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(μάγος, OP maguš) Only *Herodotus(1) (1. 101) calls the magi a Median tribe (see Media); the *Bisitun inscription (Bab.) identifies the makuš Gaumāta as a Mede. Pre-Hellenistic Greek tradition considers magi as reciters of theogonies, *dream-interpreters, diviners, royal educators, advisers, and ritual specialists (i.a. Hdt. 1. 132; Pl. Alc. 122a; Plut. Artax. 3; Strabo 15. 1. 68, 3. 15). They may have been (hereditary) experts in oral tradition and traditional lore, including sacrifice. In the *Persepolis Fortification texts they perform various sacrifices, i.a. for Napiriša (originally Elamite), and bear various designations; other *cuneiform sources mention them in non-religious contexts. The Avesta does not mention magi. Later Greek tradition frequently uses the term for specialists in exotic wisdom, astrology, and sorcery. See magic; religion, Persian.