Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Class Report Topics

Mar. 3 (T) -- Magical Objects and Alchemy

• Michelle D Arens: marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  My general topic is alchemy, but I have not yet narrowed it down.

• Jay Munsch: wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I would like to look at the section concerning alchemy and magical objects. Specifically the object known as the philosopher's stone. If this topic is acceptable then I would begin with an examination of alchemy practices to give a general overview, and then talk about the stone: its mythology, power, and relationship to other magical objects comparing and contrasting the stone to other objects used in magic.

Mar. 5 (R) -- Magic and Drugs

• Nicholas Katsaounis: nkatsao@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  Broad Topic: Drugs and Magic: In order to narrow the topic, an anthropological perspective could be useful while simultaneously using a historical time frame from ancient Greece to medieval Europe (in the Middle East / Meditarennean area).
  I have narrowed my topic to: the use of hallucinogenic drugs in ritual in order to access the supernatural

Mar. 17 (T) -- Demonology in the Ancient World

• Tobin Cataldo: tcatald@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I think that I would enjoy writing a paper on demonology in the ancient world. Possibly focusing on the summoning and dispatching of such spirits as were called by the ancients.

• Thomas Brabham: tbrabha@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I would like to do my term paper on demonology.

Mar. 24 (T) -- Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies, and Revenants

• Kate Bolin: kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  For my paper, I want to study "zombies" (for lack of a better term) in the Greek and Roman world. If I can find enough information on zombies, I will not include necromancy (that being a paper topic in itself.) However, if it turns out that there are not enough (or any) sources on zombies, I will broaden it, first including revenants, and then, if all else fails, necromancy.

  Now I think I have it down to something I can really work on. Necromancy in the Greek and Roman world involving the dead returning from the grave.

Mar. 31 (T) Astrology

• Zachary Harrelson: zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  My general research area will be astrology. The paper will be a description and analysis of the role of astrological divination among the different social clases of Greece and Rome. Perhaps astrology was more common among certain classes than others; maybe it was prevalent but in a more deviant underground existence among other classes.

Apr. 2 --Miracles

• Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I'd like to do something related to "Miracles."

• Robert Fraser: rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  The area I am interested in and will research in more detail is MIRACLES....probably in the early Christian time period. Seeing as how miracles have been commonplace among people for centuries, of all religious backgrounds, I am intrigued with the certain situations that might have been present in the events of these "miracles." Who was it that the strange healing or miracle happened to? How many people were involved in the situation? Did the people involved ask for the miracle or did they themselves produce the miracle? I would also like to further investigate the use of magic in these proclaimed miracles. Who usually obtained credit for the miracles, has also triggered my mind to ponder on the happenings called "miracles." Miracles have been recofrede for centuries, but how many are not reported or recorded? What are the classificaitons and perimeters of a "miracle"?

Apr. 21 (T) -- Ancient Mystery Cults and Magic

• Derek Pepiak: dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I would like to do my term paper on the ancient mystery cults. I was thinking of doing something about how the mythology around the gods is incorporated into the mystery cult of that god (how the story of Demeter explains certain rites in the Eleusian mystery cult, etc.). I was thinking of maybe doing some sort of comparison between different cults (analyzing if similar rites in different cults meant the same thing, etc.).

• Christina Wilson: cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  Ancient women's mystery cults and their correlation to/influence on modern day goddess worship/witchcraft/wicca

• Jason S. Lapkin
  The focus of my research will primarily be the mysteries of the Greek and Roman Dionysus/Bacchus cults. However, the subject of my report can fit under one of many catagories. I will be looking at the relationship of the mystery rituals with the idea of transubstantiation; what role does it play? what evidence is there for its existence? what is it meant to accomplish? Specifically, I will be interested in the relationship between man and god and their seemingly interchangeable role in the mysteries, as well as how they interact physically and spiritually. In my report I will also take into account various forms of Mysticism and Eucharist ideas.

Apr. 28 (T) -- Conclusions

• Nicholas Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
  I would like to explore parallels and differences in the practices of magicians and shamans. I plan to explore the ways in which the practices of magicians and shamans differ. I will need to explore a definition of both in order to distinguish the two "occupations." The focus will be on the role of shamans as healers and I hope to contrast this to the role of magicians -which I must explore further. I will analyze the perceptions the public has on these people and how these perceptions differ between ancient times and more modern time periods.