Simon Magus was a Samaritan magician and religious figure mentioned in the New Testament. He is known for his attempts to buy spiritual power from the apostles, particularly Peter, which led to the term "simony," referring to the buying or selling of ecclesiastical privileges. Simon is often associated with early Gnostic beliefs and is considered a controversial figure in early Christianity. His teachings and practices were seen as heretical by many early church leaders, leading to his portrayal as a rival to the apostles and a symbol of false teachings.