ABSTRACT
Well, I never got to Jābir in P. Kraus, vol. 2, but I did get to Philostratus, so here goes.
Philostratus tells the story of how Apollonius of Tyana (fi rst century CE) went to visit the College of the Magi in Babylon. Apollonius and the Magi were in conference for days on end, meeting every day at noon and at midnight. Damis, who was Apollonius’ Boswell and Sancho Panza, asked Apollonius what he thought of the Magi. He answered, “Th ey are certainly wise, but they are not wise on every subject.” Apollonius knew he himself could give the Magi cards and spades as regards wisdom.
