Topic: Byzantine Elite

In 15th-century Italy, magic was pervasive across all social classes, ranging from folk healing to high-level ritual sorcery. Records indicate that elite families frequently protected clerical scholars and monks who practiced demonic magic from prosecution by the Inquisition. This specific deck represents a sophisticated strand of learned sorcery that migrated from the Byzantine imperial elite into the Italian aristocracy.

The deck's cosmology is identified as malefic, focusing on specific stars and planets used for attack sorcery known as maleficium. These practices reflect the ruthless nature of Renaissance elite families, who utilized both diplomacy and poisonous sorcery to maintain power. The tradition depicted in the cards is considered superior to common grimoires like the Key of Solomon, tracing its lineage back to Orphism and the Neoplatonists.