Textual amulets and writing traditions in the ancient world

This chapter surveys the use and construction of amulets – both “lettered” and “semi-lettered” -- in the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Punic-Phoenician, Jewish, and Greek traditions. Each culture contributed a different and distinct history, tradition, notion of writing, and characteristic material to the...

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Bibliographic Details
Subtitles:The materials of ancient magic
Main Author: Kotansky, Roy D. 1953- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Brill 2019
In: Guide to the study of ancient magic
Year: 2019, Pages: 507-554
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:This chapter surveys the use and construction of amulets – both “lettered” and “semi-lettered” -- in the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Punic-Phoenician, Jewish, and Greek traditions. Each culture contributed a different and distinct history, tradition, notion of writing, and characteristic material to the development of Mediterranean amulets. The rise of amulets in the Roman period follows the development of collections of formularies as well as the popularity of gems, papyri and metal lamellae as amuletic mediums. In the end, it is argued, it is the Egyptian tradition that exerts the most powerful influence on amulets, especially the Greek lamellae.
ISBN:9004390758
Contains:Enthalten in: Guide to the study of ancient magic
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1163/9789004390751_020