Material Approaches to Roman Magic: Occult Objects and Supernatural Substances
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This compelling collection delves into Roman magic, shifting focus from texts to the physical objects that embodied ancient supernatural practices. It offers a fresh, object-oriented analysis, building on previous scholarship by meticulously exploring the 'materiality' and 'lived experience' of magic. Concentrating primarily on the Imperial period and the western provinces, the book illuminates how diverse influences shaped daily magical rituals. Contributions from archaeologists, museum professionals, and academics provide richly detailed, context-specific insights, fostering a deeper understanding of magic as a tangible, integrated aspect of Roman life.
Praise for this book
“... extremely useful to those studying Roman material culture, magic, and ritual. [A] source of reference for those seeking an understanding of the state of studies of magic in the Roman world and is a well referenced summary of this complicated issue.”
📝 Description: Material Approaches to Roman Magic: Occult Objects and Supernatural Substances
📑 What's inside
- 1. Introduction: Materials, Approaches, Substances, and Objects
- Stuart McKie and Adam Parker
- 2. The Medium Matters: Materiality and Metaphor in Some Latin Curse Tablets
- Celia Sánchez Natalías
- 3. Phallic Magic: A Cross Cultural Approach to Roman Phallic Small Finds
- Alissa Whitmore
- 4. Little Bottles of Power: Roman Glass Unguentaria in Magic, Ritual, and Poisoning
- Thomas Derrick
- 5. Victory of Good over Evil? Amuletic Animal Images on Roman Engraved Gems
- Idit Sagiv
- 6. 'The Bells! The Bells!' Approaching Tintinnabula in Roman Britain and Beyond
- Adam Parker
- 7. Rubbing and Rolling, Burning and Burying: The Magical Use of Amber in Roman London
- Glynn Davis
- 8. Linking Magic and Medicine in Early Roman Britain: The 'Doctor's' Burial, Stanway, Camulodunum
- Nicky Garland
- 9. The Archaeology of Ritual in the Domestic Sphere: Case Studies from Karanis and Pompeii
- Andrew Wilburn
- 10. The Legs, Hands, Head and Arms Race: The Human Body as a Magical Weapon in the Roman World
- Stuart McKie
- 11. Amulets, the Body and Personal Agency
- Véronique Dasen
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Scholars, archaeologists, and dedicated practitioners of historical magic will find this volume indispensable for its innovative shift toward tangible evidence over textual analysis. By examining the physical artifacts and supernatural substances used in daily Roman life, it offers a grounded, context-specific understanding of occult practices that previous scholarship often overlooked. This book is essential for those seeking to move beyond abstract theory and engage with the lived experience of ancient ritual. It provides rich insights into how diverse influences shaped magical interactions, making it a vital resource for anyone committed to reconstructing the material reality of Roman supernaturalism through meticulous academic rigor.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Parker and McKie deliver a rigorous, object-oriented examination that will appeal strictly to those with a background in archaeology or classical studies. The focus on Imperial period artifacts and western provinces ensures depth but limits broad accessibility for casual readers interested in general occult history. It is not suitable for practitioners seeking practical spells or instructions, nor for those preferring narrative-driven historical fiction. The academic tone and specialized focus on materiality may alienate readers looking for accessible introductions to Roman mythology. However, for professionals and serious students of ancient magic, this collection offers unparalleled, context-specific insights into the physical embodiment of supernatural practices.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
Are you fascinated by ancient Rome, archaeological discoveries, or the tangible aspects of occult practice? This collection offers a groundbreaking perspective, revealing how objects shaped and expressed magical beliefs across the Roman Empire's western provinces. An essential read for serious students of ancient magic and material culture.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Materiality of Magic
This volume champions an object-focused approach, demonstrating how everyday items and specialized artifacts were not merely symbols but active components in Roman magical rituals. It explores how the physical properties and creation of these objects profoundly influenced the nature and efficacy of spells, curses, and blessings, making magic a tangible, sensory experience.
Lived Experience of Magic
Moving beyond abstract theories, the book reveals how magic was intricately woven into the daily lives of Roman citizens. It examines personal encounters with the supernatural, showcasing how individuals sought to affect their world through charms, amulets, and incantations, reflecting their hopes, fears, and practical needs within their specific social contexts.
Context-Specific Practices
The contributors emphasize the importance of geographical and temporal specificity. By focusing on the Roman Imperial period and its western provinces, the book highlights how magical traditions evolved and manifested uniquely in different regions and eras. This approach uncovers the diverse influences and possibilities available to practitioners in particular settings, distinguishing them from earlier periods.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Materiality
- Lived Experience
- Imperial Period
📔 Questions to reflect on
- Consider an object you own that holds personal significance. How might its 'materiality' be interpreted in a magical or spiritual context, similar to Roman artifacts?
- How do ancient Roman magical practices, as revealed through objects, compare to contemporary understandings or uses of 'magic' in your own culture?
- Reflect on how geographical and temporal context might influence the types of magical objects and rituals practitioners create and use, drawing parallels to or differences from the Roman world.
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