MAGI

(derived from mag or mog, Pehivi: priest; mikguth, aman who wears his hair in a particular manner; mogh, distinguisher), a tribe of the Medians which were set aside for the management of the sacred rites, and for the preservation and propagation of the traditional knowledge. From the Medians, the institution of the M. found its way, under Cyrus, into Persia, They were not only the ‘keepers of the sacred things, the learned of the people, the philosophers and servants of God,’ but also diviners, mantics, augurs, and astrologers, and no transaction of importance took place without or against their advice.