#survivals

A detail from a Coptic papyrus, showing a magical text and an illustration of the Crucifixion.

Egyptian papyri written in the Greek and Coptic languages preserve unique survivals of ancient magical practices.

A number of these 3rd to 6th-century documents attest to a significant use of magic in the already province of Egypt.

Important note: I will attach 28 pens from which this spell was made on the papyrus.

These pens are from the sciences of Important note: I will attach 28 pens from which this spell was made on the papyrus.

These pens are from the sciences of alsiymya' (السمياء) (It is a great magic used by the Pharaohs in ancient times) They are specially designed pens for the sciences of talismanship, spirituality, the seven planets, the phases of the moon, the seasons of the year, and the servants of astronomy.

Source: Medieval manuscripts

Abn Iiblis

The magic ring, from a handbook of magic, Egypt, 4th century: Papyrus 46, f 5v

The other important way to harness the demon's power was to connect them physically with the victim.

A 4th-century Greek magical handbook, Papyrus 46, currently on display in Harry Potter: A History of Magic, provides an excellent illustration of how this might be achieved.

This handbook records detailed instructions on how to compel the demons to bind someone not to do something, by using an iron ring to establish a physical bond with the target of the magic.

The curious recipe reads as follows:

'Take a papyrus and an iron ring, put the ring on the papyrus and draw the outlines of the ring with a pen, inside and outside.

On the area outside the ring write the name and invocation of the demon, on the inside the following: “Let whatever I wish not take place OR let so-and-so not get married forever”.

Then put the ring on its outline, wrap it up with the papyrus until it is completely covered.

Bind the package with cords and throw it into an unused well or dig it into the grave of someone untimely dead and say the following, “Spirit of the dead …”'

We don't know anyone who has ever tried this spell, and we can't guarantee its success.

It's fascinating, nonetheless, to see this practical application of 4th-century magic.

The papyrus itself is presently on view in London.

Source: Medieval manuscripts

A common feature of all these spells is that they are not supplications and prayers, but rather commands to spiritual, demonic entities to serve the users and complete their orders.

Commanding otherworldly beings to obey a mortal man had two basic requirements: knowledge of the demon’s full and exact name, and a physical way to ensure that the demon would perform the request.

The magical formulas on the papyri are always careful to include the long and complicated names of the demons being evoked.

'The name of power of the great god KMEPHIS CHPHYKIS IAEO IAEOBAPHRENE', written inside a serpent biting its tail, from a handbook of magic, Egypt, 3rd century: Papyrus 121(2)r

Source: Medieval manuscripts

The British Library owns one of the finest collections in the world of these Greek magical papyri.

Complete manuscripts, in book format and also on long scrolls of almost 2 metres in length, are preserved here.

Some of these documents are handbooks probably used by professional magicians in the 3rd to 4th centuries.

They collected charms and related instructions for a variety of purposes, such as to predict the future, locate lost or stolen property, or to catch thieves.

A spell to catch a thief: 'As long as I strike this eye with this hammer, let the eye of the thief be struck and swell up until it betrays him', from a handbook of magic, Egypt, 4th century: Papyrus 46, f. 2v

Source: Medieval manuscripts