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Greek and Roman Religion (370-0-1)

Topic

Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World

Instructors

Abbe Lind Walker

Meeting Info

Frances Searle Building 2378: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

In this course, we will examine the magicians, witches, wonder-workers, and quacks of the ancient world and the techniques and devices they used to manipulate the world around them. We will consider magical practices both real and imagined—from curse tablets, spell books, and amulets to elaborate descriptions of sexy sorceresses and hideous hags—all in the light of theories relating to the religious, political, and social contexts in which magic was used.

Class Materials (Required)

Apuleius. The Golden Ass. Translated by Joel C. Relihan. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0872208872.

Betz, Hans Dieter. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: Texts (Volume 1). Second Edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1996. ISBN 978-0226044477.

Gager, John G., ed. Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. ISBN 978-0195134827.

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area