The Testament of Solomon: A Greek magical novella with elements of early Christian and Jewish lore

The Testament of Solomon is a Greek magical novella from the first few centuries CE, likely written by a Greek-speaking Christian familiar with Jewish magical traditions. The text revolves around Solomon trapping demons to help him build the Jerusalem temple and uncover magical secrets. Alongside the magic, the figure of King Solomon is highly significant, associated with various books of addressative rituals across different Abrahamic traditions. Solomon is known for his wisdom, his command over angels and demons, and his possession of multiple magic books, including the famous Harazim. The Testament of Solomon is believed to be a Christian reworking of earlier Jewish materials, featuring elements reminiscent of first-century Jewish thought. Although the exact dating of the text is debated, it is widely accepted that it was composed in Greek, and we have early modern manuscripts that contain the work alongside other magical texts. The Testament of Solomon plays a significant role in the development of a Solomonic mystical tradition, encompassing complicated angelologies, demonologies, and lore related to commanding or negotiating with supernatural entities.