Caspar the Magi: Biography, Origins, and the Legend of the King Who Brought Frankincense
Caspar, or Gasper, was one of the three kings who visited the infant Jesus. Caspar was the King of India and is supposed to have brought frankincense (which is a fragrant resin). In an interesting note, the name Caspar is derived from “Gaspar.” In turn, “Gaspar” is from an ancient Chaldean word, “Gizbar”, which, according to various thesauruses, means “treasurer.” The Magi’s visit to Jesus in the manger is only recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, and the Magi may have visited Jesus up to two years after his birth. Caspar lived to be 109. Why did the Magi live so long?
Caspar Biography
Caspar was born about 45 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. However, we do not know much about Caspar’s birth or our youth. Because he was a king, he was almost certainly married with children. We do know that he was the King of India and brought Christ the gift of Frankincense, which is a fragrant resin. He is frequently depicted with a red beard.
A little bit more about the odd gift is in order. Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes. Kings would burn this resin in their parlors where they received gifts, so the gift made sense (so to speak). Frankincense is obtained from trees. The word is from Old Frankincense means “high Quality Incense.”
People can still buy frankincense, so it is not a gift from long ago. There are several species of Boswellia that produce frankincense today, including, but not limited to, Boswellia sacra. This is an ingredient that is currently used in balms and creams. These days Resin is hand-sorted for its quality.
This Magi is often considered to be an Indian scholar or king. An article in the 1913 “Encyclopedia Britannica” states that “according to Western church tradition, Balthasar is often represented as a king of Arabia, Melchior as a king of Persia, and Caspar as a king of India.” So, at least one important source considers him a King.
There are other interpretations of exactly what he was. Some think Caspar was actually named King Gondophares, who lived from 21 to about 47. He is mentioned in the Acts of Thomas. Thomas, the apostle (known as ‘doubting Thomas’), is said to have visited decades earlier. Others consider him to have come from the southern parts of India. The town is called Piravom in the Kerala State, Southern India has long claimed that this king set out from there.
Still others consider a fourth explanation of the origins of this King. His kingdom was located in the region of Egrisilla in India Superior on the peninsula that forms the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand. Johannes Schöner, on his 1515 globe, shows this location on his globe, as well as in the accompanying explanatory treatise. Schöner noted: “The region of Egrisilla, in which there are Brahman [i.e., Indian] Christians; there Gaspar the Magus held dominion.” Remember, Gaspar is another name for Caspar.
Caspar Veneration
According to various traditions, Caspar became a martyr. Some people think that the other two Magi were also martyrs. The relics of the Magi are now residing in Cologne Cathedral. This King is commemorated on the Feast of Epiphanylike the other Magi; he is also commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church on his own feast day, 11 January. After his return to India, avoiding King Herod, Caspar is supposed to have celebrated Christmas with the other members of the Magi in Armenia in 54. Caspar died on January 11, 55, at the age of 109.
Parting Thoughts
There is considerable uncertainty about the Magi in general and Caspar specifically. It is troubling that the Magi are only mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. It is further troubling that with Caspar specifically, there are four credible explanations for his origin. The story of the Magi is a nice one, but it may not be true.
