Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Final Exam Questions

  • Feb. 3rd: Define the difference between magic and religion. Cite some of the problems in arriving at this definition.

  • Feb. 17th: Discuss the question of whether Jesus Christ was a magician from both an etic and emic standpoint. How does Jesus compare to other magicians of the classical period (e.g., Apuleius and Apollonius of Tyana). What is your opinion regarding the question?

  • Feb. 24th: Why are women more often accused of witchcraft than men in many cultures? What evidence for this exists in ancient Greek and Roman cultures? To what factors (social, economic, psychological) can you attribute the gender distinction?

  • Mar. 3rd: What are some differences and similarities between Greek and Roman witches? Give specific examples from your readings. To what factors may we attribute the differences?

  • Mar. 10th: Discuss the various social situations which might warrant the invocation of a curse in classical antiquity. What was the purpose of such invocations and how do they relate to the "agonistic" nature of society?

  • Mar. 17th: Discuss the nature of amulets in the ancient world. What did they look like? Who wore them? Under what circumstances? For what purposes?

  • Mar. 31st: What beliefs regarding demons were held in common among ancient societies (Egyptian, Jewish/early Christian, Greek, and Roman)? To what factors may we ascribe differences in these beliefs in these societies?

  • April 7th: Discuss the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian terms for the soul and the dead and what these terms suggest about these cultures' beliefs about death.

  • April 14th: Compare and contrast some common characteristics of miracles and magic. Can these two be distinguished from each other? How?

  • April 21st: Discuss the nature of supernatural healing in ancient societies (Egyptian, Jewish/early Christian, Greek, and Roman). Who performed the healing? What techniques did they use to bring it about? Is this form of healing distinct from "natural" ("scientific") healing in these societies? If so, how ? Is this type of healing to be considered as magic or religion? Why?

  • What are some of the possible explanations of the purpose of divination in a society that believes in the inexorability of fate?

  • April 28th: What are some of the main differences and similarities between magic and witchcraft in antiquity versus the modern period?