Investigating the Magical Practice found in PGM (Greek Magical Papyri) XIII

Abstract

PGM XIII is a Greco-Egyptian magical papyri dated to the mid fourth century CE. It contains at least two versions of a rite to summon the creator god and gain his name, which is then used in further spells also included in the papyrus. This paper examines the practices involved in this rite and explores their theoretical underpinning, investigating timing, writing and symbolism to expose the interconnectedness implicit in the ancient worldview and the place of magic within it. The magical papyri are documents which reflect the methods and experience of actual magical practitioners rather than literary depictions. These accounts and methods contextualise magic within an ontological world view.