What does this research mean for the field?

This article provides new readings and discussions of eight magical papyri from Roman and Late Ancient Egypt, contributing to the understanding of their historical, scientific, and religious contexts. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore and provide new readings and discussions on magical papyri from Egypt, focusing on their content and cultural context.

February 28, 2026Open Access

Notes on Magical Papyri

Key Points

The aim is to explore and provide new readings and discussions on magical papyri from Egypt, focusing on their content and cultural context.
Reexamination of magical rituals from eight finished products on papyrus and other materials.
Analysis of historical connections to medicine, astrology, and Christianity.
Presentation of a first full edition of a documentary text from a specific papyrus.
Discussion of provisional texts and translations.
New readings of texts previously noted in earlier studies were provided.
Further context regarding the intersection of magic, science, and religion in ancient times was discussed.
A comprehensive edition of a specific documentary text was established for the first time.

Abstract

This article completes the author’s series of notes on magical papyri begun in Symbolae Osloenses 96 (2022). New readings and further discussion of content and context, touching on the history of science (medicine, astrology) and religion (Christianity), as well as provisional texts and translations, are offered for eight finished products of magical ritual from Egypt of the Roman and Late Ancient periods on papyrus and other materials (O.Moen inv. 631; PGM XXXIII and XLIII; PGM P 5b, P 6c, P 10, and P 16; Suppl.Mag. II 52). A documentary text on the same sheet as one of them (P.Oxy. VII 1059 back descr.) is given a first full edition.

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Michael W. Zellmann-Rohrer

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Notes on Magical Papyri

Key Points

Abstract

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