e v en bran che d c an dle stic k o f wh ich the

-
,

“
br an c he s ar e r e sp e ctiv e ly l a be l e d S pirit o f pi e ty S pirit o f , ,

f o rtitud e S pi rit o f i n t e ll e ct S pi r it o f wisd o m S pirit o f

, , ,

” 3
prude n c e S pi r it o f sci en c e S pirit o f the f ea r o f G o d
, , .

I n d e e d w o r ks o f a str o l o gy an d divi n ati o n a r e e sp e ci all y

lik e ly to be f o u n d in th e s am e m anuscripts wit h e ccl e si a stic al
c al en d a rs an d c o mpu ti C o mpu tus o r co mpo tus as o n e ,

” 4
m a n uscript st a t e s w a s the sci e n c e c o n sid e ri n g ti m e s
,
.

Fo r ex am pl e in a bri e f c o mpo tus o f th e n i n th c en tury a

,
3

divi n i n g sph e r e o f P yth ago r a s o ccurs twic e an d we have ,

a ls o a m o o n b o o k an a cc o u n t o f t h e E gypti a n d a ys an d a
, ,

me th o d o f divi n ati o n f r o m wi n ds I n a tw e l f th c e n tury .

“
m an usc r ipt s a n dwic he d in b e tw e e n c a l e n d a rs a n d r e ck o n
,

i n gs o f E a st e r an d e clips e s a n d B e d e s w o rk O n the N a tur es ’

of Things a r e a sp h e r e o f divi n ati o n a n a cc o u n t o f E gyp

, ,

ti an d ays a m e th o d o f divi n ati o n f r o m thu n d e r a n d a p o r

, ,

ti o n o f a w o rk o n j udici a l a s tr o l o gy be gi n n i n g with the

e l e v e n t h c h a pt e r w h ic h t e lls ho w t o d e t e rm i n e w h e t he r any

o ne will be p o o r o r ric h by i n sp e cti o n o f th e pl an e t in his

n a tivity
?

“
Am ie n s , f o n ds L e scal o p ie r , 2, tic o ut e r e .

“
1 1 th c e n t u r y , fo ls . 1 12
-
. I bid f o l s 1 1 and 19
.
, . .

“
Fo r in s ta n c e , f o r Fe b r u a r y, “
k
P e m b r o e 2 7 8 , ear l y 14 th c e n
“
Bib e ag r im o n ia m e t a p ii s e m e n ; tu r y, f o l 2 5 , C o m p o t u s e s t s ci
.

” ”
o c u l o s t u r b u l e n to s s a n a r e d e b e s : e n o ia co n s id e r a n s t e m p o r a .

f o r Ma r c h , Me r u m du l c e p r im u m
“

‘
B N n o u v a c q 16 16 , 1 4 l e a e s
. . v .

b ib e a s s u m ba l n e u m u s it a s a n
, ,
B N 7 2 99 A .

g u in e m n o n m in u a s , r u t a e t l e e s v B N 7 2 99 A , f o l s 3 5 V , 3 7 V , s6r . .
 M A GI C A N D E XP E RI MEN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

m an uscripts t he s e pr e d icti o n s c o n c e r ni ng the w eath e r cro ps , ,

w a rs an d ki n g f o r the e n sui n g y ea r a r e c a ll e d S uppu ta tio

,

E s dr ae o r sign s w h ic h G o d r e vea l e d t o th e pr o p h e t E sdr a s ?

I n a n o t he r m a n uscript t he w e a t he r f o r wi n t e r a n d su m m e r
2

is pre dict e d a cc o rdi n g to th e day o f the w eek up o n w h ic h

Ch ristm a s f alls a n d L e n t b e gi n s Ch rist m a s o f c o urs e w a s .

s o m e ti m e s r e ga rd e d a s the first day o f th e ne w y ea r an d in

a ny c a s e it f a lls o n th e s a m e day o f th e w ee k as th e f o ll o wi n g

fi rst o f J anu a ry I n a n i n th c en tury m an uscript pr e dic

.
3

ti o n s f o r t he e n sui n g y e a r a r e m a d e a cc o rdi n g a s t he r e is
wi n d in the n ight o n Christ m a s e ve an d the e l e v en n ights
“
f o ll o wi n g Fo r i n st an c e
. I f t h e r e i s wi n d in th e n igh t ,

o n t he n igh t o f th e n a t a l day o f o u r L o rd J e sus Ch rist in ,

L at in w ith an A n g l o - S a x o n in te r a l u na et s o m n iis p etit a , p re

l in e a r v
e r s io n, a n d a t f o l 39 V i n .
.

d i cti o n s from C h r is tm a s, t he
A n gl o S a x o n o n ly
-
. m o o n , a n d dr e a m s C U L 1 338 ,.

Co t to n Titu s D, XXV I , l oth 1 st h c e n t u r y, f o l 6 5 V , P ro g n o s t i

.

c e n t u r y, f o ls i ov- 1 1 v, gi e s a
.
0

v v
c a t io n s d e r i e d f r o m th e d a y o n

s l ig h tl y d iff e r e n t e r s io n f o r s o m e v w h ic h Ch r is t m a s f all s ( in L at in )
d ay s o f th e w e e k
. f o l 7 4 V , P r o gn o s t ic at io n s d r a w n
.

“
Ha r l e ian 3 0 1 7 , 1 0th c e ntu r y, f r o m t h e d a y o f th e w e e on k
fols 63 r - 64 v, C L M 6 3 8 2
. 1 1th ,
w hic h t h e y ea r c o mm en c e s CU .

c e n tu r y, fo l 42“, S up p ut at io
. T r in ity 1 1 09 , 14 th c entu r y, f o l .

“
E s d r a e ; I n c ip it , K al J an s i . 148 , P r o gn o s t ic a a n n i s e qu e nt is
”
f u e r in t do min ic o die h i e m s b o n a e x die n a ta l iu m D o m in i .

” “
c ri t .
B N n o uv a c q 16 1 6 , oth c e n
. .

V atican P a l at L a t ,
. . 2 3 5 , 1 0- 1 1 th t u r y, f o l I 2 V
. S im ila r l ate r M S S
.

f o l 3 9 , S ubp u tat io qu a m
c e n t u r y, . ar e :

s ubp u tavit E s d r a s in t e m p l o H ie Di g by 8 6, i 3 th f ols

c entury, .

r u s al em,
”
o p e n in g,
“
S i in p r im a 3 4 , P r o g n o s t ic a t io e x
2 -
e n to in v
f e r ia f u e r int k l I an ua r ii h ie mp s . n o ct e N a tal is D o min i, a n d f o l s .

” “
bo n a e r it 4 0v 4 1 r , L e s s in gn e s d e l j o ur d e
-
.

”
Al so f o u n d in Eg e rt o n 8 2 1 , f o l . N o u e l , p r e d ictio n s in Fr enc h a c
I r , w h ich is o f t h e t w e l f th c e n c o r d in g t o t h e d ay o f t h e w e e on k
t u r y a n d a dd s a m o r e e l ab o r a t e w h ic h Ch r is t m a s f all s .

v
m e th o d o f d i in at io n a c co r d ing to D igby 88 , i sth c e n tur y , f o l 7 7 , .

w h at p l a n e t r u l e s t h e fi r s t h o u r o f Ho w e a l l y e ye r e y s r e w lyd e b y
t h e fi r s t n igh t o f J a n ua r y a n d th e d ay t h a t Ch r is t e m a s day
“
w hic h o f it s 2 8 m a n s io n s t h e mo o n f a l l yt h e o n , a n d f o l 4 0 r , P r o g .

is in . n o s t ica t io n f r o m t h e s igh t o f t h e
C L M 9 9 2 1 , 1 2 th c e n t ury, f o l 1 , . s u n o n C h r is t ma s a n d th e t e n d a y s
is a c al e n da r w ith e r s e s b e g in v f o l l o w in g
”
( P r o g n o s tic atio ex

n ing ,
“
J a n i p r i m a die s e t s e p tim a v is io ne s o l is in d ie Na tal is Do m
fi n e t im e t u r . in i e t in d e c e m diebu s s ub s e qu e n
“
S lo an e 4 7 5 , t h is p o r tio n p e r t ib a s ) , an d f o l 7 5 , a p o em o f
.

h a p s i l t h c e n t u r y, f o l z 17 r O th e r . .
p r o g n o s t ica t io n s fo r Ch r is t m a s
M S S o f l ate r d a te t h an t h e p e r io d day T h is s am e MS c o nt ain s a
.

w e a r e n o w c o n s id e r ing a r e : l ar g e n umbe r of o th e r b r ie f
Ha r l e ian 2 2 5 8 , f o l 1 9 1 , p r o g . a n o n ym o u s t r e a t is e s in t h e fi e l d s
mo s t ica a d ie n at ivitat is Do min i o f a s t r o l o g y a n d di in atio n v .
 XX I X L A TI N A S TR O L O G Y AN D D I VI N A TI O N 679

that yea r ki ngs a n d p o n ti ff s will p e ris h an d I f o n tw el fth ,

”
night t he r e s ha ll be wi n d ki n gs will p e ris h in w a r , .

D ivi n ati o n f r o m t hu n d e r is a n o th e r f o rm o f j udici al

a str o l o gy i f it m ay s o be c a ll e d f o u n d in t h e s e e a rly m a n u
, ,

scripts P e r haps the si m pl e st va ri ety o f it is a cc o r di n g t o

.

the day o f t he w e e k o n w h ic h t hu n d e r is h ea rd
?
Pre
dicti o n s w e re als o m ad e a cc o rdi n g to the m o nt h in w h ic h
t hu n d e r was he a rd ? o r the di r e cti o n f r o m w hich it w as
he a rd ?
I t m ay be r e c a ll e d t hat the t h r ee c h apt e rs o f B e d e s
’

transl a ti o n o f s o m e w o r k o n divi nati o n f ro m t hu n d er had

b een re sp e ctiv e ly d ev o te d to the s e t h r ee m e t ho ds by the di
re cti o n f r o m wh ic h the t h un d e r is hea rd t he m o n th an d the , ,

day o f the w ee k N ati v iti e s o f i n f an ts ar e a ls o giv en a c

.

c o rdi n g to the day o f the w e ek o n wh ic h t he y a r e b o r n a nd ,

f urt h e r ta ki n g i n t o a cc o u n t w het he r th e h o ur o f birth is

diur na l o r n o ctur n a l ?
I t is a ls o r e ga r d e d as i m p o rt a n t t o
n o t e up o n w h ic h day o f t h e w ee k th e n e w m o o n o ccurs
5
,

an d w e a r e f urt he r i n f o r m e d O f t h e v a ri o us h o urs o f th e

d ays o f the w ee k w h en it i s a d v is a bl e t o p e r fo r m bl o o d
“
le tti n g I n a m et h o d o f di v i n ati o n a cc o rdi n g t o the day
.

o f t he w e e k a n d the l ett e rs in t h e b o y s o r girl s n am e t he

’ ’

L o rd s day is a ssign e d the n u mb e r t hirt e e n th e da y o f

’

o f Ma rs
” “ ”
t he m o o n e igh t e e n a n d t ha t fi f t e en S ince
?
,

“
Titu s D XXV I , f o l 9 v
, Ti . . w e a r e t o l d o f w h at t h e Eg yp t ians
be r iu s A , I II , f o l s 3 8 r a n d 3 sr
. . w r it e a n d o f f am in e in B a byl o n
, .

k
Co c ayn e , L e e c h d o ms e tc , I II , . I n CU L 1 687 , 1 3 i 4 t h c e n t ur y, -

1 5 0- 2 9 5 , in R S vo l 3 5 , p ubl is h e d
. f o l s 68v 69 r , La tin
.
-
erses con v
t h is a n d a n u m be r o f o th e r e x t a in in g p r o g n o s tica t io n s c o n c e r n
“
t r ac t s f r o m T ib e r iu s A I II , a n d , in g th un de r a r e f o l l o w e d by a
o th e r e a r l y En gl is h M S S . lis t o f t h e n um b e r o f q u a r t e r s o f
V ienn a 2 2 4 5 , 1 2 th c e n t ur y, f o l s . fl o ur b e e r e t c , u s e d in th e y e ar
, , .

5 9 69 v a r e de o t e d to
r -
v a r io u s v a t th e m o n a s te r y
”
a n d by
“
a n o te

p r o g n o s tica t io n s , b e gin n in g w ith , o n t h e s ym b o l is m o f t he p a s t o r al

Th r e e d ay s a r e t o b e o b s e r e d v s t a ff
”
.

a bo e v a ll o the r s ,
”
and e n d in g
“
Co mbin e d w ith th e m e th o d by
with , Thu n de r a t da w n s ig n ifi e s t h e da y o f t h e w e e in B N 7 2 99 A , k
t h e birt h o f a k
in g
”
A d r ea m
. 1 2 t h c e n tu r y , f o l 3 7 V . .

bo o k by Danie l f o l l o w s a t f o l s .
“
T ib e r iu s A I I I , f o l 63 r ; Vati
, .

69 v- 7 sr . c a n P a l at L a t 2 3 5 , f o l 4 0
. . . .

“ “
Va tic an P al at L at 2 3 5 f o l
. .
, . T ib e r iu s A I I I , f o l 3 8 V
, . .

“
4 0, I n me n s e I a n ua r io s i t o n it r u S l o a ne 4 7 5 f o l 13 5 V
, . .

” “
f ue r it . I n Eg e r t o n 8 2 1 , 1 2 t h S l o ane 4 7 5 , f o l 133 r Th e . .

ce n tu r y, th e s ig n ifi can ce o f t h u n m e th o d is a l m o s t iden tical w ith

v
de r is gi e n ac c o r ding t o t h e t h a t o f t h e s p h e r e s o f l if e a n d
v
t w e l e s i gn s o f t h e z o d iac , a n d d e a t h o f w h ic h w e s h a ll s p e a
, k
 MA GI C AND E XP ER I ME N TA L S CI E N CE CHAP .

the d ays o f th e w ee k bo r e the n am e s o f th e pl an e ts it was ,

n o t str an ge t h a t t h e y s h o uld h av e b ee n cr e dit e d with s o m e

th i ng o f t he virtu e s o f th e st a rs .

A c o m m o ne r m e t h o d o f divi n a ti o n an d o n e m o re n ea rly
a ppr o ac h i n g a ppr o v e d a str o l o gic a l d o ctri n e w a s t h a t by t h e

d a y o f t h e m o n th o r m o o n Bri e f e st o f suc h m o on b o o ks .
-

is that w h ic h m e r ely d e sign at e s e ac h o f the th irty da ys as

f avo ra bl e o r u n f av o ra bl e ?
We a ls o fi n d a L un ar ium f o r
the sick st ati n g t he p a ti e n t s pr o sp e ct s f r o m the day o f
’

the m o o n o n w h ic h h e c o n tr act e d his ill n e ss ; 2

a w o rk a s
“ ”
c r ibe d t o S a i n t D an i e l o n n a tiviti e s by the day o f th e
m o o n ; an d a n e qu a lly bri e f i n t e rpr e t ati o n o f dr e am s up o n
3

t he s am e b a sis O r al l the s e m a tt e rs m ay be c o n sid e re d in

?

t he s am e tr ea ti s e an d ea c h o f t h e m s o m e w h a t m o r e f ully ,

a nd w e m ay b e t o ld w h e t h e r th e day is a go o d o ne o n w h ic h

to buy a n d s e ll to b o a rd a s h ip t o e n t e r a city to o p e r at e
, , ,

up o n a p ati e n t to s en d ch ildr en o ff to scho o l to br e e d ani

, ,

m a ls t o build a n a q u e duct o r m ill o r w he th e r it is b e st t o

, ,

p r e s e nt l y I n CU T r in ity 9 8 7 ,
. t w e l f th in s tanc e
ce n tu r y .

Th e Ca n ter bu r y P s a l te r , ab o ut T h e m eth o d s e e m s co mbi n e d o r

'

1 15 0 A D , th e
. al u e a s s ign ed
. v co n f u s e d w ith t h e Egyp t ia n da y s
D ie s S o lis is 2 4
‘

. in Va tic P a l a t La t 48 5 , 9 t h c e n
. . .

“ “
V at ic P a l at La t 2 3 5 , f o l 4 0,
. . . . t u r y, f o l 13 V ,. D ie s a e g yp t iac i .

D e l un ae o bs e r v at io n e : L u n a I S ig n a in qu ib us ae g r o tu s a n p e r i
o m n ibu s r e bu s a g e n dis u t il is
”
. c l ita r e a ut
“
v
e a de r e n o n p o te s t ,
”

Tibe r iu s A , I I I , f o l 6 3 r , w h e r e , . b ut o p en ing , L un a I qu i c ec ide r it .

v
h o w e e r , s u c h p a r t s o f t h e d ay in in fi r m itat e m diffi c il e e ua dit .

a s m o r n in g a n d e e n in g ar e f u r v “
Ha r l e ian 3 0 17 , f o l 5 SV , I n .

t he r d is t in g u is h ed . c ip it l u n a r iu m s a n c ti da n ih e l de
V atic P a l at La t 4 85 , 9 th c e n
. . . v
n a t i it at e in f a n t iu m L u n a I qu i
.

t u r y, f o l 1 5 v,
”
.
“
A d s an g uin e m f u e r it n a tu s v
it al is e r it ; L un a
m in u en dum , m e r e l y s tat e s w h ic h II , m e dio c r is e r it L u na I I I I ,
d a y s o f t h e m o o n a r e f a o r a bl e v t r a c t at o r r eg u m e ri t L un a
v
o r u n f a o r a b l e f o r b l o o d l e tt in g -
. XI I , r e lig io s u s e r it L u na

X
S t J o h n s 1 7 , 1 1 10 A D , f o l 4 ,
.
’
. . . XX, n e g o tias m ul ta s t r ac ta
”
L un a qu ibu s die bu s b o n a e s t e t 1it .

quibu s n o n ; f o l 1 5 4 V, a t abl e o f . T iber iu s A, I II , f o l s 63 r a n d .

“
k
l uc y a n d u n l uc y n u m b e r s k .
34V
Ha r l e ian 3 0 1 7 , f o l 5 8v ; the . Titus D, XXV I , f o l s .
7v and
I n c ip it s t a te s th at it is by t h e s am e 6V .

“
a uth o r a s t h e p r ec e d in g S p h e r e o f T ibe r ius A , I II , f o l 33V . .

P yt h ag o r a s a n d Ap u l e iu s . T itu s D, XXV I , f o l 9 r CL M . .

Titu s D , XXV I , f o l 8 . . 63 8 2 , 1 1 t h c e n t u r y, f o l 42 , D e .

C o t to n Caligu l a A , XV , 1 0th s o m n i u er is u e l m e n d o s is q uida m

c e n tu r y , f ol 1 2 1 V, Lat in and
. in c ip iun t in ae tatibus l una e e x
An g l o - S a x o n .
p l o ra tis .

E ge r to n 8 2 1 , f o l s2 r, is a .
 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

I n th e ea rly m an uscripts m o o nb o o ks ar e an o nymo u s o r

-

a scrib e d t o D a n i e l but in l a t e r m e di e v a l m an uscripts o th e r

,

a ut h o rs are n am e d T h e n am e o f A da m is c o upl e d with

.

t hat o f Dan i e l in b o th o f t w o r athe r e l ab o ra te m o o n b o o ks —

in a f o urt e en t h c e n tury m a n uscript ? w he r e A d am is s a id

” “
t o h av e w o rk e d o ut t he s e lu n ati o n s by tru e exp e ri en c e .

A fi f t e e n th c e n tury o n e is a ttribut e d t o a p h il o s o phe r as ,

t r o l o ge r an d p hysici an n am e d E dris ? p e r h aps th e E sdr a s

,
.

o f t h e m e t h o d o f di v i n a ti o n by th e k a l en ds o f J an u a ry r a t he r

t han the A r ab E drisi I t bri e fly pre dicts f r o m the r el ati o n

.

o f t he m o o n t o t h e tw e lv e sig n s w h e t h e r p a ti e n ts will r e

c o v e r an d c aptiv e s e s c ap e I n a si x t e enth c e ntury manu

.

“
script a t P a ri s a r e S ign ifi c atio n s o f the da ys o f the m o o n
wh ich the m o st ex c e ll e n t a str o n o m e r B ezo ga r r e v ea le d to
his discipl e s a n d tran s m itt e d t o t he m as a v e ry gr ea t s e cre t
” 3
a n d m o st pr e ci o us gi f t But such a n a scripti o n is r athe r
.

o bvi o usly a l a t e fi cti o n .

D et e rm i n i n g the f a t e o f the p ati en t f r om the day o f the

m o o n up o n wh ich his ill ne ss w a s i n curr e d en t e rs a ls o i n t o
c e rt a i n sphe r e s o f li fe a n d d ea t h w hich w e r e m uc h em
pl o ye d in t h e e a rly m iddl e a ge s But in t he s e the n um be r
.

o f t h e day o f the m o o n is c o m bi n e d wit h a s e c o n d n u mb e r

o bt a i n e d by a n um e ric a l e v a lu a ti o n o f t he l e tt e rs f o rm i ng

t he p a ti e n t s n am e T h is m e tho d c am e d o w n f r om the
’
.

“
an ci e n t G r e e k sp e aki n g w o rld as in a
-
S p h e r e o f Dem oc
,

”
ritus pr o gn o stic o f li fe an d de ath f o un d in a L eyd en
,

p apyrus ? w h il e the v e ry si m ila r S pher e of P e tos ir is the ,

“
A s h m o l e 3 6 1 , m id 1 4th c en p hil o s o p h o a s tr o l o g o e t m e dic o .

“ “
t u r y, f o l s . 1 5 6 v 1 5 8 v,
-
I s te s u n t B N 3 660A, f o l s s3 r -s7 r. In .

l un a cio n e s qu a s A d am p r im u s th e c at a l o g u e of A s h bu r n h a m
h o m o d is p o s uit s ec un dum v e r a m M S S a t Fl o r e n c e th e n am e o f
e x p e r ie n t ia m qua m e t ia m s uis G io v an n in o di G ra z ian o is c o n
fi l iis t r a didit e t qua m m a x im e n e c t e d w ith a m o o n - bo o k in A s h
A be l e t c e t e r is de p o s te r ita t e ad bu r n h am 1 3 0, 1 3 - 1 5 th ce n tu r y,
“
qu o s e t ia m co n c o r da vit D an ie l fols -
. 2 5 6,
-
Luna p r im a A da m
p r o p h e ta fol 159 ,
“
Mo do n atu s f u it” B ut p e r h ap s
t h is n am e s h o
.

a g it u r d e n u m e r o l un e a d v
ide n ul d g o o n l y w ith
d u m qu e s it bo n a ve l que m a l a e t s o m e p r o gn o s t ic a t io n s , e x o r cis m s ,
u s u m is t ar um l un a c io n u m i nve n e a n d r e c ip es w h ich o cc ur at th e
”
r un t A da m e t D an ie l p r o p h e t a . c l o s e o f t h e p r e dict io n s f o r th e
“
C a no n . Mis c 5 1 7 , f o l 3 sr ,
. . t h ir ty day s o f t h e mo o n .

“
I nc ip it s c ient ia e dita ab e d r i E d L e e ma ns , 1833 - 188 5
. .
 xx 1x L A TI N AS TR O L O G Y AN D D I VI N A TI O N 68 3

m yt hic a l Egypti an a str o l o ge r , is v a ri o usl y d a te d by W .

Kr o ll f r o m the s e co n d c e n tury b e f o re Christ by E R i es s , .

f r o m t he first c e n tury be f o r e C h rist an d by F B o ll in the , .

fi rst c entury o f o ur e r a T he s o c a ll e d S phe r e is r eally

? “ ” -

o n ly a w hee l o f f o rtu n e ci r cl e o r o th e r pl an e figur e divid e d

, ,

i nt o c o m p art me n ts whe re di ff e re n t n u mb e rs a r e gr o up e d
Havi ng
“ ” “ ”
u nd e r suc h he adi n gs a s L i f e a n d De at h .

c alcul at e d the va lu e o f a p e rs o n s n am e by addi n g t o get he r ’

the G r e ek n u m e r als r ep r e s e n t e d by its c o m p o n e n t l e tt e rs ,

an d h avi n g f urt he r a dd e d in th e da y o f th e m o o n o ne ,

divid e s the s um by s o m e give n divis o r an d l o o ks f o r the

qu o ti e nt in the c o m part m en ts T h is m e t ho d o f divi n ati o n .

w a s als o e m pl o ye d in r e ga rd t o f ugitiv e sl av e s an d th e o ut
c o m e o f gl adi at o r i al c o m bats ?

I n t he me di e v a l L a ti n v e rsi o n s o f t he s e S ph e r e s o f li f e
an d d e at h th e n u m e ric a l v a lu e o f t he G r e e k l e tt e rs w a s n a t

u r all y usu a lly l o st a n d a rbitr a r y n u m e ric a l e quiv a l e n ts w e r e

a ssign e d t o t he R o m an l e tt e rs o r s o m e o t he r m e th o d o f

c a lcul ati o n was substitute d T he S phe r e of P e tosiris wa s .

p e rp etu at e d in the f o rm o f a l e tt e r by h im t o N e cheps o ,

ki n g o f E gypt ?
But m o r e c o mm o n t han t his in man u
scripts O f the n i n th t e n t h a n d e l eve nth c e nturi e s w a s the
, ,

S phe r e o f li f e a n d d eat h o f A pul e ius o r P yt h ago r as o r

b o th wh ich r e pl ac e d tha t o f D e m o c r itus L ik e it it co n
4
- .
,

sist e d o f the n u m b e rs f r o m o n e t o th i r ty a rran ge d in six

c o m p a rtme n ts t h r ee ab o v e a li n e ea ch c o n t a i n i n g s ix n um
,

be rs an d th r ee b e l o w the li n e havi n g f o ur e ac h J o hn
,
.

o f S al isbury in the tw e l f t h c e n tury p r e su m a bly r e f e rs t o

, ,

“B o uché - L e cl e r c of N e c h e p s o a n d P e to s ir is ( P hi
q 5 37
42 ; ( 18 7 9 I , 2 58 65 -
. B er l o l og u s S upp l
, V I, 1 89 1 — 1 89 3 ,
.

t h e l o t , A l c him is t e s g r e cs pp .
3 8 2 -
3) f rom C od L au r . .

-
90 K S udh o ff pp . XXXV I I I 2 4, 9 1 0t h ce n tu r y, f o l —
.

v k
.
,

W ic e r s h e im e r
.

17 4 .
pp .

“
A r un de l 3 1 9 ,
i 3 th ce nt u r y , f ol .
3 5 7 , n o te s E N 1 7 868 , 1 0t h c e n
1 -

2 r, V e r s u s d e f a u s t is in f an s v el t u r y, f o l 1 3 Fo r o t h e r M S S s ee
. .

t is n o m in ibu s p u gn a n t ium , is a A p p e n dix I t o t h is c hap t e r .

“
v
m e die a l La t in e x a m p l e .
“
P r in t e d by P a ul L e h ma n n ,
P r int e d a m o n g t r e at ise s o f A pu l e iu s f r ag m e n t e, Hermes
dub io u s o r s p u r io u s a ut h o r s h ip XL I X 6 12 2 0 F o r a l is t -
.

’
k
w it h B e de s wo r s M ig n e , P L 9 0,, o f s o m e M S S o f it s e e A p p e n d ix

9 3 6
6 an d mor e r e c e n tl y in I at t h e c l o s e o f th is c h ap te r
°
-
.

Rie s s ed it io n o f t h e f r agm en t s
 M A G I C AN D E XP E RI ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

it w he n h e sp ks divi ti
ea o c a sti n g by ins pe c
f na on o r lot -

” 1
ti o n o f t he s o c a ll e d P yt h a go r ean t a bl e ;
-
a n d it c o n ti n u e s

to be f o u n d wit h gr eat f r e q u e n cy in the m an uscript s O f

subs eq u ent c en turi e s ?
It is n o t to be c o n f us e d ho w ev e r , ,

with the P r e n os tica P itagor ice a m o r e e l ab o ra t e a ltho ugh , ,

s o m e w hat si m il a r m e tho d o f divi n ati o n by mean s o f

,

g e o m an tic t abl e s o f w h ic h w e s ha ll tr eat l at e r in the chapte r

,

o n B e r n a rd S ilv e st e r A S ph e r e a scrib e d t o S t D o n atus

. .

in a tw el f t h c e n tury m an uscript i n clud e s i nstructi o n s h o w

t o d e t e r m i n e the sign o f the z o di a c u n d e r w h ic h a p e rs o n
wa s b o r n by c o m puti n g t he di ff e r e n c e b et w e e n his nam e
a n d his m o th e r s n am e I f th is am o u n ts to f o ur l e tt e rs
’
.
,

he w a s b o r n u n d e r th e f o urt h sign a n d s o o n ?
,

T he survi val o f such sup e rstiti o us m et ho ds o f divi na

ti o n i n to the l at e r m iddl e a ge s is atte st e d n o t o n ly by t he
f r e qu e n t r ecurr e n c e o f t he S phe r e of A pul e ius and the
divi n a ti o n s f r o m the k al e n ds o f J an u a ry in m an uscript s o f
the l at e r c e n turi e s but by th e m e dic a l n o t e b o o k writt en
, ,

in m iddl e E n glis h o f J o hn Cr o phill w h o pr a ctic e d m edici n e

, ,

in S u ff o lk u n d e r He n ry I V ?
B esid e s a r e c o rd o f his
p ati e n ts an d the su m s o f m o n ey due f ro m t hem rul e s o f ,

di e ti ng an d bl oo d l e tti n g fo r the tw e lv e m o n t h s o f the y ea r

-
,

“
a n d h is m o r e r e gu l a r an d m a st e rly o bs e rv ati o n s up o n
Uri n his n o t e s i n clud e a tr ea tis e o n a str o l o gic a l m e dici ne
,

w h ic h in the s a rc a stic l an gu age o f the o l d c at al o gu e o f

,

the Ha rl e i an Ma n uscripts c o n clud e s

“
with a m a st e rpi e c e
,

o f a r t n am e ly a t r e tys o r c ha pt e r o f Ca lcul a ti o n t o k n o w
‘
, ,

P o ly c r a tic us I , 1 3 , e d W ebb,
“ “
. A f e w o f th e m w il l b e f o un d
I, 5 4 . Mr Webb in a n o t e r e f e rs
. l is t e d in Ap p e n dix I t o this c hap
t o a n a r t ic l e in a G e r m a n p e r io d i te r .

“
c al ( K . G il l e r t , N e u es A r c hiv d . E ge r to n 8 2 1 , f ol
12 th c e ntu r y, .

G es e l ls c h af t f al te r e d e u ts c h e
“
He c e s t s p e r a qu o d f e c it
'

. 1 sr ,
G e s c hic h ts k u n d e V , 2 54 ) c o n c e r n
, s a n c tu s D o n a tu s Q uic u m qu e
in g a M S o f t h e S ph e r e o f P y e gr o ta r e in c ip it I t is f o l
v
tha g o r a s p r e s e r e d a t P e t r o g r a d , l o w e d o n th e n e x t p ag e by th e
b u t s a y s n o thin g o f t h e M S S in u s ua l fig ur e f o r th e S phe r e of
th e B r it is h Mu s e u m l is t e d in Ap A p u l e ius .

“
p e n dix I t o t h is c h ap t e r , a g ood —
Ha r l e ian 17 3 5 ; th e p a s s ag e s
i ll u s t r a t io n o f t h e u nn e c e s s a r y o b r e f e r r e d t o in t h e f o l l o w in g a c
s e qu i o u s n e s s o f E n g l is h t o w a r d s c o u nt o cc u r a t f o l s 3 6V , 4 1 , 4 3
.
,

G e r m a n s c h o l a r s h ip w h ic h h a s 2 9 , 44 V , 40, a n d 3 9 V r e s p ect i e ly v .

v
f r e q ue n t ly p r e a il e d in t h e p a s t .
 M A G I C AN D E XP ERI ME N TA L S CI EN CE CHAP .

c ipt a ba r e list o f the E gypti an d ays is f o ll o w e d by a

s r

s o m e w h a t si m il a r a cc o u n t o f t h e t h r e e w h ich m ust be o h

s e rve d wit h e sp e ci a l ca r e I n a c al en d a r o f s a i n ts d ays in

? ’

t h is s am e m an uscript o nl y th e t h ird o f Ma rc h an d the th ird

o f July a r e m a rk e d dies eg ip tia gus E gypti an d ays a r e
? '

a ls o m a rk e d in th e c al e n d a r o f Ma ri an us S c o tus t he w e ll ,

k n o w n c hr o n icl e r and ch r o n o l o gist A s o m ew hat di ff e r en t

?

a cc o u n t in a tw e l f t h c e n tury m an uscript st a t e s t h a t th e s e
“

”
a r e th e d ays w h ic h G o d se n t wit h o u t m e rcy I t a ls o how .
,

e v e r lists tw o o f t h e m f o r e a c h m o n t h a n d di s ti n guis h e s t he
,

t hree in April August a n d D e c em b e r a s e sp e ci ally dan

, ,

?
ge r o u s

s e em s to b e n o do ubt th at t he s e E gypti an d ays

T he r e -

we re a r e lic o f the u n lucky d a y s in the an ci e n t E gypti an

“
c a l en d a r o f wh ich w e l ea r n f ro m s e v e r al p apyri a lt ho ugh
, ,

o f c o urs e t he a n ci e n t E gypti a n s w e r e a ls o a ccust o m e d to

disti ngui sh f urt he r the t h r ee divisi o n s o f e a ch day a s lucky

o r u n lucky T h e E gypti a n d a ys ar e n o t e d in o ffi ci al c a l en
.

d ars o f the R o m a n E m pire a bo ut 3 54 A D an d in the . .

,

F as ti P hil o caliani th e r e a r e tw e n ty fi ve in all o f wh ich th r e e

' -
,

f all in Jan u ary I n the m iddl e a ge s a s has alr e a dy b een .

,

illustr ate d t he r e w e r e usu ally but twen ty f o ur two t o e ac h

,
-
,

“
m o n th The y w e r e m e n ti o n e d in the L if e of P r o clus by
.

Ma ri n us an d b o th Am bro s e a n d A ugusti n e t e sti fie d th at

,

m any Ch risti an s still h a d f a it h in t h e m ?

I n d ee d t h ey ,

pa ss e d i nt o the e ccl e si a stic a l c al e nd a r a s the Fr an cisc an , ,

“
B art ho l o m e w o f E n gl an d st at e s in the th irt eenth c entury ,
.

a n o th e r 1 sth c entur y MS
“
D igby 63 , e n d o f oth c e ntur y,
'
.

“
f o l 36
. .
Cit e d by B o u ché -Le cl er cq,
“
L A s tr o l og ie g r e c qu e, 189 9 , p p
’
I bid f o l s 4 0 5
.
,
.
-
.
.

CU T r in ity 1 3 69 , 1 1 th c en tury, 4 85 6 , 6 2 3
3 -
.

“
f ol 1 v
. .
D e p r opr ie ta tibus r er um, 1488 ,
“
E N 7 2 99 A, 12 th c e n tur y, f o l . L in d e l b ac h , He idel b e r g , I X, 2 0 .

37 V T h is is n o t t o s ay, h o w e e r , th at v
“
Fo r in f o r m a t io n o n
f u r th e r th e y a l w a y s a p p e a r in m e die al v
t h is p o in t s e e B u dg e Eg yptia n ,
c al e n dar s ; I d id n o t fi n d th e m in

Mag ic 18 9 9 p p 2 2 5 - 8 ; W eb s te r ,
, , . a ny o f t h e i 4 th a n d 1 sth c e n tu r y

R e s t D ays 1 9 16 , p p 2 9 5 - 7 c a l e n dar s f rom Ap ul ia and

I ap yg ia p ubl is h e d by G M G io
. .
,
“
W eb ste r pp 3 00 -
3 01 , . .

v
.

v
h o w e e r , s p e a s o f 3 0 in a 1 4 th k e n e , K a l e nda r ia ve ter a , N ap l e s ,

c e n tu r y M S 3 2 in a n En gl is h M S 18 2 8 His c al e n dar s c o n s is t o f l it
.

v
,

o f He n r y V I s r e ig n , a n d 3 1 in days , al tho ugh

’
tl e s a e s aints
’
 xx1 x L A TI N A S TR O L O G Y AND D I VI N A TI ON

By t hat ti m e the n o t i o n ha d be c o m e pr e v al en t that the y

we r e an n i v e rs ar i e s o f th e d a ys up o n wh ich G o d afflicte d
Egypt wit h pl a gu e s a s o u r cit a ti o n s f r o m the m a n uscripts
,

hav e s h o w n B a rtho l o m e w i n d e e d is at p a i n s to e x pl a i n
.
, ,

“
t ha t the d ays ar e pl a c e d in th e churc h c a l e n d a r no t be ,

c aus e o ne s ho uld o m it an yt hi n g upo n t he m m o r e th an upo n

o t he r d a ys but in o rd e r t h a t G o d s m i r a cl e s m ay b e r e c a ll e d
’

t o memo ry The circum st an c e t ha t t h e r e a r e t w e n ty f o ur

.
-

d ays d o e s n o t em ba rr as s h im ; he si m ply ex pl a i n s that t h is

pro v e s that G o d s en t m o re pl agu e s up o n E gypt t han t he te n
w h ich ar e e sp eci a lly f am e d O u r cit a ti o n s f r o m e a rli e r
.

m an uscrip t s hav e s ho w n t hat m o st p e o pl e w o uld n o t agr e e

with B a rtho l o m e w th at n o t hi n g s ho uld be o m i tt e d o n t he s e
d ays Mo re o ve r o the r ex pl a nati o n s o f the i r o rigi n h ad
.
,

been alr ea dy giv en in the m iddl e a ge s than t hat f r o m th e

pl a gue s o f E gypt Ho n o rius o f A utu n st a t e d in t he tw e l ft h
.

c e ntury t ha t the y w e re c a ll e d E gypti an d ays b e c aus e t he y

ha d b e e n disc o v e r e d by the E gypti an s a n d si n c e E gypt ,

m ea n s d a rk ? t h e y a r e c a ll e d ten e br os i b e c a us e t h e y a r e
,

d e cla r e d t o bri n g the i n c auti o us to the s ha d o ws o f d eath 2

.

Th e Do m i n ic an Vi n c e n t o f B eauv ais w h o pr o b ably w r o t e

,
3
,

his encycl o p e di a s o o n a f t e r t ha t o f B arth o l o m e w did n o t ,

fi n d the discr e p an cy b etw e e n t e n pl a gu e s a n d tw e n ty f our -

d ays s o e a sy t o ex pl ai n aw ay He st a t e s tha t o f the t w o

.

E gypti an d ays in e ac h m o n t h o n e c o m e s n ea r t he b e gi nn i n g
a n d th e o th e r n ea r th e cl o s e as w e h av e a lr e a dy l e a r n e d
, .

He a dds tha t s o m e c a ll t hem lucky d a ys w h il e o t he rs s ay ,

t ha t the a str o l o ge rs o f Egypt disc o v e r e d t hat t hey w e re un

l ucky Y e t ano t he r ex pl an ati o n o f t he ir o rigi n i s th at o n
.

t he s e d ays the E gypti a n s we re a cc ust o m e d t o s a crific e to

dem o n s wit h the ir o wn bl o o d a circu m st an c e w hic h w o uld
,

n o t s e e m t o r e c o mm en d t he m f o r i n clu s i o n in t h e e ccl e si a s
-

tic al c a l en d a r B e rn a rd G o r d o n a m e dic a l writ e r a t the

.
,

in s o m e o f th e m th e b eg inn ing o f c o unt r y .

-
k
d o g d ays is m ar e d a n d w h e n t h e “
“
I ma g o m un di II , 1 09
, .

s u n e n t e r s e ac h s ign o f t h e z o diac
. S p e cu l u m n a tur a l e, XV I , 83 ,
”
e a r th w a s t h e n am e p r in t e d by A u th .K o bu r g e r ,
v
g i e n by t h e Egyp t ia n s t o t h e ir N ii r n b e r g, 1 4 85 .
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

e nd o f th irte en th c en tu r y re v e rts t o the p o siti o n that

t he ,

t h e E gy pti an d a ys w e r e in m e m o ry o f th e pl agu e s in E gy t
p .

He d e cl a re s t h at t he re is no s en s e in the pro h ibiti o n o f

bl o o d l e tti n g up o n the s e d ays si n c e the y have n o a str o l o gic al
-
,

sign ific an ce but a r e the ann ive rs a ri e s o f m ira cl e s w o rk ed

,

by sp e ci a l pr o vid en c e ?
G ilb ert o f E n gl an d e a rli e r in the ,

th irt e en th c e n tury had a dvis e d a ga i n st bl ee di n g o n E gypti an

,

d ays if t he m o o n w as t h en i n flu e n c e d by an y e vil plan et

,
2
.

O n the o th e r han d n o t o n ly did the tw e n ty f o ur E gypti an -

d ays an d the th r e e in April August a n d D e c em

,

be r w h ich, ,

w e r e c o n sid e r e d e s pe ci ally d an ge r o us c o nti n u e to be list e d ,

in t he f o u r t ee n t h an d fi f t ee n t h c e n tury m an uscripts but ,

i m it ati o n s o f t hem a pp e a r e d T hus in a f o urt een th cen .

tury m anuscript we r e ad o f f o rty p e ril o us d ays w hic h s ho ul d

b e o bs e rv e d wit h the utm o st c a r e a n d w h ic h G ree k m a s t e rs
ha v e t e st e d by ex p e ri en c e ; 3
w hil e in a s e c o n d m an uscript
o f t he cl o si n g m e di e v a l p e ri o d a pp ea r fi f ty e igh t d a n ge r o us -

“ ” 4
d ays a cc o rdi n g t o the A r abs O f th e G r ee k d ays o n ly .

tw e nty n i ne a r e actu ally list e d s ev en in J an ua ry thr ee in

-
, ,

Fe bru a ry an d s o o n o m itti n g the m o n th s o f J uly an d Au

, ,

gust e ntir e ly wh ic h p e rha ps s ho uld c o n t a i n the m iss in g

,

“
e l e v e n d a ys The A r a bic d a ys v a ry in n u m b e r p e r m o nt h
.

f r o m s e v en in Ma rch wh ic h is th e fi rst m o nth list e d to th r e e

, ,

in F e bru a ry An d t he re a r e f o ur o the r d ays an d n ights

.

a cc o rdi n g t o B e d e o n w h ic h n o o n e is e v e r b o rn o r c o n

“
HL 2 5, 329 . My im p r e s s io n is 75 . A d B am ir i
-
s t a tes in his z o o
t h at s o me m e die v al a s tr o n o me r s l o g ical l e x ic o n , ( e d A . S G . . .

al s o d e n ie d t o t h e s e Egyp tian days J ay ak e r , 1 9 06, I , 1 34 ) t h at Mo

a ny as t r o l o g ic a l im p o r t a n c e , s in c e h amm e d is r ep o r te d t o ha e said, v
t h e y a l w ays c a m e up o n t h e s a m e
“
v
B e c a ut io u s o f t w e l e day s in t h e
days o f t h e m o n t h s w it ho ut r e f y ear , b e c a u s e t he y a re s u c h a s
e r e n ce t o t h e p h a s e s o f t h e m o o n c a us e th e l o s s o f p r o p e r ty a n d
o r c o u r s e s o f t h e o th e r p l an e t s : b r ing o n dis g r a ce o r d is h o n o r .

b ut I c ann o t p ut my h an d o n s uch
“
M Ha m il to n G r e e k S ain ts
.
,

p a s s a ge s . a n d Th e ir F e s tiva ls , 1 9 1 0, p 18 7 , .

“
And is ap p r o ingl y c it e d t o v s t ate s t ha t
“
in a l l p a r ts o f ( m o d
t h at e ffe c t b y A r n a ld o f V il l an o a , v ern ) G r e e ce o n c e r ta in day s o f
R e g u la e g e n e r a le s c u r a tion is m or A ug u s t a n d Ma r c h it is c o n s id
bo r u m D o c tr in a I V
. . e r ed n ece s s ar y t o a b s t ain from
“
A s h m o l e 3 6 1 , m id 14 th c e ntur y, p ar t ic u l a r k
in ds o f wo r in o r de r k
f o l s 1 5 8 v- 1 5 9
“
. . v
t o a o id d is as te r
”
.

E N 7 33 7 , 14 - i sth ce ntu ry, p .

 MA GI C AND E XPE RI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

w o rk by Julius Fir m icus Maternu s sh o uld be f o u n d un de r

” 1
h is pill o w w he n h e di e d T he styl e o f Fi rm icus is m uc h
.

i m it ate d by the an o n ym o us auth o r o f The L aws of Hen ry I

a n d a n o t h e r l e ga l w o rk e n titl e d Q ua dr ipar ti tus writte n in

1 1 14 F L i eb e rm an n st ate s that the a uth o r was in the s e rv

. .

ice O f a rchbis h o p G e ra rd a f o r e s a id ?

Cha rl e s J o urd a i n o n c e ma d e t he ge ne r aliz a ti o n th at be

f o re the tr an sl ati o n o f the Quadr ipar tite o f P t o l em y an d the
w o rks o f the A r abi an a str o l o ge rs i n t o L ati n in the tw e l f t h
c en tury a str o l o gy had littl e h o ld am o n g m en o f l e a rn i n g
,

in w e st e r n E ur o p e ?
An e v e n m o r e e rr o n eo us a ss e rti o n w as
that in Burckh a rdt s D ie K ul tur der R e nais s an ce in I tal ien
’

“ ”
tha t at the b e gi n n i n g o f the th irt e e nth c e n tu r y the supe r
“
s t itio n o f a str o l o gy sudd en ly app ea r e d in the f o r e gr o un d
” 4
o f I t a li a n li f e E v e n J o u r d a i n s a ss e rti o n t h e e n tir e pr e s
’
.

e n t cha pt e r t e n ds to dispr o v e but si n c e it h a s be en q u o t e d

,

with appr o va l by a subs equ en t writ e r o n the th irteen th cen

“
tury we m ay d ea l with it a littl e f a rthe r The r eas o n which .
,

J o urd a i n a dd e d in supp o rt o f h is g en er aliz ati o n was t hat

“
b e fo r e the tr ansl ati o n s f ro m the A r abic t ho s e who culti
vate d a str o l o gy h ad no o t he r guid es t h an Cen s o ri n us Man il ,

ius an d Julius Fi rm icus wh o m ight i nde e d se duc e a few

, ,

“
B a tes o n , Medieva l E ng la nd, mid day h o u r s
-
, a nd t ha t p eop l e
1 9 04 , p . v
7 2 ; I h a e in t h e m ain s ay t h at
bo o a k
o f c u r io u s a r t s
f o ll o w e d t h e f ull e r ac c o unt in w as f o un d be n e ath h is p il l o w
“
DNB G e r ar d, f r o m w h ic h th e w h e n h e die d Th is , th e l at e
.

p r e v io u s q u o t a t io n i s t ake n. W il v
m e d ie al c h r o n ic l e r s s a y, w a s
l ia m o f Ma l m e s bu r y, G e s ta P o n Fir m ic us : s e e Ranul f Higden , e d .

tifi c u m A ng l or u m , I I I , 1 1 8 ( e d . L um by, V I I , 42 0, an d K n yghto n ,

N E S A Ha m il to n , R S , vo l
. . . . . e d T w ys den , X,
. 2 37 5 .

“
5 2 1 8 7 0 ) d o e s n o t s a y d e fi n it ely Fir mic u s M a ter n us , e d; K r o l l
k
,

t ha t th e bo o k f o und un d e r e t S ut s c h , I I p iv ; a n d .

G e ra r d s p illo w wa s Fir micu s F Liebe r m an n, e d Q uad r ipar titus

’
. . .
,

A l s o h e s ay s n o th in g o f bo y s Hal l e , 189 2 , p 3 6, and .D ie

G e s e tze der Ang e ls a chs en, Hal l e ,
’
s t o n in g t h e bi e r o r o f G e r a r d s
e n e m ie s in t e r p r e tin g h is d e ath a s 1 9 03 4 9 06 . I . 5 48 .

a v
d i in e j udg m e n t , a n d in h is
“
C J o u r dain, N ico las O r es me
.

a ut o g r ap h c o p y o f t h e G es ta P o n e t l es a s tr o l ogu es a la co ur d e
tifi c u m h e a f t e r w a r d s e r a s e d th e C har l es V, in R evu e d e s Q u e s
s t at e m e n t s tha t r um o r a cc u s e d tio n s His to ri qu es , 1 87 5 , p 1 3 6 . .

“
G e r a r d o f man y c r im e s a nd l u s t s , Eng lis h t r an s l a t io n, ed of .

a n d t h a t h e w a s s aid t o p r a ct ice 1898 , p 5 08 . .

“
s o r ce ry be ca us e h e re a d J ul iu s N Val o is
.
p 3 05 . .

Fir micus o n th e s l y be f o r e th e
xx1x L A TI N AS TR O L O G Y AND D I VI N A TI O N

is o l a t e d dr e am e r s but did n o t ha v e e n o ugh w e ight to co n

vi n c e ph il o s o phe rs P to l em y an d the A r abs o n the c o n
.
,

t r a r y app e a r e d as m a st e r s o f a r e gul a r sci e n c e h avi n g its

,
”
o w n pri n cipl e s a n d m e t h o d . T h is s o u n ds a s if J o u r d a i n
h a d n o t r ea d Firm icus w h o give s a m o r e e l ab o r ate pr e s e n t a
ti o n o f the a rt o f a str o l o gy t h an the e l em e n t a ry Q uadr ipar
ti te O f P t o l em y . I t is tru e th a t P t o l e m y h a d a gr e a t s c ie n
t ifi c r e put a ti o n f r o m h is o th e r writi n gs but Man ilius is a
,

p o et o f n o s ma ll m e rit a n d th e r e w o uld be n o r ea s o n w hy
,

an a ge w h ic h a cc e pt e d O vid an d V e rgil a s au tho r it ies c o n

-

c e r ni n g n atu r e an d r e ga rd e d suc h w o rks a s D e ve tula an d

th e S e cr e t o f S e cr e ts a s ge n ui n e w o rks o f O v id a n d A ris
to tl e s h o uld dr a w d e lic at e di s ti n cti o n s b e t w e en Fir m icus
,

an d A lbum a s a r o r Man ilius a n d A l k in di . I t w a s b ec aus e

r eadi n g F ir m icus an d ev e n pr actici n g th e crude r m o de s o f
divi n ati o n w h ic h w e hav e d e scribe d ha d a lready a r o us e d an
in te r e st in a str o l o gy th at o th e r w o rks in th e fi e ld w e r e s o ugh t
o ut an d tr an sl at e d . Mo r e o v e r th e r e is an e v e n m o r e c o ge n t
,

O bj e cti o n t o J o urd a i n s g en e r a liz a ti o n w h ich w ill b e de

’

ve l o p e d in th e f o ll o wi n g c h apt e r a n d it is th a t th e t aki n g o v e r
,

O f A r abic a st r o l o gy h a d a lr e a dy b e gu n l o n g b e f o r e th e

t w e l f th c en tury We ha v e i n dee d in the pr e s en t ch apt e r

.
, ,

to ld o n ly hal f the st o ry o f a str o l o gy in th e t e n th a n d e l eve n th

c en turi e s an d m ust n o w tur n b ack to G erber t an d th e i ntr o
,

ducti o n o f A rabic a str o l o gy .

 AP PE NDI X I

S OM E M A N U S CRI P TS OF THE S P H E RE OF P Y T HA G ORA S OR

A P U LE I U S

B e side s the c o pi e s n o t e d by W ick e rsh e i me r ( 1 9 1 3 ) in

Fre n c h m an usc ripts f r o m the n i n t h t o t he e l e v e n t h c en turi e s ,

s uc h a s L a o n 4 0 7 O rl ea n s 2 7 6 a n d B N n o uv ac q 1 6 1 6
, , . .
,

“
wh er e in f a ct it o ccurs twic e : at f o l 7 v R a ti o spe re phyta .
,

g o r p hil o s o p h i qu e m e p u l e gu s d es c r ip s it a n d a t f o l 1 4 r , .
,

R ati o p ita ge r e de in fi r m is the f o ll o wi n g m ay be list ed

,
—
.

B N 5 2 39 , l oth c e n t u r y, it 1 2 .

i
Har l e a n 3 0 1 7 , 1 0th c e n t u ry, fol s8 r ,
. Rat io sp he r a e Pythago r ae
p h il o s o p h i qu a m Ap ul e u s i de s c r ip s it .

i
C o tto n T be r us C, V I , 1 l thi c e n t u r y, f ol . 6 v, I mag i n e s v itae et

mo r ti s qu a r um ut r a qu e r o tu l u m t e n e t l o n gu m l it e r is et n um e r is

qu ae ad s p h ae r am Ap ul e ii ad l ate r a a ds c r ip t is , c um v e r s ibu s

p ag i na c ir c u ms c r ip t is . Th e fi gur e s ar e o f Vita w ith h al o , r o b es ,

an d a n g e l c i f ace , and o f Mor s ,

wh o w e a r s o n ly a pa ir of dr aw e r s ,
w hos e r i bs s ho w t h r o u gh his fl e s h, an d w h o h as w i n gs l i k e a

de mo n . O n e h a s to t ur n th e p ag e up s i de dow n in o r de r to r e ad

so me o f it .

C U T r i n i ty 1 3 69 , 1 1 th c e nt u r y, f ol . 1 r, j us t be f o r e th e Cal e nda r
of Ma r i a nus S c otus ,
“
R a c io sp e r e p yt a go r ic e qua m ap ul e us i
”
de s cr ip s it .

Cha r t r e s 1 1 3 9 th c e ntur y, f ol 9 9 , f ol l ow i ng w or k s by Alcui n,

, .

“ ”
S p e ra Ap ul e ii Pl ato n is .

I v r e a 1 9 1 0th c e ntu ry, it s D e s p e r a P ut ago r ae

, , .

C L M 2 2 3 07 , 1 0- 1 1 th c e ntu ry, f ol 1 94 R at i o s p h a e r ae Phita go r e ac .

,

“
p hil o s o p h i qu a m Ap ul e g ius de s c r ip s it P e to s ir is p h il o s op hus ,

Mic ip s o r e gi s alute m w h e r e it w o ul d s e e m t o be c o n f use d

w i th th e l e tte r o f P e t o s ir is t o N e ch e p s o .

V at i c a n P al at L at 1 7 6, 1 0th c e n tu ry, f o l 1 6 2 V , Eul ogi i rati o

. . .

in a MS co ntai n i ng wo r k s o f
”
s p e r a e Pita g o ra e p h iIO S O p h i ,

J e r o me Augus ti ne
, , a nd Amb r o s e .

69 2
69 4 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HA P . xx 1x

B o dl e ian 26 ( B e rna r d 1 3 - 1 4th c e n tur y, f ol s . 2 07 a n d 2 1 6V .

B o dl e i an 17 7 ( B e r na r d l at e 1 4th ce ntur y, it 1 , Pyth a go r ae

s p ha e r a .
i
qua m Ap ul e us e xa r av it u t s c as a n i ae g e r co n va l e s c at ;
it 14 , f o l 2 2 r , Ap ul e i i Pl at o n ic i S p h a e r a de
. v i ta et mor te et de
o mn ibus n e g ot iis qua e in quir e r e vol u e r is .

Amp l o n Qua r to 3 80, i 4th c e ntu ry, at th e cl ose o f a G eomancy by

.

S p e r a Ap ul e y de v i ta et mo rte v el de o mn i bus
“
Abda l l ah ,
n e g oc iis de qui bus s c ir e v ol ue r is ; s ic f a c i a s .

Addit i o n al 1 5 2 3 6 , 1 3 i 4 th c e ntu ry, f ol 1 08 , S p e r a ( P ict ago r e ) de

-
“
.

v ita et mo r te s i v e de r e al i a quacunque s e cun dum Ap ule ium .

Ha r l e i a n 5 3 1 1 , 1 sth c e ntu r y, f ol de r i, S p e ra Ap ul l e i
“
.

S Ma rc o XI , 1 1 1 , l 6th c e n tu r y, a s c r ibe s a w h e e l o f l i f e a n d de ath

.

t o B e de th e p r e s byt e r , a nd a noth er to Ap oll oni us a nd Pythag

“ ”

o ra s .
 A P P E ND I X I I

EG YP TIA N DA YS I N EA RL Y M EDI EVA L M A N U S CRI PTS

T he fo ll o wi n g citati o n s c o uld pro b ably be greatly mul

tipl ie d .

BN n ouv . ac q 9 th c e ntur y, f ol 12 r
. 1 6 1 6, . .

Di gby 63 , e n d o f 9 t h ce nt u ry, A n gl o - S axo n m i nuscul e , f ol .

3 6,
D i e s Eg ip c iac hi
“
.

B e rl in 13 1 ( Ph i ll ip s 1 869 ,
Tr i er ) 9 th c e ntu ry, f ol 12 r
, . .

L uc c a 2 3 6 , a bo ut 9 00 A D , o n . . its l a st 3 l e a e s a r e Egyp t v i an days

a nd a dr e am b o o -
k
de s c r be d by G ia c os a i p 3 49 . .

Ha rl e i an 3017 , 1 0th c e nt u r y, f o l 5 9 r , De die bu s

. E g ip t iac is qui mal i
s un t in a nn o c r c u l o i . Th e c at a l o gu e dat e s th is MS as 920 A D . .

but at f ol
66 r th e dat e is g e n
. iv as D c CCl x ii or D CC CCl xii
( 9 62 A D ) — a l ette r s e e ms to ha
. . ve be e n e r as e d wh i ch p r obably
w as th e f o u rt h C .

Har l e i an 3 2 7 1 ,
1 0th c e ntu ry f ol . 12 1, V e r s us ad d ies Egyp
t iac a s inve n ie n da s . S ee al s o B ae h r e n s , P o e t l a t min V , 3 54 —6 ; . . .

Momms e n C IL I , 4 1 1 .

S l o a n e 4 7 5 th i s p o r ti o n o f t he MS I O - I I th c e ntu ry, f ol Z 1 6V ,
, .

V e r s us de s ign ifi cat io n e die r um me n s i s op e n i ng, “

Te neb r ae ,

Ae gyp tus G r e c os s e r mo n e v o c antur .

Addi t i o n al 2 2 3 9 8, 1 0th c e nt u r y, f ol . 1 04 .

i
Co tto n C al gul a A, XV , w r tt e n mo s tly in G aul be f o r e 1 000 A D , i . .

k
f o l 1 2 6, a lis t o f l u c y a n d unl uc y days f o r me d c al p u rp os e s ,
. k i
in An gl o S axo n -
.

Cott o n T it u s D , XXV I , 1 0th c e n tury, f ol 3 v . .

Cott o n V ite lliu s A, XII , f o l 39 V . .

Co tto n V i te ll i u s C , V II I, in A ngl o- S axo n , f o l . 2 3, de t r i bus anni

d ie bus A e gyp t ia cis .

i i
CU T r n ty 9 4 5 , e a r ly fol 37 1 1 th c e nt u ry, . .

CU T r i n i ty
1 3 69 , 1 1 th c e n tu r y ( p e r h a p s 1 086 A D ) f ol 1 v . . . .

i
V a t c a n 644 1 0- 1 1 th c e n tu ry, f o l 7 7 r , e r s us du o de c im de diebus
, . v
a e gyp t iis , a n d a f r ag me n t
“
de t r bu s d ie bu s a e gypt iis i .

Di j o n 44 8 , 1 0- i 2 th c e nt u ry, f o l 8 8 , Cal e n dr i e r , a v e c j o ur s é gyp .

“ ”
t iaq ue s a j o ut és ; f ol 19 1 , D e Egyp t ia c is die bu s B e de s D e
’
. .

69 5
69 6 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP x x 1 x
.

te mpo r ibus an d De n a tu r a r e r um oc c ur tw i ce in th i s MS and

at f ol . 18 1 is an i nc ant at ion fo r us e in f e v e rs .

Ha r l e i a n 1 58 5 an d S lo an e w h e r e t h e E gyp t
19 7 5, i an days ar e

f o un d w ith t h e H e r ba r ium o f Ap ul e us , a r e b o th i 1 2 th c e ntu r y

b u t p r ob a b ly c op ie d f r om e arl e r i MS S .

S o in Ch a l o n s -
s ur - Ma r n e 7 ,
1 3 th c e nt u ry, f ol
4 1, . v e rs e s on th e
Egyp t i an days oc cur i
w th t h e A r r c a l cu l a to r ia o f He lp e r icu s of

Auxe r r e w ho w r o t e in th e i
n nth c e n tu r y .

I hav e usu ally n o t n o ted the o ccurr e n c e o f the E gypti an

days in l ate r m an uscripts A f ew e x c e pti o n s ar e : .

B N 7 2 99 A, 1 2 th c e n tu r y, f o l 3 7 r . .

C L M 2 3 3 9 0, 1 2 - 1 3 t h c e n t u r y, t h e l a s t i te m is , V e rses c on c e r n n gi
v e s i g ns nd th e Egyptian days
t h e tw e l a .
”
Th e p r e v i o us co n

t e nts w e e ma i n l y e l ig i o u s
r r .

Ca mb r a i 1 9 5 f o l 2 08 ; 2 2 9 f ol 5 6 ; 82 9 f ol
, .
, .
, .
54 ; all th re e MS S of

t h e 1 2 th c e nt u ry .

i
C a mbr a 8 6 1 , e a r ly 1 3 t h c e ntu ry, f ol 5 6 . .

S lo a n e 2 46 1 , e n d o f 1 3 th c e n t u r y, f o l s 6 2 r -64v . .

The ve rse s co nc e r n ng i t he t e n p l agu e s of Egypt i

c o nt a ne d in
C LM 1 8 62 9 , l o th c e n t u r y, . i
f o l 9 3 , a n d a s c r b e d by th e c at al o gu e
t o Eu g e n i us T o l e tan u s ha v e , I p r e s um e , n o c o n n e ct o n w t h t h e i i
Egyp t ian da ys S uch p r
. t o b e t h e c a s e w i t h E N 1 62 1 6 , 1 3 t h
oved

c e nt u r y, f o l 2 5 1 V , d e de c e m p l a g is E gyp t io r um e t de v ii die b u s ,
.

“ ”
al th o ug h f r o m t h e f a c t t h at it f o l l o w s P r e c e pt a P itha go r e I
‘

s us p e c t e d b e f o r e e x a m in i n g it th at it m ight h a v e s o me th i n g t o do

i
w th d ivi i
n at o n . B ut n ot e v en t he Pyth a g o r e an p r e ce p ts ha ve in
thi s ca s e .
 MA G I C AND E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

a str o n o m y an d a str o l o gy an d als o by tr an sl ati o n s o f Ar abic

a ut ho rs I w as s o m e w h a t st a rtl e d w he n I first f o u n d w o r ks
.

by A r abic a uth o rs an d us e o f a str o n o m ic al t e rm i n o l o gy

dr aw n f ro m the A r abic in a m an uscript o f the e le ve nt h cen
tury in the British Mus eu m an d Wick e rs he i m e r was si m i
1

l a r ly surpris e d at th e tr a c e s o f A r abic i n flu en c e in a si m il a r
but still e a rli e r man uscript o f the t en th c en tury at P a ris 2
.

Bubno v ho wev e r had alre ady n o te d th i s Pa ris m anuscrip t

, ,

a s a pr o o f t ha t Ar a bi c bo o ks w e r e b e i n g tr an sl a t e d i n to L ati n

in G e rbe r t s ti m e a n d o n e o f G e r b e rt s l e tt e r s writt e n in
3
’ ’

, ,

9 8 4 t o a L up it u s o f B a rc e l o n a ( p
L u i to B ar e h in o n e n s i ) as k '

“ ”
ing him to s e n d G e r be rt a b o o k o n a str o l o gy w h ic h he
ha d tra n sl at e d p o i n t s in t he s a me dir e cti o n
,
I n the pr e s .

e nt ch apt e r w e s h a ll discuss th e c o n t en ts o f th e e a rly m an u

s cripts j ust m e n ti o n e d an d o f s o m e o t he r s w h ic h s e em t o

hav e s o me c o nn e cti o n e ithe r with G e r be rt o r the intr o duc

ti o n o f A rabic a str o l o gy i n t o L ati n l e ar n i n g .

I n a n e l e v e n t h c e n tury m an uscript at Mun ic h the as 4

t r o lo gic al w o rk o f Fir m icus is pr e c e d e d by writi n gs in a

di ffe r e n t han d up o n the a str o lab e O ne o f t he s e in its pr e s
.
,

e n t st at e a n a n o ny m o us f r a g m en t is a stilt e d an d fl o rid in ,

t ro ductio n t o a tr an sl a ti o n f ro m the A ra bic o f a w o rk o n

the a str o l a b e An o t he r is a tr ea tis e o n the a str o l ab e in
5
.

twenty o ne chapte rs a nd c o nt a i n i n g m an y A r abic nam es

-
6
.

‘
Additio n al a n arr o w o l der hand than t he fi r st p o r tio n .

f o lio in v ell um w ith a l l t h e t r e a

‘
B ubn o v 1 2 4 6 , n o te -
.

t is es w r itte n in t h e s am e l arg e ,
‘
C L M 5 60 d es c r ib e d in B ub
,

p l a in ha n d w ith f e w abbr e ia v n o v, G er be r ti op er a ma the ma tic a,

t io n s A c o n s ide r abl e p ar t o f th e 1899 p x l i
, . .

MS i s o ccup ie d by t he w o r o n k “
I bid . fo ls
,
16 r - 1 9
. Fragm e n ,

m u s ic o f G u ido o f A r e zz o ( c . t um lib e l l i de a s t r o l ab io a quo da m

995 T his MS is n o t n o t e d e x A r ab ico v
e r s i I n c ip it
“
. A d in ,

by Wic e r s h e im e r o r by B ubno ,
k v t imas s umm e p hyl o s o p h ie d is c i
a l tho ug h it in c l ude s t r eat is e s o n p l ina s e t s ubl im ia” ip s ius p e r i ce
th e a b ac u s an d th e a s t ro l ab e t io n is a r c h is te r ia P r in te d by
.

whic h a r e p e r h ap s by G e r be rt . B u b n o v “
pp 37 7 5 0-
.

I n c ip it Q uic u mque a s t r o n o mi
°
f r o m t h e c h a p te r
’
BN
”
of N o t r e D am e o f P a r is , 2 1 am p e r it ia m dis cip l in ae ; th e
v
lea es . k
Wic e r s h eim e r p r inte d e dit io n s in se r t a dis cer e
3 2 1 -
3 , s t a t e s th at it h a s al l t h e a f t e r a s tr o n o m ia m, b ut it h a s n o t
k
m a r s o f t h e w r iting o f th e t e nth b e e n th e r e in t h e MS S w h ic h I
c e n tur y : D e l is l e so da te d it . v
h a e s e e n and is n o t n e e de d .

B ubn o v L XV I I , r e g a r ds P r in te d by P e z, The s aur us A n ec

f o l s 14r e t s e q as by a s l ightly
. . d o tor u m N ovis s I I I , ii, 109 -30,
.
 GERB ERT AN D AR AB I C A S TR O L O G Y 69 9

Bub nov lists th r ee o th e r c o pi e s o f th e i n tr o duct o ry fr a gm en t ,

an d t he y a r e a ll in m an uscripts w h e r e th e s e c o n d tr eatis e is

als o i n clud e d ;
1
it ho we ve r is o f t en f o u n d in o the r manu
, ,

scripts w he r e the ano n ym o us f r a gm en t d o e s n o t a pp ea r an d ,

it m ust be adm itte d that its o m issi o n is n o great l o ss .

Altho ugh the f r a gm e n t pr e c e d e s the o t he r tr e a tis e in

o n ly o n e m an usc ript m en ti o n e d by Bub no v t h e r e is r e a s o n ,

to t h i nk that the y b el o n g t o g e the r si n c e b o th are c o n c e r n e d

,

with the Wazzal com o r pl an isphe r e o r as tr olaps us o f

P t o l e m y and si n c e the pl an o utli n e d by the writ e r o f the
,

i ntr o ducti o n is f o ll o w e d in the tr e ati se o f twe nty o n e chap -

t e rs ex c ep t t hat it en ds i n c o m pl e t ely Bub n o v r e c o gn iz e d .

t h is yet did n ot u n it e t hem as a si n gl e w o rk In 9 84 G er

,
2
.

be rt wr o te to a L upito B ar chin on ens i a ski n g L up itus to

“ ”
s en d him a w o rk o n a stro l o gy wh ich L upitus had tran s
1at e d 3
I f L up itu s w as o f B a rc e l o n a his tr an sl ati o n w as
.
,

pr o b ably f ro m the A ra bic an d as such tr an sl ati o n s w e r e

,

pre sumably n o t c o mm o n in the t e nth c entu r y it is n a tur al ,

t o w o n d e r if he may n o t be the ab o v e me n ti o n e d a n o nym o u s -

tr an sl ato r Th is Bubno v sugge st e d in the c a s e o f the i ntr o

.

ducto r y f r a gme nt 4
but the tr eatis e in twen ty o n e chapte rs
,
-

he pla c e d am o n g the d o ubt f ul w o rks o f G e r ber t b e c aus e a

5
,

m o n a stic c a t al o gu e c o m p o s e d b e f o r e 1 0 8 4 sp e aks o f a w o rk
o f G e r be r t o n th e a str o l a b e w h il e s ix m a n uscripts o f the
,

( 17 2 1 ) an d in co r r ectl y a s c r ibe d as in o th e r MS S R e gul ae e x

of
“

by h im t o He r m an n us Co n tr ac t us , l ib r is P t o l o m e i r egis d e co m
”
b e cau s e it o f t e n o cc u r s in th e p o s it io n e a s t r o l a p s u“s Y e t B ub .

M S S t og ether w ith an oth e r t r e a n o v s ay s , p c x i,

. v
Catal o g ue s o f
t is e o n t h e a s t r o l a b e b y a
“
He r i A dditio n al M S S ( o mn ia o l um i v
m ann u s Ch r is t i p au p er u m p c r ip n a in s p e x i q ua e a n te a 189 5 e d it a
, .

s im a et p hil o s o p h ia e t yr o n u m s un t ) . B M Eg e r t o n 8 2 3 1 2 th ,
”
a s e l l o im o l im a c e t a r dio r a s s e c l a . c e n t u r y, f o l 4r . EN 7 4 1 2 , 1 2 t h
.

O f this l as t w e s h a ll h a e m o r e v an d 1 3 th c e n t u r ie s , fols 1 -9 , .

t o s ay p r e s e n tl y T h e e dit io n o f
.
“
v
Wa ztal k o r a s i e” t r act d e ut il i .

P e z r e ap p ear s in Mig n e , P L v o l . t a tibu s a s t r o l ab ii P r o fe s so r D .

v v
.

