2. The Two Types of Magical Papyri
The Greek Magical Papyri were written between the 2nd century BCE and the 7th century CE with the majority being dated between the 3rd and the 4th century. All of the papyri were found in Egypt.
There are two types of texts: Ritual instructions and magical artefacts. Ritual instructions tell us how communication and interaction with higher powers were ritually initiated and realised while magical artefacts are products from ritual practice. There are slightly more papyrus artefacts preserved today than ritual manuals.
Ritual Manuals
Ritual manuals were either created as scrolls or as books. The technical term for the latter is codex, the plural is codices. There is no technical term for scrolls. The two most extensive Greek ritual manuals known to us today comprise over 50 instructions each. One is a scroll (PGM VII) and one is a book (PGM IV).
Here are photos of the most extensive Greek magical papyrus scrolls and books:
Magical Artefacts
Greek magical papyrus artefacts were commonly folded multiple times and shaped into small packages. They were often worn on the body and served for the benefit of their owners. Here is a selection of magical artefacts with various purposes:
=> Continue with Unit 3. A Brief Timeline of the Greek Magical Papyri