The magnesium battery and negative electrodes for

a magnesium battery is described comprising at least a positive electrode containing an active material, switch the magnesium ions reversibly and can outsource, at least one negative electrode containing an active material, one which magnesium ions reversibly and can outsource, and a magnesium salt-containing electrolyte, wherein the active material of the negative electrode preferably additionally comprises at least one modification of carbon and a metal selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, tin, zinc, antimony, bismuth, aluminum, and manganese. Further, a negative electrode for a magnesium battery will be described.