Greek and Roman Religion (370-0-1)

Topic

Magic in the Ancient Greco-Roman World

Instructors

Abbe Walker

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-415: Mon, Wed 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

In this course, we will examine the magicians, witches, wonderworkers, and quacks of the ancient world and the techniques and devices they used to manipulate the world around them and/or to serve their clientele. 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. Relihan, Joel C. (Trans.). The Golden Ass. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2007. ISBN 0872208877

Betz, Hans Dieter. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells: Texts. 2nd Ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. ISBN 0226044475

Gager, John G.. Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. ISBN 0195134826

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro
SoC Individual and Social Behavior Distro