The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice
by Robert K. Ritner
The first critical examination of magical techniques and the practice of the magician in Ancient Egypt , revealing their widespread appearance and pivotal significance for all Egyptian ‘religious’ practices from the earliest periods through the Coptic era, influencing as well the Greco-Egyptian magical papyri.
To date, no comprehensive treatment of Egyptian magic has focused on the practice of the magician. Both general studies and textual publications have emphasized instead the religious elements in the contents of recited spells, while the accompanying instructions, with their vignettes and lists of materials, instruments, and ritual actions, remained uninvestigated. This study represents the first critical examination of such “magical techniques,” revealing their widespread appearance and pivotal significance for all Egyptian “religious” practices from the earliest periods through the Coptic era, influencing as well the Greco-Egyptian magical papyri. The author also discusses the “pagan-Egyptian” influence on Old and New Testament practices and in the lives of the Coptic Desert Fathers. The third edition is a reprinting of the second, which included minor corrections from the original edition. This volume is a significant revisionist approach to ancient Egyptian magic. As a result of a methodical analysis of both the textual and archaeological records, Ritner concludes that the boundaries between ancient Egyptian magic, religion, and medicine were not as strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by strictly observed as modern commentators believe. Furthermore, he categorically denies the frequent attempts of moderns to define ancient Egyptian magic as a phenomenon dealing with the supernatural, practiced primarily for nefarious purposes sub rosa by individuals outside of the religious mainstream. Ritner’s engaging prose style and felicitous exegesis of even the most arcane material make for easy reading. But more important still, the content of the work ensures that it will become a vital reference tool for all engaged in any aspect of ancient Egyptian religion. [From a review by R. S. Bianchi in Journal of the American Oriental Society 114 (1994) 513-14].
- By (author) Robert K. Ritner
Other Titles in this Series
‘Like ‘Ilu Are You Wise’
Studies in Northwest Semitic Languages and Literatures in Honor of Dennis G. Pardee
Volume 73, 73
Pesher Nahum
Texts and Studies in Jewish History and Literature from Antiquity through the Middle Ages Presented to Norman (Nahum) Golb
Volume 66, 66
Language and Nature
Papers Presented to John Huehnergard on the Occasion of His 60th Birthday
Volume 67, 67
The Ritual Landscape at Persepolis
Glyptic Imagery from the Persepolis Fortification and Treasury Archives
Volume 72, 72
Sacred Space and Sacred Function in Ancient Thebes
Occasional Proceedings of the Theban Workshop
Volume 61, 61
Essays for the Library of Seshat
Studies Presented to Janet H. Johnson on the Occasion of Her 70th Birthday
Volume 70, 70
Beyond the Ubaid
Transformation and Integration in the Late Prehistoric Societies of the Middle East
Volume 63, 63
Studies in the Archaeology of Israel and Neighboring Lands in Memory of Douglas L. Esse
Volume 59, 59
Creativity and Innovation in the Reign of Hatshepsut
Occasional Proceedings of the Theban Workshop
Volume 69, 69
Portrait Mummies from Roman Egypt ( I-IV centuries A.D.) with a catalogue of Portrait Mummies in Egyptian Museums
Volume 56, 56
Grammatical Case in the Languages of the Middle East and Beyond
Acts of the International Colloquium Variations, concurrence et evolution des cas dans divers domaines linguistiques, Paris, 2-4 April 2007
Volume 64, 64
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