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Document Details :

Title: A History of the Theban Magical Library
Author(s): DOSOO, Korshi
Journal: Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists
Volume: 53    Date: 2016   
Pages: 251-274
DOI: 10.2143/BASP.53.0.3200511

Abstract :
The Theban Magical Library is widely recognised by scholars of Roman Egyptian magic as the most important surviving magical archive, but to date several inconsistent models of its contents have been proposed. This article looks at the collection history of the manuscripts, discussing the evidence for their provenance in the catalogues and associated material from their initial sales, and briefly discusses relevant features of their content. Based on these criteria, ten magical and alchemical papyri can probably be associated with the Theban Library, while a further nine, associated with the Library by various authors, can be excluded.

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