Simon Magus:
A Life in Pictures and Words
1
Simon Magus through the centuries as depicted in art. The following images are listed chronologically.
Palatine Chapel, Polermo, Italy, 1160's or 1170's
Palatine Chapel, Polermo, Italy, 1160's or 1170's,
The fall of Simon Magus
The fall of Simon Magus
1280 painting by an Italian known only as the Master of St. Peter, from the Church of San Pietro in Banchi, in Siena, Italy
Fall of Simon Magus, Benozzo Gozzoli, 1461-62
Disputation with Simon Magus, Filippino Lippi, 1481-82.
Fall of Simon Magus,
Peter's Confrontation with Simon Magus, Avanzino Nucci, 1620.
The Fall of Simon Magus, Leonaert Bramer, 1623.
Fall of Simon Magus, Sebastien Bourdon, 1657
Marker commemorating the fall of Simon Magus. 1893.
2
The above pictures are, to the best of my ability and tenaciousness, the only artistic depictions of Simon Magus I could find on the internet. Although Simon Magus is mentioned in the Bible, the following Church Fathers give more details than does Holy Writ.
Date
1160's or 1170's 1280 1461-62 1481-82 1620 1623 1657 |
Artist
Palatine Chapel,unknown "Master of St. Peter" Benozzo Gozzoli Filippino Lippi Avanzino Nucci Leonaert Bramer Sebastien Bourdon |
Nationality
Italian? Italian Italian Italian Italian Dutch French |
We are immediately struck by the overwhelming representation of the Italians in our unscientific survey. It seems as though there is a disconnect between the vast literature of Simon Magus and his representation in art. It seems as though the artists only knew of the dispute between Simon Magus and Saint Peter and the fall of Simon in the Roman Plaza. There are no depictions of the Biblical version of Simon Magus, possibly due, in no small part, to the lack of dramatic element of Simon flying and falling due to the intervention of Saint Peter. Interestingly, the Biblical account does not state that Simon Magus stopped believing, whereas the Gospels are clear that Simon Peter lost faith.
Clearly, few artists found the theme of the fall of Simon appealing, since so few depictions have come down to our time. The demand for Crucifixions and Resurrections were foremost in demand, judging by the myriad of examples that we posses. Although the marker found in Santa Francesca Romana is not a depiction of Simon Magus, I found it curious that a marker dates from only 1893. Rome is well known as a tourist trap and that the church would not have "cashed in" on the infamy of Simon Magus sooner than the 19th century.
We presume that the depictions of Simon Magus may be limited, not because of what is recorded- Saint Peter defeats the heretic Simon Magus- but the implication of the story is that Simon had power and, if not for the intervention of saint Peter, he may no have fallen to his death. This demonstration of heretical power being almost equal to the great power of God may have been too tempting to the simple believers and certain more introspective audience members.
3
Extra Biblical Information on Simon Magus
i. Justinus Martyr (Apologia, I. 26, 56; Apologia, II. 15; Dialogus cum Tryphone, 120); probable date of First Apology A.D. 141; neither the date of the birth nor death of Justin is known;
MS. fourteenth century.
ii. Irenæus (Contra Hæreses, I. xxiii. 1-4); chief literary activity last decennium of the second century; date of birth and death unknown, for the former any time from A.D. 97-147 suggested, for latter 202-3.
MSS. probably sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries;
iii. Clemens Alexandrinus (Stromateis, ii. 11; vii. 17); greatest literary activity A.D. 190-203; born 150-160, date of death unknown;
oldest MS. eleventh century.
iv. Tertullianus (De Præscriptionibus adversus Hæreticos, 46, generally attributed to a Pseudo-Tertullian); c. A.D. 199; (De Anima, 34, 36); c. A.D. 208-9; born 150-160, died 220-240.
v. [Hippolytus (?)] (Philosophumena, vi. 7-20); date unknown, probably last decade of second to third of third century; author unknown and only conjecturally Hippolytus;
MS. fourteenth century.
vi. Origenes (Contra Celsum, i. 57; v. 62; vi. 11); born A.D. 185-6, died 254-5;
MS. fourteenth century.
vii. Philastrius (De Hæresibus); date of birth unknown, died probably A.D. 387.
viii. Epiphanius (Contra Hæreses, ii. 1-6); born A.D. 310-20, died 404;
MS. eleventh century.
ix. Hieronymus (Commentarium in Evangelicum Matthæi, IV. xxiv. 5); written A.D. 387.
x. Theodoretus (Hereticarum Fabularum Compendium, i. 1); born towards the end of the fourth century, died A.D. 453-58;
MS. eleventh century.
i. Recognitiones, 2. Homiliæ, of which the Greek originals are lost, and the Latin translation of Rufinus (born c.A.D. 345, died 410) alone remains to us. The originals are placed by conjecture somewhere about the beginning of the third century;
MS. eleventh century.
