Greek and Egyptian Magical Formularies: Volume 1

The magical formularies on papyrus are precious witnesses to practices and processes of cultural transmission, encompassing the creation, communication, transformation, and preservation of knowledge, both in text and image, across history and between the cultures of Egypt and Greece. More than eighty such handbooks survive, some of them in a fragmentary state. Our book, the work of an international team of papyrologists and historians of magic, replaces Papyri graecae magicae edited by K. Preisendanz, which appeared almost a century ago and has been used as one of the most important sources for the study of Greek magic, augmented in the 1990s by the excellent work of R. Daniel and F. Maltomini, the Supplementum Magicum.

This project has collected all the known magical formularies and fully studied both their materiality and their texts. The facing English translation with notes replaces The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, edited by H.D. Betz. This volume, the first of two, presents the earliest of the handbooks, fifty-four in all, spanning the period from the second century BCE to the third century CE, in a new edition which includes the original texts in the three languages (Greek, Demotic, Coptic) with a full material description and a facing translation with commentary.

The magical papyri are a crucial source for understanding the complex interplay between the cultures of ancient Egypt and Greece. These texts, written on fragile papyrus, provide a unique window into the practices and beliefs of individuals and communities who lived in the Greco-Roman world. By analyzing the materiality, language, and content of these handbooks, scholars can shed light on the transmission and transformation of knowledge, the interactions between different religious and magical traditions, and the lived experiences of those who created and used these powerful texts.

The project team, comprising experts in papyrology, Egyptology, and the history of magic, has undertaken a comprehensive study of these materials, drawing on the latest advances in digital technology and textual analysis. The resulting edition presents the texts in their original languages, accompanied by facing English translations and detailed commentaries. This approach allows readers to engage directly with the primary sources, while also benefiting from the insights and contextual information provided by the scholars.

One of the key features of this volume is the attention paid to the material aspects of the papyri. The team has meticulously documented the physical characteristics of each handbook, including the type of papyrus used, the writing style, and any evidence of damage or repair. This information is crucial for understanding the production, use, and transmission of these texts, as well as the broader cultural and historical context in which they were created.

In addition to the detailed material descriptions, the volume also includes extensive introductory essays that explore the historical, religious, and magical contexts of the magical formularies. These essays provide valuable background information on the development of Greco-Egyptian magic, the relationship between textual and ritual practices, and the role of these texts in the broader cultural landscape of the ancient Mediterranean world.

The publication of this new edition of the magical papyri represents a significant advancement in the study of ancient magic and religion. By bringing together the latest scholarship and making these important primary sources more accessible to a wider audience, the project team has made an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the complex and fascinating world of Greco-Egyptian magic.

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