Section outline

  • GREEK 645: ANCIENT MAGIC

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    Professor Radcliffe G. Edmonds III

    Office: Old Library 245

    Phone: 526-5046

    T 1-4  Carpenter 15

    Office Hours: MWF 1:00-2:00

    or by appointment

    redmonds@brynmawr.edu

    Required Texts:

    • ·      Apuleius, The Golden Ass (trans. Relihan) (available in Tripod as Ebook)
    • ·      Betz, Hans D., The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation (PGM)
    • ·      Edmonds, Radcliffe, Drawing Down the Moon: Magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world (Tripod Ebook)
    • ·      Gager, John G., Curse Tablets & Binding Spells from the Ancient World
    • ·      Ogden, Daniel, Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook (Tripod Ebook)

    Recommended Texts:

    • ·      Barton, Ancient Astrology (available in Tripod as Ebook)
    • ·      Faraone & Obbink, Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic & Religion
    • ·      Frankfurter, David, Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic (also in Tripod as Ebook)
    • ·      Graf, Fritz, Magic in the Ancient World
    • ·      Iamblichus, On the Mysteries (trans. Clark, Dillon & Hershbell)
    • ·      Mauss, A General Theory of Magic

    Course Description:

    Bindings and curses, love charms and healing potions, amulets and talismans - from the simple spells designed to meet the needs of the poor and desperate to the complex theurgies of the philosophers, the people of the Greco-Roman World made use of magic to try to influence the world around them.  In this course students will gain an understanding of the magicians of the ancient world and the techniques and devices they used to serve their clientele, as well as the cultural contexts in which these ideas of magic arose.  We shall consider ancient tablets and spell books as well as literary descriptions of magic in the light of theories relating to the religious, political, and social contexts in which magic was used. 

    Course Requirements:

    Class participation:

                Participation, of course, includes attendance, since you cannot participate if you are not in class.  If, for some reason, you cannot attend class, please inform me in advance.  Each student should be prepared to discuss and answer questions on the material covered in the lesson for the week, as well as to translate from the primary texts.  Coming prepared with questions on the material is even better than coming with answers to the basics.  If, for some reason, you cannot prepare for class, please attend anyway - you will be better prepared for the next class.

                Several students will be selected to lead off the discussion on the secondary readings for each class, but every student should be prepared to contribute to the discussion.  Those whose names are drawn from the Hat of Fate should post their discussion questions on Moodle at least 24 hours before class on Wednesday.  If necessary, there will be an extra translation section scheduled to focus upon the readings for each week in Greek (marked in bold on the syllabus).  All readings not in the required textbooks will be available online in the Moodle site for this class. 

    Short Written Assignments: 

                There will be two short written assignments designed for the students to demonstrate their understanding of specific materials covered in class.  These projects may require some out of class research in addition to the readings assigned for the class.  The first of these assignments will require you to take the examples we've looked at in class and analyze them for their essential features – logical structure, common patterns of formulation, etc.  You will then have to synthesize these features into a composite that illustrates the features of, e.g., a love spell or a curse, and discuss why what you have put together corresponds with the ancient evidence.  The second assignment will involve divination, specifically astrology.  You will have to read a chart on the basis of the excerpts from the ancient manuals I will give you and then decide how to advise a client in a specific situation.  The task is not just to show your mastery of the technical details but, even more importantly, of the social dynamics that underlie divination in the ancient world.

    Research Paper:

                Each student should prepare a research paper of around 25-30 pages before the end of the semester.  You should discuss potential topics with me as soon as possible and send me a paragraph summarizing your chosen idea by the 5th week of term (Feb. 18) and a preliminary outline and bibliography by the end of break (March 17).  A rough draft of the paper is due in Week 14, on April 29, and each student will give a brief presentation of the research project in class on that day.  The final draft of the paper is due at the end of finals.