B. A mediæval account; (Constitutiones Sanctorum Apostolorum, VI. vii, viii, xvi); these were never heard of prior to 1546, when a Venetian, Carolus Capellus, printed an epitomized translation of them from an MS. found in Crete. They are hopelessly apocryphal.
MS. fourteenth century.
ii. Irenæus (Contra Hæreses, I. xxiii. 1-4); chief literary activity last decennium of the second century; date of birth and death unknown, for the former any time from A.D. 97-147 suggested, for latter 202-3.
MSS. probably sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries;
iii. Clemens Alexandrinus (Stromateis, ii. 11; vii. 17); greatest literary activity A.D. 190-203; born 150-160, date of death unknown;
oldest MS. eleventh century.
iv. Tertullianus (De Præscriptionibus adversus Hæreticos, 46, generally attributed to a Pseudo-Tertullian); c. A.D. 199; (De Anima, 34, 36); c. A.D. 208-9; born 150-160, died 220-240.
v. [Hippolytus (?)] (Philosophumena, vi. 7-20); date unknown, probably last decade of second to third of third century; author unknown and only conjecturally Hippolytus;
MS. fourteenth century.
vi. Origenes (Contra Celsum, i. 57; v. 62; vi. 11); born A.D. 185-6, died 254-5;
MS. fourteenth century.
vii. Philastrius (De Hæresibus); date of birth unknown, died probably A.D. 387.
viii. Epiphanius (Contra Hæreses, ii. 1-6); born A.D. 310-20, died 404;
MS. eleventh century.
ix. Hieronymus (Commentarium in Evangelicum Matthæi, IV. xxiv. 5); written A.D. 387.
x. Theodoretus (Hereticarum Fabularum Compendium, i. 1); born towards the end of the fourth century, died A.D. 453-58;
MS. eleventh century.
i. Recognitiones, 2. Homiliæ, of which the Greek originals are lost, and the Latin translation of Rufinus (born c.A.D. 345, died 410) alone remains to us. The originals are placed by conjecture somewhere about the beginning of the third century;
MS. eleventh century.
B. A mediæval account; (Constitutiones Sanctorum Apostolorum, VI. vii, viii, xvi); these were never heard of prior to 1546, when a Venetian, Carolus Capellus, printed an epitomized translation of them from an MS. found in Crete. They are hopelessly apocryphal.
Conclusion
We are tempted to say that the story of Simon Magus was not known until the late 15th century and that the literature referring to Simon Magus was found in libraries at about the same time as the execution of the paintings. While depictions of the Resurrection clearly demonstrate the lack of a Biblical understanding in the 15th century, depictions of Simon Magus confirm our suspicions concerning the recent nature of the great Gnostic heretic being defeated at the hand of Roman Catholic Orthodoxy.
I have ignored the Palatine chapel mosaics. In the first place, the text is in Latin, which was not the official language of the Roman Catholic church until the 16th century and, therefore, there was no reason in the 12th century to have the description in an alien language that was not Greek and, secondly, the artistry is noticeably more accomplished than icons of the same time. For these two reasons I suspect the Palatine mosaics to be a forgery of the Renaissance.
I have ignored the Palatine chapel mosaics. In the first place, the text is in Latin, which was not the official language of the Roman Catholic church until the 16th century and, therefore, there was no reason in the 12th century to have the description in an alien language that was not Greek and, secondly, the artistry is noticeably more accomplished than icons of the same time. For these two reasons I suspect the Palatine mosaics to be a forgery of the Renaissance.
appendix
Citations from the Oxford English Dictionary
From the Oxford English Dictionary, we learn the following words are recorded in the English language. References to words after 1700 have not generally been included. Dates for words referenced to the 16th century are in bold.
