The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization) (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization)

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Product Description
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)

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

The most insightful study ever done of the topic October 28, 2004
This book is a revised version of Ritner's University of Chicago dissertation with an added chapter on spitting, licking and swallowing. Ritner handles the material with the care of a veteran scholar, but also with the fire and passion of someone who wants to set the record straight. He rightfully notes how modern scholars have mishandled ancient Egypt by not properly understanding the relationship between what we call magic and religion. These were not ancient Egyptian categories. Ritner's definition of magic has now been adopted by other scholars working in other fields. He discusses the important Egyptian terminology as well as the god Heka. He notes, rightfully again, that those prosecuted in the Harem conspiracy of Ramesses III were not prosecuted for using "magic," but for using it against the royal house. This book encompasses so many important aspects that it is impossible to list them all here. Let me finish by saying, this is the most important book of Egyptian religious/magical practice and is a must for any Egyptologist or Egyptophile.

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