Page:The place of magic in the intellectual history of Europe.djvu/115

107] its origin. Macrobius also displayed some belief in the possession of occult properties by objects about us. In the Saturnalia, Disaurius the physician is asked and answers such questions as why a brass knife stuck in game prevents decay. Macrobius by the way, had considerable influence in the Middle Ages. Abelard makes frequent reference to him, and called him "no mean philosopher." Aquinas cited him as an authority for the doctrines of Neo-Platonism.