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Send me to Egypt so I can see the one who performs magic there Send me to Egypt so I can see the one who performs magic there: Wise men, wizards and charlatans in the land on Nile

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2019

Abstract

The article deals with magicians and wizards in ancient Egypt. The first part of the paper focuses on the concept of magic and priestly titles connected with magical powers, and special attention is given to the title of lector priest - the person typically considered as scholar and magician.

The second part presents some of the most famous magicians of Egyptian literature. Based on examples from texts of different periods (papyrus Westcar and tales of Setne I and Setne II) the deeds and practices of these wizards are described and discussed, taking into account the documented practices really performed rituals and magic