In Blood and Ashes : Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in Ancient Greece

by: Lamont, J.L.

 In Blood and Ashes
Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in Ancient Greece
Author Jessica L. Lamont
Provides the first historical study of ancient Greek curse rituals, binding spells, and incantations
Unites epigraphic, historical, literary, archaeological, and material evidence to expand understandings of daily life in ancient communities
Offers a fresh perspective on ancient Greek social history and religion from c.750-250 BCE, one which highlights the role played by ritual in negotiating life's uncertainties

Description
From binding spells and incantations to curse-writing rituals, magic pervaded the ancient Greek world. In Blood and Ashes provides the first historical study of the development and dissemination of ritualized curse practice from 750-250 BCE, documenting the cultural pressures that drove the use of curse tablets, charms, spells, and other private rites. This book expands our understanding of daily life in ancient communities, showing how individuals were making sense of the world and coping with conflict, vulnerability, competition, anxiety, desire, and loss, all while conjuring the gods and powers of the Underworld.
Bringing together epigraphic, literary, archaeological, and material evidence, Jessica L. Lamont reads between traditional histories of Archaic, Classical, and early Hellenistic Greece, drawing out new voices and new narratives to consider: here are the cooks, tavern keepers, garland weavers, helmsmen, barbers, and other persons who often slip through the cracks of ancient history. The texts and objects presented here offer glimpses of public and private lives across many centuries, illuminating the interplay of ritual and conflict-management strategies among citizens and slaves, men and women, pagans and Christians. Filled with new material and insights, Lamont's volume offers a groundbreaking perspective on ancient Greek social history and religion, highlighting the role of ritual in negotiating life's uncertainties.

Table of Contents
Preface
List of Figures and Credits
List of Maps
Abbreviations and Conventions
Epigraphic Conventions
Introduction
PART I: The Beginnings of Greek Curse-Writing Rituals
1. Chapter One: Sicilian Beginnings
2. Chapter Two: Why Western Sicily?
PART II: The Early Spread of Curse Technologies, 500-250 BCE
3. Chapter Three: The Spread and Diversification of Curse Practice: Three Case Studies
4. Chapter Four: Athenian Curse Practice
PART III: Orality and Text: Curse Practice in the Realm of Binding Spells and Arai
5. Chapter Five: In Blood and Ashes: Curse Tablets and Binding Spells
6. Chapter Six: Public Imprecations and Private Curse-Writing
Conclusion
Bibliography

In Blood and Ashes : Curse Tablets and Binding Spells in Ancient Greece

by: Lamont, J.L.

• ISBN-13: 9780197517789 / 978-0-19-751778-9
• ISBN-03: 0197517781 / 0-19-751778-1
• Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2023