Customer Reviews

Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion

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A good introduction to the contemporary study of magic in the classical world. That this book is a collection rather than written by a single author makes it more valuable as it provides a variety of interpritation in an area that is undergoing large scale renovations. Scholarly and a bit dry this book has nothing to do with the usual new age kook authors that make serious research into mystical studies a pain and then some.

This work is a collection of ten essays by different authorities on different elements of classical Greek magic and, in some cases its interaction with official religion. This will probably appeal to two different crowds: the academics and the occultists.

Academically, I think this work is entirely without equal. The essays are incredibly insightful and provide very clear descriptions of how magic fit into Hellenic and Hellenistic cultures. The material is extremely well documented with endnotes which provide not only references but additional points of discussion. This is a book which is simply the most important book on the subject I have ever read.

For magicians, those who follow modern Hermetic, Wiccan, and related traditions will find little or nothing of value in this book. However, those who follow reconstructionist traditions (Runic, Reconstrictionist Celtic, Reconstructionist Greek, etc) will find substantial important material which can be useful either directly or for comparative studies.

Christopher Faraone's essay on agonistic contexts of binding spells is a good example. The essay provides a great deal of insight into the motivations of those who put together the binding spells in the first place. For those trying to reconstruct Greek magical ways of working, this is directly applicable. However, as a Runic magician, I find the material valuable instead for points of comparison that help clarify two separate areas of my tradition (early references to battle fetters and late medieval Scandinavian magical charms for legal success, the aegishjalmr etc).

Highly recommended.

this book is excellent for the study of ancient greek cursing. it really helped with with my essay for ancient greek religion. it is also a very interesting read for people generally interested in magic or ancient greece.