Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Syllabus

Course Information

• Institution: Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Course: CLAS 418: Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World (Spring 1998)
• Instructor: Barbette Stanley Spaeth, Associate Professor, Department of Classical Studies
• Office: Jones Hall 210A, 862-3078
• Email: spaeth@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
• Office Hours: Tues. and Thurs. 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Required Texts

• Apuleius. 1960. The Golden Ass. Trans. by J. Lindsay. Bloominton, Ind. .
• Faraone, Christopher A. and Obbink, Dirk, eds. 1991. Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion. New York and Oxford.
• Graf, Fritz. 1997. Magic in the Ancient World. Translated by Franklin Philip. Cambridge, Mass. and London.
• Grene, David and Richmond Lattimore, eds. 1955. Euripides I. Chicago and London.
• Lehmann, Arthur C. and James E. Myers, eds. 1997. Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion. 4th ed. Mountain View, California.
• Lucian. Satirical Sketches. 1961. Translated by Paul Turner. Bloomington and Indianopolis.
• Luck, Georg. Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds. 1985. Baltimore and London.
• Neusner, Jacob; Frerichs, Ernest S.; Flesher, Paul V. 1989. Religion, Science and Magic: In Concert and In Conflict. New York and Oxford.

Topics and Readings

Jan. 15 (R)-- Introduction to Course

Jan. 20 (T)-- The Study of Magic

Scribe: Michelle Arens

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 3-5.
• Graf (1997) 1-19.
• J. Neusner, "Introduction," in Neusner et al. (1989) 3-7.
• H. Penner, "Rationality, Ritual, and Science" in Neusner et al. (1989) 11-26.
• S. Sharot, "Magic, Religion, Science, and Secularization" in Neusner et al. (1989) 262-284.
• D. Lee, "Religious Perspectives in Anthropology," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 10-16.
• M. Gluckman, "Ritual," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 40-44.
• H. Miner, "Body Ritual among the Nacrima" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 71-74
• B. Malinowski, "Rational Mastery by Man of His Surroundings" Lehmann and Myers (1997) 270-275.
• G. Gmlech, "Baseball Magic" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 276-282.
• R. Lee, "Amulets and Anthropology: A Paranormal Encounter with Malay Magic" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 414-420.

Jan. 22 (R) -- Magic in the Ancient World

Note: Term paper topics due today.

Scribe: Christina Wilson

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 5-53
• Graf (1997) 20-60.
• C. Phillips, "Nullum Crimen sine Lege: Socioreligious Sanctions on Magic" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 260-276.

Jan. 27 (T) -- An Anthropological Perspective on Magicians and Shamans

Scribe: Kate Bolin

Required Reading:

• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 75-77.
• V. Turner, "Religious Specialists," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 78-85.
• C. Von Furer-Haimendorf, "Priests," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 86-90.
• W. Howells, "The Shaman: A Siberian Spiritualist," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 91-98.
• M. F. Brown, "Dark Side of the Shaman," Lehmann and Myers (1997) 99-102.
• C. Levi-Strauss, "The Sorcerer and His Magic," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 171-180.
• L. Wright, "Sympathy for the Devil: It's Not Easy Being Evil in a World That's Gone to Hell," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 393-404.

Jan. 29 (R) (T) -- Magicians in the Ancient World

Scribe: Michelle Arens

Required Reading:

• Lucian, Satirical Sketches 97-110, 196-218, 221-248.
• Luck (1985) 103-107, 109-113, 117-131, 217-218, 290.
• Graf (1997) 61-96.
• H. Kee, "Magic and Messiah" in Neusner et al. (1989) 121-141.
• S. Garrett,"Light on a Dark Subject and Vice Versa: Magic and Magicians in the New Testament" in Neusner et al. (1989) 142-165.
• G. Luck, "Theurgy and Forms of Worship in Neoplatonism"in Neusner et al. (1989) 185-228.

Feb. 3 (T) -- Anthropological and Historical Perspectives on Witchcraft

Scribe: Christina Wilson

Required Reading:

• T. Abusch, "The Demonic Image of the Witch in Standard Babylonian Literature: The Reworking of Popular Conceptions by Learned Exorcists" in Neusner et al. (1989) 27-60.
• N. Ben-Yehuda, "Witchcraft and the Occult as Boundary Maintenance Devices" in Neusner et al. (1989) 229-260.
• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 188-191.
• J. Brain, "An Anthropological Perspective on the Witchcraze" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 192-198.
• N. McPherson, "Sorcery and Concepts of Deviance among the Kabana, West New Britain," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 208-216.
• S. Lindenbaum, "Sorcerers, Ghosts, and Polluting Women: An Analysis of Religious Belief and Population Control" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 292-299.

