Possibly as early as the second century AD, Virgil's works were seen as having magical properties and were used for divination. In what became known as the Sortes Vergilianae (Virgilian Lots), passages would be selected at random and interpreted to answer questions. In the 12th century, starting around Naples but eventually spreading widely throughout Europe, a tradition developed in which Virgil was regarded as a great magician. Legends about Virgil and his magical powers remained popular for over two hundred years, arguably becoming as prominent as his writings themselves. Virgil's legacy in medieval Wales was such that the Welsh version of his name, Fferyllt or Pheryllt, became a generic term for magic-worker, and survives in the modern Welsh word for pharmacist, fferyllydd. COUNT 5
QSN1 Where did the tradition start which regarded Virgil as a great magician? ANS1 Naples QSN2 How long did legends of Virgil's magical powers remain popular? ANS2 over two hundred years QSN3 What is the modern Welsh word for phramacist? ANS3 fferyllydd QSN4 Where did Virgil's name become a generic term for magic-worker? ANS4 medieval Wales QSN5 When did Virgil's reputation as a great magician begin? ANS5 12th century