    Bryn Mawr College is committed to providing equal access to students with a documented disability. Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first speak with Access Services. Students can email accessservices@brynmawr.edu to request an appointment to begin this confidential process. If eligible for accommodations as per Access Services, students should schedule an appointment with the professor as early in the semester as possible to share their verification form and make appropriate arrangements. Any student who has a disability-related need to record this class must first be found eligible to do so by Access Services and must share this eligibility with me, the instructor. Class members need to be aware that this class may be recorded. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement. More information can be obtained at the Access Services website. (http://www.brynmawr.edu/access-services/)

  • Topic 1

    Topics:

    ·      course introduction

    ·      definition of magic

    ·      magic vs. religion, magic vs. science

    ·      instrumental and symbolic action

    ·      ancient contexts of magic

     

    Readings:

    ·      Apuleius, Metamorphoses (esp. ch. 1-3, 9-10)

  • Topic 2

    ·      course introduction

    ·      definition of magic

    ·      magic vs. religion, magic vs. science

    ·      instrumental and symbolic action

    ·      societies of the ancient Mediterranean world

    ·      magic and mystery – the lure of magic

     

    Greek Readings:  Plato, Republic 364b-365b

     

    Readings:

    ·      Gager, Introduction, ch. 8

    ·      Apuleius, Metamorphoses (esp. ch. 1-3, 9-10)

     

    ·      Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 1-2

    ·      Gordon, Imagining Greek and Roman Magic

    ·      Smith, Here, There, and Anywhere

    ·      Smith, Trading Places

    ·      Versnel, Some Reflections on the Relationship

     

    Supplementary Readings

    ·      Bremmer, Birth of the Term 'Magic'

    ·      Frazer, Sympathetic Magic

    ·      Mauss, General Theory of Magic, pp. 44-90

    ·      Phillips, In Search of the Occult

    ·      Sanzo, Deconstructing the Deconstructionists

    ·      Tambiah, Form and Meaning of Magical Acts 

  • Topic 3

    Topics:

    ·      competition and cursing

    ·      athletic contexts

    ·      legal contexts

    ·      binding and harming

     

    Greek Readings: Gager # 1, 44, 83, 99, 117, PGM V 304-69, VII 396-404, VII 423-28, VII 429-58, X 36-50

     

    Readings:

    ·      Gager, ch. 1, 3-6 (esp. # 3, 5, 44, 53, 88, 89, 117)

    ·      PGM V 304-69, VII 396-404, VII 423-28, VII 429-58, X 36-50

    ·      Ogden 14, 168-196, 236, 247

     

    ·      Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 3

    ·      Eidinow, Binding Spells on Tablets and Papyri

    ·      Faraone, The Agonistic Context of Early Greek Binding Spells - Magika Hiera ch. 1

    ·      Versnel, Beyond Cursing - Magika Hiera ch. 3

    ·      Gordon, What's in a List?

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·      PGM VII 390-3, VII 394-5, VII 417-22, IX 1-14, XXXVI 1-34, XXXVI 35-68, XXXVI 231-55, and LVIII

    ·      Supplementum Magicum nos. 53, 55, 56

    ·      Edmonds, Blaming the Witch

    ·      Eidinow, Magic and Social Tension

    ·      Faraone, Binding and burying the forces of evil

    ·      Faraone, Aeschylus’ ὕμνος δέσμιος and Attic Judicial Curse Tablets

    ·      Lamont, In Blood and Ashes: Curse Tablets and Binding Spells

    ·      Ogden, Binding spells: Curse tablets and voodoo dolls in the Greek and Roman worlds

    ·      Riess, Performing Interpersonal Violence: Curse Tablets

    ·      Strubbe, Cursed be he that moves my bones - Magika Hiera ch. 2

    ·      Versnel, Punish Those Who Rejoice in Our Misery

    ·      Versnel, “And any other part of the entire body there may be . . .”

