Textual Amulets from Antiquity to Early Modern Times: The Shape of Words

Description

Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran, and Turkey. A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of production, which includes the relationships that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved.

Christoffer Theis is a post-doctoral scholar in Egyptology at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Paolo Vitellozzi is a post-doctoral scholar of Classics at the University of Perugia, Italy.

This is a valuable overview of magical objects in different cultural milieus, including updated descriptions of magical bowls, Islamic, Norse, and European medieval amulets, and other talismans. A taxonomy of magical gems is also proposed in association with a large iconographical selection. * Attilio Mastrocinque, Professor of Roman History, University of Verona, Italy *