Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World
Exam Questions
Feb. 3rd and 5th: Curses, Prayers, Erotic Spells, Magical Objects, Alchemy
Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What is an agogai? It is a spell of attraction meant to draw
someone to you.
- Differentiate between the theory concerning erotic spells proposed
by Graf and the theory proposed by Winkler (See notes from 3-3-98).
Christina Wilson: cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. What is the importance of magical objects?
(to make the spell more lasting, to increase its strength for weaker
magicians, tangible)
- 2. Describe the differences and similarities between curses and
prayers.
Zach harrelson:zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- (obj) Both esoteric and exoteric alchemy were concerned with the
discovery of the (?) which was believed to transform base metals into
precious ones and mortals to immortals.
(answer: Philosopher's Stone)
- (SA) Explain the relationship between incantation and physical
objects with regard to their power contributions to spells and curses. Be
sure to address verbal and inscribed incantations and the use of dolls.
Michelle Arens marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Essay: Compare curses, prayers and erotic spells. What
characteristics do they have in common, and how are they different?
- Define the two types of sympathetic magic.
Contagious-using something that has
touched the person who will be affected.
Analogous-using something that resembles
the person/objected that will be affected.
Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Objective: What was the goal of exoteric alchemy? To find the
Philosopher's Stone
- Subjective: What is a talisman? What sort of images were used as
talismans and what was the reasoning behind their use?
Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What were some of the uses for amulets and talismans?
- Literary sources show that women were the main practitioners of magic
erotica, but evidence shows men were just as much involved. What is the
implication of women being pegged as main users in ancient literary
sources, what are these sources?
Nick Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Which of the following is not an agonistic situation in which binding
spells were used? a) judicial proceedings
b) philosophical ideas c) commercial situations d) sporting event
- Discuss the purpose and distinguishing features of erotic spells.
From class notes.
Jay Munsch: wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Name the four states that make up earth, fire, water, and air in alchemy?
a. Hot, moist, cold, and dry
- Discuss the importance of written words in spells. Are they required? Is
there a certain formula to the written spells? Are there any special
objects involved in spellcasting? If so, are these objects necessary?
Robert Fraser: rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. objective-what are the fout characteristics of growth according to
the Greeks? (seed, soil, breath(of the divine), and warmth)
- 2. subjective-Explain the relationship between Eros and the love
sickness idea that was prevalent during ancient times. Give specifics.
Barbette Spaeth: spaeth@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- List and briefly describe the four types of formulae used in binding spells identified by Chris Faraone.
- Define "rubric", "voces magicae," "ousia", "iynx" and "rhombus"
- Discuss the issues of social class and gender of the experts and the "requesters" of binding and erotic spells in both reality and literary representations of magic. Why is there a difference between the reality and the representation?
- List three different types of amulets.
- Explain the difference between exoteric and esoteric alchemy.