The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice

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July 23, 2024 | History

The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice

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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]. xviii + 322, 22 b/w figs, 2 tbs (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization 54, Oriental Institute 1993, revised edition 1997)

Publish Date
Language
English
Pages
322

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Previews available in: English

Edition Availability
Cover of: The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice
The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice
1993, Oriental Institute of University of Chicago
Paperback in English

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Book Details


Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-306) and indexes.

Published in
Chicago, Ill
Series
Studies in ancient oriental civilization ;

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
133.4/3/0932
Library of Congress
BF1591 .R57 1993, BF1591.R57 1993

The Physical Object

Format
Paperback
Pagination
xviii, 322 p. :
Number of pages
322

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL1747338M
Internet Archive
mechanicsancient00ritn
ISBN 10
0918986753
ISBN 13
9780918986757
LCCN
92061830
OCLC/WorldCat
28176694
Library Thing
355957
Goodreads
2495132

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History

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July 23, 2024 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
October 4, 2021 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
July 27, 2021 Edited by ISBNbot2 normalize ISBN
May 9, 2021 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
April 1, 2008 Created by an anonymous user Imported from Scriblio MARC record