Magus
Magi were Zoroastrian astrologer-priests from ancient Persia. The word magi is plural; the singular is magus. It is derived from the Old Persian word, Magupati, in Modern Persian Mobed. Magus is also a word for a Shaman (magician, wizard, or sorcerer), especially one of experience and accomplishment.
According to Herodotus, the Magi were the sacred caste of the Medes. They organised Persian society after the fall of Assyria and Babylon. Their power was curtailed by Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, and by his son Cambyses II; the Magi revolted against Cambyses and set up a rival claimant to the throne, one of their own, who took the name of Smerdis. Smerdis and his forces were defeated by the Persians under Darius I. The sect of the Magi continued in Persia, though its influence was limited after this political setback.
The best known Magi appear in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter II. There, they appear before Jesus as a child, noting that they observed His star in the east (other possible translation: His star in the ascendent), and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They first visit Herod, asking where the new King can be found; Herod sends them to Bethlehem, and asks that they return when they have found Him. The Magi, however, are warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, and their bringing this news to Herod causes the massacre of the Holy Innocents. The visit of the Magi to Jesus as a child is commemorated on the Christian observance of Epiphany. This visit is frequently treated in Christian art and literature as The Journey of the Magi.
The Gospel does not in fact number the Magi, but from the three gifts given, popular culture usually has three Magi appearing at the scene. These are the Three Wise Men of Christmas carols and crèches. Their names, since the seventh century in Western Europe are Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar; Syrian Christians call them Larvandad, Hormisdas, and Gushnasaph. None of these names is obviously Persian or carries any ascertainable meaning.
Some versions of Jewish and Christian mythology make Daniel, the prophet of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures a Magus. He is recorded to have become chief of all the Magi due to his great ability in the interpretation of dreams and omens, and his great intelligence. He is traditionally considered to be the author of most of the book of Daniel. (One chapter was written by King Belteshazzar.)
Jehovah's Witnesses do not agree with this view. They believe the Magi were pagan astrologers who were led to Jesus by a star made by Satan.
Mage, rather than magus, is the spelling usually encountered for magic-user characters in role-playing games and fantasy fiction.
Many references to the three magi can be found in various games and shows. For example, in the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime/manga series, a supercomputer (called "MAGI") is divided in three distinct parts, all of which are named after the Magi. In the video game Chrono Trigger, the three Gurus of Life, Time and Reason are also named after the Magi and through the course of the game give key items to the player. Furthermore, one of the game's main characters is named "Magus".
During the Classical era (555 BCE - 300 CE), some Magi migrated westward, settling in Greece, and then Italy. For more than a century, Mithraism, a religion derived from Persia, was the largest single religion in Rome. The Magi were likely involved in its practice.
After invading Arabs succeeded in taking Ctesiphon in 637, Islam replaced Zoroastrianism.
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