Thoth was the Egyptian god of wisdom, and his magical Book was said to contain a collection of spells that would enable the reader to know the language of the animals and to enchant the sky and the earth itself.

"The Book of Thoth lies beneath the middle of the river, near Coptos, in an iron box. In the iron box is a box of bronze; in the bronze box is a sycamore box; in the sycamore box is an ivory and ebony box; in the ivory and ebony box is a silver box; in the silver box is a golden box - and in that lies the Book of Thoth. All around the iron box are twisted snakes and scorpions, and it is guarded by a serpent who cannot be slain." 

-– From the tale of Setna Khaemwese and the Book of Thoth