1 43 . B u bn o 1 14 - 4 7 , g i e s B . Ma c do n a l d s ug ge s ts t ha t
a n e w e dit io n an d a t p p
,
1 09 - 1 3 a
. W az ta l k o r a is f o r r a s mu - l - k u r a,
l is t o f t h e M S S o f th e w o r , in k “
t h e d e s cr ibin g o f t h e s p he r e in
v
w hich , h o w e e r , h e f a il s t o n o t e li e s
n
th e f o ll o w in g : a nd th e y a r e a l s o
ab s e n t f r o m h is g e n e r a l in de x o f
1 5 3 c o dic e s a t p p x ii- x c
. v BM .

Additio n al MS 1 7 808 , 1 1 th c e n
tu r y f o l s 7 3 v-7 9 r , un de r t h e t itl e
, .
 MA G I C A N D E XPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

t wel f th an d th irt e ent h c e nturi e s a ltho ugh n o ne e arli e r t o ,

his k no wl e dge a scrib e t h is v e ry tre atis e o f tw e n ty o n e c h a p

,
-

t e rs to G e rbe r t Bubn o v b e li e ve d t ha t W ho ev e r the a utho r

.

o f th e tr ea tis e in tw e n ty o n e c h apt e rs w as h e h a d utiliz e d

—
,

the f ull w o rk o f the an o nym o us tr an sl at o r But th is s e em s .

a r a t he r u nn e c es s a ry r e fi n e m e n t F o r w h a t h as b e c o m e o f
.

t a t tra sl ti
h n a o n ? Why i s o n ly its w o rdy an d r h eto r ical -

pr e f ac e ex t an t ? I f the write r o f the tw en ty o ne c hapt e rs -

d e str o y e d its t ex t a ft e r pl agi a rizi n g it why did h e n o t als o ,

m ak e a w ay with th e pr e f a c e ? I t s e e m s m o r e pl a usibl e tha t

the tw e n ty o n e c h a pt e rs a r e th e o rigi n a l tr an sl a ti o n f r o m
-

the A r a bic a n d t ha t m an y m ak e rs o f m an uscripts h av e

,

c o pi e d it a l o ne a n d o m itte d the w o rdy a n d rathe r w o rt hl e ss

pre f a c e o f the tran sl a t o r I f as Bub n o v sugge st e d the
.
, ,

tr eatis e in tw en ty o ne chapte rs is G er be rt s r e visi o n an d

- - ’

p o lish i n g up o f L up itus tran sl a ti o n why did he n o t p r e

1
’
,

fix a n e w i n tr o ducti o n o f h is o wn ? An d w hy s ho ul d any o ne
‘

try to p o lish up the styl e o f s o rh e t o ric al a write r as he who

pe nn e d the ex t an t a n o n ym o us i n tro ducti o n ?
I f w e a cc e pt th is an o n ym o us i n tr o ducti o n as th e pr e fac e
t o the tw e n ty o n e c h a p te rs G e r be r t w o uld be the m o st lik e ly
—
,

pe rs o n to a scribe bo th t o u n l e s s w e a rgu e t h at he c o ul d
,

n o t m a k e a tr a n sl a ti o n f ro m t he A r a bic a n d t ha t his l e tt e r

a ski n g t o s ee a tr an sl a ti o n f r o m t h e A r a bic by L up it u s is

a pr o o f o f t h is I f G e r be r t is n o t the a uth o r L up itu s

.
,

w o uld p e rha ps be the nex t m o st lik e ly p e rs o n but the h i n t ,

c o n t a i n e d in G e rber t s l e tte r is all th at p o i n ts to L up itus

’
,

an d i n d e e d t he o n ly m e n ti o n t ha t w e ha v e o f h im I f the .

tr an sl a t o r i s s o m e th ird u nk n o w n p e rs o n at l ea st he is n o t ,

l at e r t han th e e l e v e n t h c e n tury I f o n the o the r h and w e.

, ,

r e ga rd the i ntro ducti o n o f the tran sl at o r and the twe nty

o n e c h a pt e rs a s by di ff e r e n t p e rs o n s w h o p e r ha ps h ad n o ,

c o n ne cti o n with e a ch o the r an d G e rbe r t s l e tte r o f 9 8 4 a s

,
’

h avi n g n o t h i n g to do wit h e it he r w e hav e the m o r 3 e vid e n c e

,

o f a n e a rly a n d wid e spr e a d i n t e r e st in a str o n o m y a n d

‘
B ubno v 37 0
“
Ho c man um h abuit , r e tr actavit dic en
”
o pu s cul um ex ve r s um ad
.

Arabi c o cl i qu e ge n ere e x p o l x
vxt .
7 02 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

He rm an n s tr e atis e str o l ab e in the e l even th c entury

the
’
on a ,

t hey c o uld n o t be the w o rk o f He rm ann the tr an sl ato r o f the

n ex t c e n tury
1
Mo r e o ve r in the th irt e ent h c en tury the tr ea
.
,

tis e s eem s to hav e b e en r e gard e d as the w o rk o f He rm ann

t he L am e
2
T he a ut h o r s s e l f d e pr e ci at o ry d e scripti o n o f
’
-
.

hi m s e l f is a ls o a m ar k o f He rm an n the L am e wh o in ano the r ,

treatis e a ddr e ss e d to his f ri e n d Herran dus an d discussi n g the

“
l en gth o f a m o o n c alls h i m s e l f o f Ch rist s po o r a vil e ’

” 3
a b o rti o n .

I n the tr e atis e o f tw en ty o ne ch apt e rs w h ich si m ply -

,

t ells ho w t o us e the a s tr ol ab e the re is n atur ally n o re fe r ,

e n c e to j udici a l a str o l o gy But in the i ntro ducti o n o f th e

.

a no nym o us writ e r t o h is tr an sl a ti o n f r o m t he A r abic o f

a w o rk o n the as tr o l a b e t he r e is m en ti o n o f th e i n flu enc e
“
o f th e st ars Th e ir c o n c o rd wit h al l m u n d ane cr ea tur e s in
.

” “
a ll t h i n gs is r e ga rd e d a s e stablishe d by s e cr et i nstituti o n
1
P f ro ess
o H ki r h a as w
ns g o d m n and d r t G o d
as n as a o a ea o
n o un c e d in p r e p ar at io n a n
as an d t h at o n e d ay a n an g e l o ff e r e d
a r t ic l e o n He r m an n t h e t r a n s l a t o r h im h is c ho ice b e t w ee n bo dil y
w h ic h w ill p e r h ap s s ol e th e v h eal th w itho ut g r e at wis do m and
d iffi cu l tie s . th e g r e at es t s c ienc e w ith co rp o r al
“
I n a B e r l in m a nu s c r ip t o f t h e in fi r m ity He r m an n c h o s e th e
.

t w e l f t h c en t u r y ( B e r l in 9 5 6 , f o l . l at te r an d a f t e r w ar ds b e c ame a
1 1 ) t he r e is a dde d a n o t e in a p a r a l yt ic a n d g o uty .

T h is t r e a t is e , in which Her
a
th ir t e e n th c e n t u r y h a n d r e c o un t
in g t h e l e g e n d t h a t t his He r m an n man n e xp r e s s e s a m az e m e nt t h at
w a s t h e s o n o f a in g a n d que e n k B e de h a s s o un d er e s tim ate d the
a n d th a t , his m o t h e r h a in g b e e n v du r a t io n o f th e mo o n, imm e diat e l y
k
as ed b e f o r e his b ir th w h e th e r p r e c e de s t h e o n e o n t h e a s t r o l ab e
s h e w o u l d p r e f e r a h an d s o m e a n d in B N n o uv a c q 2 2 9 , a G e r m an
. .

f o o lis h s o n o r a l e a r n e d an d M S o f th e tw e l f th ce ntur y, f o l s .

s h am e f u l l y ug l y o n e a nd s h e h a v 1 7 r- 1 9 r ( f o r m e r ly p p 2 6 5 .

in g c h o s e n t h e l att e r a l te r n at i e , v A f t e r t he t r e a tis e o n th e as t r o l abe

h e w a s b o r n h u n c hb a c e d a n d
I t w a s f r o m t h is M S o f
l am e .
k k
f o l l o w s a th ir d w o r by He r m an n ,
“
d e q uo d am h o r o l o g io , f o l s 2 5 V .

t h e t r e a t is e o n t h e a s t r o l ab e t h a t 28r . T he n f o ll o w s t h e t r e at is e in
P e r t z e dit e d t h e l e g e n d in th e t w e n ty-o n e c ha p te r s o n t h e as t ro
M o nu men ta G er ma n ia e ( S cr ip l ab e .

t o r es , V , Ro s e p . T h e s e c it at io n s a l o n e a r e s uf
1 1 7 9 , c a l l s t h e w r it e r o f t h is n o t e fi c ie n t t o d e m o n s t r a te t h e e r r o r o f
,
k
B e r e n g a r t o o , a s in g a n e n t t h e
’
C l e r va l s a s s e r t io n : 16 5 .

o p e n ing w o r d s o f t h e n o t e
“
De ,
“
O n n e p e ut in o que r a u c un e v
is to h e r m an n o l e g itu r in h is t o r ia
“
”
, v
p r e u e s é r ie us e e n f a e u r d He r v ’

Au s w e l c h e r his to r ia h at d e r m an n C o n t r a c t J a c qu e s d e B e r
.

S c h r e ibe r ( B e r e n g a r iu s ) s e in e g a m e e t T r ith é m e s o nt le s
”
Fab e l n ? Th e n o t e at t h e c l o s e p r e m ie r s qu i a ie n t att r ibu é a u
o f t h e t r eat is e in D igb y 1 7 4 , f o l . m o ine d e Co n s tan c e l e s tr aité s e n
v
2 10V , g i e s a d iff e r e n t v
e r s io n o f qu e s tio n
”
.

th e l eg e n d , s ta t in g t h a t He r m a nn
 G ER B E R T AN D A RAB I C A S TR O L O G Y 7 03

of divi nity an d by n atural la w a n d te stifi e d to by sc 1ent ists .

1

N o t o n ly is the e ff e ct o f th e m o o n o n tid e s a dduc e d a s usu al

a s a n e x am pl e but G o d i s b e li e v e d t o h a v e s et th e s e a l o f
,

His app r o v al up o n th is discipli n e w h en He m a d e m ir acu

“
,

l o us u s e o f the st ars an d hea v e n s to m a rk t he bi r th an d

p a ssi o n o f His S o n Th e w r ite r ho w ev e r stigm atiz e s a s a
.
, ,

”
f riv o l o us supe rstiti o n th e d o ctri n e o f th e Cha ld ean ge
“

wh o a cc o un t f o r th e e n tir e li f e o f m an by as
“
n e th lial ogi ,
” “
t ro l o gic al r ea s o n s an d try t o e x pl a i n c o n c e pti o n s a n d n a

t ivit ie s c ha ra ct e r pro sp e rity an d a d v e r sity f r o m th e c o urs e s

, ,

”
o f th e st a r s S o m e t h i n g n ev e rt he l e ss is to be c o n c e d e d t o
.

t hem pr o vid e d a ll t hi n gs a r e re c o gn iz e d a s u n d e r divi n e

,

disp o si t i o n But the i r d o ctri n e is an e gg w h ich is n o t t o be

.

suck e d u n l e ss rid o f the ba d o d o r s o f e rr o r 2

T h e tr an s .

l ato r urge s the i m p o r tan c e o f a k n o w l e dge o f a str o n om y in

d et e rm i ni n g the d a te o f c hurch f e stiv als an d c an o n ic al ho urs .

He cit e s J o se p hus c o n c e rn i n g A br ah am s i n structi o n o f the

’

E gypti an s in a r ithm e tic a n d a str o n o m y but r e ga rds P t o l e m y ,

a s t he m o st illustri o u s o f a l l a str o n o m e rs a n d the a str o l a be

“ ”
as t he i n v en ti o n o f his divi ne m i n d The tr an sl a t o r .

wis he s h is reade rs to u n d e rst an d that he i s o ff e ri n g t he m

n o t h i n g n e w but o n ly r evivi n g th e disc o v e ri e s o f t h e p a st ,

a n d t ha t he is si m ply pr e s e n ti n g w ha t h e fi n ds in t he A r abic .

1
B ubn o v ( 1 899 ) 3 7 2 . Hab et e t ia m c o n c e p t io n e s et n at iv it at e s ,
e tia m e x div in it a t is a r c h a n a in s t i h o m inum qu e m o r e s , p r o s p e r a s eu
t u t io n e e t p h ys ica l a ta r a t io n e c u m v
ad e r s a ex cur su s id e r u m ex
o m n ib u s m u n da n is c re at u r is c o n p l icar e c o n a n t u r .
Q uo d ill o r um
c o r dia m in r e b u s o m nib u s , s e c um ta m en f r ivo lae s up e r s t itio s it a ti
d u m p h is io l o g o s n o n p ar vam c o n c o n ce de n du m e st dum o m n ia
v
,

g r u e nt ia m . B u bn o u n f o r t u d ivin ae dis p o s it io ni c o m m en
n a t e l y u s e d o n l y o n e o f h is f o u r da nd a s in t Ill ud e s t o um a
. v
M S S in p r in t in g th is t e x t , a n d n u ll o f o r b il l a n d u m ( B ubn o s ug v
t h e r e o f t e n s e e m s t o b e s o m e thin g g e s t s t h e r e a din g f ur s il la n du rn in
w r o n g w it h it o r w ith h is p u n o p ar e n th e s e s , b ut s o r bil l an d u m
t u a t io n. Th is c r it ic is m a p p l ie s v
s e e m s t o m e t h e o b io u s r ea din g ) ,
m o r e e s p e c ial ly t o th e p a s s ag e n is i p r iu s f o et ido s in s c it iae e x
q u o t e d in t h e f o l l o w in g f o o t no t e . h a l a ve r it r uc t u s e t f e c es m un
“ “ ”
I bid E t u t Ch al da ic a s r e d ia liu m e vo m e r it s tu dio r um .

t icea m g e nt il o g ia s ( s ic ) qu i o m Th e p as s ag e is r at he r in co h e r ent
n e m h u m an am v
it am a s t r o l o g ic is a s it s ta n d s , b u t I h o p e t h at I
a t t r ib uu n t r a t io n a t io n ibu s et ha ev c o r r ec tly in te r p r e te d its
q u o s d a m c o n s t e l l a t io n um e ff ec t u s me an in g .

De r x ii S ign a dis p o n un t, qu iqu e

 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I ME N TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

I f G e rb e r tc o uld be sh o wn to be the tr an sl at o r wh o wr o t e
th is i n tr o ducti o n it w o uld be a m o r e v a luabl e bit o f ev i
,

d e n c e a s t o his a ttitud e t o wa rd a str o l o gy than an yth i n g t ha t

w e h a v e at pr e s e n t His sur ely gen ui n e m ath em atica l w o rks
.
,

a s e dit e d by Bub n o v c o n sist s o l e ly o f a s h o r t ge o m e t r y a n d

,

a f e w o f h is l e tt e rs in w h ic h m a t he m a tic a l t o pics m a i nly ,

t he a ba cus a r e t o uc he d up o n
, His c o n t em p o ra ry an d dis .

c iple t he h i st o r i an R ic h e r t e lls in the w e ll k n o w n p a ss a ge

1 -
, ,
“ ”
h o w B o r e llu s the duk e o f H ith e r S p a i n
,
t o o k G e r be rt ,

a s a y o ut h f r o m th e m o n a st e ry at A urill a c in Auv e rgn e b a ck

wit h h im a cro ss the P yren e e s a nd entrust e d his e duc ati o n

t o Hatt o bish o p o f Vich in the n o rth ea st e r n p a rt o f the
, ,
-

pen i n sul a Whe the r G e r be rt studi e d A r a bic o r n o t R iche r

.

d o e s n o t st ate S i n c e he is still d e scrib e d a s ado les cens

.

w hen the duk e a n d bis ho p t ak e him wit h t hem to I t a ly an d

l e av e him t he r e with the p o p e o ne w o uld i n fe r that he pro b ,

a bly h a d n o t e n ga g e d in th e w o rk o f tr an sl a ti o n f r o m t he

A r a bic A n o t he r a l m o st c o n t e m p o rar y writ e r a lludi n g v e ry

.
,

bri efly to G e rb e rt m ak e s h im visit Co rd o va but is p e rhaps

, ,

m ist ak e n ?
R ic h e r d o e s h o w e ve r st a t e t ha t B e r be r t e s
, ,

p e c ia l ly studi e d m a th e s is a w o rd w h ic h a s v a ri o us ,
m e di e v al ,

write r s i n fo r m us m ay m ean e ithe r m at hem atics o r divi n a

,

ti o n A pp a re n tly R ic he r us e s it in the f o r m e r s en se f o r
.
,

l ate r he m enti o n s o n ly G e rbe r t s ach i e v em en ts in a rithm etic ’

,

ge o m e try m usic an d a str o n o m y

,
?
,
But Ro b e rt ki n g o f ,

Fran c e 9 8 7 1 0 3 1 w ho s e t eache r G e r be r t had b een s e em s

,
-
, ,
“ ”
to r e f e r t o him a s t ha t m a st e r N ep tan e bu s in s o m e
a nam e w h ich c e rt a i n ly sugg e s ts an a str o l o ge r a s w e ll a s a n ,

i n struct o r o f ro y alty if no t als o a m a gi ei an ,

-
.

But G e r be r t s re put ati o n f o r ma gic s e em s to sta rt with

’

Willi am o f Malm e sbury in th e fi rst h al f o f the tw e l f t h ce n

tury wh o m ak e s him fl e e by n ight fr o m his m o n a st e ry to
,

“ ”
S p a i n t o study a str o l o gy an d o t he r a r ts with the S a rac en s ,

B u l l e tin His pa niqu e, Anna l es d e

1
111, 4 3 -4 5 .

1
A de m a r u s Cabanne n s is , wh o l a F a c u l té d es L e ttr es de B or
die d abo u t 1 03 5 ( B ub n o , 189 9 ,
’
v d ea u x , XXII , 4 , p 3 2 9
a
. .

382 F o r G e r be r t s s o u r c e s in I II, 4 8 - 5 3.

B ar c e l o n a s e e I M B u r n a m , A “ ‘
“
. . P 1u r im a m e do c uit Ne p tane
G r o up o f S p an is h Man usc r ip t s , in bus ill e magis t e r ( B ubn o , v
 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

a L e tter fo E th s qua ri n g the

elw o l d to P ope G er ber t o n

circ l e 1
. It s ee m s , ho w e v e r , t hat t hi s l e tte r o n
s qu a r i n g the
circl e w as re a lly written by Adel bo ld bi s ho p o f Utr ec ht ,

f r o m 1 0 1 0 to 1 02 7 ?
A delbo l d sp e aks o f h i m s e l f in the l et
t e r as a y o u n g m an 3
a n d o f c o urs e wr o t e it b e f o r e G e r

b e rt s d e at h in 1 00 3 an d v e r y pro b ably b e f o r e G erbe rt be

’

c am e P o p e S ilv e st e r I I in 9 9 9 But he c o uld sc a rc ely hav e .

writte n the l e tt e r ea rly en o ugh to hav e it i n clud e d in a

w o rk writt e n by E thel wo ld who di e d in 9 8 4 O ur a str o .

n o m ical tr e a tis e in f o ur b o o ks is t he r e f o r e n o t by E t h e l

ky ng Ade l s to n e s U s ua l ly
day . t h e r e f o r e be w e l l t o n o te t h at t h e
th e fi r s t L a tin t r a n s l atio n o f v
l e tte r a s g i e n in D igby 8 3 diff e r s
E uc lid is s up p o s e d t o h a e b e e n v c o n s id e r a bly f r o m the e r s io n v
t ha t by Ad e l a r d o f B a t h in t h e p r in t e d by B ubn o v
I t in g e n e r a l
.

e a r l y t w e l f th c e n t u r y Hall iwe l l . o m i t s e p is t o l a r y a m e n itie s w h ic h

56 . do n o t b e ar dir e ctl y o n th e ma th e
1
D i g by 8 3 , f o l 2 4 , Ep 1s to l a
. m atic al q u e s tio n in h an d, n o t a bl y
Eth e l w o di a d G ir be r tum p ap a m . t h e e n tir e fi r s t p a r ag r ap h o f B ub
D o m in o s umm o p o n tifi c i e t p h i no
’
v
s t e x t a n d t h e c l o se o f t h e

l o s o p h o G ir b e r to p ap e a th e l w o l d us s e c o n d an d t hir d p ar ag r ap h s It
v
.

v it e f e l ic it ate m . G e r be r t o f a l s o a bb r e ia t e s p o r t i o n s o f th e
co u r s e d id n o t b eco m e p o p e u n t il
’
fi f th p ar ag r ap h an d th e l ast s e n
l o n g a f te r Eth e l w o l d s d ea th , but t e nc e o f t h e e igh t h a n d l a s t p a r a
t his T itul u s an d I n c ip it a r e o p e n g r ap h .O n t h e o t h e r h an d a f t e r
t o s u s p ic io n a n y w ay, s in c e if G e r t h e fi r s t s e n t e n c e o f t h e fi f th p a r a
’
b e r t h ad be c o m e p o p e h e s h o ul d g r ap h o f B ubn o v s t e xt it in s e r t s
v
h a e bee n a dd r e s s e d a s P o p e S il the f o l l o w in g p assag e w h ic h
v e s te r . Th e a r t ic l e o n Eth e l w o l d
“
s e e m s t o b e m is s in g in B ub n o v s
’

( DN B ) s tat e s th at a t r e at is e o n t e x t o f t h e l e tt e r : S i quis e r g o
t h e c ir c l e , s a id t o h a e be e n w r it v v v
u l t in e n ir e q u a d r atu r a m c ir c u l i
t e n by h im a n d a dd r e s s e d t o div idat lin e a m in V II p a r t e s
G e r be r t, a f te r w a r ds P o p e S il e s v s p at ium qu e u n iu s s ep t im e p ar tis
t e r I I , is in t h e B o dl e ian Lib r a r y s e m o t im p o n a t D e in d e l in eam in
.

( 1 684 , B o dl M S Digby 83 , f . . v
V I I d i is am in duo d is tr ibuat e t
Wil h“a m o f Mal m e s bu ry s p a t iu m a l t e r iu s du o r um s ep
m en tio n ed A de l b o ldu m e p is co a r a t im p on at P o s t h o c line am in
.

p um”, ut dic un t Wint e r br ug e n

, V I I p ar tita m t r ip l ic e t cu i t r ip l i
s em a s t h e a ut h o r o f t h e l e tt e r c a t e s p a t iu m u n iu s s e p t im e q u o d
to G e r b e r t, quo te d by B ubn o v s e m o ve r a t a dic iat I p s a de n ique
.

3 88 . t o ta m in 1111 p a rt iatur q uar um

q u a r ta a ng u l is dir e c tis p er l in e am
2
I t h a s a l w a y s b e e n s o p r i nt e d :
by P e z, O ll e r is , C u r tz e , a n d B ub q u a d r a n g ul a m m e t ia tu r A d u l ti .

n o v, a n d s e e m s t o b e a s c r ib e d t o m u m s um p t o s p at io a l te r iu s du o
h im in m o s t MS S , f o r wh ic h a n d r um q u o d p r i u s r e p o s u e r a t de
o th e r v
e id e n c e p o in tin g t o t h e p o s it o p un c to in m e dio qua d
b is h o p o f U t r e ch t a s a u th o r s e e r a ng uli e o d e m s p a t io c ir c u m du cat
B ubn o v 3 0 0 3 9 . 4 45.
— 0 1 -
c ir c in u m ( c ir c u l u m ) e t s”i c in
3 8 4 , e tc v
B ubn o , h o w e e r , f a il e d
. v ve n ie t c ir c u l i q u a d r at u r a m .

quo d
a
t o n o t e Digby 8 3 e ith e r in co n n e c B u bn o v 4 42 ,
1 —

t io n w ith t h is l e tt e r o r a t a l l in t an t u m v
m q ua s i
i ru c o n sco l a s ti
h is l o ng l is t o f m a th e m a tic a l c u m iuve n is co n e n io v .
”

MS S ( XV I I - CXI X) It m ay .
 xxx G ER B ER T A N D A RA B I C A S TR O L O G Y

wo ld u n l e ss th e l ett e r be a l at e r i n te r p o l ati o n but it is p o s

, ,

“
s ibly by A del bo ld o r by G e r be r t Its o p en i n g w o rds Qui
1
.
,

c um que m u n d a n e sp e r e r a ti o n em et a s t r o r um l e ge m

a r e si m il a r to t ho s e o f t he tr ea tis e o n th e us e s o f t h e a str o
“
l abe w hic h has o f t e n b een ascrib e d to G erbe rt Qu ic um que ,

as t r o n o m ice p e riti am discipli n e

2

O ur tr eatis e t he n m ay b e by G e rber t o r it m ay b e a
specimen o f t he a stro n o m y o f the e l ev en t h o r e arly t we l fth
cen tury A s it app e ars t o b e littl e k n o wn an d n ev e r t o
.

have been publishe d it m ay be w e ll to give a bri e f summ a ry

,

o f its c o n t e n ts A n i n tr o duct o r y p a r a gr ap h o utli n e s s o m e

.

o f t he c h i e f p o i n ts wit h w h ic h the tr e a tis e will b e c o n

c e rn ed such a s the tw elv e sign s o f the z o di ac t he ir p o siti o n s

, , ,

“ ”
m o st v a ri e d qu aliti e s t he r e a s o n s f o r t h e ir n am e s an d
, ,

t he div e rs e o pi n i o n s o f ge n til e p h il o s o p he rs an d Cat ho lic s

a s t o t he ir s ign ifi cat io n s ; the f o ur e l e m en ts ; an d the s e v en

pl anets In the t ext w hic h f o ll o ws th es e t o pics a r e co n

.
,
-

s ide r ed in r a t he r th e r e v e rs e o rd e r t o t ha t in w h ic h t he y

w e re n ame d in the pre f a c e A ft e r so m e discussi o n o f the

.
“

”
f o u n d e rs o f a str o no m y a n d the d o ct o rs o f a str o l o gy the ,

fi rst bo o k is o ccupi e d with a d e scripti o n o f the sphe re o r

hea v en s The s e c o n d b o o k is l arge ly geo gra ph ic a l b e gi n
.
,

n i n g with th e qu e sti o n o f th e siz e o f the ea rt h th e z o n e s , ,

t he o c ean an d ho w t o dr a w a T m ap
, T h is ge o gr a ph ic al
.

digr e ssi o n the a ut ho r j usti fi e s in the pr o l o gu e t o his third

b o o k by the st at em en t t ha t o ft e n the p o siti o n o f the st ars
c an be d et e r m i n e d f r o m t he l o c a ti o n o f c o u ntri e s an d t ha t ,

1
B ubn o v
do e s n o t in c l u de it in f o l 1 7 V , a f te r w hich m o s t o f th e
.

his e ditio n o f th e m a th e m atical f e w r e m a in in g l ea e s o f t h e MS , v

k
w o r s o f G e r b e r t , bu t a s w e h a e v w h ic h h as o n l y 2 1 l e a e s in a l l , v
s e e n h e w a s u n a w a r e o f t h e e x is t a r e bl a n k Th e r e is s o m e s imi
.

e n c e o f t his M S i e , D igby 8 3
, . . . l a r ity o f c on t e nt s , b ut t h e P ar is
1
A n d al s o t o t h e I n cip it o f a M S is m o r e a s t r o l o gica l Po s .

t r e atis e in a t e n th c e nt u r y M5 at s ibl y, h o w e e r v
it is a d iffe r e n t
,

P a r is , B N f o l 14 r , Q u i .
p a r t o f , o r r at h e r e x t r a c t s f r o m
cum q u e n o sse d e s ide r a t l e g e m t h e s am e w o r k
s in c e w e s h al l s e e
,

as t r o r u m . T h e t r eat is e o r k
r e as o n s f o r thin in g t ha t th e t e x t
f r ag m e n t m th is P a r is MS s e e m s in D igby 8 3 is in co mp l e te .

t o e n d a t f o l 1 7 r , o r at l e a s t a t
.
7 08 MA G I C A N D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI E N CE CH A P .

if the ha bitat p e o pl e s is k n o wn o n e can m o re ea sily a rriv e

of

at t h e e ff e ct o f t he st a rs
1
.

Th is sugge sts th at th e a uth o r b e li e v e s in a str o l o gic a l in

fl ue n ce a n d in th e t w o f o ll o wi n g b o o ks h e st at e s a n u m b e r
,

o f a str o l o gic a l d o ctri n e s n o t ho w e v e r a s h is o w n co nv ic

, , ,

ti o n s but as th e o pi n i o n s o f the gen e thlia ci o r a str o l o ge rs ,

“
or tho s e w ho will hav e it that pr o sp e rity an d a dv e rsity in
” 2
hu man li fe a r e due t o t h e s e st a rs O n th e o t h e r h an d .
,

he s e ld o m sub j e cts the a stro l o ge rs to a ny a dv e rs e c riticis m .

I n d e e d ea rly in t he t h ird b o o k he st a t e s t ha t t h e b e li e f o f
, ,

t he gen e thlia ci t ha t h u m a n w e alt h a n d h o n o rs p o v e rty an d

-
,

o bscurity d e p e n d up o n t h e st a rs p e rt a i n s t o a n o t he r subj e ct
, ,

t han that wh ich he is at pr es e n t discussi n g ; n am ely pro g ,

n o s t ica t io n c o nc e r n i n g w h ic h he will t r ea t f ully in l at e r

,

c h apt e r s But I c an n o t s ee t hat he f ulfills t h is pr o m is e in

.

th e pr e s e n t m a n uscript w h ic h s ee m s t o e n d r at h e r a bruptly
3
, ,

s o t h a t p o ss ibly t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g m issi n g I n t he pr e vi o us .

p a ss age ho w e ve r he i mm e di a t ely pro c e e d e d t o a d m it that

, ,

the s u n a n d m o o n gr e atly a ff e ct o u r li f e a n d t o t e ll f urt he r

h o w it is c o n n e ct e d wit h t h e o th e r fi ve pl an e ts
.
I n the st a r .

o f S a tur n the s o ul i s s a id t o busy its e l f e sp e ci a lly wit h r e a

s o n i n g an d i n t e llige nc e l o gic a nd the o ry Jupit e r is prae

, .

tic a l a n d re pr es e n ts th e p o w e r o f a cti o n Ma rs s ign ifi e s an i .

m o s ity ; V e n us d e sir e ; Me rcury i n t e rpre t ati o n

,
M e n h av e
, .

pr o v e d the m o o n s m o ist i n flu e nc e by sl ee pi n g o ut o f d o o rs
’
- -

a n d fi n di n g t ha t m o r e h u m o r c o ll e ct e d in t h e ir h e a ds w h e n

t he y sl e pt in the m o o n light t ha n w hen t hey did n o t A ft e r

-
1
.
‘

“
m en ti o n i n g th e tw e lv e sign s th r o ugh w hic h the a f o re sa id
,

pl ane ts r ev o lvi n g e x e rt v a ri e d i n flu e n c e s a nd e ven acc o rdi n g , ,

t o th e g e n e thl ia ci m ak e a go o d m a n in s o me na tiviti e s an d
,

t h e a ut h o r go e s o n t o t e ll w h ic h
” 5
a ba d m a n in o t h e rs ,

”
1
A t l e a s t s u ch s e e m s to m e to Fo l 7 6r , th e c l o s ing w o r ds
.

“
b e t h e m e a n ing o f th e p a s s a g e , f o l
“
. ar e , Q u o d a ut e m d e c l e m e n tis
z 1 r, Q u ip p e c um a l iqu an d o p e r d ix im u s ide m de t e m p o r ibu s
s it u m g en t iu m ip s a r u m p o s it io n e m de que h um o r ibu s int e l lig e s ie u t
s t e l l a r u m d e m o n s t r a t i s im u s p r e h ec fig u r a e vide n tis s im e d e s ig
c o g n it a p o p u l o r u m h abit at io n e r e i n at . B ut t he fi g u r e is n o t g i e n v .

e ff e c t u s ad f ac il io r e m c ur r e r Fo l 2 7 V. .

e v e n tu s . Fo l 3 1V ,
.
p e r q ue p r e dic t 1
p l an et s e v o rut i d ivl
e sa in d i vr
e r
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

Willi am o f Ma lm e s bury writi n g in the fi rst h al f o f the

,

tw e l ft h c en tury c o n c e r n i n g G e rbe r t s studi e s in S p a i n s ays ’

, ,

pr o b a bly wit h a gr e a t d ea l o f e xa gge r ati o n t hat G e r be rt ,

surp a ss e d P t o l em y in h is k n o wl e dg e o f the a str o l ab e Al an ,

drae u s in h is k n o wl e dge o f th e dist an c e s b e tw e en th e st a rs ,

a n d Julius Fir m icus in h is k n o wl e dge o f f at e It is r at h e r

1
.

r em a rk abl e that a w o rk a scrib e d to A lhandr eus o r Al can dr us ,

“ ”
suprem e a stro l o ge r s ho uld be f o un d in two m an usc ripts
,

o f the e l e v e n t h c e n tu r y in b o th o f wh ic h o ccurs als o the

2

w o rk o n the a str o l ab e wh ic h is p e r haps by G e rber t w h il e ,

in o n e is f o u n d a ls o the M a th es is o f Juliu s Fir m icus Ma ~

t e rn u s Al cha dr in u s o r A r c han dr in us i s cit e d in Mich ae l

.

S c o t s l o n g I n tr o du c tio n to A s tr o l ogy as the a utho r o f a

’

“
boo k o f f o rtu n e m aki n g m e n ti o n o f the t h r ee faci es o f the
sign s an d th e pl an e ts ruli n g in th em an d Michae l a dds th at ,

a si m il a r m e t h o d o f divi n a ti o n is e m pl o y e d in ge n e r a l a m o n g

t he A r abs an d I n di a n s a s can be s ee n in t he str e e ts an d

a ll e ys o f Me ssi n a w h e r e
” “
l ear n e d w o m en an sw e r the qu e s
ti o n s o f m e rchan ts ?
P e t e r o f A b an o in h is L u cida tor as
writt en in 1 3 1 0 m enti o n s Al chan dr us a s a suc
4
'

tr o n o n ua e , ,

c e ss o r o f He r m e s T ris m e gistus in the sci en c e o f a str o no my

but as fl o uris h i n g be f o r e th e ti m e o f Ne buch a d ne zz a r Al .

c ha n dr u s w a s pr o b ably sc a rc e ly a s a n ci e n t as th at but the ,

tr eatis e ascrib e d to h im a ls o exists in L ati n in a m an uscrip t

o f t he t e n t h c e n tury a n d s e em s t o b e a tr a n sl a ti o n fr o m
5
,

D e r e bu s g es tis r eg um A ng l o
1
1 08 r .

“
r um E N 1 7 868, f o l s 2 r - 1 2 v
. In .

( Wic e r s
,
1’
A ddit 1 7 808,
. f ol s 8 5 v 9 9 v, .
-
c ip it libe r A l c h a n dr e i
”
k
Mat h e m at ic a Al h an dr e i s um m i h e im e r ) o r A l c h an dr i ( B ubn o )
“
v
a st r o l o g i .L u n a e s t f r ig ide n at u r e p h il o s o p h i . Lun a e st f r ig id e
”
e t a r g e n te i co l o r is o c u lis de s c r ip n a tu r e et a r g en t e i c o l o r is In .

CL M
”
t io t a l is s ub ic ia tu r and a p as sag e o f A ddit 1 7 8 08 ,
. fol .

6
5 , 0 f o l s 6
. 1 -
87 , w h ic h I h a e n o t v 86 V , w h e r e t h e y e a r s f r o m th e
s e e n b ut w h ic h f r o m t h e d e s c r ip b e g in nin g o f th e w o r l d a r e b e in g
t ion in th e c at al o g ue is e ide n t l y v k
r ec o n e d th e y ea r o f w r it in g is
v
,

t h e s a m e t r e a t is e an d h a s t h e s a m e a p p a r e n t l y g i e n a s 1 040 A D , bu t . .

I n c ipit, al th o ug h n o a uth o r o r t h e e x is t e n ce o f th e t r e at is e in
t it l e s e e m s t o b e g i e n v . E N 1 7 8 68 s h o w s th at it w a s w r it
8
B o dl e ia n 2 66 , f o l I 7 9 v, lib el
. t e n b e f o r e 1 000 . Al s o t h er e is
l u m f o r tu n e f ac ie n s m e n tio ne m s o m e t h in g w r o n g w it h t h e p as
d e t r ibu s f ac ie bu s s ig n o r u m e t s ag e m e n tio n e d in A dd it 1 7 8 08
.

p l an e t is r eg n a nt ibu s in e is de m a s is v
e r y a p t t o b e t h e c as e w ith

‘
m ul i e r es do c t e
”
. s u c h fi gu r es in m e die al M S S v
B N 2 5 9 8 , 1 sth c entury, f o l . f o r th e nu mbe r o f y e a r s f r o m the
XXX G ER B ER T AN D A R AB I C AS TR O L O G Y

the A rabic . In c as e it is f ull o f A r abi c an d He bre w

an y

wo rds a n d pr o f e ss e s t o cit e th e o pi n i o n s o f E gypti an s

, ,

I s hm ae lit e s an d Cha ld e an s in ge n e r al a s w e ll a s t ho s e o f
,

A s c al u t he I s hm ae lit e a nd A r f ar f an o r A r ga fal an o r A r
a ld ean in p a r ticul a r i c
1
g a f a l a u s th e C h S n e t
. h e n a m e Al

chan d r us o r Al ha n dr e u s is f o u n d s o f ar a s I k n o w in n o

h ist o ri an o r bibli o gr a ph e r o f A r a bi an lit e r a tur e o r l e a r n i n g ?

w e s h al l tre at s o m e w ha t f ully o f t h e w o r k an d its auth o r
he r e .

The Mat hematic o f Alhan dr eu s sup r e m e a str o l o ge r , ,

as it is e n titl e d in o n e m an uscript o p e n s s o m e w ha t a brup t ly

,

wit h a t e rs e st a t eme n t o f th e qu aliti e s o f t he pl an e ts Tw o .

e sti m a t e s o f t he n u m b e r o f yea rs be tw e e n cr ea ti o n an d t h e

birth o f Ch rist a r e then giv en o ne a cc o rdi ng to the He

,
“

” “ ” 3
br ews the o the r acc o rdi n g t o o th e rs
,
Th e r e f o ll o w
.

l e tte rs o f the G r ee k alphab e t with R o m an n um e rals e x pre ss

in g t he ir r e sp e ctiv e n u m e r ic a l v a lu e s p e r ha ps f o r f utur e r e f
,

e r enc e in c o nn e cti o n wit h s o m e sp h e r e o f li f e o r d e a t h Ne x t .

is c o n sid e r e d the divisi o n o f the z o di a c i n t o twe lv e sign s f o r

wh ich Hebr e w a s w e ll as L ati n n am e s a r e giv en T he m ov e .

m en ts o f the pl a n e ts t h r o ugh the sign s a r e t h en discuss e d ,

a n d it is e x pl a i n e d in t h e usu a l a str o l o gic a l styl e t h a t L e o is

the h o u se o f t he s un Ca n c e r o f th e m o o n w h il e t w o sign s
, ,

a r e a ssign e d t o e a c h o f th e o t h e r fi v e pl a n e ts E v e r y pl an e t .

is e r e ct in s o me o n e sign an d f a lls in its o pp o sit e a n d an y ,

pl anet is f ri en dly t o an o the r in w ho s e ho us e it is e r e ct an d

ho stil e to an o t he r in w h o s e h o us e it d e cli n e s P r e s e n tly .

“
the a utho r tre a ts o f t he o rd e r o f the pl a n ets a cc o rdi n g to
n a tur e a n d t he ir n am e s a cc o r di n g t o t h e He b r e ws
” 1
and
‘

then o f the ir s ex a n d c o urs e s wh ich l a st l e a ds to c o n sid e r abl e

,

be g inn ing o f t h e w o r l d t o th e or e v in t h e s am e o n e
en .

v
bir t h o f Ch r is t is g i en a s 49 7 0 e n s c hn e id e r
St i ( 1 90 5 ) 3 0,
i fly
“
a n d th e n t h e s u m o f t h e t wo a s br e n o te s A l c an d r m u s , h o w
60 1 8 in s t e a d o f 60 10 y e a r s w h il e
, e erv .S e e be l o w , p 7 1 5 o f th e .

at f o l S 5 V o th e r e s t im a t e s a r e
.
p r e s e n t c h ap t e r .

v
gi e n o f t h e n um b e r o f y e a r s b e
3
Add it 1 7 808,
. f ol 8 sv ; E N .

t w ee n t h e Cr e a t io n a n d t h e I n 1 7 868 f o l 2 r
, . .

‘
c ar n a tio n . A d dit 1 7 8 08 , f o l s 86 r-8 7 r ; E N
. .

1
Th e s p e ll ing s o f s u ch p r o p er 1 7 868 , f o l 3v . .

n am e s v
a r y in t h e diff e r e nt M S S
7 12 MA GI C AND EXPERIMENI AL S CI EN CE CHA P .

digr e ssi o n s a n ent th e s o la r an d lun ar ca l en da rs T hen the .

1

“ ”
tw e lve sign s a r e r e l at e d to the f o ur cli m at e s an d e l eme nts .

A l l th is i m pli e s a f av o r a bl e a ttitud e t o a str o l o gy an d th e ,

a ut h o r h as a lr e a dy e x pr e s se d h is c o n victi o n m o r e t han o n c e

tha t hu m an a ff a irs a r e di sp o s e d by the s e ve n pl an e ts a cc o rd

in g t o th e will o f G o d ?
S i n c e m a n lik e t h e w o rld is co m
p o se d o f the f o ur e l em en ts it is n o f als e o pi n i o n w h ich p e r
s ua de s us th a t u n d e r G o d s g o v e r n m en t h u m an a ff a irs ar e
’

pri n cipa lly r e gul at e d by the c e l e sti a l b o di e s To m ak e th is

3
.

pl a i ne r the a ut ho r prop o s e s t o i n s e rt an a stro l o gic a l fi gure

“
w h ic h A l ex an d e r o f Mac e d o n c o m p o s e d m o st diligently ”
,

an d w h ic h pre su m a bly w o uld h a v e b ee n o f the m icr o c o sm us

o r Me l o the s ia typ e but the sp ac e f o r it r em a i n s bl an k in
,

t he m an uscript N e x t c o m e s a p a r a gr a ph o n the s ex o f the

.

sign s an d the ir risi n g a n d s e tti n g an d t hen lists o f the ho urs ,

o f th e day an d n igh t g o v e rn e d by th e sign s a nd by e a ch

pl ane t f o r a ll the da y s o f the w ee k 1

.
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“
T he n w e r ea d The s e a r e t he twe n ty e ight pri n cip a l
,
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p a rts o r sta rs ( i e c o n st e ll ati o n s ) th r o ugh wh ich the f at e s

. .

o f al l a r e disp o s e d a n d pr o n o u n c e d i n dubit a bly f utur e a s ,

w e ll a s pr e s e n t An y o n e m ay with diligenc e f o r e c a st go i n gs
.

a n d r e t u r n in gs o rigi n s a n d e n di n gs
,
by the m o st a gr eeabl e ,
” 5
a id o f t h e s e h o r o sc o p e s The s e tw e nty e ight p a rts a r e
.
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A ddit 1 7 808 , f o l s 8 7 v 88 r
. .
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. A ddit 1 7 808 , f o l 89 r ,
. .
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BN 1 7 8 68 , f ol. 2r ; A ddit .
qu um ita d is ce r n u n t ur n o n f a l s a
“
1 7 808 , f o l . 8 sv ; q t a qu e qu 1a o p in i o p e r s ua s it is tis h u m an a
o m n ia h u m a n a s ecu n dum nut um p r inc ip a lit e r g ub e r n an te do m in o
de i d is p o n u n tu r p e r s e p t e m p l an e m o de r a r i c um i t a qu e u t m un du s
t as qu e s ubt e r ( s ubtu s ) f e r un tu r h o m o un u s qui s que e x h is iiii co m
” ”
e o r um n o bis p o t e s t a s inn uit u r : p a g in e tu r e l e m e n t is .

E N 1 7 868 , f o l 3 r ; A ddit 1 7 8 08, A d dit 1 7 8 08 f o l 89 V B ut th e

4
. . . .
, .

“
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. l is t s a r e l e f t in c o mp l e t e a n d a
t a s q uia u t d ix im u s e t a dh u c p r o k
bl an l ea f , w h ic h is a l s o l e f t uh
babim u s hu m an a f at a d is p o n un tur n u m b e r ed, f o ll o w s in t h e M S .

‘
r e g u l am c e r t a m d e m u s qu a i n qu o BN f ol .
5 r : A ddit .

s ig n o que qu e s it p r o n o s c at u r
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O n l y in a t h ir d p a s s a g e do e s h e p r in c ip a l e s p a r t e s v e l a s t r a p e r
a t t r ib u t e s u ch V ie w s t o t h e m a t he q u e o m n i u m f a t a d is p o n u n t u r e t
m a t ic i ; A ddit . 1 7 80 8 , f ol 88 v,. in dub itant e r t a m f u tu r a qu a m
“
Cu m s in t S ig n a x ii in z o diac o p r e s e n t ia p r e n u n t ian tu r a q uo
c u m qu e iu x ta m ath e m a tico s e t c u m qu e it u s r e dit u s o r tu s o c c a s u s

s e c u n du m h o r um div e r s is s im o s h o r um h o r o s co p o r um io c un dis
p o t e s ta te s f at a o m n iu m ita o l e n t e v s im
g a ux il io d il ig e n t er p r o vide n
s ap ie n t is s im o do m in o dis p o n an tur .

tu r .
7 14 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP.

the r discussi o n o f a str o l o gic al i n te rr o gati o n s th e m an uscript

a t the Britis h M useu m cl o s e s wit h th e Br evi a ry o f A lh an

d r e us supr e m e a s tr o l o g e r fo r l ea r n i n g a nyt h i n g u nk no wn
,
1
,

by a m e t ho d o f c o mputati o n f r o m Hebre w and A rabic l et

t e rs .

S o me o n e ma y w o n d e r i f the n am e s Al han dr eu s an d Al
c ha n dr u s m ay n o t be m e r e c o rrupti o n s o f A l e x a n d e r w h o is

cit e d an d qu o t e d e v en m o r e than has yet b ee n i n dic at e d ?

a n d i f s o m e c a r e l e ss h e a d li n e writ e r h a s n o t i n s e rt e d the
—

n am e A l cha n dr i o r A l ha n dr ei i n st e a d o f A l ex an dri in t he

Titul us But t h is w o uld l eav e the s t at em e nts o f Willi am

.

o f Ma l m e sbury a n d o f P e t e r o f A b a n o t o b e e x pl a i n e d a w a
y .

O r if it is a rgu e d t h a t th e n am e o f Alh an dr e us sh o uld be

,

a tt a c h e d o n ly t o t h e Br e vi a ry it m ust be rememb e r e d th at
,

in t he e a rli e st m a n uscript w hic h d o e s n o t c on t a i n t he

,

Bre vi a ry the tr ea tis e is n o n e the l e ss c all e d the Bo o k o f

,

Al chan dr e u s A s a m a tt e r o f f a ct t he re is f o u n d a ls o in
.

t he m a n uscripts a
“
Mat h em atic a Al ex an dri s ummi a str o
” 3
l o gi , but w h ile th e titl e is the s ame the c o nt ent s ar e di f ,

f e r e n t f r o m the Ma t he m atic a Alhan dr e i s umm i a stro l o gi

“
.

Ho w e v e r the tr e atis e its e l f is f o u n d t o ge t he r with the

,

1
A ddit . 1 7 808 ,
f o l 99 r - v
. .T h is by J o hn of L o n do n .

d o e s n o t ap p e a r in B N 1 7 868 B N 4 16 1, 1 6th c e ntur y, $5 B re

,
w hic h g o e s o n t o d is c u s s v
a r io u s via r iu m A l h a n d r ia e , s u mm 1 A s
fl
a s t r o l o g ic a l in u e n c e s o f t h e 12 t ro l o gi, d e s c ien t ia qualit e r ig no t a
h o u r s o f t h e da y a n d o f t h e n ight . n ul l o in dic an t e in ve s tig a r i p o s s it .

“
A ddit 17 808, f o l 89 r ,
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A f te r th is t h e r e is a s p a c e l e f t . . fig u
b l an k in th e m idd l e o f f o l 1 2 V . r a m qua m s up e r h a c r e A l e x an de r

th e n m o r e is s aid co n c e r n in g Ma ce do c o m p o s uit d il ige n tis s im e

”
h o ur s o f th e p l an e t s a n d inte r p o s t e r ius de s c r ib e m us ; f o l gsr ,
‘

r o g a t io n s u n t il a t t h e b o tto m o f Hin c A l ex ande r m ace do dic it

fo l . 13 r c omes th e l e tte r o f e c l ip s in s o l is et l un e c e r tis s ima
” “
Ph e t h o s ir is t o N ec h e p s o B ut n o
. r a t io n e co ll ig i ; f ol 9 6r . Aut
.

d e fi nite e n din g is in dic at e d e ith e r iuxta a l e x an d r u m m ac e do n e m

o f t h e l e tt e r o f A r g a f a l a u s o r t h e
8
v
d r a c o qua s i o c ta a p l a ne ta
”
.

L ibe r S ec undus o f A l ch an d r u s . A s h m o l e 3 69 , l a t e 1 3 th c e n
I n a M S n o w m is s in g but l is t e d t ur y, f o l s 7 7 84v
.
—
“
Math e matica
in th e l a t e 1 sth c e n tu r y c at al o gue A l e x a n dr i s um m1 a s t r o l o g i I n .

o f t h e M S S in t h e l ib r a r y o f S t . e x o r dio o m n is c r e a tu r e h er us
A u g u s tin e s Abb e y, C a nt e r b ur y h u r an ic us in t e r c un e ta s ide r a XI I
’

(“ No 1 1 7 2 , J am e s 3 3 2 ) w
. as a m a l u it s ig na f o r e na m
v
B r e ia r ium al h a n dr e d i s u m a s
’
q uo d l in e a m d e s ign at c a”n de m s t el
t r o l o gi et p e r it is s im i d e s o ia l a m o cc up at E x p l ic it
. .A f ur
( s c ie n d a” ?) qu al ibe t ig n o ta n ul l o t h e r d is c u s s io n o f t h e co nten ts o f
de c r et e T h is w a s o n e o f th e
. this w o r k w il l b e f o un d bel o w in
MS S do n ate d to t h e m o na s te r y Ch ap ter 48, vo l II, p 2 5 9
. . .
 G ER B E R T AN D A RAB I C A S TR O L O G Y 7 15

Ma thema tica A lhan dr ei in t e n t h c en tury m an uscript But

a .
1

n o a uth o r is m en ti o n e d an d i n st e a d o f M a th e m a tica the

,

“
title r ea ds I n c ipiun t p r o p o r tio ne s cpp f c fn t f s k nk s trp rx in
”
dx s tr k b which m ay be d e cip he r e d a s In c ip iunt p r o po r
,
“

” 2
t io n es c o m p e t e n t e s in a s t r o r u m i n dustri a P o ssibly t h e r e .

f o r e th is tr e atis e is a p art o f the w o rk o f Al chan de r a n d ,

th e titl e M a thema tica A l ex an dr i is an e rr o r f o r M a thema tica

A lha n dr ei .

Mo reo v e r
l at e r m an uscripts w e e n c o u nt e r a utho rs
, in
with n am e s v e ry si m il a r to Al chan dr us an d w o rks by the m
o f the s a m e s o r t a s t h a t w e h av e j ust c o n sid e r e d In a fi f .

te en th c en tury m an u s cript at O x f o rd w e fi n d a scrib e d t o

Alk an dr inu s an a cc o u n t o f the typ e s o f m en b o r n in e ac h
o f t he tw e n ty e igh t m a n si o n s o f t he m o o n such a s we ha v e
— 3

s een f o rme d a p a rt o f the M a thema tica A lha n dr ei An d in .

a fi f t e e n t h c en tury m anuscript at P a ris o ccurs u n d e r th e

n am e o f Al ch an dr inus w h a t s e e m s t o be a Christi an r evi

si o n o f t hat s am e p art o f the Ma th ema tica A lhan alr ei 1

.
‘

What app e ars t o be an o the r r evi si on an d wo rki n g o v e r o f

t his s am e discussi o n o f n ativiti e s a cc o rdi ng to the tw enty
e igh t ma n si o n s o f t he m o o n a pp ea r e d in pri n t a n u m b e r
5

o f ti me s in th e s i x t e e n th a nd s e v e n t ee n t h c e n turi e s an d in

1
BN 1 7 86 8, f ol 17 r .Th e . 1 83 V fi n e m f e c im u s .Co m
I nc ip it is th e s a m e a s in A s h p l et a f uit h e c c o mp il a tio in c o n
m o l e 36 9 The wo r k
h e r e s ee m s v e r s io n e s a n cti p aul i ap o s t o l i
v
.

t o be in co mp l e te , s in ce a f t er f o l . a n n o d o m in i 1 3 5 0 a cant e
1 7 V m o s t o f t h e r e m a in in g l ea e s v s e de p e r m o r te m B e n e d ic ti un
o f the M S ( w h ic h h as 2 1 f o l s in . d e c im i c u iu s a n ima r e quies cat in
a l l ) a r e b l an k .
p ac e . A m en .
”
I t w o uld t h e r e
2
Th e v
o w e l s be ing r e p re se nt e d f o r e s e e m t h a t s o m e c o m p il er h a s
by t he c o n s o n an ts f o l l o wing , a m a de a n e x t r a c t f r o m A l c h a n d r u s
c o mm o n m e die a l c ip h e r v . o n t h e t w e n t y- e ig ht m a n s io n s
‘
.

3
A ll S o ul s 8 1, 1 sth ce ntury, B N 10 2 7 1 , f o l s 9 r 5 2 v ,
.
-
In
f ol s .14 5 v 1 64 r
-
Cum s in t 2 8
. c ip it l ib e r a l c ha n d r in i p h il o s o p h i
man s 1o n es Co x e w a s d e n at ivita tibu s h o m in um s e c u n
m 1s t ak e n in th 1nk in g th a t t h e du m co m p o s it io n e m d u o d e c im
k
wo r o f A l k andr in us c o n tin ue d to s ig n o r u m c e l i, q u e m r e f o r m av it
f o l 1 88 an d w a s in t w o p a r t s , f o r
.
qu ide m p h il o s o p h u s c r is t ia n u s
“
at f o l 16 3 r w e r e a d
. Ex p l ic iunt p r o u t p a t e t , q uia in q uibu s da m
iudic ia libr i A l k an d r 1n i qu e s un t diff e r t is t e l ib e r ab a n tiqu o
v
in di is io n e t r ip l ic i 1 2 s ig n o r um p r im o r dial i . P r im o f a c ie s a r ie tis
que s un t a p p ar e n c ie p er c e r t a v
in h o m in e s i e in m as c ul o Alna
.

t e mp o r a s up e r t e r r a m Mo r e . lie t e s t p r im a f ac ie s a r iet is .

v v
o e r , th e s e e n c hap t e r s o n t h e S t e in s c h ne ide r 30 .

p l an e t s w h ic h f o l l o w e n d a t f o l .
7 16 MA GI C AND E XP ER I MEN TA L S CI EN CE C HAP .

Fre nch an d En glis h tr an sl ati o n s a s w e ll as La ti n The .

a ut ho r s n am e in t he s e pri n t e d e diti o n s is usu a lly giv en a s

’

“
A r c an dam but the En glis h e diti o n o f 1 6 2 6 a dds o r AI
,

” 1
c han d r in .

Two th e r m an uscripts at P a ris c o nt a i n u n d e r the n am e

o
2

“
o f A lba n d in u s a bo o k o f si m ilitud e s o f the s o ns o f A d am ,

f o rtu n a t e a n d u n f o r tu n at e o f li f e o r d e a th acc o rdi n g t o

, ,

n a ti o n s t ha t is t he ir n ativiti e s a cc o rdi n g to the tw e l v e

, ,

”
sign s . The tr e atis e o p en s wit h a m e t ho d o f c a lcul ati n g
a p e rs o n s n a tivity f r o m t he l e tt e rs in h is o w n an d h is
’

m o t he r s n a m e si m il a r t o t ha t w h ich o ccurs in the c o urs e o f

’

the M a th e rn a tica A l han dr ei but t he n a ppli e s it dir e ctly t o

,

the tw e lv e sign s ra t he r t han t o t he tw en ty e igh t m an si o n s -

o f th e m o o n It a ls o d o e s n o t b o the r w ith the Hebr e w alpha

'

be t but giv e s n u m e ric al e quiv al e n ts dir e ctly f o r th e L ati n

l e tt e rs S o m e tr e atis e by A lban dinus o n sic k n e ss a nd the
.

sign s in a m an uscript at Mu n ich is p e rhaps iden tic al wit h

3

t h e f o r e go i n g .

T o a n A lk a r dianus o r Al chan dian dus is a scrib e d a geo

m an cy a n d si n c e it a ls o is a rr an ge d a cc o rdi n g to the tw en ty
1 ‘

e igh t divisi o n s o f t h e z o di a c wit h 2 8 j udge s a n d 2 8 c ha pt e r s

ea c h c o n sisti n g o f 2 8 li n e s in a n s w e r t o a s m an y q u e s

ti o n s it w o uld s ee m a l m o s t c e rt ai n t hat it i s by the s am e

,

a ut h o r w ho tre a t e d o f the i n flu e n c e s o f t he 2 8 h o us e s o r

1
Th e e ditio pr in c eps s ee m s t o t a in s a n o th e r L at in e ditio n o f
“
be A r ca n dam d o c t o r p e r itis s im u s P a r is , 1 5 5 3 ; Fr e n c h e dit io n s o f
ac n on v
ul g a r is a s t r o l o gu s , de Ro u e n , 1 5 84 and 1 5 87 , L yo n s
ve r it a tibu s et p r a e dict io n ibu s 1 62 5 ; a n d Englis h v
e r s io n s p r in t e d

a s tr o l og iae e t p r a e c ip u e n a t i ita v a t L o n do n , 1 6 2 6 ( t r a n s l a t e d f r o m
t urn s e u f a t a l is dis p o s it io n is ve l th e Fr e n c h ) , 163 0 163 7 , a n d 1 67 0
, .

”
dic i c uiu s c un que n ati n u p e r p e r ,
B N 7 3 49 , 1 st h c e n t u r y, f o l .

Mag is t r um R ic ha r dum Ro u s s at, s6r , s e e m s o n l y a f r ag m e nt o f t he

c an o n ic u m Lin g o n ie n s e m , a r tium k
w o r ; E N 7 3 5 1 , 14 th c e n tu r y,
e t m e dic in a e p r o f e s s o r e m , d e c o n k
t a e s up t he va r io us s ig n s .

CL M 5 2 7 ,
8
f u so ac indis t in c to s t il o n o n m in u s 1 3 - 14 t h c e nt u r y,

q ua m e t e ne b r is in l u c e m a e ditus , f o l s 3 6 —42 , de p hys ic a s ign o r um e t

r e c o gn itu s , a c in n u m e r is ( u t p o t e s up e r n a s ce n t iu m e t a e g r o t an t i u m .

‘
p a s s im ) e r r a t is e x p u r ga tu s , ita ut A d dit 1 5 2 3 6, Eng l is h h a n d o f
.

p e r mu l t a m a x im e n e ces s ar ia e t 1 3 1 4 th c e n tu r y fo ls 1 3 0- 5 2 r ,
-
.
,
“ ”
u til is s im a adie cer it at qu e a dn o t a l ibe l l u s Al c h an d ian di E N 7 486,
.

“
v e r it m o do e ius d e m de x te r ita te 1 4 t h ce n tu r y, In c ip it l ibe r a lk a r
”
p r ael o p r im o do n atu s P ar is ,
. d ia n i p h yl o s o p h i . C um o mne
15 4 2 .
qu o d e x p e r i t u r s it e xp e r ie n d um
T h e B r it is h Mus e um al s o co n p r o p te r s e vel p r o p t er a l iud . .
7 18 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CHAP xxx.

a str o no m y s o th at p e rh aps the pre s ent t ext is the m issi ng

,

fr a gm en t r e quir e d to f ulfil his pr o m is e t o tr eat o f the sub

j ec t o f pr o gn o stic a ti o n in l a t e r c h a pt e r s I f. s o it i n dul e s
g
in s o m e r e p e titi o n as it go e s i n t o the rel a ti o n s ex isti n g be
,

“ ”
tw ee n sign s pla ne ts an d el ements an d giv e s the S aracen
, , ,

n am e s f o r the tw e n ty e igh t m an si o n s o f t he m oo n
1 -
It in .

c l ude s a w ay t o d e t e ct th e f t f o r e ach pl ane t an d a me th o d o f

d e t e rm i n i n g if a p ati ent will rec o ve r by c o m puta ti o n o f the

n u m e ric a l v a lu e o f the l et t e rs in his n ame The s e f eatur es
.

a r e sugge stiv e o f the M a thema tica o f Al chan dr us .

1
BN 17 686, f ol . 14v, que sar rac eni nuncup ant ita .
 CHA P TE R XXX I
A N G L O -S A X O N , S AL ER N I TA N , A N D O T H ER L ATI N M EDI CI NE
IN M A N U S CR I P T S FR O M THE N I N T H T O T HE

T WE L F T H CE N T U R Y
Pl an of t h is c h ap t e r — I n s t an ce s of ea r l y me die v al a dditio n s t o an
cie n t m e dic in e —
L e e c h -B o o k o f B a ld an d Ci ld— Magical p r o ce dur e an d

in cantation s —
A s u p e r s t it io u s c o m p o u n d— S umm a r y— Caut e r izat io n
T r e at m e n t of de m o niac s— I n can tat io n s an d c ha r a c t er s— In a t w e l f th
c e n tu r y m a n u s c r ip t —
Mag ic w it h a s p l it h az e l r o d— Mo r e in canta tio n s
and -
th e vir tu e s o f a v ul t u r e— L o ts o f th e s a in ts — S up e r s titio u s v et e r i

na r y and me dical p r ac tic e -

Tw o P a r is m an u s c r ip t s— B l o o d—l e tt ing
Re s e mbl anc e s to Eg e r to n 8 2 1— V ir tu e s of bl o o d— P io u s in can tatio n s an d

magic al p ro ce du r e —
Mo r e s up e r s t itio u s v e t e r in a r y p r ac t ice— T h e S ch oo l
of S al e r no — Wa s S al e r n itan m e dic in e f r e e f ro m s up er s t itio n P— The
P r a c tica o f P e t r o c e ll us— I t s s o ur ce s — Fo u r f o l d o r igin o f m e dic in e
Th er ap e utic s o f P et r o c ell us — T h e R eg im en S a l er n ita nu m— I t s s up e r s ti
t io n— T he P r ac tic a o f A r c himat tha eus— A S al er nitan t r eatis e o f abo ut
moo— Th e wi e s o f S al er n ov .

IN th is ch apte r o ur purp o s e is to tr eat o f early m e di e v al

m e dici n e as disti n ct o n t he o n e h an d f r o m p o st cl a ssic a l -

m e dici n e to w h ich w e h av e a lr e a dy d ev o t e d a c ha pt e r a n d
, ,

o n the o t he r ha n d fr o m l a t e r m e di e v a l m e dici n e a s a ffe ct e d

by tran sl ati o n s f r o m the A r abic an d o the r o ri en t al in fl u

en c e .P e r ha ps o n e o f the o utc o m e s o f o ur discussi o n will
be t o sugge st t ha t a n y suc h disti n cti o n s c an n o t be at all
s ha rply o r c hr o n o l o gica lly dr a w n Ho w e ve r the writi ngs .
,

w h ich we shall discuss n o w are c o n ta i ne d m a i n ly in m an u

scripts d ati n g f r o m the n i n t h to the twe l f th c e n tu r y a ltho ugh ,

s o m e o f them m ay hav e b ee n first c o m p o s e d at a n e a rl ie r d at e

t han t hat o f t he m an uscript in w h ic h t hey c han c e to be p r e
s e rv e d S o m e a r e in An gl o S ax o n m o r e in L at i n S o m e
.
-
,
.

it has bee n custo m a ry to cl a ssi f y u n d e r the ca pti o n o f S a

le r nitan We s hall p o stp o ne u n til the n ex t chapt e r o ur c o n
.

sid e rati o n o f Co nst an ti nus A f ric anus alt ho ugh th e d at e s o f ,

7 19
 720 MA G I C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE ca n .

h is li fe f al l wit h i n the e l even th c e n tury be c aus e he alr ea dy ,

at t ha t e a rly d a t e r e pr e s e n ts t he i n tr o ducti o n o f A r a bic

m e dici n e t o th e w e st e rn w o rld .

A go o d i n sta n c e o f t h e w o rki n g o v e r by m en o f the

ea rly m e di e v a l p e ri o d o f th e m e dic a l writi n gs o f th e l a t e

R o m an p e ri o d is pr o v id e d by a m an uscript o f th e n i n t h o r
t e n t h c en tury at B e r li n I t n o w c o n sists o f a n u m b e r o f
1
.

f ra gm e n ts w ho s e o rigi n a l o rd e r c an n o l o n ge r be d e t er m i n e d .

T h ese a r e m ad e up o f e x tr a cts f r o m di ffe r e n t s o u r c e s o r f r o m

o t he r c o ll e cti o n s but the c o ll e cti o n a ls o b e a rs th e m a rk o f
,

its l as t c o m pil e r w ho h as i n tr o duc e d n ew r em e di e s o f his

o w n a n d w o r ds d e riv e d f r o m the v e r n a cu l a r o f h is da
y .

E v e n ex tr a cts o n f e v e rs t ak e n f r o m th e o l d L ati n a d a pt ati o n

o f G al e n a r e a dd e d t o by s o m e C h risti a n p h ysici an w h o
2
,

i ntr o duc e s am o n g o t he r t hi n gs s o m e i n c a n t ati o n s such as , ,

“
I a dj ur e yo u sp o ts t h a t yo u go a w a y a n d r e c e d e f r o m a nd
, ,

” 3
b e d e str o y e d f r o m t he e ye o f the s e rv an t o f G o d T he .

m an uscript a ls o c o m pris e s m o re t han on e tr a ct o n ho w

dream s o r the f at e o f the p ati en t o r ch ild b o rn can be f o r e
t o ld f ro m th e day o f the m o o n An o the r tr a ct t e lls ho w
1 5
.
‘

G o d m ad e th e first m an o ut o f e igh t p a rts o f wh ich th e fi rst ,

w a s the m ud o f t he e a rt h a n d the l a st the ligh t o f th e w o rld .

T h is w o uld s e e m t o be r a th e r a n o v e l d e p a rt ur e fr o m the
usua l f o ur e l em en t th eo ry but p e r h aps i n v o lv e s an ci en t
G n o stic e rr o r T h e a uth o r f urthe r a rgu e s th at i n dividu a l
.

dive rgen c e s o f ch a r act e r d ep en d up o n th e pr ep o n de r anc e o f

o n e o r an o t h e r o f th e e igh t c o n stitu e n ts o f th e b o dy .

The A n gl o S ax o n L ee ch B o o k o f B ald a n d Gild

- - 6
ha s
“
b e en c all e d the fi rst m e dic a l tre atis e writt e n in w e ste rn Eu
1
B e r l in 16 5 ( P hill ip s 9 in vo l . IIh is L e e c hd o ms Wo r t
of ,

l ot h c e n tu r y I h a e n o t s e en th e
. v c u n n ing , a nd S ta r c r af t o f E ar ly
M S bu t f o l l o w R o s e s f u l l d e
,
’
E ng la n d, in R S v o l 3 5 , in 3 o l s ,
. v .

s c r ip t io n o f it in his V e r z e ic hn is L o n do n , 1864 - 1866 . T h e r e l atio n

d e r l a te inis c h e n Ha n ds c hr if te n, I , o f B a l d a n d G il d t o t h e w o r is k
3 62 9 -
. in dic ate d b y t h e c o l o p ho n a t th e
2

”
Co d Ca s in 9 7 G al I , 2 4-5 1
. . . . c l o s e o f th e s e c o n d b o o :
“
B al dk
B e r l in 16 5 , f o l 88 . . h ab e t h u n c l ibr um , C ild que m
‘ ”
I bid f o l s 4 0-2
.
, . . c o n s c r ib e r e iu s s it, B al d o w n s
l‘

“
I bid , f o l 3 9 V
. . . k
t h is b o o ; G il d is t he o n e h e t o l d
”
Ed ite d w ith an E ngl is h t ran s t o w r ite ( o r c o p y ) it ? Th e f o l
.

l at io n, w h ich I e m p l o y in m y quo l o w in g t hir d bo o k is th e r e f o r e

t atio n s , by R e v O s w a l d Co c ay n e
. k p r e s u m ably o f o th er a utho r s h ip .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C R AP

gel is ts , a nd m a ss e s , ps al m s , an d exo rcis m s Fea r o f witch .

cra f t and en ch an tm en t is man i fe ste d , an d the ills b o th o f

m an and b ea st f re qu e ntly attribut e d to e vil spi r its
are A .
“

”
dri nk fo r a fi e n d sick m an is o n o ne o cc as i o n to be drun k
-

o ut o f a c hurc h b e ll wit h the a cc o m p an i ment o f m uch a d

,

“
ditio n a l e ccle si a stic a l ho cus p o cus 1
I f a h o rs e is e l f s ho t
-
.
-
,

t hen t ak e the k n i f e o f wh ic h the ha f t is ho r n o f a fa llo w o x ,

an d o n w h ic h a r e t h r e e br a ss n a ils T he n writ e up o n the .

ho rs e s fo rehea d Christ s m a rk an d o n e ach o f the li mbs

’ ’
,

w hich tho u m ay feel at T hen t ak e the l e f t e ar ; prick a ho l e

.

in it in sil e n c e T h i s t ho u s halt do ; t he n t ak e a y e rd strik e

.
,

t he h o rs e o n th e b ack t h en it will be wh o l e
, An d write up o n .

the ho r n o f the k n i f e t he s e w o rds B en e dicite o mnia oper a ,

d o mini d o min u m B e the el f wh a t it m ay th is is m igh ty f o r

.
,
” 2
h im to a m e n d s .

N e ithe r B a ld an d Cild n o r th e i r c o n ti n u at o r s ha r e d
P li n y s pr e j udic e a ga i n st c o m p o u n d m e dici ne s I n the t hird
’
.

“
b o o k by the c o n ti n ua to r is d e scrib e d a s alve a ga i n st the e lfi n
r ace an d n o cturn a l visit o rs a n d fo r w o m e n with w ho m the
,
”
d e vil hath c a r n a l c o mm e rc e O ne t a k e s th e e w e ho p pla n t
.
,

w o r m w o o d b is ho p wo rt lupi n a s hth roat hen b ane ha re

, , , ,

w o r t vipe r s bugl o ss heathe r ber ry pl an ts cr o p leek garlic

, , , , ,

gr ai n s o f hedge r if e githr if e an d f en n el T he s e he rb s ar e
, ,
.

t i a v e ss e l a n d pl a c e d be n e a t h th e a lt a r w h e r e n i n e m as s e s
p u n

a r e su n g o v e r t h e m T he y a r e t he n b o il e d in butt e r and m ut
.

t o n f at ; m uch h o ly s alt is a dd e d ; the s alv e is str a i n e d t h r o u gh

a cl o th ; a n d w h a t r em a i n s o f the w o rts is t h r o w n i n t o r un

n i n g w at e r T he p ati e nt s f o r e he a d an d e y e s a r e t o be
’
.

s mea r e d with th is o i n tm ent an d he i s furthe r to be c en se d

wit h i n c en s e a n d si gn e d o ft en wit h the sign o f the cr o ss ?

