12 Real-Life 'Wizards' From History

By:
12 Real-Life 'Wizards' From History

Humans are creative beings, and it can be argued that perhaps our most supernatural power is our imagination. Using that power, we’ve ascribed magic to things we couldn’t understand. And, so we, present a list of historical ‘wizards,’ from mathematicians to rabbis to alchemists to healers who definitely walked among us, even if the facts regarding them are cloaked in mythology. Although their magic may not (okay, definitely wasn't) real, the actual humans were. And some, like Nicholas Flamel and Rasputin, because fictional characters themselves, which isn't helping us sort out fact from fiction any easier.

In the Middle Ages, it seems scientists used “magic” to help justify science, especially among religious leaders. Throughout history, claiming magical ability also helped people born in poverty rise up through social classes. After death, the myth of magic was often used to villainize or heroize a historical figure. Most recently, people studied the occult, often as a response against the dominant religion. 

John Dee

JOHN DEE Like other astronomers and mathematicians of his time, John Dee was an avid believer in astrology and magic. Не was arrested on charges of calculating (as doing math was seen as on par with being magic). Не would later become an advisor to Queen Elizabeth. CRACKED

Source:  MacTutor

Nicholas Flamel

NICHOLAS FLAMEL The French scribe and manuscript seller from the Middle Ages isn't just a character from the Harry Potter books. Although he was a very real person with a very real tombstone, rumors started after his death that he discovered the Philospher's Stone and was immortal. CRACKED

Source: BBC

Scroll down for the next article

MUST READ

Forgot Password?