ABRAXAS (Abrasax, Abraxis)

A word with the numerical value of 365 (a = 1, b = 2, r = 100, x = 60, s = 200), which corresponds to the number of the days in a year. The name Abraxas designates a god who in the Gnosis of Basilides is Lord of the supernatural world. In addition, he appears in magical papyri and on amulets.

[See also: Basilides; Gnosis; Magic.]

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Dornseiff, F. Das Alphabet in Mystik und Magie, 2nd ed. Leipzig and Berlin, 1925.
• Nilsson, M. P. Geschichte der griechischen Religion, Vol. 2, p. 617. Munich, 1961.

MARTIN KRAUSE