Messages In This Digest (4 Messages)
- 1a.
- NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet From: Caroline Tully
- 1b.
- Re: NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet From: Mary Lancashire
- 1c.
- Re: NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet From: john colley
- 2.
- Pagans in the Pub - Wollongong From: Theresa
Messages
- 1a.
-
NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
Posted by: "Caroline Tully" heliade@bigpond.com willowitch2001
Tue Nov 1, 2011 3:19 pm (PDT)
NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
From
<http://archaeologicalmuseum. jhu.edu/the- collection/ object-stories/ a-roman-l
ead-curse-tablet/>:
[Go there for pix and linx]
===================== ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =
=
A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
By Elisabeth Schwinge
The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum contains fragments related to
five lead curse tablets from ancient Rome. One of these tablets
(JHUAM 2011.01) was recently conserved and placed on view, along with
the original iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06) associated with it. Objects
such as this one are evidence of a common practice in Greek and Roman
antiquity to scratch curses onto tablets which were then deposited in
wells or graves. While the earliest tablets only contained the name
of the person to be cursed, later examples grew more elaborate, such
as this example. Curses could be inscribed on basically anything,
ranging from pottery sherds to gemstones, though lead is the most
common material used for this purpose.
The original nail used to "pin down" the five tablets in ancient
times. At the top of the nail, lead fragments from the tablets are
still attached in place.
This particular tablet (JHUAM 2011.01) from the Johns Hopkins
collection was found rolled together with four others and pierced
through by an iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06). The Latin name for a curse is
defixio which means 'to pin down.' While the individual tablets are
stand-ins for the cursed persons, the nail symbolizes their
pinning-down.
All five tablets now in the Hopkins collection were written in Latin
by the same hand, but contain curses against different people. In
order for curses to be most efficacious, the individuals to be cursed
were precisely named. This tablet contains a curse directed against a
Plotius, identified as the slave of a woman named Avonia. Unlike the
cursed person, the one uttering the curse was generally not mentioned
by name; as a measure to prevent counter-curses.
Dating to the mid-first century BCE (roughly the time of Julius
Caesar), this tablet represents typical features of curse tablets from
this period, and likely came from Rome. It begins by invoking
Proserpina [Greek Persephone] and her husband Pluto [Greek Hades], the
god of the Underworld, as well as the three-headed dog Cerberus who
guards the entrance to the realm of the dead. Curse tablets were
frequently addressed to the gods of the Underworld and those
associated with it, such as Mercury [Greek Hermes] who guided the
souls on their way to Hades. The curse then names its recipient,
Plotius, followed by the ailment wished upon him. Plotius is to be
consumed by fevers which are likened to him wrestling with another
man. This very vivid metaphor describes the fever struggles of malaria
which most likely is the disease wished upon Plotius here. After the
ailment is mentioned, the person requesting the curse promises
offerings to both Proserpina and Cerberus as a payment for their
services. Cerberus is to receive dates, figs, and a black pig-one
sacrifice for each of his heads. Proserpina is promised the body of
Plotius himself as an offering, and the remainder of the text
describes in detail every piece of his body and what exactly was to
happen to it. Furthermore, the tablet specifies that these things are
to be completed by the end of February, so that Plotius may not see
another month.
The five tablets were acquired by the Department of Classical
Archaeology of the Johns Hopkins University in 1908, and published in
a dissertation by the then Hopkins graduate student William Sherwood
Fox in 1911. Little is known about their exact provenance. It is also
very likely that the tablets were deposited in a grave since curse
tablets were often placed in tombs after the original burial. The idea
was that the soul buried there would carry the curse to the gods of
the Underworld. Tombs of those who had died young or by violent means
were preferred because it was believed that their souls lingered
restlessly near their burial site.
References
Fox, W.S., "The Johns Hopkins Tabellae Defixionum" PhD diss.,
Johns Hopkins University, 1911.
Fox, W.S., "An Infernal Postal Service," Art and Archaeology 1
(1914), 205-207.
Gager, J.G., Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient
World, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press 1992.
- 1b.
-
Re: NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
Posted by: "Mary Lancashire" lancashiremary@yahoo.com lancashiremary
Tue Nov 1, 2011 5:12 pm (PDT)
Great article. The first time I went overseas many moons ago and visited the Temple of Sulis in Bath England, I was highly intrigued (and amused) at the collection of curses thrown into Sulis's Temple and the waters surrounding it. Curses ranging from quite dark to comically mild for a range of indiscretions. From memory one said something along the(translated) lines of 'I humbly ask the full retribution upon the misery Lucretia who thieved my sandals whilst bathing'. Another mentioned the loss of a toga and the owners wish for the culprit to meet an awful end. Others who have visited Bath may recall the exhibition of curses prior to entering Sulis's Temple. These also were as the article pointed, out etched upon tablets and (in this instance) deposited in the deeper waters of the complex. Johns Hopkins has been on my 'bucket list' for ages. Are you planning on visiting there Caroline on your trip?