“ ”
The m o d e rn c ha r act e r o f B a ld s an d Cil d s b o o k c an
’ ’
S umma ry
.

n o t be s a id t o h av e pr o duc e d any di m i n uti o n o f sup e rstiti o n

a s a ga i n st t he writi n gs o f a n ti q uity But w e do fi nd n ativ e .

h e rbs i ntr o duc e d a ls o p o pul a r me dici ne a nd pro ba bly a c o n

, ,

s ide ra ble amo u n t o f T e ut o n ic a n d p e r h a ps al s o C e ltic f o lk

1
I II , 6 1 .
xxx 1 ME DI CI N E T O THE T WE LF TH CEN T UR Y 723

l o r e w h ich ho w e ve r has b e en m o r e o r l e ss Ch risti an ize d

, , ,
.

I n d e e d the c o n n e cti o n b e tw e e n m e dici n e an d r e ligi o n is r e

m ark abl y cl o s e .

T he m e dici n e o f t h is p e ri o d m ay b e f u r t he r illustra t e d
by two L ati n m an usc r ipts o f the e l e v en th c e n tury in the
S l o an e c o ll e cti o n o f th e Britis h M us e u m O n e c o n ta i n s a
1
.

bri e f tre atis e w hic h illust r a t e s the c o m m o n t e n de n cy at t ha t

ti me to em pl o y c a ut e riz ati o n no t on ly f o r surgic al purp o s es
in c o nn e cti o n with w o u n ds but as a m e dic a l m e an s o f givi n g
,

r eli e f to i nt e rn al dis e a s e s a nd trivi a l c o m pl ai nts wit h wh ic h

c aute riz ati o n c o uld hav e no c o n ne cti o n T hat the pra ctic e .

was v e r y l a rg e ly a sup e rstiti o n is f urth e r e vid en t f r o m the

f act t ha t o ne p a r t o f th e b o dy o f t en was c a ut e riz e d f o r a
c o m pl a i n t in a n o the r o r o pp o sit e p o rti o n o r m e m b e r In .

the pr e s e n t e x am pl e un d e r t h e a lluri n g n am e s o f A p o ll o n iu s
,

an d G al en as pr o f e ss e d a uth o rs ? a r e pr e s e n te d a s e ri e s o f
h u m an fi gur e s s h o wi n g w he r e the c a ut e ry sh o uld be a ppli e d .

The s e pictur e s o f n ak e d p a ti e n ts m a rk e d all o v e r t h e ir a n at

o my wit h sp o ts w he r e t h e r e d h o t ir o n s h o uld b e a ppli e d o r
-
,

sub m itti n g with s m ili n g o r w ry f a c e s to its a ctu a l a dm in is

t r at io n in the m o st t e n d e r pl a c e s a r e b o t h a m usi n g a n d
, ,

whe n w e r e fle ct t hat th is us e l e ss p a i n w a s a ctu ally r e p e at e dly

i n flict e d thr o ugh l o n g c en turi e s pat he tic ,
?

I n a ge n e r a l a n d m uc h l o n g e r w o r k o n dis e a s e s an d t he ir
r eme di e s w hic h f o ll o ws in the s am e m an uscript a n d w h ic h is
pr o f e ss e dly c o m pil e d f r o m Hipp o cr at e s G a l en an d A p o llo , ,

n ius t h e tr e a t m e n t pr e scrib e d f o r d e m o n i a cs w h o it st at e s
4
, , , ,

ar e in G r e e k c a ll e d epil em ptici ( e pil e ptics ) i nclud e s am o ng ,

1
S l o an e 4 7 5 ( o lim F r B e r n ar d
. et G a l ien i . J a m e s , Wes ter n MS S
231 v
l e a e s , in c l udin g t w o in Tr inity C o l l e g e Ca m b r idg e ,
,

c o dice s , o n e o f t h e 1 2 t h ce n tu r y, II I 2 6 8 d e s c r ib e s fi f t y d r aw ing s ,
,
-
,

w hich is al s o m e dic a l bu t w it h fl
c hie y o f s ur g ic a l o p e r at io n s , in
which w e s ha ll n o t d e al at p r e s MS 1 044 e a r ly 1 3 th c e ntu r y B y
, .

e n t , a n d t h e o t h e r o f t h e l o th o r
1 1 th c e n tur y a n d w r itt en in diff e r
th at d at e c a u t e r iz a t io n s e e m s t o
v
h a e b e c o m e l e s s c o mm o n
P r o f e s s o r T W T o dd t hin s
.

e n t ha n d s Th e M S is m ut il at e d
.
3
. . k
bo th a t the be g in n ing an d th e t h at I a m t o o s e e r e u p o n t h e v
clo s e r a c t ic e o f c au t e r iz a t io n a n d
.

p , th at
S l o an e 2 83 9 , 1 1 th cen tur y, 1 12 i t m a y s o m e t im e s h a e s e r e d a s v v
v
l ea e s . a c o u n te r - ir r ita n t li e m u s ta r d k
‘
. v
S l o ane 28 3 9 , f o l s 1 -3 , Libe r p la s t e r s a n d t h e b l is te r .

Cir r urg ium C a ute r iu m A p o ll o n ii S l o ane , 2 8 3 9 , f o l s 7 9 v 80 v .

«
.
 MA GI C AN D E XP ER I M EN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

o the r t hi n gs va p o ri z ati o n be tw ee n the s ho uld e r bl a d e s with

v a ri o us m i x tur e s s car ifi cat io n an d bl e e di n g applica ti o n o f
, ,
“
l ee c he s to the st o m a c h w he r e yo u o ught no t t o o p e r a t e wit h
” 1 ” 2
ir o n ,
“
s ha vi n g and imbr o catin g the sc a lp an d an o i nt ,

in g the ha n ds an d f ee t with o il B o th o ur m an uscripts c o n .

t a i n r e cip e s f o r ex p e lli n g o r r o uti n g d e m o n s ?

Fo r t h is
purp o s e such subst an c e s ar e e m pl o y e d a s th e st o n e gaga tes
a nd h o ly w a t e r a n d e ls e w h e r e t h e usu a l c o n fid e n c e is r e
,

p o se d in the vi rtu e s o f he rbs and suc h p a rts o f an i mals as

t he liv e r o f a vultur e .

I n o n e o f t he m an uscripts is a tre atis e in w h ich m uch

u s e is m a d e o f i n c a n t a ti o n s an d c ha r a ct e rs Th e r e a r e .

pr aye rs to L o rd J e sus an d Ho ly Ma ry to heal the sick

“ ”
,

w h ile ch a r a cte rs s o m e ti m e s e n grav e d up o n l e ad pl ate s a r e

, ,

e m pl o y e d n o t o n ly f o r m e dic a l purp o s e s but to pr ev ent ,

w o m en f r o m c o nc e ivi n g t o m ak e fruit tre e s b e a r w e ll an d , ,

a ga i n st e n e m i e s L a t e r o n in th e m a n uscript i n structi o n s
1 ‘

f o r plucki n g a m e dici n a l he rb i n clud e f a ci n g e a st a n d r e

citi n g a p a t e r n o st e r 5
.

T he tw e l f th c e n tury p o rti o n o f th is s am e man uscript c o n

sists m a i n ly o f a l o n g m e dic a l m e dl e y with n o d e fi n it e ly
m a rk e d b e gi nn i n g o r e n di n g but app a r e n tly o rigi n ally in fi ve
b o o ks 6
T o w a rds its cl o s e o ccur a n u m b e r o f i n c an t a ti o n s
.

a n d c ha r a ct e rs quit e in th e styl e o f Ma rc e llus Em p ir icu s

7
.

”
I n d ee d a m a r ve l o us c h a rm f o r t o o tha c he is a n e x act c opy
“
,

o f h is i n structi o n s t o r e p e a t s ev en ti m e s in a w an i n g m o o n

Ad s t o m a ch u m ubi f er ro inca ntatio n f ro m Ma r cel l us is r e

o p e r ar e non o p o r t es s an s ug 1as p e ate d at f o l 1 I 7 V
. At f o l s7 r w e
. .

ap p o n a s r e ad Ex p lic it L ib e r I I I n c ip it
.

v v
.

2
I m br o car e I h a e n o t d is
. L ib e r T e r t iu s a d e n t r is r ig id ita
v
c o e r e d e x a c t l y w h a t it m e a n s .
”
t e m ; a t f o l 60 r .
“
Ex p l ic it l ibe r
,
a
S l o an e 4 7 5 , f o l 2 2 4 r ; S l o a n e
. t e r tiu s . I n cip it L ib e r I I I I at
“
2839 , fol 9 7 r . . f o l 8 sr , I n c ip it L ibe r V
. .

‘ 7 “
S l o an e 4 7 5 , f o l 1 3 3 , e t s eq
. . S ee f ol . l 1 0r , Cr o s , o ro s ,
S l o an e 4 7 5 f o l 2 2 4 V
,
. . co m ig e o s , d e lig ( c ) r o s , f a l ic r o s ,
”
S l o ane 4 7 5 , f o l s 1 - 1 2 4 At f o l
. . . s p o l ic r o s , s p l en a m ihi ; a n d f o l .

“
3 6 r o cc u r s t h e f a m il ia r p s e ud o l 14 r , O p a s n o lip a s , O p iu m , n o
,
”
l e t t e r o f Hip p o c ra t e s t o A nt ig l im p ium . T h o s e w h o d e l ig h t in
o nus ; at f o l s 8 v- I o r is a p a s c ip h e r s w il l p e r h ap s d e t e ct in th e

s ag e al m o s t 1de n t ic a l w it h t h at l a tte r in c an ta tio n a hidde n a l l u

a t th e c l o s e o f t h e D e m ed ic a m e n s io n t o o p ia te s .

tis o f Ma r c e l l us , 1889 , p 3 8 2 ; a n .
 MA G I C AND E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

en ds by tw o m e n T hen m aki n g the sign o f the c r o ss o n e

.
, ,

s ho uld r ep eat th e f o ll o wi n g i n can t ati o n E llu m s at up o n e lla

“
,

a n d h e ld a gr een r o d in h is h an d an d s a id R o d o f gr een ,
” 1
r e un it e a ga i n t o ge t he r with the L o rd s P r aye r u ntil the
,
’

t w o split halve s b e n d t o ge t he r in the m iddl e O ne t hen .

s e iz e s t hem in o ne s fi st at the j u n ct i o n p o i n t cuts o ff the

’
,

re st o f the r o ds an d m ak e s magi c u s e o f the s ecti o n r e

,

m ai n i n g in o n e s gr a sp 2 ’
.

An o the r man uscript o f t he tw e l fth c e n tury 3

c o n t ai n s
m any si m il a r c ha rm s i nc an t ati o n s pr ay e rs an d char agters
, , ,

“
f o r hea li n g purp o s e s O ne f o r m ul a e m pl o ye d is
. Ch rist ,

”
c o nqu e rs Chri s t r e igns Ch ri st c o mmands
, In cas e s o f
,
.

misc a rri a ge a dri n k o f v e rb e n a is r e c o mm en d e d an d r e p e

titi o n o f the f o ll o wi n g i ncant a ti o n wit h th r e e P at ern o st e rs ,

S a is a l a is a r ela is a b e c a us e s o S a i n t Ma ry did w hen s he

“
, , ,

bo r e the S o n o f G o d P r e s e ntly a p a r a gr aph o p e n s with

.

t he a s s e rti o n t h a t the h u man r a c e d o e s n o t k n o w ho w gr eat

virtu e the vultur e p o ss e ss e s and ho w m uch it i m pr o v e s
4

hea lth But c e rta i n c e rem o n ial dir ecti o n s m ust be o bs erve d
.

in maki n g us e o f it T he bird s h o uld b e kill e d in the v e ry

.

h o ur in wh ich it is c aught an d with a s harp r ee d r athe r than

a sw o rd B e fo re b eheadi n g it o ne s ho uld utte r an i nc an
.
,

t at io n c o n t a i n i n g such n am e s as Ad o na i an d Ab r aam Va ri .

o us he ali n g virtu e s a pp e rt a i n to th e di ff e r e n t p a rts o f its

c a rc a ss alt ho ugh h e r e agai n t he r e a r e i n st ructi o n s to be

,

o bs e r v e d T he b o ne s o f its h e a d s ho uld be b o u nd in hy en a
.

ski n ; its eye s s ho uld be susp en d e d f ro m the ne ck in w o l f s ’

ski n Bi n di n g its wi n gs o n the le ft f o o t o f a w o man st rug

'

gli ng in c h ild birth pr o duc es a quick d eliv e ry O ne who

-
.

w ears its t o n gu e will r e ce iv e the a d o rati o n o f al l his ene

m i e s ; i f o ne h as its h e art b o u n d in th e ski n o f a li o n o r
w o l f al l d e mo n s will av o id o n e an d r o bb e rs will o nly wo r
,

ship o ne Its ga l l t ak e n in quit e a m i xtur e cur e s e pil ep tic s

.

1 “
Ell um s up e r e ll am s e de bat e t
5
Eg e rto n 8 2 1, 12 th ce ntury, fols .

vir ga m vir id e m in m an u t e n e bat 5 2 v-

60v .

e t d icebat , V ir ga m
”
v
ir idis r e un i
“
I bid , f o l 5 3 V , vu l ti li s , wh 1ch
. .

t e r e in s im ul . I a s s um e s h o ul d be vu l turis rather
U nin th a n vi tuli, o r bul l - cal f
’
S l o ane 4 7 5 , f o l 1 12 V . . .

t e ll ig ibl e l e t te r s f o l l o w .
 xxx1 MEDI CI NE TO THE T WELFTH CEN T UR Y 727

an d lunatics ; its lun g in an o the r c o mp o un d cur e s f e ve rs ;

an d s o o n .

The re f o ll o w S or tes s an c tor u m, i n tr o duce d by

p a ge a
“
an d a h al f o f p r aye r s o f t h i s t e n o r I n the n am e o f o u r L o rd
’

J e sus Christ we a s k F ath e r an d S o n an d Ho ly G h o st T h r ee

, ,

an d O n e ; w e a s k S a i n t Ma ry t h e m o t he r o f o u r L o rd J e su s
,

Ch rist ; w e a s k the n i ne o rd e rs o f an ge ls ; w e a sk the w ho l e

cho rus o f p atri a rc h s ; we ask the w ho l e c ho rus o f ap o stl es ,

m artyrs c o n f e ss o rs a n d virgi n s an d the wh o le c h o rus o f

, , ,

G o d s f a it h f ul t hat t he y d e ign t o r ev e a l to us t he s e l o t s
’

w hich we s e ek a n d t hat n o s e ducti o n o f the d evil m ay de

,

” “
ce ive us . The tr e a tis e c l o s e s T h e s e a r e th e l o ts o f the
,

s a i nts wh ich nev e r f a il ; s o a sk G o d and o bt a i n w hat yo u

”
d esir e .

T he n ex t it em s in the m an uscript a r e s om e c a s e s o f s u

p er s t i t io u s v e t e ri n a ry pr a ctic e wit h suc h pi, o us i n c a n t a ti o ns

as
“
May G o d w ho s av e d th e thi e f o n th e cr o ss s av e th is
” 1
b ea st ! an d with i n structi o n s c o nc e r n i n g the r e ligi o us in
v o c ati o n s an d writt en cha ra ct e rs t o be e m pl o ye d in bl e ssi n g
the f o o d an d sa lt to be giv e n to d o m e stic an i m a ls in o rd e r
to k ee p the m in go o d he a lt h Cha ra ct e rs a r e als o m en ti o n e d
.

wh ic h will pr ev en t the bl o o d o f a pig f r o m fl o wi n g w hen it

is sl aught e re d pr o v id ed the y ar e b o u n d up o n the br ea st o r
,

a r e writt e n o n t h e k n i f e wit h w h ich t he pig is t o b e stuck

?

Ho ly w a t e r an d br ea d th a t h a s b een bl e ss e d ar e us e d f o r
m e dic al purp o s e s an d i n structi o n s ar e giv e n o n wh at d ays
me dici n al he rbs s h o uld be g a t he r e d
.
T he pr a ye rs e m .

pl o y e d ar e usua lly put in Christi an f o rm but o n e fo r the ,

cur e o f t oo thache has slippe d by at l e a st pa rti ally u nc en s o r e d .

It o p en s w ith th e w o rds O l a dy Mo o n f r ee m e
“ 3
, .

I f w e tur n f ro m m e dic al m a n uscripts o f the e l ev en th

an d tw e l f t h c e n tu r i e s in th e Britis h Mus e u m t o t ho se o f t h e

Bibli o theque N at io n a le w e fi n d the s am e o ccurr en ce o f s u

,

p e r s t it i o u s p a ss a g e s I n a n e l e v e n t h c e n tury c o d ex wh ich co n
.

ta i n s p arts o f the me dica l w o rk o f Ce lsus an d the D e dina

1 °
Eg er to n 82 1 , f o l 5 7 . . I bid , f o l 60r
. . .

'
I bid f o l 5 SV
. .
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI E N CE C H AP .

midis of G al en
ls o f o un d pr aye rs to G o d f o r the me dic
ar e a

i na l a id o f the a n ge l R aph ae l a ga i n st the tr eache r o us at

t acks o f th e d em o ns a w o rk o n the virtu e s o f st o n e s w h ich
,

ha s m uc h to s ay o f t h e ir m a rv e l o u s pr o p e r ti e s an d fi gur e s ,

a n d t ex t c o n c e r n i n g th e tw e lv e sign s o f th e z o di ac an d tw e lv e

wi n ds 1
Much m o r e sup e rstiti o us h o w ev e r is an ano ny
.
, ,

m o us tr eatis e o ccupyi n g t he first t e n l e av e s o f a tw e l f t h c e n

tury m an uscript w h ic h is a pp ar ently o f G e rman o ri gi n
2

fr o m the n um be r o f G e r m an w o rds an d ph r a ses i ntr o duc e d

n ea r its cl o s e Th is tr e atise is f o ll o w e d in the m an uscr ip t
.

by the w o rks o f N o tk e r He rm ann the L ame an d o thers o n , ,

compu tus a n d the a stro l a b e .

A f t e r discussi n g t h e e ffe ct o f f o o d up o n h e alth listi n g ,

p o ti o n s o f he rbs t o be dru nk in e ac h m o nth o f the y e a r 3

,

tr e ati n g o f the v e i n s an d o f the f o ur wi n ds f o ur s eas o n s , ,

an d f o ur h u m o rs an d th e r e l a ti o n s e x isti n g b e tw e en the t w o
,

l a st name d the autho r e num e r a t e s the many a dvant a ge s o f

-
,

bl o o d le tti n g in a l o ng p ass a ge w h ic h is w o rt h qu o ti n g in
-

“
p a rt . I t c o n t a i n s th e b e gi nn i n g o f h e alth it m ak e s the ,

m i n d si n c e r e it a ids th e m em o ry it purge s th e br a i n it r e
, , ,

f o r m s th e bl a dd e r it w a r m s th e m arr o w it o pe n s the hea r

, ,

in g it che cks t e ars it r em o v e s n a us e a it b en efi ts th e st o m ach

, , , ,

it i nvit e s dige sti o n it e v o k e s the v o ic e it builds up the

, ,

s en s e it m o v e s the b o we ls it e n riche s sl ee p it r em o v e s
, , ,

a nx i e ty it n o uris h e s go o d h e alt h
,
an d s o o n T he .

o p e r a ti o n o f bl ee di n g s h o uld n o t b e p e r f o r m e d o n th e t en t h ,

fi f t een th tw en ty fi f th o r th irti e th day o f the m o o n n o r

,
-
, ,

s ho uld a p o ti o n be t ak en then The Egypti an day s an d do g .

d ays ar e to be si m il arly o bs e rv e d The h o urs o f the day .

wh en each hum o r pr e do m i n ate s a r e th en giv en .

1
BN 7 028 , 1 1 th ce n tur y, fol s .
°
B N n o uv a c q 2 2 9 , f o l 2 r
. . . .

1 36 v, 1 40- 3 , 1 s4 r , a n d 1 s6 r . Ma r c h is tr e at ed fi r st a n d Fe br u
2
B N n o uv a c q 2 2 9 , 1 2 t h c e n
. . a r y l as t , w h il e a s im il a r dis c u s
t ur y, f o l s 1 r - 1 0r ( o n ce p p 2 33 . s io n l a t e r in t h e s a m e w o r k
( fo l s .

o p e n i n g,
“
Rat io n e m o b s e r a v 8r -9 r , Q u id u n o qu o que m e n s e
t io n is e s tre v p ie t a t i s e c u n du m u t e n dum qu idve v ita ndum s it ) be

p r e ce p t a do c t o r um m e dicina lium g in s w ith J a n ua r y .

u t p o tu i .
7 30 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

“
A lm igh ty G o d, w h o s a v e d a l l t h e h u m a n r ac e s a v e m e a n d ,

fr ee m e f r o m the s e f e ve rs an d f r o m all m y l an guo rs By .

G o d Ch rist w as ann o u n c e d an d Ch rist w as b o r n a n d Ch rist , ,

wa s wr a pp e d in sw a ddli n g cl o th e s an d Ch rist w as pl a c e d in ,

a m a n ge r a n d Ch rist w as circu m cis e d

, an d Ch rist w a s ,

a d o r e d by th e Ma gi an d Ch rist w a s b aptiz e d , a n d Ch rist ,

was t e mpte d an d Ch rist wa s b e tr ay e d an d Ch rist w as

, ,

fl o gge d and Ch rist wa s sp a t up o n a n d Ch rist was given

, ,

gall an d vi ne gar t o dri nk an d Ch rist w a s pi e rce d with a ,

l an ce an d Ch rist was cruci fi e d an d Ch rist di e d and Ch rist

, , ,

w a s buri e d a n d Ch rist r o s e a ga i n an d Christ a sc e n d e d u n t o

, ,

heaven I n the n am e o f the F a th e r an d o f the S o n an d o f

.

th e Ho ly G ho st J e sus risi n g f r o m th e syn a go gu e en t e r e d

, , ,

th e h o us e o f S i m o n Mo r eo v e r S i m o n s d augh t e r w as sick
.
,
’

with a h igh f ev e r An d th e y e n tr ea t e d Him o n her b eh al f

. .

An d st an di n g o v e r h e r He c o m m an d e d the f e ve r an d it de
” 1
p a rt e d To cur e e pil e psy a n i n t e r e sti n g c o m bi n a ti o n o f
.

scriptur a l i n c ant ati o n an d r a th e r u n usu a l m agic pr o ce dur e is

r e c o mm en de d B e f o r e the attack c o m e s o n the w o rds o f the
.
,

G o sp e l o f Ma tt he w
“
J e sus w as led by the spirit i nto the
,

d e s e rt ; and an ge ls c ame an d m i n ist e r e d u nt o Him ar e to ”

,

be writt en o n a w oo d e n t a bl e t with s o m e bl ack subst an c e

w h ich will wa s h o ff r e a dily Then w h en the fi t co m es o n .
, ,

t h is writi n g is to be w as he d o ff i nt o a ve ss el with still w ate r

a n d giv e n t o the p a ti e n t t o dri n k in t h e na m e o f F a t h e r S o n , ,

an d Ho ly G h o st
“
I f yo u do th is th r ee ti m e s G o d h e lpi ng
.
,

” 2
the p ati e n t will be cur e d .

O ur m an uscript f urt h e r r e s em bl e s E ge rt o n 8 2 1 o f th e
British Mus e um in c o n ta i n i n g r em e di e s f o r b ea st as w ell a s
man I f a ho rs e su ffe rs f r o m o v e r e a ti ng o n e s ho uld l e a r n
.
-
,

h is na me an d pr o cur e s o m e h az e l r o ds T he n o ne is t o .

w h isp e r in his right e a r an i n c ant ati o n c o n sisti n g o f o ut

la n dis h w o rds a cc o m p an i e d by th e L o rd s P ray e r a nd is
’
,

t o bi n d h is t h igh s a n d f ee t wit h t he r o ds This c e r e mo ny . ,

t o o is t o be r e p e at e d t h ric e
?
,

5
Fo l 9 v
. .
xxx r M E DI CI NE T O THE T WE L F TH CEN T URY 73:

We n o w c o me to the c o n sid e r ati on o f tr e a tis e s sup

p o s e d to hav e bee n pro duc e d by the scho o l o f m e dici n e at
S a le r no But no t o n ly a re the o rigi n s o f the s o c a ll e d
.
-

“ ”
S ch o o l o f S a l e r n o ve ile d in i m p e n e tr a bl e o bscurity 1
,

m uch o f its l a t e r histo ry is sc a rce ly l e ss u n c e rt a i n an d it is ,

n o e a sy m a tt e r t o s ay w ha t m e n a n d w h a t writi n gs m ay

be pr o p e rly c a ll e d S a l e r n it an o r w h e n t he y liv e d o r w e r e
,

c o m p o s e d The man uscripts o f S al e rn it an writi n gs s eem

.

t o h a ve b een f o u n d m o r e f r e qu e n tly n o rth o f th e Alps t han

in I ta li an libra ri e s I t w o uld p e r h a ps be c a rryi n g sc e pticis m
.

to o f a r to d o ubt if me dici n e d e v e l o p e d m uch e a rli e r o r m o r e

ra pidly at S al e r n o than els ewh e r e si n c e it s eem s c e rt ai n ,

that the to wn was f am o us f o r its physici an s at an early date ,

an d t ha t w e ha v e m e dic a l writi n gs o f S al e r n it an s pr o duc e d

in the e a rly e l e v e n th c e n tury But o n e is i ncli ne d to vi ew

.

with s o me sc epticis m the a ssu m pti o n o f h isto ri an s o f m e di

ci n e that the w o rd S a le r n itan r epr e s en ts a s e par at e bo dy
?

o f d o ctri n e o r o f m e th o d in pr a ctic e w h ich m ay b e s h a rply

, ,

disti n guishe d f r o m A r abic m e dici n e o r f r o m l at e r m e di eva l

m edici n e a s a ff e ct e d by A r abic i n flu en c e R athe r the .

m e dic a l lit e r a ture an d pra ctic e o f S a l e r no is a n i n te gr a l a nd

1
What is kn o wn o f t h e S ch o o l so t hat t h e h is to ry o f t he s ch o o l
of S ale rno ha s a l r e a dy be en an d th e texts in th e ea r l ier
fl
br ie y in dicate d in En g l is h by H . v v
o l um e s h a e t o b e s up p l e m e n t e d
R a s h d all , U n ive r s i tie s of E u r o p e a n d c o r r e c t e d by t h e f u l l e r ve r
in th e M idd le Ag es 1 89 5 I , 7 5 -86 ,, , s io n s an d dis s e r t a t io n s in t h e l at e r
a nd T . P u s c h m ann , His tor y of v o lum e s I t is t o o b a d th at a l l
.

M e dica l E du ca tio n En gl is h t r an s
, t h e m a t e r ia l s c o u l d n o t h a e be e n v
l a tio n , L o n do n , 189 1 , p p 1 9 7 2 1 1 .
-
. c o l l e c t e d a n d m o r e s y s t e m a tic a ll y
k
T h e s t a n d a r d w o r o n t h e s u bj e c t a r r a n g e d a n d co ll a t e d b e f o r e
p ub
v
is S al ato r e D e R e n z i, C o ll e c tio l ica t io n A l s o s o m e o f th e t e x t s
.

S a l er n ita n a, in I ta l ia n w it h L a tin v
p r in t e d h a e b ut t h e r e m o t e s t
t e x t s , p ubl is h e d a t Na p l e s in fi ve co n n ec t io n w ith S al e r n o , wh il e
v o l um e s f r o m 1 85 2 t o 1 8 5 9 It . v
o t he r s h a e n o thing t o do with
c o n t a in s a h is t o r y o f th e S c h o o l m e dic in e
v
.

o f S al e r n o b y R e n z i a n d a r io u s T o t his c o ll e c t io n o f m at e r ial s
t e x t s b r o ug ht t o l ight an d dis s e r s o m e f u r t h e r a ddit io n s h a e b ee n v
t at io n s dis cu s s in g t h e m by R e n z i, m a d e by P G iac o s a . Mag is tr i ,

D a r e m b e r g , He n s c h e l , a n d o t h e r s . S a le r n itani n o n d u m e diti T ur in , ,

U n f o r tun at e l y th is p ubl ic at io n 190 1 .

p r o ce e d e d by t h e u n s y s t e m at ic Fo r f u r th e r bibl io g r ap h y s e e in
p iec e m ea l a n d h an d -
t o —
m o uth t h e r e c e n t r e p r in t o f Ha r r in gt o n s
’

m e th o d, a n d n e w t e x t s a n d dis En g l is h t r ans l at io n , Th e S c h o o l
co ve r ie s w e r e b ro ugh t t o t h e e d i of S a l e r n o
’
p p 5 0-
5 2 . .

tor s at te nt io n du r ing th e p r o c e s s ,
2
N o t ab l y D a r e m b e r g .
 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI M EN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

s ac rc ely disti n guis habl e p art o f me di ev a l me dici ne a s a

wh o l e Man y S al e r n it an tr eatis e s t hem s el v e s b e l o n g to the
.

l ate r m e di eva l pe ri o d an d ve ry f e w o f them can be sh o wn

,

t o an t e d at e C o n st a n ti n us A f ric an us wh o s e tr an sl a ti o n s
,

s eem to m a rk the b e gi nn i n g o f A r abic i n fluen c e An d o n .

th e o t h e r han d t h e r e a r e e q u ally e arly m e di e v a l m e dic a l

tr e atis e s such as th o s e we h ave hith e r t o b een c o n side ri n g
, ,

wh ich a r e no t S al e r n it an an d ye t s ho w no sign o f A r abic

i n fluen c e T hus the w o rd S al e r n it an c anno t a ccur ate ly be
.

ide n tifi e d with a fi rst p e ri o d o f m e di e va l L ati n m e dici n e

b a s e d up o n e a rly o r Neo L ati n tr an sl a ti o n s o f G r e ek m e d
—

ic a l a uth o rs and up o n i n d ep en d e n t m e dic a l pr actic e S uch .

a ctivity w as n o t c o n fi n e d t o S a l e r n o But i f w e s o em
.

pl o y the w o rd S al e r n itan f o r a m o men t th e r e s eem s

,

n o r ea s o n f o r th i n ki n g t h a t such a d e v e l o p me n t w o uld be

v e ry di ff e r en t f r o m the A rabic an d Byz anti n e c o n ti n ua

ti o n s o f G r eek m e dici n e A pl ac e s o o pen to S ar ac en and
.

Byz an ti n e i n flu en c e as the c o a st o f s o uthe rn I taly is ha rdly

the sp o t w he r e w e s ho uld l o o k f o r a to t a lly disti n ct m e dic a l
d e ve l o pm e n t an d the i n flu en c e o f Ce ltic an d T e ut o n ic f o lk
,

l o re up on m e dic al pr actic e w o uld pr e sum ably be m o r e

f e lt n o rth o f th e A lps A n d it is to S a l e r n o tha t Co n
.

s t an t in u s A f ric an us th e e a rli e st k n o w n i m p o rt e r o f A r abic

,

m e dici n e c o m e s
, .

Th e n o ti o n t oo th a t th e S al e r n it an o r e arly m e di e v al
, ,

L a ti n m e dic a l pr a ctic e w a s s o u n d an d stra igh t f o rw a rd and

s e n sibl e an d f r ee f r o m the supe rstiti o n with wh ich the
h o ld e rs o f th is o pi n i o n r e p r e s en t A r abic a n d l a t e r m e di ev a l
me dici n e a s o ve rburd ene d is a ls o pr o ba bly illus or y
,
. We
ha v e a lr ea dy s een e vid enc e o f r athe r e x tr em e sup e r stiti o n in
e a rly m e di e v a l L ati n m e dici ne w h ic h s h o ws n o tr a c e o f

A r abic i n flu e n c e an d the m e dic al pr actiti o n e rs o f S a l e r no

,

a r e s o m e ti m e s r e pr e s e n t e d in th e s o urc es as e m piricists o r

o l d wi v e s
-
T he pl a c e w a s p e culi a rly n o t e d f o r its f e ma l e
.

pr a ctiti o n e rs o f whom m o r e an o n ; an d o ne o f the ea rli e st

,

m e n ti o n s o f a physici an o f S al e r no is the a cc o u n t in R ic h e r s
’
7 34 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE ca n »
.

al l o the r E uro p ea n m e dici n e o f the ti me P ay n e n o te d .

t ha t the c o m p o u n ds o f P e tr o cellus c o n t a i n e d f ewe r ingr edi

“
e n ts an d r e ga rd e d t he S al e r n it an s e l e cti o n o f dru gs a s
, m o re
” “
i n t e lligen t . T h e S al e r n it an f o rm ul ae ar e cl ear si m pl e , ,

a n d writt e n o n a u n i f o rm syst e m w h ic h i m pli e s tr a diti o n al

” 1 “
skill an d culture . The p h a rm a cy is gene rally v e ry
s i m pl e ; an d as m igh t be ex p e ct e d th e r e is an e n tir e abs en c e
, ,

” 2
o f c h a r m s an d sup e rstiti o us rit e s S uch si m plicity how
.
,

e v e r is a t b e st a n e ga tiv e s o r t o f virtu e ; a n d w e w o n d e r
,

if t h is e a rly sp e ci me n o f the S c h o o l o f S a l e r n o is f r e e f r o m
e l ab o r a t e sup e rstiti o n f o r the v e ry r ea s o n t h at th e w o rk is

si m pl e an d e l e m e n t a ry The l e ss m e dici n e the l e s s supe r

.
,

s t itio n p e r ha ps Mo re o ve r sup e rstiti o n is n o t q uit e abs en t

.
, ,

“
si n c e P ayn e h i m s e l f qu o te s the f o ll o wi n g r e cip e : Fo r th o s e
wh o c ann o t s ee f r o m su n ris e t o sun s e t Th is is the .

l ee ch cr a f t wh ich th e r e t o b e l o n ge th T ak e a kn eec ap o f a .

buck an d r o a st it an d w he n the r o a st sw eats then tak e

3
, , ,

the sw ea t an d the r e with s m e a r the e y e s a n d a fte r t hat l et ,

h im eat th e s am e r o a st ; a n d then t ak e fr e sh a ss e s du n g and

’

s qu ee z e it a n d s m ea r th e eye s th e r ewith and it will s o o n

, ,
” 1
be b e tt e r with the m
‘
.

P e t r o ce l lu s i s t ho ught t o h av e u s ed G reek w r iti n gs di

re ctly w i th o ut th e i n t e r m e di ary o f A r a bic v e r s i o n s
?
He
s ays in the i n tr o duct o ry l e tt e r which o p en s the P r ac tica that l

he r e duc e s to bri e f f o r m in the L ati n l an gu age t ho s e

a uth o rs w h o h a v e cull e d th e d o gm a s o f al l c a s e s fr o m

G r e e k pl ac e s
” 5
. But t he s e w o rds m ight be t ak en to i n dicate
tha t he ha s us e d G r ee k s o urc e s o n ly i n dir e ctly w h il e the ,

f act t hat the p e rs o n to who m the w o rk is a ddre ss e d is c all e d

“ ”
“
d ear e st s o n an d sw ee te st s o n is r ath e r in the styl e o f
A r abi an and He br ew me di e v a l write rs He goes o n to .

1
P ayne pp 1 55 6
.
-
. Re n zi, IV , 1 90, P r o p te r e a fil i
1"
I bid , p 148 k a r is s im e c um d iutu r n o te mp o r e
v
. . .

5
T h e La t in t e xt r e a ds , l i e r o f d e m e dic in a t r ac ta s s e m u s o m n ip o
t e n t is D e i n u tu adm o m t u s p l a c ui t
”
a h e dg e h o g , a n d d o ubtl e s s e ith e r
w o u ld be e qua l ly e ffi c ac io us . u t e x g r e c 1s l o c 1s s e c ta n t e s a u c
‘
Q u o t e d by Payn’ e p . to r e s o m n ium c au s a ru m d o gm a ta

“
k
1 5 2 , f r o m C o c a yn e s t r an s l ation . in b r e vil o qui um l at i no s e r mo ne
”
R e nz i ( 18 5 2 I V, 18 5 . c o ns cr ibe r e mu s .
X XX I MEDI CI NE TO THE T WEL FTH CEN T UR Y 7 35

a ssure th is p e rs o n that e ve rythi n g in th e w o rk has b ee n

t est ed by ex pe ri e n c e an d that n o th i ng s ho uld be add e d to
o r subtra ct e d f ro m it .

Th is i n tr o duct o ry e pistl e a ls o e m b o di e s an a cc o u n t o f
the o rigin o f m e dici n e w h ic h w h il e n o t e x a ctly s up e r s t i ,

ti o us is quit e in t he usu al n ai v e an d u n critic al styl e s o o ft e n

,

em pl o ye d by b o t h a n ci e n t a n d m e di e va l writ e rs in tr eati n g

o f a dist an t p a st A p o ll o an d his s o n E sc ul ap ius A scl e pius

.
,

“ ”
a nd Yp o cr a s a re n am e d as the f o ur f o u n d e rs o f the m ed
ic a l art Ap o ll o disc o ve re d m e thoyca w h ic h pr e sum ably
.
,

m ean s m e tho dis m but w h ic h P e t r o cel lus pr o c ee ds t o id e n ti f y

,

with surge ry E s cul ap ius i nv e n te d empir ica w hic h is de

.
,

scri be d as pharm a cy r athe r th an em piricis m a lt ho ugh p e r ,

haps the disti n cti o n is slight A scl e piu s f o u n de d l oyca

.
,

wh ich is pro b ably m ean t fo r the do gma tic scho o l Hip .

po cr at e s c o ntributi o n was the oper ica w h ich m ay m ean

’
,

th er ap eutics but is f urthe r de scrib e d as the pr o gn o sticati o n

“ ”
or pr evisi o n o f dis ea s e s I t is in th is s am e i n tr o duct o ry
.

e pistl e t ha t P e tr o cell u s m ak e s t he divisi o n o f th e br a i n i n t o

thr ee c ells o f which w e sp o ke in the chapt e r o n A r abi c

o ccult sci en c e B e sid e s disti n guis h i n g the th ree c ells as
.

phan t a stic l o gic a l and m ne m o n ic he a dds that go o d and

, , ,

e vil a r e disti n guis he d in the m iddl e c e ll a n d t h a t the s o ul is

in the p o st e ri o r o ne .

In the P r a c tica pr o p e r the m e tho d o f P e t r o cel lus is t o

t ak e up o ne dis ea s e at a ti me te ll w hat the G reeks c all it , ,

a n d bri e fly d e scribe it s o me ti m e s listi n g its sym pt o m s o r

,

c a us e s bu t d e v o ti n g m o st o f his sp a c e t o suc h m e t h o ds o f
,

curi ng it as di e t an d bl e e di n g si m ple s a nd c o m p o u n ds I , .

s aw n o i n st a n c e o f a str o l o gic a l m e dici n e n o r o f r e s o rt t o

am ul e ts an d i n c a n t a ti o n s in th e v e rsi o n publis h e d by R e n z i

f r o m a tw e l f th c e n tury m a n uscript a t P a ris But in a .

f r a gm en t o f the w o rk f r o m a M il an m an uscript wh e r e
twenty s ix li ne s ar e d e vo t e d to the tre atme n t o f e pil epsy in
-

stead o f but s eve n as in the o the r t e x t o n e is a dvis e d to use

1
,

“
a n ti m o n y in th e h o ly w a t e r w h ich th e G reeks bl e ss o n
1
Fo r the t wo p a s s age s on e p il ep s y s ee R e n zi, I V , p p . 2 35 and 2 9 3 .
7 36 MA GI C AN D EXP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

E piph an y ch an t the L o rd s P r a ye r th ree ti m e s I f

’
an d to .

th is p a ss age b e a l ate r a dditi o n it sh o ws th a t P e tr o cellus

,

w a s l e ss i n cli n e d t o sup e rstiti o us m e th o ds th an o th e rs a n d

t ha t his i n j un cti o n th a t n o th i n g sho uld be subtr acte d f r o m
o r a dd e d t o his w o rk w as n o t w e ll o bs e rv e d But in an y .
.

c a s e it illustr a t e s m y pr e vi o us po i n t th at th e m o r e m e dici n e ,

the m o r e sup e rstiti o n I n tw e n ty s ix li n e s o n e pil e psy o n e

.
-

is m uch m o r e lik ely to fi n d s o m e th i n g supe rstiti o us than in

s ev e n I n d ee d th e tr ea tm en t o f e pil epsy w a s s o ge ne r ally
.
,

sup e rstiti o us tha t m y r e c o ll e cti o n is that any acc o un t o f it

o f an y c o n sid e r abl e l e n gt h w h ich I h a v e s een in m e di e v a l

writi n gs c o n t a i n e d s o m e sup e rstiti o n In f act ev en if P e tr o

.
,

c e ll u s wr o t e th e l o n ge r p a ss a ge h e c o uld b e pr a is e d f o r
,

havi n g r e s o rte d to cha rm s an d f o rm ul ae o n ly in the c a s e o f

tha t m yst e ri o us dis ea s e .

T h e w o rk m o st ge n e r a lly k n o w n a s a ch a r a ct e ristic pr o d
uc t o f t h e S c h o o l o f S a l e r n o i s t he L a ti n p o e m w h ic h o pe n s
1

“
wit h the li n e To the Ki n g o f the E n glish writ e s the w ho l e
,

” 2
S cho o l o f S al e r n o Th is p o e m h as b ee n v a ri o usly e n titl e d
.

S c h o la S al e r n ita n a R egim en S a l er n itan um a n d F l os m edi

, ,

cin ae Ho w m uch m o r e i n flu en ti a l an d wid e spr ea d it w a s

.

than the P r a c tica o f P e tr o ce llus m ay be s e en f r o m the f act

t hat m an uscripts o f th e t ex t o f the l att e r ar e ra r e th o ugh th e ,

i n tr o duct o ry l e tt e r is m o r e c o m m o n an d th a t it w as fi rst pub

,

l is he d by R e n zi in th e n i n e te e n th c e n tury wh e r ea s ab o ut o n e ,

hun dr e d m an uscripts a n d tw o h un dr e d an d fi fty pri n te d e di

ti o n s o f th e p o em h av e b ee n f o u n d I t w as k n o w n ch i e fly
.

t hr o ugh the b r i e f v e rsi o n o f 3 6 2 v e rs e s up o n w h ich A r n ald

,

o f Vill a n o v a c o mm e n t e d a t th e cl o s e o f th e t h irt e e n th ce n

tu r y u n til a s a r e sult o f th e r e s ea rche s o f B audry de B alz ac

, ,

R e n zi a n d D a r em b e r g th e n u m b e r o f li n e s w a s i n cr ea s e d to
,

35 2 6 T
. h is p atch w o rk f r o m m an y m an uscripts can sc arc e ly
1
R e n zi, I , 4 1 7 -5 16, F l os m e di ta tis .

“
A ng l o r u m Re gi s cr ibit S ch o l a
2
c in a e , a t e x t o f 2 13 0 l in e s ; V , I
1 04 , t h e f u ll e r t e x t o f 3 5 26 l in e s ; t o ta S a l e r n i
”
S o m e MS S h a e
. v
1 13 - 7 2 , N o t ic e b iblio g r a p h iqu e ; Fr a n c o r u m o r R o be r to in s t e a d o f
3 5 4 06 , N o t e s c h o is ie s
8 -
de M . A n g l o r um .

B a udr y d e B a l z a c a u Fl os S a ni
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

m a de b als am pur e w ax an d th e Chrism I t pr o t ects

of , , .

a ga i n st ligh t n i n g a n d the w a v e s o f t h e s e a a ids w o m e n in ,

c h ild birt h sa ve s f r o m sudd en d eath and in s ho rt f r o m

-
, ,
“ ”
e v e ry ki n d o f e vil A str o l o gy i s by n o m ean s o m itt e d
.

f r o m the R egim e n S al er n itan u m ; in f act B alz ac s e em s to

h av e tak en the f a ct t hat v e rs e s w e r e a stro l o gica l in ch a r ~

a ct e r as a sig n t h a t t h e y b e l o n ge d in th e S a l e r n it an c o l le c

ti o n .

A th i r d w o rk w h ich m ay be c o n sid e r e d a s an exampl e

o f t h e m e dici n e o f S al e r n o is t h e P r ac tic a o f A r ch im atthae us

wh ic h R e n zi pl ac e d in the tw el f th c e n tury an d c o n j e cture d

to be t he w o rk o f M attha e us P l ate a r iu s th e E ld e r 1
O ne o r .

t w o e x pr e s s i o n s ho w e v e r m igh t b e t ak e n a s i n dic a ti o n s t ha t
, ,

t he writ e r i s n e it he r o f e a rly d at e n o r h i m s e l f a S al e r n it an .

He S p eaks o f curi n g pl e uri sy in a di ffe r e n t way f r o m the

tre atm e n t r e c o mm en d e d in the P r ac ticaf s an d t e lls h o w the '

S al e r n it an s try t o pr e v e n t t h e ir h a i r f r o m f a lli n g o u t by
r ea s o n o f the ir p o r e s o p e n i n g to o wid e w h en they f re qu en t
“
the bat h R e n zi ha il e d t h is tr ea tis e wit h d e ligh t a s a tru e
?

” 3
m e dic a l cli n ic si n c e the aut ho r d e scrib e s s o m e tw e n ty two
,
-

sp ecific c a s es He st at e s at the b e gi n n i ng t hat he d o e s no t

.

pr o p o se to writ e a syst em a tic tr eatis e o r to d eal with e ve ry

v a ri e ty o f dis e a s e but o n ly with t ho s e in w h ic h he has
,

“
l e a rne d n ew an d be tt e r m e tho ds by e x p e ri en c e an d in wh ic h ,

” 1
G o d ha s put t h e d e si r e d e ff e ct in m y h a n d T h r o ugh the
‘
.

w o rk we en c o un te r such ph r a s e s a s exper tum es t aliud pr o ,

ba tis s imu m
“
I t e ll yo u w h a t I h a v e pr o v e d
,
” “
We h a v e ,

t e ste d t h is by e x p e ri enc e an d r e j o ic e d at the r e sult T he s e

utte r an c e s s e em r e a lly to r e fe r to th e writ e r s o w n expe r i ’

e n c e a n d n o t t o be c o pi e d f r o m pr e vi o u s a u t ho rs T he f o l .

“
l o wi n g is an ex am pl e o f his c a s e s A c e rt a i n l a dy i n curr e d
.

pa r a lysis o f the fa c e duri n g sl e e p a ft e r th e b ath wh ich he ,

a ttribut e s to diss o luti o n o f h u m o rs w h ich a ffe ct e d the

m uscl e s Fi rst he bl e d the c e pha lic v e i n ho pi n g the r eby to
.
,

dr a w o ff s o m e wha t the h um o rs f r o m th e afflicte d plac e .

”
I bid 37 9 8 1
1
R en z i V , 3 7 7 8 -
. .
-
.

1 ‘
[ bid 3 7 2 -3 . I bid 3 50 .
XXX I MEDI CI N E T O THE T WE L F TH CEN T UR Y 7 39

Th e n f o r t hr e e succ e ssiv e d ays h e gave he r the p o ti o n o f

S t P aul wit h wi n e o f a d e c o cti o n o f s a lvi a an d c a st o ri a
.

wh ich in p a rt pr ev en t diss o luti o n in p a rt c o n su m e it

,
”
He .

a ls o ha d h e r h o ld t ha t wi n e in h e r m o ut h f o r a l o n g ti m e

be f o r e swa ll o wi n g it At l en gt h h e gav e h e r a pu r gative

.

with pills o f ye r ap iga ( s ac r um a mar um ) m i x e d wi th go ld en i

,

“
pills . A f t e r w a rds w e i n j e ct e d pills o f dia ca s t o r ia i n t o he r
n o strils an d pl a c e d h e r n e a r th e fi r e Fi n ally w e gav e
.

O popir a ( br e a d f r e e f r o m f u r fu r e ) wit h th e a f o r e s a id wi n e ,

a n d s o s he wa s cur e d o n ly a c e rt a i n t um o r r e m a i n e d in
"

he r f ac e and m a de h er eye w at e r W e a n o i n t e d h e r f ac e
.

with go ld en u ngu en t an d the p o ti o n o f S t P a ul m i x e d to .

get he r and the tu m o r dis app e a r e d ; f o r the t ea rs w e gav e

go ld e n Al ex an dri n a an d t he y w e r e ch e ck e d ; a n d t hus it w a s
” 1
t hat t his y ea r in y o ur pr e s en c e w e cur e d a c e rt a i n p a r a lytic .

L ik e G a l en s a cc o u n ts o f h is a ctu a l c as e s t h is m ak e s u s
’

r ealiz e t hat all the gru e s o m e m i x ture s o f which w e r e a d in

the b o o ks w e r e a ctu a lly f o rc e d up o n p ati e n ts o f t en s e ve r al ,

o f t he m up o n o n e p o o r sick p e r s o n a n d t h a t m e dic a l p r ac
,

tic e w as ra the r w o rs e t han m e dic a l the o ry An i n te r e sti n g .

o bs e rv ati o n c o n c e r n i n g th e l o t o f th e l o w e r cl a ss e s is l e t f a ll

by o u r a ut ho r w hen in discussi n g i nv o lu nt a ry e m issi o n

,

o f uri n e h e st a t e s t h a t s e r f s an d ha n d m a ids a r e e s ec l all

, p y
subj e ct to t h is a il m ent si n c e t he y go a bo ut ill cl a d and with
,
-

ba r e f e et an d b ec o m e tho r o ughly ch ill e d ?

G ia c o s a cl a ss e d o n e o f t he tr e a tis e s w h ic h h e publis he d
a s S a l e r n it an b e c a us e it w a s writt e n in a L o m ba rd o r M o n t e

Ca ssi n o ha n d o f a b o ut 1 2 00 ?
He d e scrib e d its c o n t e n ts a s
pure ly t he rap e utic a l a n d re ga rd e d its autho r as s ho wi n g a “

”
c e rt a i n r e pugn an c e to the p o pula r r e me di e s an d sup e r
s t it io n s r e c o m m e n d e d by o t he r c o n t e m p o r a ry tr e a tis e s Fo r .

P r o f e s s o r T W ing at e T o dd
1
. bantur e t a dh uc m ul ti p at iuntur
c o m m e n t s u p on t his p a s s a g e :
“
Of et v
m ax im e s e r i e t a n c ill e qu i
c o u r s e t his is p o s t h o c pr o p te r h o c, m a l e in dut i e t d is c a l c iati in c e dun t,
but it is t h e t yp ic a l h is t o r y o f a un d e f r ig iditat e in c e n s a e s ic a fi t v
q ua s i p a r a lit ic a c um u r in am n e
’
c as e o f B e l l s p a l s y o cc u r r in g a f t e r
‘ ’
a c hi l l .
qu e a t co nt i n e r e .

“
I n y o l unt a r ia m G ia co s a
’
Re n z i V , 3 7 1 ,
, pp ,
7 1 - 1 66 ,

ur in e e m i s s io n e m qu 1da m p a t 1e
.
7 40 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI E N CE .
C HAP .

th is c o n clusi o n the c h i e f evid en c e s eem s t o be a p as s age

W he r e the a ut h o r a f t e r listi n g such m ean s t o pr ev en t a
,

w o m an f ro m c o n c e ivi n g a s bi n di n g h e r he ad with a r ed rib

b o n o r h o ldi n g th e st o n e f o u n d in the h ea d o f an as s s ays ,
“
that he t h i n ks tha t such r em e di e s o p e r at e m o r e by f a ith
” 1
t han r ea s o n But he m ak e s m uch u s e o f p arts o f an i ma ls
.

a n d o f su ff u m ig a ti o n s a dvi si n g f o r e x am pl e o n th e s am e
,

p age that a f t e r c o n c e pti o n t he re sho uld be f um igati o n with

a r o o t o f m a n dr a go ra o r p e o n y o r th e ex cr e m e n t o f a n

as s m i x e d wit h fl o ur an o p e r a ti o n w h ic h he c h a r a ct e riz e s
,

a s exper tis s im u m An d o n the pr e c e di n g p a ge a s G iaco s a

.
,

has n o t e d he r e c o mm e n ds a pr o c e dur e w h ic h i s e v en m o re
,

i m pro ba bl e t han it is i m m o r a l w he r eby p ati ent s who s ho w ,

t he m s elve s un gra te f ul t o the ph ysici an a f t e r the y hav e b een

cur e d m ay be m a d e to su ff e r a ga i n ?

We pr o m i s e d t o s ay s o m e t hi n g o f the f emal e p r acti

t io ne r s o f S a l e r n o T r o tul a is n o l on ge r be li e v e d to be a
.

w o m an an d w e hav e to j udge the w o m e n o f S al e rn o ma i n ly

by wha t o t he rs s ay o f t hem I n a c o mm ent a ry o f a Mast e r .

B e r n a rd o f P r o ve n c e who I susp ect may be B e r nard ,

G o rd o n the m e dic a l writ e r at Mo n tp e lli e r o f the cl o si n g

,

thirteen th c en tury ar e a n um b e r o f pra ctic e s attribute d to

,

the w o m e n o f S a l e r n o w h ic h R e n zi has a lr e a dy bro ugh t t o

ge t he r ?
In t h e s e c a s e s t he pr a ctic e s a r e c h i e fly t ho s e e m
pl o ye d by the w o m e n them s e lv e s in c h ild birt h We m ay -
.

“
n o t e t h r ee f r o m t he list t ha t s a v o r str o n gly o f m a gic T he .

w o men o f S a l e r n o c oo k d o v e s wit h the ac o rn s w hich th e

d o v e s eat ; th en the y r em o v e the a c o r n s f r o m the gizz ard
an d e at t h em w he n c e the r et en tive vi rtu e is m uc h co m
,

f o rt e d
”
.
“
W he n the wo me n o f S al e r n o f e a r ab o rti o n t hey ,

”
c a rry with th em th e pr e gn an t st on e wh ich o ur a uth o r ex ,

pl a i n s is n o t the m a gn e t T he o the r r e cip e ha d p e r hap s .

b e tt e r r em a i n u n tr an sl a t e d : S ter eus as ini c om edun t m ul ier es

S a l er nita na e in pcr is e llis e t da n t Dir is s u is ut m e lius '

r e tin ea n t

s p
er ma et s ic c o nc ipian t . A s we s hall s ee in o ur c hapte r on

1 ‘
G iac o s a p . 146 . Re nz i, V , 3 3 1 -2 .

2
I bid p
.
, . 145 .
 CHAP TE R XXX I I
CO N S T A N TI N U S A F RI CA N U S : c . 1 0 1 5 - 1 08 7 .

R ep u ta t io n an d in fl ue n c e— His
in th e O r ie nt— His l at er lif e
s tudies

k
in I ta l y His w o r s w e r e m a in l y t r an s l atio n s — P a n teg ni- Via ticum
—

O th e r t r a n s l at io n s Th e b oo k of d eg r e e s — O n m e lan ch o ly— O n dis o r der s

—

k
o f the s to ma c h— Me dic a l w o r s a sc r ibe d t o A l f a n u s— Co n s t an t in u s a n d

e x p e r im e n t—
“
E xp e r im e nt s
”
v v
in o l in g in cantat io n s— S u p e r s titio n c o m
p a r a t ive l y r ar e in C o n s tan t inu s —
An d of G r ee k r ath e r t h an A r abic
o r ig in— S o m e s ig n s o f a s t r o l o g y an d a l c h em y— Co n s tan tin us an d t h e

S c h o o l o f S a l e r n o — L iber a ur e us and J o hn Aflia c ius— Affla cius mo r e

s up e r s t itio u s th a n h is mas te r .

C O N S TA N T I N U S A F RI C A N U S will be h e re c o n side r e d at per

ha ps gre at e r l e n gt h t ha n his c o nne cti o n with the h ist o ry
e it he r o f m a gic o r e x p e ri m en t al sci en c e r e quir e s but w h c h
i ,

h is ge ne r a l i m p o rt an c e in the hist o ry o f m e dici ne an d the

l ack o f an y go o d tr eatmen t o f h im in En glish m ay j usti fy 1
.

1
Man y o f th e w o r s l iste d by k -
des M anus cr its Medic-aux
“
, 18 5 3 ,
P e t e r t h e De a co n a n d s o m e o the r s pp . 63 -
R e c h e r ch es s ur nu
1 00,

w hic h h e do e s n o t n a m e h a e be en v v
o u r ag e q u i a p o u r t it r e Z a d e l

p r in t e d unde r Co n s t an t in u s n a m e ,
’
e it h e r in t h e e dit io n o f t h e w o r s
o f I s aac is s ue d a t L yo n s i n 1 5 1 5 ,
Mo n ca fi r e n a r abe , Ep h r o des e n
k g r e c , V iat ique e n l a tin , e t q ui e s t
a tt r ibué d an s l e s te x te s a r ab e s e t

o r in th e p a r t ial e dit io n o f t h e g r e cs a A bo u Dj a f a r , e t dan s l e

k
w o r s o f Co n s t an t in u s p r in te d a t t e x t e l a t in 5 Co n s t antin
”
.

B a s e l in 1 5 3 6 a n d 1 5 3 9 o r in a n ,
P ucc in o tt i, S tor ia d e lla M edi
e dit io n o f A l buc as is p ubl is he d at II , i, pp 2 9 2 . de
B a s e l in 1 5 4 1 . v v
o t e d s e e r a l c ha p t e r s t o C o n s ta n
A n e a r l y M S c o n ta in in g s e e ra l v t in u s a n d t r ie d to de f e n d him f r o m
k
o f C o n s t a n tin u s w or s is G o n ill e
’
v t h e c h a r g e o f p l agia r is m a nd t o
and Ca iu s 4 1 1 , 12 - 1 3 th ce n tu r y , m aint ain that t h e Via ticu m an d
f ol 1 . V iat ic um , 69 de m e l a n k
so m e o th e r w o r s w e r e o r igina l .

c h o lia , 7 7 v d e s to m ac ho , 9 8v de S te in s c hn e ide r , Co n s ta n tinus Af

o bl iv io n e , 1 00r de co itu , ( n o r ica n u s und s ein e a r a bis c h e n

Q ll i i A
’
a u t h o r is n a m e d f o r 1 09 v l iber u e e n, n V r c h o w s r c hivI
f iir
e l e f a n tie , 1 1 3 de m o do m e de n di) , P a th o l og is c h e A na to mie, e t c , B e r .

1 2 1 l ibe r f e br iu m , ( 1 6 9 d e in a m i l in , 1866 , vo l 3 7 , p p 3 5 1 -4 10 T his

. . .

da r iu m G a l ie n i) . s h o u l d be s u p p l e m e n t e d by p p 9 - 1 2 .

T h e c h ie f s e c o n da r y in e s t ig a v o f h is D ie e ur opciis c h e n Uber s e t
’

t io n s c o n c e r n ing Co n s tan tin us A i z ung e n a us d em A r a bis ch e n

r ic a n u s a r e
Da r e mbe r g , N o tices e t E x tr a its
7 42
 C H AP . xxx11 CO N S TA N TI N US AFR I CAN US

O ur discussi o n o f h im a s an i m p o rt e r o f A r abic m e dici n e

will als o s e rv e t o supp o rt o u r a ttitud e t o war ds th e S cho ol
o f S al e r n o Da r em be r g wr o t e in 1 8 5 3
.
“
We o we a g r ea t ,

d ebt o f gratitud e to Co n sta n ti n us be c aus e he t hus o p ene d

f o r L a ti n l a n ds the tr e a sur e s o f t he e a st a n d c o n s e qu e n tly
t ho s e o f G r ee c e He ha s r e c e iv e d an d he d e s e rv e s f r o m
.

e v e ry p o i nt o f vi e w the titl e o f r e st o r e r o f m e dic a l lit e r a tur e

” 1
in the w e st Da r e m be r g pr o c e e d e d t o pr o p o s e t hat a
.
,

statu e o f Co n stan ti n us be e re ct e d in the c en t er o f the G ul f

o f S a l e r n o o r o n th e su mm it o f Mo n t e Ca ssi n o Y e t in .

“
1 8 7 0 he m a d e th e surprisi n g a ss e r ti o n t h at th e v oic e o f
Co n st a n ti n us t o w ards t he cl o s e o f the e l ev e n t h c en tury i s a n
” 2
is o lat e d v o ic e an d al m o st witho ut an e cho But as a .

m att e r o f f act Co n st a n ti n us w a s a m uc h c it e d a ut h o rity

duri n g the twe l ft h an d t hi r te e n th c e n turi e s in the w o rks
bo th o f m edici ne an d o f n atur a l sci e n c e p r o duc e d in L ati n
in w e st e r n E ur o p e a n d h is tra n sl ati o n s w e r e cit e d u n d e r
,

h is o wn nam e r a t he r t han t h o s e o f t h e ir o rigi n al a uth o rs ?

A bri e f sk e tc h o f Co n st an ti n us c a r e e r a n d a list o f his

’

wo rks is twic e suppli e d us by P e t e r the Dea c o n w h o wr o t e

1 ‘

in t he n ex t c e n tury an d w h o t r eats o f Co n st an ti n us b o t h
5
,

in the c hr o n icl e o f Mo n t e C a ssi n o w h ic h h e c o n ti n u e d to ,

t he yea r a n d in h is w o rk o n t h e illust r i o us m e n o f

Mo n t e Ca ssi n o 7
P e t e r t e lls t ha t Co n st an ti n us w a s b o r n
.

“
N o tic es et E x tr a its d es'

Manu vo n s e in e n Bio g r ap h e n ,
a l te n
s c r its M e dica ux 86 P e tr us D iac o n u s u n d L e o O s t ien
'

p . .

3
His to ir e d e s S cie n ce s M edi s is
’
ve r z e ic h n e t s in c e
ca l e s I, 26 1 . L e o s p o r t io n o f t h e C hr o n icl e
3
I n d e e d D a r e m b e r g s a id in 1 85 3 e n ds b e f o r e Co n s t an t in u s is m e n
“
( p 8 5 , n o t e ’) d an s l e m o ye n ag e
. t io n e d .

b e au co up d a ut e ur s c it e n t olo n v 5
P e t e r w a s b o r n a bo ut 1 1 07 a n d
t ie r s C o n s ta n tin e co mm e un e w a s p l a c e d in t h e m o n a s t e r y o f
aut o r it é
”
. Mo n te Ca s s in o by his p a r e nts in
He
‘
P e r h ap s t h r o ugh t h e f au l t o f 1 1 15 . b e ca m e l ibr a r ian .

t h e p r in t e r t h e lis t o f th e w r itin g s M o n u m e n ta G er m a n ia e S cr ip
v
,

of C o n s t ant in u s g i e n by P e t e r t or es V I I , 5 62 a n d 5 6 5
v
.
,

t h e D e a co n is d e f e c t i e a s r e p ro C h r o n ic a M on C as i ne n s is L ib
6
. .
,

du c e d in t abul a r f o r m by S t e in I I I , a uc t o r e P e t r o , M G S S V I I , . .

s c h n e id er 3 53 4 7 2 8 9 ; Mu r a t o r i, S cr ip tor e s , I V ,
-
pp
-
. .

S t e in s c h n e ide r also in c o r r ec t l y 4 5 5 6 ( l ib 111, c a p

-

k
. .

s p ea s o f L e o o f O s t ia a s w e l l a s
1
P e tr i Dia c o n i D e vir ibu s il l us '

P e t e r th e D e ac o n a s a s o u r c e f o r tr ibu s Cas in e ns ibu s , c a p 23, in .

“
C o n s tan t in us ( p 3 5 2 , D ie S c h r if
. Fabr ic ius , B ibl G ra e c , XI I I , 1 2 3 .

k
. .

t e n Co n s t an tin s s in d b e a nn tl ic h
 7 44 MA G I C AN D E XP E RI M EN TA L S CI E N CE CH AP .

at Ca rt ha ge ,
by w h ic h he pr o b ably m ean s T un is si nc e Ca r ,

th a ge w a s n o l o n ge r in e x ist e n c e but w e n t t o B a byl o n by , ,

wh ich Ca ir o is p r e su m ably d e signa t e d si n ce B abyl o n had ,

a ge s b e f o r e b ee n r e duc e d t o a dust h ea p t o i m pr o v e his e du

1
,

c ati o n His birt h m ust hav e b ee n in a b o ut 1 0 1 5 T he r e

. .

he is s a id t o ha v e studi e d gr amm a r di a l e ctic geo m etry , , ,

”
a rit hm e tic m a t hem a tics
, a str o n o m y an d ph ysics o r m e di
, ,

ci ne ( phys ica ) T o t h i s curriculum in th e Chr o nicl e P ete r

.

a dds in th e L ives o f I llus tr io us M e n th e subj e cts o f m usic

a n d n e cr o m a n cy When s o littl e w as s a id o f spirits in the

.

o ccult sci en c e o f th e A r abic a uth o rs o f th e n i n th c e n tury

w h o m w e c o n si de r e d in an e a rli e r c hapt e r it is r athe r a

'

su r pris e to he a r t ha t Co n st anti n us s tudi e d ne cro m an cy but ,

that sub j e ct is list e d a l o n g with mathem atic a l an d natur al

sci e n c e s by A l Fa r a bi in his D e or tu s cien tiar um? a nd w e
-

s hall fi n d this cl a ssi fi c ati o n r e pr o duc e d by two w e st e r n Chris

ti an scho la rs o f th e tw e l f t h c e n tury ?
T he m a the ma tica
a n d a str o n o m y w h ich Co n st an ti n us studi e d v e ry lik e ly als o

i nclud e d c o n sid e r abl e a str o l o gy an d divi n a ti o n At an y r at e .

“
w e a r e t o ld t ha t he n o t o n ly pursu e d h is studi e s a m o n g th e
”
Cha ld ean s A ra bs P e rsi an s an d S a r a c e n s
, , an d w a s f ully
, ,

“
i mbue d wit h al l th e a rts o f th e E gypti a n s but e v en lik e , ,

A p o ll o n ius o f T yan a visite d I n di a a n d E t h i o pi a in his

,

q u e st f o r l e a r n i ng It wa s o nly a f t e r a l a ps e o f thi r ty n i ne
.
-

o r f o rty y e a rs t h a t h e r e turn e d t o N o rt h A f ric a Mo st .

m o d e r n s e c o n d a ry a cc o u n ts he r e st a t e t ha t Co n st an ti n u s was
s o o n f o rc e d t o fl ee f ro m N o rt h A f ric a bec aus e o f the j e al
o u sy o f o t he r p h ysici a n s w ho a ccus e d him o f m a gi c
4
or ,

f r o m f e a r t ha t his f e ll o w citiz en s w o uld kill him a s a wiz a rd .

1
Ye t m o de r n c o mp il e r s and th e s c ie n c e of was a l s o
s p ir it s ,

w r it e r s o f e n cyc l o p e d ia a r t ic l e s r e p r o duced by V in c e n t o f B e a u
v
in a r iabl y r e p e at
“ ”
“ ”
Ca r t h ag e a n d v a is in t he t h ir t e e n th c e ntur y,
B a by l o n . S p ec u l u m d o c tr ina l e XV I , .

“
P o s s ibly th e r e is s o me c o n
2
E N 14 7 00 , f o l 1 7 1 v, c it e d b y
.

f us io n w ith G a l e n s s im il ar e x
’
B au r w h o a l s o n o tes
l l l i A l G a zel, p e r ie n c e w ith t h e p hy s ic ia n s o f
-
p a r a e p a s s a g e s n
P hil tr I , 1 ; a n d A ic e n n a , D e
. . v Ro m e , wh ic h C o n s t a n tin us ma y
v
,

divis p hil o s f o l 14 1
. .
,
. . h a e r e p r o duc e d in s o m e o n e o f
G un dis s a l in u s a n d D a nie l Mo r his t r an s l a t io n s o f G al e n in s uc h
l ey A l F a r abi s l is t o f e igh t a w ay a s t o l e a d t h e r e a de r t o
’
-
.

ma th e ma t ic al s c ie n c e s , in c l uding c o n s ide r it h is o w n e x p e r ie n ce .
 7 46 MA G I C A N D E XP ER I ME N TAL S CI E N CE C HAP .

In a w o rk addre ss e d to the arc hbis ho p o f S a l e r no he sp eaks

o f h i m s e l f a s C o ns ta n tin us A r ica nus
f Cas s ine ns is 1
an d

Albe rtus Ma gn us cit e s him a s C o ns ta n tin us Cas s ian ens is ?

What purp o rts to be a picture o f Co n st an ti n us is pr e s e rve d
in a m an uscript o f the fi f t e en t h c en tury a t O x f o rd ?
P e t e r the De a c o n st a t e s bo t h in the Chr o nic l e an d in the
I llus tr io us M e n tha t wh il e at th e m o n a st e ry o f Mo n t e
“
Ca ssi n o Co n st an ti nus A f ric a n us tran sl at e d a grea t n um
ber o f b o o ks f r o m the l an gu age s o f v a ri o us p e o pl e s ”
P e te r .

t he n lists th e c h i e f o f t hes e I t is i nt e r e sti n g t o n o t e in vi e w

.
,

o f t he f a ct t h a t Co n st an ti n us in pr e f a c e s an d i n tr o ducti o n s

a pp e a rs t o cl a i m so m e o f th e w o rks a s his o w n a nd t hat h e ,

w as a ccus e d o f fr a ud an d pl a gi aris m by m e di e v al writ e rs

w ho f o ll o w e d h im a s w e ll as by m o d e r n i n v e stigat o rs th at ,

P e t e r the D e ac o n sp e aks o f al l h is writi n gs a s tr an sl ati on s

f r o m o t he r l an gu age s P e t e r d o e s no t ho w e v e r give us
.
, ,

m uch i n f o r m a ti o n a s to wh o th e G r ee k o r A r abic a utho r i

ti e s w e r e wh o m Co n st an ti ne tr an sl ate d It m ay be a dd e d .

t ha t if Co n st an ti n us cl a i m e d f o r h i m s el f the c r e dit f o r L ati n

v e rsi o n s w h ich w e r e e ss en ti a lly tr an sl ati o n s he was m e rel y ,

c o n ti n ui n g a pr a ctic e o f wh ic h A r a bic a utho rs t hem s e lv e s h ad

been r e pe at e dly guilty I n d e e d w e ar e t o ld t hat they s o m e

.
,

ti m es ev en de str o ye d e a rli e r w o rks wh ich the y h ad c o pi e d

in o rd e r to r e c e iv e s o l e cre dit f o r id ea s w h ic h w e r e no t t he ir
?
o wn

P an teg ni
.
T he l o n ge st o f Co n st anti n us tr an sla ti o n s and the o ne
’

m o st o f t en cit e d in the m iddl e a ge s w a s the P amte chni o r

P an tegni c o m prisi ng te n bo o ks o f t he o r y an d ten o f pr ae
,

O pe ra p 2 15?
. c au s e of the dis eas e Th e il l u
.

