The editors would like to acknowledge the gracious support of a number of programs and individuals who have helped to make the" Prayers, Magic, and the Stars" symposium, from which these essays derive, such a productive event. ln particular, a number of centers, departments, and programs at the University of Washington deserve our gratitude for their financial and logistical support. These include the Walter Chapin Simpson Center for the Humanities; the Departments of Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, Classics, History, Art History, Jewish Studies, and Comparative Religion; the Henry M. Jackson School for lnternational Studies; the University Bookstore; the Graduate Student Senate; and the Graduate School. We also would like to thank Dianne Zimmer and the University of Washington's Graduate School for providing the funding to help us create the book's index. Several University of Washington faculty members also donated their time at the event as session chairs and respondents. These include Drs. Jim Clauss, Sheila Colwell, Christopher Hallett, Martin Jaffee, Pierre Mackay, and Michael Williams. Dr. Alan Segal of Barnard College also served in this capacity. ln addition, we extend our appreciation to Dr. Michael Halleran, Divisional Dean for Arts and Humanities, for kindly kicking off our event with a word of introduction. We also thank Dr. Woodruff T. Sullivan III, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Washington, for helping us to chart the ancient stars in his spectacular planetarium show.