Simoner
Simoniac Simoniacal Simoniacally Simoniacle Simoniacre Simonial Simonian [1] Simonian [2] Simonianism Simonical Simonically Simonient Simoniently Simonier Simonious Simonist [1] Simonist [2] Simonite Simony |
?a1407
Aa a1340 c1420 a1548 1592 1636 1681 Ab 1637-50 1678 B 1632 1a 1567 a1600 1642 1b 1648 2a 1569 1621 1641 2b 1631 1632 3 1575-85 1641 1600 1502 1533 c1386 A c1380 c1380 1567-8 B 1854 A. a member of an early Christian Sect 1585-7 1655 1677 B. Adjective-sect of Simonians 1883 doctrine of the Simonians 1887 1570 1588 1626 1649 1686 1660 A c1380 1395 a1470 B 1395 a1470 c1400 c1380 c1440 1502 1520 1. 1612 1648 2. 1653 1670 1567 1583 1621 1670 1880 1508 1555 1588 1a. a1225 c1290 1303 a1340 c1380 c1449 1482 1534 1580 1616 1664 1b. c1325 1362 c1400 1588 a1640 2. 1598 |
The above information is rearranged chronologically. Only the earliest date has been included.
Simony 1
Simony 1b Simoniac Aa Simonian(1) A Simonient A Simonier Simonial Simonient Simoniently Simoner Simoniacle Simonite Simoniacre Simoniacal 1a Simonist (1) Simoniacal 2a Simonical Simoniacal 3 Simonian (2) A Simony 2 Simoniacally Simonious 1 Simoniacal 2b Simoniac B Simoniac Ab Simoniacal 1b Simonious 2 Simonically Simonian(1) B Simonist (2) Simonian (2) B Simonianism Simonism |
1225
1325 1340 1380 1380 1380 1386 1395 1400 1407 1502 1508 1533 1567 1567 1569 1570 1575 1585 1598 1600 1612 1631 1632 1637 1648 1653 1660 1854 1880 1883 1887 1895 |
Totals for the above are: before 1500, 10 references: 1501-1600, 10 references; 1601-1700, 8 references; and post 1701, 5 references. The average date until 1700 is 1509.
Magus, n.
Forms:
ME magy (plural), ME– magus, 15 magos (plural).
Etymology:
< classical Latin magus (denoting a member of the Persian priestly class, and, more broadly, priests or wise men of other nations; in sense 1 after usage in the Vulgate and in Christian writers, and in sense 2b probably influenced by the epithet of Simon Magus, a magician in Samaria (Acts 8:9–24), regarded from Patristic times as a type of the anti-Christian exponent of magic arts)
< ancient Greek μάγος
< Old Persian maguš.
Occas. use of magi as singular is noted by usage guides from later 20th cent.
1. Chiefly with capital initial. the (three) Magi : the three ‘wise men’ (see wise man n. 3) or astrologers who came from the East, bearing gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12); a representation of these.
OE Harley Gloss. (1966) 155
Eoi magi, easterne tungelwitegan.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 7073
Maþþew..seȝȝþ. Þatt ta kalldisskenn kingess..Waerenn magy. ȝehatenn.
c1400 (▸c1378) Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. 81 (MED),
Wyse men þat tyme Maistres & lettred men Magy [c1400 C text Magi] hem called.
1598 T. Rogers Celestiall Elegies sig. C7,
Of the Starre which the Magi did worship at Christes Natiuitie, and of his death.
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 13
The Magi, that came to Christ.
1656 T. Blount Glossographia at Balthasar,
One of the Magi, or wise-men, vulgarly called the three Kings of Collein.
1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 331
A golden medal, said to be among the offerings of the eastern magi to Jesus Christ.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 281
Whence the wise men of the East who came to see Christ are called simply Magi.
1884 Altar Hymnal 16
Lo! star-led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, Mystic gifts offer Him, incense, gold, and myrrh.
1927 T. S. Eliot (title)
The journey of the Magi.
1990 Chicago Sun-Times 30 Nov. i. 30 (caption)
Carlson..says the Magi were witness to an unusual celestial event over Bethlehem.
2.a. A member of an ancient Persian priestly caste which became influential in the development of Zoroastrianism. Hence: a person skilled in eastern magic and astrology; a magician or sorcerer.
Originally members of a Median tribe or clan with responsibility for cultic ritual, the magi assumed an important official position with the unification of the Persian Empire in the 6th cent. b.c., adopting and adapting the spreading religion of Zoroastrianism. It is probable that during the Achaemenid period the magi became involved (in Babylon, a major administrative centre) in the magical practices and beliefs subsequently named after them, and in astrology.
a1450 (▸?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Royal) 49
... þat þis word Magi in þe tung of Chaldee is a moche to seye as a Philosophre.
c1450 (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame 1274
Ther saugh I Hermes Ballenus, Limote, and eke Symon Magus.]