D e a n ima libus , XXII , 1, 1 . m in atio n s ho w s Co n s tan tm u s

‘
R aw lin s o n C , 3 28 , f o l 3 . It s e a t e d, h o ldin g a bo o on k
hi s
k
.

is a c c o mp a n ie d by th e l e g en d,
“
Th is is C o n s tan t in u s , m o n
Mo nt e Cas s in o , w h o is a s it w e r e
n e e s w ith h is l e f t h an d, w h il e
k of h e r a is e s his r ig ht han d and f o re
fi n ge r in d idac t ic s tyl e He w e a r s
.

th e f o unt o f t h a t s c ie n c e o f l o n g t h e t o n s u r e, h as a b ear d but n o

s tan din g f ro m t h e j udg m e n t o f m u s ta c h e , a n d s e e m s t o be a p
u r in es , a n d it h a s e x h ib it e d a t r u e p r o a c h e d by o n e w o m a n a n d t wo
c u r e in a l l t h e dis e a s e s in th 1s m e n c ar r yin g two j a r s o f ur in e .

boo k a nd in m an y o th e r b o o s k .
‘
S ee M ar g o lio uth ,
T o w h o m co m e wo m e n w ith u r in e 1 9 13 , P 49
t h at h e m ay t e l l t h e m w h a t is th e
XXX II CO N S TAN TI N US A FR I CAN US 7 47

tic e as pri nt e d in 1 5 1 5 with th e w o rks o f I s aac altho ugh ,

1

P et e r the Dea c o n sp eaks o f Co n st a n ti n us dividi n g the

’

P an tegn i i nt o t w e l v e b o o ks a n d t he n o f a P r ac tica w h ic h
a ls o c o n sist e d o f tw e lv e b o o ks Wha t is the n i n th b o o k .

o f the P r a c tic a in t h is pri n t e d v e rsi o n i s list e d a s a s e p a r a t e

b o o k o n surge r y by P et e r in his I llus tr ious M en a ltho ugh ,

o m itt e d f r o m his list in the Chr on icl e a n d w a s s o pri n t e d ,

in the 1 5 3 6 e diti o n o f the w o rks o f Co n st an ti n us ?

An d
the A n tido tar ium w h ic h P e t e r list s a s a s e p ar at e titl e is
p r o bably si m ply the t e n th bo o k o f the P r a c tica a s pri n t e d
with the w o rks o f I saac The P an tegni ho w ev e r is no t a
?
, ,

tran sl ati o n o f any wo rk by I s aa c but an a d apt ati o n o f the ,

K hitaa b e l Mal e lei o r R o ya l A rt o f Me dici n e o f A l i Ibn

-

, ,

Abb as The pr e f a c e o f Co n st an ti n us s ays n o t h i n g o f Al i

.
4

but tells the a bbo t De sid e rius that fa ili n g t o fi n d in the ,

“
m any w o rks o f the L a ti n s o r e v e n in o ur o w n writ e rs ,

”
a n ci e n t a nd m o d e r n suc h as Hipp o crat e s G a le n O ribasius
, , , ,

P a ulus an d A l ex an de r e x actly the s o rt o f tr eati se d e sir e d

, , ,
“ ”
h e has c o m p o s e d th is littl e w o rk o f o u r o w n ( h o c n os tr um
opus cu lum ) But S te phen o f P is a w ho a ls o tr an sl ate d Ali
- .
,

i n t o L ati n in a ccus e d Co n st a n ti n us o f ha vi n g s u
p
pre ss e d b o t h the aut ho r s n ame and titl e o f the b o o k an d ’

o f h avi n g m a d e m a ny o m issi o n s a n d c ha n ge s o f o rd e r b o t h

in pr e f ac e an d t e x t but wit ho ut r eally a ddi n g a n y n e w c o n

tr ibut io n s o f h is o w n 6
S t ep he n f urt he r j usti fi e d his o wn
.

tr an sl ati o n by a ss e rti n g t hat n o t o n ly had the first p art o f

The R oyal A r t of M e dicin e o f A li I bn Abb a s b ee n c o r “

r up te d by th e s h r e wd f r a ud o f its tr an sl a t o r but a ls o tha t ,

the l a st an d gr e a t e r p o rti o n w as m issi n g in the v e rsi o n by

b k a w k w t d v te
1
O l y th t
n e f th
en yoo
J w s fo eo r e , so ar s e no o e o
,
are p r int e d in t h e 1 5 3 9 e dit io n of h im s e l f t o p h il o s o p h ical a n d s c ie n
C o n s t antinu s .
t 1fi c d 1s c u s s io n s
”
.

C hir u r g ia , at p p 3 2 4 -4 1 ‘
D a r e m be r g 8
pp 2 -
5,
. .
.
a
O p er a o mn ia ys a a c fol
.

“
.
g 1ve s t h e p r e f a ce s o f A l i a n d Co n
1 2 6V Libe r d e c im u s p r ac t ic e qui s t an t m u s in p a r a ll e l c o l u m n s
.

k
.

a n t id o t ar iu m d ic it u r in du as 5
P r in te d in 14 9 2 w it h t h e w o r s
divis u s p a r t e s .
of A I1 be n A bba s ; S t e p he n s
’

I s aa c I s r a e l i is t h e s ubj e c t o f t r a n s l at io n w a s m a d e a t A n t io c h
t h e fi r s t c h a p t e r in Hu s ik 1n S y r ia .

“
wh o c al l s h im ( p 2 ) th e fi r s t S t e ins chne ider p
.
.
7 48 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

C o n st an ti n us .
1
Al so F
s a id in his gl o ss to the
e r r a r iu s

U niver s al D ie ts o f I s aa c t hat Co n st a nti n us ha d c o m pl e t e d

the tr an s l a ti o n o f o n ly t h r e e b o o ks o f t he P r a c tica l o si n g ,

t h e r e st in a s h ipwr e ck A t h ird m e di e v a l writ e r G ir aldu s

?
,

Bitur ic e n s is a dds t h a t Co n st an ti n us substitut e d in its pla c e

5
,

the L iber s impli cis m e dicina e an d L iber gr a du um an d th at ,

it was S t e phe n o f P is a who tr an sl a t e d the r e m a i n de r o f

t he w o rk o f Al i b e n Abb a s w h ic h is ca ll e d t he P r ac tica
P an tegn i e t S te phan o nis S t e p he n s tr a n sl a ti o n is i n d e e d
’
.

di ffe r en t fro m the te n b o o ks o f the P r a c tica pri n te d with the

w o rks o f I s aa c Fro m the s e f acts an d f r o m a n ex am i nati o n
.

o f t he m an uscripts o f t he P r ac tica R o s e c o n clud e d

4
t h at
Co n st an ti n us wr o t e o n ly its fi rst tw o b o o ks a n d the fi rst
5

p a r t o f t h e n i n t h w h ic h is r o ug h ly
,
t h e s a m e a s th e S u r g y
er

publis he d s e pa ra te ly am o n g Co n st an ti n us w o rks The r e st ’

.

o f t h is n i n th b o o k w a s tr a n sl a t e d i n t o L a ti n at the ti m e o f

th e e x p e diti o n t o b e si e ge Maj o rc a t h a t is in 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 5 , ,
-
,

by a J o hn who had r e c en tly b ee n c o n v e rt e d to Christi an ity

5 7

a n d w h o m R o s e w as i n cli n e d to id e n ti f y wit h J o hn Afflac iu s ,

“ ”
a discipl e o f Co n st an ti n us o f w ho m we sha ll h av e m o r e
,

1 “
U l tima m e t m a io r e m dee s s e co nt in e n s d e ce m l ibr o s s ec un da
s e n s i p a r t e m , a lt e r a m e r o in t e r
”
v d ic itu r P r ac tic a 3 3 c ap ita c o n ti
”
p r e t is c a llid a d e p r a va t a m f r a u de . n e ms , a s a t a bl e o f co nt e n t s w r it
2
A mp l o n O c t a o 62
. v . t e n in o n t h e fl y l e a f s t a t e s
-
The .

5
I n h is g l o s s t o th e Viwticu m o f k
t e n b o o s o f t h eo r y e n d a t f o l
“
.

Co n s ta ntin u s . I o or , E x p lic it p r im a p ar s p an
B er lin HS S V erz eichn is t eg n i s c il ice t de t h e o r ica I nc ip it
.

pp .1 05 9 65 , t o w h o m I
-
o w e t h e p r e c e din g r e f e r e n c es to
Fe r r a r iu s a n d G ir a l du s
5
R o s e c ite s B a m b e r g L—iii-9
Th e t w o f o l l o w in g M S S a r e p e r
s e c u n da p ar s s c il ic e t p r ac tica e t
est p r im”u s l ib e r d e r eg im e nt o
. s an it at is . Th is s in gl e bo o in 3 3 k
. c h ap t e r s o n t h e p r e s e r a t io n o f v
he a lth ends at f o l 1 16V , and a t f o l
. .

h ap s a l s o w o rt h n o t in g : T h e l 1 7 r be g in s t h e L ibe r divis io nu m
P an teg ni a s co n ta in e d in CU o f R a s is .

T r in ity 9 06 , 1 2 t h c e n tu r y, fi n e l y
°
I n B e r lin 89 8 , a 12 th c e nt u ry
w r itt e n , f o l s 1 - l 4 1 v,
. c o m p r is e s MS o f S t e p h e n s t r a n s l atio n o f
’

o n l y t e n bo o s
“
k Th e fi r s t o p e n s ,
. A li s P r ac tic a th is n in th s ec tio n
’
,

Cu m t o t iu s g e n e r a l ita s t r e s p r in by C o n s t an t in u s a n d J o h n is f o r
”
c ip a l e s p a r t e s h a b e a t ; th e t e n th s o m e r e a s o n s ubs t it ut e d f o r t h e
e nd s , U n cl e a c utu m o p o r t et c o r r e s p o n d in g bo o k
o f S te p h e n .

h abe r e s e n s um a d in te ll ige n dum .

7
He ca ll s h im s e l f , “
io h ann es
”
E x p l ic it .
q u id a m a g a r e n u s ( S a ra ce n u s ?
)
S t J o hn s 85 , c l o s e o f 1 3 th ce n q u o n da m , qu i n o vite r a d fide m
’
.

“
t u r y, Co ns tan tin i a f r ican i P an c h r is t ia n e r e l ig io n is v e n e rat c u m
t e gn u s in d u a s p a r t e s d ivis u s r u s t ico p is a n o be l l e fi l iu s ac p r o
”
qua r um p r im a dic it u r T h e o r ica f es s io n e me dic u s .
 MA G I C A N D E XPE RI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

If ithe r the o rigi na l o f the P an tegni n o r o f the

ne

Via ticwm is to be a ssign e d to I s aac Co n st an ti nus n e ve rthe ,

l e ss did tr an sl at e s o me o f his w o rks n am ely tho s e o n di e ts , , ,

uri n e s a n d f e ve rs Mo r eo v er Co n st an ti n us h i m s e l f ad m its
,
?
,

tha t t he se L ati n w o rks a r e tran sl ati o n s st ati n g in the ,

pr e f a c e to the tr e atis e o n u r i ne s t hat fi n di n g no sa tis f act o ry ,

tre at men t o f the subj e ct in L ati n he tur ne d to the A r abic ,

l angu age and tr an sla t e d the w o rk wh ic h I s aa c had c o mpi le d

fr o m the an ci en ts Co n st an ti n us a ls o stat e s th at h e tr an s
.

la t e d the tr eati s e o n f ev e rs fr o m the A r abic We hav e al .

re a dy s ee n t hat the a lph a be tic al L a ti n v e rsi o n o f

D i o sc o rid e s w h ic h ha d m o st curr e n cy in t he m iddl e a ge s
is a scrib e d in at l ea st o ne m anuscript to Co n stan ti nus He .

a ls o tr an sl a t e d s o m e tr e a tis e s a scrib e d t o Hipp o cr a t e s an d

G a l en such a s G al e n s c o mm e n t a ry o n t he Aph or is ms an d
’
,

P r ogn os tics o f Hipp o cr at e s an d t he Tegn i o f G a l en

2
Co n .

s tan t in us ha s a ls o b e en cr e dit e d wit h tr an sl ati n g w o rks o f

G a l e n o n the e y e s o n dis e a s e s o f w o m e n an d o n h um an , ,

n a tur e bu t t h e s e a r e n o t ge n
,
ui n e w o rk s o f G al en .

I n h is list o f t he w o rks w hic h Co n st an ti n us tr an sl at e d

f r o m v a ri o us l an gu a ge s ?
P e t e r th e Dea c o n i n clud e s The
bo o k Of degr ees but it h as n o t yet b ee n disc o v e r e d f r o m
,

w hat e a rli e r a utho r if any it is c o pi ed o r ad apt e d The , ,

.

w o rk is a d e ve l o pme n t o f G a l e n s d o ctri n e t hat v a ri o us ’

U iv
’
1
I th
n 1 5 15 e dit i e f I ity C ll g
on O x f d 89
o saa c s n er s o e e or ,

w k or s,I 1 56 ,
d 03
11 l y 1 4 th tu y f l 90 I
an 2 e ar cen r , o .
, n
P t e er th e D p um b l y e a co n ip i t m p h i mi Yp
res ti um a re c un a or s ocra s c
f ers t th oth w k i
e se mm t r ee d mi i C t ti ior s n co en o o n o n s an n

sp ea k i g f Di t m c ib um A ff i i m ti C i
n o
'

e a i or . r c an on s a s s ene ns s

L ib r u m f e b r ium q u e m d e A r abic a m o n a c h i ; f o l 1 5 5 Eius de m P r o g

.
,

l in g ua t r a n s t u l it Libr u m de . n o s t ic a c um G a l e n i c o mm e n to ,
u r in is . Wh eth e r the tw o in itial e o de m in t e r p r e te ; f o l s 2 03 6 1 , .
-

t r e a t is e s in t h e 1 5 1 5 e dit io n o f Eiu s d e m l ibe r de r e g im in e a c u to

I s aa c d ea l in g w ith d e fi n it io n s and
,
r um c um e iu s de m c o mm e n t o
t h e e l e m e n t s w e r e t r an s l a te d by
,
e o de m int e r p r e t e .

C o n s ta n t in u s o r by G e r a r d o f
a
D e vir is illus tr ibu s c a p 2 3 , , .

C r e m o n a is do ubt f u l . t r a n s t ulit de d ive r s is g e n

.

S e e CL M 1 87 f o l 8 ; 1 68 , f o l t 1um l ing u is l ib r o s q u a m p l u r im o s
2
. .
,

2 3 ; 1 6 1 , f o l 4 1 ; 2 7 0, f o l 1 0 ; 1 3 034 ,
. . in quibus p r a e c ip u e Chr o n
f o l 49 f o r 1 3 14 t h ce n t u r y c o p ie s
.
,
-
i c a L ib I I I
, . t ra n s t ul it d e
,

o f G a l e n s c o m m e nt a r y u p o n t h e dive r s o r u m g e n tiu m l ing uis l ibro s

’

Aph or is ms o f Hip p o c r at e s w ith a q u a m p l u r im o s in q uibus s unt h i

p r e f ac e by C o n s ta n tin u s .
p r aec ip ue .
xxx 1 1 C O N S TAN TI N US AFR I CAN US

m e dici na l si mpl e s a r e ho t o r c o ld dry o r m o ist in v aryi n g , ,

d e gr e e s Co n st an ti n us pr e supp o s e s f o ur gr a d ati o n s o f t h is
.

s o rt T hus a f o o d o r m e dici n e is h o t in the fi r st d e gr e e if

.

its hea ti n g p o w e r is b e l o w t ha t o f the n o r m al hum an b o dy

i f it is o f the s am e t e m p e ra ture a s th e b o dy it r a nks as ,

o f the s e c o n d d e gr e e ; if its h ea t is s o m e w h a t gr e a t e r t h an

t hat o f the b o dy it is o f the t h ird d e gr e e ; if its heat is

,

e x tr e m e an d u n be a r a bl e it is o f the f o urt h d e gr ee T he
, .

r o s e is c o ld in the fi r st d e gr ee is dry t o w a rds th e e n d o f t he

,

s ec o n d d e gr ee wh il e the vi o l e t is c o ld t o w ar ds the e n d o f
,

the fi rst d e gr e e an d m o ist in th e b e gi nn i n g o f t h e s e c on d

d e gr e e T hus Co n st an ti n us disti n gui s he s n o t o n ly f o ur de
.

gre e s but a be gi nn i n g m iddl e a n d e n d o f e ac h d e gr e e an d

, ,

P e t e r the Dea c o n o nc e give s the titl e o f th e w o rk a s The

bo o k of twe lve d egr ees ?
Th is i n t e r e sti n g t ho ugh crud e
b e gi nn i ng in the dir e cti o n o f sci e n tific the rrn o m e try an d
hydr o me try u n f o rtu n a t e ly r e st e d up o n i n c o rre ct a ss ump
ti o n s as t o th e n a tur e a n d c a us a ti o n o f he a t a n d m o istur e ,

a n d s o w as p e r ha ps d e sti n e d t o do m o r e h a r m t h an go o d .

A gl o ss a ry o f h e rbs a n d sp e ci e s a n d a w o rk o n t he pul se ,

wh ich P et e r the De ac o n i nclud e s in b o th his lists o f Co n

s tan tin us w o r ks o r tr an sl ati o n s do n o t s ee m to hav e b een
’

pri nte d o r ide n tifi e d a s Co n stan ti n us O n th e o the r han d ’

.
,

the pri nt e d e diti o n o f the w o rks o f Co n st an ti n us i n clud e s

t r e atis e s o n m e lan cho ly an d o n the st o m a ch w h ich ar e n o t
2

m e n ti o ne d in P e te r s list I n a p r e f a c e t o th e D e m ela n ch olia

’
.

w h ic h is n o t i n c lud e d in th e pri n t e d e diti o n 3

Co n st an ti n us
A f ric a n us sp e ak s o f h i m se l f a s a m o n k o f Mo n t e Ca ssi n o
a n d st at e s t ha t w h il e h e ha s o f t e n t o uc h e d o n t h e dis ea s e
,

o f m e l a n c h o ly in th e m an y m e dic a l b o o ks w hic h he has

a dd e d t o t h e L a ti n l a n gu a ge h e ha s d e cid e d a ls o t o writ e a
,

s epar a t e b r o ch ur e o n the subj ect b e c aus e it is a n i m p o rt an t

m a l ady a n d b e c a us e it is e sp e ci a lly pre v a l e n t in t he s e 6“

”
re gi o n s . T h e r e f o r e I h a v e c o ll e ct e d t h is b o o kl e t f ro m

p t iv l y
”
L ib um d d im g d um
r uo ec 80 9 8
ra u d 2 5 74 2 -
an 1 -
res ec e .

D e vi r is i l lu s : in t h e C hr o nic l e, I t is f o un d in L au d Misc 5 67 ,
3
in . . .

“
L i be r g r aduum . l a t e 1 2 t h c e n t u r y, f o l 5 I V
. .

2
E d itio n o f B a s e l , 1 5 36 , a t p p .
 M A G I C AN D E XP E RI M EN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

m an y vo lum e s o f o u r a d e pts in th is a rt Whethe r the wo rd .

“ ”
o ur h e r e r e f e rs t o G re e k o r A r abic write rs w o uld be hard
to s ay .Co n s ta n ti n us st a t e s t ha t m e l an c ho ly is a dis e a s e t o
whic h t ho s e a r e e sp e ci a lly li a bl e who a r e a lw ays i nt en t o n
“
study an d b o o ks o f ph il o s o phy b e c aus e o f th e ir sci enti fi c
,

i nv e stiga ti o ns an d tiri n g the ir mem o r i e s an d gri evi n g o ve r

”
the f a ilur e o f t he ir m i n ds T h is a il men t als o affl icts
.

“
tho s e w h o l o s e the ir be l o v e d p o ss e ssi o n s such as the ir ,

childr e n an d d e a r e st f ri en ds o r s o m e pre ci o us t h i n g wh ich

c ann o t be r e st o r e d a s wh en sch o l ars sudden ly l o s e the ir
,

bo o ks . Co n st an ti n us a ls o d e scrib e s the m e l an c ho ly o f
m an y r e ligi o us p e rs o n s w h o liv e liv e s t o be r e v e r e d but ,

fa ll i n to th is dis ea s e f ro m the ir f ea r o f G o d and c o n tem pl a

ti o n o f t he l ast j udgme n t an d d e sir e o f s ee i n g the s ummum
bo n um S uch p e rs o n s t h i n k o f n o th i n g an d s ee k f o r n o t h
.

in g s av e t o l o ve a n d f ea r G o d a l o ne an d t he y i ncur t his ,

c o m pl a i n t and bec o m e dru n k a s it w e r e wit h t he ir ex c e ssiv e

” 1
a n x i e ty an d v a n ity . S uc h p a ss a ge s w o uld see m to de
s crib e C o n st a n ti n us o w n a ss o ci a t e s an d e n vir o nm en t but
’

t he y m ay p o ssibly be a m e r e tr an sl ati o n o f s o m e w o rk o f
a n ea rli e r Ch risti an A r a b such a s Ho ne in be n I s hak who
,

tran sl at e d o r pre t en d e d to tr an sl at e a n um be r o f w o rks o f

G re e k m e dici ne i n t o A r a bic I n a l at e r c ha pt e r
.
2
w e s ha ll
fi n d t hat Ho n e in p e rh a ps h ad s o m e t h i n g to do wit h ano t he r
w o rk c all e d The S e cr e ts of G al e n in w hich rem e di es f o r ,

r eligi o us asc e tics w ho hav e rui n e d t he ir health by t heir

a ust e riti e s f o rm a r a t h e r pr o m i n en t f ea tur e .

T ha t the tr e atis e o n dis o rd e rs o f th e st o m a c h is Co n

o wn w o rk is i n dic a t e d by its pr e f a c e wh ich is
’
s tant in u s ,

a ddr e ss e d t o Al f a n us a rc h bis h o p o f S a l e r no f r o m 1 0 5 8 t o
,

1 0 8 7 an d e a rli e r a m o n k o f Mo n t e C a ssi n o A l f an u s h a d .

hi m s e l f tr an sl ate d N em es ius H p i pbo ews avOp bv v and w as

e
3
c c ro

the c e n t e r o f a gr o up o f l ea r n e d writ e rs : th e di al e ctici an ,

A lb e ric the De a c o n the h ist o ri an A m a tus o f S a l e rno a nd

, , ,

a
1
E ditio n o f 1 5 3 6, p p 2 8 3 4
.
-
. Z e its c h .
f k las s P hil o l
. . .

p p 109 8 ff
’
S ee be l o w, Ch a p te r 64 . . .
7 54 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP .

w ho s e w o rks Co n st an ti n us is usi n g o r tr an sl a ti n g ra the r

t han to his o w n I n the P a n tegni a n ci ent m e dica l writ ers
.
1 “ ”

a r e divid e d i n t o exper ie n tes an d r a ti o na bil e s an d w e a r e ,

t o ld t hat the e m pirics d e cla r e t ha t c o m p o u n d m e dic i ne s c an

be disc o v e r e d o n ly in dr eam s an d by c han c e w h il e the ,

r ati o nalists ho ld that t he s e can be d e duc e d f r o m a k n o wl

e dge o f t he virtu e s a n d qu a liti e s an d a ccid e n ts o f bo di e s an d

dis e a s e s T his m uc h is o f c o urs e si m ply G al e n o v e r a gai n

. .

“
C o n st an ti n us o cc a si o n a lly giv e s m e dic al e x p e ri m e n ts
”
as ,
“
in th e c a s e o f pr o v e d e x p e ri m en ts t o e j e ct r ep til e s f ro m the
” 2
bo dy , o r t he pl a ci n g o f a liv e c h ick e n o n t h e pl a c e bitt en

by a m a d do g T he c h ick e n will the n die w h il e t he m an

.

” 5 “
will be cure d b e yo n d a do ubt S uch m e dic al e x per i
.

”
m e nts by Co n st an ti n us w e r e o ft en cit e d by sub se qu ent
m e di eva l writ e r s .

I n c a n t ati o n s a r e i n v o lv e d in s o m e o f the s e ex p e r i
”
m en ts . O n e a ppr o v e d ex p e ri m en t w e a r e t o ld c o n sists, ,

in wh isp e ri n g in the e a r o f th e p a ti e nt the w o rds R e ce de ,

de m o n quia de e f an o l cr i pr e cipiu n t The e ff ect o f th is .

pr o c e dure is t hat w hen the e pil e ptic ris e s a f t e r rem ai n i n g ,

lik e o ne d e a d f o r an h o ur he will answe r any qu e sti o n that

,

m ay be put to h im Ano t he r ex p e ri m e n t to cure e pil e psy

.

is f re qu ently cite d by subs e q uen t m e di e va l m e dic al write rs

f r o m Co n st an ti n us a n d whil e it m ay n o t ha ve o rigi n at e d
, ,

wit h him is a pp ar e n tly o f Christi an rath e r t ha n G r e e k o r

,

Mo hamme d an o rigi n I f the e pil e ptic has p ar e nts livi n g

.
,

they a r e to t ak e h im t o c hurc h o n the day o f t he f o ur s ea s o n s

a n d hav e h im h e a r m a ss o n t h e si x th day an d als o o n S atur

day Whe n he c o m e s a ga i n o n S u n d ay the pri e st is to write

.

“
do w n the p ass a ge in t he G o spe l w he r e it s ays T hi s ki n d ,
”
is n o t c a st o ut s av e by f a sti n g a nd praye r P r esu m a bly .

th e e pil e ptic is t o w ea r t h is writi n g in w h ich c a s e a sur e ,

“ ”
cur e i s pro m i se d be he e pil e ptic o r lu na ti c o r d emo n i ac
,
.

But it is a dd e d t ha t the c ha rm will n o t w o rk in the c as e o f

p e rs o n s b o r n o f i n c e stu o us m a rri a ge s ?

P r a c tica X, 1 ; in I s aac , O per a, [ bid I V , 3 7 ; f o l 9 6 r

1 a
. .
,
‘
1 5 15 , I I , f o l 12 6 . . I bid , V , 1 7 ; f o l 9 9 r
. . .

2
I bid , V II , 3 1 ; f o l 1 1 1 r
. . .
xxx 11 C O N S TAN TI N US AFR I CAN US

But a s a rul e i n ca n tati o n s and supe rstiti o us c e r em o n y

a r e c o m p a r ativ e ly r a r e in t he w o rks o f C o n st a n ti n us w h ic h ,

c o nt a i n littl e to j usti f y th e c ha rge o f m a gic s a id t o ha ve be e n

m a d e a ga i n st him in A f ric a o r t he ch a rge o f sup e rstiti o n
ma d e a ga i n st t he A r a bic m e dici n e w h ic h his writi n gs s o
l a rge ly re fl ect Als o t he se sup e rstiti o us pa ss ages s eem
.

li m ite d to the treat m en t o f c ert a i n a ilm en ts o f a m yste ri o us

c ha r acte r lik e e pil ep sy an d i n s an ity w hich Co nst an ti n us , ,

s ays the po pul a c e call divina tio an d a cc o un t f o r by p o ss e s

,

si o n by d em o n s 1
It is a ga i n st e pil e psy a n d p h a n t asy t ha t
.

it is re c o mmen d e d to giv e a ch ild to swal l o w be f o r e it ha s

b e en w e ane d the br ai ns o f a go at dra w n t h r o ugh a go lden
ri ng An d it is f o r epil epsy t hat w e fi n d such suspen si o n s
.

a s h a irs f r o m a n e n tir ely w h it e do g o r t h e s m a ll r e d st o n e s

in swa ll o ws gizz a rds f r o m w h ich th ey m ust h av e b ee n

’

r emo v e d at m idd ay Whe n Co n st an ti nus i s tre ati n g o f eye

.

an d ea r tr o ubl e s o r e v e n o f p a ra lysis o f t he t o n gu e an d
,

too thache u s e o f am ul e ts is i n f r e qu en t an d ther e is o n ly

,

a n o cc a si o n a l sugg e sti o n o f m a rv e l o us vi r tu e G o ut is .

tr eat e d with u n guen ts an d r e cip e s but witho ut the sup e r

s t it io us liga tur e s o f t e n f o u n d in m e di e v al w o rks o f m e di

ci n e 2
. P a rts o f a n i ma ls a r e e m pl o y e d a go o d d ea l : t hus
i f yo u an o i n t the e n tir e b o dy wit h li o n f a t yo u will h av e ,

n o f e a r o f s e r p e n ts a n d bi n di n g o n t he h e a d the f re s h l n g
, u
o f a n o x is g o o d f o r f r e n zy But Co n st an ti n us m o r e o ft en
?

ex pl a i n s the a cti o n o f t h i n gs in n a tur e f r o m t he ir f o ur

qu aliti es o f ho t c o ld mo ist a n d dry t han he d oe s by a s

, , , ,

s umin g the ex ist e n c e o f o ccult virtu e s .

It is a ls o to be no t e d t hat th o s e p a ss a ge s w he r e Co n
s tant in us m e dici n e b o rd e rs m o st cl o s e ly up o n m agic ar e
’

a p t to be bo rr o w e d f r o m o r a t l e a st cre dit e d t o G a l en a n d
, ,

D i o sc o rid e s N e ithe r C o n st an ti n us n o r his A r abic a uth o r i

.

ti e s i n tr o duc e d m o st o f thes e supe rstiti o us e l em e nts i n t o

m e dici n e I n his w o rk o n d e gr e e s Co n st an ti nus r ep ea ts
.

1
D e m ela n c h o lia p . 2 90 .
5
P r a c tica I V , 3 9 , an d V, 7 ;
, ed
.

P r a c tic a, V III , 40 ; ed of 1 5 15 , o f 1 5 1 5 , f o l s 9 6 r a n d g8 r
v
. . .

0l 1 1g
. .
7 56 M A G I C A ND EXP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

G a l en s st o ry o f the bo y w ho fe ll i nt o an e pil e ptic fi t when

’

e ve r t h e susp e n d e d p e o n y w a s r e m o v e d f r o m his n e ck
1
In .

t he Via ticu m
2
he a scrib e s t h e susp e n si o n o f a w h it e d o g s
’

ha irs an d t he u s e o f v a ri o us o the r p a rts o f an i m als f o r

e pil e pt ics t o D i o sc o rid e s but t h e y do n o t s e e m t o be f ou n d ,

in t hat a ut ho r s e x t an t w o rks Wa te r in w hich bl a cks m ith s

’
.

h av e quen che d th e ir ir o n s is an o the r r em e dy pr e scrib e d f o r

va ri o us dis o rd e rs up o n the a utho rity o f D i o sc o rid e s an d
G a le n ?
T he ri a c a n d ter m s igilla ta a r e o f c o urs e n o t f o r
go tte n T ha t t he re is a m a gne tic m o unt a i n o n the sh o re o f
.

t he I n di an O c e an w h ich dr a w s all the ir o n n a il s o ut o f

p a ssi n g s h ips an d th a t the m a gn e t ex tr a cts a rr o ws f r o m
,

w o u n ds is st at e d o n the a utho rity o f the L apidary of Ar is

to tl e a spuri o us w o rk
, Co n st an ti n us a dds that R u f us s ays
.

t hat the m agne t c o m f o rts tho s e afflict e d with m el an c ho ly

a n d r em o v e s t he ir f ea rs an d suspici o n s
?
Ho w e v e r it is ,

w it ho ut cita ti o n o f o t he r a uth o rs t ha t Co nst an ti n u s st at e s

that the plan t agnus cas tus will m o rti fy lust if it is me r ely
susp en d e d o ve r the sl ee p e r ?

The r e is n o t a gr ea t d e al o f a stro l o gic a l m e dici ne in the

w o rks o f Co n st an ti nus A f ric an us T he r e are s o m e allusi o n s .

to t he m o o n a n d do g d a ys 5
G al e n b e i n g twic e cit e d t 0 t he
-
,
~

e ff e ct t h a t e pil e psy in a w ax i n g m o o n is a v e ry m o ist dis

e a s e w h il e in a w a n i n g m o o n it is v e ry c o ld
, I n a c ha pt e r .

th e r e l a ti o n o f critic a l d ay s to th e c o urs e
7
o f th e P a n tegn i

o f th e m o o n a n d a ls o t o th e n a tur e o f n u m b e r is discuss e d .

I n ano t he r p a ss a ge o f t h e s am e w o rk 5
w e r e a d tha t if
o t he r r e m e di e s f ai l in th e c a s e o f a p ati e n t w h o c ann o t ho ld

h is w a t er wh il e in be d h e s ho uld e at the bl a dd e r o f a riv e r ,

fi s h f o r e igh t d a ys w h il e the m o o n is w ax i n g a n d w an i n g
1
Ed o f 1 5 3 6, p 3 5 8 ; a l so in th e
. . v e n im u s R u f um cl a r iss im u m
Via tic u m , I , 2 2 ; p 2 0 . . m e d ic u m d e m e l an c h o l ia f e c is s e
2
Via tic u m , I 2 2 ; p 2 1 , . . l ib r u m .

‘ “
Via tic u m V I I, 1 3 : D e g r a di
,
D e g r a dibus p 378 . .

°
bus p 377 . . E dit io n o f 1 5 3 6 pp 2 0, 2 9 0,
, .

‘
Ac co r d ing t o S te in s c h ne ide r 3 56 .

p 4 02 it is o n l y f r o m t h e The o r ica X, 9 ; e d o f 1 5 1 5
7
.
.
, , ,

c ita t io n s o f Co n s t an t in u s th at w e f ol 5 4
. .

k no w o f a wo r by R u f u s o n k 5
P r a c tica V II 5 9
, ,
fol .

m e l an c h o l y S e e e s p ecia l l y D e
. 1 I 4V .

m e l an c h o l ia p 2 85 , In .
 MA G I C “

AND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI EN CE C HA P .

at t he m o n a ste r y . In an y c a e s a Ma st e r J o hn Afflac ius ,

who is a ss o ci at e d with o the r S al e r n itan writ e rs in a c o m

p il at io n f r o m t he ir w o rks wa s a discipl e o f Co n st an ti nus
,

a n d a s w e a r e a b o u t t o s ee p e r ha p s th e a uth o r o f s o me o f
, ,

the trea tis e s w h ich hav e b e e n publi sh e d u n d e r Co n st an ti nus

’

n am e It c er t a i nl y w o uld s eem tha t Co n st an ti n us and his

.

discipl e hav e a s go o d a right t o be c al l e d S al e rn itan as

mo st o f the a uth o rs i n clud e d in R en zi s c o ll e cti o n
’
.

I n a me dic a l m an uscript w h ich Hen sc he l disco ve re d at

B re sl a u in 1 8 3 7 a nd whic h he re ga rd e d a s a c o m po siti o n
1

o f th e S c h o o l o f S a l e r n o an d d at e d in th e t w e lfth c en tury ,

he f o u n d in the c as e o f t w o wo rks c o m pile d fr o m v ari o us

a ut h o rs
2
t hat th e p ass a ges a scr ib e d t o a Maste r J o h n
A fflac ius w ho w a s d e scrib e d a s
,
a disciple o f Co n
” 5
s tan t inus w e r e id en tica l with p a ss a ge s in the L iber aur eus
,

o r D e r e medior um e t aegmtu dinum c ogniti o ne publi s h e d a s

'

a w o rk o f Co n st an ti n us in t he B a s e l e diti o n o f 1 5 3 6 He .

a ls o id en ti fi e d a L ibe r ur inar um a ttribut e d t o the s ame J o hn

Afflac iu s discipl e o f Co n stan ti n us in the Br e sl a u m anu

, ,

script with the D e ur inis w hi c h f o ll o ws the L iber aur eus

in the pri n t e d e diti o n o f Co n st anti n us w o rks T hus e ith e r
’
.

t he pupil a ppr o pri a t e d o r c o m pl e t e d an d publis he d th e w o rk

o f his m a st e r o r Co n s t an ti n us ha d t he s am e g o o d f o rtu n e
,

in havi n g his o wn n am e a tta che d t o the c o m po siti o ns o f

his pupil 4
as in th e c ase o f t he writi n gs o f his A r abi c

pre d ec e ss o rs .

I t m ay be f urth e r n o t ed th a t the discipl e s eem s to ha ve

b ee n m o r e supe rstiti o us than the ma ste r f o r in o ne o f the ,

pa s sa ge s a scribe d to Afflacius in the a fo re s aid c o m pilati o n ,

1
Mc mos cr itto
-
S a l e r nita n o di ce n tur y, Q”uoniam te k a r is s ime
l u cida to da l P r o f H e ns c h e l, in
.

. fi l i I o h a n n e ; Ca mb r a i 9 1 4 , 1 3
R enz i II, 1 -80, e s p ec ia ll y 1 4 th c e nt u r y ; Ca m br a i 9 07 , 1 4t h

pp 1 6 , 4 1 , 5 9
. . c e n t u r y, f ol 1, . P r e f atio Co n
a eg r itu dinu m s t an t in i a d J o h a nn e m d is c ip ul u m
2
De c u r a tion e
'
.

tr a c ta tu s , R e n z i, I I , 8 1 -3 86 ; D e
‘
v
Ho w e e r, in a n O x f o r d M S
t h e L ibe r a ur e us it s e l f is a s c r i b e d
_

f 5
e b r ib u s tr ac ta tu s II , 7 37,
-
68 .

T h e p r e f a c e t o C o n s t ant inu s
’
t r a n s l a t io n o f I s a ac o n f e e r s is
“ ”
to J o hn, s o n o f Co ns tant i nu s
v B o dl e ian 2 060, $1 , J o a nni s fil u .

a dd r e s s e d t o h is d e a r e s t s o n, C o n s ta ntini de r e m ed 1ea l 1be r

”
J o hn : s ee B r us s e l s , Lib r a ry o f au r e u s .
k
D u e s o f B ur gundy 1 5 489 , 14 th
 xxx 1 : C O N S TAN TI N US AFRI CAN US 7 59

af et r the co rre sp on de n ce wit h the L iber a ur eus has c e as e d ,

t he t ex t go e s o n t o pre s crib e the susp e n si o n o f go a t s ho r n

’

o v e r o n e s h e a d a s a s o p o r ifi c an d giv e s th e f o ll o wi n g
’

”
“
pr o gn o stic o f li fe o r dea th . S m ea r t he f o r ehea d o f the
“
p ati ent f r o m e ar to e a r wit h mus am en e am . I f he sl e e ps ,

h e will liv e ; but if n o t he will die ; a n d t h is h a s b ee n t e st e d

,

in a cute f ev e rs Ano t h e r me t ho d is t o try i f th e p a ti e n t s

’
.

uri ne will mix wit h the m ilk o f a w o m an w ho is suckli n g a

m a l e c hild . I f it will he will liv e
,
. A n o th e r pr o c e dur e t o
i n duc e sl ee p is t hen giv e n wh ich c o n sists in r e a di n g the
,

fi rst v e rs e o f the G o sp e l o f J o hn n i n e ti m e s o ve r the p a

tie n t s he a d pl a ci n g b e n ea t h h is h e a d a m issal o r ps a lt e r
’

a n d the n am e s o f th e s e v e n sl e e p e rs writt e n o n a scr o ll .

Th is is n o t th e first i n st an c e o f such Ch risti an m a gic t h at w e

hav e e n c o u n t e r e d in c o nn e cti o n wit h th e S c ho o l o f S al e rno
a n d w e b e gi n t o susp e ct t ha t it w as r a t he r c h a r a ct e ristic .

At an y r a t e it w as no t u n c o m m o n in m e di e v a l m e dici n e in
ge n e r al and w as al m o st c e rt a i n ly i n tro duc ed be fo r e I nn o c e nt
I I I w h o in 1 2 1 5 f o rb a d e o rd e a ls a n d w h o f r o w n e d o n
o t he r sup e rstiti o us p r a ctic e s P r o b ably such Ch r isti an
.

m a gic dat e s f r o m a p e ri o d b e fo r e A r abic i n flu e n c e b e gan

t o be f e lt. T hus a ga i n w e hav e r ea s o n t o d o ubt w het he r
e a rly m e di e v a l m e dici n e o r S a l e r n it a n m e dici n e wa s l e ss

supe rstiti o us than A r abic m e dici n e o r than m e di ev al m e di

ci n e a fte r the i n tr o ducti o n o f A r abic m e dici n e A t l e a st
.

Co n st an ti n us A f ric a n us w h o r e pr e s e nts the i n tr o ducti o n o f

tr an slati o n s f r o m the A ra bic is c o m p a ra tive ly f ree f r o m
supe rstiti on .
 CHA P T ER XXX I II
TR EA T I S E S ON THE A R T S B E F O RE THE I N TR ODU CTI O N OF

A RA B I C A L C H E M Y
Latin t reatise s on th e a r t s an d co l o r s— P r o gr e s s of th e a r t s e ve n

dur in g t h e ear l y m iddl e a ge s— S can tin e s s o f t h e s o u r c e s— Ch ar a ct e r

o f A r abic a l c h e m y— D iff e r e n t c h ar ac t e r o f o u r L a tin t r e at is e s— C o m

p o s i tio n e s ad tin g e n da —
M app e C l a vi c u l a — S
o m e o f it s r e c ip e s —
Q ues
t io n of s ym b o l ic n o m e n c l at u r e— Mag ica l p r o c e dur e w ith g o ats : in
Mappe C l avic u la —
S im il a r p a s sag e s in He r ac lius— A n d Th eo p hil u s— A
m ag ic fig ur e— U se o f a n in ca n t at io n in t e n th c e n tu r y al c h e m y— Ex p e r i

m e n tal c h a r acte r o i th e w o r k of Th eo p h il u s —
Ho w to k
m a e S p an is h
go l d
—
Th e que s tio n o f s y mb o l ic te r m in o l o gy aga in— A l ch e my in th e
ele v e n th c e n tu r y— S t D un s ta n an d a l c h e my a n d m a gic— I nt r o du ct io n
.
,
of

A r abic al c h emy in th e twe l f th c e n tur y .

cam um p la tis s imu m diver s ar um ar tium per s cr u

3)

—
The ophilus , S che dula, I , P r aefa tio .

WE co m e to the c o n side rati o n o f s eve r a l tr e atis e s deali ng

with c o l o rs an d the a rts an d da ti n g f r o m a bo ut the e ighth
to the tw e l f t h c e n turi e s an d pr o b ably in p a r t o f e a rli e r
o rigi n T he se a r e th e C o mpo s itio n es a d ting e n da in a m an u
.

script o f the e igh th o r n i n th c en tury the M oppe clav icula ,

f o u n d in p art in a t e n t h c e n tury m an uscript an d m o re f ully

in o ne o f the tw e l f th c e n tury th e p o em o f He r a clius o n ,

Th e c o l ors a n d ar ts o f the R o m ans an d th e r e m a rk abl e ,

tr ea tis e o f T heo p h ilus O n divers e ar ts in t hr ee b o o ks 1

T he .

1
I t t i
n er e s h w k n w
s uc l ib ort d s tibas R m c o or us e e ar us o ano
in Mr s Me r r ifi e l d s A n cie n t
’
a ro us ed b y t h e a l m o s t s im ul tan e r u m, .

He n d r ic s L o n do n ,
’
o us p ubl ic at io n o f R . P r a c tic e of P a in ting ,

E n glis h t r a n s l at io n o f T h e o p h il u s , 1 84 9. He n dr ie p r in te d t h e L a tin
L o nd o n , 1 8 47 ; t h e p ubl icatio n o f t e x t o f Th e o p hil u s w it h his t r a n s
t h e Mapp e c la vicu l a in a
“
Let l at io n . A I lg p ubl is h e d a r e is e d
. v
t e r f r o m S ir Th o m a s P hill ip p s t o L a t in t e x t w it h a G e r m an t r a n s
A l b e r t Wa y in Ar c h a e o l og ia l at io n in 18 7 4 w ith a f ul l er a c
,

XXXI I , 1 83 2 44 , L o n d o n , 18 47 ,
-
c o un t o f t h e MS S .

a n d the in cl us io n o f Hera cl iu s , D e
 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

or fi ft h cen tur y A D He r aclius sp eaks m o r e t han o n ce

. .
1

in his p o em wit h a d m ir ati o n o f the w o rks o f a rt o f the

“ ”
R o m an ki n gs a nd p eo pl e a n d a sks
“
Who n o w is c apable
, ,

o f i n v e stig ati n g t he s e a rts is a bl e to r e v e a l to us w ha t t ho s e

,

po t en t a r tifi ce r s o f i m me n s e i nt e ll ect disc o v er e d f o r them

s e lv e s ? ” 2
Ho w e ve r his a im is to r e surr e ct t h e s e arts ; he
,

a ssur e s th e r e a d e r t ha t h e writ e s n o t h i n g w h ic h h e h as n o t
5
fi rst pr o ve d h i m s e l f ; an d he t e lls in p a rticula r ho w he dis
c o v e re d by cl o s e scruti ny o f a pi e ce o f R o m an gl ass tha t
t he r e w as go ld l e a f pl a c e d b e tw e en two l a y e rs o f gl a ss a
-
,

w o rk wh ich h e succ e ss f ully i m it at e d 4

O n t h e o t he r han d .
,

l ea d gl a zi n g acc o rdi n g to A l ex an dr e B r o n gn iar t dir e ct o r o f

, ,

th e S evr e s m an u f act o ry is n o t f o u n d in E ur o p e a n p o tt e ry
,

b e f o r e the tw el f th c e n tury w hen it wa s a ppli e d in P e s ar o

,

a b o ut 1 1 0 0 a n d is f o u n d o n p o tt e ry in a t o m b at Ju m i ege s o f

a b o ut

D uri n g the e a rly me di ev a l c enturi e s the Byz anti ne Em

pire S yri a and E gy pt a f t e r they w e re c o n qu e r e d by the
,

A r a bs the bu sy str e e ts o f B a gd a d a n d Co rd o v a an d P e rsi a

, ,

u n d o ubt e dly pr o duc e d a f ar m o r e fl o uris h i n g a ctivity in the

fi ne a rts a n d t he i n dustri a l a rts th an w as t he c as e in b a ck

wa rd w e st e rn Christi an E u r o p e Y et th e survivi n g e vid en c e .

f o r suc h a ctivity is dis app o i n ti n g a nd se em s li m it e d to s o m e ,

n o tic e s an d a llusi o n s in A r abi an an d J e wish tr a v e l e rs an d

h ist o ri a n s an d to the dust he a ps o f r ui n e d citi e s lik e F o st at

,
-
,

R ai an d R akk a A s the fi n e st e arly spe ci m en s o f Byz an ti ne

, .

m o s a ics a r e pr e s e rv e d in I t al y at R av en n a s o o ur L ati n ,

tre atis e s c o n ce r n i n g the a rts a r e p e r haps the b e st ext ant f o r

the e a rly m e di e v a l p e ri o d up to the tw e l ft h c en tury .

Ce r a mics in E B , p
1
B e r th e l o t I , 1 69 . w r ites .

2
Me r r ifi e l d I , 1 83 S ee .
“
v
l ead gl az e s w e r e e x t e n s i e l y u s e d
al so p p . 1 89 - 9 1 . in Eg yp t a nd t h e n e a r e r Ea s t 1n
”
5
I bid , p 18 3 ,
. .
“
N il t ibi s c r ib o P t o l e m a ic t im e s
. He a dds , An d “

e q u id e m qu o d n o n p r iu s ip s e p r o it is s ig n ifi ca n t th at , th o ugh the
”
b as s e m. R o m a n s m a d e s in g u l a r ly l ittl e u s e
‘
I bid p 1 8 7
.
, . . o f gl a z e s o f a n y k
in d, th e p o tt e r y
t h at s u cce e de d t h e ir s , e ith e r in
5
Tr a ité des Ar ts C e r a m iqu es , p
’

3 04 , c it e d by Me r r ifi e ld, I , 17 7 . w e s te r n Eur o p e o r in t he B yza n

v
T his is n o t , h o w e e r , t o b e r e t in e Em p ir e , w as g e n e r a l l y c o w
v
g a r de d a s th e in e n t io n o f l e ad e re d w ith g l a z e s r ic h in l ead
”
.

g l a z in g, s in c e, a s Wil l iam B u r to n
x xx 1 11 TRE A TI S E S O N THE AR TS 7 63

A u mb e r o f tr e a tis e s o n a lchem y in A rabic ha ve r ea che d

n

us but they lik e the Byz an ti n e c h i e fly c o n ti n u e the fanta stic

, ,

mysticis m a n d o bscurity t he a str o l o gy a n d m agic o f t he , ,

a n ci e n t G r e e k a lc he m ist s T hus in the B o o k of Cr a tes w e

.

hav e a virgi n p r i e st e ss o f th e t em pl e o f S e r a pis at A l ex an

dri a an d the s nak e O ur o bu r o s als o a visi o n o f the s ev en
, ,

h e a v en s o f th e pl an e ts T h e B o o k o f A lha bib i nv o k e s
.

He rme s Tris me gistus an d s ays t hat the s age s hav e n o t r e

v e al e d the secre t o f tr an s m utati o n f o r f e a r o f the an ge r
o f t he d e m o n s T he B oo k Of O s tan es in w h ic h An d alusi a
.
,

is m enti o ne d has e ighty fo ur di ff e r en t n am e s f o r the

,
-

phil o s o phe r s sto ne a n d a f ant astic dr e am c o nc e rn i n g s e ven

’
,

do o rs an d t hr ee i n scripti o n s in E gy pti an c o n c e rn i n g the ,

P e rsi an Ma gi an d a cit ati o n fr o m a n I n di an s age c o n c e r n

,

in g the hea li n g virtu e s o f t he uri ne o f a w h it e e l ep h an t .

T h e B o o k of L ik e Weigh ts o f G e b e r st at e s t h at the sa ge
c a n disc e r n t he m i x tur e o f th e f o ur e l em en ts in a n i m al s ,

pl ants and st o ne s by a str o l o gy an d m an y o th e r sign s in

,

v o lvi ng v ari e d sup e rstiti o n His B oo k of S ympa thy a gai n .

e m ph a siz e s the s e v e n pl an e ts a s t h e k ey to a lc he my an d

ha s m uch a b o ut the spirit in m att e r His B o o k o n Q uick .

s ilver alt ho ugh it pr o m is e s c l a rity is the m o st m ystic a nd

, ,

i n c o m pr ehen sibl e o f al l I n it we r ead o f r a isi n g the d ead

.

”
an d o f u s e o f such liquids a s a divi ne w a t e r an d th e m ilk

o f an u n c o rrupt e d virgi n
?

O ur L ati n trea tis e s a r e as fr e e fr o m mysticism and

o bscurity f r o m dr e am s an d visi o n s a s t h e y a r e f r o m t heo
, ,

r e t ical discussi o n T he y a r e c o ll e cti o n s o f r e cip e s an d dir ce

.

ti o n s which ar e supp o s e d at l east to be pra ctic a l and w hich

ar e writt en in a si m pl e a n d str a igh t f o rw a rd styl e T he y .

ar e not ho w e v e r t ak e n t o ge the r by a n y m ea n s en tir e ly

, , ,

f r ee f r o m a stro l o gica l dir ec ti o n s o r b e li e f in o ccult virtu e

o r ye t o t he r sup e rstiti o n a n d t he y i n clud e r e cip e s f o r m ak in g
,

th e w k B th l t m di i i h
1
F S i t it i E l
'

or es or s s ee er e o e z n sc en oc e c n r an
II I L ip p m
, or g XL I I I
an n d hi D i e n, an s e
w ho f ll w h im I h v
o o s t h d. A l h mi a b i d
e no A b in
a c e e e en ra er n ,
acce s s E W ie de m ann , Z ur
to . J o u r na l f iir r a k tis c he Ch e mie,
Ch e mi e bei d en Ar a be r n in , LXXV I ( 19 07 , 8 5 —8 7 105 fl
S itz u ng s ber ich te de r phys ik a lis c h
7 64 MA GI C AN D E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE C H AP

gol d O f th i s th e r e is l eas t
. in the fi rst t r e atis e we hav e to
c o nsid e r .

T he Co mpo s itio nes adtr e atis e o r c o ll ecti o n

tinge n da, 1
a

o f n o t e s an d r e cip e s pr e s e rv e d in a m an uscript d a ti n g f r o m

the ti m e o f Cha rl e m a gne t h r o ws s o m e ligh t o n t h e t e ch

,

n ic a l pr o c e s s e s pr e s e rv e d in the L a ti n w e st in t he e a rly

m iddl e a ge s a n d o n th e am o u n t o f k n o wl e dge o f n atur a l

phen o me n a pr e s e rv e d in c o nne cti o n with the arts a ppli e d ,
—

s ci e n c e in o t h e r w o rd s I t t e lls ho w t o c o l o r gl a ss a n d m ak e
.

m o s a ic s an d d e scrib e s a gl a ss f u r n ac e ; ho w to dye ski n s

,

a n d m a k e p a rc hm e n t ; h o w t o m ak e go ld l ea f go ld th r e a d -
,
-
,

s ilve r l ea f an d tin l ea f ; h o w t o giv e c o pp er t he c o l o r o f go ld ;

- -

it giv e s v a ri o us dir e cti o n s an d pr e p a r ati o n s f o r p ai n ti n g

an d gildi n g ; an d a d e scripti o n o f v a ri o us m i n e r a ls an d

h e rbs e mpl o y e d in the ab o v e pr o c esse s Muc h is rep ea te d .

t ha t is f o u n d al rea dy in P li n y an d D i o sc o rid e s o r in A ris ,

t o tl e an d t he G ree k a lchem ists But s ev e r a l th i n gs are m en

.

t io n e d at l e a st s o f ar a s w e k n o w f o r th e first ti me al
, , ,

tho ugh B e rt hel o t b e li ev e d t hat the c o m pil e r o f the Compos i

tio n es a d tinge n da ha d c o pi e d t he m f r o m e a rli e r w o rks ,

v e ry pr o b a bly Byz an ti ne o r la t e R o m an and no t i nvent e d ,

th em h i m s e l f We fi nd he re the fi rst m en ti o n o f vitri o l

.
“

“
an d o f br o n z e a w o rd a pp a r e n tly d e riv e d f r o m Bru n
,
—

dis ium A m o r a qua e is us e d f o r t he fi rst ti m e f o r the scu m

.

f o rm e d o n w at e rs c o n t a i n i n g ir o n s alts an d o t he r m e t als ,

an d w e a ls o m e e t t he fi rst i n st an c e o f the pr e p a r a ti o n o f

ci n na ba r by m ea n s o f sulp hur an d me rcury T he w o rk .

c o n t a i n s ve ry littl e sup e rstiti o n with the ex c e pti o n o f o ne

p a ss a ge w hich B e rt he l o t has a lr ea dy n o t e d ?
O n c e a st o n e
is sp o k e n o f as havi n g s o l a r virt u e ; l ea d is di s ti n guishe d
a s m a sculi n e an d f e m i n i n e ; th e g all o f a t o rt o is e is us e d

in a c o m p o siti o n f o r writi n g go ld e n l e tt e r s a nd pig s bl o o d

’
,

1
The f ull t itl e is Co m p o s itio n e s L uc en s ium , A r m I , Co d L , w a s
. .

v
a d t in g e n da m u s i a, p e l l e s e t al ia , p r in t e d in Mur at o r i, An tiquita te s
a d d e a u r a n du m f e r r u m , ad m in I ta l ic a e , II 6
3 4 87 -
I t is .

e r a l ia , ad c h r y s o g r a p hia m , ad de sc r ibe d by B e r t h e l o t I,
g l ut in a qu a e da m c o n fi c”ie n da , a l ia 7 who se c o mp a r is o n o f it w ith
q u e a r tium do c um e n t a Th e M S ,
. v
p r’e i o us t r e at is e s I f o l l o w .

B ibl io th e c a c ap it ul i canonic o r um B er th el o t I , 12 note . .

 MA G I C A ND E XP ERI ME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

” 1
an yo ne the pr o phetic . It is a ls o i m pli e d t ha t a lc h em y
is a r e li gi o us o r divi ne a r t in th e twe n ti e th r ecip e w he r e it is
s a id t h at o p e r a t o rs s h o uld c o nc e d e all th i n gs t o divi ne w o rks .

B ut suc h m ystic a llusi o n s a r e i n f re qu e n t a s w e ll a s bri e f .

I n the s am e tw e n ti e t h it em go ld is supp o s e d t o b e m a d e f r o m
a m i x tur e o f ir o n rust m a gn e t f o r e ign a lu m m yrrh go ld
, , , , ,

an d wi n e . I t is a ls o st at e d t h a t t ho s e w h o will n o t cr e dit
th e gr ea t utility t h a t t h e r e is in h u m o rs a re t h o s e w h o do
n o t m ak e d em o n str a ti o n f o r t h e m s e lv e s an o th e r i n st an c e
,

o f the e x p e ri m e n t a l c ha r a ct e r o f t h e w o rk The f o rty fi r s t

.
-

r e cip e stat es th at go ld m ay be diss o lve d in o rd e r t o writ e

with it by dippi n g it in the bl o o d o f an I n di an dr a go n ,

pl aci n g it in a gl a ss v e ss el a n d surro un di n g it wit h c o a ls

, .

I n th e si x ty n i n t h it e m th e bl o o d o f a dr a go n o r o f a c o ck
—

is m i x e d with uri n e an d th e st o n e c e lido nius Th e ga ll o f .

a bull an d th e bl o o d o f a pig a r e u se d a ga i n in r e cip e s si xty

e igh t an d o n e hun dr e d an d tw en ty e igh t -

.

I t h a s s o m eti m e s b e e n c o n t e n d e d c h i e fly by p e rs o n s who
,

did n o t r ea liz e ho w u n iv e rs a l w a s the a scripti on o f gr e at

virtu e to the p ar ts o f an i m als in an ci ent an d me di ev a l sci enc e
an d t h e ir u s e as r em e di e s in th e m e dici n e o f th e s am e p e

r io ds ,
t ha t t hey a r e n o t to be tak en lit e r ally in a lch em ic al
r e cip e s but ar e to be u n d e rst o o d symb o lic a lly a n d a r e cryptic
d e si gnati o n s f o r c o mm o n m i n e ra l substan c e s T hus B e rthe .

l o t cit e s a p a ss a ge f r o m t he L a ti n D e an ima as crib e d t o ,

“
Avic enn a w hic h s ays I am g o i n g to t e ll yo u a s e cre t : the
, ,

e ye o f a m an o r bull o r c o w o r d ee r sign i fi e s m e rcu ry a nd ,

s o on
?
But d e spit e w hat B e rt he l o t goe s o n to s ay ab o ut the
”
o l d pr o p h e tic n o m e n cl ature o f th e E gyp ti an s
“
I am in ,

c l in e d t o t h i n k t ha t such sym b o lis m is m a i n ly a r e fi n e m e n t

o f l a t e r a lc h e m ists , a n d t h a t o rigi n a lly m o st suc h e x pr e s

si o n s w e r e i n t e n d e d lit e r a lly Ce rt a i n ly it w o uld be impo s

.

sibl e to e x pl a i n al l the m e dici na l u s e o f p a rts o f an i m als in

P li n y s N a tu r al His to r y a s e ithe r sy m b o lic o r d e riv e d f r o m
’

t h e E gy pti a n pri e sts . L ik e the sugg e sti o n t hat Ro ge r B ac o n

Ab s co n de s an ctu m e t nul l
i d ede r is p r o p h eta .

‘
t ra de n du m s ec r e t u m n e qu e a lic u1 B e r th e l o t I , 303 -4 .
: x x x111 TR EA TI S E S O N THE A R TS 7 67

wr o te in c iphe r the symbo lic n o m encl ature theo ry is ba se d

,

o n t he a ssu m pti o n t h a t th e m e n o f o l d c o n c e al e d grea t

s e c r e ts u n de r an a ppe a r an c e o f e rro r A n d w he r e such

.

c r ypt o gram s an d sym bo ls w e re e m pl o ye d it w a s a l mo st ,

i n v a ri a bly d o n e w e m ay be sure wit h the o bj e ct o f i m pre ss

, ,

in g th e r e a d e r w ith an e x a gge r a te d n o ti o n o f th e i m p o rtan c e

o f w h a t w a s w ritt en r a t h e r t h a n b e c a us e th e writ e r r e a lly

h a d an y g r ea t di s c o v e ry t h a t he wis he d t o c o n c ea l T ha t .

sym b o lic lan gu a ge w a s e m pl o y e d by a lch em ists e sp e ci a lly ,

in the l at e st m iddl e age a n d e a rly m o d e r n c e n turi e s is n o t ,

to b e qu e sti o n e d T h e u s e o f t he n am e s o f the pl an e ts f o r
.

the c o rr e sp o n di n g m e t al s is a f am ili a r e x am pl e But m o st .

suc h sym b o lic n o m en cl a tur e is e qu ally o bvi o us wh il e the r e ,

is n o r e a s o n f o r n o t taki n g the u s e o f p a rts o f a n i m als lit e r

a lly . I n d ee d in m a ny p a ss a ge s it m ust be s o t ak e n a s in a
, ,

l at e r it em o f the M appe Clavicul a w h ic h ha s n o c o n c e r n

1

with a lchem y a n d w he r e in o rd e r to p o is o n an a rr o w f o r
u s e in b a ttl e w e a r e i n st r uct e d t o dip it in the sw e a t f r o m
,

t he righ t sid e o f a ho rs e be tw een the hip b o n e s T h e f ol

—
.

lo wi n g ex p e ri m e nts with go ats a ls o illustra te the great value

s e t up o n a n i m a l fluids a n d subst a n c e s .

We ar e r e m i n d e d o f the dir e cti o n s giv en by Ma rc e llus

Em p ir icu s f o r the pr e p a r a ti o n o f go a t s bl o o d by a r e cip e
’

f o r m aki n g fi gure s o f c r yst a l w h ic h o ccurs n ea r th e cl o s e

o f the M appe C lavicul a A h e go a t w h ich h a s n e v e r in
? -

dulge d in s ex u al i n t e rc o urs e is t o b e shut up in a c a sk f o r

t hr e e d ays un til he ha s c o m pl et e ly dige ste d ev e ryt hi n g t ha t he
h a d in his b e lly He is t he n t o be f e d o n ivy f o r f o ur d ays
.
,

a t th e e n d o f w h ic h ti m e he is t o b e sl a i n a n d his bl o o d m i x e d

w it h his uri n e w h ic h is n o w c o ll e ct e d f r o m the ca sk By .

s o aki n g the cryst al o ve rn ight in t h is m i x ture it c an be

m o uld e d o r c ar v e d at will Th is e x p e ri m e n t is i m m e di at e ly
.

pr e c e d e d by a s o m e wh at si m il a r pr o ce dur e f o r cutti n g gl a ss
wi th st eel T he gl ass is to be s o ft en e d an d the stee l is t o
?

be t e mp e r e d by pl a ci n g them e ithe r in th e m ilk o f a S a ra cen

1
I te m 26 5 .
5
I te m 2 89 .

5
I te m 2 90 .
7 68 MA GI C AND E XPERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE C HAP .

s he - goat who has b een f e d up o n ivy an d m ilk e d by Scr atch

,

in g h er udd e rs with n e ttl e s o r in the l o ti o n o f a s m all girl ,

o f ruddy c o m pl e x i o n w h ic h m ust be t ak e n b e f o r e s u n ris e

, .

V e ry si m il a r pa ss age s ar e f o un d in the w o rk s o f He r a
c l ius an d T heo p h ilus th e f o rm e r o f w h o m giv e s the f o ll o w
,

“
in g dir e c ti o n s f o r gl a ss e n gr a vi n g : O h ! al l yo u a rtists who
'

wish to en gr av e gl a ss c o rre ctly n o w I will sh o w yo u j ust a s ,

I m ys e l f hav e pr o v e n I s o ugh t th e f at w o r m s wh ich the

.

pl o w turn s up f r o m the ea rth an d the us e f ul a rt in such ,

m att e rs b a d e m e at the s am e ti m e s ee k vi n e ga r an d the h o t

bl o o d o f a huge h e go at wh ich I h a d t ake n p a i n s to tie up
-
,

un d e r c o v e r an d to f e e d o n st r o n g ivy f o r a wh il e Nex t I .

m i x e d th e w o r m s a n d vi n e ga r with the w a r m bl o o d a n d
an o i n t e d a ll th e brigh t s h i n i n g p h i a l Th is d o n e I tri e d to .
,

” 1
e n gr a v e th e gl a ss wit h th e h a rd st o n e c a ll e d pyrit e s .

In an o t h e r p a ss a ge He r a clius r e c o mm e n ds the u s e o f the

uri n e an d bl o o d o f a go a t in e n gravi n g ge m s ? and he al s o
stat e s tha t the bl o o d o f a g o at m ak e s crysta l e a si e r to c arve ?

T heo p h ilus st a te s t h a t p o e ts a n d a rt ifi ce r s h av e gr eatly

che ris he d the ivy b e c a us e they r e c o gniz e d the o ccult
,

p o we rs wh ich it c o n t a i n s with i n its e l f ” 4

He als o afli rm s .

t hat the bl o o d o f a go at m a ke s cryst al ea si e r to c arv e but ,

he r e c o m m e n ds the bl o o d o f a livi n g go a t t wo o r th r ee ye a r s
o ld an d r e p e at e d i n s e r ti o n o f th e c r yst al in an i n cisi o n be

twee n the an i m a l s brea st and abd o men ’ ?

He al s o reco m
m en ds a s o m e w ha t si m il a r pro c e dur e to t ha t o f the Mappc
Cla vicu la wit h a go a t a n d a c a sk 5
I n t h is c a s e the go at .

s ho uld be th re e y e a rs o l d an d a f te r b e i n g b o u n d fo r thr ee ,

1
D l ib
e t r tibu
co o r R us t mp e it f r thi bl d m k s
a s o e er , o s oo a e
mo m I iv I h v
n or u ,
m wh t
, . th i a h d th t
e so v e a e ro n so ar a e en
”
a l te r e d Mr s . Me r r ifi e l d s ’
t r an s l a a da m a n t is s o ft c o m p a r ed t o it .

t io n (I W h a t He r a cliu s is , s ay s
2
I bid I, xi ; Mr s . Me r rifi el d “
B u t fi r s t l e t t h e bl o o d o f a h e
1. 1 89 - 9 1 ,
g o a t t e m p e r th e f o r c e o f t h e
5
I bid , I , x 11 :
. c r y s t al ,
“
S e d vim c r is talli c r uo r ant ea Fo r t h is bl oo d m a es a da m an t
”
k
t e m p e r e t hir c i s o f t t o t h e ir o n .

‘
S an g u is e n im f ac il e m f e r r o f ac it S c h e du la dive r s a r um a r tium,
”
hic a da m a nte m . III , 98 .

Mr s M e r r ifi e l d ( I , 19 4 ) h a s in
.
5
I bid I I I , 9 4 .

“
co r r e c t l y r e n de r e d t h is p a s s a g e , I bid , II I , 2 1
. ,
“
But l et the b o o d of a go at fi r s t l
 MA G I C AND EXP ER I ME N TA L S CI EN CE C H AP .

o the r cha pte r s w hich ar e no t ex t an t But t hat m a gic was .

n o t e n tir e ly a bs e n t f r o m t he ea rli e r v e rsi o n t o w h ic h this

t abl e o f c o n te n ts s e em s to a pply is e vid en c e d by the f act

that o ne o f the c hapt e r he adi n gs de a li n g with the f abric a
ti o n o f go ld m en ti o n s a pr ay e r o r i nc anta ti o n to be r ecited
duri n g the pr o ce ss ?

T he gr e a t i m p o r t an c e o f the w o rk o f The o ph ilus in the

histo ry o f a rt is to o gene rally re c o gn iz e d to n ee d e l abo ra
ti o n he re O u r purp o se is r athe r to p o i n t o ut that in it in
.

f o rm a ti o n o f gr e a t v a lu e i s f o u n d sid e by sid e wit h a co n

s ide rabl e am o u n t o f m isguid e d n a tur a l t h e o ry an d ma gic a l

ce rem o ny The str e ss l a id by T h eo ph ilus up o n p e rs o na l o b

.

s e r va ti o n ex p e ri e n c e a n d ex p e ri m en t a l m e t ho d s ho uld n o t
, ,

h o we v e r p a ss u nno tic e d
, He has scruti n iz e d the w o rks o f
.

“
a r t in the church o f S t S o ph i a o n e by o n e
. with diligen t ex
”
p e r ie nce , h as t e st e d e v e ryt h i n g by eye a n d h an d h as a s a ,

”
curi o us ex pl o re r mad e all s o rt s o f ex p e ri m en ts a nd ap ,

p e a rs t o r e pr e s e n t tr an sp a r en t st a i n e d gl a ss a s h is o w n dis

co ve r y o r id e a No r i s h e the o n ly ex p e ri m en t e r ; he a ls o
?

“ ”
s p ea k s o f m o d e r n w o rk m e n w ho d e c e ive m an y i n c auti o us

p e rs o n s by th e ir i m it ati o n o f the a pp e a r an c e o f m o st pr e ci o us
“
A rabi an g o ld which is fr e qu en tly f o u n d empl o y e d in the
m o st an ci e n t va s e s ?

Th e o philus h o w e v e r b e li ev e s th a t o th e r m e t a ls c an
, ,

r eally be tr an sm ut e d i n to g o ld an d w e m ay r e p ea t h is am us
,

ing a cc o u n t o f h o w S p an ish g o ld is m a d e fr o m re d c o pp e r

quo n ia m h uiu s mo di p ic tur a e u s us

1
B er thel o t I, 5 5 .

”
II , p r o l o g us ( c l o s in g p a s s ag e ) .
p e r s p ica x n o n al e t v
e ss e, quas i
Hu ius e r g o im itato r de s ide r a n s c u r io s u s e x p l o r a to r o mn ibu s
fo re , a p p r e h en d i a t r iu m a g ia e m o d is e l abo r a vi c o gno s ce r e , qu o
S o p h ia e c o n s p ic o r qu e c e ll ul a m a r t is in g e n io e t c o l o r u m v
a r ie t a s

d ive r so r um c o l o r um o m n im o do o p u s de co r a r e t, e t l uc e m die i s o

va r ie tat e r e f e r ta m et m o n s t r an l is q ue r a dio s no n r e p e l l e r e t Huic .

te m s ing ul o r um u t il ita t e m ac e x e r c it io d a n s o p e r a m v it r i n a t u

na t u r a m .
Q uo m o x in o b s er va to r a m c o m p r e h e n d o , e ius qu e s o l iu s

p e d e in g r es s u s , r e p l e v i a r m a r io usu et va r ie t a t e id e ffi c i p o s s e
l u m co r dis m e i s u ffi c ie nt e r e x c o n s ide r o , quo d a r t ifi c iu m , s ic ut
o m n ibu s qu a e dilige n t i e x p e r i v is um e t a u ditum d idic i s tu dio ,

v
,

Il g s Latin
’
e n t ia s igill at im p e r sc r ut at us , t u o in d a ga re c u r a i .

c un et a v is u ma n ibu s qu e p r o bata text

5
s a t is l u c ide t uo s t u d io c o mm e n I I I, 4 7 .

da i v ab s qu e v
in id ia . V e r um
xxx 111 TRE A TI S E S O N THE ARTS 77 1
” “
an d p o wder e d b a silisk an d h um an bl o o d an d vi n e gar Fo r .

the G en til e s wh o s e skill in th is ar t is w e ll k n o w n cr e a t e

, ,

b a silisks in th is wis e Th ey h av e an u n d e rgr o un d cham b e r

.

c o m pl e te ly wall e d in o n al l sid e s with sto n e an d w ith tw o ,

wi n d o ws so s m all as sc a rc e ly t o a dm it any ligh t In th i s .

the y put two c o cks o f twe lv e o r fi f tee n yea rs an d give the m

pl e n ty o f f o o d T he s e when the y h av e gr o wn f at f r o m
.
, ,

the hea t o f t he ir f a t h av e c o m m e rc e t o get h e r a n d lay e ggs .

