John G. Gager (Eds.)
authors
data
Product: Book
ISBN-10: 0-19-513482-6
ISBN-13: 9780195134827
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Country:
Year: October 28, 1999
Size: 14.00 x 20.80 x 2.01cm
Number of pages: 296
Weight: 358gr
Binding: Paperback
ISBN-10: 0-19-513482-6
ISBN-13: 9780195134827
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Country:
Year: October 28, 1999
Size: 14.00 x 20.80 x 2.01cm
Number of pages: 296
Weight: 358gr
Binding: Paperback
editions
0.) Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World
John G. Gager (Eds.)
Oxford University Press, USA; 1992
Hardcover
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description
Product Description
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, it was common practice to curse or bind an enemy or rival by writing an incantation on a tablet and dedicating it to a god or spirit. These curses or binding spells, commonly called defixiones were intended to bring other people under the power and control of those who commissioned them. More than a thousand such texts, written between the 5th Century B.C.E. and the 5th Century C.E., have been discovered from North Africa to England, and from Syria to Spain. Extending into every aspect of ancient life--athletic and theatrical competitions, judicial proceedings, love affairs, business rivalries, and the recovery of stolen property--they shed light on a new dimension of classical study previously inaccessible. Here, for the first time, these texts have been translated into English with a substantial translator's introduction revealing the cultural, social, and historical context for the texts. This book will interest historians, classicists, scholars of religion, and those concerned with ancient magic.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, it was common practice to curse or bind an enemy or rival by writing an incantation on a tablet and dedicating it to a god or spirit. These curses or binding spells, commonly called defixiones were intended to bring other people under the power and control of those who commissioned them. More than a thousand such texts, written between the 5th Century B.C.E. and the 5th Century C.E., have been discovered from North Africa to England, and from Syria to Spain. Extending into every aspect of ancient life--athletic and theatrical competitions, judicial proceedings, love affairs, business rivalries, and the recovery of stolen property--they shed light on a new dimension of classical study previously inaccessible. Here, for the first time, these texts have been translated into English with a substantial translator's introduction revealing the cultural, social, and historical context for the texts. This book will interest historians, classicists, scholars of religion, and those concerned with ancient magic.
reviews
Wordiness devalues information 
I did like this book. The information, once you found it was interesting and helpful (I used this book for research on a screeplay) and some of the ideas were very useful. However, the book is SO chatty that you just wanted the author to shut up and get to the point. In chapter 7, the long winded preamble made me think the author liked hearing his own 'voice'. This book is worth buying, just be prepared that it could easily have been half its length and still contain all its useful information.
I did like this book. The information, once you found it was interesting and helpful (I used this book for research on a screeplay) and some of the ideas were very useful. However, the book is SO chatty that you just wanted the author to shut up and get to the point. In chapter 7, the long winded preamble made me think the author liked hearing his own 'voice'. This book is worth buying, just be prepared that it could easily have been half its length and still contain all its useful information.
Important contribution to classical studies 
In this work, Professor Gager provides a catalog of curse tablets and binding spells from Europe and the Middle East and some fairly impressive analysis of these finds. If you are looking for a systematic analysis of such finds, skip this work. If you are looking for source material and enough analysis to make it interesting, this is the book for you. Gager divides these materials into a number of sub-categories such as those involving race-course competition, sex love or marriage, business competition, pleas for revenge and so forth, This functional breakdown makes the material easier to piece together and draw connections between the samples presented. The one thing that could have made this work much better would be to include many more of the inscriptions in their original languages. I would highly recommend this work to anyone interested in ancient magical practices or classical studies.
In this work, Professor Gager provides a catalog of curse tablets and binding spells from Europe and the Middle East and some fairly impressive analysis of these finds. If you are looking for a systematic analysis of such finds, skip this work. If you are looking for source material and enough analysis to make it interesting, this is the book for you. Gager divides these materials into a number of sub-categories such as those involving race-course competition, sex love or marriage, business competition, pleas for revenge and so forth, This functional breakdown makes the material easier to piece together and draw connections between the samples presented. The one thing that could have made this work much better would be to include many more of the inscriptions in their original languages. I would highly recommend this work to anyone interested in ancient magical practices or classical studies.
Great Book 
Get book I found it very inlighting! It focused on old world magic.
Get book I found it very inlighting! It focused on old world magic.
keywords
- Ancient History
- Ancient – General
- BCE to c 500 CE
- Body, Mind & Spirit – Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit – Spirituality – Greco-Roman
- Christian rites & ceremonies
- Christian Rituals & Practice – General
- History
- History – Ancient – General
- History – World
- Magick Studies
- New Age – Body, Mind & Spirit
- Occult studies
- Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions
- RELIGION – Christian Rituals & Practice – General
- Social & cultural history
- World history
- World history – BCE to c 500 CE
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© 1994–2010 Sascha Hendel
last update: 3/20/2010
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