The Hellenized Magi: Zoroaster, Ostanes, and Hystaspes in Greek Tradition

Among ancient religions, Zoroastrianism is the only one that not only was the faith of a great people, the Persians, for centuries, but also managed to preserve itself through the Middle Ages and up to the present day. Even though the Persian Empire was always the major threat to the Greeks, the latter nevertheless took an interest in the "mythical father" of Iranian dualism and his successors.

This book explores this Greek Zoroaster, at the origin of the Chaldean oracles, and the two greatest mages, inheritors of his knowledge, Ostanes and Hystaspes. Mysterious and unsettling, they are said to have invented magic, to which it owes its name, initiated Democritus, and conjured many malevolent demons during nocturnal sacrifices.

Erudite and fascinating, Les Mages hellénisés compiles and comments on Greek testimonies related to Zoroaster, Ostanes, and Hystaspes. The first part of the work, entirely dedicated to the introduction, proves to be a true initiation to Zoroastrianism and presents in detail the life, works, and doctrines of the master as well as his successors. The second part collects and comments on the various testimonies. Abundant and well-documented notes accompany the reading. The work is also enriched with appendices and numerous indices.

Joseph Bidez, a Belgian historian and philologist, was one of the most eminent researchers in the history of Late Antiquity. Trained in philology by H. Diels in Berlin, he taught at the University of Ghent from 1894. He was president of the Royal Academy of Belgium (1934). At Les Belles Lettres, he is credited with the translation of the complete works of Emperor Julian (CUF).

Franz Cumont, a historian of ancient religions, was professor of classical philology at Ghent University and president of the Academia Belgica.