A s s o o n a s the e ggs ar e l a id th e c o cks a r e e j e ct e d an d t o a ds

a r e put in t o sit o n th e e ggs a n d a r e f e d up o n br e a d Wh en .

the e ggs are h atc he d c h icks c o m e f o rth w h o l o o k lik e y o u n g

r oo st e rs but a f te r s eve n d ays they gr o w s e r pen ts t a ils an d
,
’

wo uld stra igh twa y burr o w i nt o the gr o un d we r e the ch am ,

be r n o t p av e d with st o n e G u a rdi n g a ga i n st th is th e ir
.
,

m a ste rs h ave r o un d br az e n v e ss e ls o f gr e at am plitude p e r i o ,

r ate d o n all sid e s with n a rr o w m o uth s in wh ich the y put the

, ,

ch icks and cl o s e the mo uth s with c o ppe r c o ve rs an d bury

them un dergro un d an d the ch icks a r e n o u r ish e d f o r s ix
,

mo n th s by the subtl e earth w h ic h e n t e rs th r o ugh the pe r f o

r ati o n s A f te r th is the y un c o ve r them an d apply a str o n g
.

fi r e u ntil the b ea sts with i n are t o t ally c o n su m e d Wh e n th is .

is o v e r an d it has c o o l e d o ff they r em o ve an d c a r e f ully pul

,

ve r iz e th e m a ddi n g a th ird p a rt o f th e bl o o d o f a ruddy

,

m an wh ic h bl o o d is dri e d an d p o wd e r e d
, Havi n g co m .

p o un de d the s e two they tem p e r them with str o n g vi n e ga r

in a cl e an v e ss e l ; the n the y t ak e v e ry th i n pl a t e s o f th e pur e st
r e d c o pp e r a n d spr e a d t h is m i x tur e o v e r t h e m o n b o th sid e s

an d pl a c e th em in th e fi r e A n d w h en they gr o w wh ite h o t
.
,

they t ak e them o ut an d qu en ch an d w a sh them in th e s am e

m i x tur e an d this pr o c e ss the y r e p ea t u n til th e m i x tur e ha s
,

ea t e n t h r o ugh t he c o pp e r a n d s o o bt a i n t he w e igh t a n d c o l o r
,

” 1
o f g o ld Th is g o ld is suite d f o r al l o p e r ati o n s
. .

Mr He n dri e held tha t Theo philus w as h e re d e scribi n g

.

“
in sym b o lic l an gu a ge a pr o c e ss f o r pr o curi n g pure go ld by
the m ean s o f the m i n er a l acids an d t ha t t he t o ads o f

1
I ha v e f o ll o w e d Ilg
’
s r at h e r th a n He n dr ic ’
s t e x t ; I I I, 48 .
772 MA GI C AN D E XPERIME N TAL S CI E N CE C H AP .

The o ph ilus wh ic h h a tc h the e ggs a r e pro bably f ra gmen ts o f

th e m i n e r a l s a lt n itr a t e o f p o t a s h ;
,
th e bl oo d o f a

r e d m an pr o bably a n itr a te o f amm o n i a ; fi n e e a rth a ,

muri a t e o f s o d a ( c o mm o n s a lt ) th e c o cks the sulphat e s o f ,

c o ppe r an d i ro n ; the e ggs go ld o r e ; the ha tche d c h ick en s

, ,

w h ic h r e quir e a st o ne p av em e n t s ulp huric a cid pro duced by

,

bur n i n g t he s e in a st o n e ve ss el c o ll e cti n g the f ume s ,

The e l e m e n ts o f n itr o m uri a tic a cid are al l he r e the s o lv en t

-
,

f o r go ld
” 1
. Mr He n dri e l e av e s h o w e v e r a n u m b e r o f de
.
, ,
“
t a ils u n ex pl a i n e d a n d h e a d m its t hat Un f o rtunate ly e ach
”
c hem i st a pp e a rs to h a v e v a ri e d the sym b o ls in us e Ce r .

ta inl y o n e w o uld h a v e t o v a ry t h em in al m o st e v e ry c a s e
to m ak e a ny s e n s e o ut o f such pr o c e dur e s a s th is o f The o ph
il us . O n the o th e r h a n d th e r e is n o th i n g v e ry surprisi n g
,

in h is pr o c e dur e t ak en lit e r a lly to o n e w h o is a c qu a i nt ed

with the be li e fs o f an ci e n t an d m e di ev al sci e n c e and m agic .

A n d c e rt a i n ly S hak e sp ea r e s li n e c o n c e r n i n g the pre ci o us

’

j e w e l in the t o a d s hea d w hic h Hen dri e qu o t e s in th is c o n

’

n ec t io n is m uc h m o r e lik e ly t o b e m e a n t lit e r a lly t h an to be

,

“ ”
th e sym b o lic j a rgo n o f th e a lc he m ist L at e r w e s ha ll he a r
.

a ga i n f r o m A l e x a n d e r N e c k a m in a p a ss a ge w h ic h ha s n o
,

c o nn e cti o n wit h alc hem y o f the b a silisk hatc he d by a t o a d

,

f r o m a n e gg l a id by a c oc k an d w e s ha ll he a r f r o m A lbe rtus
-
,

Magn us o f an e x pe ri m e n t in w h ic h a t o a d s eye w as pro ve d ’

supe ri o r in virtue to an e m e r a ld .

T he tre atis e s w h ic h w e h av e b e e n c o n sid e ri n g a pp e a r ,

a t l e a st f o r th e m o st p a r t t o a n t e d a t e th e L ati n tr a n sl a ti o n s
,

o f w o rks o f a lc h e m y f r o m the A r a bic al t ho ugh it is p o s ,

sibl e that j ust as the fi rst tran sl ati o n s o f m at hem atic a l an d

,

a str o n o m ic a l w o rks f r o m t he A r abic go b a ck t o th e t en t h

c e ntury at l e a st s o t he r e c e pti o n o f A rabic a lchem y may

,

h a v e b e gu n in a s m all w a y b e f o r e th e t w e l f th c e n tury At .

a n y r a t e w e fi n d t h at in t h e e l e v e n t h c e n tury n o t o n ly w e r e

Mic h ae l P s ellu s an d o the r Byz a n ti n e sch o la rs spr e adi n g the

d o ctri n e s o f a lche m y but a sc ho liu m to A dam o f Br em en
2
,

1
He n dr ie pp . 2
43 3-
.

”
Er ns t vo n Meye r His tor y o f Che mis tr y
, ,
19 06.
774 MA GI C AN D E XP E R I MEN TAL S CI EN CE C H AP . xxx111

of a lc hem y in an o t he r tw e l fth c en tury m anuscript It is a .

1

bri e f w o rk in f o ur cha pte rs an d its supe rstiti o us ch ar acte r

“
may be i n f e rre d f ro m its o p en i n g i n structi o n t o t ak e f o ur
h u n dr e d h en s e ggs l a id in th e m o n th o f Marc h
”
a n d its
’
,

c it ati o n o f Ar te s iu s c o n c e rn i n g divi n a ti o n by t he r e fl ecti o n

o r r e f r a cti o n o f th e su n s ra ys o r m o o n b e am s in li q uid s o r
’
-

a m irr o r . S i n c e the tr ea tis e b ears the titl e A lchamia it is ,

p r o b a bly s a f e t o a ssu m e t h a t it r e pr e s e n ts A r a bic i n flu e n c e .

B e r lin 9 5 6 , 1 2 th ce ntur y, Hic

1
t itl e s of th e l as t t hr e e c h ap te r s
in cip it a l c h am ia . Acc ip e CC C C ar e , de iiii o llis , d e c o g n it io n e ,
”
o va g a u lin e qu e g e n e ra ta s u n t e t de o b s e r vat io n e s t es t ar u m I
.

f ac ta i n m e n s e m a r t ii v
h a e n o t s e en the M S but f o ll o w
ut r e cen t io r a s in t s e m p e r e t ca l idi Ro se s d e s c r ip tio n in th e B e r l in
’

o ra . Exp l ic it al ch am ia .
”
The MS S catal ogue .
 C HA P TER XXX IV
M ARB O D, B I S H O P O F R E N N ES , 1 03 5 - 1 1 2 3

Car e er Mar bo d Re l atio n o f h is L iber lapidu m to th e p r o se

of —

P r o bl e m o f Ma rbo d s so u r ces I n fl ue n c e o f t he L ib er lapidu m

’
E vax — —

O c cul t v i tu er of g e m s — L iber lapidum m ean t s e r io u s l y— D e f a to et

g e n es i .

“
N e c du bium cuiqua m de be t f als u mque v ider i

Q uin s ua s it g e mmis divi nitus ins ita vir tus ;

I ng eus es t her bis vir tus da ta ma xima ge mmis

, .

—
M ar bo d, L iber lapidum ’
.

O F m edi eval L ati n L apid ari e s the rli e st and what als o
ea

s eem s to have been the cl a ssic o n t he subj ect o f the m arv el

o us pr o p e rti e s o f st o n e s is t he L i ber l apidu m s e u de g e mmis

by Ma rbo d bis ho p o f R enn e s who live d f ro m 1 0 3 5 t o 1 1 2 3

1
, ,

an d s o h ad v e ry lik e ly c o m pl e te d t h is w o rk b e f o r e t h e cl o s e

o f the e l e v e n t h c e n tury I n d e e d o n e m an uscript o f it s e em s .

to d a t e f r o m t h at c e n tu r y a n d t he r e a r e n u m e r o us tw e l f t h
2

c entury m anuscripts Thes e early m an uscripts b ea r his .

n am e a nd t he styl e is t he s a m e a s in h is o t h e r writi n gs .

B o r n in the c o u nty o f An j o u Ma rbo d att en d e d the c hurc h ,

I h v C W Ki g Th e
1
u d th a diti
e f dg seP i 88 e e on o e, ar s, 1 2 . . . n ,

Ma r bo d s ’
in Mign e , PL
po ems N a tu r a l His tor y A n c ie n t a n d,

vo l 1 7 1 , w h ic h a l s o co n t a in s a
. M oder n of P r ecio us S to n es a nd
,

l if e o f Ma r bo d T w o s e co n da r y . G e m s L o n d o n 186 5
, , .

a cc o un t s o f Ma r bo d a r e C Fe r r y , C L M 2 34 7 9 1 1 t h c e n tu ry , f o l s
1
. .
,

D e Mar bo di R h e d o ne ns is Ep is c opi 4 10, C ar m in a d e l a p id ib us e a d e m

-

vita et ca r m in ibus N e m an s i, , qua e Ma r b o do t r ib uun t u r s e d a l io

1 87 7 ; L V E E r n a u l t M ar b o d e ,
. . .
, o r d in e O f CU L 7 68 1 st h c e n
.
,

Ev e qu e de R enn es , S a vie e t s es
“
Ma r b o di l ib e r
‘

t u r y, f o l s 6 7 80, .
-

G uvr e s , in B u l l e t M e m de l a
”
l ap idu m Ca t a l o g u e
'

. .
,
th e
, s ay s ,
“
S o cie te A r c hé o l og iqu e du de p t T h is L at in p o e m h a s b e e n o f t e n
’ ’

d Il l e- e t- Vila in e XX , 1 - 2 6 0, p r in t e d but it d o e s n o t a p p e a r t h a t
’

Re nn e s , 18 89 S ee al s o V R o s e ,
. . v
t h e e dit o r s h a e c o l l a t e d t h is M S .

A r is to te l es De L apidibus u nd Th e o r d e r o f t h e s ec t io n s is d iff e r
Ar n o ldus S a x o , in Z e its c h f . . e n t f r o m a l l t h o s e o f w h ic h B e c k ~

d e u t s c h e s A l ter th u m XV I I I , k
m an n s p e a s in h is e d it io n ( G Ot
p 3 2 1, e t . L P an n ie r , . t in g e n , a n s w e r in g , ho we v e r,
L es l apida ir es f r an cais d u m oye n most n e a r ly to h is o wn .
 MA GI C AND EXP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CHAP .

scho o l the r e b e c am e the scho o lm ast e r h i m s el f f r o m 1 06 7

,

to 1 0 8 1 duri n g w h ich ti me h e pr o b a bly c o m p o s e d t he L i ber

,

l apidum t he n s e rve d a s a rc h d e a c o n un d e r t h r e e succ e ssiv e

,

bis ho ps an d fi na lly h i m s e l f b e c am e a bis ho p in 1 09 6 He

,
.

a tt e n d e d c h urc h c o u n cils in 1 1 0 3 a n d 1 1 0 4 an d di e d in S e
p
t em b e r 1 1 2 3 in an An gevi n m o n a st e ry w ho s e m o nks is
, , ,

s u e d a e ul o gis tic e n cyclic a l l e tt e r o n t h at o cc a si o n

-
wh il e ,

t w o a rc h d ea c o n s c e l e b r a t e d his i n t e grity l ea r n i n g an d c l o f , ,

que n ce in a d m iri n g v e rs e Mar bo d s o w n pro ducti o n s ar e

.
’

a ls o in p o etic a l f o r m I t is i n t e r e sti n g t o n o t e t ha t d e spite

.

his early d ate he w a s e ul o giz e d n o t a s a l o ne m an o f l e tte rs

“
in an u n cultur e d a ge but as the ki n g o f o r a t o rs a lt ho u gh ,

”
a t t ha t ti m e a ll G a ul r e s o u n d e d with v a ri e d studi e s .

The L i ber l apidum is a L ati n p o e m o f 7 3 4 h ex am e t e rs

de scribi n g si xty st o ne s In th e o pen i n g li n e s Ma rbo d writ e s
.

E va x , ki n g o f the A r abs is s aid to h ave written to N e r o

, ,

Who a f t e r A ugustus rul e d n ex t in th e city ?

Ho w m an y th e sp e ci e s o f st o n e s w ha t nam e s an d w hat , ,

c o l o rs ,

Fro m wha t regi o n s t hey c ame and ho w gr ea t the p o w e r ,

”
o f ea c h o n e .

Maki n g t h is w o rthy b o o k Marbo d h as d e cid e d t o

us e o f ,

c o m p o s e a bri e f e r a cc o u n t f o r h i m s e l f a n d a f e w f ri e nds

o n ly beli evi ng that he w ho p o pul a rize s m yste rie s l e ss e n s

,

the ir m aj e sty As a re sult o f t his o p en i n g li n e an d the f a ct

.

t ha t in so me m an uscripts Marbo d s o w n n am e is no t giv e n ’

,

his p o e m is s o m e ti m e s list e d in the c a t al o gu e s a s the w o r k

o f E v ax
?
T he r e is a ls o ho w ev e r ex t a n t a w o rk in L a ti n
, ,

Th e f ul l n am e o f T ibe r iu s Ricca r d 1 2 2 8 , 1 2 t h ce n tur y , f o l s

1
. .

w a s , o f c o u r s e , Tibe r iu s C l a u dius 4 54 ;
1 - I n c ip it p r o l o g u s Evac is
Ne r o C a e s a r . r e g is A r abie a d N e r o n e m T y
1'
L ibr a r y o f D u e s o f B ur k be r iu m d e l ap idibu s I n c ip it l ap i
.

g un dy 88 9 0, 12 t h ce n t ur y, Eva c is d a r iu s E va c is h ab e n s n o m in a
r e gis . B N 26 2 1 , 1 2 th an d 15 t h g em m a r um lx .

c e n t u r ie s , $6 , P o e m a t io n d e g e m B L Ha tto n 7 6 co n ta in s t w o l e t
m is c u iu s auth o r d ic itu r Eva x , t e r s o f Eva x , k
ing o f t h e A rab s ,

R e x A r ab ia e . t o T ib e r iu s C ae s a r , o n t h e ir t ue s v
Mo ntp e ll ie r 2 7 7 , Libe r l a p idu m o f s t o n e s , a c co r ding t o Co c ayn e k
p re c io so r u m E va x r ex Ar a bum . I , x c a n d l xxx i v .
778 MA G I C AN D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE c n xp .

the re ex ists a s o rt o f c o m mo n fun d o f i n fo r m ati o n an d

s t o ck o f b e li e f s c o n c e r n i n g g e m s w h ic h n a tur a lly is dr a w n

up o n an d a ppe a rs in e ve ry i n dividu al tr e atis e up o n them .

But th e n umb e r o f gem s discuss e d an d the o rd e r in wh ich

they a r e c o n sid e r e d o r cl a ssifi e d va ri e s with e ach n ew auth o r ,

a n d t h e r e is ap t t o b e a si m il a r v a ri a ti o n in th e n u m b e r o f

sta tem ents ma de c o nc e r n i n g any p a rticul a r sto n e an d the

w ay in wh ich t he s e a r e a rr a n ge d . I n fi n e a l l an ci en t an d
,

m e di e va l a cc o u n ts o f the n a tur e s an d virtu e s o f st o ne s b ea r a

g ene r a l r e s em blan c e to o n e an o the r wh ich is m o r e i m pr e ssiv e
th an is the si m il a rity b e twe en any two given acc o un ts an d ,

t e sti f y to a c o n s en sus o f o pi n i o n an d to a c o mm o n l e ar ne d
tra diti o n c o nc e r n i n g gem s w h ich is m o re sign i fi c an t than the
po ssibl e bo rr o wi n gs o f i n dividu a l autho rs f r o m o n e an o the r .

Ho w ev e r t he re s eem s to be littl e d o ubt t ha t the p o e m o f

, ‘

Marbo d is its e l f an o utstan di n g w o rk am o n g m e di ev a l ac

c o u nts o f pr e ci o us st o n e s fi rst be c aus e o f the ea rly d at e o f
,

its auth o rsh ip an d s e c o n d b e caus e o f its l ate pe rsist enc e and

,

p o pul arity wh ich is i n dic a t e d by the f o urteen e diti o n s that

,

a pp ea r e d a ft e r th e i n v enti o n o f pri n ti n g I t s c o nv en i ent

?

f o r m p e rhaps a cc o u nts to a c o n sid e r a bl e ex t e nt f o r its p o pu

l a r ity A t any r at e the m an uscripts o f it a r e n u m e r o us a nd
.
,

it wa s m uc h us e d by subs equ e nt write rs o f the tw e l f th an d

t h irt e ent h c en turi e s altho ugh cit ati o n s o f L apidar ius c ann o t
,
-

a lw ays be a ssu m e d t o r e f e r t o Ma r bo d But at l e ast the n o

.

ti o n s c o nc e r n i n g ge m s w h ic h w e fi n d in h is p o em ar e a f a i r
s ampl e o f w ha t w e s ho uld fi n d in a ny L ati n tre at men t o f
the s ame subj ec t f o r s e v e r al c en turi e s t o c o me I t is f o u n d
.

als o in a m e di e v a l Fr e n c h v e rsi o n .

It d o e s n o t m ak e m uc h di ffe re nc e wh e r e we b e gi n o r
w hat sto ne s we s el e ct f r o m Marbo d s l ist a s exam pl e s si n ce
’
,

th e s am e s o rt o f m a r v e l o us p o w e rs a r e a scrib e d to a l l o f
them I n his pr o l o gu e Mar bo d d e scribe s the o cc ul t vi r tu e s
.

o f g em s as th o se
“
who s e hidd en c a us e give s m an i f e st e f
”
fects . N o o ne s h o uld d o ubt them o r thi nk them f al se ,

p 69
1
Fe r r y . .
xxx 1v MA RB O D

i c the virtu e in gem s is divi ne ly i m pl an t e d En orm o us

S n e .

virtu e is giv en to he rbs but the gr e at e st to ge m s

,
.

A d aman t ha rd a s it is cr acks w he n he a t e d with g o at s

’
, ,

bl o o d I t co u nte r ac ts the a cti o n o f the m a gn e t I t is use d

. .

in the m a gic a rts an d m ak e s its b e a r e r i n d o m it abl e It .

driv e s o ff no ctur n al sp e ct e rs an d idl e dream s It r o uts bl ack .

v eno m heals qu arre ls and c o n te n ti o n s cure s the i n s ane and

, , ,

r ep e ls fi e rce f o e s .

All e cto ry f o u n d i n sid e c o cks sl ak e s th irst

, , Mil o o v e r .

c ame o the r athl e t e s an d ki n gs h ave w o n b attl e s by its a id

,
.

I t r e st o r e s pr o m ptly t ho s e w h o h av e be e n ba n i sh e d e n abl e s ,

o r at o rs to sp e a k wit h a fl o w o f l an gu a ge m ak e s o n e w e lc o m e,

o n e v e ry o cc a si o n an d e n d ea rs a wi f e t o h e r h usb an d
,
It .

is advis e d to c ar ry it c o n c eal e d in the m o ut h .

T he sa pph ir e n o uris he s th e b o dy an d pr e s e rv e s the li mb s

w ho l e I ts bea re r who s ho uld be m o st c h a st e c anno t be
.
, ,

ha rm ed by f ra ud o r e nvy a n d is u n m o v e d by an y t e rr o r It .

l ea ds t ho s e in bo n ds f r o m pris o n I t pl ac at e s G o d an d m ak e s
.

Him f av o r abl e to pr aye rs I t is go o d f o r p e a c e m aki n g an d

.
—

r e c on cili ati o n It is pr e fe rr e d to o th e r ge m s in h ydr o m an cy

.
,

si n ce pr o phe tic r e sp o n s e s can be o bt a i n e d by it A s f o r .

m e dici n a l q u aliti e s it c o o ls i n t e r n a l he at c he cks p e rspirati on

, , ,

p o wde re d and appli e d with m ilk it hea ls ulc e rs cl ean s e s the ,

e y e s st o ps h e a d a c h e an d cur e s dis ea s es o f t he t o n gu e
, , .

G agate s w o r n a s an am ul e t b ene fi ts dr o psy ; dilut e d

, ,

with w ate r it pr ev en ts l o o s e tee th f r o m f alli n g o ut ; f um iga

,

ti o n with it i s go o d f o r e pil e ptics an d it is tho ught t o be

ho stil e t o d emo n s ; it r em e di e s i n dige sti o n and c o n stipa ti o n
a n d o v e rc o m e s m a gic al illusi o n s ( pr a es tigia ) an d e vil i n c an

t at io n s . A ls o
‘
P er s u umigium
fi mul ier i mens tr ua r e ddi t

Et per hiben t depr ehen der e vir gin ita tem

s ole t, u t , .

P r a egnans po tes t a qua m tr idu o qu a m ers us ha be tur

Q uo vexaba tur par tum cito liber a fun dit .

G a gat e s burn s w he n w a she d wit h wa t er ; is ex ti nguis he d by

an o i n ti n g it wit h o liv e o il
 MA G I C A N D E XP ERI MEN TAL S CI EN CE CHAP .

Th e m a gn et is e spe ci ally us e d in the illusi o n s o f m agic .

T he gr e a t D e e n do r is s a id t o h av e first us e d it r e a lizi n g ,

t ha t t h e r e w as n o m o re p o t e n t f o rc e in m a gic a n d a f t e r him ,

t he f am o us witc h C irc e e m pl o y e d it A m o n g the Me d e s ex .

pe r ien ce r ev e a l e d still f urthe r virtu e s o f th e st o n e I t is .

us e d to te st a wi fe s c ha stity w h il e S he is sl ee pi n g ; if s he
’

is u n ch a st e S h e will f all o ut o f be d w he n th e gem is a ppli e d

,

t o he r h ea d A burgl a r c a n c o m m it t he f t u nm o l e st e d by
.

s pri n kli n g it o v e r h o t c o a l s a n d s o drivi n g a w a y a ll the oc

c up an t s o f t he h o us e .

I n the c a s e o f Che l o nitis Marbo d s a cc o u n t is v e ry s i m i

’

l ar to t ha t in P li n y s N a tur a l H is to ry citi n g the Magi f o r

1 ’

the p o w e r o f divi n ati o n it be st o ws w hen c a rri e d u n de r th e

t o n gu e at c e rt a i n ti m e s o f the m oo n a cc o rdi n g to who s e ,

pha s e s its p o w e r v a ri e s O f the gem s h ithe rto d e scribe d o n ly

.

in the c a s e o f a d am an t and g a gat e s w as t he re an y r e s e m

blan c e be tw e en Mar bo d a n d P li n y and t he re o nly partia l .

P li ny als o bri e fly st ate s tha t th e st o ne dia do cho s r e

s embl e s b e ryl but d o e s n o t hav e Mar bo d s st at em e n ts that it
,
’

is em pl o y e d in w a te r divi n ati o n to s ho w v a ri e d i ma ge s o f
“ ”
d em o n s n o r is the r e o the r st o ne str o n ger to e vo k e s had es
, .

But i f by ch an c e it c o me s in c o ntact wit h a c o rps e it l o se s ,

its w o n t e d f o rc e si n c e the st o n e is s acre d and abho r s d ea d

,

b o di e s ?

T he v a st p o w e rs n o t o n ly m e dici na l and ph ysic a l but

, ,

o f divi n a ti o n an d m a gic o v e r t he m i n d a n d a ff e cti o n s m ir a c

, ,

n l o us an d sup e r n a tur a l e v e n o v e r G o d a s in t he sta t em e n t

, ,

th at the s a pph ir e can be em pl o ye d t o s ecur e a m o r e f av o r

a bl e an sw e r t o pr a y e r w h ic h Mar bo d a ssign s t o ge m s wit h
,

o ut a S ign o f scrupl e o r sc e pticis m o r dis a ppr o v a l o n h is

p a rt ha v e s o S ho cke d s om e m o d e r n s t hat s ugge sti o n s h av e

,

bee n m a d e in o rd e r to e x pl a i n aw ay the acc e pt an c e o f t alis

,

ma n ic p o w e rs o f ge m s to suc h a d e gre e by a Christi a n cl e rgy

m a n wh o b e c am e a bish o p th at Ma r bo d m ust h a ve c om ,

N H XXXV I 5 6 Pli y h w whi h I h v t k

’
1
,
Th
. t n , o e s o n es c a e a en
ev er, m k s ath e t t m t ese ex mp l umb
s a e I 3 5
en s as a es ar e n er s , , ,

a b ut h l ia
o c e on d o t h l itian 18 19 3 9
n d 57 c p ctiv l y
e on s , , , an res e e .

w h ich f o l l o w s it .
7 82 MA GI C AND E XP ERI MEN TA L S CI EN CE c mu n xxxrv

t he e ighth t he y sh o uld all h ave the sam e ho r o sc o p e

day, .

T he s e ar e f am ili a r c o n t enti o n s a t l e a st a s ol d as B a r desan es

, .

Marbo d d e cl a re s f urt he r tha t the a str o l o gic al write r Fi rmi ,

“ ”
c us ,
e m pl o ys i nfi rm a rguments and t ha t his o wn ho ro
,

sc o p e t ak e n a cc o rdi n g to Fir m ic us m etho ds an d i nt e rpr e te d

,
'
’

“
l ik e wis e tu rn ed o ut to be fa ls e
, a s I pr o v e d w he n o n c e I
,

d abbl e d in th at ar t T h is is i n t e r e sti n g a s sho wi n g th at

.

G e ra rd o f Y o rk was no t the o n ly bish o p o f the e l ev enth

1

cen tu r y w h o w as acqu a i n t e d wit h the w o rk o f Julius F ir m i

cus Mate r nus and t hat e ven o pp o n ents o f a str o lo gy ar e apt

,

to hav e o n c e bee n d a bbl e rs in it Marbo d c o n clud es his

.

p o em with this n ea t tur n :

tho ught I o ugh t to write the s e li ne s br i e fly agai n st

I
gen et h li al o gy .

Neve rt he l e ss t h at I may no t s ee m t o r e p e l f at e and h o r o

,

s c o p e utt er ly ,

I a s ser t th at m y f a t e is th e Wo rd o f the supre me F athe r ,

By Who m s ho uld all th i n gs be rul e d and all men c o n f e ss ;

And I s ay t h at the c o m put ati o n o f my c o n st ell ati o n is
i nn at e in m e
A nd the libe r ty by which I can t en d whit he r I will .

T h e r e f o re i f m y will s hall be in c o n j u n cti o n with r e a s o n

,

I n the si gn o f the B a l an c e s wit h Chri s t r e ga rdi n g me ,

All t h i n gs will tur n o ut pro sp e r o usly f o r me he r e and

e v e r ywh e r e

This is t he f av o rabl e ho r o sc o p e o f al l Ch rist s f o ll o w er s

’
.

S ee abo v e ch ap te 2 9 p age 689

‘
,
r ,
.
 G E N ERAL I N DE X

N ame s o f me n o f l e ar nin g wil l be f o un d f o r t he mo s t p ar t in the

b ibl io g r ap h ical index .

Aa r o n , 3 7 9 . 464, 5 07 v
Ad e r tis in g, 186
A b ac us , 6 9 8 , 7 04 Ae e te s, 3 2 9
v
Abb r e iat io n, 1 3 5 , 5 00, 62 4 A e g ina, 86 , 3 01
Ab do m e n , dis e a s es o f , 5 7 7 A e l ia n a co n s ul , 2 62
,

Ab im e l e ch , 3 99
A b o r t io n, 6 1 , 9 4
Ab r ah am th e p at r iarch , as t r o l o gy
a n d s c ie n ce o f 3 5 0, 3 5 3 , 3 55 , 4 1 1 ,
7 0 3 m ag ic u s e o f n ame o f , 4 3 7 ,
44 9 , 7 2 6
Ab r ax a s , 3 7 1 , 3 7 9
A br o to n u m, an h er b, 49 5
A e milia n u s , 2 2 4
A e o n . 3 63 -4 . 3 7 8. 383 . 4 1 1
A e r im anc y o r A e r o m an cy, 62 9
A e s cul ap iu s , s h r ine o f , 2 8 3 , 3 2 9 ,
3 7 9 ; a n d s e e o th e r in de x
A e tites , a g e m , 2 5 7 , 3 2 9 , 3 3 0, 5 8 1,
777
A fi r o s e lin u m 7 65 ,

A bs ce s s , 9 3 A gate , 2 9 4, 7 2 1
Ab s tin en ce f r o m a n imal f o o d, 2 9 5 , A g ath o da e m o n, 1 7 3 , 2 9 2 , 3 7 9 , 5 87 ,
3 08 , 3 14 66 1 ; an d s ee o th e r in dex
A ca de my, th e , 2 68 , 2 7 0, 602 Ag l a id es , 4 3 1
Accu s atio n o f m ag ic a g a in s t, G al Ag l a o n ic e , 2 03
e n , 12 5 , 16 5 7 ; a l che mis t s , 1 94 ;
-
A g n us c as tus a n he rb, 7 5 6
,

Ap ul e iu s , 2 2 2 , 2 3 2 4 0 ; Ap o l l o n i
-
Ag n us D e i 7 3 7 ,

u s o f T ya n a , 2 4 6 ; t h e e m p e r o r Ag r ic ul t u r al m agic , 2 1 , 7 0, 7 9 -80,
J ul ian . 3 18 ; J e w s , 3 3 7 . 4 3 6- 9 ; 9 3 4.
-
2 1 6. 2 1 9 . 9 4.
2 60 4 5 . 62 6
-

Ch r is t a n d Ch r is t ian s , 3 3 7 , 3 8 3 , A g ue 5 3 6
.

39 5 , 4 5 , 4 4 , 4 3 3 . 4 3 9 , 463 ,
6 1 2 6 -
A ir , imp o r t ance o f p u r e , 142 1 5 1 ; ,

4 6 5 , 5 05 ; p a ga n s , 4 1 5 ; p h l l o s o p r e s s u r e o f , 188 ; e x p e r ime nt s
p h e r s , 4 16 ; h e r e t ic s , 4 1 5 , 42 4 ; w ith , 1 90 -2 ; a n d co n t in uity o f
O r ige n, 4 6 1 ; P r is c il l ian , 3 80- 1 , v
u n i e r s e , 2 06 s t ar in 4 7 8 ,

5 9 2 0 ; L iban iu s , 5 3 8 ; B e de ,
1 -
Al bic e r iu s , 5 18
63 5 ; G e r b e r t , 7 04 - 5 ; Co n s t an Al c h e my, Eg yp t ian , 1 2 -3 ; G r ee , k
t inu s A f r ic anu s , 7 44 , 7 5 5 ; D un 1 3 1 1 93 20 0 3 2 0 5 44 - 5 7 6 ;
4
-
. .
, .

s t an , 7 7 3 P l i n y , 8 1 , 1 9 3 ; A r a b i c a n d L at i n ,
A chill e s , gh o st o f , 2 64 ; m as ter o f , c h ap x xx iii, 3 68 , 3 9 8 , 64 9 , 66 3 -4 ,
.

59 7 669 - 7 0 69 7 1 7 57 ) 7 7 3
7

Ac o n 1te , 7 4, 17 1 A l c m ae o n , 3 2 4
.

A co r n , 7 40 A l co h o l 4 68 , 7 65
,

Ac o u s t ics , 1 8 5 Al co h o l is m 2 5 3 ,

A c ro n , 5 6 A l e x a n de r t h e G r eat, c h ap xx i , . v
A dal be r t , bis h o p o f B r e me n, 7 7 3 1 86 49 6 , 602 ; a n d s ee o th er in
,

A da m , fi r s t m a n 6 8 1 ,
de x
A da m ant , 8 1 , 2 94 , 6 3 6 ; s w o r ds o f , A l e x an de r o f Ab o n u tich u s , 2 7 7 -8
2 5 3 , 2 58 ; k
b rea abl e by go at s
’
A l e x an de r V , p o p e , 106
b l o o d. 5 6 . 8 5 . 5 1 1 . 5 88 . 7 7 9 ; by A l e x an d r ia, a s a c e nt e r o f a n
l ea d, 6 5 7 c ie nt l ear n in g , 2 7 , 3 9 , 4 8 , 105 ,
Add e r , 2 7 9 , 7 2 1 109 . 1 2 3 . 1 4 5 . 18 7 . 2 2 4 . 2 9 1 . 3 1 8 .
A do n ai. 3 6 5 , 3 67 . 4 5 1 . 5 83 . 7 2 6 3 48 . 44 9 . 5 4 1 . 5 5 2 . 7 63 ; d is s e ct io n
A d r ian a io n , 434 a t, 14 7 ; m e a s u r e s o f , 1 44 ; r e l a
v
A dul te ry, disc o er y o f , 3 64 , 644 t io n s w ith I ndia, 2 4 5 ; in the
 G ENER AL I NDEX

p s e u d 0 Cl e me ntine Ho milies , n im a l , in c ap ab l e o f mag ic , 4 ; in

4 04 . 4 08 e a r ly G r e e k
r e l ig io n, 2 3 ; h abit s ,
A l e x an d r in a, g o l de n , 7 39 in t e l lig e n ce , j eal o u sy , a n d r e m e
A l e x an dr in u s O l ymp iu s , 3 00 d ie s e m p l o ye d by. 2 6 . 5 7 . 7 3 5 . -

v
A l i e , ta e n f rom, k
5 80, 59 1 ; 2 1 7 —8 1 2 5 4 ) Ch ap X ii) 4 60 1 4 9 01 o

b ur n e d, s ee C ra b 5 7 4 , 6 2 6 ; u s e o f p a r t s o f , 1 1 , 2 0,
A ll e c to ry, a g e m , 7 7 9 8 7 1 3 3 167 7 2 2 ) 5 87 ,
9 1 )

All e go r y an d all e go r ic al inte r p re 606, 7 2 1 , 7 4 0, 7 5 5 7 66 ; l i 1ng in , v

t at io n in a l c he my 1 9 5 8 ; o f th e
, ,
-
fi r e , 2 40 ; s ac r e d, 3 1 1 ; m inute ,
B ibl e . 3 5 0 . 4 7 9 . 4 84 . 6 33 ; in z o 2 7 5 ; in a r t, 5 02 ; b re e d in g a n d
o l o gy , 3 9 6, 5 00, 5 02 ; m is c e l l an e h o r o s co p e s o f , 5 16 ; an d s ee
o u s , 5 4 5 , 62 6 ; an d s e e S y m bo l A b s t in e n c e f r o m a n im al f o o d,
i sm G o ds , L a n g ua ge , S c ul p tu r e ,
Al m ana c, 3 1 8 T r a n s f o r m at io n , a n d t h e nam e s
Al m o n d, 7 8 v
o f in di idu al an im al s
A l o a e u s , s e e E l o e us A n is e , 2 2 9
Al p h abe t in m a g ic a nd di inat io n v ,
A nn ac u s k
ing , 3 40
,

19 7 . 3 7 0. 3 80. 5 9 2 . 664 . 7 1 1 ; a n d A nnu n c iatio n , 2 63

s e e V o w el A n o ny m ity, 1 3 3 7 2 8 ,

A l h ab e t ical o r der , 166, 1 7 6, 606 , A n t . 7 1 - 2 . 7 5 . 8 1 . 9 8. 3 2 9 . 3 3 1 ; I a

p 10 d ian , 6 3 6
Alp h e us , r i e r , 102 v A nth e m ius o f T r alle s , 5 7 5
A l ta r . 80 2 39 . 2 9 5 . 3 7 8.
A nth r o p o l o gy , 3 00
A l um 7 65 ,
A n thr o p os G no s tic , 380 ,

A m a z o n s , 1 14 , 5 64 603
A mb a s s a do r s ee Em ba s sy
A mbe r 49 2 1 3 ,
A me r ican I n dian s , 16- 1 7
,
A nt ich r is t, 4 1 7
,
A nt ido te . 1 3 0. 1 5 4. 2 5 3 . 44 1. 4 9 4
,
A nt im o n y, 7 3 5
A ntio ch . 2 5 4 2 9 6 . 404 . 42 1 . 42 8 . .

A mian tus a g e m , 8 1 , 2 13 , 43 1 . 4 7 2 . 662 . 7 47

A m m o n , th e g o d 5 4 6 5 5 3 , 5 6 1 2 , ,
-
A n t ip a th y, 8 4 , 1 7 3 , 2 13 , 2 1 7 , 2 1 9 ,
A mm o n ( o r Ha mm o n ) , K ing o f ,
2 39 .
Eg yp t, 2 9 1 A n ip h o n a n inte rp re ter o f o mens ,
Ammo n ia 5 7 1 ,
t
5 s2
,

A m n a e l a n a n ge l , 1 9 5
,
Ant ip o de s 2 1 9 , 480- 1 ,

A m or a qu a e 7 64 ,
A n tis c ia 5 3 7,

A m ul et Egyp t ian 1 0 ; in P liny,

, ,
A n ubio n 4 2 0 ,

7 0 7 7 8 1 8 5 . 8 7 89 . 9 2 ; in G a
. . . .
Ap e 1 48, 2 5 6 ; an d s e e Cyno oep h
,

l e n, 1 66, 1 7 2 3 1 7 6 ; in P l uta r c h -
, , al u s
2 04 , 2 94 ; G n o s tic , 3 80 ; A r is Ap e l l e s th e p a inte r , 55
t o tl e r e p r ese n t e d a s a n a dep t in , Ap o ll o . 2 3 . 9 3 2 12 . 2 53 . 2 94 . 3 17 . .

5 63 ; p o s t c l a s s ic a l a n d e a rl y -
3 2 6 3 7 1 42 9 7 3 5
. . .

v
me die a l me dic in e 5 7 2 , 5 80 7 5 5 ; , ,
A p o l l o b e ch e s 5 8 ,

A r ab ic 65 5 6 ; an d see Lig atur e s

,
-
A p o ll o nius o f Tyana, ch ap vu i , .

a n d s u s p e n s io n s 16 5 .
2 44 . 2 88 2 9 5 . 3 9 0. 43 5 . 46 5
.

A m u se m e n t s an c ient 1 3 7 , 48 6 , ,
A p o p le x y. 5 3 6
An ae s th e t ic s 1 42 62 6 , ,
Ap o th e c a ry 84 12 9 , ,

A n a s t a s iu s P o p e 4 6 1 , ,
Ap p a r atu s m a gic al 2 8 , 1 9 0 ; an d
, ,

A n a t o m y o f G al e n 1 4 5 5 1 ; E m
, ,
-
s e e M a g ic m ate r ial s ,

p ir ie s h o s t il e t o , 1 5 7 ; o f R as is , Ap p a r it io n 66 6 8 2 04 208 2 1 5
, , , , , ,

6 68 4 3 7 8 455 49 6 5 09 10. 7 7 9 ; an d
- -
. . .

A nd r e w S t l e g e n d o f , 43 5
, .
, s ee S p i r it
A n d r o nicu s t he p r e f e c t, 5 42 ,
A p p io n 4 1 9 2 0 ; an d s ee Ap io n i n
,
-

A n e m o ne , 6 5 o th e r in de x
A ng e l s ee S p ir it
,
Ap p iu s f r ie n d o f Cice r o , 2 7 0
,

A n g it ia 3 2 9 ,
A p p lie d s c ie n c e a n c ie nt ch ap y , , , .

A ng l o S ax o n m an us c r ip ts , ch ap
-
, .
408 ; e a r ly m e die a l , c h a p x xx i i i v .

x x ix 5 9 7 , 6 1 2 3 m e dic in e , c h ap
,
-
. Aqu il a, dis c ip le o f P eter , ch ap .

xx x i v
x ii
Ang o ba ta e, 18 8 A qu il e ia, 12 4
 G EN ER AL I N D E X

by Ato m is ts , 1 7 8 ; ac c ep t e d by c ub s int o s hap e, 168 , 17 7 , 33 1 ;

S to ic s , 1 8 0 ; N e o - P l ato n is ts , 3 1 5 ;
J e ws a n d e a rly Ch r ist ian s o n ,
3 5 2 . 4 5 8 9 . 4 66. 5 1 1 . 5 1 3 . 5 34 . 63 0 ;
-
m is ce ll an e o u s , 5 60 , 62 9 , 6 7 3 , 7 05
c o n s te l l a t io n o f th e , 17 9
B e a r d, 4 1 6
B e a s t , n a me o f th e , 5 8 2
B e as t s , w ild 2 16, 2 2 9 , 5 64, 669 ,

A us p ic e s , 4 3 0, 62 9 de al e r s in 1 3 3 ,

A uth o r ity an d Au th o r itie s , att itu de B e a u ty, 3 00 4 86 ,

t o , c it a t io n by, P l iny , 4 6, 49 7 5 ; , v
B e a e r , 5 0 2 6 36 ; c as t ratio n o f ,
,

P to l e my, 107 ; G al e n, 1 1 8, 1 5 2 2 3 1 33 2 5 7 4. .

, v
8 167 ; V it r u iu s 1 86—7 ; Zo s i
,
B e d b u g 68 8 5 , 8 9 17 5
-
, , ,

m us , 1 9 8 ; b o gus , 2 1 5 ; C ice r o , B ee 7 6 8 5 2 1 9 , 6 1 5 , 6 3 6 7 2 1 ; and

, , , ,

27 0 ; S o l in u s , 3 2 7 -8 ; Hip p o l y see Ho ney

t us , 469 ; F ir m ic u s , 5 3 7 ; A et i B e e ch t r ee , 2 13
u s , 5 7 0 ; Mar c e ll u s 585 6 ; m e
,
— B ee tl e , 8 1 , 2 1 9 , 5 8 1
v
die a l f r ee do m w ith 6 1 1 ; Ma ,
B e h b it e l Haga r , 5 5 9 -

c e r , 6 14 ; I s ido r e 6 2 4 5 ; P e t r o
,
-
B e h e m o th , 3 46 -7 , 3 67
ce l l a s , 7 3 4 ; m is c e l l ane o u s , 3 2 , e k tan is , 5 5 9
2 15 . 7 7 8 el l , c hu r c h, 7 2 2
Auto m a to n, 1 88 , 19 2 , 2 3 0, 440 e l l e r o p h o n , 2 82
A xl e -g r e a s e , 9 2 B e l l s p al s y, 7 38
’

B e l t, s e e G ir dl e
v
'

B aal p r ie s t o f , 3 86
, B e m a r c h iu s , r i a l o f L ibanius , 5 38
B ab e l 4 5 3
, B e re nice , 4 63 , 5 5 8
B abyl o n an d B abyl o n ia, 1 1, 14 -2 1 , B e r yl, 7 80
3 1, 9 5 : 9 7 ; 2 2 7 ) 2 39 1 B e thl e h e m, s t ar o f , s ee Ch r is t,
2 4 7 - 8 . 2 66. 2 8 3 . 3 60- 1 . 3 7 6 . 3 83 -4 . bir th o f ; Mag i, wh o c ame to
4 14 . 5 2 7 . 5 3 7 . 6 5 2 . 66 1 . 7 44 Ch r ist chil d
B ag da d, 66 1- 2 , 66 7 , 7 44 , 7 62 B e to ny. 7 7 . 86 . 7 3 7
B a l aa m, p r o p h e t o r m ag ic ian ? 2 67 , B ibl io g r ap hy, o f P l iny, 4 6, 2 15 ;
3 5 3. 3 8 5 . 44 5 - 8 . 4 5 9 ; a n d th e I s ido r e, 62 3 ; P ete r th e Deaco n,
‘

2 -

Magi , 3 85 1 444 , 47 4, 4 7 9 9 5 19
B al a c h o r B al a , 44 7 k
B a l dn e s s , 5 3 6
B a lis , a n h e r b, 7 5
B a l s a m, 3 9 2 , 7 3 8
B ap tis m . 3 68 . 3 7 3 . 4 05 . 408 . 43 2
B a r b a r ia n s , 148, 3 7 6, 44 5 , 449 , 6 19 ,
63 8
B ar b a r o s s a, s e e F re de r ic I
B a r be r , 2 2 9
B a r c e l o n a , 699
B a r e f o o t , 59 9
B a r l e y, 88 ; w ate r , 1 43
B a r op te n/ us , a g e m , 8 1
B a r r o cus a n h e r b, 6 1 5
,
B a s ilic a a t Fa n o , 1 87
B a s ilides , t h e h e r e t ic , 3 7 2
7 4 6
B i le , 1 7 1 , 1 7 7
B ir d, 7 3 , 7 8 , 80 , 2 0 1 , 2 18 , 2 3 6, 3 2 5 ,
4 60, 5 44 ; r it e o f s t ra ngl ing, 3 0 1 ;
m ech a n ical , 1 9 2 , 2 66 ; and see
Aug u r y a n d th e names o f in di
v
idual bir d s
B ir th - c o n t r o l , 94
k B ir th - m a r , 7 13 k
B is h o p , 5 42
B is h o p w o r t , 7 2 2
B it um e n . 5 7 1 . 5 7 4 . 603
Bit um in o us t r e f o il , 17 5
k
B l a c , 68 , 1 7 5 , 5 82 , 5 9 1
B l a dde r . 5 3 6. 5 9 9 . 7 69
B l ee din g, 7 5 , 1 2 5 , 14 1 -2 , 1 62 , 1 7 7 ,
57 ; 6 6 6
7 9 6 79, 6 8 1 9 6 8 4 5 , 688 9
-

k
B a s il is . 6 7 . 7 0. 7 5 . 1 69 . 4 94. 5 7 3 . 2 2 8
7 4. 7 . 7 3 5. 7 37 8 -

603 , 62 6, 6 3 6 ; a n d c o c , 3 2 4 , 7 7 1k B l ind 5 36 . 5 90
.

B a s il iu s th e m a gic ian, 6 3 9 B l oo d, m ir ac ul o u s , 2 3 1 ; h uman,

B a s in, 5 60 u s e o f , 6 1 , 102 , 1 7 5 , 2 2 7 , 5 8 1 ,
B a t . 68 9 . 1 5 9 . 3 3 1 . 5 87
—
603 , 62 9 , 7 2 1 ; h um a n , and the
B a th , 2 8 1 , 5 8 7 , 6 7 6) 7 2 9 mo o n, 9 8 , 14 6, 39 1 ; c ir cul atio n
p u b l ic . 1 4 . 9 5 . 4 3 4 5 ; s e a. 2 3 1
0 2 -
o f , 4 09 4 3 0 ; o f , v
a r io u s a n ima l s
2 . 4 05 u s e d, 89 ; 1 3 1 9 1 5 9 1 1 6 6 9 1 7 5 :
B a ttl e p r e dic te d, 2 7 5 5 7 . 5 9 . 7 7 . 7 9 . 7 37 . 7 6 7 ;
8 0 2 2 6 -

B aye ux Ta p e s t ry, 5 02 , 67 5 a nd see A da mant, B le e di ng,

B ean, 5 9 1 He m o r r h ag e
B e ar . 7 5 . 9 2 . 2 19 . 3 67 . 4 9 0 ; l ic s k B l o t c h , 6 40
 G E N E RA L I N D E X

B o ar . 69 . 9 2 . 5 8 0. 5 99 Ca l f , 1 5 0 , 5 7 1
B o é th u s , 1 3 4 Ca l igul a e m p e r o r , 19 3 , 3 49
,

B o il 88
,
Cal ip h 607 . 6 5 3 . 67 0. 7 4 5
.

B o nes , s tuc k
in th r o at , 7 1 , 5 83 ; Ca ma l e o n 600 ; a n d s ee Ch a
,

nu mb e r in b o dy 3 7 2 ; p r e h is
,
m cleo n
t o r ic , 407 ; u s e o f 5 7 3 , 5 8 3 6 5 6
, ,
C a m e l , 39 6 63 6 ,

k
B o o , t r a de i n R o m an e mp ir e , 1 3 4 C a m p u s Ma r t in s , 42 4-5
5 ; m ag ic . 4 7 2 . 5 05 . 7 05 ; C an a l , I s th m ian 2 62 ,

l o s s o f, 7 5 2 C a n d e l ab r u m , 3 80
B o r dea ux, 5 68 C an dl e , m ag ic, 8 7 , 3 80 , 3 8 5 , 4 69
k C a n l e s tic k , s e e n b r anche d, 3 85 , v
%
B o re ll us , du e , 7 04 -

B o tany. 2 0. 65 . 1 2 9 . 3 4 3 4 63 ; an d .
67
s ee He r b Can nibal , 6 1 -2 , 5 7 3
B o x, 2 2 9 , 2 5 0 C a n ut e , in g , 3 5 1 k
v
B o y, in di in atio n an d m ag ic , 8 1 , C a r o l ing ia n, 6 1 6, 6 3 5
2 39 . 2 49 . 4 16 9 . 463 ; a n d p e o n y. C a r p e n t e r , 39 3
I73 C ar p e s iu m a d r ug , 1 3 2 ,

B r ac el e t , 8 1, 89 Car p o c r a t e s , a h e r e tic , 3 7 1
B r ah man s , 2 48 - 5 4 , 2 5 8 , 2 66 3 7 6, , Ca rt r ut, 8 1 , 88 9 1 , 7 2 1 -

4 7 . 4 . 4 . 4 5 1 . 5 5 6 . 5 64
0 1 0 12 0-
C a r th ag e , 2 2 2 , 2 69 5 5 3 , 7 44 ,

B r a in, cent e r o f n e r o u s s ys t e m , v C a r to n , 12 9
1 4 5 - 6 ; c a it ie s o f v
6 5 9 -60, 7 3 5 ; Ca r ys tu s , 2 13
k
,

fl
in am mat io n o f , 5 3 6 ; o f ar io u s v Cas , 7 67 -8
a n im a l s u s e d, s e e n a m e s o f in C a s p ia n S ea, 48 9
v
di idual an imal s C a s t o r ia, 7 3 9
B re a d 89 , 4 2 4 bl e s s in g a n d b r e a
, k Ca t 68 6 3 6
, ,

ing . 7 2 7 Cata r ac t, in eye , 1 7 5 , 7 2 9

B r e a s tp l at e o f h igh p r ie s t 49 5 ,
C a t a r r h 8 2 , 88 -9 , 1 42 , 1 7 6
,

B r e ath an d b re athin g , 1 34 , 1 4 6, C a te r p ill a r, 8 0

2 07 , 6 5 8 C a th e d r a l , 5 0 1 2 7 6 1 -
,

B r in dis i, 7 64 Ca to c hi tes a g e m , 3 3 0
.
,

B r ita in a n d B r ito n , 5 9 , 1 4 1 , 2 06-7 , Ca ul o f a n o x, 4 69

3 7 6. 4 8 9 C a ul d r o n 4 68 ,

B ro n z e , 7 64 C a ut e r izat io n , 5 36, 7 2 3
B u ddh a , 2 5 1 Ce c r o p s , 4 1 5
’
v
Bug l o s s , ip e r s , an h e r b, 7 2 2 Ce dar , 2 0
B ug l os s a an h e r b 6 1 5
, , C e lid o nius s ee S w all o w -s to n e
,

B ull . 7 9 . 86. 1 68 . 2 6 1 . 3 67 . 5 9 9 . 7 65 C e l t a nd Ce l tic , 2 4 5 , 5 67 -8 , 7 2 2 ,

6 ; t a m e d by fi g—t r ee , 7 7 , 2 13 , 3 3 2 , 7 32
62 6 C e m e t e r y, 4 34
B ul r u sh 9 2 Ce n c h r e a , 1 3 6
B ut r es tw. 7 7 . 494 Cen t au r , 603 ; a n d s ee Chir o n in
B u r ial , m a g ic, 6 9 -7 0, 80, 88 , 662 , o t he r in de x
666 ; ali e 42 1 v , Ce n t ipe de . 7 6 . 49 4 . 5 8 7
B urn e d t o death , 433 , 5 7 1 , 639 Ce r be r u s , 2 8 0
B u s ines s , 9 7 , 1 07 , 1 2 8 , 2 48 666 ; , Ce r e m o n ial , E gyp t, 10 As sy r ia,
ea r l y Ch r is t ian a tt itu de t o 4 9 4 ,
1 8 , 2 0 ; P lin y, 64 1 69 , 7 1 )
B utt e r , 1 5 4 7 2 1 -2 , 9 0 ; Ap u l e iu s , 2 3 0, 2 3 5 ; O r p h ic ,
Byz ant in e . 189 . 1 9 4- 5 . 3 2 3 . 2 95 r it e of s t r a n g lin g b ir ds ,
55 5 , 5 69 1 607 : 7 3 2 , 7 4 5 ) 30 1 ; G n o s t ic , 3 7 8 ; Ma r c e ll u s ,
5 9 0 2 ; A r a b ic , 663 ; m e die al
-
v
Cabba ge , m e d ic in e , 7 2 6 ; an d s e e He r b ,
Cabb al a 7 3 6 5
, , k
p l u c in g o f ; S p ir it , in o ca t io n v
C a es a r e a 4 04 —6
, o f ; e tc .

C a ir o , 8 Ch al c it e , 1 3 2
C al c h a s , 2 7 1 Ch a l de a n ( m o s tl y m e r e me n tio n s
C a l c u lus 5 3 6
,
o f ) , 1 6- 7 , 9 8 , 1 02 , 1 8 5 , 2 0 1 , 2 3 0 ,
Cal e n dar . 13 -4 . 3 2 7 . 34 5 . 6 7 6. 686. 2 5 3 . 2 7 2 - 4 . 2 7 9 . 28 1 . 2 8 7 .

7 12 3 1 6. 3 2 3 . 3 5 3 . 3 7 5 6 . 3 80 . -
7 88 G E N E RA L I ND EX

444 . 4 5 6. 469 . 47 6. 4 7 9 . 5 1 9 . 5 60. 64 2 , 7 1 5 ; a nd s ee Rel igio n,

6 3 2 . 7 03. T h e o l o gy
C ha l ky dr i , 3 4 7 Ch r is t m a s , 67 8
Ch a m , s e e Ha m C h r o n o l o g y , 1 3 5 , 2 09 , 62 4, 7 1 1 ;
Ch a m e l e o n , 6 2 , 1 7 5 , 5 8 1 an d s e e Ca l e n da r
Ch an ce , e x p e r ie nce , 3 6, 7 5 , 1 5 6, k
Ch u r c h f a t h e r s , B o o I I , p a s s i m , ‘

1 7 2 7 5 4 ; a n d f at e , 2 1 0
,
180 , 2 2 5 , 2 4 1 , 3 02 , 6 1 8
Ch ap l et , 2 9 5 Cica d a , 169
Ch a r ac t e r s , m agic u s e o f , 2 2 9 , 2 5 7 , Cina e dia, 5 9 0
3 4 . 3 7 . 5 . 5 7 9 . 5 9 3 . 604 .
1 1 1 2 2 -
Cin n ab a r ,
6 3 03 64 5 ; 6 5 4: 7 2 4 -3 0 1 Cinn a mo n , 1 2 9 3 0, 2 5 6
Ch a r i cl e s , 2 3 2 Cir ce . 5 09 . 62 9
Ch a r io t, 42 3 Cir c l e , m ag i c , 7 8 , 86 7 2 8 1,
Ch a r l atan, 668 -9 ; and s ee O l d 3 66, 5 9 9 ; s qua r in g t he , 7 06 ;
v
wi e s Ca r dan s c o n c e nt r ic , 7 69
’

Ch a r l e mag ne , 2 1 4 , 5 56, 67 2 , 7 64 Cir c um c is io n, 449 , 4 7 5 , 7 8 1

Ch a r o n , 2 7 7 Cir cu s , 2 9 5 , 486
Ch as t is e m e n ts , 2 04 City, f o r t u n e o f , p re dic te d, 2 7 3 ,
Cha s t ity, 7 8 , 8 1 , 8 3 , 2 04 , 2 16, 2 9 5 , 2 8 3 ; a n c ie nt, 48 9 , 5 04 ; ideal , 34 9

3 08 . 3 2 6. 5 64 . 5 8 1 . 5 88. 5 9 0. 5 9 9 . 5 0. 46 0
7 99 a n d s e e V ir g i n v
Ci il iza t io n , m agic a n d o r ig in o f ,
Ch e e s e . 142 . 3 2 5 . 5 09 5 6 ; P l iny a s s o u r ce f o r his t o ry
-

C he l ido n ia and Ch e lido n ius , s ee o f . 43

S w al l o w w o r t an d S w al l o w v
Cl a ir o yance , 64 7 and s e e Di in a v
s to n e t io n, n at u r al
C h e l o nitis a g e m 7 80 , ,
Cl a r us , 2 2 4
Che m ic a a d C
l n h e mi s t r y, 1 3 40 ,
2 —
Cl a s s ic al h e r itage , 5 5 5, 6 1 8, 63 6 ;
4 67 9 ; a n d s ee A l che m y
-
a n d s e e Middl e Ag e s

Chic k 7 6 7 5 4 7 7 1 ; A r is to tl e o n
, , , Cl as s ic s , s up e r s t itio n in , 2 1 -4
e m b r y o l o gy o f , Cl au dia , 55
k
Ch ic p ea 88 ,
Cl ay, a n im al s , 39 3 , 7 69 ; a n d see
C h il d be a r ing an d Child bir th 7 6, , P o t te ry
7 8 84 8 7 . .
17 7 . C l im at e , 1 84
2 16 2 5 3 3 2 5 49 6 . 5 8 1 .
. . k v
Cl o a , ir tue o f , 3 9 7 , 4 3 5
68 5 : 7 1 3 7 2 6 7 3 8 7 4 0 ; f o r m a
.

1 k
Cl o c , s ee T ime
t io n o f c h ild in w o m b , v
Cl o th ing , ir t u e in, 1 3 6, 2 9 5 , 3 8 2 ,
5 5 7 7 5 7 ; c hil d b o r n a f t e r e igh t
,
c h ap x vi. 4 07 . 44 1 . 5 34 . 5 98 . 666 ;
.

m o nth s die s 18 1 , , a n d se e n a me s o f v
a r io us a r
m o n s t r o us b ir th 62 7 ; an d s e e ,
t ic l e s o f
Ab o r tio n B ir th c o nt r o l ,
-
Cly s te r , 1 42
Ch im ae r a 3 67 ,
k
Co c . 1 68 . 3 4 5 . 7 66. 7 7 1 .
2 -

Chin a an d Ch ines e , 6-7 , 2 14 ; an d 7 79 ; co c -

k
c r o w, 2 80 , 4 05
s e e S e re s C0 g - w h e e l 1 9 2
,

Chiro m an cy 386 ,
Co l d, qual ity, 1 4o , dr in , k
Ch n e p h o r Chn up h is , 3 7 9 1 4 1 ; dis e a s e , 5 8 9
Ch r is m , 7 38 Co l ic . 8 7 . 169 . 5 7 9 . 5 8 2 . 5 9 0
Ch r is t 1 3 7 9 . 2 4 3 3 6 3 . 3 7 9 3 86.
. . . k
Co l o gn e , th r e e ing s o f , 446, 4 7 7
4 04 5 42 2 .
-
. 5 2 9 62 0 . . Co l o n us , 6 3 8
6 7 4 —5 7 8 2 ; acc u se d o f m a g ic s e e
, , Co l o ny, G r ee , 3 1 8 k
A cc u s at io n ; b ir th o f a n d a s t r o l ,
C o l o r , dis c u s s e d, 140, 486 ; ch ang
o gy . 8 6 8 6
3 . 4 3 . 4 5 7 . 4 4. 4 7 9 . 1 -
in g 2 16 ; in m ag iC. 9 0. 3 67 . 3 69 .
.

7 03 ; b ir th , ir gin , 4 60 ; c h i l d, v 5 9 0, 7 2 1 ; a n d s ee th e na m e s o f
c h ap x vi, 3 9 0 ; p o we r o f n a m e
. v
in di idual c o l o r s
o f. 4 66. 63 8 9 . 7 2 5 . 7 2 9
-
Co m bu s t ibl e co mp o unds ,

30 Ca n dle
Ch r is tian a n d Ch r is t ianity, B o o k C o m e dy, G r e e , 2 2 -4 k
. p a s s im ; 1 3 7 . 1 3 9 . 2 07 . 2 7 5 6 . Co m e t . 9 6 . 1 1 5 . 4 57 . 5 4 3 . 63 3 . 63 5 .
2 98 . 3 2 0. 3 2 7 . 67 3
55 4, c h ap xx i i , . v C o mm o du s e m p e r o r 12 5 1 2 9
. , ,
 7 90 GEN ER AL I ND E X

Ch r o n o l o gy, Co mp o tus , Cr e a Dise a s e , 9 8 , 1 5 0, 2 08 , 2 1 9 , 3 1 0,

t io n, E as t e r
v
Da y, o b se r ance o f , l uc y an d u n
k
l u c y. 1 4 . 2 1 . 1 06 . 3 83 . 5 1 3 . 5 82 .
5 88 , 5 9 0, 5 9 2 , 66 1, c h ap x x ix,
2 5,
4 3 0, 4 34 , 5 3 6 ; m a g ic t r a n s f e r o f ,
k 1 9 . 6 1 . 7 1 . 7 9 . 2 1 3 . 5 88-9 ; a nd
se e S p ir it, Wo m a n , a n d t he
. v
na m es o f in di idu al dis e a s e s

7 2 1 , 7 2 5 , 7 2 7 , 7 5 4 ; a n d s ee C r it Dis s c tio n , 88 , 1 34 , 146 8 , 164 , 5 8 1,

g
-

i cal ; E gyp t ian ; Mo o n , d ay o f ; 74

P l an e t a r y w e e k Dit t any, 2 18 , 4 9 5
Dea d S ea, 1 3 8 v
D i e s an d L az a r u s , 448
Dea f , 5 3 6 Di vina tio, a d is eas e , 7 5 5 ; an d s ee
D e c an s . 1 7 8 . 2 9 1 . 3 1 5 . 3 7 6. 4 5 3 150 I
De e n do r , a m ag ic ian , 7 8 0 v
Di inat io n, c h ap s ix , xx ix , 86 ,
.

D e e r . 68 7 0. 7 4 . 8 4 . 9 4. 2 07 . 2 94 .
.
1 2 7 . 1 43 . 16 5 . 1 80. 2 5 3 . 2 8 5 . 5 3 3 .

32 4. 5 3 9 40,
-
7 13 ; v
a r ie t ie s l is t e d,
Deg r e e, ac ade m ic, 6 19 ; m e dic al , 5 6 0 ; in C hi n a , 6 -
7 ; Eg yp t ,
75 1 2 1
T ig r is - Eu p h r a t e s , 17 ; I n dia,
D el ir iu m , 5 3 6 2 5 1 ; r e l at io n t o m ag ic , 5 , 14 , I 7 ,
De lp hic o r ac l e, 20 1 , 2 66 , 2 83 , 3 26 , 60 . 2 2 6 . 43 2 . 5 1 2 . 5 43 .
5 38. 5 8 2 v v
62 9 ; by di i ne re e l atio n , 2 05 ,
D e m et e r , 4 2 9 2 49 . 3 14 . 3 64. 5 33 . a n d s e e
De m ig o d, 5 4 6 P r o p h e c y ; by d e m o n s , 442 3 ,
D e m iu r g e , 2 12 , 3 8 3 5 10 , 5 46 ; na tur al, 103 ,
D e m o n s e e S p ir it
, 3 5 . 3 4. 3
0 1 1 8 -
9 . 4 1 9 . 5 18. 5 42 3 ;
D e n t is t r y, 1 2 ; a n d se e To o th by a nim a l s , 3 1 5 , 3 2 5 6, 49 0, a nd
D ep il at o r ies s ee Hair s ee A u gu r y ; by eat in g p art s o f
D e r o l dus , b i s h o p , 7 33 a n im a l s , 7 0, 2 5 7 , 3 14 by b o y s ,
D e s e r t , h e r b s in, 5 4 2 4 9 , 4 18 — 9 , 4 63 ; by e n th u s ias m ,
D e s ide r iu s , abb o t , 7 4 7 18 0 b y h e r b s , 6 6 , 7 7 , 6 14 ; b y
De s ign , ar g um e nt f r o m, 1 3 9 , 1 k
d r in in g o r inh alin g , 3 1 3 ; by
40 8. 4 90 K al en ds , 6 7 7 , 684 ; by l o t s , n u m
De 5 1r e , as a f acto r i n mag i c, 644 be rs , nam e s , 682 , 7 1 1 ,
D e uc al io n, 34 1 7 3,
1 an d s e e L o t -
c a s t ing ; by
D e vo tio , s e e Cu r se p o l is h e d s u r f a c es , 7 74 ; by
D e w , 102 s o un ds , 3 13 , 4 3 0 ; by s t o n e s , 7 0 ;
D iac as t o r ia, 7 3 9 b y s ymb o l s , 166 ; by win ds , 67 6,
D ia d o c h o s , a g e m , 7 80 6 7 8 ; an d se e A e r im a n cy, Cup ,
D ia g r a m , 3 66-7 , 67 4 D r e a m , G e o m anc y, Ha r u s p e x ,
D ial e c tic , 42 0, 439 , 536 Hy d r o m an cy, K no t , v
Li e r ,
D iana, 1 3 0 Mo o n , O m e n , Pyro man c y, S ac
D ic e 1 3 6 , 4 86
, r ifi c e , v
S ie e , S e l e n o manc y,
k
D ic , Mr , 64 . Th un de r
D ic ta mn o n, s e e Dittany D o g, ke nn e l , 69 j e al o u s , 7 5 ;
D ict atio n , an c ie n t, 4 5 , 134 p upp yh o o d, 1 5 0 ; o m e ns f r o m,
D ic t io n a ry, 5 9 9 , 62 4 231
°

p r e s c ien ce o f , 3 2 5 ; as s y m
D ic tynn a, 2 4 9 bo l , 3 67 ; de m o n s a s , 4 3 5 ; a n d
D ie 5 8 2 ; an d s e e D ic e
, m an dr a g o r a , 6 07 ; t o r n t o p iec e s
Diet . 9 8 . 1 3 7 . 14 2 . 1 5 9 . 2 82 . 4 14. by, 2 7 7 , 42 5 ; t o s to p ba r k or

4 2 9 . 5 7 7 . 5 8 7 . 6 68 684 . 7 3 5 . a tt ac k o f , 7 7 , 2 1 6 , 2 4 9 , 42 4 605
,

D i g es ti o n , 1 3 7 , 2 0 5 , 5 8 5 dis ea s e t r a n s f e r r e d t o , 88 , 5 90 - 1
,

Din o c ra te s , 1 86 u s e o f p a r t s o f , 68 , 7 0 , 89 , 9 0 ,
D io cl e t ian, e mp e r o r , 1 94 15 9 , 5 7 3 4 , 7 3 7 ; 7 5 5 ; m a d)
-

D io me de s , 3 3 0 a n d b i te o f , 68 , 8 2 , 86 , 1 3 1 , 1 6 9 ,
D io nys iu s , a n Egy p t ian, 440 1 7 8 . 2 5 9 . 2 63 - 4 . 2 84 . 3 7 3 . 39 1 .
D io ny s u s , th e g o d, 2 5 1 , 5 4 6 7 13 . 7 54
D io p t r ics , 1 08 Do g - day s . 5 7 2 . 7 2 8 . 7 5 6 . 7 65
Dip s as , a s n ak e , 1 7 2 , 28 4, 494 D o g m a t i s m 1 54 . 1 5 9 . 7 3 5
v
Dir e c t io n , o b s e r anc e o f , in m agic , Do g
9 0 -1
, 666 an d s ee Co m p as s , Do l p h in, 5 5 ,
Rig h t L e f t , Do m it ian, e mp e r o r , 2 49 -5 0, 2 5 9 -65
 G EN ERA L I ND EX 79I

Do o r , in m ag ic , 7 1 , 5 9 1 ; a f
u se d E as t e r , 5 2 1 , 67 7 ; my stery o f , 67 7
f ec t e d by m a gic , 2 2 6-7 , 3 14 , 449 ; Ebio n it es , 4 05
t r ap . 4 69 Eb o ny, 5 60
Do r ian s , 2 1 9 E c h e n e is , 2 12 ,
Do s ith e u s , 3 65 , 4 1 7 9
Ec lip s e . 6. 9 8 2 03 -4 . 333 .
v
Do e . 142 . 1 68 . 3 2 4 . 3 3 2 . 6 36. 7 40 67 3
D r a c o m tes , a g e m , 7 5 Edit io n s , e s p e cially e ar l y p r int e d,
'

D rag o n . 7 5 . 3 2 6 . 3 67 . 3 9 2 . Pliny , 5 3 ; P t o l e my,

42 9 , 5 6 1 , 603 , 7 66 ; u s e o f p a r t s G al e n , 1 1 9 ; S o l inu s , 3 2 6 ; Fir
o f, 68 , 7 0 ; c o m b at w ith e l e m ic us , 5 2 5 ; P s e u do - Call is th e n es
p h a nt. 7 4. 2 57 . 62 6 ; y ing . 3 47 fl a n d J ul iu s V a l e r iu s , 5 5 1 -2 ; L e t

Dr ag o n tes an h e r b , 6 14
,
te f
°
of A l e x a nd er , 5 5 5 ; p o s t
D r am a , an d m agic, 2 2 -3 , 3 2 4 ; l i c l as s ica l m e dic in e , 5 66 7 , 5 7 7 ;
-

t u r gical , 4 7 6 —7 H er bar iu m of Apu l e ius , 5 9 7 ;

v
Dr eam an d di inat io n f r o m , in
Egyp t , 1 3 -4 ; in c un e if o r m t e x t s ,
1 7 ; P l iny , 5 6 , 8 1 ; G a l en , 1 2 3 ,
1 5 4 , 1 5 6, 166 , 1 7 0, 1 7 7 8 0 ; P l u
E th ic u s , 60 1 ; G e op onica, 604 ;
D io s co r ide s , 606 - 1 0 ; Mac e r , 6 12
I s ido r e , 62 3 ; L at in t r an s l a tio n s
-
f r o m A r ab ic, 642 , 649 E , 65 3 , .

t ar ch 2 04 2 05 ; Ap ul e ius , 2 3 1 ;
, ,
65 7 , 66 5 , R eg im e n S a
Ap o ll o n iu s , 2 60 ; L uc ia n, 2 8 3 ; l e r n ita n u m , 7 3 6 ; C o n s tan tin u s
Ne o - P l ato nis t s , 3 14 , 5 4 5 ; P h il o , A f r ic an u s , c h ap xxx ii ; t r eatis e s
.

