A Cultural History of Magic in Antiquity / edited by Esther Eidinow.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Eidinow, Esther, editor.

Gordon, Richard, editor.

Series:

The Cultural Histories Series.

The Cultural Histories Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Magic--History.

Magic.

Civilization--History.

Civilization.

Civilization, Classical.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (280 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing (UK), 2026.

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Academic, 2025.

System Details:

text file rdaft

Summary:

A Cultural History of Magic in Antiquity covers the period 800 BCE to 800 CE, focusing on Greek and Roman cultures, with some reference to Egyptian and Judaic cultures. This volume offers a key starting point for anyone interested in magic, drawing attention to the ways in which—for a large part of this period—there was no single idea of magic. Analysing a wide range of evidence, from literary texts to material objects, the essays in this volume reveal the great variety of ritual practices and understandings that co-existed in ancient society, before the early years of the Roman Principate. They investigate the different contexts in which ideas of magic emerged, and the role of different social forces in shaping, and being shaped by, that process, including social, political and economic power, trade and cross-cultural contact, rhetoric and intellectual competition, sexuality and gender-roles—and the changing religious landscape. Revealing the ancient world of “magic before Magic”, this volume illuminates the richness and diversity of magic in antiquity—as well as deepening our understanding of magic today.

ISBN:

9781350123823

OCLC:

1582442773