    ·      Versnel, Writing Mortals and Reading Gods

     

    Defixio Assignment due at noon Monday, February 17

  • Topic 4

    Topics:

    ·      gender and sex

    ·      male vs. female subjects and objects in erotic spells

    ·      sex and violence

     

    Greek Readings: Gager #36; Lucian Dial. Meretr. 4.4-5, PGM IV 296-466, IV 1716-1870, IV 2441-2621, IV 2891-2942, XXXII 1-19, XXXIIa 1-25

     

    Readings:

    ·      Gager, ch. 2

    ·      PGM IV 296-466, IV 1716-1870, IV 2441-2621, IV 2891-2942, XXXII 1-19, XXXIIa 1-25, CXXII

    ·      Supplementum Magicum nos. 46-51 (with PGM IV 296-466 and Gager # 27-29)

    ·      Lucian, Dialogues of the Courtesans 4.4-5

    ·      Ogden 52, 76-81 (Deianeira), 197-213, 224-229 (iunx), 244, 248-255 (erotic amulets)

     

    ·      Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 4

    ·      Dickie, Who Practised Love Magic in Classical Antiquity?

    ·      Faraone, Ancient Greek Love Magic

    ·      LiDonnici, Burning For It

    ·      Winkler, The Constraints of Eros - Magika Hiera, ch. 8

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·      Gordon, Desire, Gossip, Uncertainty and Magic

    ·      Pachoumi, Erotic and Separation Spells

    ·      PGM IV 1390-1495, IV 1496-1595, IV 1870-1927, IV 1928-2000, IV 2000-2125, IV 2622-2707, IV 2708-2784, IV 2943-2966, VII 300a-310, VII 459-77, VII. 593-619, VII 862-918, XVI 1-75, XVIIa, XXXVI 69-101, XXXVI 102-33, XXXVI 134-160, XXXVI 187-210, XXXVI 295-311, XXXVI 333-360, XXXVI 361-371, CI, CVII, CVIII

    ·      Supplementum Magicum nos. 37, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46-51, 58, 63, 64,

    ·      Greek Magical Amulets nos. 58, 60

    Topic Paragraph for Seminar Paper due before class, February 18.

  • Topic 5

    Topics:

    ·      defense against the dark arts

    ·      amulets and antidotes

    ·      repairing and healing

    ·      thanks before and after

     

    Greek Readings: Hippocrates, de morbo sacro 1.10-46; PGM IV 2145-2240, IV 3007-86, VII 193-221, XX

     

    Readings:

    ·      PGM IV 2145-2240 (Homeric amulet), IV. 3007-86 (exorcism), VII 193-221 , (pdm) xiv. 554-626, XX (Philinna Papyrus),

    ·      Hippocrates de morbo sacro 1.10-46

    ·      Ephesia Grammata

    ·      Ogden 256-276, 13, 47

    ·      Gager, ch. 7

     

    ·      Bonner, Studies in Magical Amulets

    ·      Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 5

    ·      Faraone, Text, Image, and Medium: The Evolution of Graeco-Roman Magical Gemstones

    ·      Gordon, The Healing Event in Graeco-Roman Folk-Medicine

    ·      Kotansky, Incantations and Prayers - Magika Hiera ch. 4

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·      Dasen, Probaskania: Amulets and Magic

    ·      Faraone, Vanishing Acts: From Oral Perfomance to Visual Design

    ·      Faraone, Transformation of Greek Amulets

    ·      LiDonnici, Beans, fleawort, and the blood of a Hamadryas baboon

    ·      LiDonnici, Single-Stemmed Wormwood

    ·      Scarborough, The Pharmacology of Sacred Plants- Magika Hiera, ch. 5

    ·      PGM IV 1596-1715, VII 260-71, VII 311-18, VII 579-90, XXIIA 1-27, XLIII 1-27, LXX, CXIV, CXV

    ·      Greek Magical Amulets nos. 2, 4, 7, 11, 13, 24, 27, 37, 46, 38

    ·      Heim, Incantamenta magica graeca et latina

    ·      Supplementum Magicum nos. 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 18

     

  • Week VI (February 25) Prayer and Magic

    Topics:

    ·       thanks before and after

    ·       supplication and coercion

    ·       relationships with divine powers

     

