Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The aim of the present work is to study the esoteric characterization of King Solomon that became popular in certain currents of Judaism and Christianity of Late Antiquity and to establish a typology of it. Representative texts are analyzed, first to establish precisely the development of the different esoteric traditions linked to King Solomon, and then to show how these texts and traditions are placed in relation within the broad context of Magic and Religion in Late Antiquity. The book provides data for a better understanding of magic and its role in the Mediterranean Oikumene, suggests the necessity for a better categorization of the magical discipline, and furthers the discussion on the transmission and importance of esoteric traditions withing Judaism and Christianity .
Synopsis
The book studies the esoteric characterization of Solomon that had a great importance throughout Late Antiquity. These esoteric traditions were very known in the Judaism from the first century to the fourth century CE and they were inherited by Christianity that cherished and developed it. The Rabbinic Judaism also known some of these new characterizations but transformed them into haggadic legends and deprived them of their practical character. The book provides news insights that should be taken into account for the study of magic and magical mentality in any cultural setting of Late Antiquity.