or Magians, an ancient religious sect in Persia and other eastern countries, who maintained, that there were two principles, the one the cause of all good, the other the cause of all evil; and, abominating the adoration of images, worshipped God only by fire, which they looked upon as the brightest and most glorious symbol of Oromasdes, or the good God; as darkness is the truest symbol of Ahrimanus, or the evil god. This religion was reformed by Zoroaster, who maintained that there was one supreme independent being; and under him two principles or angels, one the angel of goodness and light, and the other of evil and darkness; that there is a perpetual struggle between them, which shall last to the end of the world; that then the angel of darkness and his disciples shall go into a world of their own, where they shall be punished in everlasting darkness; and the angel of light and his disciples shall also go into a world of their own, where they shall be rewarded in everlasting light.

The priests of the magi were the most skilful mathematicians and philosophers of the ages in which they lived, insomuch that a learned man and a magician became equivalent terms. The vulgar looked on their knowledge as more than natural, and imagined them inspired by some supernatural power; and hence those who practised wicked and mischievous arts, taking upon themselves the name of magicians, drew on it that ill signification which the word magician now bears among us.

This fact still subsists in Persia, under the denomination of gours, where they watch the sacred fire with the greatest care, and never suffer it to be extinguished.