    Greek Readings: PGM I 262-347; III 494-611; IV 2241-2358; Homer, Iliad I.33-51; Hesiod, Theogony 535-557; Hesiod Works and Days 320-340; Homer, Odyssey xiv.418-436; Isaeus 8.15-16; Orphic Hymn 17 to Poseidon; Orphic Hymn 3 to Night

     

    Readings:

    ·       PGM I 262-347; III 494-611; IV 2241-2358; XII 14-95

    ·       Homer, Iliad I.33-51,  Hesiod, Theogony 535-557, Hesiod Works and Days 320-340, Homer, Odyssey xiv.418-436, Isaeus 8.15-16, Orphic Hymn 17 to Poseidon, Orphic Hymn 3 to Night,

    ·       Ogden 233

     

    ·       Depew, Reading Greek Prayers

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 6

    ·       Graf, Prayer in Magical and Religious Ritual - Magika Hiera, ch. 7 (includes PGM IV.2785-2879, VIII.1-26, VII.756-94, XVIIb, VII.668-85, V.392-423, Sappho Frag. 1)

    ·       Tambiah, The Magical Power of Words

    ·       Versnel, The Poetics of the Magical Charm

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Graf, Words and Act

    ·       Mauss, The Gift

    ·       Sallustius, On the Gods and the World

     

  • Special Workshop:

     “The Materiality of Magic” with Prof. Sofia Torallas Tovar, Saturday, March 1, from 10-12 in CARP 15

  • Week VII (March 4) The Portrait of a Magician

    Topics:

    ·       practitioners of magic, victims of magic

    ·       women and foreigners, weirdos and quacks

    ·       social context of depictions of magic

    ·       labelling the other vs. self-labelling

     

    Greek Readings: Theocritus 2; Hippolytus, Ref. 4.37

     

    Readings:

    ·       Ogden 44-46, 55-107, 155, 157, 214-223

    ·       Theocritus 2; Hippolytus, Ref. 4.37

    ·       Lucian, Lover of Lies

     

    ·       Gordon, Magic as a Topos in Augustan Poetry

    ·       Graf, Literary Representations of Magic

    ·       Luck, Witches and sorcerers in classical literature

    ·       Spaeth, From Goddess to Hag

    ·       Stratton, Naming the Witch

     

    Supplementary Readings

    ·       Edmonds, Extraordinary People

    ·       Gordon, Innovation and Authority

    ·       Pollard, Witch-Crafting in Roman Literature and Art

    ·       Stratton, Magic, Abjection, and Gender

  • Week VIII (March 10-14) – Spring Break

  • Week IX (March 18) Divination

    Topics:

    ·       divination in society

    ·       magician and client

    ·       theories of divination

    ·       mechanics of divination

     

    Greek Readings: PGM IV 3209-3254, VII 348-358, VII 740-55, VII 795-845, VIII 64-110; Homer, Odyssey xi.13-49 & Kestoi of Julius Africanus book 5 = PGM XXIII, Plutarch, De E 387bc

     

    Readings:

    ·       Luck, Divination texts (intro optional)

    ·       PGM I 262-347, IV 930-1114, IV 3209-3254, VII 348-358, VII 540-78, VII 740-55, VII 795-845, VIII 64-110

    ·       Odyssey xi.13 ff & Kestos of Julius Africanus book 5 = PGM XXIII

    ·       Plutarch, De E 387bc

    ·       Ogden 144-155, 160, 164, 30, 36, 112

     

    ·       Collins, Mapping the Entrails

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 7

    ·       Gordon, Reporting the Marvellous

    ·       Graf, Magic and Divination

    ·       Struck, Divination and the History of Surplus Knowledge

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Dillery, Chresmologues and Manteis

    ·       Manetti, Greek Divination

    ·       Turner, Divination as a phase in a social process

    ·       PGM I 1-41, II 1-64 II 65-184, III 187-262, III 263-75, III 282-409, III 424-66, IV 3086-3124, V 172-212, VII 1-148, VII 319-34, VII 335-47, VII 359-69, VII 664-85, VII 703-726, VII 727-739, VII 1009-16.

