Magic & Astrology in Ancient Greece 24/09/2007

12:54:00
Ancient magic
• Definition of magic
o “the attempt to influence nature by supernatural means”
 no one Greek term corresponds to modern “magic”
 overlap with science (natural philosophy)
• principles behind magic
o cosmic sympathy: all parts of the universe affect all others
o similarity: like brings about like
o contagion: emotions transmissible through inanimate objects
o coercive action: spells, potions etc. compel supernatural
powers
• connection with gods
o all gods have supernatural powers
o Hermes & Hekate (associated with trickery, underworld)
 Share magical powers with people
• Magicians
o Common, synonymous terms
 Magos: from Magi, Persian priestly class (root of word
“magic”)
 Goes: from Greek goaein, “to wail”
o Social standing
 Both terms also refer to jugglers, con-men
 Treated with contempt by Plato, Aristotle etc.
magic: principles
sympathy: manipulation of fly, feather etc. affects the body
similarity: fly has big eyes, used for eye potions
coercive action: spells compels supernatural power to heal
ancient Greek magic: sources
references in literature
• Healing spells, ghosts, manipulation of weather, seeing the future,
etc.
• Early example: Kirke in the Odyssey
o Classic witch: lives alone, overpowers men with potions
Magical texts (mainly Hellenistic and later)
• Magical papyri (ex: eye remedy)
• Compilations of magical lore (ex: hermes Trismegistos)
Implements recovered by archaeologists
• Charms, figurines, curse tablets, etc
Ancient Greek magic: objectives
Negative (“back magic”)
• Attempt to inflict damage on or frustrate plans of enemies
• Means: potions, incantations, “voodoo dolls,” curses
Example: curse tablets
• One form of “binding spells” (katadesmoi)
Positive (“white magic”)
• Charms and amulets (protection, good luck)
• Exorcism
• Potions
o Potions to relieve anguish
 Example: Helen in the Odyssey
o Love potions (not always positive for beloved)
 Example: women’s spell from Pella Macedonia
Ancient Greek magic: practices
Verbalization
 • Idea that words have power (sympathy, contagion, coercion)
• Magical nonsense (like “abracadabra”)
o Ex: of eye cure
• Invocations: call on / compel supernatural powers to appear & act
• Binding spells (katadesmoi)
o Compel (“bind”) people to act in a specific manner
Actions: usually combined with verbalizations
• Ex: charm for healing fracture
o Sticks held together under knife while spell is sung
Ancient Greek magic: social contexts
Magical elements in polis, oikos cults
• Prayer: essentially a kind of binding spell (do ut des)
• Care of cult image (similar to sympathetic magic)
• Sacrifice: cosmic sympathy (feedback loop)
• Mystery cults: establish special relationship with gods
Distrust of magic and magicians
• Poorly defined relationship to polis religion
• Association with vagrants, women
• Rejected by ancient medicine (ex: treatment of epilepsy)
Ancient Greek astrology
Definition of astrology
• Use of astronomical data to assess the preset and predict the future
Principle behind astrology
• Blends modern conceptions of science and superstition
o Empirical observation (stars, planets, moon, sun);
mathematics
 Necessary data: positions of planets, stars (zodiac)
 • Principle of cosmic sympathy
• Predictable astronomical cycles correspond to predictable lifespan
o Predestination: idea that all events are pre-ordained
Early astrology
Connection of celestial bodies with human life
• Neolithic cultures
o Moon, sun cults (agriculture)
o Large-scale calendar monuments
• Bronze Age
o Orientation of palaces, shrines
o Worship of solar disc (Knossos)
o Exposure to Egyptian, Near Eastern astrology
Greek astrology as a discipline
Coincides with beginnings of scientific study of astronomy
• By 5th century: eclipses, sphericity of earth, moon reflects sun
o Astrological observations and through prefigures rationalistic
approach
Alexander the great: eastern campaign brings upheaval and contact
• Greek govern, interact with Babylonians, Egyptians, Persians etc.
• Alexandria in Egypt: center of astrological lore and training
o Basics (math, charts etc.) imported from Babylon
o Astrology develops into a profession (range of social
positions)
Branches
• Universal: predictions about political and social events
o Positions of stars at given moment point to outcome
o Political implications
 Employment by rulers, politicians, businessmen, etc
 Perception of seeking someone else’s horoscope
• Personal horoscope (genethialogy): predicting person’s life
o Positions of stars at birth point
24/09/2007 12:54:00
24/09/2007 12:54:00