Exam 2

Question 1

What kind of material was typically used for curse tablets?

Answer 1

Lead

Question 2

What is the name of the spell book found in the sands of Egypt?

Answer 2

Papyri Graecae Magicae ( PGM)

Question 3

What are some features typical of curse tablets (i.e. what might be mentioned?

Answer 3

-placed in a hidden area
-placed with material that is connected to the victim
- Identifying the victim by their mothers name
- calling upon the name of gods
- invocation of uncommon gods and other beings

Question 4

Matronym

Answer 4

A name derived from ones mother

Question 5

Katadein

Answer 5

“to bind” (Greek verb)

Question 6

Katadesmos

Answer 6

binding spell, curse (Greek)

Question 7

Katagraphein

Answer 7

“to write down, register, enroll” (Greek word)

Question 8

Defigere

Answer 8

to bind down/fix down (Latin)

Question 9

Defixio

Answer 9

a binding/fixing down (Latin)

Question 10

What are the major types of formulas used on curse tablets?

Answer 10

-Direct binding formula
-prayer
- wish formulas
- Simila Simiibus
-Agenistic contents

Question 11

In what contexts were curses most commonly used?

Answer 11

Agonistic: commercial curses, judicial curses, athletic games/public competitions, and amatory (love charms)

Question 12

How did the Greeks envision Eros (i.e., as what kind of force?)

Answer 12

” Love is a disease sent by the gods (Eros God)
o No such thing of consent
o No such thing about orientation
o Curse someone to fall in love

Question 13

Agoge

Answer 13

A spell that is a leading, driving, or dragging force

Question 14

Iunx

Answer 14

A bird that is associated with sexuality and has a spell to go with it

Question 15

Drawing Down The Moon

Answer 15

a magic incantation that is used by Thessalian girls/witches
- drawn down for the purpose of erotic attraction magic

Question 16

What is the difference between Eros spells and Phillia spells

Answer 16

Eros- uncontrollable passion, sex, violent
Philia- Affection, gentle

Question 17

What are the issues of gender surrounding types of love spells

Answer 17

-Eros spells are done my Males
- Philia spells are done by Females
- Liberated females ( widows,prostitutes) use Eros while Subservient males ( have no balls) use Philia

Question 18

What are the major methods of gaining healing or protection in the ancient world?

Answer 18

-Prayers
-Sacrifice
-Incubation
- plants and herbs
- amulets

Question 19

What materials might an amulet be made from?

Answer 19

• Use some sort of organic material or simple substance
  o Gold or silver slips (lamellae)
  o Leaves
  o A ring
  o Gemstones

Question 20

What are the major types of formulas used on amulets?

Answer 20

• The “flee!” formula
  “Flee, headache; a lion flees beneath a rock, wolves flee, horses flee on uncloven hoof, and speed beneath blows of my perfect charm.”
• The “historiola” (“mini-story”)
  “For a migraine headache.” Artemis can tell Antaura what to do. Remind the god of past.
• Simple prayer formula
  “O Lord archangels, gods, and divine characters drive away…..”
• The “turn aside” formula
  “Turn aside the inflicting ophthalmia and do not allow any more attacks…”

Question 21

What is divination, and how does it get its name?

Answer 21

An attempt to answer a question or find out about the future via supernatural means

-Latin divinare ‘to be inspired by a god, to foresee’ (connected to divinus ‘divine’, deus ‘god’)

Question 22

What are the major types of divination discussed in class?

Answer 22

1. Asking a god via prayer or by visiting his or her shrine (although the term “divination” is often reserved for what are deemed to be more “magical” practices)
2. Cleromancy: Getting answers or telling the future by casting lots or using some other item such as coins or cards. Urm and Thlum.
3. Augury: getting answers by observing omens
   “ The flight patterns of birds
   “ The entrails or liver of a sacrificed animal (the specialty of ancient Roman haruspices)
   “ Thunder or lighting
   “ Eclipses
4. Dreams: A common way to receive messages from supernatural forces
   “ Dream spells

Question 23

What is Nekuia in Odyssey ( 144)

Answer 23

ghosts are scary unhumanistic creatures that have to feed on blood to become functioning and human figures again

Question 24

The séance of King Darius in the The Persians (c.470 BC)

Answer 24

The séance of King Darius in the The Persians (c.470 BC)

Question 25

Saul and the “Witch of Endor” in 1 Samuel 28 (c.600 BC)

Answer 25

she doesn’t recognize Saul until Samuels spirit comes up.

Question 26

What is Theurgy?

Answer 26

The attempt to reach a higher connection with the divine via magical religious means

Question 27

What are the main aims of Theurgy?

Answer 27

• extra knowledge
• doing miracles

Question 28

What are the primary means of doing theurgy?

Answer 28

-meditation
- prayer
-ascending to the heavens
-rituals

Question 29

Photagogia

Answer 29

Light-bringing
- Light as divine; divine light necessary for any true revelation; light must be taken onto oneself

Question 30

Telestike

Answer 30

Competition, perfection
- The creation of an object (usually a statue) with a special connection to a divinity, such that the divinity could actually dwell within it

Question 31

Who are the dactyls

Answer 31

mythical creatures who look human who do metal working and created the olympics

Question 32

Who is the Apollonius of Tyana?

Answer 32

a philosopher that is compared to Jesus

Question 33

Who is Simon the Sorceror?

Answer 33

a magician that turns christian once he had seen the miracles of Phillip

Question 34

What is Pharmakis?

Answer 34

drug/potion/spell

Question 35

Saga

Answer 35

wise/sagacious woman

Question 36

The genealogy of Medea and Circe (archetypal witches)

Answer 36

-Usually said to be sisters, daughters of Aeetes (son of Helios) and Hecate (daughter of Perses)
-Medea is the mother of several sons, including “Medus” and “Thessalus”
-Family connections with Thessaly, Media, and Persia

Question 37

Deianeiras

Answer 37

killed a man with drug unintentionally. 600 years later the attitude change to guilty. The men were rendered useless by the drug.

Question 38

LAWS IN THE GREEK WORLD - Dirae Teiorum (278)

Answer 38

A Mystery cult (279) Neighborhood watch, got each other’s back, don’t hurt people

Question 39

TRIALS INVOLVING MAGIC - The concubine of Philoneos (77)

Answer 39

Slipping pharmakon into the drink of Philoneos so that he would fall in love. It killed them.

Question 40

TRIALS INVOLVING MAGIC - The “witch” Theoris (85-86)

Answer 40

Pharmakis Theoris knew many evil things.

Question 41

LAWS IN THE ROMAN WORLD - The Twelve Tables (280)

Answer 41

Charm away another mans crops. Gets acquitted because he had proof that he worked his crops

Question 42

LAWS IN THE ROMAN WORLD - The Senate Decree against Bacchanals (282)

Answer 42

No random parties. Have to get mayors and senate permission. 5 people or less. Senate wants to be in control.

Question 43

LAWS IN THE ROMAN WORLD - Sulla’s Law against sicarii and veneficii (284-85)

Answer 43

Law about magic that kill people.

Against magic because they could lose control of the people.

Question 44

Who is Medea?

Answer 44

Medea, in Greek mythology, an enchantress who helped Jason, leader of the Argonauts, to obtain the Golden Fleece from her father, King Aeëtes of Colchis. She was of divine descent and had the gift of prophecy. She married Jason and used her magic powers and advice to help him.