3 5 4 , 3 5 8 ; Pil at e s w if e , 39 5 7 60 ; Ma r b o d, 7 7 5 ,
’
on a rts,
°

O r ige n , 4 5 9 ; N ec tan e bus , 5 60 2 , -

778
A lk in di, 64 6 ; mi s ce ll an e o u s , 1 9 7 , E duc at i o n , as e xp e r i e nce d o r di s
3 2 9 4 1 2 . 4 34 . 4 3 7 . 4 5 9 4 63 . 4 8 7 .
. . c u s s e d by, G al e n, 1 18 - 2 8 ; V it

5 9 . 5 3 4.
0 6 2 6
7. 7 .1 68 0 -
1 . 7 2 0. r u viu s , 18 7 ; P l ut a r ch , 2 00- 1 ;
7 5 4 7 63 . 7 7 9
.
A p ul e iu s , 2 2 2 -4 ; L uc ian , 2 7 7 ;
D r e am - s e n de r s , 3 68 Ch r is t c h il d, 394 ; Cyp r ia n , 42 9
D r o p s y. 69 2 1 3 . 5 3 6. 7 7 9
. 31 ; Fir m ic u s , 5 2 5 ; S yne s iu s ,
D r ug s . 5 5 . 6 1 . 84. 89 . 128 . 1 3 2 . 3 7 0. 54 0 —
1 ; B e d e ,
6 3 4 5 ; R a s is , 6 67
- °

4 67 . 5 6 1 . 668 G e r be r t , 7 04 ; Co n s t ant inu s , 7 44

D r uid. 46 . 5 9 . 67 . 7 9 . 649 Du n s tan, 7 7 3 ; Ma r bo d, 7 7 5
D r u m, 2 04 3 1 3 ,
E el , 49 1
Dualis m , 3 6 1 , 409 Eg g, s h el l , 5 4 t es t o f f r e sh ne s s ,
k
D u c , 87 -8 5 5 ; m a d e by h is s o f s n a e s , 6 7 ; k
D ung , 68 , 69 , 86 1 66, 168. 5 8 8. , a d dl e d by c e r t a in m e n , 8 3 ; s o
6 5 6. 7 34 . 7 40. 7 69 c a l l e d, o f a l ch e my, 1 9 8 ; g o o s e ,
Dye, 3 2 4 , 4 67 , ch ap xxx n i . 2 7 7 ; fi ll e d w it h dy e , 4 67 ; p o r
t e n t s f r o m , 5 6 2 , 7 7 3 ; r aw , 7 2 9
E a, a go d, 1 8 E g y p t . 7 - 1 4 . 2 7 -8 . 3 0 - 1 . 1 9 3 - 5 . 1 9 8 .
Ea gl e . 8 7 . 9 0. 1 7 6. 2 1 7 . 2 57 . 3 2 5 -6. 2 06 .
2 2 8 3 0. 2 3 9 . 2 48
-
.
2 50 2 87 . .

332 . 44 1 . 49 6 . 5 7 4 63 6 .
2 89 . 3 00. 3 2 5 . 3 3 1 -4 3 60 3 7 6 . 3 7 9 .
. .

E ar , 5 36 1
39 . 4 4 1 -
6 4 3 . 43 7 8 . 44 6. 4 5 0.
.
0 -

E ara ch e. 1 69 . 5 7 9 . 7 5 5 4 5 2 . 4 5 9 . 5 9 3 . 5 2 7 . 5 3 7 5 4 3 . 5 58
.

E a r -wax, 7 2 1 , 7 69 60, 5 9 8 7 44 ; a n d s ee P l ag u e s o f
,

Ea r th , ap p ea s e d c o nj ur e d, p e r
, E gy p t ian D ay s 1 4 , ch ap x x ix , 7 2 8
, .

s o n ifi e d, a n d de ifie d, 66 7 9 86 , , El c h a s a ite s , 3 7 3
v
,

2 5 1, 2 9 5 , 5 8 3 , 5 9 8 ; ir tue o f , 8 1 , El ec tio n s , a s t r o l o g ical , 3 7 2 —3 , 3 86 ,

88 , 5 9 2 a n d s e e Car t r ut, T e r ra
, 5 17
s ig ill at a ; t h in g s n o t al l o w e d t o El e c t r um , 5 90
t o u ch th e g r o un d, 7 0, 7 9 , 8 1 , 1 7 3 , E l e m e nt s , v a r io u s th e o r ie s o f , 2 5 ,

5 8 2 , 5 88 ; s p h e r ic ity o f , 4 80 ; 13 9 . 1 5 7 . 2 1 8 2 5 4. 3 8 2 . 4 08 . 4 10.
.

m is c e ll ane o u s , 2 1 1 , 3 7 3 ; an d s ee 4 7 8 . 4 8 5 . 488 . 528 9 . 62 2 . 64 5 .

B u r ial , L an d an d Wate r , U nde r 7 2 0 ; n o t f o un d i n a p u r e s t ate,
g r o un d 14 0 . 4 8 9
k
Ear th qu a e, 9 7 , 10 1 , 2 5 0, 2 5 4, 2 64, El e p h an t, i n te l l i g e n ce o f 7 3 , 7 5 ,
,

2 7 1 . 4 3 0. 469 5 62 . 1 69 , 2 1 8 , 2 5 6, 6 3 6 ; h ab it s , 2 1 3 ,
a r th w o r m , 68 — 8 9, 1 6
7 , 5 7 3 4, 3 2 2 3 2 4 , 33 2 , 4 60 ; dis s e ct io n o f ,
9
-
, ,

5 87 . 7 2 0 14 8 ; co mp a r e d w ith fly, 4 08 ;
 G EN E R AL I N DE X

wh it e , 7 63 ; an d s e e D r ag o n f o r Eu m e c es a g e m, 8 1
,

co m b at w ith Eup h r at e s , a p h il o s o p h er , 2 4 6, 2 53 ,
E le p h ant ias is , 57 , 1 7 0, 5 7 2 2 63 ; a n d s e e T ig r is
E l e u s in ian m y s t e r ie s , 1 0 1 , 148 Eu s t ac h ia n t ube , 57 6
Elij ah . 3 86 5 5 5
. v
E ange lis ts , f o u r , 5 02 , 67 4 , 7 2 1
El ix ir , 6 7 0 ve , 3 5 0, 68 1
El o e us , 3 6 5 , 3 67 vil . p r o bl e m o f . 3 05 . 3 09 . 349 ;
E l o i, 5 83 e y e , s e e Fas c in at io n
El ym a s th e s o rce r e r , 46 1 v
E o l ut io n, do c t r ine o f , 149 , 4 9 3
E l ys ian fi e l ds , 2 07 E we h o p p l a n t , 7 2 2
Embal m ing , m ag ic in, 8 E x c o mm u n ic a t io n , 5 42
E m bas s y, o f Phil o , 34 9 ; S yn es iu s , Ex c r e m e n t , h u m an , 7 4 , 1 43 , 5 7 3 ;
5 4 1 ; L eo . 557 an d s e e D un g
Em b r yo l o gy , see Ch i c , C h i ld k Ex e r c is e , p hy s ic al , 5 87
b irt h E x o r c is m, 2 80 , 2 99 , 3 6 8,
E me r al d, 4 34 , 65 6, 7 7 2 3 86 4 3 5 . 5 3 3 4 . 682 . 7 2 2
-

E mp e r o r , R o m a n 4 7 , 5 0, 1 2 4, 1 2 9
,
Ex p e r ie n c e , E x p e r im e nt, E xp e r i
3 0. 1 3 5 . 1 7 6 186 , 1 9 4 5 2 9 ; a n d
. . m e n tal m e t h o d, a n d m a g ic , 5 7 ,
s ee n a m e s o f in di idu al e mp e v 4 3 2 . 44 7 . 469 . 5 4 0 ; in P liny.
1 -

ro r s 53 7 -
, 8 3 88 ; P t o l e m y, 106 7 :
,
-

E mp ir ic, E mpir ic a, E m p ir ic is m , G al e n , 1 1 8, 12 1 , 144 - 63 , 1 69 , 1 7 3 ,

6
5 7 . 5 5 7 . 1 7 2 . 7 35 . 7 5 4
-
1 -
1 7 5 , 1 7 9 ; V it r u iu s v ,1 8 7 ; He r o ,
E mp o us a , 3 1 0 19 0 ; G r ee k a l c h e mis t s , 19 8
°

E mp y re a n, s e e Hea e n v Pl uta r ch , 2 13 ; Ap ul e iu s , 2 3 7
En c e l a du s , 2 5 4 S im o n Ma gu s , 4 2 0 2 ; Fir m ic u s ,
-

n c y c l o p e d ia , a n c ie nt , 4 3 ; A r ab ic, 53 ; 2 p o s t -
c l a s s ic al m e dic in e ,
v
66 3 ; m e die al , 5 2 , 5 69 6
5 9 57 3 . 5 7
. 8 8 0
-
. 5 8 3 7 ; D io s c o
-

E n do r , w it ch o f , 3 8 5 , 448 , 46 4 , r ide s , 6 06 ; Ma c e r , 6 1 5 ; A r ab ic ,

4 69 7 1 . 5 06 . 5 09 1 0. 62 9 . 6 3 5
- -
644 6, 657 , 6 69 ; e a r ly m e die al v
v
Ent r a i l s , s e e I nt e s t i n e s , L i e r di v m e dic in e , 7 34 5 , 7 3 8 , 7 5 3 -4 ; a r t s
-

inat io n an d a l c h e m y, 7 62 , 7 6 5 - 7 0 ; an d
E p h es u s , 2 5 9 62 -
s e e E m p ir ic , O b s e r at io n v
Ep h o d, 44 8 Eye c o mp l a in t s an d c u r e s 5 6, 8 2 , ,

E p ic , I 6, 18 87 . 98 . 2 89 . 3 2 5 . 4 99 .
Ep ic u r e a n, 1 3 8 , 1 5 0, 2 8 3 , 408 , 44 1 4 9 6. 5 3 6. 5 86 5 89 9 0 .

E p idau r us , 3 2 9 v
7 7 9 ; e il , s e e Fa s c ina
E p il e p s y. 6 9 8 7 . 9 0. 1 7 3 . 2 3 5 . 2 3 8.
.
t io n
6
5 3 ) 5 7 8 1 1 6 14 , 7 2 3 ) 7 2 6, 7 3 0:
8 - Ey e b r o w , 1 5 1 , 1 5 9 , 1 7 5
735 . 7 54 6. 7 7 9
-
6 - Eye l as h, 9 2 , 1 5 1
Ep i t o m e . 4 9 5 . 5 5 4- 5 . 5 68 -9 . 5 94 .
603 3 . Fa cies , a s t ro l o gic al , 7 10 , 7 1 6
v
E r , is io n o f , 2 1 2 Fa ith , r e quis ite in ma g ic , 644
E r atao th , a s p ir it, 367 Fa l e r ii ia n w in e ,
E r e t r ian s, 2 60 Fa mil ia r s p ir it, s ee S p ir it
E r idu , 1 5 Fa m ily , 3 00
E r ig e r o n, a n h e r b, 89 Fa m ine , 6 03
E r ys tio n, an he rb , 59 8 Fa sc in at io n , 7 1 , 83 , 2 1 7 , 2 9 4,
E s se n e s , 4 0 5 32 4
Eth e r , 2 5 4 , 3 7 3 ; a n d se e Hea en v Fa s t in g. 7 8. 8 2 . 9 3 . 1 7 4 . 5 9 3 . 7 05
E th ic s , 6 02 Fa t . 6 7 . 9 1 . 1 3 0. 168 . 7 55
Eth io p ia an d Ethio p ic , 14 1 , 2 4 5 , Fate , 1 8 1 , 2 40, 3 06 , 3 1 0, 3 1 5 —6,
2 5 6 . 2 83 . 3 2 7 . 3 4 1 . 3 4 5 . 3 9 8 . 43 5 . 3 5 3 . 3 7 5 62 0.

4 9 8 . 5 5 4 . 5 5 8 60. 6 5 4. 65 8. 7 44 Fat e s , t h r e e , 2 1 0, 5 65
Et r u s c a n , 4 6 7 , 6 3 0 Fa u s t , F a u s tu s o r Fa us tinianus ,
,

Etym o l o gy, 6 2 5 4 04 . 4 06 . 4 1 3 . 4 1 7
E u c h a r is t, 3 69 Fe ath e r , 7 0, 2 3 6
E u c r a t e s , 2 80 - 1 Fe e , p hy s ic ian s , 67 0, 68 4 , 688 , 7 40
’

Eug e n ianu s , 1 33 Fe n n e l , 7 2 2 ; t a s t e d by s na e , 7 4, k
Euge nic s , 4 14 4 9 0. 6 2 6
7 94 G E N E R A L I ND EX
-
G e r ar d, a r chbis h o p o f Y o r , 689 , k G r a f ting , 5 5
7 S2 G r a in , 3 2 5
G er m o f disea s e , 2 1 9 G r a m m a r , 5 3 5 , 5 9 6, 6 12 , 6 2 5
v
G e r m an , in a de r s , 1 48 , 3 5 1 ; l an G r a s s h o p p e r , 49 1
g uag e, 4 9 8 , 7 2 8 ; sc h o l ar s h ip , v
G r a it at io n , 48 1
1 5 -6 . 3 0 1 . 3 5 0 68 4
. G r eec e a n d G r ee , m ag ic , 2 0 8, 5 8 ; k -

G e r m any. 4 5 . 5 5 7 s c ie n c e , 2 8 3 2 , 4 6 7 , 5 1 , 62 , 64 ;
- -

G h o s t . 2 3 3 . 2 6 3 . 2 80 . 4 5 5 . 5 4 0. 7 05 ; c ul t u r e , 2 7 4 , 2 8 3 ; a n im al s , 7 3 ;
an d s ee N ec r o m an c y ; En do r , l a n guag e , a nc ie n t , 1 5 4 , 1 86 2 2 2 ,

w it ch o f 3 , 3 7 7 , 42 0 ; l ang uag e , m e die al , v

G iant. 2 5 4 . 407 . 4 3 0 3 3 1 2 . 62 5
-

G ir dl e o r un g ir de d, 69 , 8 7 , 2 84 , k
G r ee c hur ch , 3 9 7 , 7 3 5
5 12 . SQQ G r ee k fi r e , 2 5 6 —7
G i r l , m ag i c p o we r o f , 2 16 an d s ee
.

G r iffi n, 2 5 7 , 3 2 5
V ir gin G r im o al d, a bb o t , 6 1 3
G ith r if e , an h e r b, 7 2 2 G r o in, 7 1 , 5 9 0
G l a dia t o r , 1 2 4 , 1 49 , 5 8 1 , 6 7 3 G r o un d, s ee Ea r th, U n de rg r o und
G l a s s , E gy p tian , 12 ; R o m an , 5 9 0, G r ue l , 1 4 2
v
7 62 ; m e die a l , 7 2 9 , 7 64 7 ; g e m s -
G uad a lqui ir , 2 54 v
o f , 7 8 1 ; a n d s ee S t a ine d G ul l , 1 5 9
G l auc o n , 1 43 , 16 1 G u m , 4 68
G l os s ope tm , a g e m , 9 8 G yg es . 2 57
G l u e , 7 65 G ym n o s o p h is t s , 2 47 , 2 5 1 , 2 60, 5 64
G no s t ic a n d G n o s t ic is m , ch ap x v, . Gy n e co l o gy, s e e Wo m e n, dise ase s
19 7 . 2 1 1 . 2 9 0. 2 9 8 . 3 05 . 3 60 . 3 97 . 0f

4 05 . 4 1 1 . 4 7 2 . 5 4 7 . 5 84 . 66 1 .
720 Ha de s s e e U n der wo r l d
,

G o at, 69 , 8 7 , 1 3 0, 168 , 2 1 3 , 2 1 8, Ha d ian e mp e ro r 1 3 6 2 44 ,

é
, , ,
2 00,
2 5 6. 3 2 5 . 3 67 . 4 67 .490. 5 8 1 2 .
-
31
7 9 . 7 5 5 . 7 59
2 . 7 5 9 ; an d s ee
6 - Hail , s ee W e a th e r
A d a m a n t a n d bl o o d o f Hair 69 -7 0 8 1
, , ,
1 5 1 , 1 5 9 , 17 6, 58 1 ;
G o b l et, 2 5 8 ne t , 1 7 5 , 2 13 ; to n ic , 7 38
G o d a n d g o d s , antiqu ity o f be l ie f Ha l c yo n days 2 5 5 4 9 1 , ,

in, 5 -6 , 2 03 a n im al 1 4 , 2 83 , 5 03 ;
,
Ha lic a ca bu m 7 7 ,

c e l e st ial , 14 , 1 7 , 2 5 6 , 2 8 9 , 3 09 ,
-
Ha l l u c in atio n 5 09 ,

5 3 0 ; a n d n atu r e , 4 09 ; a n d m an , Ha m s o n o f N o ah fi r s t magic ian

, , ,

2 06 , 2 08 , 2 5 4 , 2 7 4, 4 1 6 ; a n d R o 4 14
m an e mp e r o r s , 1 3 0, 5 2 9 ; an d Han d l ayin g
, on o f, 3 86 ; an d se e
a r t, 4 86 ; an d m a g ic , 8 , 2 30, L e f t , R igh t
2 3 5 -6 . 2 4 9 . 3 1 2 . 3 2 0 5 4 3 ; P l in y
.
k
Ha n d e r c hie f , 2 13, 3 86
c o n c e r nin g, 4 7 , 9 7 ; S e n e c a , 1 03 ; Ha ng m an s n o o s e 7 1 ’
,

G al e n , 1 39 , 1 5 1 , 1 67 , 1 8 0 ; Pl u Ha r e 1 5 9 1 69 2 5 3 5 80
. . . .

t a r c h , 2 10 ; G n o s t ic , 3 6 2 , 3 7 5 ; Ha r e w o r t 7 2 2 ,

Ch r is t ian attitu de t o p a ga n , 3 1 7 Ha rp m a g iC 7 7 3
. .

Firm ic u s , 5 2 7 - 3 0 ; B o e thiu s , 62 1 ; Ha r r an 66 1 2 ,
-

n a m e o f , 5 99 ; w in g e d 3 0 1 ; a n d
,
Ha r us pex 9 5 1 04 5 1 1 5 13 5 3 4
, . . . . .

s e e A p o l l o a n d o t h e r in di idu a l v 62 9
na m e s of go ds , Ch r is t, F ir s t Hath o r go ddes s e s , 14
ca u s e , T r in ity , e t c . Hat to , b is h o p o f V ich, 7 04
G o e t ia , 2 2 , 2 47 , 2 50 , 50 5 k
Haw . 7 4 . 3 14 . 33 2 , 5 6 1
G o l d. 69 . 7 8—8 1 . 2 1 5 2 57 3 0 1 . 3 2 5 .
. .
k
Haw w e e d, 7 4 , 3 3 2
5 99 . 7 3 9 . 7 5 5 ; c h ap Haze l r o d, 7 2 5 -6 7 3 0 ,

xx x n i ; a n d s ee A l c h e m y Hea d, h ab it o f in cl in in g, 65 9
G o n o r r ho e a, 5 3 6 m a gic a l s p ea ing , 66 2 , 7 05 k
G o o s e , 1 68 , 3 0 1 He a d ac he , 1 8 , 7 1 , 9 2 , 1 7 5 , 5 9 1
G o rg o n, 3 0 1 Hea r s ay, 5 8 5
G o thic a r t , 5 01 -2 , 7 6 1 He a r t, p h ys io l o gy o f , 3 0, 146 -9 ,
G o ut , 8 1, 1 42 . 2 7 7 . 2 84 . 57 1. 5 7 5 . 1 5 3 , 7 3 7 ; u s e d in m e dic ine and

5 7 9 8 1. 7 5 5 m agic . 7 0. 8 9 . 7 2 7
 GENERAL INDEX 795

He at an d Ho t , 140, 1 42 ,
1 6 1, 17 5 H ki
ero, a nd of sp ir it, 180- 1 , 309
6 19 1 ; an d se e Q ual it ie s 1 0. 4 69 . 5 4 6
He r o d th e k i n g 4 7 3 4 7 9
,

Heath e n s e e P ag an , , ,

He ath er be r ry 7 2 2 ,
He r o n 2 18 3 2 4
, ,

He av en a n d Heav e n s , o ne or Hin d 2 7 9 7 2 1
, ,

many ? 1 6 34 5 3 6 3 3 6 5 3 7 2 . . . . . Hipp o m an es 3 2 4 ,

38 2 4 59 48 7 8 7 09 ; e m p y r e an
, 7
—
) ’ Hip p o p o ta m u s 7 5 169 , ,

48 4 ; an d s ee Mus ic o f s p h e r e s , His t o r y a n d His t o r ian s , r el at io n

S ta r , U n i e r s e , Wa te r s a bo e v v to t his in v e s t ig at io n , 2 01 ; R0
t h e fi r ma m e n t m an , 1 4 , 9 4 9 6 2 0 1 , 602 ; o me n s , ,

He bdo m ad s ac r e d 1 6 3 6 5 3 80 , , , ,
a n d p o r t en t s in , 1 4 , 6 7 5 ; att i
Heb r e w 5 5 4 5 7 7 8. 7 09 . 7 1 1 . 7 4 9 ;
. .
-
t ude t o , o f Em p ir ic s , 1 5 6 ; V i
an d s ee J ew t r u v iu s , 185 ; L u c ian 2 85 -6 ; ,

He c ate 2 1 5 28 0 , ,
Cic e r o , 2 7 4 Ho r ap o ll o , 3 3 3 -4 ;
He dg e 9 1 ,
o f m e dic ine , 1 5 3 , 1 5 6, 7 3 5 ; o f

He dge h o g 32 5 5 02 7 34
-
. . . p hil o s o p hy, 1 80 ; o f a s t r o n o my,
He dg erife 7 2 2 , 5 3 7 . 7 07 ; o f al ch e m y. 1 9 5 ; a g e s
He l e n S im o n s 3 63 5
,
’
,
-
o f 3 8 3 64 8 6 7 5 , 7 09 ; a s t r o l o gi
, , ,

He l e na e mp r e s s 4 7 7
, ,
c a l int e r p r e t a t io n o i , s e e Co n
He l enu s s e e r 2 94 , , j un ctio n s , P l an et s Mag n us A n ,

Helio c e nt r ic t h e o r y 3 2 9 7 , ,
n us ; qu a n t it at i e m e t h o d a n d v
Helio t r op e a n h e r b 65 87 63 6 , , , ,
s o u r c e a n a l y s is in , 5 33 E ; m e di
-
.

He l l se e U n de r w o r l d
,
v
e al a t t it ude t o , 6 17 ; h a r le qu in s
He l l eb o r e 7 4 4 9 0 63 6 , , ,
o f. 3 59
He l l e ne and Hel l e n is m 2 0 1 2 45 ,
-
, , Ho l y G h o s t o r S p ir it, 363 -4, 3 7 2 ,
S4 I 3 9 7 . 44 7
Hel l e n is t ic , 1 6, 2 2 , 3 0-2 , 39 , 5 1, Ho ly s a l t, 7 2 2 , 7 2 7
18 3 . 1 8 9 2 88 . 2 94 .
Ho l y w af e r , 7 2 9
k
He ml o c , t h e p o iso n , 49 0 Ho ly wat e r . 4 3 4 . 7 2 1 . 7 2 4 . 7 2 7 . 7 3 5
He m o r rh ag e , 5 36 , 5 7 6 Ho n e y. 66 . 68 . 7 0. 7 6. 1 2 9 . 1 42 .
He n , o m en f r o m, 2 3 1 2 2 9 , 2 9 5 , 5 9 9 ; A tt ic an d Hy me t
Henb an e, 7 2 2 tu s, 1 32
He r a, g o dde s s , 42 9 Ho n o r at u s , 638
He r acl e s , 2 5 1 , 5 46, 5 82 Ho o p o e 3 2 4 ,

He r a cl e idae , 5 4 1 Ho r ae u s 3 6 7 ,

He r b, Egyp t ian, 1 0 ; A s sy r ian, 1 9 Ho r n 49 6 5 86

. 5 99 . 7 2 2 ; magic
.

k k
.

20 ; G r ee 23 ; C r et a n 12 9 ; , ,
d r in in g, 1 9 1 , 2 5 5
s ac re d,
7 6 , 17 8 ; A n gl o S a x o n , -
Ho r o s c o p e, 14 , 1 1 5 , 2 09 , 3 1 5 , 5 16,
7 2 2 ; P h n y’ 5 3 2 . 56 0 630 .

G al e n 1 5 4 , 167 ; P l utar ch 2 1 5 -6 ;
, ,
Ho r s e. 5 5 7 0. 86. 1 68. 5 89 . 7 2 2 .
.

Ap ul e iu s , 2 2 9 ; O r p h ic 2 9 5 -6 , , 7 3 0 7 6 7 ; an d s e e Mar e
,

4 9 30 ; G n o s t ic 3 7 1 ; N e c t a n e
2 -
, Ho r u s , 1 9 5
b u s 5 6 1 p o s t - c l a s s ic al m e d ic in e ,
, , v
Ho u r , o b s e r an c e o f , 7 1 2 , 7 14 , 7 2 6
H er ba r zu m of Ho u s e a s t r o l o gi cal , 1 14 , 3 97
’

5 83 , 59 1 ,

Apu l e iu s , 5 9 7 9 ; P s e ud o D io s - -
Ho u s eh o l d m a g ic , 9 69 ; an d s e e ,

c o r ide s , 606 ; Ma c e r , 6 1 4 - 5 ; D o o r, T h r e s h o l d, Wall , e tc .

u se d b y an im al s , 3 2 4 5 an d s e e -
, Hu man b o dy, s ymm e t r y o f , 1 84 ,

An im al s , r e me d ies e m p l o y e d b y 5 1 9 ; e ig ht p a r t s o f , 4 5 2 7 2 0 ;
k
,

c o n j u r at io n of 5 8 3 ; p l uc in g , u s e o f p a r t s o f , 6 1 , 8 1 , 1 67 , 2 2 9 ,
o f . 5 7 . 65 9 3 1 60 1 7 3 . 2 5 2 2 9 1 . . . . . 5 7 3 ; an d s ee B l o o d ; S a c r ifi ce ,
5 8 3 . 6 1 4 62 6 7 2 1 . 7 2 4 . 7 2 7 . 7 2 9
. .
h u m an ; S al i a S w e at, e tc v , .

He r b al , 5 9 6—9
He r b al ist 7 9 , 1 2 8
He r c u l e s , s e e He r acl e s
Hu m an is m , 2 0, 3 3 8
, Hu m o r s , 5 3 6, 7 38
Hy ac inth , a g e m , 4 96 65 6
v
,

He r e dity 7 5 , 2 5 3 ; an d s ee A t a is m
, Hy dr o m an cy, 2 33 . 5 05 . 6 2 9 . 7 7 9 80
He r e f r idu s , 6 3 5 Hydr o m el 7 9 ,

He r e s y, ch a p x v, 4 88 4 9 4 5 07 -8 .
, , Hy d r o p h o bia, 5 6 , 1 69 , 1 7 1 , 4 9 6,
Her m e s ias a c o m p o u n d 84 , , 5 7 4 ; a n d s e e D o g , m ad
He r m o g e n e s th e m a g ic ian , 43 5 Hyd r o s c o p e 5 42 ,
7 96 G ENERA L INDEX
Hydr o s tat ic b al an c e 7 6 1 ,
I n du s t r y, an d magic, 12 , ch ap .

Hye a 6 7 69 7 0 x xx iii
g
. . .

72 I n f a nt, e xp o s u r e o f , 147 ; a il
Hym n. 1 8. 2 3 . 3 17 -8 . 3 7 4. 43 3 . 44 1 . m e n t s , 6 9 1 69 6 1 5 , ,

64 0 I nk , in is ibl e , 467 v
Hyp atia , 5 4 1 I nn o ce nt I I I , p o p e , 7 59
Hy p e r bo r ea n, 2 8 0, 4 1 3 I n s an ity. 2 1 6. 5 3 6. 5 8 5 . 7 5 5 . 7 7 9 ;
Hyp h as is , r i e r , 2 5 6 v a n d s ee F r e nzy, L un acy , e t c .

Hyr can ian S ea, 488 I n s o m n ia, 9 0

I aldab ao th, 3 67 , 3 83
I ao , I ao t h , e t c , 3 6 7 , 3 7 9 -80, 5 8 3
. I nte r r o g at io n s , a s t r o l o g ica l , 7 1 3 -4
I a r c h a s t h e B r ah m an 2 5 1 E
I c h n e u m o n , 7 4 , 2 1 8, 5 7 5
I do l at r y. 42 1 . 4 33 . 4 5 2 . 4 7 5 . 603 ;
I n s t r u m e nt s , s c ie ntifi c , 1 07 , 7 5 1 ;
a n d s ee Mu s ic al
I n t ent , a s a f a ct o r in m a gic , 644 - 6
, . I n t es t in e s , 8 7 -8 , 1 7 5 , 409 , 4 14 , 5 9 2
v
I n e nt io n s , 44 , 1 49 , 1 8 7 - 9 , 42 6 , 604
v
I n is ibl e t o b e co m e , 7 1 , 2 5 1, 4 16,
,

a n d s ee I m ag e 5 62 6 3 8 , 640 ; w r it in g, 2 65
,

k
I h n ato n, 9 v
I n o c at io n, s ee N e c r o m an cy an d
I l l u m in a t e d m an us c r ip t s , 4 9 8 , 5 02 , S p ir it
5 4 7 . 5 9 7 . 6 7 6. 7 4 6 I r is 1 3 2
,

v
I m a g e , e n g r a e d a n d a s t r o l o g i c al , I r o n , m a gic u se o f , 66, 69 —7 1 , 8 1 ,
1 7 3 . 2 67 . 2 9 2 . 3 1 6 443 . 5 7 9 . 5 8 2 .
. 8 9 . 2 1 3 . 7 6 5 . 7 6 9 ; t a bo o o f . 7 8 .
64 5 6, 664 6 ; A p ule iu s w o o de n ,
’
- -
8 1, 9 2 6 1 4 ; o x ide o f , 1 3 0 ;
,

2 33 ; E gyp t ian m an n i in s , 8 ; k q ue n c h ing h o t , 7 1 3 , 7 5 6

s ac r ifi c ia l , 2 6 1 ; m y s t ic s e al , 3 67 , I s aac t h e p atr ia r ch, 43 7
3 7 8 , 3 8 2 ; o f w a x , 10 , 1 9 , 2 5 ,
I s hm a e l ite , 7 1 1
5 6 0 -
3 ; o t h e r m a g ic , 1 0, 1 9 , 2 3 6, I s is , g o d de s s , 1 9 5 , 2 2 3 , 2 80, 3 00,
2 80 3 1 4 344 . 44 1 . 7 6 9
. . 5 46. 5 5 9
I m ag in at io n , p o w e r o f , 6 44 , 660 I s l an d, fl
o a t i ng , 1 02
I m an do ct r ine o f th e h id de n, 3 5 6
,
I s m u c , 18 3
I m m o r t ality, s e e S o ul v
I s r a e l , t w e l e t r ib e s o f , 49 5
Im p o ten c e , 3 9 1 I s t r ia , 6 0 1 -2
I n c an t atio n , ant iqu ity o f , 6 ; E gyp I tac iu s , b is h o p , 3 8 1
t ia n , 8 , 12 - 4 ; A s s y r ia n , 1 7 9 ; i n I t a lia n R e n a is s an ce , s e e Re na is
P l iriy, 69 7 9 , 88 9 2 4 ; G al e n , ,
s an c e

166 , 1 7 3 -4 ; A p ul e iu s , 2 3 0 , 2 33 , I talia n s a n d I t a ly, 184, 5 57

2 3 9 ; o th e r c l a s s ic al a uth o r s , 2 5 , I u nx , 2 6 5 - 7
2 5 3 . 2 5 7 . 2 7 9 -8 1 . 3 1 4 ; G n o s t ic . v
I o r y, 3 0 1 , 5 99
2 9 9 , ch a p x v ; J e w is h a nd e a r l y
. I vy, 7 67 —8
Ch r is t ia n . 3 5 2 . 3 9 8 . 4 18 9 43 7 . .

44 3 44 9 5 0. 46 3 . 4 9 2 . 5 1 0. 5 1 2 ;
2
- -
.

p s e u d o -
l it e r a t u r e a n d p o s t -
cla s J ac o b th e p at r ia rch , 3 5 4 , 3 5 8, 444 ;
s ic a l m e d ic in e 5 3 7 , 5 6 0 1 , 56 8 , and E s au 3 69 . 4 7 9 . 5 14
.

8
,

5 7 3 . 57 9 3 . 5 -8 8 -
93 .
J a m br e s J a m n e s , , or J an n es , th e
A r a b i c , 6 5 4 - 5 ; e a r l y m e d i e al , v m ag ic ian , 5 9 4 3 1 , 4 6 1 ,

5 9 6, 6 2 6 9 , 6 7 5 , 69 6 ; in m e dic in e ,
-
J a me s ,
b r o th e r of Je s u s , 39 2 , 40 1 ,
c h ap . xx x i, 7 5 4 , 7 5 9 ; a l c h e m y, 4 03 . 4 0 5
7 9 7 0 ; o l d I r is h , 64 0 ; a nd s e e
6 -
J a m e s t h e G r eat S t 4 3 4 6 ,
.
,
-

W o r ds , p o w e r o f J ann e s th e m ag ic ian s e e J a mb r e s ,

I n ce n se , 7 2 2 J a r e d a n d m a gic 4 1 5
, ,

I nc e s t . 4 7 5 7 5 4 .
J as p e r 2 9 4 5 7 2
. .

I n c ubu s , 5 7 4 J a un dic e 49 2 17 5 3 6 , , ,

I n dia , c h ap . v
iii ; s c ie n ce o f , 3 1 ; J e al o u s y s ee A n im al a nd P r o
, ,

d r ugs f r o m , 84 1 3 2 ; h o m e o f ,
f e s s io n s , l e a r ne d
Ma gi 4 7 6 7 ; m a r e l s o f , 3 2 5 6
,
-
v ,
Je r e miah , l eg e n d o f , 3 9 9
oc c u l t s c ie n c e o f , J e r us al e m . 3 9 3 3 99 4 1 5 . 4 2 3 . 47 7
. .

65 2 6 , 7 10, 7 63 ; m isce l l a neo u s , J e s u s , s e e Ch r is t

5 93 . 7 44 J e w an d J e w is h , 2 19 , 43 4, 43 6, 4 65 .

I n d i g e s t i o n, 7 7 9 4 7 4 5 . 5 8 3 . 7 4 6. 7 6 2 . 7 7 3 . 7 8 1
-
 7 98 GENE RA L I NDE X

t ion. 1 7 . 2 5 . 2 49 . 2 7 2 . 3 1 3 . 3 18 . t ian, 7 - 12 ; B abyl o n ian an d A s

4 5 8 . 4 66 s y r i an, 1 5 - 9 , 3 3 ; G r eek a nd R o
L i z a r d. 68 . 9 2 . 2 3 8 . 3 2 4 . 494 . 57 4. m a n , 2 0 -8 ; P l iny, 44 , 5 8 -6 4 ; P l u
5 8 1 . 5 89 9 1 ta r ch , 2 03 ; A p ul e iu s ,
-

L o g ic, 1 5 4 - 5 , 1 5 7 -9 ; m ag ic, 1 0—1, P hil o s t ra t us , 2 47 5 0

7 2 . 2 14 Pl at o n is t s , 2 9 9 - 3 00 ; E n o ch , 34 3 ;
L og o s , d o c t r in e o f , 3 5 0 Phil o , 3 5 2 ; h e r et ic s a n d G no s
L o ig air e , ing , 64 0 k t ic s , 3 6 1 ; c h ur c h f ath e r s , 4 1 4 -2 0,
L o ll ian u s A vitu s , 2 2 3 c h ap x ix,
.
4 66 -
9 , c h ap . x x ii ;
L o l lian u s Mav o r t iu s , 5 2 5 E , 5 3 7 . N ec tan e b u s , 5 60 ; I s ido r e , 62 8
v
L o n g e ity . 14 1 . 1 7 0. 1 7 6. 2 07 . 5 3 7 3 0 ; A lk in di, 64 3 -6 ; a s an a r t o r
k
L o o ing a r oun d, 5 9 1 d i s c ip l i n e , 3 1 2 , 42 0, 443 r e l a t io n
L o o s ing b o n ds , e tc , 2 65 , 4 16, 449 , . t o s c ie n ce an d m e dic ine , 60 -64 ,
7 7 9’ 2 3 6 . 3 1 2 . 3 3 0. 4 3 2 . 5 1 1 . 5 3 4 — 5 .
L o r d s P r ay e r , 5 9 8 , 7 2 1 , 7 2 4 - 6 , 644 ; u s e o f m ate r ial s , 65 —7 0 , 44 1 ,
7 9 3 0. 7 3 6
2 -
5 0 8 ; p r o c e du r e , 68 -
7 1 , 5 06 ; f al se
Lo t -ca s t in g, 7 7 , 1 12 , 5 39 , 7 2 7 ; an d v
a n d ill u s i e , 6 1 , 4 18 , 4 2 3 - 4 , 43 1

s e e G e o m a n cy a n d S o r te s s a n c 2 , 44 0, 4 64 - 8 , 5 09 ; e il a n d c r im v
t o r u m ( o th e r in de x ) l ma l r 3 1 3 5 3 44 7 3 7 7 :
L o t ap es , a m ag ic ia n, 5 9 439 . 5 05 . 5 3 9 . 5 43 ; go o d o r n a t u
’
L o t s w if e , 5 8 3 v
r a l , 2 3 5 , 3 5 2 ; m a r e l o u s r es ul t s ,

v
L o e ch a r m s a nd p o t io n s , . 2 2, 7 6, 66 7 , 7 0- 1 , 5 06 ; r e ality o f , 5 06
- '

9 4 . 2 0 1. 2 1 5 . 2 1 7 . 2 3 6. 2 5 8 . 2 95. his to r y o f , 5 8 —9 , 4 14- 5 , 62 8 -9 ,

3 68 . 3 7 0 im m un ity f r o m , 440, 44 8 -9
L u c if e r , 63 6 Mag n e t . 8 1 . 8 5 . 2 1 3 . 469 . 5 1 1 . 58 1.
L u c iu s , h e r o of G o l d en Ass , c h ap . 6 3 6. 644 . 6 57 . 668. 7 65 . 7 8 0
vn Mag nus a n n us 2 6 , 180, 2 10, 33 3 ,
,

Lu c iu s V e r u s e m p e r o r , 1 2 4 , 3 72 . 3 84 . 4 5 6. 5 43
L uc ul l u s 9 4 2 01 , ,
Maj o r a m , 4 9 0
L u mb a go 9 0 1 7 5 , ,
M a l e fi ciu m, 2 34- 5 , 3 8 1, 5 06, 603 ,
L un a go ddes s 2 36, 4 1 7 ; a n d s e e
, ,
62 9
Hel en S im o n s ’
,
Ma m b r e s , a m agic ian, 4 6 1
L un ac y 5 3 6, 7 2 7 , 7 5 4 ; and s e e I n
,
Mo na 6 ,

s an ity Man da ean s , 3 83 -4 , 4 5 0

L n ng . 1 48 5 3 6. 7 2 7 .
Man d r ag o r a, 2 2 , 2 3 1, 2 58, 5 9 7 , 607 ,
L up in 7 2 2
,
626. 7 4 0
L ut he r an , 44 7 k
Ma n e s , a in d o f s p ir it s, 5 46
L y e hms an d L ychm tes , a g em, Mane s o r Ma n i, f o un de r o f Man
' '

2 S7 . 2 9 5 ich e is m , a n d Man ich e is m, 3 8 1

Lyc ia . 1 5 4 3 2 5 . 7 6 5 2 . 3 8 . 4 09 . 5 1 3
.
9
L y c u r g u s , 28 3 Man s i o n s o f m o o n o r s un, 69 3 ,
Lyn x , 8 1 3 2 5 , 620 , 7 13 . 7 1 5
Lyr e, 3 5 6 Ma n tik e, 2 5 9 ; an d s e e Di inatio n v
Ma nu s c r ip t s , o f P l iny, 5 1 -2 ;
Mac e do n , 2 7 8, 5 60 P to l e m y, 1 06 , 1 08 - 10 ; G al e n,
Ma ch in e , 18 2 , 1 87 ; an d s ee Me 1 34 5 ; G e n t il e da F o l ign o , 1 64 ;
-

c h amic al k
G r e e al ch e my, 1 9 4 6 ; A p ul eiu s , -

Mae r o t is l a e , 349 , k 2 4 1 ; A e lian 3 2 2 ; S o l in u s , 3 2 6

,

Ma gi in
, P l in y 6 4 7 2 , 80, 84 ; o f
-
,
8 ; He r m e s an d E n o c h , 2 9 1 , 3 40 ;
P e r s ia a n d t h e e a s t 2 2 8 2 3 5 6 , , ,
-
Ma n ich e an , 3 83 ; Ap o cr ypha
2 47 . 2 5 0 . 2 66 . 2 9 5 . 3 5 2 . 4 1 6 4 5 0. . 3 87 9 ;
-
R e c og nitio ns , 4O I E ,
.

7 63 ; wh o c a m e t o t h e Ch r is t B a s il a n d A mb r o se , 4 8 4 ; P hy s i
Ch l l dr 3 7 2 44 3 4 1 4 7 9 1 5 06;
1 -
a l ag a s , 49 8 ff ; F ir m icus , 5 3 2 ;
-
.
1

5 18 9 . 7 3 0 an d B o o kIII p a s s im
Mag i c ( o nly l e a di n g p as sag e s Map s 107 , 1 14 7 07
, ,

w h e r e m ag ic in g e n e ral is dis Ma r bl e , 7 2 9
c u s se d u n de r t h a t n a m e a r e h e r e Ma r c us A u r e l iu s, e mp er o r, 12 4 - 5 ,
in c l u de d ) p r e l imin a r y ,de fi n i 13 0 ,
1 48
t io n 4 - 6 ; p r imiti e 5 - 6 ; Eg yp
, v ,
Ma r c us the h e r et ic , 3 69 -7 0
 G EN ER A L I N D EX

Ma r cu s o f Me mp his 38 1 , Men s t r u al fl uid 82 ,3 69 , 5 7 3

,

Ma r e 8 7 32 4 3 3 2 5 1 1
. . . .
M e r c h a nt 2 14 2 4 5
, , , 7 10
Ma r in u s d u k e o f Ca mp an ia 5 5 7
, ,
Me r c u r y g o d 2 33
, , ,
2 3 6 , 63 0, an d
Ma r k e t p l ac e m a gic o f 4 3 7 44 0
-
, , ,
s ee He r m e s ; m e t a l , 7 64 , a n d
Ma r r ia g e 685 688 , ,
k v
s ee Q u ic s il e r ; p l a n e t , 3 1 8 , 3 83
Ma r s p l an et 7 8 9 7 18 4
, , , ,
M e r o e a w itc h , 2 2 6
Ma r s i 1 7 2 5 1 1
, ,
M e r o vm gian , 6 1 6, 6 7 2
Ma r t in o f T o u r s S t 3 8 1 , .
,
Me s r a im, fi r s t m a g ic ian, 4 14
Ma r ty r an d Ma r ty r d o m 42 8 43 3 , , ,
Me s s iah , 3 5 5 , 3 83
5 1 2 . 5 55 M e s s in a, 44 5 , 7 1 0
Ma r y Mag dal e n e 3 64 ,
Me t a l a n d Me tall u r gy, 44 , 102 , 19 8 ,
Ma r y V ir g in 3 9 0 7 2 4
, , , 3 4 6 , 4 6 3 , 7 6 7 ; a nd s e e A l c h e my ;
Mas s s ac r a m ent o f 1 3 7 2 2
, , ,
P l a n e t s a n d ; a n d th e n a me s o f
Math e m a t ic al m et h o d 1 07 ,
v
in d i idu a l m e t al s
Mat he m at ic s 1 5 4 5 3 5 6 , ,
-
Met a m o rp h o s is , s e e T r an s f o r m a
Ma th e ma ticus 4 64 5 1 3 5 3 2 . . . . 5 34. t io n
63 2 . 7 1 7 . 7 8 1 Me te o r , 103
Ma th es is 4 1 1 , 63 2 , 7 04 ,
Me t e o r o l o gy , 44 , 63 6
Matt e r .
1 1 1. 487 . Met h o dis m , in m e dic ine , 15 5, 7 35
5 42 . 64 3 7 63 .
Mich ae l a n an g el 3 67 44 7 4 5 2
, , , ,

Ma vo r t i u s s e e L o l l i anu s , Mic h a e l b is h o p o f T a r az o n a 65 2
, ,

Max im il ia n I I e m p e r o r 607 , ,
Mic r o c o s m 3 82 4 1 1 5 3 0 63 3 7 09
, , , , , ,

Max im u s e m p e r o r 3 8 1 , , 7 12
M e a l 3 14 ; e v e n in g 4 82
, , Midda y, s ee N o o n
Mea s l e s 668 , fl
Mid dl e A g e s , in ue n c e in , o f
Meas u r e m e nt 144 ; an d s ee In ,
P l i n y, 5 1 - 3 . 5 5 . 7 3 . 85 . 5 9 5 . 6 28 .
s t r u me n t s , T im e 63 5 ; S e n e c a, 1 00 ; P t o l e m y , 1 09 ;
Meat o Ee r e d t o ido l s , 4 5 2 G a l e n 1 6 1 , 1 80, 5 7 2 -4 ; He r o ,
,

Mecc a 3 3 7 ,
Me c h an ic al de ice s an d t o y s , 1 67 ,
42 6 ; A pp l ie d S c ie n ce ; an d s ee
B ir d, m e c h a n ic al ; Ma ch in e
1 88 ; D e p l a c itis p h il o s op h o r u m ,
v 1 80 ; A p o l l o n iu s , 2 6 7 ; S o l in u s ,
32 6 ea r l y C h r is t ian l it e r at u r e ,
3 3 8 ; E n o c h , 3 4 2 ; P hil o , 3 5 1 ;
0 -

Me de an d Me de a, 2 1 , 6 5 , 2 1 5 , 2 9 5 , A p o c r yp ha , 3 89 90 ;
-
S im o n
7 80 Ma g u s , 42 7 ; l e g e n ds o f s aint s ,
Me dic me , ch ap s i v x xv, x xx i , . .
4 3 5 ; B a s il , 4 84 ; P hys io l o g u s ,
x xx ii. 2 89 5 3 5 6 . 5 42 ; E gyp t .
.
-
4 9 7 E ; A ug u s t in e , 5 04 ; A l ex a n
.

1 0—2 ; B aby l o n ian a n d A s s y r ia n , d e r l e g e n d, c h a p x x i ; p o s t

. v
1 8 ; a n d m a g ic , 2 5 7 0 an d s e e , ,
c l a s s ica l m e d ic in e , 5 7 1 , 5 7 6 8 , -

Mag ic ; P l in y, 7 2 G r ee , 3 18 ; k 5 84 ; Et h icu s , 6 0 1 4 ; D io s c o
-

A p u l e iu s , 2 2 1 , 2 3 7 ; B r ah m a n s , r id e s , 606 - 12 ; B o e th iu s 6 18 ,

2 52 3 -
L u c ian 2 7 9 , 2 84 ; S o lin u s , ,
20 I s ido r e , 6 2 3 6 30 - 1 ; A r ab ic
,

3 2 9 ; c hu r c h f a t h e r s a n d t h e o l o l ea r n ing , 64 6, 663 , c h ap x x x , .

g ian s , 4 60 3 , 5 9 3 6 1 7 ; a n d s e e
-
7 32 ; C o n s t a n t in u s A f r ican u s ,
k
,

A n im al r e m e die s e m p l o ye d by ;
, 7 43 . 7 54 ; G r e e l e ar n in g . 7 34 ;
A s t r o l o g ical ; Co m p o u n d ; D is an d see C l a s s ic a l h e r ita g e ;
ease His t o r y ; P h a r m acy ; k v
G r e e , m e die a l ; T e x tual h is
P o is o n ; S im p l e ; e t c . t o r y ; T r a n s l at io n
Me dic in e m a n , 5 2 2 7 ,
Midn ight , 2 4 8
Me dinet Habu, 5 5 9 Mil an , 4 7 7
Me diu m , 2 9 7 , 46 7 Mil de w , 8 0
Me dull a 660 Mil e s ia n t al e s , 2 2 5
k
,

M e la s e e Tax o
, Mil , c o w s 2 2 9 , 2 9 5 ; w o man s ,
’
.
’

Me l a n ch o ly 1 3 7 , 5 3 6, 7 5 6 , 8 2 . 1 7 5 . 5 87 . 7 63 ; o th e r .
M e la n t er ia 13 2 7 2 1. 7 67
k
,

Me l o th e s ia , 7 1 2 Mil s t o n e , 2 94
-

Me m o r y 3 03 660 , ,
M il o . 7 7 9
Me m p h is , 1 9 8 , 4 3 0 Mil t , s ee S p l e e n
M e n a n d e r t h e h e r e tic , 3 68 , 42 1 Min d, 2 10 , 5 3 1 , 65 4
Me n ip p u s , 2 6 3 Mine an d Min in g , 13 2 , 142 , 344
 G EN ERA L I N D E X

Mine r al o gy 606 ,
Mo s es , see in dex o th e r

Min e r v a 7 9 ,
Mo th e r , go d
d e s s o r G r e at, 2 16, 3 60
Min o tau r 603 63 6 , ,
Mo u s e .
2 3 . 80 1 66 17 5. 2 13 . 3 2 5 .
. .

Min t w il d 5 7
, , 4 9 1 . 5 8 7 . 7 3 7 ; fi e ld 9 8 . 2 79 ;
Mir acl e 8 3 2 7 , , 686 ; dis s hr ew 7 6 , 86 , 88
v
,

t in g uis h e d f r o m m a g ic , 2 42 , 2 6 5 , Mo u n t a in , m a r el o u s , 3 46-7 ; m ag
8
3 7 4 7 , 4 3 7 9 , 46 5 7 5 05 ; by
1 — n e t ic , 7 5 6 ; a Ee ct e d by m ag ic ,
h e r e t i c s , 5 07 - 8 2 26 ,4 16
Mir r o r , 1 80, 2 3 6, 4 1 7 , 4 68, 644 ; Mule . 88 . 5 89 . 7 36
v
a n d s ee D i in a t io n by p o l is h e d Mu l le in, 4 9 0
s u r f a c e s , O p t ics Mu s c l e , 14 5 , 15 0, 5 80
Mis s al , 7 5 9 Mu s e s 3 7 1,

Mis y, 1 3 2 Mu s h r o o m ,
2 19
Mis t le to e , 2 3 , 7 9 Mu s ic 3 1 9 . 3 2 5 . 5 34 . 6 1 9 . 7 44 ; an d
.

M ith r a , 3 68 , 42 9 m a g ic , 6 ; an d m e dic in e , 12 4 ; an d
Mith r o b a r za n e s , a m ag ician, 2 8 1 a r c hit e c tu r e , 1 8 5 o f th e s p h e r e s ,
“
Mo de r n , 7 17
”
2 6. 1 84 . 193. 3 7 1 . 4 87 . 5 44 . 62 2
Mo h a mm e d an d Mo h a mm e da n , Mut to n f at 7 2 2 -
,

13 9 . 33 7 . 3 5 6. 44 5 . Ch a p x x iii. . v M y c e n a e a n a r t 30 1 ,

688 My r io g e ne s is 5 3 7 ,

M016 , 6 3 ) 6 7 , 7 0) 80 I ’ 88 , 409 : Myr me cia a ge m 166

‘
'

, ,

494 . 5 87 My r r h 58 6 7 65. .

Mo na s t e r y, Mo n a s t i c i s m , and My s ia 2 1 6 ,

k
Mo n ; 505 , 67 9 My s t e r ie s 1 39 2 16 2 2 1
, , , , 2 2 3 , 2 43 ,
k
Mo n ey 14 8 , 3 1 7 . 3 60 1 . 368 . 3 7 7 . 42 8
2 4 5 . 2 48.
Mo n re al e 42 7 9 ; an d s e e E le u s is , Mith r a
Mo n st e r , 62 7 My s t ic is m, 2 1 1 , 2 54 - 5 , 67 7 , 7 63
Mo nt, te m p l e o f , 5 5 9 Myth o l o gy, a n d m a gic , 8 , 2 1 ; an d
Mo n tas ter , a n h e rb, 5 9 8 a s t r o l o gy, 1 6, 2 82 - 3 ; misc e l
Mo nte Ca s s in o , 5 9 7 , 6 1 0 , 7 43 E . l a n eo u s , 2 1 1 , 2 1 5 , 2 8 2 , 2 9 4, 3 2 7 ,
Mo n th , s p e c ifi e d 5 8 5 , 588 , , 4 07 . 4 1 5 6 . 5 4 5 6. 62 0
-

6 8 5 9 . 7 2 8 . 7 3 7 . 7 7 4 ; an d s e e
-

Mo o n o b s e r anc e o f
, v N a il , m eta l, 7 8, 8 1 , 8 7 , 9 0, 2 8 0, 5 8 1 ,
Mo ntp e l l ie r , 109 , 7 4 1 72 2
Mo num e n t , 5 65 N ai1 p a r ing s , to e a n d fi nge r , 7 1 ,
Mo o n, a dd r e s s e d, 7 2 7 ; a Ee c te d by 581
ma gic, 2 03 , 2 2 5 , 2 80 , 3 08, 4 68, N a me s s e e o f Ch ri s t an d G o d,
,

4 9 2 ; co nt r o l s ge n e r a t io n a n d a n d W o r ds p o w e r o f ,

co r r up t io n , 2 1 0, 2 1 9 , 3 5 4 , 63 3 , N ann ac u s s e e A nn aeu s ,

7 08 ; day o f th e, 7 9 , 5 7 2 , c h ap . N a r d 1 69
,

xx ix ; du r at io n o f , 1 8 0, 7 02 ; v
N a t i it ie s 2 5 9 5 104 1 15 , 18 5 ,
, , , ,

a n d Ea s t e r , 5 2 1 o b s e r an ce o f , v 4 7 1 . 5 5 9 60
-
7 12 .

6 9 - 7 1 , 7 8 , 8 o, 9 o N atu r e P l i ny o n 42 , 46 7 ; S e n
, ,
-

2 83 . 3 3 3 . 3 64 5 39 . 5 80. . eca , 10 1 ; G al e n 1 5 0- 1 ; as a ,

8
5 , 59
2 0 2 , 5 9 9 , c h ap x x i x ,
-
8 -
. t ea c h e r , 1 5 5 ; P l ut a r ch , 2 10 ; in
7 2 0, 7 2 4 , 7 2 9 , r e l a t io n c o n t r a s t t o f a t e, 3 7 5
t o o t h e r p l a n e t s a n d t o th e Nec k ,s t iE 7 3 7 ,

s i gn s , 1 7 9 2 1 1 ; sp o ts o n, 3 5 4 ;
, N e c r o m a n cy, 2 1, 1 9 7 , 2 2 8, 2 3 3 , 2 64,
s iz e o f , 4 88 ; a n d s ee B l e e ding , 2 7 0 2 8 0 3 00 . 4 1 9 466 5 39 6 2 9 .
. . . . .

L una , S e l e ne , Tide 7 0 5 ; a s p r o o f o f im m o r t ality ,

Mo o n- e a r th, 7 65 4 16 ; r e l at io n t o s c ie nc e , 7 44
Mo o n—go d, 3 82 N e c tab is 4 63 ,

Mo o n - s t o n e , 2 50 N e c tan e b o o r N e ct an ebu s , ch ap .

Mo o n - t re e , 5 64 xx i v 3 9 1 . 4 63 5 1 6 7 04
. . .

Mo r al iz ing , N e e dl e c o p p e r
, e ye o f , 3 9 6 ,

Mo r t ar , p o un d e d in a, N e k t a n e b e s , N e k ht Ha r e b be t,
Mo r tu a ry mag ic , 8 -9 Ne k h t e n e b o f , 5 5 8 9 ; a nd s ee
- -

Mo s aic . 3 67 . 4 2 7 . 7 64 N e c ta ne bu s
Mo saic l aw, s ee L aw N eo L a tin 7 3 2 , 7 5 7
-
,
 GEN E R AL I N D E X

O X . 4 68 . 7 2 2 . 7 5 5 P e te r th e ap o s tl e , 2 3 1, ch ap x vu ,
O x f o r d, 642 5 05
O x yg e n, 143 P e tr o s e lin o n , 1 3 2
O y s t e r , 2 18 Ph ae th o n , 2 8 3
P h a l a n g i u m, an in se ct, 86
’

P adua , 164 P h al l ic r itu al , 3 08

P ae a nites a g e m , 3 2 9
, P h a n t a s m a n d P h an t o m , s e e A p
P ag an is m . 2 03 . 2 94 . 3 17 . 3 2 7 . 5 12 . p a r it io n , G h o s t
c h a p x x i , 66 1 2
. v -
P h an ue l , a n a ng e l , 3 42
P a in t in g, 1 7 7 , 1 87 , 7 64 P h a r a o h s d r e a m , 3 5 8 ; m ag ic ian s ,
’

P a l at in e hil l , 12 5 , 1 3 4 3 7 9 . 3 8 5 . 4 1 7 . 4 3 8 . 446 . 4 64 . 4 7 0.
P al e r m o , 4 2 7 5 06 8 , 62 9
-

P a l e s t in e , 1 3 2 , 2 80, 4 3 8 Ph ar m a c y a n d P h a r m a c o l o gy, 1 0,
P al im p s e s t , 5 5 3 3 4 3 . 4 1 3 . 4 34 .
P alm , 62 2 3 0, 3 3 3 , 6 3 6
, 6 10 . 7 3 4 5 -

P a mp h il e , a w it c h , 2 2 9 E . Ph id ia s , 2 4 , 4 07
P a m p h yl ia , 1 3 2 P h il a e , 5 5 9
P a n , t he g o d, 2 5 1 , 5 46 P h il ip o f Mace do n, 33 1 , 5 6O E .

P an ac e a, 1 7 2 P h il o c t e t e s , 2 94
P a n c r at e s , a m a gic ian , 2 80- 1 Ph il o l o gy. 5 3 5 . 5 4 5
P h i l o so p he r s s to n e , 5 2 , 19 7 , 3 9 8
’
P a n tar be, 2 5 2 ,

P a nth e r , 7 4, 2 5 6 7 6 3 ; a n d s e e A l c h e my
P ap acy, 7 05 ; s e e S ix tu s I V f o r k
Phil o s o p h y, G r e e , 2 1 ; a n d a l
p a t r o n ag e o f l e a r n in g by c h e my, 1 3 , 1 9 9 ; an d m a gi c , 2 4 ,
P ap y r i. 1 2 . 14 . 2 2 . 2 7 -8 . 1 9 3 . 1 9 6. 2 46 an d
686 a s t r o l o gy , 6 7 4 ; a n d bu s in e s s , 9 7 ;

P a r a di s e , 3 67 , 4 7 0, 488 S e n e ca, 1 03 ; G al e n an d p s e u do
P a r aly s is , 7 39 ; o f the f a c e , 7 38 ; G al e n. 1 2 3 -4 . 12 7 . 1 33 . 1 3 9 . 1 46 .
to ng u e, 7 5 5 1 49 —5 0, 1 7 6 , 180 ; V it r u iu s , 1 8 5 v
P a r ch m e nt, 5 89 , 7 2 9 , 7 64 6 ; o th e r m e n t io n s o f , 2 2 0, 2 2 3 ,
P a r d, 7 4 , 1 68 2 7 9 . 3 60. 4 1 6. 4 66 . 4 7 1 . 4 8 1 . 4 8 5 .
P a r is , 642 4 9 3 , 5 3 6 , 6 2 0, 7 07 ; an d s ee n a m e s
P a r r o t, 5 7 5 v
o f in di idu a l s ( l a r g e l y in o th e r

P a r thian s , 3 7 3 , 3 7 6 in de x ) a n d s c h o o l s .

P a r t r idg e , 1 68, 3 2 4, 5 7 4 Phl e b o t o m y, s e e B l e e din g

P as to r a l m a g ic , 7 0 P h o e bu s , 6 2 0 ; an d s e e A p o l l o
’
P a te r n o s ter , s ee L o r d s P r ay er P h o e n ic ia , 4 3 8
P ath o l o gy, 5 7 6 P h o e n ix . 2 07 2 5 7 . 3 3 2 -3 . 3 47 . 4 60
.

P aul t h e ap o s tl e , 4 05 , 4 1 3 , 42 4 , 44 9 , Ph r a o t e s , 2 5 8
5 05 ; p o t io n o f , 7 39 Ph r ygia an d P h ry gian, 206, 4 30,
k
P e ac o c , 5 7 4 , 6 36 59 7 . 63 0
P e bbl e , 5 9 1 P h yl a c te r y, 5 1 3
P e lican , 3 2 4 P hys ica 5 12 , 5 7 9 -80
,

P ell a, 2 7 8 P hy s ics , 6 44
P e n al ty. 2 9 3 . Pl io gn o my, 2 6, 1 7 6, 17 9 , 460,
P e na n c e , 5 1 3 ég
P e n da nt, 3 0 1 P hy s io l o gy. 6
39 5 . 57 6 0-

P eo ny. 7 8 1 7 3 . 6 14 . 7 4 0. 7 5 6
.
P g . 7 6. 8 5 . 1 68 . 2 19 . 3 9 3 . 5 87 . 7 2 7 .
P e pp e r . 1 69 . 1 7 6. 2 5 6. 5 86 . 63 7 7 2 9 , 7 64 , 7 66 ; an d s ee S wi ne
P e r g a m u m , 1 2 2 , 1 2 4 , 1 3 0 , 1 3 6 , 1 49 , P ill 7 39
.
’
17 1 , 2 36 Pil l o w , b e n ea th o n e s , 9 0
P er is te r e os an h e r b, 7 7
,
Pin e - t r e e, 49 0, 49 3
P e r s e c utio n , f e a r o f , 1 9 4 P ip e r , 2 1 7
P e r s ia a n d P e r s ian , 5 8 , 66 , 37 6, P ir r o n iu s , a m ag i c i an, 604
41 1 . 4 7 5 . 4 7 9 .
5 03 . 5 5 3 . 5 5 8 . 7 44 . P is t o n , 1 9 2
5
7 52 v
Pl ac e , o b s e r e d in m a gi c, 6 4 5
P e r s o n ifi c at io n, 1 9 8 , 343 P l ag ia r is m . 1 86 . 4 8 3 . 649 . 7 42 . 7 46-7
v
P e r s p e c t i e , s ee O p t ic s P l ag u e , G a l e n a n d , 1 2 4 , 1 4 2 , 1 7 1 ;
P e r u, 7 , 1 7 of 1 348 A D , 1 64 ; A p o ll o n iu s
. .
 G ENERA L I N D EX
'
a n d, 2 5 9 , 3 9 1 ; o f 5 42 A D . 5 7 5 ; P re s e ntatio n , l itera ry and s c ie n
o f E gy p t . 3 2 5 . 3 5 7 . 49 1 . 5 2 2 . 68 5 . t ifi c , 5 7 0. 59 5 . 62 5
68 7 , 6 96 ; m is ce ll an e o u s , 4 10 , 43 2 , P r e ste r , J oh n, 4 7 7
5 3 8 9 6 00
- P r ie s t . 9 . 1 3 . 1 5 . 2 1 . 7 9 . 8 5 . 1 3 1 .
k
.

Pl an e ta r y we e 1 6 5 13 , 63 3 , ,
1 9 7 . 3 00. 3 86. 5 33 . 7 5 4 . 7 63 .

Pl a ne t s , w h e n dis t in g uis he d ? 1 3 4 ,
1 6 ; p r o p e r t ie s o f , 9 7 , 1 1 3 4 3 46 , ,
P r is c ill ian is t s , 4 7 8 , 5 19
3 8 3 5 2 6 , 5 2 9 , 66 2 , 7 1 1 ; in G n o s
,
v
P r i a t e p a r t s 3 43 , 5 3 6 ,

t ic is m 3 6 1 ; in a r t 3 7 9 ; a n d th e
, ,
P r o ch a r u s , 3 9 7
m e t al s , 3 4 7 . 3 68 7 09 7 63 . 7 67 ; . .
P r o c o n s ,ul , 2 3 5 , 5 2 7
an d h e r b s , 2 9 1 ; p o s it io n a t c r e a P r o f e s s io n s , le ar n e d, 5 , 12 5 -6, 1 86
t io n 7 1 1 , 7 1 3 an d f o r m a t io n o f
, 7 . 7 44
f o e tu s s e e Chil d bir th
,
-
P r o g no s t ic at io n, m e di c al , 1 64
Pl at e , m e t al 2 2 9 , 3 86 , 5 7 2 5 8 2
, ,
P r o p h ec y a n d P r o p h e t, 2 5 , 7 7 , 20 5 ,
P l ato n is m , 2 2 1 , 2 43 , 4 5 6 ; f o r Pl a t o 2 3 0. 3 5 2 . 3 7 0. 4 39 . 44 7 . 4 5 9 . 46 5 .
s ee o th e r in de x 4 7 6 4 7 9 . 5 34
.

P l e ia de s , 1 7 9 3 5 5 , 63 6 ,
P r o t e u s 2 63
,

P l e u r is y, 7 3 8 P s y c h o l o gy . 7 5 . 1 44 5 . 6 57 6 0 -

P l o ugh , 80 —
k
P t a h S e e r —A u s a r , 2 3 3
P n e u m at ic s , 1 88 P to l e m a is , 5 4 1
P o e t r y. 6 . 9 5 5 1 1 . 5 3 5 .
P t o l e m y, k
ing o f E gyp t, 1 3 5
P o is o n an d P o is o n ing r e l at io n t o ,
P ul s e , 144 - 5 , 4 3 0, 65 8
m ag ic , 2 5 , 6 1, 44 1 ; t o m e dic in e , P u m p , 18 7 , 1 9 2
56 ; v
eno mo u s h u m an b e ing s , P u n ic , 5 9 7
3 2 4 ; s a f e gu ar d s ag a in s t 67 , 7 0 1 , ,
-
P up p y, s ee Do g
3 8 6 6 1 4 , an d s e e A n t ido t e ; mis
,
P u r g ing , 66 7 ; t h e l un gs , 143
c e l l ane o u s , 8 1 , 86 7 , 2 3 1 - 2 , 39 7 ,-
P u r ifi cat io n , 62 , 2 04 , 2 3 2 , 44 1 , 5 3 1,
4 1 7 . 4 60. 5 3 5 . 5 6 5 . 5 7 2 . 5 7 4 . 5 gg
7 2 1. 7 3 3 P u r p l e . 1 7 3 . 1 9 7 8 . 5 9 0 1 . 604 -

P o l a r s t a r , 3 84 P u s h b a ll , 4 8 7
-

P o l io n a n h e r b , 7 7
,
P yl a de s , 144 - 5
P o l it ic s , 3 5 8, 666 P yr e th r u m , an h e r b, 6 14
P o m p h o l yx , 1 3 2 P yr ig o n i 3 2 4
,

P o n t ia n u s , 2 2 3 -4 P y r ite s , 5 7 1 , 7 68
P o n t iE, 1 2 4 , 149 P y r o m an c y, 2 60, 62 9
P o n t us , d r u g s f r o m , 8 7 , 1 3 2 P y r r h us , 8 3
P o p l ar , 9 0 P y t h o , 62 9
P o p p y, be a r ing s t o ne s , 2 16 P yt h a g o r ean , 2 6, 3 2 , 5 0, 5 8, 6 1 , 6 3 ,
P o p u l at io n, 1 3 6 65 6. 1 7 9 . 1 84 . 2 43 . 2 5 8 . 2 6 0. 2 80.
-

k
P o r , 1 42 3 7 0. 4 5 6. 5 44
P o t h e r b s , 606
-

P o tte r an d P o tte ry, 3 84, 4 3 3 , Q ua il 49 0

.

5 88 -
9 Q u a d r iv iu m 63 2 ,

P r a es tig m m , 63 0, 665 Q ua l itie s t h e f o u r

, , 1 14 , 1 3 9 —4 0,
P r ae to r , 5 3 8 1 5 4 . 1 5 7 . 2 18 . 48 5 . 7 5 1 . 7 5 5 ; an d
P r aye r , 104 , 2 1 9 , 2 33 , 3 82 , s ee C o l d, Heat
3 98 . 4 2 6 5 3 1.
0 -
v
Q u a r t a n f e e r 2 69 5 7 9 8 1 , 7 36
, ,
—

7 2 8 ; p r o cu r i n g Q u at e r n it ie s , di in e , 67 4 v
a n s w e r t o . 7 0 2 9 4 . 5 9 3 7 7 9 ; by . Q u i ck -
l im e , 43 4, 5 7 1
o t h e r s t h a n m a n , 4 5 7 ; t o o th e r s Q u in s y. 7 7 . 89
t h a n G o d 2 60 2 64 3 03 5 2 6 5 9 8
, , , , , Q u i n tu s C i c e r o , 2 69 E .

9 , 66 1 ; o f S t J o h n 7 2 1 a n d s e e
°

.
,

L o r d s P r aye r , I n c an tat i o n
’
R abb i. 3 5 5 44 5 . 4 7 0
.

