Semitic Magic: Its Origins and Development by R. Campbell Thompson is a landmark study of magical belief and ritual practice across the ancient Semitic world. First published in 1908 and reprinted here by KTAV in 1971, this volume explores Mesopotamian incantations, demonology, protective rites, amulets, spells, exorcism traditions, and early magical texts preserved on clay tablets.
Thompson, a renowned Assyriologist and archaeological pioneer, draws directly from Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian sources — making this one of the earliest attempts to systematically catalog the magic of the ancient Near East.
This KTAV edition reproduces the full original text and remains one of the most accessible and collectible ways to own Thompson’s foundational research.
Significance:
This work is considered a cornerstone in modern studies of Near Eastern magic, mythology, and religion. Thompson’s translations and interpretations continue to appear in academic footnotes today because he had access to tablets and collections that later scholars could only study secondhand. Books on ancient Semitic magic were printed in very small academic runs, and KTAV’s 1971 hardcover reprint has become increasingly scarce on the secondary market — especially in clean, tight condition like this copy.
Collectors of ancient magic, Assyriology, biblical studies, and occult history all value this volume for its historical importance and its direct access to early source material.