Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Exam Questions for Mar. 17 Meeting

Topic: Magical Objects: Amulets, Statues and Figurines, the Evil Eye, Sacred Plants, Drugs, Alchemy

Objective Questions

Which of the following is the most powerful color for a protective amulet?

green
brown
blue
black

(answer: c) (Sharon O'Regan)

Define the two aspects of alchemy according to Luck. (Melissa Klotz)

Luck, p.363

In antiquity, amulets were generally worn for ________ purposes. (Julie Alvarez)

Answer: protective

What are lamellae? (Megan Ostrander)

cylinders of gold that had instructions for a good life and insurance for good afterlife worn around the neck.

Name three types of magical objects.(Diana Hollenbeck)

Answer: bracelets, rings, wands/rods, masks, dishes, lamps, statues/figurines, amulets.

What color is most associated with protection from the evil eye? blue (jeremy Bufford)

What are some ritual practices that were necessary in order to perform magic in antiquity? purification, painting tongue, certain clothing, abstaining from sex, etc. (Summer Townsend)

What are historiolae spells? (Robin McEvoy) SHort stories recounting mythological themes that sympathetically persuade the sufferer's illness to cease (F&O 112).

True or False: lamellae are types of spells. (Sheeja Ann Kanacheril) Farone 114 (False- they are amulets)

What two colors were thought to provide protection from the evil eye and were thus incorporated into amulets? (Sirida Graham)

Answer:

blue
red

Define and distinguish sympathy, antipathy, and analogous magic. (Krista Ernewein)

List three ways in which the ancients tried to protect themselves from danger. (Chris Roy) Answers include herbs, statues of people and animals, protective symbols, texts, bones and tombs of heroes.

When did amulets first begin to appear in large numbers in Egypt? (Eric Moore)
answer: 1st intermediate period

Essay Questions

Discuss how the line blurs between science and religion in the area of alchemy.
(refer to Luck article on p. 361) (Sharon O'Regan)

Why were women more likely to be found using amulets as a permanent protection in the ancient world (as opposed to a temporary protection)? How is this similar to other topics we have discussed, such as a woman's role in magic and witchcraft? (Melissa Klotz)

Women with a higher death rate due to pregnancy, therefore weaker and more susceptible to evil forces, and the pollution issue

Discuss the concept of envy as the primary emotional force behind the evil eye in both ancient and modern contexts. (Julie Alvarez)

Answer could include points made in Helmut Schoeck's article and reference to Medea's use of the evil eye.

Who wears amulets and why? (Megan Ostrander)

Women and kids always and men in times of crisis. Worn for protection especially from death and pollution.

What is the differences between sympathy, antipathy, and analogy when dealing with magic and amulets? Use examples to illustrate your answer.(Diana Hollenbeck)

Answer: Look at notes from 1st hour of 3/17/97.

Discuss the relationship between purity and pollution in magic. Do religious rituals share this same relationship between purity and pollution?
One of the ritual practices necessary for doing magic was for the magician to cleanse himself. This act associates the magician with the divine. It is interesting to note that the magician uses such objects as dung, blood and urine to perform magic. These objects are not the least bit pure. In fact, they are objects of pollution. For a magician to use polluted objects means that there is a clear line between such magical rituals and religious rituals. Religious rituals tend to be more pure. Both the performer of the ritual and the objects used are pure. However, some religious rituals use animal sacrifices which involve blood. (Jeremy Bufford)

Who would wear amulets, and why would they wear them?
Men wore amulets normally on a temporary basis such as when they broke bones. Women wore them most of the time for such reasons as that they are more succeptable to death so they needed the protection. Women were also considered polluted so they were more likely to call evil spirits. Amulets also appear more during stressful periods. (Summer Townsend)

Was the written word important in the use of amulets? (Robin McEvoy)
Early works by Pindar on Asclepius demonstrate that the incantation and the amulet were seperate (Faraone and Obbinuk 108). The fIrst amulet used incongunction with an incantation occurs in Plato's Charmides (Socrates) (109). All the way into the Roman period written texts along with almulets and talismen are used. Pliny describes a cure for impetigo using both (113). What are historiolae spells? Short stories recounting mythological themes that sympathetically persuade the sufferer's illness to cease (112).

Are the use of psychedelic drugs justified if used for religious purposes? Why or Why not? (Sheeja Ann Kanacheril) L-M 128-133

When were amulets worn in ancient Egypt? For what reasons? By whom? (Sirida Graham)

By men, mainly during crisis situations, such as illness or injury; because they needed extra protection during times of physical weakness
By women and children, constantly, particularly during pregnancy; because they were physically weaker and tended to die more often than men, especially during childbirth; also because women tended to be polluted and thus were more often in danger of demonic influence
In general, amulet wearing increased during times of national crisis or stress; (ex.) the intermediate periods & period of Roman occupation

Discuss the escalated use and creation of amulets in times of invasion and crisis. Explain the rationale. (Krista Ernewein)

Describe how a apotropaic statue at a city's perimeter was thought to avert danger. (Chris Roy)

How was the rise in amulet use in Ancient Egypt similar to the fluctuations in the fear of witchcraft much later? (Eric Moore)