Chapter V: Belief in Magic in the Empire

Outline of contents of this chapter 65

I. _General Attitude_:
Prejudice against “magic” and condemnation of Magi 65
Views of Apuleius and of Philostratus 66
In reality a widespread belief in magic 67
Explanation of apparent opposition to astrology 68
Galen 69
Neo-Platonism 70
Philosophy confounded with magic 71

II. _Philo of Alexandria and Allegorical Interpretation_:
Question as to connection of allegorical interpretation
with magic 72
Historical importance of allegorical interpretation and of
Philo 73
Nature of Philo’s allegorical interpretation 73
His influence in the Middle Ages 75

III. _Seneca’s Problems of Nature and Divination_:
Scientific traits of Seneca 75
His tendency to be esoteric and mystical 76
Ground covered by his book 77
His partial rejection of magic 77
His acceptance of divination 78
His discussion of divination from thunder 79

IV. _Ptolemy’s Tetrabiblos and Astrology_:
An illustration of the astrology of the scientist 80
Ptolemy and his influence 80
Scientific tone of the preliminary remarks in the
_Tetrabiblos_ 81
An attempt to base astrology upon natural law 82
Ptolemy’s explanation of the influence of the planets 82
Summary of remaining contents of his first book 83
Contents of the other three books 83

V. _The Hermetic Books and Occultism_:
Their nature and history, legendary and actual 84
Their contents 86
Their importance 87