Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Discussion Questions

Zachary Harrelson: zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

Are erotic spell practitioners considered witches?
Graf and Winkler both attempt explanations for why most actual erotic spell practitioners were men while most literary erotic spell practitioners were female. Why do we think this is so?
The violent aspect of erotic spells is quite striking. Graf explains this violence as symbolic binding in two respects: keeping the victim away from others and bringing her to you, no harm intended. Winkler, however, explains this as a sort of transposition of the torment and anguish of eros felt by the practitioner onto the victim, harm intended. What do we think?

Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

In the readings, we are told that figurines were not used as identical substitutes for an absent person, but were merely a symbol for him. Since the spoken word was the most important part of a spell, did the ancients believe the objects were essential for a spells success or did they think it simply added to the power of the spell?
Is the fact that women are always portrayed in ancient literature as the ones that perform erotic spells another means by which men show their control over women?
The story of Glaucias and Chrysis is basically the story of a one night stand. How often were erotic spells used for this purpose (as often as they were for marriage and eternal love?)?

Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

Is there any archaeological evidence for women-written erotic spells, or is Graf correct in saying only men actually wrote them?
Why is it that literature showed women casting them while the men were the ones actually doing it?
Is there any evidence (e.g. a testimonial) of the spells actually working?

Christina Wilson: cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

In the spells presented in Arcana Mundi, there was quite a bit of repetition (Draw to my house my lover, magic wheel; and three times do I cry; tell me, Moon Goddess, how my love began) Is there a specific corrolation between repetition and spells?
In the selection in Graf, he mentions that literary representations depict women, while the actual ones who casted love spells were men. What does this say about the society? What are some reasons why this occured?
What do the readings tell us about women's "desire?"

Jason S. Lapkin: LovestarSI@aol.com

When and on whom are erotic spells most commonly used? What sort of people employ them? What sort of people are they aplied upon? For what reasons?
How effective are erotic spells? What is their success rate? Are the effects of the spells always what was aimed for?
Why are representitive/contiguous objects so commonly used in erotic spells? What purpose do they serve?

Michelle Arens marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

Are there any similarities in the love spells performed by the witches in literature to the love spells described in the instructional literature?
What do the specific goals and mannerisms of the love spells imply about the nature of love and sexuality in ancient times?
Can love spells be seen as curses or as prayers, or are they in a separate category of magical spells?

Robert C. Fraser: rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

1. One big Question. If these people were so concearned with EROS why did they ask that "if it had to be done that the person would be brought to them any means possible...ex/ by "dragging them by their innards and internal organs."? It seems as though these people did not really want the love BUT control over the other people and situation.
2. The whole situation with the wedding that was interupted reminded me of the movie, "The Graduate", with Dustin Hoffman. Did Polemo really know that this was going to happen or is this just a reoccuring theme since the beginning of time?
3. Why do these spells seem more hurtful than "heartfelt"? For example in the magical papyrus it talks of "burn it completely and rip out her entrails and shed her blood, drop by drop, until she comes to me"

Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

What role did the famous love potions play in erotic spells? It discusses verbal spells and such.
I'd like to discuss the social implications of erotic spells-- that is marriage was for convenience and prosperity, not love. What then was the social statement made by erotic spells about what love should be?
Related to the previous question, did erotic spells have an affect on the view of love in society? It is obviously a different notion today, did love spells have something to do with that?

Jay Munsch:wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

what objects are or were used in erotic spells?
why has the belief in love potions and erotic spels persisted in the world today?
What rituals are involved in casting such magic?

Nick Backer

In Webster's article "The Constraints of Eros," he mention a magical papyrus in which the writing was done by a male. Why have the other studies neglected those spells written by males? In the case of witchcraft, I understand, but magicians were usually percieved as being male -thus it is suprising more of these inscriptions do not exist.
Graf and the spells he discusses, make repeated mention of the church of Isis. What is this church and what is its significance?
Has anyone ever studied a possible link between the complex ingredients of a spell, and the type of spell performed? Ithink this is an intersting part of curses and binding spells.
Tobin Cataldo: tcatald@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What are the relations of amicable association (philia) and sexual desire (eros)?
- What are the differences between spells (epoidai) and love charms (philtra)?
- What are the strategies in the project of maximizing personal success?