Greek Magical Papyri

Greek Magical Papyri (Latin: Papyri Graecae Magicae, PGM) are a extensive collection of texts, mostly discovered in Egypt, written in Greek, Demotic Egyptian, and Coptic. These papyri are generally dated from the 2nd to the 5th century CE but also contain traditions from earlier periods. The texts contain magical incantations, hymns, formulas, rituals, and instructions for various magical practices. The papyri are regarded not only as records of magical practices but also as important historical documents reflecting the beliefs, religious ideas and cosmological views of people in the Near East toward the end of the Roman period.

Spell to Deliver a Thief. (Batan and Turhan 2021, p. 516.)

The Greek Magical Papyri are viewed not as literary works but as working copies used by magicians for practical purposes. This explains why the texts have a compilation structure, combining instructions from different sources, alternative methods, and personal notes by practitioners (such as “as I heard from someone”). While some compilations are organized according to specific themes—for example grouping spells related to Selene and Hekate together—they sometimes also include unrelated fragments, such as astrological texts.

The purposes of the spells in the papyri are highly diverse:

• Love spells and binding spells.

• Curses and harmful rituals (also known as defixio or katadesmoi).

• Healing formulas and protections against illness.

• Methods for divination and obtaining divine inspiration.

• Exorcism and purification from evil spirits.

• Practical aims such as invisibility, catching thieves, or achieving material gain.

Cultural and Religious Syncretism

The most distinctive feature of the papyri is their complex synthesis of diverse cultural and religious traditions. These texts reflect the cultural permeability of the Hellenistic world. The main components are Greek, Egyptian and Jewish traditions.

Egyptian Influence

The high status of magic in Egypt, the belief that even gods used magic, and the presence of malevolent divine forces such as Set-Typhon are reflected in these texts. Moreover, Egypt’s long-standing written tradition of magical literature provided a foundational basis for the papyri.

Greek Influence

Magical practices and the tradition of curse tablets centered around goddesses such as Hekate and Selene are of Greek origin. Equivalences such as the identification of Thoth with Hermes are also common.

Jewish Influence

The belief in the power of God’s sacred and secret names (such as IAO, Adonai, Sabaoth), the hierarchy of angels and archangels (such as Michael and Gabriel), and exorcism rituals are largely drawn from Jewish mysticism.

Other Influences

In addition to these three main traditions, elements from Mesopotamia (the goddess Ereshkigal), Iran (the god Mithras), and Anatolia (the goddess Artemis) have also been incorporated into this syncretic structure.

Theological and Cosmic System

The papyri reveal a new and syncretic religious understanding and cosmic system that developed in the Near East under the Roman Empire before the absolute dominance of Christianity. At the core of this system is a strong monotheistic tendency.

This monotheism sometimes manifests as a single pagan deity—usually the sun god Helios—absorbing the powers and attributes of all other gods to become the “lord of the universe” and “creator.” At other times, a syncretic figure emerges combining the Greek god Zeus with the Jewish God Yahweh (referred to as IAO). The powers of the underworld similarly exhibit a tendency toward unification, often condensed into a single “triple-faced goddess” figure formed by the fusion of the Moon (Selene), Hekate, and Persephone.

In this new cosmic system, beneath the one supreme deity, there exists a complex hierarchy of intermediary beings between gods and humans:

• Angels (Angeloi): They serve as messengers of God and sometimes hold cosmic roles such as “ruler of heaven.” The texts distinguish between archangels and angels.

• Daimons: Intermediate beings that can be good or evil, occupying a position between gods and humans. They may be the spirits of the dead or nature spirits and are used in magical rituals either as assistants or as targets.

• Decans: Thirty-six star deities originating from Egyptian astrology, each governing ten degrees of the zodiac, are also included in this cosmic hierarchy.

Key Concepts and Practices

Paredros (Divine Assistant)

A supernatural entity acquired by the magician through ritual to serve him. The paredros may be an angel, a daimon, or the spirit of a god; it provides the magician with oracles, material gains, and protection from other spiritual dangers. One of the most striking promises is that the paredros will rescue the magician’s soul after death from Hades and carry it to the heavens; this implies a form of immortality (apothanatismos). This figure is thought to have emerged as a novelty in the 2nd century CE.

Systasis (Divine Dedication)

A ritual in which the magician establishes a personal bond with a supreme deity, such as the sun god Helios, to gain his friendship. This ritual promises the magician magical powers and a better fate after death.

Voces Magicae (Magical Words)

Sequences of sounds that appear meaningless—such as palindromes like “Ablanathanalba”—vowel combinations, and divine names borrowed from foreign languages are frequently used in spells because they are believed to inherently contain power.

Identification with the God

A common practice involves the magician identifying himself with a deity during ritual, using expressions such as “I am you, and you are me,” in order to appropriate divine power.