Material: Papyrus
Date: 4th(?) century A.D.
Dimensions: ca. 28 x 10.5 cm
Findspot: Egypt
Current Location: British Library, Lodon, Papyrus London 46
PGM V is a papyrus book consisting of seven individual sheets (14 pages) which are inscribed with 489 lines in Greek. It comprises ten ritual instructions, among them various spells for revelation, „The Oracle of Sarapis“, and two rare spells to catch a thief of which one specifically addresses the thief of a cheese roll.
Two instructions focus on the creation and application of magic rings. In the description of the „Ring of Hermês“, the ancient Egyptian god Thoth is named as the inventor and creator of remedies and letters (lines 248-249).
The most famous ritual in this ancient magic book is the ritual called the „Stele of Jeu“ also known as the „Headless Rite“. This ritual aims to exorcise a daimon as well as to make all daimons obedient to the practitioner by summoning the Headless One.
The dating of the papyrus is uncertain with the fourth century being most likely. It is kept at the British Library in Lodon under the inventory number Papyrus London 46. The book was found in Egypt, the exact findspot is unknown.
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