Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World
Exam Questions
Mar. 24-26: Ghosts, Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies, and Revenants
Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What were the four elements of necromancy? Necromancer, corpse,
ritual, and prophecy (or whatever the corpse was going to say).
- Discuss the various terms used for the soul/dead/ghosts by the
Greeks and Romans.
Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What is a revenant? A person that returns from the dead. Includes
zombies & vampires
- Is there a correlation between necromancy in the ancient world and
zombification in Haiti today? Give evidence backing your claim.
Zach Harrelson:zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- (obj) List the four basic elements involved in every necromancy and
provide an example of each using a single primary source.
(answer: practitioner, corpse, ritual, purpose; possible primary sources
include Lucan, Apuleis or Heliodorus)
- (SA) Using primary source material for support describe ancient Greek
or Roman views regarding necromancy.
Bob Fraser:rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Objective 1. How do the dead contact us? Class notes
(dreams,visions,hauntings/apparitions,hallucinations,signs,ghost/spirit
possession)
- Subjective 2. Describe the steps of a necromantic ritual and give all
requirements needed to perform one. USE an example from the readings to
expound on your necromantic process. notes and readings for example
Michelle Arens marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. How were Greek and Roman ideas about Ghosts and the dead similar
and different?
- 2. What was the name of the ancient Greek and Roman festivals of the dead?
(Answer: Greek=Anthesteria, Roman=Lemuria)
Nick Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What are the differences between the vampires of folk and popular
belief? A:class notes
- The theroy exists that many cultures believe the dead either leave
society permanently or remain as active members. Describe the
characterisitcs and difference between the two beliefs.
A:Lehman&Meyers pp.284, 1st full paragraph
Tobin Cataldo: tcatald@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- essay. Describe several reasons why a person might want to
contact the dead.
answer. prophesy, help, appeasement, contact with loved ones.
- other. What is the Greek term for a 'double' or
'ghost/shadow/shade'?
answer. eidolon.
Barbette Spaeth (spaeth@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu)
- Lehmann and Myers state that two major attitudes are widely held about the dead: that they have either left the society or remain as active within it. If they are considered separate, then return of the dead is thought of as undesirable and the dead are feared and an elaborate cult exists to protect the living from the dead. If they are considered active, then the return of the dead is thought of as desireable and ancestor cults arise. Does this theory fit with the evidence for ancient Greek and Roman societies?
- What do funerary rituals suggest about beliefs regarding the dead? Compare and contrast either Greek or Roman funerary customs with modern American customs and discuss what these customs suggest about the beliefs of each society.
- Define the following terms: daimon, psyche, eidolon, heros, manes, lares, numen