[quote=@BingTheWing]
[@VoiD] How was magic discovered? Are there any religious taboos against it?
[/quote]

Magic has always been *around*, and in ancient times possessing magical-affinity was seen as a sign of nobility. I go into more detail on that in the magic system bit. 

However, education in the arcane arts as an institution became prominent in around the 2nd & 3rd centuries (A.D.) with the founding of Imperial academies, and the creation of a Magister Maximus role in the Imperial court. 

Magic isn't really seen in conjunction with religion besides, in the odd historical case, as a tool to show "divine favor". Using magic as such is universally condemned by both the Orthodox and Catholic churches, as well as most magical institutions the world over. 

Hope that answers your question.