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how old is magic and where did it spring from. I was thinking (ooh look out lol) that if it was around in the middle ages, surely many magicians would have been running a great risk - and maybe some of the unfortunates were burnt at the stake as witches - i mean their ignorance back then was incredible. a birthmark could sign your own death warrant. I know theres been so many greats. who have innovated. and helped define the science of illusion. principles, ideas from which many effects can be achieved. but what about before then? and where in the world was it likely to have begun? maybe these questions cant be answered. i was just wondering the other nite lol.
all the best paul (disappears in a puff of smoke..cough)

The Egyptians had a thriving magic community in the form of Temple Priests who used 'special effects' to reinforce their authority and position in society. Their influence goes back a long way - check out the problems referred to in The Old Testament when Moses was in action! There's also the Tomb drawings which appear to show Cups and Balls being performed.

Before that, I'm sure the ancient Chinese were dab hands at Magic and illusion.

In other words, Magic is probably the World's Oldest Profession. Well, perhaps the second oldest!

This question is one that has an answer that could go on for page, after page.But put simply…

Magic is as old as man. Our first glimpse at the world, and all it's wonders filled us with awe.
We could not explain it, so something was invented. That thing was magic.
As man grew, he started to learn that he could create " magic" himself.
The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and countless other ancient civilisations , attributed many of the man made miracles to the gods.
Thus, in the pursuit of magic, organised religion is born.
that last remark may be a little controversial, but proof exists that many faiths that turned into what we now know, have their roots in, for example, greek worship, and they did use magical principles to enhance their ceremonys.
Magic as strictly entertainment, also started at around the same time.the early performances being given in street markets, rather than in theatres. Surprisingly,This did not change until around 4 hundred years ago.


D.

also the Tomb drawings which appear to show Cups and Balls being performed

The current thinking on this particular point is that it probably isn't Cups and Balls being performed (as nice as that idea is).

I have to say i have always had issues with the cups theory. With someone like Deddi doing his stuff, why just show the cups?
Also, if they are doing the cups, why show western style cups? In Egypt, and most of north africa, there is still a strong use of the " hindu style" cups, being flat bowls with small knob handles.

Having dismissed the Egyptian Cups and Balls so casually, I should add that it has been written that there was an Egyptian Magican called Dedi (circa 2700bc in King Khufu's time) who's feats included cutting of the head of a cow and two birds (a duck and a goose) and then restoring them.

of course this could just be a fable...

Those Egyptian wall paintings remind me strongly of the photographic 'evidence' of the Indian Rope Trick which is actually a boy balancing on a bamboo pole rather than on a stiff rope.

There's also that wonderful painting called The Conjurer by Hieronymus Bosch - http://www.abcgallery.com/B/bosch/bosch14.html - showing a guy's pocket being picked while he watches a cups trick being performed - no wonder magic is sometimes seen as being not very respectable!

has he got a change bag in his hand?? and performing cups and balls??
a lolvey picture enstils what you want in an audiance to be so in to your magic you can take all there money!! no not notice anything else!! although i wouldnt say no to some more money!!

There's another chance to see P&T's take on all this - courtesy of Magicweek:

Penn and Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour series is being repeated on Sky Travel next week, see TV Magic. First shown a few years ago this three part series explores street magic in India, Egypt, and China. The show from China features a wonderful magician who has developed a stunning "quick change" routine using masks - not to be missed

and

Penn and Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour (Rpt)
8pm on Wednesday 8th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel.
9pm on Wednesday 8th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel Plus 1.
8.30pm on Thursday 9th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel.
9.30pm on Thursday 9th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel Plus 1.
11pm on Thursday 9th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel Extra.
4.30am on Friday 10th December (1 hour) on Sky Travel.

"Series in which illusionists Penn and Teller go in search of the most extraordinary magicians in the world."

Set those VCRs now!

daleshrimpton wrote: Thus, in the pursuit of magic, organised religion is born.

Actually, a simplified view that is held by many anthropological thinkers is that the order in which people explain phenomonen is magic, then religion and finally science. However, what those people look at as magic bears very little relation to what we as performance magicians see as magic. For example, in passing a lecturer mentioned that some trickery is used by "shamans*" in order to enforce their authority, but when I asked if he could give me any literary references he could not off the top of his head and had to go away to look it up. I'm still waiting for his findings.

Like Dale said, our magic has evolved from a wholly different view of what magic really is whilst also drawing in many influences from other areas along the way. However, many people do not make the distinction and hence why some people do not approve of performance magic. Of course there are many other reasons why people do not approve of magic but many stem from this misunderstanding.