(formed from μαγος, "magus," and φωνη, "laughter"), the name of a feast among the ancient Persians, held in memory of the expulsion of the Magians. The Magian Smerdis having usurped the throne of Persia, upon the death of Cambyses, 521 years before Jesus Christ, seven of the principal lords of the court conspired to drive him out of it.—Their design was executed with good success. Smerdis and his brother, another Magian, called Patizithes, were killed. Upon which the people also arose, and put all the Magi to the sword, insomuch that there would not one have escaped, had not night come upon them. Darius, son of Hydaspes, was then elected king; and, in memory of this massacre of the Magi, a feast was instituted, says Herodotus, called Magophonía. See MAGI.