Course Description: This seminar surveys the evidence for magic and the supernatural in antiquity, focusing on ancient Greece and Rome. Topics covered include the nature of magic and its relationship to religion and science, practioners of magic (magicians, shamans, witches), magical words (love charms, curses, prayers), magical objects (amulets, statues, sacred plants, alchemy), supernatural creatures (demons, devils, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies), and contact with the supernatural (miracles, supernatural healing, divination, astrology).
Institution: Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Instructor: Barbette Stanley Spaeth, Associate Professor, Department of Classical Studies
Office: Jones Hall 210A, 862-3078
Email: spaeth@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu