Greek Magical Papyri
Also known as: Papyri Graecae Magicae, PGM, Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
A syncretic collection of Greek, Egyptian, and Near Eastern ritual texts from Graeco-Roman Egypt, preserving spells, hymns, and theurgic rites for protection, love, healing, divination, and ascent.
Description
The Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) comprise a heterogeneous archive of handbooks and spell-collections copied in Graeco-Roman Egypt. Written chiefly in Greek with Demotic and Coptic elements, the corpus weaves Hellenic, Egyptian, and Jewish traditions into practical rites: invocations, hymns, consecrations, amulets, curses, healings, dream-oracles, and elaborate theurgies. Deities appear in syncretic forms—Helios-Mithras, Serapis, Isis, IAO—and are addressed with arcane voces magicae and sigils (characteres). Famous items include the so-called Mithras Liturgy and the Headless/Bornless invocation. The manuals pair poetic hymnody with precise instructions for materials, timings, and astral correspondences, offering a rare view of lived ritual practice in Late Antiquity.
Historiography
Most pieces were acquired on the antiquities market from findspots in Egypt and dispersed to European and American collections. Karl Preisendanz published the foundational Greek editions (Papyri Graecae Magicae, 1928–1931; rev. 1973–1974), establishing the sigla and numbering. Hans Dieter Betz’s English translation (1986; 2nd ed. 1992) standardized citations and emphasized theurgy and syncretism. Reception has been wide, influencing classics, religious studies, and modern occult revivals; textual state varies from complete rolls to fragmentary scraps.
Date Notes
Composite dossier from Graeco-Roman Egypt; individual papyri date across several centuries and locales (esp. Thebes). Modern scholarly edition assembled by K. Preisendanz; widely read in Betz’s English translation.
Archetypes
Major Characters
- Helios
- Hecate
- Hermes
- Isis
- Osiris
- Serapis
- Anubis
Myths
- The Headless One Rite
- Ascent and Protection Spells
- Invocations of Hermes–Thoth
- Love and Binding Spells
- Exorcisms and Healing Rites
Facts
- The corpus preserves practical ritual instructions alongside poetic hymns and invocations.
- Languages include Greek with Demotic and occasional Coptic and Hebrew/Aramaic divine names.
- Syncretic deities (e.g., Helios-Mithras, Isis with IAO) are characteristic of the texts.
- The so-called Mithras Liturgy (PGM IV 475–834) outlines a graded astral ascent rite.
- The Stele of Jeu or Bornless invocation (PGM V) became influential in modern ceremonial magic.
- Materials specified include oils, resins, herbs, inks, papyrus, metals, stones, and animal parts.
- Timing often follows planetary hours and specific lunar/solar phases.
- Textual witnesses range from complete codices to small fragments with magical characteres.
- Karl Preisendanz established the critical Greek edition and numbering used by scholars.
- Hans Dieter Betz’s translation standardized English access and scholarly citation.
- Genres span love-magic, curses, healings, exorcisms, protection, divination, and theurgy.