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MAGIC, MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF THE ANCIENT WORLDTHE civilization of Ancient Egypt lasted longer than the entire span of what we have come to accept as 'recorded history': over three thousand years. During these millennia the Egyptians developed a multitude of gods and goddesses, as well as esoteric practices, the meaning of which we are still trying to unravel. Besides this, Egypt was the source of the first true monotheistic religion, under the Pharaoh Akhenaton.THE great period of the Crusades, which filled the whole of the twelfth century, brought to Europe the narrative genius of the oriental races which told, far more attractively than was the manner of the rather monotonous mysticism of Christian legends, of the marvelous deeds and adventures of chivalry, all mixed up with fairies, giants and miracles. Among these innumerable tales, one of the most popular is the story of the enchanter Merlin and the beautiful fairy Vivien.THERE are various versions of Merlin's death. Some legends say he died of extreme old age, for magicians are no more immortal than other men; some pretend that he was carried off by the Devil. But in Brittany, popular belief has it that he is still alive, that he is still living beside the beautiful Vivien and that he has the appearance of a handsome young man, thanks to the elixir of life whose secret he alone possesses. It is also claimed that the forest of Brocéliande still exists in Finistere; but it is only visible to those who believe in Magic.