Plato, Apuleius, Laertius, and others, agree, that the philosophy of the _magi_ related principally to the worship of the gods: they were the persons who were to offer prayers, supplications, and sacrifices, as if the gods would be heard by them alone. But according to Lucian, Suidas, &c. this theology, or worship of the gods, as it was called, about which the magi were employed, was little more than the diabolical art of divination; for that μαγεια, strictly taken, was the art of divination. Porphyry defines the _magi_ well; Cicero calls them _divina sapientes_, &c. in iisdem ministrantes; adding, that the word _magus_ implied as much in the Persian tongue. These people, he says, are held in such veneration among the Persians, that Darius, the son of Hystaspes, among other things, had it engraved on his monument, that he was master of the _magi_. Philo Judas describe the _magi_ to be diligent enquirers into nature, out of the love they bear to truth; and who, setting themselves apart from other things, contemplate the divine virtues the more clearly, and initiate others in the same mysteries. Their descendants, the modern _magi_, or fire worshippers, are divided into three classes; whereof the first and most learned, neither ate nor kill animals; but adhere to the old institution of abstaining from living creatures. The _magi_ of the second class, refrain only from tame animals; nor do the last kill all indifferently, it being the firm distinguishing dogma of them all, τκν μετεμχυωσιυ ειναι, _that there is a transmigration of souls_. To intimate the similitude between animals and men, they used to call the latter by the name of the former; thus, their fellow priests they called lions; the priestesses, lionesses; the servants, cows, &c. MAGIC, MAGIA, MATEIA, In its ancient sense, implies the science, or discipline, or doctrine, of the _magi_, or wise men of Persia. The origin of _magic_, and the _magi_, is ascribed to Zoroaster; Salmasius derives the very name from Zoroaster, who, he says, was surnamed _Mog_, whence _magus_. Others, instead of making him the author of the Persian philosophy, make him only the restorer and improver thereof; alleging, that many of the Persian rites in use among the _magi_, were borrowed from the Zabii, among the Chaldeans, who agreed in many things with the magi of the Persians; whence some make the name _magus_ common to both the Chaldeans and Persians. Thus Plutarch mentions, that Zoroaster instituted _magi_ among the Chaldeans; in imitation whereof the Persians had theirs too. MAGIC, in a more modern sense, is a science which teaches to perform wonderful and surprising effects.