Ancient History of Magic: Lecture 2

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

This week's topic is the Roman conquest of Britain. Ever since the 'mysterious Gaelic countries' were discovered by the Romans, they attempted to seize the land and peoples for themselves. Julius Caesar being among the first to try and occupy to land, but beaten back by both the non-magical warriors, and the powerful mystic forces of their sorcerors, though they managed a sort of 'truce' with negotiations among the various native kingdoms to establish trade, as well as exchanging tributes and hostages among both nations. However the proper process of the gradual conquest began with Emperor Claudius of Rome, in 43 AD, who named his general Aulus Plautius as the first Governor of Britannia.

This 'status quo' remained in-tact until, of course, 43 AD, when Claudius decided to mount an invasion force to re-instate the exiled Atrebate king, Verica. Governor Plautius was given four legions, Augusta, Hispana, Gemina, and Valeria Victrix. These four legions soon led a campaign, traveling by river-ways, fighting with the British kingdoms until they reached the Thames. T'was here that the British brothers, Togodumnus and Caratacus, made one final stand until the day was, sadly, lost to them, with the death of Togodumnus and with Cartatacus escaping to further their resistance in the west. This occupation led to the eventual mingling of both the British native kingdoms and the Roman invaders. While places such as Caledonia remained untouched, they still re-established trade with Rome, and allowed visitors and Christian missionaries in.

What, then, you may ask, has this to do with our Magical history? Well, with the invasions of the Romans came the exodus of Roman practitioners of magic, gone in to hiding due to the influx of the Christian faith in the Roman territories, coming in to attempt to hide, as well as the spreading of said faith. Because of the intensity of the Christian religion and their teachings that 'witchcraft is greatly evil', many of the tribes and Kingdoms began to shun and even persecute those with magical powers. Gone was the respectful fear and the admiration that the non-magical had had for their magical brethren, and now only hate and fear of damnation. This caused all who carried the ability to either seek out wealth in order to curry favor with the non-magical, or to simply hide away. Muggle families that didn't out-right kill a magical child would leave them at monasteries. Which turned out to be the best places for them.

Many born with magical abilities, who could not hide their powers
or seek out private instruction with the most powerful, private families and practitioners, sought to hide themselves among the Clergy, as Monks and Priests. They would explain their magical gifts as divinely given abilities, to be used in ridding the world of evil demons and spirits. Some very powerful Dark Magic Hunters came from this tradition. So, many was a child who was taken to a monastery because of their natural magic and taught by a magical Monk or Priest, to use their magic in balance with their faith. This of course leads us in to the origins of Merlin the Great.

[Sable Thanasis-Pontin]

The origins of Merlin begin during this time. The world at that time was in some turmoil. Many of the British kingdoms were fighting amongst themselves to have full control of what was left of their lands, as well as still opposing the Romans in smaller sects, and the new religion had taken a firm hold upon the land. Muggles and magical folk alike have legends about Merlin. Muggles say he was born from an incubus, a devil in attempt to bring about the end of the world, or a fae from the Isle of Avalon. Some in the Magical world like to think he was conceived by magic itself. The true and most logical explanation, however, is that his mother had some sort of affair and made up the 'demon' story to explain why she was pregnant. Of course this didn't fool her Confessor- a private clergyman who took confessions for the noble and forgave them or told them how to repent. Blaise the Confessor was, luckily, one of those Magical Clergymen.

By the time of Merlin, obviously, Hogwarts had been founded, though it had been in its infancy at the time. Still, upon reaching the age of eleven, he was sent for by the founders of Hogwarts, and brought to the castle, to further his training in safety, away from the Muggles. While in Hogwarts, he was sorted in to Slytherin House, and taught by Salazar Slytherin himself. However, though Merlin had come from such a background that taught young children to be wary of Muggles, he himself did not hate them. In fact, he was greatly fascinated by them. That will however be another lecture.

Merlin excelled in Hogwarts. Being one of the first confirmed Metamophmagi, he was able to change his appearance, was very adept with Divination and Astronomy, an immaculate Transfigurist and Charms maker, and his Potions work was flawless. It was Merlin, in fact who brewed what many believe was the first variant of Polyjuice Potion. When he left Hogwarts, he had been considered the most powerful Singular Wizard to have ever been born. And his story had just begun.