A closer look
Priests of the ancient Zoroastrian religion in Persia were known as the magi, and their reputation for esoteric wisdom and astrology was so widespread that they literally gave us the modern word for magic. Greek and Roman writers were absolutely obsessed with these mysterious figures, wildly exaggerating their abilities to control the weather, summon spirits, and read the future in the stars. In reality, the magi were mostly just highly educated administrators and ritual specialists who spent their days making sure temple fires did not go out and organizing state ceremonies. It is profoundly funny that Western civilization's entire concept of mystical wizardry is based on ancient Greeks romantically misunderstanding the job description of Persian civil servants tending to municipal barbecues
