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[[File:Grimoire of Heaven and Hell.jpg|300px|thumb|The Grimoire of Heaven and Hell, an example of a grimoire from the modern period]] | [[File:Grimoire of Heaven and Hell.jpg|300px|thumb|The Grimoire of Heaven and Hell, an example of a grimoire from the modern period]] | ||
A '''grimoire''' (/ɡrɪmˈwɑːr/ grim-WAHR) (also known as a "book of spells" or a "spellbook") is a textbook of [[ritual magic|magic]], typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like | A '''grimoire''' (/ɡrɪmˈwɑːr/ grim-WAHR) (also known as a "book of spells" or a "spellbook") is a textbook of [[ritual magic|magic]], typically including instructions on how to create magical objects like [[talisman]]s and [[amulet]]s, how to perform magical spells, charms and [[divination]], and how to summon or invoke supernatural entities such as [[angel]]s, spirits, deities, and [[demon]]s. | ||
In many cases, the books themselves are believed to be imbued with magical powers, although in many cultures, other sacred texts that are not grimoires (such as the [[Bible]]) have been believed to have supernatural properties intrinsically. The primary contents found in a grimoire would be information on spells, | In many cases, the books themselves are believed to be imbued with magical powers, although in many cultures, other sacred texts that are not grimoires (such as the [[Bible]]) have been believed to have supernatural properties intrinsically. The primary contents found in a grimoire would be information on spells, [[ritual magic|ritual]]s, the preparation of magical tools, and lists of ingredients and their magical correspondences. In this manner, while all books on magic could be thought of as grimoires, not all magical books should be thought of as grimoires. | ||
==Ancient period== | ==Ancient period== | ||
The earliest known written magical incantations come from ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), where they have been found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets that archaeologists excavated from the city of Uruk and dated to between the 5th and 4th centuries | The earliest known written magical incantations come from ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), where they have been found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets that archaeologists excavated from the city of Uruk and dated to between the 5th and 4th centuries BC. | ||
===Egypt=== | |||
The ancient [[Egyptian religion|Egyptians]] also employed magical incantations, which have been found inscribed on amulets and other items. The Egyptian magical system, known as ''heka'', was greatly altered and expanded after the Macedonians, led by Alexander the Great, invaded Egypt in 332 BC. | |||
Under the next three centuries of Hellenistic [[Egyptian religion|Egypt]], the Coptic writing system evolved, and the Library of Alexandria was opened. This likely had an influence upon books of magic, with the trend on known incantations switching from simple health and protection charms to more specific things, such as financial success and [[sex magic|sexual fulfillment]]. Around this time the legendary figure of [[Hermes Trismegistus]] developed as a conflation of the Egyptian god [[Thoth]] and the Greek Hermes; this figure was associated with writing and magic and, therefore, of books on magic. | |||
===Greek and Roman=== | |||
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that books on magic were invented by the Persians. The 1st-century AD writer Pliny the Elder stated that magic had been first discovered by the ancient philosopher Zoroaster around the year 647 BC but that it was only written down in the 5th century BC by the magician Osthanes. His claims are not, however, supported by modern historians. | The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that books on magic were invented by the Persians. The 1st-century AD writer Pliny the Elder stated that magic had been first discovered by the ancient philosopher Zoroaster around the year 647 BC but that it was only written down in the 5th century BC by the magician Osthanes. His claims are not, however, supported by modern historians. | ||
===Judaism=== | |||
The ancient [[Judaism|Jewish]] people were often viewed as being knowledgeable in magic, which, according to legend, they had learned from Moses, who had learned it in Egypt. Among many ancient writers, Moses was seen as an Egyptian rather than a Jew. Two manuscripts likely dating to the 4th century, both of which purport to be the legendary eighth Book of Moses (the first five being the initial books in the Biblical Old Testament), present him as a polytheist who explained how to conjure gods and subdue [[demon]]s. | The ancient [[Judaism|Jewish]] people were often viewed as being knowledgeable in magic, which, according to legend, they had learned from Moses, who had learned it in Egypt. Among many ancient writers, Moses was seen as an Egyptian rather than a Jew. Two manuscripts likely dating to the 4th century, both of which purport to be the legendary eighth Book of Moses (the first five being the initial books in the Biblical Old Testament), present him as a polytheist who explained how to conjure gods and subdue [[demon]]s. | ||
Meanwhile, there is definite evidence of grimoires being used by certain, particularly [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]], sects of early [[Christianity]]. In the [[Book of Enoch]] found within the Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, there is information on [[astrology]] and the [[angel]]s. In possible connection with the Book of Enoch, the idea of Enoch and his great-grandson Noah having some involvement with books of magic given to them by angels continued through to the medieval period. | Meanwhile, there is definite evidence of grimoires being used by certain, particularly [[Gnosticism|Gnostic]], sects of early [[Christianity]]. In the [[Book of Enoch]] found within the Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, there is information on [[astrology]] and the [[angel]]s. In possible connection with the Book of Enoch, the idea of Enoch and his great-grandson Noah having some involvement with books of magic given to them by angels continued through to the medieval period. | ||
Israelite [[King Solomon]] was a Biblical figure associated with magic and sorcery in the ancient world. The 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian Josephus mentioned a book circulating under the name of Solomon that contained incantations for summoning demons and described how a Jew called Eleazar used it to cure cases of possession. The book may have been the ''[[Testament of Solomon]]'' but was more probably a different work. The pseudepigraphic ''Testament of Solomon'' is one of the oldest magical texts. It is a Greek manuscript attributed to Solomon and likely written in either Babylonia or Egypt sometime in the first five centuries AD, over 1,000 years after Solomon's death. | Israelite [[King Solomon]] was a [[Bible|Biblical]] figure associated with magic and sorcery in the ancient world. The 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian Josephus mentioned a book circulating under the name of Solomon that contained incantations for summoning demons and described how a Jew called Eleazar used it to cure cases of possession. The book may have been the ''[[Testament of Solomon]]'' but was more probably a different work. The pseudepigraphic ''Testament of Solomon'' is one of the oldest magical texts. It is a Greek manuscript attributed to Solomon and likely written in either Babylonia or Egypt sometime in the first five centuries AD, over 1,000 years after Solomon's death. | ||
==Medieval period== | ==Medieval period== | ||