Author Description

Translated from the original German, this important work was originally published in 1854 as two volumes, and is here presented complete in a single book. The History of Magic covers magical phenomena of all kinds, from clairvoyance to dreams, soothsaying to talismans. It goes into details on the magical heritages of ancient civilisations, including: the Orient, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome, magic's role in mythology, and magic in medieval Europe, including the witch-trials and a detailed description of the Malleus Maleficarum. Also included is the original appendix, which gives examples of (supposedly) true life magical events, and a short glossary of archaic and classical terms.