melas graphikos

Ingredients

myrrh troglitis, Karian figs, pits of Nikolaus dates, dried pine cones, piths of the single-stemmed wormwood, wings of the Hermaic ibis, spring water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The preparation of the 'ink of Hermes' requires 4 drachmas of myrrh troglitis, 3 Karian figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus dates, 7 dried pine cones, 7 piths of single-stemmed wormwood, 7 wings of the Hermaic ibis, and spring water. These ingredients are burned (kaysas) to produce a carbon-based material for writing. (p. 36)

Evidence

"This is the preparation of the ink: myrrh troglitis, 4 drachmas, 3 Karian figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus dates, 7 dried pine cones, 7 piths of the single-stemmed wormwood, 7 wings of the Hermaic ibis (ibeōs Hermaikēs ptera, ἴβεως Ἑρμαϊκῆς πτερὰ), spring water. After burning (kaysas, καύσας) them, prepare and write."

Remarks

This ink is described as 'melas graphikos', the usual black ink used in Greco-Egyptian magical contexts. (p. 36) It is technically classified as a carbon ink prepared from the ashes of burned components. (p. 37) The inclusion of ibis wings establishes a sympathetic link to the god Hermes-Thoth to improve memory. (p. 37)