P r e de s t in at io n, 5 1 4 R abb i t , 5 88 , 7 2 9
P r e f e c t, 5 2 6 R a c e , 1 84 7 8 1 ; f o r s t r ang e r ac e s
,

P r e gn a nt s t o ne , 7 40 s e e Hy p e r b o r ea n s S e r e s , e t c , .

P r e s byt e r 43 7 , R a diat io n o f f o r c e o r ligh t, 64 3 -6

P r e s c r ip tio n, me dical , 1 5 2 , 1 59 , R a dis h , 7 2 1
17 2 R a inb o w, 4 09
 G E N ER A L I ND E X

k
Ra in -m a ing , 2 3 -4 , 103 , 3 86 , 43 0 R o be r t G u is ca r d, 7 4 5
R ain -w at e r , 8 1- 2 R o m a n c e , G r e e , 2 2 , 2 2 1, 2 3 2 , 55 3 ; k
R a m . 2 13 . 3 3 2 . 42 4 . 4 67 Me die val , 5 5 7
R ap h ae l , th e a ng el , 3 42 , 3 67 , 44 7 , R o m an e s qu e , 5 02
4 5 2 . 4 54 R o m a n s , t r a it s o f , 184
Ra t , 7 6 R o m e , a s ce n t e r o f l e ar n ing , 1 2 4,
v
R a enn a , 3 67 , 7 63 1 2 8 3 1 , 1 3 5 , 1 62 , 2 0 1 , 2 2 2 , 2 4 2 ,
-

R aym o n d, a r c hb is h o p o f T o l e do , 2 69 . 2 7 7 . 5 3 7 . 5 86 . 7 4 1 ; o th er
65 7 m e n t io n s , 2 09 , 2 30, 3 66, 3 7 2 , 403 ,
v
R ea ding , m e die a l , 604 6 1 7 - 8 , 4 . 4 . 4 3 4 . 464 . 5 5 3
0 8 2 1 2 —

Re a s o n , 2 18 , 660 ; f r ee f rom R o m u l u s , 2 09 , 2 7 4 , 33 0, 602

m a gic , 3 00 ; a n d e x p e r ie n ce , 1 5 7 R o o t , s ee He rb
Re d. u s ed. 6 5 . 5 8 1. 5 9 8. 7 4 0 R o s e , 2 3 0 , 7 5 1 ; w il d, 5 6
R e d S e a, 8 4 , 2 08 R o ya l S o c ie ty, 2 1 4
R e d ee m e r , 3 6 1, 3 63 , 4 3 8 R ub bing , 142
R e e d. 7 5 - 6 . 80 . 9 0. 2 1 5 . 5 9 1 . 7 26 R u ddy c o m p l e x io n , 7 68- 7 1
R e f o r m e d ch u r c h es , 44 7 Ru e, 7 3 7 e a t e n by w e a s e l , 7 4, 3 2 4,
Reggi o . 7 45 62 6
R e l i c s o f s a i n t s , 444 , 446 , 5 9 3 , 6 7 5 R u in , e x c a at e d, 7 62 v
Re l igio n , a n d m a gic , 5 6, 8 9 , 1 5 , - -
Ru s s e t, 8 9
1 8 . 2 0 . 2 2 - 3 . 3 3 - 4 . 6 0. 2 3 2 . 2 56 . R u s t , 7 66
5 5 . 5 33 ;
0 a n d as t r o l o gy. 1 5 7.
-
R u s t ic , e x p e r ie n ce , 5 7 8 , 5 8 5
5 4 , 5 9 3 1 ; a n d s c ie n c e , 407 8 ,
2 2 - -

4 7 9 , ch ap x x i ; o th e r th a n Ch r is
. S a ba o th. 3 65 . 3 67 . 3 7 9 . 4 5 1 . 5 83 .
t ian , 9 4 3 6 1 , 7 2 5 a n d s ee Mo
, , 599
h a m m e dan is m , P a g an is m , e t c ; . S abb ath , 2 04 , 5 1 3
v
m edie a l r e lig io u s a tt it u de , 7 4 6, S a b ia n s 6 6 1 3 ,
-

7 5 2 ; an d s e e Ch r is t ia n ity , G o d, S a c er d os 2 3 5 ,

T h eo l o g y, T r in ity, e t c . S a c r a V ia 1 2 5 , 1 33 , 42 4 ,

Re n a is s an ce 2 0, 1 2 2 , 5 7 0, 6 18
, S ac r ifi c e 6 8 7 9 104 , 1 3 1 , 166, 2 1 5 ,
, , ,

R e s e da , an h e r b, 9 3 2 48 ; 2 5 0- 1 , 2 6 1 , 3 08 9 , 3 1 7 7
‘
—

Re s p ir at io n , s ee B r e a th in g 6
3 3 4 4 . 4 3 . 45 .
.
1 1 6 6 6 1 -
3 . 7 05 ;
Res u r r ec t io n o f th e b o dy, 4 7 , 4 1 5 , h u m an . 62 . 2 07 . 2 49 . 4 1 8. 5 39 .
54 1 68 7
R e s u s c itat io n o f co r p s e s , 2 8 0, 39 1 , S a c r u m a ma r u m, 7 39
3 94 . 39 7 . 4 2 4 . 42 6 . 6 3 8 . 7 63 S aEr o n , 6 5 6 7 65
v
,

Re e l at i o n , 5 6, 2 5 3 , 407 ; an d s e e S a g m ina s ac r e d h e rb s , 7 6
,

v
D i in at io n b y S t G al l 6 4 0 , 6 7 7
.
,

v
Re o l ut io n s , as t ro l o g ical , 2 6, 3 7 7 , S t S o p h ia , 5 7 5 , 7 7 0
.

65 0 kk
S a ar a, 9
Rh e to r ic , 1 2 4 , 2 2 1 , 2 69 , 48 3 , 5 1 8, S al a m an de r 5 4 6 8, 8 5 , 2 14, 3 2 4 , ,

5 3 3 . 5 3 5 . 5 55 . 5 9 6 . 603 . 7 00 5 1 1 , 63 6 ; w o o l , 2 1 4
Rh o de s , 2 69 , 3 0 1 S al e r n o c h ap s xxx i, xxx i i
, .

Rh o do d e n dr o n , 1 7 5 S a lis a to r es 6 3 0 ,

Rh ub a r b , fi r s t me nt io n o f , 5 7 6 v
S al i a , 2 0 8 2 88 9 , 9 2 - 3 , 1 7 4 , 2 8 1 ,
, ,
-

Riddl e s , 636 3 7 3 . 3 9 2 . 5 7 3 . 5 88 . 5 9 2 . 6 5 6. 7 69
R ig h t h an d , e tc , u s e d o r p re f e r r e d,
. S a l m o n , 42 4
7 , 7 !
0 8 8 1 ,
8 3; 88 1 9 ) 9 7 3 4 5)
0 2 2 -
S a l t. 2 1 3 . 3 7 3 . 4 6 7 . 5 8 3 . 6 7 0 ; a n d
2 . 5 7 4. 5
80 1 . 5 9 1 2 . 7 67 s e e Ho ly , S o do m
3 3 - -

R i ng . 6 9 . 7 8 . 1 7 3 2 1 9 . 2 5 1 . 2 5 3 .
’

. S a l tus G i l ber ti 7 05 ,

2 80 . 2 9 2 . 3 7 9 . 5 64 . 5 8 2 . 5 9 0. 5 9 2 . v
S a l e 8 7 , 6 06, 7 2 2
,

5 9 9 . 6 5 6. 6 6
2 . 7 05 . 7 5 5 v
S al ia 7 39 ,

R i ng w o r m , 9 3
-
S a m a r ia , 3 63 4 , 3 68 , 42 1 -

R ip va n W in l e , 39 9 k S a m o th rac ian o r g ie s , 149

R it u al , 12 , 2 3 ; an d s ee Ce r e m o n ial S a m u e l , g h o s t o f , s ee En do r , w itch
R o a d s , R o m an, 1 3 5 -6 of
Ro bbe r , 1 1 7 S a n da l Ma e r s , s t ree t
-
k o f , 13 4
Ro b e r t , k in g o f F r anc e , 67 2 7 04, . S andal s , 2 3 0
7 36 S a n das tr o s , a g e m, 9 7
 G E N E R A L I ND E X

S im o n Mag us , c h ap . x v1i , 3 62 -
5, S o l e mn ity, r e qu ir e d in magic ;
3 9 7 ) 43 9 644 -6
S im o n , S t , 43 5 . 5 0 10 11. 3 2 6 . 3 5 5
S imp l e s m e d ic inal , in P l iny, 4 6
, , S o n o f G o d, 3 7 2 , 43 8
8 3 ; G a l e n , 1 28 , 1 5 3 , 1 60, 168 , S o ot, 2 36
57 1 S o p ate r , 3 1 3
S in. 3 44. 3 7 2 - 5 . 43 0. 4 5 7 . 5 2 0 ; e ffe c t S o p his t a n d S o p h is t r y, 5 40—1
o n n a t u r e . 2 5 4 . 34 5 . 3 5 0. 4 09 - 10. S o p o r ifi c , 7 5 8
S o r ce ry, 1 0, 2 5 , 6 1 , 9 6 , 166, 2 7 0,
'

49 0
S i n e w , 68 , 148
,

2 7 9 . 3 2 4 . 3 44 . 3 5 2 . 3 86 . 39 0. 3 9 3 .
S ip h o n , 189 , 1 9 1 43 7 8 . 441 . 6 5 5 . 69 0. 7 33 ; c o u n
-

S ir e n , 2 63 t e r -m a gi c a ga i n s t , 1 7 - 2 0, 7 0 8 1 ,
'

k
,

S is e but , ing , 62 3 9 4, 30 1 , 3 9 1, 6 00 ; an d s e e G o et ia ,
S is in n io s , 3 9 8 W itch c r a f t
S ix, 1 84 , 3 5 6, 5 2 1 S o r til eg i 630 ,

S ixt u s I V , p o p e , 349 , 59 6 S o r y, 1 3 2
k
S e l et o n , 2 3 3 S o ul , h u m a n, P l ato o n , 2 5 - 6 ;
k ’
S in , 14 1 , 7 69 ; c h a n ging o n e s , 1 7 0, P l iny, 4 7 , 9 6 ; G ale n , 1 5 0 , 1 7 8 ,

2 3 8 , 3 2 4 ; dis e a s e , 102 , 5 3 7 ; s ee 180 Pl ut a nc h , 2 06 7 , 2 1 3 , 2 1 7 ;

-

A n im al s , p a r t s o f ; a n d th e N eo - P l at o n is t s , 3 9 1 0,
0 -
3 18 ;.

n a m es o f p a r t ic ul a r an im al s f o r G no s t ic s , 3 64 ; l o c a tio n o f , 7 3 5 ;
t h e u se o f th e ir s in s k ap a r t f r o m b o dy , 399 , 455,
k
S ul l , 80, 5 80 5 1 0, 5 46 ; im m o r ta l it y o f , 4 1 6 ,
S k y, s ee Hea e n v 4 1 9 . 4 69 . 5 3 1 . 5 4 1 ; o th e r t h a n
v
S la , 65 8 h u m a n , 19 8 , 2 13 ; a n d s ee Wo r l d
v
S l a e r y, 1 3 6, 1 7 0, 3 5 0, 5 1 5 , 668, s o ul
683 S o un d, 1 43 2 0 1 , 4 30 , 542
,

v
S l a o n ic . 3 98 S o u s nyo s , S t , 3 9 8 .

S l e ep , m ag i c , 3 99 S p a i n . 3 8 0. 5 80.
S l e igh t o f h an d, 3 7 0 S p ani s h e r a, 7 7 3
S l o t m ac hin e , 1 9 7
—
S p a r r o w, 2 7 1
S m a l lp o x , 668 S p a r ta a n d S p ar tan , 2 1-2 , 2 16, 3 0 1
S m ila x , 9 2 S p e c ie s . 3 04 . 4 9 3 . 7 5 1
k
S m o e , 89 , 6 1 5 S p e e ch , im p e d im e nt o f , 5 36
S my r n a, 1 2 3 S pha er a bar bar ica‘ 5 3 7 ,

S na il , 8 9 , 9 2 , 5 86 S p he r e , s ee E a r th , U n i e r s e , .a n d v
S nak e , r e m e dies a gain s t, 84 - 9 , 9 9 , o th e r in de x

8
1 7 5 . 2 5 8. 2 9 5 . 3 6 5 . 3 6 . 49 5 . S p ice 2 5 0.
. 606
5 9 9 , 6 14 ; an im a l s a n t i p ath e t i c t o , S p ide r . 9 0. 9 4 . 1 68-9 . 1 7 1 . 1 7 5 . 5 87
,
v
8 4-5 99 , 2 3 1 ; ir t u e in, 2 3 , 1 68, S p in al c o r d, 1 4 6
1 9 7 ; o f I n dia , 2 14 , 5 64 ; S a t a n S p ir it , g o o d o r e il ( in c l ud in gv
a n d de m o n s a s , 3 65 , 39 1 , 43 0 ; a ng e l a n d d e m o n , b u t s e e a l so
c h a r m in g , 8 3 , 2 7 8 80 , 3 2 5 , 5 1 1 ,-
Ap p a r itio n , G h o s t, N e c r o m an c y,
5 6 1 -
2 , 6 3 9 ; s t ing an d
8 -
eno m v S o u l ) , in e a r l y A r a bic p o et ry , 6 ;
o f , 5 6 , 8 1 - 2 , 1 02 , f o a m o f , 67 ; in th e a n c ie nt o r ie n t, 1 1 , 1 5 , 1 8 9 , -

s l o ugh in g o f , 1 7 0 ; n o t f o u n d in 24 ; c l a s s ic a l G r ee c e , 2 4 , 2 6,
I s m u c , 1 8 3 ; a t De l p hi, 2 8 3 ; o n 180 1 ; o n n at u r e o f , P l ut a r ch
-
,

a p e n da n t , 3 0 1 ; m e dic al no w l k 2 03 4 ,
-
2 06 - 8 ; A p u l e iu s , 2 4 0 ;
e dge o i , 44 1 ; a n d s e e Fe nn e l , P h il o s t r a t u s , 2 63 -4 ; I a m blich u s ,

t a s t e d by 3 09 1 0 ; E n o c h , 343 ; O r ig e n a n d
-

v
S n e e z e, di in at io n f r o m , 9 5 , 2 05 , Ce l s u s 44 1 3 4 5 2 - 3 ; A ug u s t in e ,
,
-
,

2 07 5 0 8 M a r t ia n u s C a p e l l a , 5 45 6 ;
-

S o c ial a s p ect o f m agic , 5 9 ; lif e in D io n y s iu s t h e A r e o p ag it e , 5 46- 7

a n t iqu ity, 1 3 7 , 1 8 5 Ch r is t ian a s c r ip t io n o f o th e r
S o c r at e s , 1 3 7 , 13 9 , 2 04 , 2 34, 2 40, r e l ig io n s t o d e m o n s , 3 7 0, 4 14,
532 42 9 E , 44 2 , 4 5 3 ; d is eas e an d,
.

S o da , w a s h in g, 5 7 1 1 1 . 1 8 9 . 2 99 . 3 43 . 4 5 2 . 7 2 2 ; e x
-

S o do m , s al t s o f , 1 3 8 p ul s io n o f , a n d p o w e r o e r , 2 5 3 , v
S o l dier 5 6—7 , 2 62 1 3 86: 4 05 7 4 1 4 ; 44 1 :
 G EN E RA L I N D E X

44 3 . 7 5 4 . 7 7 9 . an d s ee Ex o r c is m; S to ic , 5 0 , 14 1 , 1 7 8 8 1 , 2 1 0, 2 69 —7 0,
-

f all o f , 34 3 , 3 7 4 - 5 ; f a m il iar a nd 2 8 3 . 3 5 0. 3 97 . 4 5 6

g u a r d ia n ,
2 07 ,
2 1 0 , 3 68 , 3 7 0 ; in S t o m a c h . 9 2 17 3 . 5 3 6. 5 9 2 . 65 6. 7 57
.

t h e a ir , 2 06, 2 4 0 , 4 2 4 , 4 63 , 5 08, S t o ne , t h e d is ea se , 8 7 , 5 88 , 7 2 9 ;
6 3 5 ; in h e a e n s a n d s t a r s , c h ap v . a n d s ee G e m

x v. 4 3 39 7 43 1 . 4 5 8 . 4 87 8 . -
S to n in g t o de ath 2 62 , 3 9 9
3 . . ,

S t o r ax , a gu m, 49 5
,

5 1 9 ; i n t h e m o o n 2 0 7 ; i n na
k
,

t u r e . 18 1 . 2 9 6 . 3 08 . 3 1 0. 347 . 3 8 2 . S t o r . 2 5 7 . 32 4 5 . 3 3 1 . 4 60. 5 80
4 14, 4 3 0. 44 3 . 4 5 2 4 . 5 43 ; a o
- -
v
S to r rii a e r t i n g m ag ic, 7 1 ,
c a ti o n of, 3 0 1 , 3 08 , 3 1 0, 3 2 0,
S t r ea m , 9 1 , 2 2 5 - 6, 5 46 ; an d
3 6 1 . 3 67 8 . 3 7 1 2 3 84 . 4 1 9 . 43 7 . se e
- -

44 2 ) 44 7 , S4 3 , 65 5 , 6 7 4 , F o un ta in
an d N e c r o m an c y , N o to r y
s ee S tup a, 2 5 1 , 4 1 3
a r t ; m a g ic a s t r o l o g y, a r t s a n d S tyl e , l ite r a r y, 2 2 2 -3 , 5 2 5 , 5 7 0, 62 0
v
,

s c ie n c e s a s c r ib e d to 1 9 5 , 2 40 , , S t yx , r i e r , 3 2 6
3 1 3 . 3 4 3 3 68 3 7 0. 4 12 . 4 14 4 1 7
. . . S u an ir , 4 3 5
8 . 42 2 . 4 2 9 3 2 . 44 1 3 44 7 8 . 4 5 3 . - -
.
-
S u Eu m igat io n , se e F u mig at io n
4 5 9 46 3 4 65 6 so6 7 r 5 09 ; 5 1 3
8 -
) 7
-
,
_

, S u g g e s t io n , f o r c e o f , 2 6 5
5 1 8, 62 9 6 7 5 , 7 05 ; m e d i u m s b e
, S ul l a 5 3 2
,

t w ee n G o d o r g o ds a n d m e n , S u lp h u r , 2 7 9 , 7 64
2 06 . 2 08 2 4 0. 349 . 4 5 2 4 . 4 5 9 .
.
—
S u m e r ia n , 1 5 , 1 7
62 1, 6 7 5 ; o r d e r s o f 3 08 9 3 2 0 ,
-
, , S u m m u n b o n u m, 7 5 2
3 6 3 . 4 08 4 5 5 5 0 7 5
. 4 5 7 . 7 27 ; . .
-
S u n , go d a n d w o r s h ip , 9 7 , 2 5 1 , 2 6 1 ,
p o s s e s s e d by . 3 08 392 4 13 4 2 9 4 - 5 ; 3 17 49 2 7 52 4 ; per
—
. . .

4 34 . 5 1 0 6 40 7 2 3 4 . 7 5 4 5 ; s a f e s o n ifi e d. 34 7 . 4 10. 4 5 7 . 5 2 9 ; a n d
- -
. .

gu a r d s a g a i n s t 1 8 2 1 6 , 2 9 3 , 3 9 1 , m ag ic , 1 4 1 , 2 2 5 7 , 3 08 , 3 86 ; a s
-
, ,

3 9 8 449 . 6 1 5 7 2 6. 7 2 8
. . fl
t r o l o g ica l in ue n ce o f , 9 9 , 1 7 9 ,
S pir i tus 1 4 7 6 5 8 60 , ,
-
2 1 1 ; r is in g a n d daw n , 2 1 5 , 2 3 0— 1 ,
S p it s ee S ali a
, v b e f o r e s un r is e , 69 , 7 1 ,
S p l e e n . 57 68-9 . 8 5 . 5 3 6. 5 7 7 . 5 7 9 .
. 13 1.

5 4 5 7 8. 5 9 1
8 8 7 68 ; b e f o r e s un s e t 5 8 3 ; e x p e r i
-
. ,

S p o diu m o r S p o d os , 1 3 2 me nt w ith , 5 5 ; dial , 1 8 5 , 1 8 7 ;

S p o n ge , 2 2 7 d is t ance a n d s iz e o f , 2 1 9 , 488 ;
S p o on, 7 2 1 t r o p ic al , 2 1 4 ; t r e e o i , 5 64
S p r in g, w a te r 2 2 9 ; c au s e d t o fl o w , S up e r s t it io n , P l ut a r c h o n , 2 03-4 ;
7 69 ; and s e e F o unta in S ea s o n s , in m e dic in e , c h ap s x x v, x xx i .

S t a ff 2 5 2 . 4 3 5 . 67 9
. S u r g e r y. 14 8 —9 . 5 3 6. 5 69 .
S ta g 8 4 , 2 07 , 2 9 4, 3 2 4 ; a n d s ee
, 735
De e r S u r ie l a s p ir it, 3 67
,

S t ain e d gl as s , 42 7 , 4 3 5 7 7 0 , S w a d dling c l o th , 3 9 2 , 39 6
S ta n s , th e , 4 1 5 S w all o w , h abit s o f , 7 5 , 3 2 4 , 6 15 ,
S t a r n at u r e o f , g o d o r an imal ,
, 6 3 6 ; u s e o f , 68 , 7 0, 168 , 1 7 5 , 5 8 1,
e t c , 2 5 6 1 03 , 2 06 2 10 2 1 2 2 40,
.
-
, , , , 72 1
3 3 3 5 3 43 4 . 3 5 3 . 4 3 6 . 4 5 6. 5 1 9
0 S w al l o w s t o n e , 7 5 5 7 66
-
1 . .
-
,

53 0 6 2 0 -
1 , 6 3 2 , 66 2
, 67 0 ; a s , S w a l l o w w o r t , 7 5 , 6 1 5 62 6
-
,

S i g n 3 02 . 4 1 0. 4 5 8 5 44 ; n o t
. . S w an , 63 6 ; s o n g , 2 5 5 , 3 3 2
c a u s e o f e il 3 05 . 3 5 4 4 7 5 5 1 4 ; v . . . S w e a t. 1 6 7 . 3 9 2 . 7 6 7 . 7 7 9
c a u s e o f e il , 4 1 1 ; a Ee c t e d by v S w in e , 7 0, 7 7 , 7 9 , 9 9 , 2 1 7 ; and s e e
m ag ic , 2 2 5 6 ; s h o o t in g 7 1 , 5 89 ;-
, P ig
fi x e d, 1 1 4 ; an d s ee A s t r o l o gy ; S w o r d, 7 8 2 9 5 ; mag ic 2 5 8
,

C h r is t , b ir th o f ; Mag i v
S yl ia 4 04 ,

S t ar fi s h , 5 6
-
S y m b o l an d S ymb o lis m , 1 66 , 2 5 1 ,
S t a r l in g , 49 0 3 1 0. 3 6 1 . 3 67 . 5 02 . 5 06 . 5 46.
S tatu e 9 1 2 7 9 , 2 80 7 64 ; h e aling ,
, , , 6 7 6 7 , 67 9 , 7 2 1 ; in al ch e my,
-

2 84 a n im a t e d 1 88 4 16 7 4 2 4 , ,
-
, , 7 66 7 . 7 7 1 2
- -

43 5 a n d s e e I m ag e , S c u l p t u r e S y m p a th e t ic m ag ic, 68 , 84 - 7 , 9 2 ,
S te a m 1 9 2 , 2 3 8 2 7 1 2 9 6 2 9 9 . 3 04 . 3 12 . 3 14 .
. . .

S t e l e o f Me tt e r nic h 5 5 9 , 3 . 3 5 4 . 5 4 3 . 6 14
2 0 2 -

S te p m o th e r , 2 1 5 S y m p o s m m , 1 3 7 , 2 01 -2
 G E N E RA L I N D E X

S ym p t o m s , 7 35 Th t b es a n d Th eban, 1 7 9 , 49 1 , 5 5 3 ,
S ync r e t is m , 5 2 5 7é5
S yno d a t R o m e , 3 89 , 402 v
Th e f t , dis c o e r y o f , a n d r ec o e r y v
S y r ac u se , 4 7 6 o f o bj e c t , 644 , 666 , 68 1 , 7 1 8 , 7 2 5 ;

S y r ia, S y r iac , a nd S yr ian , 2 80 , a ids , 7 80

8
37 4. 3 7 . 3 9 5. 4 3 4 .
0 -
T h e o d am a s , 2 9 4
4 9 7 . 4 99 . 5 3 . 5 5 4 . 5 5 9 6 1 . 5 7 7 .
0 Tl e o do r ic t he Eas t G o th, 5 69 , 6 17 ,
-

5 9 7 . 60 1 . 66 1 . 663 . 7 4 7 . 7 62 é 19
S y r ian g o dde s s , 2 3 1 Th e o do s iu s I e m p e r o r , 5 84 ,

S y r inge , 1 9 2 Th e o do s iu s II , e m p e r o r , 3 2 7
S y r up , 5 60 Th e o l o gy , a s t r al , 1 5 , 1 7 , 3 60 1 , 5 4 3, -

6 2 1 a n d m a gic , 18 , 2 34 ; G al e n ,
T abl ec l o th , 2 14 14 9 ; Egyp tia n , 3 7 0 ; a tt it u de
T ab l e s , a s t r o n o m ic al , 14 ; o f c o n sh o wn 6 1 9 2 0 ,
-

t ent s , 5 0, 1 5 3 The r ap e u ta e, 3 49 , 3 5 6
Ta bl e t a s t r o l o g ical ,
, an d T h e r ap eut ics , 1 0, 1 2 2 , 1 4 1 , 7 3 5
s e e Cun e if o r m , L e a d Th e r iac , 1 3 0 7 33 , 7 5 6 ,

Ta b o o , 2 1 a n d s e e I r o n Th e r s ite s , 2 69
T a gu s , 6 3 0 T h e s sa ly, h o m e o f w it ch e s , 5 8 , 2 03 ,
k
T a ma r is , 8 5 5 8 7 , 226
T ap e - w o r m , fi r s t m e n tio n e d, 5 7 6 T h e u r g y, ch ap x i, 5 0 5 , 5 3 5 .

k
T a r p e ia n r o c , 4 2 6 T h o m a s th e ap o s tl e , in I n dia, 4 7 5 ,
T a r qu in t h e P r o u d 602 , 47 7
T a r r ut iu s , an a s t r o l o g e r , 2 09 , 3 3 0 Th o th , 2 88
T a r sus . 2 5 9 . 4 7 9 Th o tm e s IV, ki ng of Egypt,
T a s te , se n s e o f , 5 05 13
Ta x o 600, 6 36
,
T ho ugh t, his to r y o f , 3 —4 ; e x
Te ire s ia s , 2 8 1 p l a in e d p hy s io l o g ic a l ly, 6 5 9
T e l in es , 2 1 Th r e a d 89 5 9 0, 6 5 6
, ,

T e mp e r a m e nt s , f o u r , 668 Th r e e , T h r ic e , e tc 69 , 7 9 , 82 , 88 - 9 , .
,

Te m p l e , 5 3 3 ; o f P e a ce , 1 2 5 ; de 9 1 . 9 3 1 6 9 . 1 7 4 . 2 9 5 . 4 7 6. 4 7 9 .
.

v ic e s , 1 9 2 3 ; in a l ch e my, 1 9 7 8 ,
- -
5 8 2 . 5 88 9 . 5 9 2 . 6 14 . 65 6. 7 2 1 .
7 63 ; Eg yp t ian. 2 6 1 . 3 0 1 . 5 5 9 ; 7 3 0. 7 3 6 7 67
k
.

J e w ish , 39 5 ; G r e e , 4 07 ; o f th e Th re s h o l d 69 89 , ,

S un , 43 5 ; o f L ibe r , 4 9 6 ; Ch r is Th r o a t , dis e a s e o f , 82
t ian , 5 3 3 v
Th u n de r , d i in atio n f r o m , 5 7 , 9 6,
Te r e b in th t r e e, 5 7 1 2 62 » 5 4 6 ; 6
5 12 6 2 9, 6 3 5 6 , 67 4 ,
-

Ter r a s ig illa ta, 1 3 o 7 56 6 7 9 ; o th e r o b s e r a n c e o f , 7 8 ; v

T e tte r , 9 3 t h o ug h t t o p r o duce m us h r o o m s ,
k
T e x t b o o , 63 5 2 1 9 ; s t age , 468
Te x t a n d T e x tual c r it ic is m an d Thym e , 5 7 1
his t o ry m agic , 9 ; c u n e if o r m , 1 5 ,
, T ib e r iu s , e mp e r o r , 5 9 , 7 7 6
1 7 - 8 ; c l a s s ic s , 2 1 , 2 7 ; A r is t o tl e ,
i k
T c , 67
2 4 , 2 7 ; P l in y, 5 2 ; P t o l e m y, 1 06 , T de . 2 5 4 2 7 4 . 3 5 1 . 5 17 . 5 30. 7 03
i .

1 08 ; G a l e n , 1 1 9 —2 1 ; He r o , 1 89 T i ge ll i n u s , 2 5 9 2 63 , 2 6 5 ,

al ch e my, 19 3 ; P l u t a r c h , 2 02 ; T ig e r , 2 5 6 5 02 ,

A e l ian , 3 2 2 ; P hi l o , 8
34 9 ;
-
T ig r is - E up h ra t e s , 1 3 -6, 2 8 1—2
p at r is tic . 3 7 4 . 3 7 7 . 3 8 9 . 4 0 1
’
Ti i, 18
4 7 7 . 49 5 ; P hys io l og u s 4 9 7 9 ; v
Tim e , de ic e s f o r te ll ing , 1 1 5 , 144 ,
A l e x a n d e r l e g e n d , c h ap x x i ;
. v 18 7 , 2 7 6 , 3 3 3 , 3 9 5 ; o b s er e d in v
Me dicin e of P lin y, 5 9 6 ; D io s m a g ic , 64 5
co r id e s , 5 94 ,6 06 - 1 3 ; m e dic in e , Titu s e mp e r o r , 4 2 , 45
,

5 67 , 7 3 1 I s id o r e , 6 2 3 ; m e die a l
a l t e r a t io n s , 3 , 33 8 , 68 3 7 2 0
,
Th ap h t ab ao th , a s p ir it, 3 69
T h a u m atu r gy, 1 9 0
Th au t aba o th , a s p ir it, 3 67
Th e at er . 1 84 . 42 2 . 42 5 . 4 86 . 5 06 .
5 12
v T o a d, 7 7 1
T o bia s n igh t s , 688
T o l e do , 6 5 7
T o m b , Egy p t ian , 9 , 14
T o ng ue , 9 8 , 1 5 0 ; u se o f , 17 5 , 7 2 6 ,
7 7 9 ; g if t o f . 2 08 . 3 86
T o o th 68 8 2 . 8 4 . 1 5 9 . 2 7 9 . 5 99 .
. .
 G EN E R A L I N D E X

T he r iac ; r e m e dy ag a in s t, 2 1 3 , Wh e t s to n e 7 1 ,

4 9 0, 7 2 1 ; m o de o f g e ne r at io n, W hite 7 8 9 2 1 5 2 9 5
. . . . 7 55
2 38. W ido w 7 1 ,

V i rg i n an d V i r g i ni t y, 5 5 , 8 3 , 9 0, Wil l f r e e r el at io n t o
, , f at e a n d th e
9 3 . 2 16 . 2 7 9 . 3 2 6 . 43 1 . 4 9 1 . 6 3 9 . s t a r s . 2 1 0. 2 7 5 - 6 . 3 06 . 3 1 5 . 3 7 4 - 5 .

7 6 3 ; a n d s e e Ch as t i ty, an d Ma r y, 4 12 , 4 5 6, 4 7 5 ) 5 1 3 , 5 18 ) 5 3 1 , 62 0- 2
V ir g in W il l ia m R u f u s, ing o f Engl a n d, k
V ir t ue , s ee O c c ul t 67 3
V ir t ue s , th r e e , 4 7 9 ; f o u r , 6 7 5 W ind. 16 7 8. 3 7 3 . 67 6. 67 8. 7 28
.

V is io n , th eo r y o f , 65 9 , 669 Wine . 5 5 . 68 - 9 . 1 3 2 . 1 3 7 14 2 . 2 3 1. .

V it r io l , 7 64 2 63 , 2 9 5 : 5 7 2 : 5 8 1 1 7 39 7
vis e c t io n , 1 47 7 65 ; a n d s e e Fal e r n i an
V o ice, 1 34 , 14 6, 1 80, 1 84 Witch , Witch c r a f t, an d Wizar d, 2 ,
V o l can o , 2 5 4 1 8 9 , 164 , 1 7 2 , 2 03 , 2 2 5 3 1 , 2 5 1 ,
- -

V o w e l s . 9 2 . 3 5 6. 3 44 . 5 3 5 . 5 9 9 . 7 2 2 ; an d
V ul tur e. 8 9 . 3 3 3 . 5 80. 7 2 4 . 7 2 6. 7 2 9 s ee G o e t i a , O l d w i e s , S o r ce r y -
v
WO l f ’ 80; 9 3 , 1 7 2 7 2 1 9 ) 3 3 2 ) 5 8 7 8 ; -

Wal l o f h o u se 69
, ,
6 5 6 , 7 2 6 ; an d s e e W e r w o l f
Wan d mag ic 2 0 2 5 2 5 08 5 60 Wo m an, 3 96 , 5 88 , 7 10, 7 40- 1 ; dis
Wa r a n d Wa r f a r e 187 3 5 8 ;
, , , , ,

, , de e a se s o f , 8 2 , 14 2 , 2 89 , 5 36 , 7 46
c r ie d, 6, 4 6 7 ,
-
12 2 Wo o d, 2 33
Wa r ts , t o g e t r id of, 7 1, 88 , 1 66, W o o dpe c e r , 2 3 , 7 8 k
Wo o l . 8 9 . 1 7 3 . 5 9 0. 6 5 6
W a s h i n g c e r e m o n i al 2 9 5 7 3 0 Wo r ds , p o w e r o f , 10, 2 4, 1 5 2 , 2 07 ,
Wasp 3 3 2
, , ,

.
2 3 1 . 2 3 9 . 2 7 9 . 2 9 9 . 3 1 1 . 3 7 0. 3 7 8 .
Wate r and Wate r s 142 3 7 3 408
, , , , , 3 84 , 4 14 ) 4 3 8 , 44 5 7
v
49 0 ; a b o e t h e fi r m a m e n t , 1 8 1 , 4 7 6 , 5 07 , 6 05 ; 62 7 , 644 ;

3 46. 4 5 8 . 4 87 . 63 2 ; d r in in g . 68 5 ;
v
d is s o l e s m ag ic , 2 2 7 , 7 2 2 ; in
wh ich f e e t w as h e d, 1 7 5 m a r e l
o u s , m e dic a l , a n d c h e m ica l , 102 ,
k 666 ; a nd s e e I n c a nt a t io n
Wo r l d- s o ul , 9 6 , 1 5 0, 2 10, 2 5 4, 2 99 ,
v 3 03 . 3 49 . 3 5 8 . 4 1 0. 5 44 . 62 2
Wo r m . 89 . 9 4 . 5 82 . 7 2 9 7 5 4. 7 68 ; .

18 3 . 19 7 . 32 9. 7 63 ; ia r
- and an d s ee Ea r t h wo rm, T ap e - wo r m
- k
w o r s , 18 7 , 1 9 1 - 2 ; c l o c , s ee k Wo r mw o o d, 7 2 2
W riting , a s in, 3 44 ; in i s ibl e, 2 65 v 0

Tim e ; u n de r g r o u n d , 5 5 ; a nd s ee
Fo unta in , Ho ly, S t r ea m , S e a, W ryn e c , 2 6 5 - 7
k
e tc
W av e
.

th e o ry , s ee S o un d
Y ah w eh , 44 6
W ax
: 7 1 . 2 2 9 . 4 67 8 . 5 7 1 . 7 3 8 ; a n d
.
Y e a r 1000 A D , 67 5
s ee I ma g e
. .

Y ew , 8 1
We asel . 80. 2 3 1 . 3 3 1 . 3 96. 409 460. .
k
Y o r , 68 9
6 36 ; a n d s e e R u e , t a s te d by
Y o u th , r e n e w e d o r p e r p etual ,
Weath e r , o bs e r e d, 1 7 8 ; p r e v E lix ir , Fo un ta in , L o ng e ity v
s ee

d ic te d, 9 7 , 1 1 5 , 1 8 1 , 32 5,
46 3 , 6 05 , 642 , 64 7 ; a n d s e e R a in
k
m a in g, S to r m a e r t ing m agic -
v Ze us 2 3 1 9 3
, , ,
2 84 , 3 80
W ell , 5 5 , 2 5 1 2 7 1 ,
Zo d ia c 1 4 . 9 8 . 1 14. 1 7 9 . 1 84 .
.

We r w o l f , 2 3 , 5 1, 339 2 83 . 3 5 4 . 3 7 8 . 4 9 2 . 5 2 0. 6 7 9 . 7 1 1 .

Wh al e, 4 9 7 2 8 ; a n d p ar t s o f h u ma n bo dy,
W he at . 3 7 3 . 5 98 66 2 . 67 3 4 . 7 7 7 -

Wh e e l, 1 9 2 , 3 82 ; m agic o r s o l a r, Zo o l o g y, 2 3 7 , 5 03 and se e Ani m al

2 66 ; o f f o r tune, 68 3 Zo ne , 37 6
 B I B L I O G RA P HI CAL I ND E X

N am e s of a uth o r s , in Ro m an
e dit o r s , t r an s l a t o r s , p ubl is h e r s , e t c , .

t yp e . T itl e s a n d p e r io dic a l s in ita l ics in ita lic s . L eadin g p a s s ag e s .

v
B ibl io g r ap h ic al abbr e ia tio n s s uc h a s E B , HL P G P L a r e a s a r ul e , , , ,

n o t in d e x e d I n t he abbre iat e d t it l e s s uc h o p e n ing w o r ds a s D e an d

. v
L ibe r a r e o m it t e d t o f ac il it at e a p h ab e t ical a r r an g e m e n t In p ro per .

D
n am e s e an d V an a r e u s u al l y des ig n at e d by d a n d an d a r e t r e at e d .

a s i n i ti a s .

Aba mm o n , 3 07 A da m o f B r e m en 7 7 3 ,

Ab an o , P e te r o f , 1 62 , 1 7 9 , 409 , A da m o f S t V ict o r , 3 9 8 .

600 . 6 1 0. 6 5 1 . 66 5 . 7 1 0. 7 14 Ada m s , F 5 68 .
,

Abdal l ah , 6 9 3 A d D a m ir i 3 9 3 688
-
, ,

Abdia s 42 5 6 ,
—
A de l a r d o f B ath 100, 468 , 65 2 , ,

Ab e l , A , 43 4 . 664 7 06 7 7 3 . .

Ab e l , E , 2 9 1 , 2 9 3 , 4 63
. A del bo l d 7 06 7 ,
-

Abe l a r d, P e t e r , 4 7 5 , 5 44 A de m a r u s Cab an n e n s is 7 04 ,

Ab g a r u s , 3 9 5 A dh e l m u s s ee A l dh e l m
,

A bh an d l ung e n d bayr Ak ad , . . . A e l f r ic 4 84 67 7
, ,

6
5 7 8 -
A e l ian 2 38 3 00 3 2 2 -6, 3 3 1
, , ,

A bha n dl ung e n d B e r li n A k a d , . . A e milius Mac e r 6 1 2 ,

1 2 1 , 468 7 3 2 , A e s c h r io n, 17 8
A bh an dl u ng en z G es c h, d M a th . . . A e s c hy l u s 3 2 5 ,

A e s c u l ap iu s 5 3 7 , 5 9 7 8 6 00. 7 3 5
.
-
.

A b r ah am th e p at r ia r ch , r e p ut e d Ae sop 5 53.

bo o o f , k 44 5 A e th ic u s s e e E th icus
,

Ab r ah a m , c it e d by Fir mic u s , 5 3 7 A e tius o f A m ida 1 63 , 1 7 0 2 9 2 , , ,

Ab r ah a m o f T o r t o s a 6 1 1 , c h ap xxi i .

Abt, Ap o l og ie d Apu l e ius , 2 2 , . A g ath o dae m o n, 1 9 5

2 39 A g athia s 5 7 5 ,

Ab u J a f ar A hme d I bn - al -
J e zz ar , A gg r eg a to r 6 1 1 ,

745 A g r ic o l a D e r e m e ta l 1 3 2 3 29
, , ,

Ab u S a id S c h ads an , 6 5 1 A g r ip p a H C O c cu l t P hil o s ophy,

’
, . .
,
’
A cca d dei L in cei, R e n dic o n ti d e l l ,
.
4 5 4 65 3 .

49 9 Ah r e n s K . 49 7 49 9 5 03
. . .

A cca d di . M o n a c o A tti de l l ,
’

, 55 1 A j a s s o n, 42
A c ta S an c tor u m 2 9 6 ,
A l an d r ae u s s e e Al ch an d r us,

A c ts of th e A p os tl es , 1 36, 5 10 A l b a ih aq i 6 7 0 ,

A c ts ( Ap o c r yp h al ) A l b an dinu s 7 1 6 ,

of A r c h e la u s , 3 9 8 A l b e r ic th e D ea c o n 7 5 2 ,

o f B ar n a ba s 3 9 7 , A l b e r tus Mag nu s 1 5 8 163 3 2 6, , , ,

of J o hn 3 9 7 .
6 00 6 5 8 7 2 5 7 7 2
. . .

of N cr e w s a n d A c hil l es 42 5 , A ni ma l 5 03 5 6 3 7 4 6 . . .

o f P a u l 3 96 , C a ns is e t pr op r ie t 5 63 .
,

of P a u l a n d Th e c l a 39 5 , Min e r a l 5 0 1 6 5 3 ,

of P e te r 405 , S o mn o e t vig ilia 3 5 9 ,

o f P e te r a n d A n d r e w 3 9 6 , S pe c u l n ni as tr o n o mia e 64 7 65 0, , ,

o f P e te r a n d P a u l 3 9 7 42 4 , , 6 64
o f P hilip 3 9 7 . V eg e t e t pl an tis 65 3
.
,

of P il a te 3 9 0 3 9 5 , , A l bu cas is 7 42 ,

O f Th o nws 3 7 4 3 9 7 . . A l b u m a s a r 5 2 4 , 64 7 649 5 2 69 1
, ,
-
,

A da l m u s 6 7 3 , C o nj u n c tio ns 649 5 1 ,
-

A da m M o o n -B o o k, 682
, E x pe r im en ts 649 ,
 B I B L I O GRAP HI CAL I N D EX

F l o r es , 649 - 5 0 A m er ic an His to r ica l As s o ciation

G r ea ter I n tr o du c tio n 649 , P aper s 6 32 ,

L e s s er I n tr o d u c tio n, 6 5 2 A me r ican J o ur na l o f Ar c ha e o l ogy

,

M ys ter ies , 6 5 1 I7
R ai ns 6 5 1 - 2
, A me r ica n Ma th ema tica l M o n thly ,

R ev o lu tio ns , 65 1 31
S a da n , 6 5 1 A m er ica n S o cie ty of C hur ch His
S ear c hing of th e He ar t 649 , t or y P ap e r s 4 06 ,

A l ch ad r in u s o r A l ch an dr inus , s e e A m ig e r o n s e e D a m ig e r o n
,

A l c h an dr u s A mm ia nu s Ma r c e l l in us 2 85 , 2 88 , ,

A l ch a n d r u s , 7 1 0- 1 9 3 2 8 —
9; 52 7
B r e via r y, 7 1 4 E . A mp l o n i u s , Ca ta l og ue of MS S ,
Ma th e ma tica , 7 10E . 2 67
A l c ha mia , 7 7 4 An as t a s iu s An tio ch en us , 4 69
A l c him us , 60 1 A n a x ag o r a s 4 5 6 ,

A l c ib ia des , s e e He l x ai, B o o o f k A n a x an d r ide s , 2 2

A l c u in , 5 5 6, 6 1 7 , 6 5 8 A n ax il a s , 2 2
A l dh e l m , 6 3 6 A n a x il au s , 88 , 2 14
A l du s , s e e M e di c i a n tiqui A n a x im e n e s , 18 1
A l e x a n d e r t h e G r e at , 3 3 1 , 5 7 8 A n dr e as , 1 5 4
a s t r o l o gic al t r e a t is e s , 7 12 E . A n d r ian , F V 16 . .
,

Mir a bilibus I n diae 5 5 5 6, 5 64 ,

-
A n d r o m ac h u s , 1 7 1
R es p o ns io a d D in dimu m 5 5 6 An g e l u s , J , 106 , 5 2 5
‘

.
,

A l e x an d er o f A p h r o dis ias , 5 7 8 A nn a l es d e la F a c u l te des L e ttr es

"

A l ex an d e r P o l yh is to r , 3 4 1 d e B o r d ea ux 7 04 ,

A l ex an de r o f T r al l e s , c hap xxv, A nna l e s du S er vic e d es An tiquités

‘
.

1 3 7 -8 . 1 7 4 . 5 96 7 2 1 .
’

.
74 7 de l Egyp te, 14
Al e x an <1r e , O r a c u la S i byl li na , A n n e e S o c io l o g iqu e , 6
’

2 87 A n s il e ub u s , 5 03
A l e x is , Ma n dr ag o r iz o m en e 2 2 , A n te - N ic en e F a th er s , 3 87 , an d
A l f an u s , 7 5 2 - 3 B oo k I I pa s s im
A l Fa r ab i, 7 44 A n thr op o l og ie, L , 6
’
-

A l f r a ga n u s , 7 3 7 A nt ip at e r , 1 8 5
A l f r e d t h e G r eat , k ing , 63 7 An t is th e n e s , 5 5 3
A lg a z e l , 7 44 A n to n iu s E p a r c hu s , 7 45
A l ha bib, B o o k of 7 63 ,
A nt o n ius Mu s u s , 600
A l h an d r e u s , s e e A l c h a n d r u s A n z , G n os tizis m us , 3 60, 3 83
Al i ibn Abba s , K hitaa b e l Ma le k i A o ma r , 647
7 47 A p h ax a d, 4 3 5
A lk in di, ch ap xx iii v A p io n , 4 05
D e c ei ts of A l c h e mis ts , 649 A p o cr ypha, c ha p x vi, 342 , 406 .

E mpir e of A r a bs , 648 A p o l l o niu s , to wh o m wo r s o f k

I u dg m en ts , 648 m a gic a r e a s c r ibe d, 2 67
G e o ma n cy 648 ,
A p o l l o niu s o f P e r ga , 663
P l uviis 6 4 7 -8 Ap o ll o n iu s o f Tya na, E pis tl es an d
Wil l 2 44 ; and s ee o th e r
,

P r o per ties of S w or ds , 649 ,

S o mn o e t vis io n e, 646 in dex

S p e c tacu lis , 642 Ap o ll o n ius a n d G al en , 7 2 3
S te l la r R ays 64 3 6 ,
-
A p o s t l e s s e e A c ts , C o ns titu tion es
, ,

A l l a r d, P , 2 98
. D i das ca lia
A l m a . J d . 3 49 Ap ul e iu s o f Ma dau r a, c ha p v u
’
.
,

A lphita 6 00
,
16 5 . 2 42 . 2 9 0. 309 . 3 9 0. 46 5 .
A l te Q r ie n t, 7 , 3 3 - 5 5 08
A m a t u s o f S al e r n o , 7 5 2 A po l ogy. 2 2 2 - 5 . 2 3 2 -4 1 . 4 63
A m b r 0 s e 4 2 6. 44 7 . 4 9 4. 4 99 . 5 05 . D o g ma of P la to 2 2 2 , 2 4 1 , 5 9 6
§
6 é
,

F l o r ida 2 2 2 , 2 33
,

Hex ae m er o n, 48 2 3 , 48 5 G o d of S o c r at es 2 2 2 , 2 40- 1 ,

M or ib us B r a c h ma n n or u m, 5 5 7 G o l de n A s s o r Me ta m or ph os es ,

Am é l in e au, 3 60, 3 7 7 2 2 2 - 3 2 . 2 4 1 . 33 2 . 4 06 5 09 .
 8 14 B I B LI O GRAP HI CAL I N D EX

B abut, E C , 3 8 1 . . O r ig tn es 12 — 3 . 59 . 1 93 .
B a c o n , R o g e r , 108 , 163 , 3 4 1 , 4 09 , 3 69 . 5 44 . 5 5 9
2 92 .
60 1 , 603 , 646, 66 1 , 66 5 , 7 66 V oyag es 13 1
B a e th g e n 7 3 , B e r th e l o t e t R u e l l e ( 1887 19 3 ,
B a l d a n d Cil d 7 2 0 2 , 7 3 3 ,
-
3 2 0. 683
B a r ach , S , 6 5 8 . B es tia r y, 4 98
B a r dais a n o r B ar de s ane s , 3 7 3 -7 , v
B e an A A , 3 7 4 , . .

3 8 1 . 4 1 2 . 4 5 7 . 4 7 1 . 4 7 5 . 7 82 B e z o g a r , 6 82
B a r l am a 1 38 , B e zo ld, 1 6
B a r n ab a s , 4 04 , 4 08 B ez o l d, C , 3 4 .

Epis tl e , 3 9 6, 4 09 ; an d s ee A c ts B ibl e . 16. 1 3 8 . 2 46. 3 42 . 3 5 0. 3 5 2 .

( A p o c r yp h a l ) 3 6 1 -
2 . 3 8 5 6 . 4 05 . 4 3 9 . ch ap
—
.

B ar n e s C L , 7 7 3
, . . x x i, 5 1 1 . 5 4 6. 5 8 3 . 6 8 1 . 7 2 9 ;
B a r th o l o m e w of E n gl a n d , De a n d se e n a m e s o f in di idu a l v
pr opr ie ta tibus r er u m, 1 7 0, bo o s o f k
48 4 . 5 0 1 . 5 03 . 5 7 8. 6 1 1 . 660. B iblio th eca Ma th e ma tic a, 1 88 , 1 9 3
6 86 B iblio the ca P a tr u m, 4 2 6
B ibl d l Ec o l e d es Ha u tes Etude s ,
’
B a r u c h B o o k of 39 9
, , . .

B a s il , H e xa e m e r o n c hap xxi, 3 2 2 , , .
3 8 1 . 7 65
4 5 8 . 4 7 6 5 04 5 5 2 4 .
-
B ik é l a s , 7 3
k
.

B aS i l a n d G r e go r y, P hi l o ca li a, B il l e r b e c , 7 3
4 05 6
-
B is s e , E , 5 5 7 .

B as s e t, R , 39 8 - 9 . B ivil aqua, 5 2 5
B ate , He n r i, 6 5 0 B j or n b o a n d V o gl , 64 2 , 663
B at e s o n M , 68 9 - 9 0
, . B l f bayr G y mn , 7 3
. . . .

B a th O c c u l t R epr in t S er ies , 2 9 1 B o e thiu s , 109 , 5 2 7 , 6 1 8 -2 2 , 658,

B a ttl e, W C , 2 8 . . 67 7
B 0 15 5 1e r , A , 34
.

B a u d r y de B al z ac , 7 3 6 .

B a u r L , 7 44
, . B o l l, F , 1 4 , 16 , 1 05 , 1 1 1 , 2 9 1, 3 16,
.

B e a zl e y, R , 3 2 6, 48 0, 601 .
5 2 4 - 5 . 68 3
k
B ec e r , H , 5 5 1 . B o l le tti n o d e l la S oci e ta g eogr afi ca
B e ckh H , 604, . ita lia na , 4 80
k
B e c m a nn , M a r ba d 7 7 5 ,
B o l u s de Me n de s , 5 0
B e de, 4 7 6 6 1 7 , , 6 5 8, 67 5 ) B o nc o mp agn i, B , G h er ar do Cr e .

68 3 . 688 . 6 9 4. 7 02 m an es e, 1 63
H e x a e m e r o n , 48 5 B o nnet , A c ta ap o s to l or u m ap o cr y
N a tu r a r er u m , 63 4- 5 , 67 6, 69 5
°

p ha . 3 9 7
S a mu e l 6 3 5 ,
B o o k of Ch ang es 6 ,

Te mp o r ibus 63 4 5 ,
—
B o o k of th e D e a d, 9 , 3 62
T o nitr u is 63 5 6, 6 7 9 ,
-
B o o k of th e S a vio ur , 3 69 , 3 7 7
B el e nus , 2 67 B o o k of S e c r e ts , 6 7 0
B e ll a r m inu s 4 69 B o o k o f S e ve n ty, 6 7 0
k
,

Be l o n , P 1 3 1 for Boo o f , s ee a l s o A l
B e n n e tt, W H , 446
.
,

. . habib B a r uc h , Crate s , ,

B e nt w ich , N , 3 49 . En o c h , He l x a i, J e i l
B e r e ng ar iu s , 7 0 1- 2 B o r gn e t, A , 664 .

B e r n a dak e s , G N , 2 02 . . k
B o s t o c , J , a n d Riley, H T , c hap . . . .

B e r na r d o f Cl air aux , S t 502 , v . ii. 1 7 5 . 2 1 4. 3 2 9

65 8 B o ucli é L ecl e r c q, A , 5 0, 5 9 , 1 1 2 ,
-
.

B e r n a r d G o r do n , s e e G o r do n 2 9 2 3 . 2 9 7 . 3 08 . 3 1 6 . 4 7 6.
-

B e r n ar d o f P r o e n c e , 7 4 0 v 68 3 . 68 7
B e r na r d S il e s te r , 7 1 7 v B o u ch ie r , E S , 3 1 3 , 3 80, 4 34 .

B o u s s e t, W , 3 4 9 , 3 6 1
.

B e r n ay s , 7 3 .

B e r o s us , 9 5 104 , 18 5 B o x, E B , 6 19 . .

B e r th e l o t P E M , 5 40 . B o x, G H , 3 5 1 . .

B ra n dt , W , 3 8 3
.
,

A r c hé o l o g i e 12
C hime
.

6 7 0. 6 9 7 . 7 6 1 B r a u l io , 62 3 -4 62 8 ,

I n tr o du c tio n 12 , 19 9 , B r e a s te d, J H , 1 2 . .

5 44 His tor y of E gyp t, 8-12

 B I B L I O G R AP HI CA L I ND E X

R e lig io n an d Th o ug ht in Ca r dan 7 69 ,

A n cien t E g yp t, 7 - 10 C a r r a d e V a u x , 1 88 , 6 5 3, 66 1
B r eh a ut, E , 62 3 6 2 5 .
,
C ar r a r io l i D , 5 5 1 , .

B ré h ie r , E , 348 9 .
-
Ca s a ubo n 2 1 3 ,

B r e s la u P h il o l A bha n dl , 2 9 7 C a s s ia n u s B as s u s , 604
'

. .

B r ia u R M , 1 2 5
, . . C as s io do r u s 5 4 5 , 6 1 7 , 6 1 9 , 62 5
,

B r idg e s , R H , 603 66 1 . .
,
I n s titu te s 4 8 3 , 608 ,

B r iti s h M us e u m Ca tal og u e of L e tter s 6 3 9 ,

Vas es 2 66
k
B ro c , A J , 1 19 12 2
B r o ug nia r t A 7 6 1
B r o w n , J Wo o d, 67 0
B r o wne , C A , 1 9 4
,
Ca s s iu s Fe l ix , 6 07
. .
, Ca ta l og us c o dic u m G r ae c or u m as
, .
,
tr o l o g or u m , 2 8 , 1 1 6 , 2 9 1 ,
. 65 1
. . C at o , D e r e r us tic a, 9 3
'

C ecc o d A s c o l i, 2 67 , 66 5
’
B r o w ne , E G , 660 , 67 4 . .

B r o w n e , Th o m a s , 3 5 4 Ce l s u s 2 8 2
,

v
B ubno , 5 01 , c h ap xxx . A g a ins t ma g icia n s 2 7 8 ,

B u dge , E A W . . . Tr u e D is c o ur s e ch ap x ix , .

A l ex a n de r 5 5 1 , 5 62 - 3 ,
C e l s u s th e m e dic a l w r it e r , 7 2 7
E g yp tia n Mag ia 7 - 14 2 3 3 . 686 .
Ce n s o r in u s , 3 5 4 3 7 1 , 6 90 ,

B u l l e tin His pa n iqu e, 7 04 Ch ae r e m o n , 3 1 5 , 4 57

B u l l e tin e t M e m d l S o cie te Ch al c idiu s , 4 7 6
' ’ ’

. . .

Ar c h e o l d d ep t d I l l e e t Ch ap m an 40 5
’ ’
-
.
. .
,

Vi la in e 7 7 5 , Ch a r l e s R H , ch ap x i i i 4 88 -9
, . . .
,

B ul l e tin d l S o cie te d G eog r a Ap o c r yp ha a n d P s eu depig r a pha

’ ’

. . .
,

p hic. 5 65 2 8 7 c h ap x iii , .

B unbu r y Hi stor y of An cien t

,
As c e ns ion of I s aia h 3 9 9 ,

G e og r aphy, 601 B o o k of E n o c h c h a p x i i i , .

B u r c h a r d o f W o r m s , 63 0 Ch a r l e s a n d Fo r b e s , c h ap x i i i .

k
B u r c h ar dt , J , 6 90 . C h a r le s an d Mo r fi l l , ch ap x iii .

k
B u r e tt, F C , 3 7 4 . . Ch ar t e r iu s , R , 1 1 9 .

B u r n a m , J M , 7 04 . . v
Ch a an n e s , E , e t P e llio t , P , 3 83 . .

B ur r , G L , 2 63 0 . .
,
Chir o n th e c e ntau r , 4 3 4 , 5 9 7 8 -

B u r t o n W , 7 62
, . Ch o ul ant , L 5 7 8 , 6 12 - 3 .
,

B u r y J B , 2 66 - 7 , 3 88
, . . Ch r is t, G es c h d G r ie ch L i tt 1 05 , . . .

B us s o n , G 7 . 2 0 1 , 2 1 5 , 5 40
B utle r , H E , and O wen , A S . . . . C hr is tlic h es K u n s tbla tt, 4 9 7
Apu l e i Ap o l og ia, 2 2 , 2 2 4 E . Ch r y s ipp u s , 5 0, 14 6
B utt man n , P , 3 40 . C h r y s o s t o m, J o h n , 47 2 - 6, 480, 4 9 4,
B yza n t Z eits c hr if t, 4 9 7
.
499
N a tur i s bes ti a r u m 49 9 ,

Ca e c il ius , 9 4 S ix th H o mil y o n M a tth ew , 4 7 2 -4

C a e l iu s A ur e l ian u s , 62 5 S p ur io us H o m ily o n Ma tth ew,
C a e s a r , J s ee W e be r C F an d
.
, , .
47 2 5
Cah ie r , N o u vea ux M e l o ug es , 49 8 Ch w o l s o n D A , 66 1 - 3
’

, . .

C ah ie r e t Ma r tin, Mé l an g es , 49 8 Cic e r o , 5 0 2 3 2 , 5 9 7 ,

Caj o r i, 188 D ivin a tio n e 9 7 , 2 68 -7 3 ,

Ca l de r o n, 4 3 2 D r ea m of S cipio, 2 7 3 , 5 44
Ca l l is th e n e s ( o n r o o ts ) , 49 5 R e pu bl ic 2 7 4 ,
'

Cal l is th e n es P s e u do c hap xxiv .

,
C il d s e e B al d a n d
,

7 . 33 1 Cil l ié , G G , 5 5 5. .

C al vm , 4 4 7 k
Cl a r a n d G e i ie , 10 1 k
Cam br idg e Me die va l His tor y, 5 2 4 C las s ica l P hil o l o gy, 5 3 0
Ca m br idg e U niver s i ty Tex ts a n d C l as si ca l R e view, 2 1, 5 2 5
S tu dies 3 42 , C l e m e n t P s e udo , 3 63 -4 , c hap xvi i .

C a me r a r iu s J 5 56 , .
, C ir c ui ts , 4 04
Ca m p b e l l C , 8 , . H o mi lies , 3 64 5 , ch ap x i i -
. v
C ap ar t P r imitive Ar t in Egyp t, 6
,
I tin e r a r iu m 4 02 ,

C a p e ll a s ee Ma r t ian us
, R ec og n itio ns 2 3 1 , 364 5 , c hap ,
-
.

Ca rac c io , 3 49
 B I B LI O GR AP HI CAL I ND E X

Cl e m e nt o f Al e x an dr ia, S tr a ma ta , Co r n f o r d, F M , 2 3 . .

2 88 4 7 6 4 99 . .
C o r p us M e dic ar u m G r a e c or um,
C l eo p at r a, 1 5 2 , 1 96 , 65 5 1 19
v
C l e r al Her ma nn l e D a l ma te
, , Co ry, A n cien t F r a g me n ts , 2 9 7
7 0 1 -2
C o r y, A T H o r a p o l l o , 3 3 1
. .
,

C l into n F as ti 1 2 4, 1 3 5
, ,
C o s m a s I n dico p l e u s te s , 48 0
Cl it o m ac h u s 2 68 , Co s t a b en L u ca, 65 2 - 9
k
Co c ayn e O , L ee c h d o ms 5 9 6, 67 9 ,
, .
, Difi e r en tia s pir itus e t a nima e,
7 2 08 7 3 4 7 7 6 . .
65 7 - 9
N a r r a ti un c u l a e 5 5 6 , H e r o s M e cha ni cs , 189 , 6 5 2
’

C o h n L 3 48 3 5 1
, .
, ,
P hys ica l Lig a tur es 6 5 2 -7 ,

C o l le n uciu s P 5 3 , .
,
Co u s in V , P r o c li O p e ra , 3 19
, .

C o l o mb o D e r e a na to mica 1 4 7
, , C o x e , H O , 5 2 , 1 2 1 , 47 8 , 7 0 1 ,
. .

C o l u m bia Un ive r s ity S tudies in 7 15

His tor y, e tc , 62 2
Co l u m e ll a , 5 0 5 9
v
Co l il l e , G , 6 19
C o mba r ie u, J 6 5 68
. G ra ig , I A n
,
Cr a te s , B o o k o f , 7 63
. C r ate u a s , 606
.
, ,
C r a w f o r d, W S , 5 40 . .

C o mp os itio ne s a d ting en da, ch ap . C r e uz e r , F , 2 9 9 .

x xxi i i C r in a s o f Ma r se ill e s, 98
C o mp o tus o r C o mp u tus , 67 6 -7 C r ito , 1 5 2
C o m t e , 1 07 C r it o de m u s , 9 5
C o n f uc ian Cano n , 6 C r o is e t 2 8 2 ,

Co ngr es s cie n tifi qu e in ter n a tio n a l C r o p h il l , J o hn, 684 -5

‘

de s ca th o liques , 7 , 2 9 7 , 7 0 1 C r u ic e , A bb é , 4 66
C o ng r es s , I n ter na tio n a l of M e di , Cu m o n t , F .

c in e . 1 3 1 . 1 4 5 640 . 66 7 . 6 7 3 .
B a by l o n u d G r ie ch As tr o l . . .

C o ngr es s , I n ter na tio na l, of O r i o g ie . 3 4

en ta lis ts , 3 80 O r ien ta l R e lig io ns , 2 1, 2 9 6 , 5 33
Co n s tan t in u s A f r ican u s , c hap . C un n in g h am , W , 49 5 .

xxx ii 5 7 7 . 6 1 0. 6 5 3 . 6 5 7 . 7 3 I
. Cu nn ing ha m M e m o ir s of R oya l
A n tido tar iu m 7 4 7 , I r is h A ca d e my, 2 93
A ur e us , 7 5 7 - 9 Cu r t is s , S I , 3 3 . .

C hi r ur g i a 7 4 7 8 -
Cu r tze , 7 06
C a irn. 7 4 2 . 7 5 3 Cu s h m an , H E , 2 6 . .

C o mpe n diu m mega teg ni, 7 49 Cyp r ian , o f An t ioc h

E xpe r im e n tis , 7 5 3 C o nf e s s io, 2 9 6 , c hap m m .

F e br iu m, 7 42 , 7 5 0 M ar tyr ium, 4 28
G r a du u m, 6 1 3 , 7 48 , 7 5 0- 1, 7 5 5 6 -
Cyp r ia n o f Ca r th ag e, 463 , 46 5
H u ma na n a tur a 65 9 -60 7 5 7 , ,
Cy r il . 3 9 8 . 4 7 6
M e lan c ho lia , 65 8 9 , 7 4 2 , 7 5 1-2 , -
Cy r il o f A l e x a ndr ia, 5 7 0
7 55
,
Cyr il o f J e r u sa l e m , 42 3
O bli vi o n e , 7 42
P a n teg ni 6 5 8 -9 , 7 46E , . Dal ec ha mp s 3 2 9 ,

S imp lic is m e dic inae 7 4 8 ,

Da l t o n O M 2 3 7
, . .
,

S t o m a ch o 7 4 2 , 7 5 2 3 ,
D a m ig e r o n 2 9 3 . 7 77 .

Teg ui, M e g a teg ni, Micr o te g ni, Da m is o f N ine e h , c h ap iii 407 v . v ,

D a m o c rate s 1 3 5
74 9 ,

Ur i nis , 7 5 0 D an ie l th e p r o p h e t, 38 5 , 67 9 -80
Vi o t c m. 7 42 . 7 4 5 . 7 4 9 if 7 5 3. Dan iel o f Mo r l ey 7 44
é 5g
,

D an te C o n vivi o 6 19
, ,

it
C on s t u ti o ne s a po s to l or u m 4 2 2 ,
Di vine C o m e dy 3 40, 3 6 1 ,

Co nyb e a r e F C 2 4 7 3 48 9
, . .
, ,
-
Da r e m b e r g C V 600 7 3 1 , 7 3 6
, . .
, ,

k
Co o , A B , Z e us , 2 3 , 2 9 6, 3 7 9 ,
. . G a lien c o mm e p hil o s o ph e 1 2 4 ,

G al ie n s ur l a n a to nu e 12 2 , 14 1,
’ '

42 9 ,

k
Co o , A S , 4 99
. . 14 5
C o r die r , H , s ee Y ul e , Mar c o P o l o
. Hi s t d S ci en ces Mé di ca l es ,
. .

Co r do , s e e S im o n o f G e n o a 7 ?
1 . 5 7 7 7 43 1
5
-
0 .

C o r n ar iu s , I , 5 66E . . N o ti c es e t E x tr a i ts 5 9 8 7 4 2 E , , .
 B I B L I O GR AP HI CAL I N D E X

Eth el w o l d, 7 05 Fo w l e r , H W , a n d F G 2 7 7
. . .

E th ic us , C o s m ogr aphia, 600-604 Fo wle r, W W , 7 3 . .

Et ie n ne , R , se e S te p hanus F r an z bs ic h e S tu die n, 499

’

E uc l id, 2 9 , 13 9 , 6 63 Fr a z e r , J G , 5
. .

G e o m e tr y 7 05 -6 , F o lk -l o r e in O l d Tes ta me n t, 1 6,
O p tics 66 9 ,
1 7 0. 2 3 1 . 3 4 1 . 3 5 9 . 3 86. 44 8
Eu de m u s , 2 3 7 4 93 . 688
E u do x u s , 6 1 G o l de n B o ug h, 5 , 5 68
E ug e n e o f P al e r m o , 108 M ag ic A r t, 1 , 3 86
E ug e n iu s T o l etan us , 69 6 P op u la r S up er s titions , 2 4
E unap iu s , 2 9 7 k
F r e de r ic I I , e m p e r o r , 1 06 , 7 3 7
E u r ip ide s , 2 2 F re e , J o h n , 5 2
Eu s e b iu s . 2 6 1 . F r ee m an, His t o r y of S icily, 2 2
Ag a ins t Ap o l l o nius , 2 4 6 Fr e in d, s e e Fr ie n d
P r a ep E va ng , 2 9 7 , 3 1 7 , 3 2 0, 3 4 1,
. . Fr e u d, 1 7 8
3 5 4. 4 5 7 Fr ie n d, J o hn, 5 69 , 5 7 6
Eus tach e o f K e n t, 5 64 F r o mmbe rg e r, G , 40 1 .

E u s ta th iu s A f e r , 4 84 -5 F r o nto , 5 3 7
E us tathiu s o f Antio ch , 4 7 0 F r o thing h a m, 17
v
E an s , A J 3 0 1 . Fu c h s , 3 80
v
E an s , E P , 4 9 7 . . k
Fun , F X , 42 2
. .

E va x , 463 ch ap xxx i , . v
v
E e ra r d, J o h n , 2 9 1 G a is f o r d, 3 4 1
E w al d, 34 1 G al e n , c ha p iv 3 2 , 5 6, 2 84, 288 ,
.
,

E xo dus , 3 86 2 9 2 . 5 69 - 7 4 . 5 9 7 . 605 . 6 1 3 4 . -

Eys se nh a r dt, F , 5 45 . 62 6, 65 6, 663 , 666 -7 7

7 3 9 . 7 47 . 7 54 6-

Fab r ic ius , J A . . A d P is o n e m de ther ia ca, 1 30,

B ibl G r a e c , 5 9 9 , 7 4 3
. . I 7 0. I 7 7
C o d ap o c r , 3 8 7 , 42 5 - 6
. . A lim e n to r u m f a cu l ta tibus , 13 7 ,
S e x tus E mpir ic u s , 2 69 159
Fa r ne l l , G r e e ce a n d B a by l o n, 1 5 , A n a t o m a dminis t , 12 1 , 12 3 , 1 5 2
.

