Date of Award
8-2002
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Medieval Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Larry J. Simon
Second Advisor
Dr. Timothy Graham
Third Advisor
Dr. James Palmitessa
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Campus Only
Abstract
Islamic scholarship drew interest from European Christian scientists and intellectuals of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and translations of Arabic texts in standard scientific areas circulated alongside texts on topics such as alchemy, astrology, and magic. These translations grew in number beginning in the twelfth century and continued into the thirteenth century where in Spain King Alfonso X ordered many translations of Arabic works, including that of a guidebook of astral-magic, Ghayat al-hakim, called Picatrix.
The Picatrix text contains directions for a variety of different types of magic. This magic could be considered licit or illicit, both can be found in the contents of the Picatrix. This survey considers both types of magic and the varieties of magic found in the text in the context of the end result: magical control over interpersonal human relations.
Recommended Citation
Carnell, Elisabeth, "Spells, Talismans and the Stars: Varieties of Interpersonal Magic in Ghayat al-hakim" (2002). Masters Theses. 3556.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3556