    ·       Iamblichus, De Mysteriis III.11-22

    ·       Oracles of Astrampsychos

     

  • Week X (March 25) Astrology

    Topics:

    ·       astrology as divination

    ·       astrology as cosmology

    ·       astrology and society

     

    Greek Readings: Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos 1.1-1.2, 1.4; Stobaeum Hermeticum VI; Vettius Valens, Anthologiarum libri ix, V.6.25-71, VII.6.348

     

    Readings:

    ·       Luck, Astrology -  #102-126

    ·       Firmicus Maternus

    ·       Dorotheus Sidonius

    ·       Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos

    ·       Neugebauer, Greek Horoscopes

     

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 8

    ·       Gordon, Quaedam Veritatis Umbrae

    ·       Greenbaum, Arrows, Aiming, and Divination

    ·       Konstan, Evidence from Astrology

    ·       Riley, Theoretical and Practical Astrology

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Plato, Timaeus 38e-39e

    ·       Beck, Brief History of Ancient Astrology (available in Tripod as Ebook)

    ·       Barton, Ancient Astrology (esp. ch. 4 & 5) (available in Tripod as Ebook)

    ·       Gordon, Will My Child Have A Big Nose?

    ·       Greenbaum, Basic Techniques of Hellenistic Astrology

    ·       MacMullen, Social History in Astrology

    ·       Vettius Valens, Anthologia

     

    Astrology Assignment due at noon on Monday, April 7

  • Week XI (April 1) Alchemy

    Topics:

    ·       alchemy and cosmology

    ·       mechanics of alchemy

    ·       alchemy and science

     

    Greek Readings: Leyden and Stockholm Papyri (selections); Zosimus, On Excellence, The Work; Hermetica: Stob. Herm. 26.13, 28-29; Isis to Her Son Horus

     

    Readings:

    ·       Alchemy Readings

    ·       Zosimus, On Excellence

    ·       Zosimus On the Letter Omega

    ·       Ogden 46

    ·       PGM XII 193-201

     

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 9

    ·       Jung, Visions of Zosimus

    ·       Martelli, The Alchemical Art of Dyeing

    ·       Stolzenberg, Unpropitious Tinctures

    ·       Taylor, A Survey of Greek Alchemy

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Grimes, Secrets of the God Makers: Re-Thinking the Origins of Greco-Egyptian Alchemy

    ·       Hershbell, Democritus and The Beginnings of Greek Alchemy

    ·       Martelli, Greek Alchemists at Work

    ·       Principe, Some Problems with the Historiography of Alchemy

    ·       Ps. Democritus Physika & Mystika

    ·       Synesius to Dioscorus on Democritus

    ·       Caley, The Leyden Papyrus X

    ·       Caley, The Stockholm Papyrus

  • Week XII (April 8) Theurgy

    Special Guest Lecture: April 10, 7pm in OL 224, Prof. Tommaso Ghezzani on “Death, Dream, and Magic: between medicine and psychology in Renaissance philosophy”

    Topics:

    ·       demonology, philosophy, and the soul

    ·       philosophy and magic

    ·       theories of theurgy

    ·       practical theurgy – means and ends

     

    Greek Readings: Proclus, On the Sacred Art; PGM IV.475-829; PGM XIII 1-343

     

    Readings:

    ·       Mithras Liturgy (PGM IV.475-829)

    ·       Proclus, On the Sacred Art

    ·       8th Book of Moses (PGM XIII 1-343)

    ·       Iamblichus, On the Mysteries (excerpts I.9-15, II.11, IV.1-13, V.23-26, VI.5-7, VIII.7-8)

    ·       Theurgy Readings

    ·       Luck # 51, 59-63, 67-70

     

    ·       Addey, Divine Inspiration, Possession and Contact with the Gods

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 10

    ·       Johnston, Magic and Theurgy

    ·       Luck, Theurgy and Forms of Worship in Neoplatonism  (or T-D?)