17 - 8. 2 3 4 -
A n tido t , 1 5 4 , 1 7 1
Fas ti P hil o c a l ia n i 686 ,
C o g n os ce nd is c ur an di s qu e a n imi
F a vo r in u s , 2 69 2 7 4 - 5 ,
m or bi s, 1 2 3
v
Fa r e , G , 5 5 1 . C o mp o u n d m e dicines , 1 2 5 , 1 5 2 ,
Fe l l , J o h n , 4 2 8 16 0 1 7 2
,

Fe r r a r iu s , 7 4 7 Cr itica l d ays , 1 5 7 , 1 7 9
F e r r y. C . 7 7 5 . D ia g n os is f r o m D r ea ms , 1 7 7
Fial o n , 4 84 D ifi e r e n tiis pu ls or u m, 1 3 7
Fic in u s Ma r s il ius , 3 19
,
D ina mid is , 7 2 7 8 , 7 4 2 -

Finl ay s o n, J , 1 1 9 , 1 3 8 9 , 14 3 .
-
E upo r is ta s ee R e me du s para
,

F ir m ic u s Mat e r nu s , J ul ius , 1 16, bilibus

12 5; 5 5 3 8) 689 1 698 7 7 05 7
2 - F o e tu u m f or ma tio n e, 15 0
7 1 0, 7 8 2 H ea ling ar t, 17 6
E rr o r e, 5 2 5 - 9 Hipp o cr a tic c o mmen tar ies , 1 19
Ma th es is , 5 2 5 -38 17 7 ,
Fis ch e r , A , 6 7 3 . L i br u s pr opr us 12 4, 13 3 ,

Fl a cc u s A f r ica n us , 2 67 Ma litia c o mp l ex io nis dive rs a e ,

Fl o r e n tin u s , 42 5 12 5
Fl o r il eg ia , 6 18 Me dicin a l si mp l es ,
12 1 , 1 3 2 , 1 5 8,
F l ii ge l , G , 64 0 . 1 66 - 7 1 , 5 72 , 61 1
F o gg in iu s , 4 9 5 Me th o do m e den di, 1 2 3 , 12 7 , 1 3 3 ,
Fo l c z , J o h n , 6 12
F o l k l or e , 2 4
-
N a tu r a l ibus f a c u l ta tibus , 12 3
F o r b e s , s e e Cha r le s and O r dine libr o r u m, 1 33
For s te r , M , 6 7 3 . P l a to n i c co mm e n tar ies ,
F o s s e y 1 5 , 1 7 2 0, 3 3
,
-
138
F o s s i, F , 5 3 . P r og n os a d E pig en e m 12 4
.
,
 B I B LI O GR A P HI CA L I N DE X 8 19

R eme di ts pa r a bilibus 1 2 7 , 1 6 1 ,
-
, G o l den L eg en d , se e J ac obus de
I 7S V o r a g in e
S u bs tan tia f acu l ta tu m n a tu G o l d s t aub, M , 49 7 , 5 03
r a liu m, 1 7 0 G o l d s taub a n d W e n dr in e r , 4 9 9
Te mp e r a m e n tis 1 19 , G o ll an c z , H , 3 80 .

Th er ia ca a d P a mphilia nu m, 1 7 0 G o o d w in , W W , 2 02 -3 . .

Thr o a t a n d l u ngs 134 , G o r do n , B e r na r d , 688 , 7 4 0

U s u pa r tiu m, 1 1 9 1 38 , 1 5 0- 1 , G o s p e ls 6 7 4 7 2 5 . 7 5 4 ; a n d s e e in .

V e n a e s e c tion e, 1 2 5 v
d i idu al n a m e s
Vic tu 1 19 ,
G o s p e l of th e I nf a n cy ch ap xvi , .

dub io u s o r s p u r io u s G o uj e t 67 2 ,

E xp er im e n ts 16 2 7 2 0 , ,
G o up yl . I . 5 67
Libe r me dicina lis 600 ,
v
G o i G , 1 07
,
.

M e dica l Tr e a tme n t in H o mer , G r a e tz, 3 4 9

5 é2 G r at ia n D e cr e tu m, 63 0- 1
,
'

P la citis p hil os oph o r u m 180- 1 , G r ay , C D 3 3 . .

P r og n s tica tio n by a s tr o l ogy, G r ay, L 2 96

g
,

I7 G r ee n w o o d, J G 1 88
G re g o ry I , th e Gr e at, p o p e , Dia
.
,

S e cr e ts 7 5 2 ,

a n d s e e A p o ll o n iu s an d l og u es . 4 05 . 5 9 3 . 63 7 -9
G a mal ie l J e w is h p at r ia r c h , 5 84-5
,
G r eg o r y B a r - He b r ae u s , 66 2
G ans c hin ie t z , 4 67 G r e g o r y o f N y s s a, 44 7 , 5 05
G a r c il a s s o , 1 7 A g ain s t F a te, 4 7 1
G a r gil iu s Ma r tia l is 608 , Hex a e m er o n 4 5 9 , 48 1 ,

G a r io p o n tu s , 5 7 7 , 7 3 3 V e n tr il o quis t 4 7 0 ,

G ar r is o n, F H , 164 . . G r e n f e ll , B P 2 8 , 2 9 3 , 3 6 1 . .
,

G ar r o d H W , 9 5
, . . G r e n f el l an d Hunt , 3 6 1
v
G ar e r , M , 4 9 9 . G r iffi t h , F L , 7 ; a n d s ee T h o mp
. .

G e b e r , 6 7 0, 7 6 3
k
G e i ie , s ee Cl a r an d
G e l a s iu s , p o p e , 389 , 4 04 , 406
G e n e a l o g us 3 2 6
Ge nt il e da Fo l ign o , 1 64
s o n an d
k G r imm , J ac o b , 5 67 -8 , 5 84
G r o E, E gyp tia n S or c e r y, 7
,
G r o s s e te s te , R o b e r t, 1 06, 1 89
G r ii t z m a ch e r G 5 40 , .
,

G e n es is 1 8 1 . 1 9 3 . 3 4 1 . 3 86 . 44 5 .
, G u ido o f A r e zz o , 6 9 8
c h ap x x i, 5 2 1 . G uin th e r o f A n de r n ach , 5 67 , 5 7 6-7
G e op on ica 5 9 46 3 , 604- 5 , , G ul de n s c h o E, J , 4 7 7 .

G e rar d B it u r ic e n s is , s ee G e r a r d de G u n dis s alin u s , 7 44

S olo G uth r ie K , 2 9 8, 303 -4, 349
, .

G e r ar d o f Cr e m o na, 109 - 10, 64 6, G uyo t. H. 3 49

648 . 7 5 0 G w at k in, H M , 5 2 4 . .

G e r ar d d e S o l o , 7 47 , 7 49
G e r b e r t, c ha p xxx . Haa s e S en e ca 1 0 1
, ,

G e r so n , 106 Haas e F 3 7 3
, .
,

G e s ne r , 3 2 2 Hag in s th e J e w 6 5 0 ,

G ia co s a, P , 7 3 1 , 7 3 9 . Ha in 498,

G ibb o n, E , 2 85 . Hal l iw e l l J O 7 06 , . .
,

G ib s o n , M D , 42 8 . . Ha m il t o n G L 6 3 1 , . .
,

G il b e rt o f En gl an d, 162 , 5 7 7 , 688 Ha mil t o n Ma r y 688 , ,

G il be r t Ma m in o t , 6 7 3 Ha m il t o n N E S A 69 0 , . . . .
,

G il e s de Co r b e il , 7 3 7 Hal y He b en Ro dan ,

G il e s , J , 6 3 6 D is p os itio n e a e r is , 647
'
.

a n d s e e E g idiu s de T e bal dis P l u viis 64 7 ,

G il l e r t , K , 684 P t o le my s Q ua dr ip ar titu m,
’
. 1 10
G in ze l F K , 3 4
, . . Ha mm e r J e n s e n , 107 —

v
G io a n n in o di G r az ian o , 682 Ha nn ub iu s , 5 3 7
G io v e n e , G M , 686 . . Han s e n, J , 2 , 63 1 .

G ir y, A , 7 64 . Ha r do u in, 4 2
G l ab e r , s ee R a o ul Ha r l e ian M S S , Catal og ue o f,
v
G l o e r , T R , 5 44 . . 684 - 5
82 0 B I B L I O GRAP HI CA L I N D E X

Har n ac k A , .
, 4 05 He r me s T r is m e gis tu s ,
1 7 8, ch ap . x,
G es c h d a l tc hr Li t , 4 00
. . . .
5 37 .

M e dicin is ch es a us d a l tes t . . A s c l ep i u s ,
2 2 1 , 2 90 , 596
K ir c h e ng es c h , 1 3 8 9 .
-
Fif te en S ta r s , H er bs S to n es , ,

Ha rp es t r e n g t he D a n e , 6 12 3 4 0. 6 64
Har r ing to n, S c h o o l of S al er n o, I ma g e s an d I n can ta tio ns , bo o k s
731 at. 664
Ha r r is , R e n del , 2 3 P oima n dr es , 2 9 0 1 , 3 7 9 -

Ha r r is o n , J E , 2 2 , 2 5 1, 3 01 . . Vir g in of th e Wo r l d, 2 9 1
Ha r te l W , 3 69
, . Her m ipp us , 5 2 4
Hart f e l de r , K , 2 68 . He r m o g e n e s , 3 42 43 5 ,

Harvar d S tu dies in Clas s ica l P hil He r o o f A l e x an d r ia, 1 08-9 , 1 88 -93 ,

o l o gy 1 08- 9 ,
2 66 , 6 5 2
Ha r v ey J o h n 2 9 1
, , k
w o r s l is te d at 18 8
Ha s k in s C H 7 02 , . .
, He r o do tu s , 2 1 —2 , 12 9 , 1 5 6
A d e la r d of B a th 6 5 2 6 64 , , He r o p hil u s , 3 2 , 7 7 , 14 5 6, 180 -

F ur th e r N o te s , 1 0 9 He r r a nd u s 7 02 ,

R e c ep tio n of A r a bic S cien c e, k

He r r ic , F H , 2 67 . .

69 3 . 7 7 3 He s io d, 2 1 , 7 7 , 2 07
k
Has i n s an d L o c wo o d, 1 08-9
,

k Hieg , 1 1 9
v
Ha e l l , E B , 1 2 , 2 5 1 . . Hie r o c l es , 2 46
He ath, T L , 2 9 , 3 2 , 18 8
. . Hie r o n ym u s , s ee J e r o me
He e g, P s e u do de m o cr it S tu dien, . Hig de n , s ee R anul f
7 33 Hil de be r t , 4 9 8
He ge l , P hil os ophy of R e ligio n, 1 Hil deg a r d o f B ing en, 342 , 4 32 , 660
He g e s ip p u s , 4 2 5 -6 Hilg e n fe l d, A , 39 9 -40 1 , 405 .

Heh n S ie ben za h l u S a bba t, 1 6, 34

, . Hin c m a r o f Re im s , 63 0
He ib e r g, J L , 1 05 , 109 , 188 9 . .
-
Hip p ar c h u s , 3 2 . 9 6 . 5 3 7
He ide r , G , 49 8 -9 . Hip p o c r at e s ( an d Hipp o c r at ic
He igl , G A , 2 99 . . w r it in g s ) . 2 7 . 2 9 4 9 . 5 8 . 1 3 0. .

He im, R , 5 68 , 605 . 14 2 . 1 1 5 0. 1 7 8- 9 . 3 5 6 . 5 7 1 .
He in s ch , P , 3 4 9 . 62 5. 3 . 7 2 3 . 7 35 . 7 47 . 7 5 7
He in tz e , W , 39 9 , 4 03 , 406 . Aph or is ms , 1 7 6
He lio do r u s , 2 3 2 As tr o l ogy, 1 7 8 - 9
He l l e r , A , 1 08 , 1 88 . L e tter to A n tig on us o r M a e
He l m r e ich , G , 1 1 9 , ch ap xxv . . c en a s , 600, 7 2 4
He l p e r ic u s , 6 9 6 Hipp o l ytu s , c h ap s x v, xx, 1 07 , .

H e lx a i, B o o k of, 3 7 2 2 7 8 . 3 87 . 482 . 7 6 5
He n d r ie , R , c h ap xxx iii . . Hi r n , Y , 6 .

He n g s te n b e r g, G es ch B il ea ms , . Hir s c hb e r g J , 5 66 , .

3 5 3 . 44 7 Hi sto ir e L itté r a ir e d e l a Fr ance,

He n s ch e l , 5 7 8 , 7 3 1 , 7 58 1 63 6 7 2 , e t c , .

He p h a e s t io n o f T h eb e s , 1 1 5 -6, 5 38 His tor is c h Jahr bu ch, 5 4 1 .

He r acl ide s o f P o ntu s , 3 2 His tor y of Thr e e K ings of

He r ac l ide s o f T a re n tu m , 1 5 3, 4 9 5 C o l og n e 444 . 44 6. 4 7 7 .

He r a clit u s , 1 8 1 Ho l m e s an d K itte r man 10 ,

He r ac liu s , c h ap xx xiii . Ho m e r . 49 . 169 2 4 5 . 2 60. 2 7 3 . 5 82 .

He r a e u s , 5 5 2 F o ur te e n th Epig r a m, 4 34
He r a s , 1 5 3 a n d s e e I lia d an d O dys s ey
H er bar iu m , 5 9 7 ; a n d s e e Ap ul e ius Ho m ily o n M ag i 4 7 8 9 ,
-

He r c h e r , R , 2 1 5 , 3 2 2 . Ho mm e l A e thiop P hys io l og us ,
, .

H er ma n ni de ym br ibus e t p luvii s , 4 9 8 . 5 03
64 7 Ho mm e l F , G es ti r n di ens t, 3 5 5
, .

He r man n u s C o nt r actu s , ch ap xxx, . Ho n e 3 8 7 . 3 9 5

.

7 0 1, 7 2 8 Ho n e in be n I s h a , 6 5 3 , 660, 7 5 2 k
He r m ann o f D al m at ia , 649 7 0 1 , Ho n o r ius o f Aut un, 5 02
He r m es , 105 , 1 09 , 1 2 1 , 188 , 2 98 , Ho o t e n 1 2
,

2 6 6
5 . 5 7 . 59 5 . 6 06. 6 0 -1
9 0. Ho o v e r H C
, . . an d H L . .
, 1 32 , 3 29
6 12 Ho p f L 7 3
, .
,
 B I B LI O GRAP HI CAL I ND EX

J o ur n a l o f He l l enic S tu dies , 2 66 , O r a cu lis C h a l da i ci s 2 9 7 , 3 08 ,

301 V e ttius Va l e ns 1 16 ,

J o ur nal o f R oyal As ia tic S o cie ty ,

K r o ll a n d A u s f e l d, 5 5 1
33 7 k
K r o l l e t S ut s c h , c h ap xx n i , 3 02 , .

J o we tt 2 6 , 69 0
J uba k in g
, of N um idia , 4 9 , 2 18 , 2 5 6 K r up e r, 7 3
J u de E pis tle
, 342 , 4 3 5 o f ,
K ii bl e r , B , 5 5 1 .

J ul ian the Ch a l dea n , 2 96 , 3 1 7 K uc hl e r , F , 2 0 .

J ul ia n, e mp e r o r , 3 1 7 , 5 68 K ug l e r , F X , 1 6, 34 . .

J ul ian Ho n o r ius , 60 1 K uhn , C G , c h ap iv, 5 7 2 , 605

. . .

J ul ius Fir m ic u s Mate r nus , see K ii s t e r , E , 7 3 .

Fi r m i c u s
J ul ius Va l e r iu s , R es g es tae, ch ap .

xx i v L acta ntiu s , 2 2 0, 2 4 1, 2 43 , 2 46, 465 ,

J u st inian, 5 7 5 47 9
Dig es t 3 5 6 , 5 68 ,
L a G r a n d e E n cyc l o pé die, 2 9 2
J u s tin , B o o k of B ar u ch, 39 9 L ag a r de , P D 4 00 . .
,

J us tin Ma r ty r , 3 63 , 4 16, 42 1, 469 , L ag r an ge , M J 3 4 .

476 La mm , O V , 4 2 8 . .

v
J u enal , 1 2 6, 43 7 L a n c e t 1 1 9 -2 2 , 1 46- 7
,

L a n c e t- C linic, 10
K aes tn er , H , 609 . L an d, O tia S yr ia ca, 49 7 -8
K ar p in s i, L C , 3 1 k . . L an g do n , S , 3 4 .

K at r a r io s J , 5 2 4 , . L a pi d ar ius 49 5 , 7 7 8 ,

K eh re r , H , 47 6 . L ap l a c e , 1 08
K e il 4 9 5 0
,
-
L a s c a r is , C , 42 4 .

K e ll e r O 7 3
, .
,
L au ch e r t R , 4 9 7 - 5 0 1,

K e n ne dy H A A 7 3 49 , . . . L a u r e n ce , 399
K e n yo n F G , 3 6 5 , . . L a u r en t A , 3 2 , .

K ep l e r 4 5 7 . 4 7 3
.
L a ws of H enr y I , 69 0
°

K e s sl e r K , 383 , . L ea, H C , 2 . .

K id d, J 14 7 Le bo u r , 7 3
K in g. C W 4 9 .
3 29 . 3 7 9 . .
. .
L e cle r c, 5 0
5 68 7 7 5 7 7 7 . .
Le Co q A v , 3 83 , . .

K ing L W 1 7 , 3 3
, . . L e e c h -B o o k of B a l d a nd Cil d,
K ing Ja m es V e r s io n 4 7 1 , 7 2 0 -
3
K ing s Fir s t B o o k Of 3 86
, .
L e e m an s 68 2 ,

K ir c h o E, A , 2 9 9 . L e hm ann, P , 683 .

K itt e r man a n d Ho l mes , 10 L e ma ire , 4 2 , 3 2 9

K l at s c h e E H , 2 4 , . . L e m in n e , J 1 39
K l e En er , A J , 5 4 1 . . L e n o r m ant , 5 , 1 7 -2 0, 3 2
K nyg h t o n , 69 0 L e o I , th e G r eat, p o p e, 5 2 0, 5 7 5
K n u dt z o n J A , 3 4 , . . L e o A ll at iu s , 4 69
K bb e r t H , 5 9 6 , . L eo , a r chp r ies t, 5 5 7
K o c h, H , 5 4 1 . L e o o f O s t ia , 7 43
K o ch , K , 12 1 . L eo n ic en u s , N , 53 .

K o e c h l y, 2 9 3 L et r a e , 4 80
K o e le r G D , 10 1
, . . Le u c ip p us , 1 9 3
K oe t s c h a u, P , 43 6 . v
Le i 55 1
,

K o p p . U F4 5 4 5 6 .
-
L e t/inc ur 4 3 9 . 4 5 9 .

K o r a n 3 45 , I e w e s , G H , 2 9 - 30, 5 0 . .

K o s to m O i r o s G A , 5 66 , . . L e w ys o h n , 7 3
K r a b ing e r , J G , 5 40 . . L iba n iu s 4 7 2 5 3 8 -40 5 8 4
, , ,

K r a u s F X , 5 40
, . . L ibr ar y o f Ha r var d U niver s ity ,

K r it z ing e r , 4 7 3 B ibliog r ap hica l C o n tr ibu

K r o h n , F , 1 83 . tio ns 1 66 ,

Kr o ll , W . Lidde l l a n d S c o tt 12 0, 2 65 ,

A na l e c ta, 3 1 8-9 L idzb a r s k i M 3 8 3 , .

Her m es , 2 90 Lie b e r m an n , F 6 9 0
 B I B L I O GR AP HI CA L I N D E X 82 3

L ie chten s te in, P .
,
642 Ap h o r is ms , 1 3 8, 1 5 1 , 1 64 , 1 7 6- 7
L il iu s T if e r n at e s , 3 4 7 M o r e N e vo chim, 3 5 8
L in de r m aye r , A , 7 3 . M a k lu 1 8 ,

Linnae u s , 1 7 5 Ma le. E . 390. 3 9 7 . .

4 7 5 6.
-

Linu s , p o p e , 42 6 5 02
Lip p m a n n , E O V , 12 , 1 6, 1 9 4, . . . Man e th o , 28 9 , 2 9 2 - 3
64 9 6 7 0, c h ap xxx iii
,
. Man g ey 3 48 .

L ip s iu s e t B o nn e t , 3 9 7 Man il iu s 9 5 69 0- 1 , ,

L ithic a, s e e O r p h e u s Man itiu s Max 6 1 9 62 3 63 1

, , , ,

L o be ck , G A , 2 88 . . Mann M F 49 7 9
, . .
,
-

L o c a r d, 7 3 M an s i 4 9 9
,

k
L o c w o o d, s ee Ha s ins an d k Mant u an i J 607 , .
,

L o c y, W A , 2 9 3 0
. .
-
Mappe cl avic u la 468 c h ap x xxiii , , .

L o ds , A , 34 1 - 2
. Mar bo d 46 3 7 6 1 c hap xxxiv
, , , .

L o ne s , T E , 2 6, 2 9
. . Fa to c l g en es i 7 8 1 -2 ,

L o r e nz, 7 3 La pidu m 7 7 5 8 1 ,
-

L o th, O 64 1 , 649
.
, Ma r c el l u s dis c ip l e o f P e t e r , 42 5
,

L 6 we n e c k , M , 7 3 3 . Ma rc e l l u s E m p ir ic u s , c h ap xxv, .

L o x u s , 4 60 5 9 5 . 6 00 . 608 . 7 2 4 . 7 6 7
L u c an , 6 2 9 Mar c i an u s , s e e Ma r t ianu s
Lu c ia n, 2 7 6 8 6 -
Mar c o P 0 10 1 3 2 , 2 14 , 47 9 , 5 64 , .

A le xa n de r . 2 47 . 2 7 7 . 3 7 9 . 44 0. M a r e tt , R R , 6 , 2 2 . .

56 1 Ma r g o l io uth , 7 46
Ap o l og ia 2 7 7 ,
Ma r ia n u s S c o t us, 686, 69 2
A s tr o l og ia , 28 2 -3 Ma r ine l l i, 4 80
Dia l og u es o f th e G o ds , 2 83 Mar inu s , 107
D ips a dibus , 2 84 Mar in u s , L if e of P r o c lus , 686
Dr ea m 2 8 3 Ma r k , G o s p e l of , 3 86
k
,

H o w to wr ite his tory, 2 84 -6 Ma r , K F H , 14 6 . . .

L u cius , 2 7 6 Mar qu a r dt, I , 1 1 9 .

M e nippus , 2 8 1, 4 16 Ma r tia n u s Cap el l a, 3 2 6, 5 45 - 6, 67 7 ,

N igr in us 2 8 4 , 7 09
P er eg r in us 2 7 7 , Ma r t in , Hér on 188 ,

P hil o ps e ud es , 2 7 9 Ma r tin , J , P hil o n, 3 47 .

Tr ag op o dagr a, 2 84 Ma r t in , s ee Cah ie r a n d
L u c iu s 3 4 9
, Ma r tyr iu m of Cypr ia n a n d J us
L u c r e t iu s 7 60, tin a, 4 2 8
L u m by. 69 0 Ma rx , A , 7 3 .

L up itus o f B ar c el o n a, ch ap xxx . Ma r x , F , 4 2 3 .

L ii r ing, H L , 1 0 . . Mary th e J e we s s , 1 96 -7
L ut he r , Mar t in, 65 1 Ma s s e l ie au, L , 3 49 .

L yco n , 2 3 7 Ma tth ew, G os pe l of, 3 9 7 , 45 5 ,

L y du s , J o h n , 6 3 5 4 7 1 E , 7 30 ; P s e u do .
3 90
L y dus , L a u r ent ius , 2 40 Max im u s , 4 2 6
Max im u s o f A e ga e , 2 44
Max im u s T a u r in en s is , 42 5
Mac do n al d D B 2 3 2 3 5 6 6 9 9
, . .
, , ,
Mc K e n z ie , K , 499 .

Mace r Fl o r idu s D e vir ibus h er ,

Me ad. G R S . 2 9 0. 2 99 . 3 69 . 3 7 4 .
. . .

ba/ r u m 61 2 5 , 3 7 7 8 . 4 0 1 . 42 5
-

Mace r T h e o p hil u s , 7 6 1
, Me ch it a r i s t s , 9 5 3 66
k
,

Mac inn o n , 639 M e dica e ar tis p r in cipes 5 66 E , .

Ma c r ay, 642 , 7 05 M e dici a n tiqu i 5 67 , 6 12 ,

Ma c r o bius . 3 5 5 . 5 44-5 Me l a s ee P o mp o n iu s
,

D r ea m of S c ipio, 3 02 , 5 00, 5 44 , M e m o ir e s c ou r o nn es par l A ca

' ’ ’

d e m ie d e B e lgiqu e , 1 3 9
’

7 09
S a tur na li a, 3 02 , 5 45 Men an de r , 2 2 , 49
Mah a Ey , J P , 1 3 5 . . Me n e c r at e s , 1 3 5
Ma i, C l as s ici a u c tor es , 498 Me ne l bu s , 5 7 4
Ma imo n ide s Mo s e s , Ment z, F , 7 6 .
 B I B L I O G R AP HI CAL I N D E X

Me r cu r iu s Cil eniu s ( o r Til l e m us ) , Mu hl e H v d 7 3 13 2

, . . .
, ,

6 5 2 ; a n d s ee He r m e s Muir W 33 7 642
. .
. .

M er r ifi e l d Mr s , ch ap x xx iii , . . Mul l e r 667 ,

Me r x, A , 1 2 1 , 3 7 3 Mii ll e r C 1 06 2 1 5 466 5 5 2
‘

.
, .
, , , ,

Mes u e ( Y uh a n n a ibn Mas aw aih ) , Mull e r F W K 4 7 9

, . . .
,

1 62 1 64 Mii l l e r H F 2 99
'

. .
, ,

Mun t e r S ter n der Weis en 3 5 4

,

Me t ro do r us , L e tter to C e ls us 44 1 , , ,
-
5,
Me t r o do r u s , B yz a n tine g r am 44 3 . 4 7 3
m a r ian , 5 7 5 Mu r at o r i A n ti qui ta tes
.

, , 7 64
Me u se l 5 5 1 , Mu r r ay M A 2 , .

Me w al dt 1 1 9 1 7 6 , , Mus a ib n Maim o n , s ee Ma i
Meye r E V 7 7 2
, . .
, m o n ides
Meye r M P H 5 5 1
, . . . Mu s aeu s 7 7 ,

Meye r S te in e g T 12 1
—
, Mus é e G uim e t 7 , 3 60 ,

Micah 3 5 2,

Mich a el S c o t 664 7 04 7 10 , , , N a gy, A 64 1 , 646 .

,

Migne Dic t d Ap o cr yph es

, . .
, 397 N a l l in o C A 1 06
, . .
,

Mil l s L H 349
, . .
, N a ns e n s N o r th P o l o/
’
r E xp e di ti o n ,

Mil n e J S 1 4 5
, . .
, R ep o r ts of , 49 1
Mil w a r d E 1 3 7 c h ap x xv, .
, , . Na u F 3 7 4
. .
.

Minuc ius Fe l ix 4 65 , N au dé G 2 34 , .
,

Mis k a ti 1 8 ,
N a v ig iu s 5 3 7 .

Mith r id at e s 8 7 1 7 1 4 9 5 , , , N a vil l e E 7 ,
.
,

Mitteilu ng e n d . a n th r o p G es e ll in
. . N e ch e p s o 1 7 3 ,

Wie n , 16 1 N ech e p s o a n d P e t o s 1r i s , 9 5 , 2 9 3 ,
Mitteil ung en d . V o r der a sia:t .
5 37 . 68 2 -
3 . 7 14
G es e l l .
, 47 3 N eck a m A l e x ande r , 342 , 65 8 , 7 7 2
,

Mo der n L a ng ua g e P u bl ic a tio ns , Ne g r i, 6 7 1
49 9 N e h e m ia h, 3 5 2
Mo e r ag e ne s ( o r Mo ir ag e n e s ) ,
2 44 , N e m es iu s , 7 5 2
2 46 . 2 5 3 . 448 N e p o s , C h a br ias , 5 5 8
Mo lbech C 6 1 2 ,
.
, Ne u e Ja hr bu c h, 1 4 , 3 4, 2 9 2
Mo m m s e n T 7 3 , .
, , 3 2 6-
3 1, 5 2 6, 60 1 , N e u es A r c hiv d G e s e l l f a l te r e . . .

é 95 de u ts c h e G es c h ic h ts k u n de ,
Mo n ac i, E , 4 99 . 68 4
M o nis t The, 6 30, N e w to n , D ie t o f B ir ds 2 67 .
,

Mo ntg o m e r y, J A , 3 84 . . N ic an de r , 1 7 2 , 2 36 - 7 , 4 9 5
M o o n B o o k s c h ap xx ix
-
, . N ic ep h o r u s , 4 5 7
Mo r e l l u s Fe de r ic us , 5 3 8 N ic h o l s o n , R A , 6 . .

Mo re t , A 7 N ic o de m us G o s p e l of , 3 9 0, 39 5 ,

Mo r f , H , 55 2 . N ie l s e n , D , 3 5 5 .

Mo r fil l an d Ch ar l es , c h ap x iii . N ig idiu s Figul u s , 5 1 5

Mo r gan , M H , 18 3 -8 . . N is a r d , 5 44
M or g e n la nd is c he F o r s c hu ng e n, 642 N ix , 6 5 3
Mo r ien u s R o m a n u s , 6 9 7 , 7 6 1 N o e lde k e , 5 52
Mo s e r , G H , 2 99 . . N o n u s , 5 69
Mo se s th e l a w - g i e r , 5 9 , 1 3 7 8 , v -
N o t k e r , L a be o , 6 7 7 , 7 2 8
15 1. 3 5 7 . 4 3 7 . 5 07 N ti m be r s , 444
Mo s e s b e n Ma i m o n, o r o f Co r N u m e n iu s , 44 3
v
,

do a , s e e Ma im o n ide s N um is ia n u s , 1 2 3
Mo s e s ibn T ibbo n , 7 49 N us s ey , D , s ee Mal e , E . .

M oy en Ag e L e 2 4 1 , ,

Muc ian u s 8 1 , O do of Me un g 6 1 3 ,

Mue l l e r I 1 19 , .
, O do o f , Mo r im o nt 6 13
Muh am m a d b Muh . .b T ar c h an b
. . O do o f T o u r n a i, 6 7 3
U z l a g , A bfi N a s r , s e e Al O do o f V e r o n a , 6 1 3
Fa r ab i O dys s ey, 5 8
Muha mm a d ibn Za k ar iya, s ee O e f e le , v , 4 7 3 .

Ra s is O e s t e r l e y, W O E , 3 5 1 , 3 99 . . .
 B I B L I O G R AP H] CA L I ND E X

P hil u me n u s , 5 67 , 5 7 7 S o l er tia a n ima liu m, 2 18

Ph o tiu s , 2 7 6 , 33 8 S u p er s titio n e 2 03 -4 ,

P hys io l 09 us 49 0. 49 7 -5 03
. S y mp os ia cs , 2 05 , 2 1 1 -3 , 2 17 , 2 19
P ic a tr ix 6 65
, Whe th er a n o l d ma n s h ou l d eu
Pic o de l l a M ir an do l a, 603 ga ge ih p o litics , 20 1
Pie t s ch m an n, R , 2 88 . dubio u s o r s p u r io u s
P igh in u c c iu s , T , 5 9 6 . F a t o 2 02 , 2 1 0
,

P il a te, A c ts of , 3 9 0 I ns ti tu tion e pr in cipl y, 2 00

P in da r , 2 66 P l a citis phil o s oph o r u m, 2 02
P ip e r , 67 7 R iver s a n d M o u n ta ins 2 02 , 2 1 5 ,

P iso , 5 7 4 P o gn o n , H , 3 84 .

P is o , D o m itiu s , 44 P o iré e , s e e R u e ll e e t
P is tis -S o phia , 364 , 3 7 7 - 9 P o l e m o n, 460
Pit r a , J B. . P o l it ia n, 5 3
An al e c ta S a cr a, 2 9 1 , 2 9 7 P o l ybiu s 2 4 5
,

S p icile g iu m 4 63 . 4 o7 ff . 63 6 7 7 7
.
.
. P o m p o n iu s Me l a , 3 2 8 -9
P l ate ar iu s , Matth a e u s t h e Elde r , P o n ce de L e o n 4 9 9 ,

7 38 P o o l e, R L , M e die val Th o ug h t,
. .

P l ato , 2 2 , 2 4 -6 , 5 8, 6 1 , 1 3 7 , 1 3 9 , 6 1 7 . 634
1 5 1 -2 ) 1 80 4 , 2 3 5 , 2 4 0, 2 4 7 , P o r p h yr y c h ap x i, 5 3 5
, .

2 9 0. 3 03 . 349 5 0 . 3 5 3 . 3 5 5 . 7
A bs tin e n tia , 3 1 4 3 1 7 ,

5 32 . 7 13 I n tr o di i c tio n t o Te tr a bibl o s , 1 1 6,
La ws , 2 5 3 16
R ep u bl ic , 2 6, 1 38, 2 12 L e tte r to A n e bo , 3 07 -2 0
S y mp o s iu m, 2 5 P hil o s op hia e x o r a cu lis , 2 9 7
Tima eus ), 2 4 6, 2 3 7 , 2 9 7 , 4 08,
-
Vita P l a tini, 2 9 6 , 3 00-2
4 7 6 , 62 0 P o s ido n iu s 1 1 1 ,

v
P l at o o f T i o l i, 1 1 0 P r ach t e r K , 5 4 1
, .

Pl iny the E lde r , N a tu r a l His to r y, P r e is e n da n z , K , 2 8 .

c ha p . ii, 3 , 1 00, 1 3 2 , 1 5 4 , P r e ll e r , L 2 9 6 , 42 9
.

1 8 7 - 8 . 1 9 3 . 1 9 9 . 2 1 3 -4 . 2 3 8 . P r e m e r s t e i n , A V , 607 . .

2 48 . 2 5 5 . 2 5 7 . 2 68 . 2 7 3 . 2 9 2 3 . P r e n o s tica P itag o r ic e 684

'
-
,

2 9 6. 3 2 2 . 3 2 5 . 3 2 7 9 . 3 3 1 . -
P r e u s c h e n , E , 3 66 .

3 5 , 5 3) 5 , 5 5 , 57 2 1
1 0 1 0 8 1 -
P r iaul x , I n dia n Tr a ve
5 89 9 1 , 6 12 , 6 14 , 62 4 , 62 6 7 P r in c e , J D , 1 5
-
. .

6 2 8 . 7 3 7 . 7 6 1 . 7 6 4 . 7 66. 7 80 P r is c ian , 3 2 6, 7 6 1
k
O th e r w o r s l is t e d, 4 5 P r is c il lian , 3 8 0- I 4 6 1 ,

Me i d c ina P li n ii, 5 , 57 7 , 5 9 5 6
2 -
P r oc e e dings B iblic a l Ar c ha e o l
,

P liny th e Y o ung e r , 4 5 , 4 8, 5 0 og
y 33 .

P l o t inu s , c ha p x i, 3 6 1 -2 , 5 42
. P r o c ee di n g s , R oya l S o cie ty of
Pl uta r c h , c hap vi, 1 80, 2 69 , 3 5 5 ,
. M e dicine, 2 84
4 8 1 , 669 P r o ch a r u s , 3 9 7
Ag e s ila us , 5 5 8 P r o c l u s , 1 16, 3 07 , 3 1 6
A l e xa n d e r , 5 5 2 S a c r ifi c io c l ma g ia , 3 1 9 -2 0
B a n qu e t of S e ve n S ag es , 2 1 8 P r o teva n ge l iu m of Ja m es , ch ap .

B r u ta r a ti o n e u ti 2 1 7 x v1
k
,

D ef e c tu o r a c u l o r u m, 2 03 , 2 05 , P r uc ne r , M , 5 2 5 .

2 12 3 , 2 1 9 2 7 8
-
,
P r ude nt iu s , 5 00
P s a l m s a n d P s a l ter , 442 , 5 2 1 , 7 5 9
‘

B i a pu d De lp h os , 2 05 , 2 1 2
Fa cie in o r be l u na e , 206 , 2 1 1 , 2 19 P s e ll us , Mic ha e l , 2 9 0, 5 69 , 7 7 2
G e ni o S o c r a tis , 2 0 5 , 2 07 , 2 40 P to l e m y, c hap iii, 3 2 1 18 , 1 3 5 , .
,

I s is a n d O s ir is , 2 1 9 2 7 2 . 3 07 . 3 4 1. 5 3 7 . 66 1 . 664 .

L ive s , 2 0 1 , 2 44 6 66 . 7 03 . 7 09 - 1 0. 7 3 7
P r in c ip l e of C o l d 2 1 8 ,
A l ma g es t 105 - 9 ,

P r o cr ea tio n of S o u l 2 12 ,
Ce n til o quiu m, 1 1 1
P y thia e or a c u li s 2 05 ,
E x o r ta tio a d a r te m, 69 3
Q ua es tio n es na tur al es , 2 1 7 , 2 19 G e o g r ap hy 105 -7 ,

R o mu lus , 2 09 , 3 3 0 Mus ic, 107

S e r a n u minis vin dic ta, 2 13 O p tics , 107 -8
 B I B L I O GRAP H] CAL INDEX
P la nis ph er e, 69 9 R e vu e P hil , 2 9 1
R e vu e des Q u es tio ns His t or iques ,
'

Q u a dr ipar ti tu m, s ee Te tr a bibl os
S p e c u li s 1 89 1 1 3 , 69 0

Te tr a bibl o s , 1 1 0- 1 6, 3 03 , 5 17 , Rh aze s , s ee R a s is
69 0- 1 R h e in M us , 5 2
. .

P ucc in o tt i S to r ia de l l e Medi ci n e ,
,
R ic h a r d s o n , E C , 400, 403 , 406 . .

c h ap x x x ii . Ric h e r , 7 04 , 7 3 3
P u s c h m ann , T . R ie gl e r s e e A x t a n d
,

A l e xa n d e r v Tr a ll es , s67 fi , R ie s s , E , 2 4 , 2 9 2 3 , 68 3 -
. .

k
.

5 7 7 ff , Ril e y, H T , s ee B o s t o c a nd
. .

His t of Me dica l E du ca tion

. , Ro be r t, 4 98
1 2 0 1 , 1 2 9 , 1 4 3 5 69 , 7 3 1
-
, R o b e r t o f Ch es t e r , 648, 6 9 7 , 7 6 1 ,
Pytha g o r as , 5 0, 5 8 , 6 1 3 6 5 6 , 80 , -
, 773
91 2 3 2 -4 , R o b e r t s o n S m ith, W , 3 4 .

2 47 , 2 6 3. 2 69 , 2 7 4 , 2 88 3 17 , R o g e r B ac o n s ee B a co n ,

3 5 5, 3 7 3 , 5 32 R o h de , P s yc he , 2 9 3
P r e c e p ta, 6 96 R o l l e s t o n , J D , 2 84 .

P r e n o s tic a, 684 R o m F o r s c h 6 10
. .
,

S ph er e of , ch ap xx ix, 3 7 0 . R o ma nic R eview, 4 99 , 63 1

R o s c h e n, L ex ico n, 3 4
Qua dr ipar titus 69 0 ,
R o s e , V , 12 0, 4 63 , 5 6 7 , 5 7 6, 60 1
.

Q uid pr o qu o 608 , An a le c ta 1 2 1 ,

Q u iggin E C 640 , . .
, A n e c d o ta, 5 9 6, 6 1 0
Q uil ich in u s A re t in u s , , 5 58 A r is to te l es D e l apidibus , 7 7 5 ,
Q uin til lian P s e u do , 5 40
HS S Ver z eichnis s e , 7 02 , 7 2 0,
Rabanu s Mau r us , 402 , 4 8 4, 6 17 , 8
2 774
4 ,

63 0, 63 4 6 7 3 Me d ci na P li nti , 5 9 5 , 600, 609 ,

é
,

R a dl o ff, W , 3 8 2 . 12
R aidel , G M , 1 06 . . P to l e ma e us , 6 12
Ra m s ay, W M , 106 . . S o r a n us 5 7 1 ,

R an d, E K , 6 1 9 . . Ro u s s a t , R , 1 1 6 .

k
R an ing , G S A 667 - 7 1
R an ul f Hig de n , 69 0
. . .
, R o ux d e R o ch e ll e , 5 64
R ii c k P l in iu s im Mitte l a l ter 5 1
, ,

R ao u l G l abe r , 6 7 4 R ue l l e , 1 9 5 , 2 9 1 ; a n d se e B e rt h e l o t
R a s ch e , C 3 07 .
, an d
Ras h dal l , H , 7 3 1 , 7 5 7 . R u e ll e e t P o rr ée , 3 7 1
Ras is 164 , 6 5 3 6 67 7 1 , 7 48
, ,
-
R ue ll ia s , 6 00
k
w o r s l is t e d, 668 R u ff e r , M A , I I . .

Ratdo l t , E , 649 . R u fi n u s , ch ap x ii, 44 5 . v

Rea d, C , 5 . Ru f u s , M e l a n c h o l ia , 7 56
R e a l e n cy k l op a die f pr o tes t . . k
Rus a , J , 6 1 1 .

Th eo l , 3 8 1 , 3 99 .

‘
R eg ime n S a l e r n itan u m 7 3 6fl , . S ack u r , S ibyl Tex te, 28 5 .

R e g in al d o r R e t in al du s , 5 2 S a da n , 6 5 1
R eg ula e d e c o mp o s itio ne a s S t G e o r g e S to c , 3 62
. k
tr o la ps us 699 ,
S al m o n , G , 3 62 .

Re inac h , S 6 S a l o m o n th e a r chiat e r , 16 1
R e is ne r , G A , 3 4 . . S a m u e l F ir s t B o o k of , 44 8
,

R e it z e n s t e in , R , 2 90, 3 7 9 5 5 3 .
, S aty r u s 1 2 3 ,

R e n z i, S D , C o ll e c ti o S a l er n itana ,
. . S a yc e A H , 3 5
, . .

5 7 8 , 600, 660, ch ap x x x i . S ch a n z 5 96 ,

Re u s s, F A , 6 1 3 . . k
S c h e n e l , C , 4 83 .

v
R e u en s , 3 69 S c h e p s s , G 3 8 1 , 5 19 .
,

R eve la tio n , B o o k of , 386 S c h ia p a r e ll i I 6 , 3 2 , 3 5 ,

R é vill e , J , 3 5 0 . S c h ic he , T 2 68 .
,

R e vu e d es Etu des a n cie nn es , 67 2 S c h l u r ic k , H , 4 00 .

R e vu e d e s Etu de s j uives 5 5 1 , S c h m e r t o s ch , R , 2 02 .

S c h m id, W , 105 , 108

’
R evu e d l his t d r e l ig s , 34 1 , 3 49
. . . . .
82 8 B I B LI O G RAP HI CA L I N D E X

S ch m idt, 1 88 S or tes s a n c to r u m, 63 0- 1 , 7 2 7
S c h m idt C , 2 9 9 , 3 6 1, 3 7 7 -8
,
. S p e n c e r , He r b e r t , 5
S c h ne id e r , J G , 2 3 7 . . S ph e r a c u m c o mme n tis , 109
S ch n e ide r , 0 , 2 3 7 S ph er e of L if e a n d D e a th, 1 9 7 ,
S chn e ide w in, 4 66 c h ap x x ix .

S c h u l tz e , V , 49 7 . S p ie ge l , A l e xa n de rs ag e, 5 5 2
S c h w ab , M , 3 3 . S p o n, J , 3 7 9
.

S ch wa r t z e un d P e te r m an n, 3 69 , S p r e n g e l , K , 606 .

37 7 S t a dl e r , H , 6 13 .

S cie n tifi c M o n th ly, 1 94 S te e l e , R , R o g er B ac on, 3 42 ,

'

S c r ib o n iu s L a r g u s , 600 6 02
S c yl ax, 2 5 6 S t e in s ch ne ide r , M , 6 69 .

k
S e e c , O , 5 40 . A p o l l o n iu s v Thya na 2 67 .
,

S e le u c u s , 2 8 9 C o ns tan tin us Af r ic an us , 65 7 ,
S e ne ca 0
7 4 2 73 , 7 4 5 7 4 9 , 7 5 6 ,

N a tur a l Q u es ti o ns , c ha p E ur opcii s c h U ber s e tz , 288 , c h ap

'

i n, . . . .

196 , 542 , 5 5 3 x x v111, 7 1 1

Ap o cr yp ha l c o r r e s p o n d en c e with P s e u depig L it , 5 7 8 . .

th e ap os tl e P a u l, 5 5 6 S t e p h an us , al c h e m is t , 1 9 6, 2 9 2
S ep tua g in t 4 5 3 , 4 5 9 , S t ep h an u s M e dicae a r tis pr in cipes ,
,

S e r ap io n 6 1 0 , 5 66 1 1
S e r en u s S a m m o n ic u s , 608 S t ep h e n o f Al e x an dr ia , 5 69
S e t h , 36 5 , 4 7 4 S t ep h e n o f A th e n s , 607
S e th e , 9 S te p h e n o f P isa, 7 47 -9
S extu s E m p ir icu s , 1 1 6, 2 6 9 , 2 7 5 6, -
S to bae us 2 9 0 ,

46 9 S to w e Mis s a l 640 ,

S e x tu s P a p ir iu s P l ac ida s , 5 9 9 S t r ab o , 2 1 3 ; a n d s e e W al a f r id
k
S h a e s p e ar e , 7 7 2 S t r a s s m e ie r , J N s ee Ep p ing and .

S h e l l e y, 4 3 2 S t r zygo w s k i, J , 4 9 7 .

S ibyl lin e B o o k s 2 7 2 , 2 85 , S tubb s , W , 7 7 3 .

S ig e be r tu s G e m bl ac e n s is , 6 1 3 S t iick e n , 1 5 , 3 5
S ij th o ff A W , 607
, . . S tu di R o m anz i 499 ,

k
S i es, E E , 2 1 . . S tu m f a l l , B , 2 4 1 .

v
S il e s t e r I I , p o p e , s e e G e r be rt S udh o ff , K , 1 88 , 68 3 , 7 3 7 .

S im o n C ep ha s , Tea c hing o f 4 2 4 , S ue t o n iu s , 2 44 , 42 5 60 1 ,

S im o n Co r do o f G e n o a , 5 67 , 6 1 0 S u ll a, M e m o ir s 2 0 1 ,

S im o n P ap ie n s is , 5 2 5 S ul p ic iu s S e e r us , 3 8 1 , 42 3 , 4 69v
S im o n th e h e r e tic , G r e a t D e c lar a
, S u n d e vall 7 3 ,

tio n, 3 62 ; a n d se e S im o n S ym eo n S e th , 1 64
Magu s in o the r in de x S y m o n , s ee S imo n
S im o nide s , 5 7 4 S yn c e l l u s , 1 9 4 1 96 , 3 4 1 ,

S ing e r , Ch a r l e s , 3 4 5 , 5 9 7 , 607 , 609 , S yn e s iu s o f Cy r e n e , 1 9 6, 3 2 0, 5 33 ,

660 , 6 7 4 5 4 4) 5 5 5
0 -

S itz ung s be r ic h te ( B a a r ia ) , 5 1 v
S itz u ng s be r ic h te ( B e rl in ) , 12 1 Tabit b e n Co r r a, s ee Theb it ben
S itz u ng s ber ic h te ( E r l an g e n ) , 7 63 , Co r at
7 75 T a c itu s , 2 0 1 , 2 4 1
S itz ungs be r ic h te ( He ide l b e r g ) , 3 4, Tal l quis t, K L , 3 3 . .

524 Ta l m u d, 3 5 5
k
S ut s ch , s ee K r o l l e t T ay l o r , H O , 5 3 3 . .

S mith D ic t G r e e k a n d R o ma n
, . T ayl o r T , 2 99 , 3 07
, .

B iog r ap hy 1 08 ,
T e nn u l iu s , 3 1 6
S miths o nia n R e p or t, 7 7 3 T e r t u ll ia n , 44 7 , 4 69 , 4 7 6, 62 8
S myl y, J G , 2 9 3 . . A n ima , 4 63 469 ,

S o cie tas R eg ia S cie n tia r u m 4 68 ,

A p o l ogy 4 63 , 465 ,

S o linu s , 3 2 6 3 1 , 5 1 0, 60 1, 6 2 5 - 7 ,
-
C u l tu f e mi n ar u m, 4 63
777 I do la tr ia , 4 2 1
S o l o m o n, 1 9 5 , 4 5 1 P a l l io 4 9 3
,

S o p h o c l e s , 49 P r a es c r ip t 3 69 .
,
83 0 B I B L I O GRAP HI CA L I N D E X

We n dland P 3 48 3 50 , .
, , Wynk yn de W o r de 47 8
W e s ch e r C 188
,

, Wytt en bach 2 9 9
We s s e ly C 3 65 607
,

, ,

We s ten be r ge r 1 1 9
.
,

,
Xanth u s 7 5 ,

We s te r m ann A 5 5 2 , .
,
Xe n o c r at e s A p h r o dis ie n s is , 16 7

We s t e r m a r c k E 7 3 ,
.
,
Xe n o p h an e s 1 80 2 7 0 , ,

Wick e r s h e im e r E 67 3 4 , .
,
-
, 68 3 , 69 2 , Xen o p h on 2 2 ,

69 8, 7 09 Ya
’
kub
ibn I s h a ibn S abb ah, k see
Wie de ma nn , A , 7 -8 , 14 .

A lk in di
Wie de man n , E , 649 , 7 63 .
Y o n ge , C D , 3 49
W il c k e n, 1 2
. .

Y uh an n a ibn Masaw a ih, s ee

Willia m o f A u e rgn e , 4 02 , 7 2 5 v Me s ne
W il l ia m l e Cle r c , 49 7 - 9 Y ul e , H Ma r c o P o lo, 13 2 , 2 14 ,
Will iam o f Ma lm e s bu ry, 69 0, ,
.

47 9
7 04 6, 7 10, 7 14
-

Wil l ia m o f Moe r be e , 1 7 9 k Z ac h e r , J c h ap xx iv
.
, .

W ill iam d e S al ic e to , 60 1 Z e its c hr if t f a eg yp t S pr a c h e 1 0,

Wimme r , s ee A ube r t and
. .
,

35
Win c l e r , 1 5 , 3 5
k Z e its c h r if t d e u ts c h M or g e n dl
f . . .

W ind el band, W , 2 6 G e s e l l 1 2 1 , 2 67 .
,

W in dis ch H , 349
.

Z eits c h r if t f k las s P hil o l 7 5 2 .

Win dis ch m ann, 2 96

. .
,

Z eits c hr if t f M a th 6 6 1 . .
,

W in s o r , J , 106 . Z eits c hr if t f n e u tes t Wis s 4 0 1

. . .
,

With in gt o n E , 5 2 0, 667 -8 Z e its c h r if t f w is s Th e o l , 400

Wo l f , C , 607
.
, . .

Z el le r , E , 2 4 3 16
Wo l f H , 3 16
. .
,

, . Z v
e r os S , 5 66
Wo l ff , G , 2 9 7
.
,

. Z ie gl e r , K , c h ap xxiii .

Wo l t m an n an d W o e r mann, 607
.

Zim m e r n , 1 9 , 3 2 , 3 4
Wo o l s to n T , 3 88 , Z o p y r u s , 460
W r igh t, T , 5 5 6
.

. Z o r o a s te r , 5 8 9 2 06 , 2 3 5 , 2 8 1 , 2 9 5 ,
—

W iin s ch, R , 2 8, 3 66
,

3 9 6 , 4 1 5 , 4 3 5 , 6 0 5 , 62 9
Wuttk e, M H , 601
.

. . Z o s m u s, 13 1 , 1 9 5 , 1 9 8, 2 9 0, 2 9 2
 I NDE X O F MA NU S C RI PT S
Addit io n al 89 2 8 , p 609 . B all io l 12 4 , p 5 2 .

A ddit io n al 1 1 03 5 p 5 00 , . B al lio l I 4 6A , p 5 2 .

A d dit io n al 1 5 2 36 , p p 6 94 , 7 16 . B all io l 2 3 1 p 1 2 1
, .

A d dit io n al 1 7 8 08, ch ap xxx . B a m b e r g L - I I I -9 p p 6 1 0 7 47 , .

,

A ddit io n al 2 2 3 9 8 , p 69 5 . B a r b e r in i ( R o m e ) I X, 2 9 , p 609 .

A ddit io nal 2 2 7 1 9 , p 6 5 4 . B e r l in 1 28 p 6 34
, .

A ddit io n al 3 4 1 1 1 , p 5 7 8 . B e r lin 13 0, p 63 4 .

A l e n co n 10 , p 484
. B e r l in 13 1 , p 6 9 5 .

A mie n s 2 2 2 , p 63 4
. B e r lin 1 6 5 , p 7 2 0 .

A m ie n s 4 8 1 , p 4 7 8
. B e r l in 7 99 . p 4 7 7 .

A mie n s f o n ds L e s c al o p ie r 2 , B e r l in 800 p 4 7 7
, .

67 6 B e r l in 8 9 8, p 7 4 8 .

A mien s f o nds L es c al o p ie r 3 0, B e r l in 9 02 , p 1 63 .

4 84 B e r l in 9 0 3 , p 1 63 .

A mp l o n FO l l O 4 1 , p 6 1 1
. . B e r l in 9 5 6, p p 7 02 , 7 7 4 .

. v
A mp l o n O c t a o 62 , p 7 4 7 . B e r l in 9 63 , p p .

. v
A m p l o n O c ta o 6 2 a , p 6 1 2 . B e r l in 9 64 , p 66 5 .

. v
A m p l o n O c t a o 6 2 b, p 6 1 2 B e r n ar d 2 3 2 5 p 4 7 8 ,

k
. .

A mp l o n Q u a r to 12 , p 5 5 8
. . B N G ree 9 3 0, p 4 01 .

Amp l o n Q u a r to 1 5 1 , p 64 3
. k
B N G r e e 2 1 7 9 p 6 07 .

k
.
,

A mp l o n Q u a r t o 1 7 4 p 66 5
.
, . B N G r e e 2 3 16 , p 5 7 8 .

A mp l o n Q u a r t o 2 04 p 5 7 8
.
, . B N n o u v a c q 2 2 9 , p p 67 7 , 7 02 ,
. . .

A mp l o n Q ua r to 3 12 p 664
.
, . 7 2 5 , 7 28 3 .

A mp l o n Q ua r t o 3 4 9 p 643
.
, . E N n o u v ac q 49 0, p 4 84
. . .

A mp l o n Q u ar t o 3 5 2 , p 6 5 1
. . B N n o u v a c q 6 16, p 64 3
. . .

A mp l o n Q ua r t o 3 6 5 , p 6 5 0
. . B N n o uy a c q 1 6 12 , p 634
. . .

A m p l o n Q ua r t o 3 80 , p 6 9 4
. . B N n o uv ac q 1 6 1 5 , p 6 3 4
. . .

A mp l o n Q u a r to 3 8 1 , p 3 40
. . B N n o u v a cq 1 6 16, c h ap xxix
. . .

A mp l o n Math 4 8 , 643
. . B N n o uv ac q 16 1 9 , p 5 7 1
. . .

A mp l o n Math 5 3 , p 340
. . . B N n o uv ac q 16 3 2 , p 63 4
. . .

A mp l o n Math 5 4 p 2 6 7
. .
, . B N 1 7 0 1 a n d 17 02 , p 48 4 .

A r s e n al 880 , p 6 5 0
. E N 1 7 1 8 t o 1 7 2 7 , p 4 84 .

A r s e nal 9 8 1 , p 1 06
. B N I 7 8 7 A , p 4 84 .

A r s e n al 1 03 6, p 6 5 0 . B N 2 2 00, p 48 4 .

A r u n de l 2 4 2 , p 5 5 6
. E N 2 3 8 7 , p 4 84 .

A r un de l 2 9 5 , p 6 1 5
. E N 2 5 9 8, p 7 10 .

A r un d e l 3 1 9 , p 6 8 3
. B N 262 1, p 7 7 6 .

A s hbur nh am ( Fl o r e nc e ) 13 0, E N 2 63 3 , p 4 84 .

682 E N 2 63 7 . p 48 4 .

A s h m o le 1 7 9 p 6 48
, . E N 2 6 3 8 , p 4 84 .

A s h mo l e 1 89 , p 68 1 . B N 2 69 5 A, p 5 5 6 .

A s h m o l e 2 09 p 64 8
, . B N 2 7 80, p 5 00 .

A s h m o l e 3 46 p 6 6 5
, . E N 28 7 4 , p 5 5 6 .

A s h m o l e 3 6 1 , p p 6 8 1 688
.
,
B N 3 66 0A , p p 68 1 -2 .

A s h m o l e 3 6 9 p p 648 7 1 4
, .
,
E N 3 8 3 6 , p 4 84 .

A s h m o l e 3 69 -V , p 6 5 0 .
B N 4 1 2 6, p 5 5 6 .

A s h m o l e 3 9 3 , p 65 0 . E N 4 1 6 1, p 7 14 .

A s h m o l e 434 p 64 8
, . E N 4 80 1 t o 4 80 4 , p 106 .

A s h m o l e 14 3 1 , p p 5 9 7 , 5 99 . 609
. E N 4 8 3 8 p 1 06
, .

A sh mo l e 146 2 , p 5 9 7 . EN 4 8 7 7 . p 5 56
v
A r an ch e s 2 3 5 , p 664 . E N 4 88 0 . p 5 5 6 .
832 I N D EX O F MAN US CRIP TS
EN 5 062 , p 5 56 . E N 1 3 3 36. p 484 .

EN 5 2 39 , p 69 2 . E N 1 33 5 0, p 44 5 .

BN 5 5 43 . w 63 4 E N 13 9 5 1, p 267 .

EN 6 12 1 , p 5 5 6 E N 14 7 00, p 7 44 .

EN 6 186, b 5 5 6 E N 1 4 8 4 7 , p 4 84 .

EN 62 9 6, p 6 57 E N 1 5 68 5 , p 6 34 .

EN 63 19 , p 6 57 B N 1 6 08 2 , p 6 5 7 .

BN 6 32 2 , p 6 5 7 E N 1 608 3 , p 6 57 .

EN 6 3 2 3 A, p 65 7 . E N 1 6088 , p 6 5 7 .

EN 6 3 2 5 . p 65 7 E N 1 6 14 2 , p 6 5 7 .

EN 6365 , p 5 5 6
. E N 162 04 , p 6 5 0 .

EN 63 8 5 , p 5 5 6
. E N 1 62 16 , p 69 6 .

BN 65 03 , p 5 5 6
. E N 164 9 0. p 6 5 7 .

EN 65 1 4 , p p 664 . 67 0 . B N 1 68 1 9 . p p 4 7 6. 4 7 8 .

EN 6 5 67 A, p 6 5 7 . E N 1 7 86 8, p 683 , c h ap xx x
. .

EN 6 5 69 , p 65 7
. B o dl e ian 2 6, p 6 9 4 .

EN 68 1 1 , p 5 5 6
. B o dle ian 1 7 7 , p 694 .

EN 68 3 1 , p 5 5 6
. B o dl e ian 2 66 , pp 664 , 7 05 , 7 1 0 .

EN 688 0 p p 5 67 , 5 84 . B o dl e ian 4 63 , p p 6 5 2 , 6 6 5 .

BN 688 1 p 5 7 7. B o dl e ian 2 06 0, p 7 5 8 .

EN 688 2 , D 5 7 7 B o l o gn a 9 5 2 , p 5 2 .

EN 69 5 4 , p 6 00
. v
B o l o g n a U n i e r s ity Libr ary 3 7 8,
EN 6 9 5 7 , p 6 00
.
p 6 10
.

EN 6 9 7 8 , p 648
. B r u ce P ap y r u s , p 3 7 8 .

EN 7 02 8, p p 67 4 , 7 2 8
. B r u s s e l s ( L ib r a r y o f D u e s o f k
BN 7 1 5 6, p 6 7 0
. B ur g undy ) 1 7 82 , p 484 .

EN 7 1 9 5 , p 66 3
. B r u s s e l s 2 7 84 , p 6 5 7 .

EN 7 2 82 , p 6 6 5
. B r u s s e l s 88 9 0, p 7 7 6 .

BN 7 2 9 9 A. p p 67 6, 67 9 , 686. 69 6
. B r u s s el s 1 007 4 , p 4 9 8 .

EN 7 3 16 p p 647 . 6 5 2 B r u s s el s 15 489 , p 7 5 8 .

BN 7 3 2 8,
EN 7 3 29 , p 65 2 Cam b rai 19 5 , p 69 6 .

EN 7 3 3 2 , p 64 7 Ca mb r a i 2 2 9 , p 6 9 6 .

EN 7 33 7 , pp 66 4 , 687 . C a m b r a i 82 9 , p 6 9 6 .

EN 7 3 49 , p 7 16
. Ca m b r a i 86 1 , p 69 6 .

EN 7 3 5 1 , p 7 16 Ca m b r a i 9 07 p 7 5 8 , .

EN 7 3 7 7 B p 663 Ca mb r a i 9 1 4 , p 7 5 8 .

EN 7 4 12 , C a mb r a i 9 2 5 , p 633 .

EN 7 4 1 8, Ca n o n Mis c 3 7 0, p 64 3
. . .

EN 7 424 . Can o n Misc 5 1 7 p 682

. .
, .

EN 7 440, Ca s in 97 , p 5 7 7
. .

EN 7 48 2 Ch a l o n s s u r - Ma r n e 7 p 69 5
-
, .

Ch ar t res 63, p 4 8 4 .

EN 7 5 6 1, Ch a r t r e s 1 1 3 , p 6 9 2
8 2 47 , p : 6 57
.

EN C h a r t r e s 3 42 p 5 7 7 , .

EN 8 5 0 1A , p 5 5 6 . CL M 2 7 p 66 5 , .

EN 8 5 18 , p 5 5 6
. CL M 5 1 , p 65 0 .

BN 8 5 2 1A , p 5 56 . CL M 5 9 p 66 5 , .

EN 8 607 , p 5 5 6
. C L M 1 6 1 p p 7 4 9 50
, .
-

EN 9 33 2 . p p 5 7 1 . 5 7 6, 6 10
. C L M 1 68 , p 7 5 0 .

EN 102 3 3 , P S7 I CLM 18 7 , p 7 50 .

BN 1 02 60, p 6 63 . CL M 2 15 , p 5 60 .

BN 1 02 7 1 t P 7 1 5 CL M 2 7 0, p 7 50 .

BN 1 1 62 4 , p 4 84 . CL M 3 3 7 , p 6 10 .

EN 12 1 34 , p 484 . CL M 3 44 . p 3 7 7 .

EN 12 1 3 5 , p 4 84 . CL M 3 9 2 , p 64 8 .

BN 1 2 1 3 6, p 4 84 . CL M 4 8 9 , p 64 8 .

BN 1 2 9 9 5 , p 6 09 . CLM 5 2 7 , p 7 16 .

BN 1 3 0 14 . p .
340 CL M 5 60. pp 5 59 , 69 8, 7 10 .
8 34 I N D EX O F MAN US CRI P TS
G o n il l e v and Caiu s 1 09 , p . 658 O r l é an s 3 5 , p 484
v il l
.

G on e a n d C a iu s 3 4 5 , p .
599 O r l é an s 1 9 2 , p 4 84
v ill
.

G on e a n d C a iu s 4 00, p .
577 O r l é an s 2 7 6, p 6 9 2 .

G on v il l
e a n d Ca iu s 4 1 1 , p .
7 42 O tt o b o n 44 3 , p 40 1
. .

G r e n o b l e 2 08 , p 5 06 .

G r e n o bl e 2 5 8 , p 484 . P al at L at 4 8 7 , p 6 7 3
.

k
. .

G ubbio 2 5 , p 49 9 . P e m b r o e 2 7 8, p 6 7 6 .

P e r ug ia 7 3 6 , p 5 9 8 .

Ha r l e ian 1, 65 0 p .

Ha r l e ia n 13 p p 6 43 , 663
, . R a w l in s o n 0 1 17 , p 643 .

Ha r l e ian 8 0 p p 3 40 665
, .
, R a w l in s o n C - 3 2 8 p p 5 9 7 , 600, 7 46 , .

Ha r l e ian 5 2 7 p 5 57 , . R ic c a r d 1 1 9 p 6 7 0
.
, .

Ha r l e ian 1 5 85 , p p 5 97 , . 609 , R ioc a r d 12 2 8 , p 7 7 6

. .

Ha r l e ia n 1 6 12 , p 340 . Ro yal 2 C XI I p 4 9 8
- -
, .

Ha r l e ia n 1 7 3 5 , p 68 4 . R o ya l 4 - A - XIII p 6 5 , .

Ha r le ian 2 2 5 8 , p 67 7 . R o ya l 12 B XV I , p 5 7 7
- -
.

Har l e ian 3 0 1 7 , p p 67 7 , . 680, R o ya l 1 2 C - IV , p p 55 4 , 5 56

-
.

Ha r l e ia n 3 099 , p 62 3 l C XV I I I , p p 2 6 7 , 3 40,
c
.
y a 1 2 - -
.

Ha r l e ian 3 2 7 1 , p 69 5 . g4
Ha r l e ia n 3 64 7 , p p 663 , . 665 Ro ya l 1 2 - E - XX, p 5 7 7 .

Ha r l e ian 3 8 5 9 , p 6 0 1 . R o y a l 12 F X , p 6 5 - —
.

Ha r l e ian 39 6 9 , p 2 4 1 . R o yal I 3 A I , p p 5 5 4 5 , 5 64 - 5
- -
.
-

Ha r l e ia n 4 34 6 , p 6 1 2 . R o yal 1 5 - B - II , p 6 0 1 .

Ha r l e ian 49 86 , p p 5 9 7 , . 608 R o yal 1 5 B - I X, p 7 01

-
.

Ha r l e ian 5 2 94, p 6 09 . R o y a l 1 5 C I V , p 60 1
- -
.

Ha r l e ian 5 3 1 1 , p 6 94 . R o y al 1 5 - C - V I , p p 5 5 4 , 5 5 6 .

Hat to n 7 6, p 7 7 6 . R o y al 1 7 - A - I , p 7 0 5 .

Hunte r ian 44 , p 667 .

Aug u s t in e
’
St . s Cant e r bu ry 1 166,
I v rea 3 , p 634
.
p 64 3
.

I v rea 6, p 63 4
. S t A u gu s ti n e s Cante r b ury 1 1 7 2 ,
.
’

I v r ea 1 9 , p 69 2.
p 7 14
.

S t G all 7 5 1 , p 5 9 6
. .

L ao n 4 07 , p 69 2 . . v v
S t e G e ne ie e 2 2 4 0, p 643 .

L a u d Mis c 2 4 7 , p p 4 9 8, 5 5 6 S t J o h n s 1 7 , p 680
’
. . . . .

L a u d Mis c 5 6 7 , p p 7 49 , 7 5 1 S t J o hn s 8 5 , p 7 47
’
. . . . .

L au d Mis c 5 9 4 p p 6 5 0 1 S t J o h n s 12 8 , p 349
’
-
. . . .
, .

L a u d Mis c 6 5 8 , p p. 444 , 4 7 7
. . S Ma r c o 1 7 9 , p 6 5 8
. .

L au r e n t ian u s x x x i i i 2 4 , p 68 3 v S Ma r co X I , 1 02 , p 66 5
. .

L a u r e n t ia n u s P l ut 68, 2 , p 2 4 1
.
,

. . S Ma r co XI , 1 1 1 , p 69 4
. .

Lin c o l n C o l l eg e 3 4 , p 3 5 1 . S Ma r c o XI V , 7 , p 164
. .

L u cc a I , L , p 7 64 S Mar c o X IV , 2 6, p 164
. .

v
.

L uc c a 2 3 6 p p 5 9 7 , 69 5
, . S a il e 1 5 , p 6 5 2 .

L y o n s 3 2 8 , p 664 . S c hl e s ta dt M S , p p 7 65 , 7 69 . .

S e l d e n 3 4 67 , p 6 43 .

Ma dr id 1 00 1 6 p 693 , . S e l de n s up r a 7 6 , p 64 3 .

Magl iabe c h I V 6 3 p 49 9 .
, , . S e mu r 1 0, p 4 84 .

Mag liab e c h XI 1 1 7 p 663 .

, , . S l o an e 4 7 5 , c h ap x x ix , pp 7 2 3 6 . .
-

Ma glia b e ch XX 2 0 p 665 .
, , . S l o an e 1 3 05 , p 665 .

L e Ma ns 1 5 p 4 84 , . S l o a ne 1 5 7 1 , p 5 9 9 .

L e Ma n s 2 63 p 5 2 , . S l o a n e 16 1 9 , p 5 5 6 .

Me r t o n 2 1 9 p 12 5 , . S l o an e 1 7 3 4 , p 2 9 1 .

Mo nt e Ca s s in o 9 7 p 57 7 , . S l o a n e 1 9 7 5 , p p 5 9 7 . 609 , 6 9 6 .

Mo n tp el lie r 2 7 7 p p 600 6 1 1 7 7 6 , .
, , S l o a n e 2 03 0, p 65 2 .

Mun ich L at in M S S s ee C L M
, .
,
S l o ane 2 4 5 4 , p 6 5 7 .

S l o an e , 2 46 1 , p p 68 1, 69 6 .

N ew Co l l eg e MS .
, u nn um be r e d, S l o a ne 2 4 7 2 , p 7 1 6 .

P 52 S l o an e 2 8 3 9 , p p 7 2 3 4 .
-

No v ar a 4 0, p .
48 4 S l o an e 3 5 5 4 , p 7 16 .
 OF MAN US CRI P TS
S l o ane 382 1 , p 340 . V e n dome 1 09 p p 5 7 7 8
, .
-

S l o a n e 3 82 6 p 2 6 7
, . V e n dom e 1 2 2 p 4 84
, .

S l o an e 3 84 6 p 665
, . V e n d om e 1 2 9 p 484
, .

S l o an e 3 84 7 p p 34 0 66 5
, .
,
V e n dom e 1 7 2 p 5 7 7
, .

S l o an e 3 8 48 , p p 2 6 7 , 6 1 1 . V e n d om e 1 7 5 p 5 7 7
, .

S l o an e 3 8 5 7 , p 7 16 . V ie nn a 3 03 p 4 9 9
, .

S l o an e 3 8 8 3 , p 6 6 5 . V ie n n a 2 2 4 5 p 67 9
, .

S o is s o n s 12 1, p 484 . V ie n na 2 2 7 2 p 604
, .

V ie n n a 2 3 7 8 p 665
, .

’V ie n n a 2 8
T anne r 19 2 , p 663 . 3 5 p 64 7
, .

Tu r in K - I V -3 , p 609 .
V ie n n a 2 4 3 6 p p 64 7 6 5 0
, .
,

V ie nn a 2 5 1 1 p 49 9
, .

V ienn a 2 5 3 2 p p 6 1 5 68 1 69 3
U ni v e r s ity Co l l eg e 33 , p 4 7 7 .
,

V ie nn a 3 12 4 p 2 67
.
, ,

U ni v e r s ity C o l l e ge 89 p 7 5 0 , , .
,

V ie nn a 3 2 07 p 6 13
,
.

Vie nn a 3 2 5 5 p 3 3 2
, .

V atican 1 80 to p 34 9 18 5 , . V ie n n a 5 2 03 p 66 3
, .

V a tic an 2 69 2 7 3 , p 4 84
to . V ie nn a 5 2 16 p 3 4 0
, .

V atic an 642 , p 69 3 . V ie nn a 5 3 7 1 p 609

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V at ic a n 6 44 , p p 69 3 , 69 5 V ie nn a 105 8 3 p 65 1
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V atic an 64 5 , p 6 7 4 . V in d M e d 2 9 p 4 9 9
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V at ican P al at L a t 1 7 6, p 69 2
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W o l f e nb ii tte l 2 7 2 5 p 340
.

x x ix
Wo l f e nb ii tt el 2 88 5 p 668
.
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Vatic an P a la t . Lat .
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Wo l f e n biitt e l 3 2 66 p 4 7 7
.
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xx ix
Wo l fe nbii tt e l 44 3 5 p 4 9 8
.
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V atican P al at Lat 85 9 p 4 7 7
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V atican U r b Lat 2 9 0 p 6 93
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