Magic in the Roman World - Pagans, Jews and Christians

Using in-depth examples of "magical" practice such as exorcisms, love rites, alchemy and the transformation of humans into divine beings, this lively volume demonstrates that the word "magic" was used widely in late antique texts as part of polemics against enemies and sometimes merely as a term for other people's rituals. Professor Janowitz shows that "magical" activities were integral to late antique religious practice, and that they must be understood from the perspective of those who employed them.

List of contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 Greco-Roman, Christian and Jewish Concepts of “Magic”; Chapter 2 Daimons and Angels and the World of Exorcism; Chapter 3 Ancient Rites for Gaining Lovers; Chapter 4 Using Natural Forces for Divine Goals; Chapter 5 Divine Power, Human Hands; Chapter 6 “Even the Decent Women Practice Witchcraft”; Chapter 7 Concluding Note;

About the author

Naomi Janowitz is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California-Davis. She is the author of Poetics of Ascent (1989) and numerous articles on the religions of late antiquity.

Summary

Using in-depth examples of 'magical' practice such as exorcisms, love rites, alchemy and the transformation of humans into divine beings, this lively volume demonstrates that the word 'magic' was used widely in late antique texts as part of polemics against enemies and sometimes merely as a term for other people's rituals. Naomi Janowitz shows that 'magical' activities were integral to late antique religious practice, and that they must be understood from the perspective of those who employed them.

Product details

• Authors: Naomi Janowitz, Janowitz Naomi
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 21.06.2001
• EAN: 9780415202060
• ISBN: 978-0-415-20206-0
• No. of pages: 160
• Weight: 460 g
• Series: Religion in the First Christian Centuries
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Miscellaneous; HISTORY / Ancient / General, Religion: general, Ancient History, Classical history / classical civilisation, Magic, alchemy and hermetic thought, Magic, alchemy & hermetic thought, Ancient religions & mythologies, Eclectic & Esoteric Religions & Belief Systems, Ancient religions and Mythologies, Eclectic and esoteric religions and belief systems