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. vii. K iv b,
... Magi (that is to say men skylfull in ye secretes of nature).
1572 R. Harrison tr. L. Lavater Of Ghostes iii. i. 179
Pharao..gave himself to be ruled by his Magi or wyse men.
1609 P. Holland tr. A. Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xxiii. vi. 231
In these tracts lye the fertile fields of the Magi.
1614 J. Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue v. 301
...By your sad Magi's deep prophetlike Charms Sacredly counsell'd.
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa sig. B3,
Tyrant Cambyses being dead, and gone,..Mounts vp a Magus, with dissembled right.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 214
Let me rather busie my brains in quest of what a Magus was..under which Title...
1715 Pope Temple of Fame 14
There in long Robes the Royal Magi stand, Grave Zoroaster waves the circling Wand.
1742 Pope New Dunciad 508
Thy Magus, Goddess! shall perform the rest.
1805 H. K. White Let. 10 Nov. in Remains (1807) I. 189,
... as of being elected supreme magus over the mysteries of Mithra.
1820 Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 28
The Magus Zoroaster.
1864 E. B. Pusey Daniel vii. 418
Among the Persians, those who are wise as to the Deity, and are its ministers, are called Magi.
1948 E. M. Butler Myth of Magus i. i. 15
... magia signified originally the religion, learning and occult practices of the Eastern magi.
1973 Times 2 Aug. 8/5
No decision on whether Crowley was a con man or a magus.
1981 N. G. L. Hammond Alexander the Great 268
His readiness to turn to Greek and non-Greek gods alike for help is shown by his consulting not only Greek seers but also those of Egypt, Persia (the Magi), and Babylon (the Chaldaeans).
b. Any of the pagan magicians and sorcerers supposed to have opposed the Christian missions of Sts Patrick and Columba.
1822 J. Lanigan Eccl. Hist. Irel. I. 224
..set out..with a considerable number of followers and one or two of the principal Magi.
1845 G. Petrie Round Towers Ireland ii. ii. 132
... of a certain magus of the name of Con, in the ancient Life of St. Patrick.
1887 A. Bellesheim Hist. Catholic Church Scotl. I. 72
Thereupon the Magi, or Druadh, bitterly reproached the parents for ...
1887 D. O. Hunter Blair tr. A. Bellesheim Hist. Catholic Church Scotl. I. 73
Broichan, the Magus of King Brude.
1909 Amer. Hist. Rev. 15 34
The Latin hagiology ... the magi spoken of were not necessarily even druids.
1943 Speculum 18 270
... a ‘magus’ (druid of course) called Lochu, who flies on high and crashes because of the prayers of Patrick.
3. gen. A person regarded as having great wisdom or powers likened to those of a magician.
1700 J. Tutchin Foreigners 8
Where are the Antient Sages of Renown? No Magi left, fit to advise the Crown?
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling ii. ii. 141
His Father,..the magus of the Times, had talk and argument ever ready.
1983 P. Ackroyd Last Test. Oscar Wilde 125,
I was the magus who had provided the words to unlock the mystery of his soul.
Forms:
ME magy (plural), ME– magus, 15 magos (plural).
Etymology:
< classical Latin magus (denoting a member of the Persian priestly class, and, more broadly, priests or wise men of other nations; in sense 1 after usage in the Vulgate and in Christian writers, and in sense 2b probably influenced by the epithet of Simon Magus, a magician in Samaria (Acts 8:9–24), regarded from Patristic times as a type of the anti-Christian exponent of magic arts)
< ancient Greek μάγος
< Old Persian maguš.
Occas. use of magi as singular is noted by usage guides from later 20th cent.
1. Chiefly with capital initial. the (three) Magi : the three ‘wise men’ (see wise man n. 3) or astrologers who came from the East, bearing gifts to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12); a representation of these.
OE Harley Gloss. (1966) 155
Eoi magi, easterne tungelwitegan.
?c1200 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 7073
Maþþew..seȝȝþ. Þatt ta kalldisskenn kingess..Waerenn magy. ȝehatenn.
c1400 (▸c1378) Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xix. 81 (MED),
Wyse men þat tyme Maistres & lettred men Magy [c1400 C text Magi] hem called.
1598 T. Rogers Celestiall Elegies sig. C7,
Of the Starre which the Magi did worship at Christes Natiuitie, and of his death.
1652 J. Gaule Πυς-μαντια 13
The Magi, that came to Christ.
1656 T. Blount Glossographia at Balthasar,
One of the Magi, or wise-men, vulgarly called the three Kings of Collein.
