This term is often used as a synonym for “Wizard,” especially in a complimentary sense. A Mage
may also be called a Magus, which means a master
of the magickal arts. The ancient Magi (like the
“Three Wise Men” in the Bible) were Zoroastrian
Priests originating in Media and Persia (now Iran).
This is the root of the word magic (or magick). The
term eventually came to be used for wise and powerful magicians of any sort.