Magical formulas in Pliny's natural history: origins, sources, parallels.

Abstract

Pliny the Elder was the first Latin medical author to mention magical formulas. His writings refer to twenty-seven in all, thirteen being of the simplest type. The origin is discernible for two-thirds of them. A Latin origin is noted for only two of them, and two are given in Greek The Greek influence seems decisive, with an important role played by the sympathies-antipathies and Pseudo-Democritus trend. Nine magical formulas are attributed to magi and one is also found in the Cyranides (Kupsilonrhoalphavídeltaepsilonzeta) and the Geoponica (gammaepsilonomegapiovichialpha). An author is named for only one incantation: King Attalus III of Pergamum. One carmen probably dates back to a model existing in Classical Greece, which is likely to be true even for one of the incantations in Greek. The text of the latter needs to be better understood in order for one to grasp its principle of action and perhaps its origin.