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The book introduces nine magical traditions that come from the ancient past, and that are almost forgotten in Mythic Europe. This means that there are no living practitioners, and the information about them is scarce and scattered.
So which is the purpose of the book? Why are these traditions interesting? The good thing is that they allow to do things usually forbidden or unknown in Hermetic magic, and many magi will be interested in integrating them into the Hermetic theory.
Integration is vital in Ancient Magic, since the magical powers cannot be used directly. The process has several steps. First, the magus must find some source (a text, a relic or a teacher) that will give him Insight. This will allow him to develop (usually) a spell related to the tradition, and get “breakthrough points”. More insights will mean more spells and points. After a certain level of points is achieved, the tradition is successfully integrated into the Hermetic theory.
The nine traditions are described in separated chapters, and all in the same way. First, an overview of the tradition's background and historical roots. Second, the rules around the powers, effects and the integration process. Then the sources of insight, that may include trips to remote lands, talking to ghosts and magical creatures or exploring lost tombs. And finally (and this is an excellent idea), some suggestions about which consequences will have the integration for the Order of Hermes. Maybe some status quo will be changed and some people won't be happy about it!
I will only describe briefly the nine traditions.
The Language of Adam is related to the language spoken by the first man. A very powerful tool, since people who speak it have Arcane Connections with anything they can name. Learning it can be very difficult, and may include a trip to the Garden of Eden or finding someone alive who speaks it. Even a study in comparative linguistics may include a visit to the Tower of Babel.
Canaanite necromancers were able to speak with the dead in more effective ways. So what happens if someone tries to contact the Order's Founders? The chapter also includes a very good place for a covenant.
Defixio magic also avoids the use of Arcane Connections, in this case using curse tablets. In Hermetic terms this means introducing a new Duration and Range, and correcting what is believed to be a flaw in Bonisagus' theory.
Fertility magic is quite interesting, because it allows to influence how will be the new children and which characteristics will they have - even The Gift. The sources of information come from the ancient fertility cults and the relics they made.
Grigori magic was taught by the fathers of the Nephilim, and it could potentially break the Limit of Vis (Hermetic magi cannot change the Art to which raw vis is attuned).
Heron of Alexandria's Legacy is related to mechanical devices and more powerful magical items. Learning these secrets will mean finding original devices and following the inventor's trail, but if the breakthrough is achieved House Verditius won't be very happy about it.
The history of The Hesperides comes from the coordinates system created by Ptolomy to measure precisely the position of any place in the Earth. Using it can avoid Arcane Connetions, but reconstructing the system is not easy, and will include a trip to the Purple Islands.
Hyperborean magic was developed in a mythical land, and their practitioners could heal without vis, among other things. This is the longest and more intriguing chapter.
Finally, Rune magic comes from the mythic north and can really revolutionize the Hermetic theory, since runes can create lasting effects without vis. But the Order of Odin is feared by most magi...
Maybe reading the book for the first time may be a bit confusing, since each tradition includes its own rules and systems. But this won't be a problem, because Ancient Magic must only be used in small doses and for a long period of time.
About style, the book is an Ars Magica one, so it is very well written and researched. It follows the standard Fifth Edition layout, which I like very much. The maps are OK, but some interior illustrations could be better. But this is a minor thing.
In conclusion, Ancient Magic is not a core book or a definitive “must”, but any Saga will be dramatically enriched if you add one or two of these traditions.