Mary
_____________________ _________ __
From: Caroline Tully <heliade@bigpond.com >
To: WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, 2 November 2011 9:19 AM
Subject: [WitchesWorkshop] NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
From
<http://archaeologicalmuseum. jhu.edu/the- collection/ object-stories/ a-roman-l
ead-curse-tablet/>:
[Go there for pix and linx]
===================== ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =
=
A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
By Elisabeth Schwinge
The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum contains fragments related to
five lead curse tablets from ancient Rome. One of these tablets
(JHUAM 2011.01) was recently conserved and placed on view, along with
the original iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06) associated with it. Objects
such as this one are evidence of a common practice in Greek and Roman
antiquity to scratch curses onto tablets which were then deposited in
wells or graves. While the earliest tablets only contained the name
of the person to be cursed, later examples grew more elaborate, such
as this example. Curses could be inscribed on basically anything,
ranging from pottery sherds to gemstones, though lead is the most
common material used for this purpose.
The original nail used to "pin down" the five tablets in ancient
times. At the top of the nail, lead fragments from the tablets are
still attached in place.
This particular tablet (JHUAM 2011.01) from the Johns Hopkins
collection was found rolled together with four others and pierced
through by an iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06). The Latin name for a curse is
defixio which means 'to pin down.' While the individual tablets are
stand-ins for the cursed persons, the nail symbolizes their
pinning-down.
All five tablets now in the Hopkins collection were written in Latin
by the same hand, but contain curses against different people. In
order for curses to be most efficacious, the individuals to be cursed
were precisely named. This tablet contains a curse directed against a
Plotius, identified as the slave of a woman named Avonia. Unlike the
cursed person, the one uttering the curse was generally not mentioned
by name; as a measure to prevent counter-curses.
Dating to the mid-first century BCE (roughly the time of Julius
Caesar), this tablet represents typical features of curse tablets from
this period, and likely came from Rome. It begins by invoking
Proserpina [Greek Persephone] and her husband Pluto [Greek Hades], the
god of the Underworld, as well as the three-headed dog Cerberus who
guards the entrance to the realm of the dead. Curse tablets were
frequently addressed to the gods of the Underworld and those
associated with it, such as Mercury [Greek Hermes] who guided the
souls on their way to Hades. The curse then names its recipient,
Plotius, followed by the ailment wished upon him. Plotius is to be
consumed by fevers which are likened to him wrestling with another
man. This very vivid metaphor describes the fever struggles of malaria
which most likely is the disease wished upon Plotius here. After the
ailment is mentioned, the person requesting the curse promises
offerings to both Proserpina and Cerberus as a payment for their
services. Cerberus is to receive dates, figs, and a black pig-one
sacrifice for each of his heads. Proserpina is promised the body of
Plotius himself as an offering, and the remainder of the text
describes in detail every piece of his body and what exactly was to
happen to it. Furthermore, the tablet specifies that these things are
to be completed by the end of February, so that Plotius may not see
another month.
The five tablets were acquired by the Department of Classical
Archaeology of the Johns Hopkins University in 1908, and published in
a dissertation by the then Hopkins graduate student William Sherwood
Fox in 1911. Little is known about their exact provenance. It is also
very likely that the tablets were deposited in a grave since curse
tablets were often placed in tombs after the original burial. The idea
was that the soul buried there would carry the curse to the gods of
the Underworld. Tombs of those who had died young or by violent means
were preferred because it was believed that their souls lingered
restlessly near their burial site.
References
Fox, W.S., "The Johns Hopkins Tabellae Defixionum" PhD diss.,
Johns Hopkins University, 1911.
Fox, W.S., "An Infernal Postal Service," Art and Archaeology 1
(1914), 205-207.
Gager, J.G., Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient
World, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press 1992.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 1c.
-
Re: NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
Posted by: "john colley" Helliconia54@yahoo.com.au helliconia54
Tue Nov 1, 2011 11:50 pm (PDT)
Very much like the votive objects found in british wells and rivers,shaped like a leg or arm.
"There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, solitude, and peace."
-Sigurd Olson
_____________________ _________ __
From: Caroline Tully <heliade@bigpond.com >
To: WitchesWorkshop@yahoogroups. com
Sent: Wednesday, 2 November 2011 9:19 AM
Subject: [WitchesWorkshop] NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
NEWS: A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
From
<http://archaeologicalmuseum. jhu.edu/the- collection/ object-stories/ a-roman-l
ead-curse-tablet/>:
[Go there for pix and linx]
===================== ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =
=
A Roman Lead Curse Tablet
By Elisabeth Schwinge
The Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum contains fragments related to
five lead curse tablets from ancient Rome. One of these tablets
(JHUAM 2011.01) was recently conserved and placed on view, along with
the original iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06) associated with it. Objects
such as this one are evidence of a common practice in Greek and Roman
antiquity to scratch curses onto tablets which were then deposited in
wells or graves. While the earliest tablets only contained the name
of the person to be cursed, later examples grew more elaborate, such
as this example. Curses could be inscribed on basically anything,
ranging from pottery sherds to gemstones, though lead is the most
common material used for this purpose.