1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 331
A golden medal, said to be among the offerings of the eastern magi to Jesus Christ.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 281
Whence the wise men of the East who came to see Christ are called simply Magi.
1884 Altar Hymnal 16
Lo! star-led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, Mystic gifts offer Him, incense, gold, and myrrh.
1927 T. S. Eliot (title)
The journey of the Magi.
1990 Chicago Sun-Times 30 Nov. i. 30 (caption)
Carlson..says the Magi were witness to an unusual celestial event over Bethlehem.
2.a. A member of an ancient Persian priestly caste which became influential in the development of Zoroastrianism. Hence: a person skilled in eastern magic and astrology; a magician or sorcerer.
Originally members of a Median tribe or clan with responsibility for cultic ritual, the magi assumed an important official position with the unification of the Persian Empire in the 6th cent. b.c., adopting and adapting the spreading religion of Zoroastrianism. It is probable that during the Achaemenid period the magi became involved (in Babylon, a major administrative centre) in the magical practices and beliefs subsequently named after them, and in astrology.
a1450 (▸?c1400) Three Kings Cologne (Royal) 49
... þat þis word Magi in þe tung of Chaldee is a moche to seye as a Philosophre.
c1450 (▸c1380) Chaucer House of Fame 1274
Ther saugh I Hermes Ballenus, Limote, and eke Symon Magus.]
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. vii. K iv b,
... Magi (that is to say men skylfull in ye secretes of nature).
1572 R. Harrison tr. L. Lavater Of Ghostes iii. i. 179
Pharao..gave himself to be ruled by his Magi or wyse men.
1609 P. Holland tr. A. Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xxiii. vi. 231
In these tracts lye the fertile fields of the Magi.
1614 J. Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue v. 301
...By your sad Magi's deep prophetlike Charms Sacredly counsell'd.
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa sig. B3,
Tyrant Cambyses being dead, and gone,..Mounts vp a Magus, with dissembled right.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 214
Let me rather busie my brains in quest of what a Magus was..under which Title...
1715 Pope Temple of Fame 14
There in long Robes the Royal Magi stand, Grave Zoroaster waves the circling Wand.
1742 Pope New Dunciad 508
Thy Magus, Goddess! shall perform the rest.
1805 H. K. White Let. 10 Nov. in Remains (1807) I. 189,
... as of being elected supreme magus over the mysteries of Mithra.
1820 Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 28
The Magus Zoroaster.
1864 E. B. Pusey Daniel vii. 418
Among the Persians, those who are wise as to the Deity, and are its ministers, are called Magi.
1948 E. M. Butler Myth of Magus i. i. 15
... magia signified originally the religion, learning and occult practices of the Eastern magi.
1973 Times 2 Aug. 8/5
No decision on whether Crowley was a con man or a magus.
1981 N. G. L. Hammond Alexander the Great 268
His readiness to turn to Greek and non-Greek gods alike for help is shown by his consulting not only Greek seers but also those of Egypt, Persia (the Magi), and Babylon (the Chaldaeans).
b. Any of the pagan magicians and sorcerers supposed to have opposed the Christian missions of Sts Patrick and Columba.
1822 J. Lanigan Eccl. Hist. Irel. I. 224
..set out..with a considerable number of followers and one or two of the principal Magi.
1845 G. Petrie Round Towers Ireland ii. ii. 132
... of a certain magus of the name of Con, in the ancient Life of St. Patrick.
1887 A. Bellesheim Hist. Catholic Church Scotl. I. 72
Thereupon the Magi, or Druadh, bitterly reproached the parents for ...
1887 D. O. Hunter Blair tr. A. Bellesheim Hist. Catholic Church Scotl. I. 73
Broichan, the Magus of King Brude.
1909 Amer. Hist. Rev. 15 34
The Latin hagiology ... the magi spoken of were not necessarily even druids.
1943 Speculum 18 270
... a ‘magus’ (druid of course) called Lochu, who flies on high and crashes because of the prayers of Patrick.
3. gen. A person regarded as having great wisdom or powers likened to those of a magician.
1700 J. Tutchin Foreigners 8
Where are the Antient Sages of Renown? No Magi left, fit to advise the Crown?
1851 T. Carlyle Life J. Sterling ii. ii. 141
His Father,..the magus of the Times, had talk and argument ever ready.
1983 P. Ackroyd Last Test. Oscar Wilde 125,
I was the magus who had provided the words to unlock the mystery of his soul.