    ·       Smith, J.Z., Towards Interpreting Demonic Powers

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Apuleius, On the God of Socrates

    ·       Plutarch, On the Genius of Socrates

    ·       Plutarch, On the Face in the Moon

    ·       PGM XIII 344-645, 646-734, 735-1077

    ·       Athanassiadi, Dreams, Theurgy and Freelance Divination

    ·       Edmonds, At the Seizure of the Moon

    ·       Haluszka, Sacred Signified

    ·       Johnston, Rising to the Occasion

    ·       Johnston, Animating Statues

     

  • Week XIII (April 15) - Accusations of Magic

    Topics:

    ·       social context of accusations of magic

    ·       witchcraft and the law

     

    Greek Readings: Plato, Laws 932e-933e

     

    Readings:

    ·       Apuleius, Apology

    ·       Hunink, Introduction to Apologia

    ·       Ogden 278-300

     

    ·       Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon, ch. 11

    ·       Eidinow, Envy, Poison, Death

    ·       Graf, Portrait of the Magician

    ·       Phillips, Nullum Crimen Sine Lege, Magika Hiera, ch. 10

    ·       Rives, Magic in Roman Law

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·       Bradley, Law, Magic, and Culture in the Apologia of Apuleius

    ·       Collins, Magic in Greek and Roman Law, Magic in the Ancient Greek World, Ch. 5

    ·       Collins, Theoris of Lemnos and the Criminalization of Magic

    ·       Kippenberg, Magic in Roman Civil Discourse

    ·       Rives, Legal Strategy and Learned Display

     

    Rough draft of the seminar paper is due before class April 29

  • Week XIV (April 22) - Presentations

    Rough draft of the seminar paper is due before class April 29

  • Week XV (April 29) – The Magician’s Craft - Conclusions

    Topics:

    ·      magician as religious specialist

    ·      becoming a magician - the sorceror's apprentice

    ·      tools of the trade - books and materials

    ·      Greeks and Egyptians – social contexts, Thessalos of Trales

    ·      defining magic

    ·      magic and religion; magic and science

    ·      performative language and symbolic systems

    ·      conclusions

     

    Greek Readings: PGM I 42-195, IV 26-51, IV 154-285, XII 270-350, [XIII 1-343]; Thessalos of Tralles, On the Virtues of Plants

     

    Readings:

    ·      PGM I 42-195, IV 26-51, IV 154-285

    ·      Thessalos of Tralles, De virtutibus herbarum

    ·      Ogden 13-19, 44, 45, 53, 54

     

    ·      Dieleman, The Greco-Egyptian Magical Papyri

    ·      Edmonds, And You Will Be Amazed

    ·      Graf, How to Become a Magician

    ·      Gordon, Memory and Authority

    ·      Moyer, Thessalos of Tralles

     

    Supplementary Readings:

    ·      Aune, Magic in Early Christianity

    ·      Braarvig, Magic: Reconsidering the Grand Dichotomy

    ·      Fowler, Greek Magic, Greek Religion

    ·      Frankfurter, Magic as the Local Application of Authoritative Tradition

    ·      Gordon, Aelian's Peony

    ·      Segal, Hellenistic Magic: Some Questions of Definition

    ·      Tambiah, Form and Meaning of Magical Acts

    ·      Thomassen, Is Magic a Subclass of Ritual?

    ·      PGM I 1-42, IV 1-25, IV 52-85, XIII 1-343, 344-645, 646-734, 735-1077

    ·      Apuleius, Metamorphoses (ch. 11)

    ·      Betz, Introductions

    ·      Brashear Greek Magical Papyri, part I

    ·      Dieleman, Priests and Prestige

    ·      Dosoo, Magical Discourses, Ritual Collections

    ·      Frankfurter, Dynamics of Ritual Expertise

    ·      Klutz, The 8th Book of Moses: Introduction

    ·      LiDonnici Compositional Patterns in PGM IV

    ·      Moyer & Dieleman, Miniaturization and Opening of the Mouth

    ·      Smith, J.Z., The Temple and the Magician

    ·      Ritner, Egyptian Magical Practice under the Roman Empire

    ·      Smith, M. The 8th Book of Moses and How It Grew

     

    Final draft of seminar paper due before end of finals