Richard Phillips: tricks from a magic man

By: Sarah Sherry
Contributing Writer

On Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morgan Room of Poling Hall, Richard Phillips enchanted Monmouth College students and faculty with his presentation entitled “Criminal Elements in the Magician’s Clientele.” Phillips’s lecture included information on sources containing magical spells, why these spells were attempted and who was most likely to use these spells. More specifically, these spells were about how one could attain invisibility. This presentation is based on Phillips’s dissertation, “Invisibility Spells in the Greek Magical Papyri: Prolegomena, Texts, and Commentaries.”

According to him, the intent of why people wanted to become invisible is not clearly stated, but there have been suspicions that if these spells fell into the wrong hands, they would be used in a criminal manner. Phillips stated that, in the ancient world, travelers used invisibility spells to prevent themselves from being robbed. He added that guards would often use magic as an excuse for negligence. Phillips joked, “Students may try to use magic as an excuse for not finishing their Latin homework, saying their roommates used magic to make them fall asleep, and when they woke up it was already time for class.”

Phillips asserted, “These spells were most likely used by Egyptian priests” because they were persecuted and had reason for trying to flee. In addition, he stated these spells were written in languages which mainly could only be read by priests.

He received his bachelor’s in history, master’s in Greek, and Ph .D. in Classical philology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Phillips is currently a visiting assistant professor in the department of foreign languages at Virginia Tech. His teaching history includes courses in Latin, Greek and ancient medicine at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University.

Phillips is currently working on a book, “Magic in the Roman World: A Latin Reader,” which students were able to view during his visit to Monmouth. This book, which focuses on developing grammar, is geared toward mid-upper-level Latin students. When asked why he is so interested in magic, Phillips responded, “I like the imaginative nature of invisibility. It kind of returns you to a childhood nature. I am also easily distracted and needed a topic that would keep me interested while writing my dissertation.”

In addition to his lecture, is also a candidate for a full time position in the Classics department here at Monmouth College.