Introductory Course run by the University of Barcelona on Coursera
The course begun with an overview of ancient beliefs relating to magic and magic’s connection to religion. Then there was an overview of magic throughout the middle ages.
This began with the rise of magic and superstition following the fall of the roman empire. This was followed by an explanation of the different schools of magic identified by Christian schools of thought during the early middle ages. The early part of the course then mapped the decline of belief in magic and the reasons around it.
After the overview we moved into a more detailed analysis of the key time periods and what was going on in regards to magic. The course looked in detail at the rise and fall of different types of magic. The focus was on: natural magic; necromancy; witchcraft.
The truth of the Inquisition
We looked in detail at an inquisitorial trial and the inquisitorial movement as a whole. We then moved on to looking at the medieval witchcraft trials. There was a good portion of the course looking at primary sources, both pagan and Christian, discussing magic and witchcraft.
The course then looked at Islamic magic, including its role and reception in society. I found it really interesting to see the different views here when paralleled with what was happening in Europe at the same time. The key aspects of Islamic magic that the course explored were: the science of letters; alchemy; astrology; and geomancy.
The final section of the course on world cycles was also very interesting.
Why would you take this course?
The reason I did this course, is the same reason that I do any course, it looked interesting. It was also a topic which I knew very little apart from popular culture references to the witch trials and the inquisition.
In regards to these things I found the course very informative. We were able to learn about what was actually happening at the time when the ideas of magic were a much bigger part of our collective consciousness. It was also great to have access to primary sources looking at the threats that they saw as very real to their religion. There is now no doubt in my mind that the writers and inquisitors of the middle ages believed in the power of magic 100%.
It was also very interesting to see which parts of magic were cherry picked, as it were, by both Christian and Islamic authorities as acceptable and venerated forms of magic. These included things such as astrology.
I would highly recommend this course to anyone who would like to know the truth, as far as we know it, about what was happening at this time in Europe and the near east. The perspective of someone who was there is always valuable.
