107-226 Greek and Roman Magic

Formerly available as 107-115. Students who have completed 107-115 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

see Prerequisites.

This subject investigates both the practice of magico-religious ritual in the Graeco-Roman world and the attitudes towards such practices taken by the ancient Greeks and Romans themselves. The broad chronological framework of the subject is from the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Special study is made of significant magico-religious practices: the nature and context of binding tablets; the use of amulets, effigies and other magical figurines; and the ritual activities detailed in the Greek Magical Papyri. Students should become familiar with themes such as the difficulties of defining 'magic'; modern approaches to and theories of 'witchcraft' and 'magic'; the representation and prohibition of magic in ancient legal contexts; and the role of ethnicity and gender in Graeco-Roman definitions of and responses to magical practice.