MAGIC (Magice, Mayua), in its ancient sense, the science or discipline and 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 Mag, whence Magus. But others, instead of making him the author of the Persian philosophy,
represent him only as the restorer and improver thereof, alleging, that many of the Persian rites in use amongst the Magi were borrowed from the Zabii or Chaldeans, who agreed in many things with the Magi of the Persians; and hence some make the name Magus common both to the Chaldeans and Persians. Thus Plutarch mentions, that Zoroaster instituted Magi amongst the Chaldeans, in imitation of which the Persians had also theirs.