Magians (Old Persian Maguš): expert in Iranian religious -probably: oral- traditions, perhaps belonging to a Median tribe. In 522 BC, a Magian with the name Gaumâta attempted a coup d' état in the Persian empire, but he was killed and succeeded by Darius.

In classical Antiquity, the Magians had a great reputation as astrologers; the Magians who came to visit the baby Jesus (Gospel of Matthew) are well known.