Zosimos explains that the ancient practice of "tinctures" (the technical Greek name for the alchemical arts) had been taken over by certain "demons" who taught the art only to those who offered them sacrifices.
zəsˈɪmoʊz ɛksplˈeɪnz ðætðɪ ˈeɪntʃənt pɹˈæktɪs ʌv "tˈɪŋktʃɚz" ðə tˈɛknɪkəl ɡɹˈiːk nˈeɪm fɚðɪ ælkˈɛmɪkəl ˈɑːɹts hɐdbɪn tˈeɪkən ˌoʊvɚ baɪ sˈɜːʔn̩ "dˈiːmənz" hˌuː tˈɔːt ðɪ ˈɑːɹt ˈoʊnli tə ðoʊz hˌuː ˈɔfɚd ðˌɛm sˈækɹᵻfˌaɪsᵻz.