Science and Magic in the Ancient World

“When studying the history of ancient civilizations, it is difficult not to notice the important and enduring role their faith in the wondrous and the supernatural played in their structure and daily life. The cult of the miraculous was a common foundation for all ancient religions. Although the Apostle Paul, with brilliant accuracy, defined the difference between the religious character of the Jews and that of the Gentiles of Greco-Roman culture—Jews seek miracles, the Greeks seek wisdom—this is said rather about the mode of religious perception than about its subject…”