Anaxilaus of Larissa

"The vapor of burning sulphur, and the light of a lamp fed by a particular unctuous substance, were made use of by Anaxilaus of Larissa to work various apparent miracles, which are referable not so much to magic, as to real experiments in physics." -- Eusèbe Salverte, philosopher, 1847

"Anaxilaus had composed a book quoted by Saint Ireneus and Saint Epiphanes, and entitled παίηνια [Tricks]." -- Eusèbe Salverte, philosopher, 1847

"... he [Anaxilaus of Larissa] was banished from Italy, by the order of Augustus, for the crime of magic." -- Joseph Banvard, historian, 1855

"Thus it seems that Anaxilaus believed that Democritus was involved in the imitation of silver...." -- Jackson P. Hershbell, professor, March 1987

"Under the year 28 BC Jerome reports the expulsion from Rome and Italy by Augustus of the Pythagorean and magus, Anaxilaus of Larissa." -- Matthew Dickie, historian, 2003

"What is positively known about the man [Anaxilaus of Larissa] is that he put together a collection of spells of an amusing character such as would entertain those present at a drinking-party. They were like the Tricks of Democritus called by the Greek name of Paignia [Paienia]. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lugdunum (Lyon) in the latter half of the second century AD, accuses the Gnostic heresiarch Marcus of using conjuring-tricks from the Paignia of Anaxilaus to impress his followers." -- Matthew Dickie, historian, 2003

"... by Pliny's time Anaxilaus' collection of what were essentially conjuring-tricks was circulating under the title of Paignia [Tricks]. It is virtually certain that Anaxilaus will have given that title to his work." -- Matthew Dickie, historian, 2003

"He [Anaxilaus of Larissa] will have presented himself as a Pythagorean and will have displayed the outward trappings of membership in the sect, the black cloak and linen garments and shoes. It is frustrating that we know nothing of the philosophy of those Pythagoreans like Anaxilaus with a leaning towards the occult. All that can be said of Anaxilaus is that he represents a version of Pythagoreanism that goes back at least to Bolus of Mendes and almost certainly further. Anaxilaus' expulsion not only from Rome but also from Italy in 28 BC in the year in which the new Augustan dispensation came into place suggests that his activities went rather beyond putting together a collection of conjuring-tricks designed to amuse the guests at a symposium, but what he had been doing is a mystery." -- Matthew Dickie, historian, 2003

Encyclopaedia Britannica (1902): Anaxilaus of Larissa.

Anaxilaus of Larissa, a physician and Pythagorean philosopher, was banished from Rome by Augustus, B.C. 28, on the charge of practicing the magic art. This accusation appears to have originated in his superior skill in natural philosophy, by which he produced effects the ignorant attributed to magic. (Euseb., Chron. ad Olymp. clxxxviii; St Iren. i. 13; Plin. xix. 4, xxviii. 49, xxxii. 52, xxxv. 50.)