The original nail used to "pin down" the five tablets in ancient
times. At the top of the nail, lead fragments from the tablets are
still attached in place.
This particular tablet (JHUAM 2011.01) from the Johns Hopkins
collection was found rolled together with four others and pierced
through by an iron nail (JHUAM 2011.06). The Latin name for a curse is
defixio which means 'to pin down.' While the individual tablets are
stand-ins for the cursed persons, the nail symbolizes their
pinning-down.
All five tablets now in the Hopkins collection were written in Latin
by the same hand, but contain curses against different people. In
order for curses to be most efficacious, the individuals to be cursed
were precisely named. This tablet contains a curse directed against a
Plotius, identified as the slave of a woman named Avonia. Unlike the
cursed person, the one uttering the curse was generally not mentioned
by name; as a measure to prevent counter-curses.
Dating to the mid-first century BCE (roughly the time of Julius
Caesar), this tablet represents typical features of curse tablets from
this period, and likely came from Rome. It begins by invoking
Proserpina [Greek Persephone] and her husband Pluto [Greek Hades], the
god of the Underworld, as well as the three-headed dog Cerberus who
guards the entrance to the realm of the dead. Curse tablets were
frequently addressed to the gods of the Underworld and those
associated with it, such as Mercury [Greek Hermes] who guided the
souls on their way to Hades. The curse then names its recipient,
Plotius, followed by the ailment wished upon him. Plotius is to be
consumed by fevers which are likened to him wrestling with another
man. This very vivid metaphor describes the fever struggles of malaria
which most likely is the disease wished upon Plotius here. After the
ailment is mentioned, the person requesting the curse promises
offerings to both Proserpina and Cerberus as a payment for their
services. Cerberus is to receive dates, figs, and a black pig-one
sacrifice for each of his heads. Proserpina is promised the body of
Plotius himself as an offering, and the remainder of the text
describes in detail every piece of his body and what exactly was to
happen to it. Furthermore, the tablet specifies that these things are
to be completed by the end of February, so that Plotius may not see
another month.
The five tablets were acquired by the Department of Classical
Archaeology of the Johns Hopkins University in 1908, and published in
a dissertation by the then Hopkins graduate student William Sherwood
Fox in 1911. Little is known about their exact provenance. It is also
very likely that the tablets were deposited in a grave since curse
tablets were often placed in tombs after the original burial. The idea
was that the soul buried there would carry the curse to the gods of
the Underworld. Tombs of those who had died young or by violent means
were preferred because it was believed that their souls lingered
restlessly near their burial site.
References
Fox, W.S., "The Johns Hopkins Tabellae Defixionum" PhD diss.,
Johns Hopkins University, 1911.
Fox, W.S., "An Infernal Postal Service," Art and Archaeology 1
(1914), 205-207.
Gager, J.G., Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient
World, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press 1992.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
- 2.
-
Pagans in the Pub - Wollongong
Posted by: "Theresa" gregorytk@bigpond.com theresa.venus
Wed Nov 2, 2011 2:40 am (PDT)
Pagans In The Pub – Wollongong
Venue: Antonio's On Crown
Where: Level 1/160 Crown St, Wollongong near amphitheatre in Mall above jewellers
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Date: Friday, 18th Nov 2011
Transport: Close to Buses and Trains 5 – 10 mins away
Cost: No cover charge at this venue so far.
Moon Half Waxed Moon with Moon in Leo
• This is our second Pagans in the Pub, Wollongong meet.
• This is a night for socialising. Please bring your children, other family and friends. All welcome.
• There is food, tea, coffee and alcohol available.
Contact: Theresa 0413 219 112 for more information
Need to Reply?
Click one of the "Reply" links to respond to a specific message in the Daily Digest.
____________________ ooo)(0({O})0)(ooo____________________
Witches Workshop hold regular workshops see
http://www.witchesworkshop.com/Circle/circle_workshop.html
Keep up to date via our WitchesWorshop Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Australia/WitchesWorkshop/135651219624
WitchesWorkshop and Witch Camp Australia also run camps
several times a year - check out our websites for updates.
http://www.witchcampaustralia.org.au
http://www.witchesworkshop.com
___________________________________________________________
The WitchesWorkshop egroup holds the expectation that a
tolerant and respectful dialogue be strived for in our
communication with other pagans, witches magicians, et al.
Members are encouraged to challenge anyone not adhering
to these principles & to notify owner.
info@witchesworkshop.com
___________________________________________________________
Witches Workshop hold regular workshops see
http://www.witchesworkshop.com/Circle/circle_workshop.html
Keep up to date via our WitchesWorshop Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sydney-Australia/WitchesWorkshop/135651219624
WitchesWorkshop and Witch Camp Australia also run camps
several times a year - check out our websites for updates.
http://www.witchcampaustralia.org.au
http://www.witchesworkshop.com
___________________________________________________________
The WitchesWorkshop egroup holds the expectation that a
tolerant and respectful dialogue be strived for in our
communication with other pagans, witches magicians, et al.
Members are encouraged to challenge anyone not adhering
to these principles & to notify owner.
info@witchesworkshop.com
___________________________________________________________
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