A. Sutherland  – AncientPages.com – Simon the Sorcerer (or Simon the Magician) is a Biblical figure and Samaritan religious leader mentioned in Acts 8: 9-24. He lived at the turn of the 1st-2nd century AD and was a magician and miracle worker.

Simon’s fall – a painting byBenozzo Gozzoli, 1462). Public Domain

He was born in an ancient village called Gitta (Gitton) in the country of Samaria, which historical and Biblical name is related to the central region of the Land of Israel, bordered by Judea to the south and Galilee to the north. Simon’s name became famous, and people called him “Magus” because of his magic arts and also because, in his teachings, he announced himself as the “great power of God.” Thus, he won many followers.

Often regarded as the founder of Gnosticism, Simon the Magus wished to obtain the power to perform miracles from the apostles. Other sources portray him as the individual responsible for the eclectic fusion of stoicism and Gnosticism, known as “The Great Pronouncement.” ¹

He used to practice black magic and astonished the people of Samaria and claimed to be something extraordinary. Still, many early Christians did not trust the Magician Simon Magus. He was considered a representation of Satan, who came to earth to alter and mislead the true faith. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, a theologian of the early Church,  wrote that he was “the first Dragon of evil” who was “cast into hell.” For other contemporary high-ranking members of the clergymen, he was the symbol of unrest, sin, and falsehood and the one through whom “all heresies came.”

Nevertheless, like many of his fellow citizens, Simon was baptized, showing unity with the community of believers devoted to Jesus Christ. His attempts to show his true, inner dedication to the faith of Christ failed because he never had such commitment, but only selfish reasons to baptize.

The Apostles Paul and Peter confront Simon Magus before Nero, as painted by Filippino Lippi –  Public Domain

He hoped to gain greater magical power and thus to increase his influence in society. All he wanted was to receive the opportunity to perform miracles for money. He offered the same money to the Apostles Peter and John, desiring them to grant him the magical power necessary for miraculous manifestations.

The Apostles warned Simon Magus of his actions’ wickedness and rejected him. He left Christianity and created a Simonite sect dedicated to the master of divine worship, and he played a religious role. His mystical concept became popular in some circles, and his believers considered him as God (or Father) in human form. He was even sometimes worshiped as the incarnation of the Greek god Zeus.

He has received several faithful followers who honored him with a statue that stood in ancient Rome. His consort Helen was regarded by his followers as the earthly manifestation of the Greek goddess Athena.

Simon’s scripture circulated under the name” the Great Annunciation,” and almost all surviving testimonies about the life and views of Simon the Magus are included in ancient Christian writings. His doctrine has been long a subject of polemics.

The death of Simon Magus, from the Nuremberg Chronicle. Public Domain

It is challenging to present an accurate image of this controversial religious figure because he was often presented differently.

The Christian tradition has it that a remarkable and mystical duel took place between St. Peter and Simon at the Roman Forum in Rome, during the reign of the emperor Claudius (41 – 54 C). Simon the Magician was glorified by followers fascinated by his miracle-working. He wanted to demonstrate even more of his so-called skills. However, there has never been found any archaeological verification of this claim.

A legend says that Simon fell to his death from the Roman Forum when he attempted to demonstrate his ability to fly and once again impress the crowd. He was known to levitate and fly at will. At first, using his magic arts, Simon attempted to fake death and resurrection in the presence of the fifth Roman emperor Nero (54–68 CE), stepson and heir of the emperor Claudius, thus clearly ridiculing Christian doctrine.

At last, he desired to present the ascension, and while he was trying to fly Simon instead, he fell to his death from the Roman Forum to demonstrate his ability to fly and impress the crowd again.

Written by – A. Sutherland  – AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

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