Magus

Magus
/may"geuhs/, n., pl. Magi /-juy/.
1. (sometimes l.c.) one of the Magi.
2. (l.c.) a magician, sorcerer, or astrologer.
3. (sometimes l.c.) a Zoroastrian priest. Cf. Magi (def. 2).
[1615-25; < L < Gk mágos < OPers magus; cf. Avestan mogu]

* * *

Member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic activities.

The magi were a priestly caste during the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanian dynasties, and parts of the Avesta are probably derived from them. Their priesthood is believed to have served several religions, including Zoroastrianism. From the 1st century AD onward, the word magus in its Syriac form (magusai) was applied to magicians and soothsayers, chiefly from Babylonia. As long as the Persian empire lasted there was a distinction between the Persian magi, credited with profound religious knowledge, and the Babylonian magi, often considered outright imposters. See also Magi.

* * *

▪ Persian priesthood
plural  Magi,  

      member of an ancient Persian clan specializing in cultic activities. The name is the Latinized form of magoi (e.g., in Herodotus 1:101), the ancient Greek transliteration of the Iranian original. From it the word magic is derived.

      It is disputed whether the magi were from the beginning followers of Zoroaster and his first propagandists. They do not appear as such in the trilingual inscription of Bīsitūn, in which Darius the Great describes his speedy and final triumph over the magi who had revolted against his rule (522 BC). Rather it appears that they constituted a priesthood serving several religions. The magi were a priestly caste during the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sāsānian periods; later parts of the Avesta, such as the ritualistic sections of the Vidēvdāt (Vendidad), probably derive from them. From the 1st century AD onward the word in its Syriac form (magusai) was applied to magicians and soothsayers, chiefly from Babylonia, with a reputation for the most varied forms of wisdom. As long as the Persian empire lasted there was always a distinction between the Persian magi, who were credited with profound and extraordinary religious knowledge, and the Babylonian magi, who were often considered to be outright imposters.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Magus — Personaje de Chrono Trigger Información Alias Príncipe Janus Zeal Magia Sombra Arma …   Wikipedia Español

  • magus — n. 1. a magician or sorcerer of ancient times. [WordNet 1.5] 2. a member of the Zoroastrian priesthood of the ancient Persians. [WordNet 1.5] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Magus — (n.) member of the ancient Persian priestly caste, late 14c., singular of MAGI (Cf. magi) (q.v.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • magus — see Magi …   Modern English usage

  • magus — ► NOUN (pl. magi) 1) a member of a priestly class of ancient Persia. 2) a sorcerer. 3) (the Magi) the three wise men from the East who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. ORIGIN Latin, from Old Persian …   English terms dictionary

  • Magus — [mā′gəs] n. pl. Magi [mā′jī΄] [ME < L: see MAGI] 1. one of the Magi 2. a sorcerer or astrologer …   English World dictionary

  • Magus — Der Fall des Simon Magus (unbekannter Künstler), Hildesheim, 1170 Simon Magus (auch Simon der Magier, Simon von Samarien oder Simon von Gitta; † 65, Rom) gilt als erster Häretiker der Kirche. Das Wenige, das über ihn bekannt ist, stammt aus… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Magus —  Ne doit pas être confondu avec Magus, père de Warlock Pour les articles homonymes, voir Mage (homonymie). Magus est un super vilain appartenant à l’univers de Marvel Comics. Il a été créé …   Wikipédia en Français

  • MAGUS — I. MAGUS Graece Μάγος. Praeluxisse Persisolim Magos sapientiae studiis, atque etiam rerum Divinarum notitiâ varii tradunt scriptores, Apul. in Apol. Nam si quod ego apud plurimos lego, Persarum linguâ magus est, qui nostrâ sacerdos. Siquidem… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • magus — magùs, ì adj. (4) BŽ42 viliojamas, patrauklus: Magus daiktas J.Jabl. Magūs valgiai rš. Tos magios it laumės juostos spalvos viliote viliodavo visą jaunimą rš. Magūs vaizdai ir kvapai rš. Abudu mudu jaunu, abudu mudu magiu JV638. Gražus bernas… …   Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”