Magical Objects in Antiquity: From the Greek Curse Tablets to Solomon's Ring

3 credits · Undergraduate

Through a close study of the Greco-Egyptian magical papyri and related artefacts this seminar opens a window on the beliefs, techniques, and material culture of magic in the late ancient world. We will be especially attentive to questions relating to the materiality of the substances employed in ancient magic. Why were certain materials perceived as inherently powerful, and how did conceptions of magical power relate to wider cultural understandings of the natural world. EXCLUSIONS: HSTC 3610 for the 2025-26 academic year only FORMATS: Lecture