Feb. 5: Web Workship

Feb. 10 (T) -- Modern Witchcraft

Scribe: Nick Backer

Required Reading:

• P. Stevens, "Some Implications of Urban Witchcraft Beliefs," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 199-207.
• E. Moody, "Urban Witches" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 231-237.
• M. Truzzi, "The Occult Revival as Popular Culture: Some Observations on the Old and the Nouveau Witch" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 405-413.

Feb. 12 (R) -- Greek Witchcraft

Scribe: Trey Brabham

Required Reading:

• Euripides, Medea.
• Luck (1985) 61-64, 66-71

Feb. 17 (T) -- Roman Witchcraft

Scribe: Zach Harrelson

Required Reading:

• Apuleius, Golden Ass, Bk. 1-3 (pp. 33-87), 9-10 (pp. 185-234).
• Luck (1985) 73-89, 113-117, 195-204, 212-217, 222-225.

Feb. 19 (R) -- No class (Prof. Spaeth ill)

Feb. 24 (T) -- MARDI GRAS HOLIDAY

Feb. 26 (R) -- Curses and Prayers

Scribe: Derek Pepiak

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 78-84, 90-92, 93-96, 97-100.
• Graf (1997) 118-134, 151-174, 205-229.
• C. Faraone, "The Agonistic Context of Early Greek Binding Spells" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 3-32
• J. Strubbe, "Cursed be he that moves my bones" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 33-59
• G,S. Versnel, "Beyond Cursing: The Appeal to Justice in Judicial Prayers," 60-106
• F. Graf, "Prayer in Magical and Religious Ritual" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 188-213

Mar. 3 (T) -- Erotic Spells

Scribe: Tobin Cataldo

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 66-71, 92-93, 96-97, 100-103.
• Graf (1997) 134-151, 175-190.
• J. Winkler, "The Constraints of Eros," in Farone and Obbink (1991) 214-243.

Mar. 5 (R) -- Magical Objects and Alchemy

Scribe: Kate Bolin

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 361-378.
• R. Kotansky, "Incantations and Prayers for Salvation on Inscribed Greek Amulets" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 107-137.
• H. Schoeck, "The Evil Eye: Forms and Dynamics of a Universal Superstition," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 227-230.

Mar. 10 (T) MIDTERM

Mar. 12 (R) -- Magic and Drugs

Scribe: Jay Munsch

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 61-64, 84-85.
• J. Scarborough, "The Pharmacology of Sacred Plants, Herbs, and Roots" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 137-174
• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 109-111.
• F. Huxley, "Drugs," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 112-117.
• P. T. Furst, "Ritual Enemas," in Lehmann and Myers (1997)118-121.
• M. Harner, "The Sound of Rushing Water," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 122-127.
• R. de Roop, "Psychedelic Drugs and Religious Experience," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 128-133.

Mar. 17 (T) -- Anthropological Perspectives on Demonology and Spirit Possession

Scribe: Bradley Laye

Required Reading

• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 238-241.
• I. Lewis, "The Anthropologist's Encounter with the Supernatural" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 17-22.
• J. Nash, "Devils, Witches, and Sudden Death," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 242-247.
• E. Pattison, "Psychosocial Interpretations of Exorcism," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 248-261.
• S. and R. Freed, "Taraka's Ghost," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 287-291.

Mar. 19 (R) -- Demonology in the Ancient World

Scribe: Jason Lapkin

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 163-166, 171-175, 180-183, 185-187, 190-191, 204-209, 217-222 .
• Brenk, F. 1986. "In the Light of the Moon: Demonology in the Imperial Period," ANRW 2.16.3: 2068-2145. (DG 209 .A86) (on reserve).
• Smith, J. Z. 1978. "Towards Interpreting Demonic Powers in Hellenistic and Roman Antiquity," ANRW 2.16.1: 425-439. (DG 209 .A86) (on reserve).

Mar. 24 (T) -- Ghosts

Scribe: Jason Lapkin

Required Reading:

• Apuleius, Golden Ass, Bk 8 (pp. 165-178).
• Lucian, Satirical Sketches 65-73.
• Luck (1985) 166-171, 176-180, 183-185, 187-190, 192-194, 209-212.
• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 283-286.
• W. Mitchell, "A New Weapon Stirs Up Old Ghosts," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 300-305.

Mar. 26 (R) -- Vampires, Werewolves, Zombies, and Revenants

Scribe: Bob Fraser

Required Reading:

• Apuleius, Golden Ass, Bk. 1 (pp. 35-44), Bk 2 (pp. 63-68)
• Luck (1985) 194-204, 222-225.
• Graf (1997) 190-204.
• P. Barber, "The Real Vampire," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 306-311.
• K. Brown, "Voodoo," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 312-317.
• G. del Guercio, "The Secrets of Haiti's Living Dead," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 318-322.
• W. Booth, "Voodoo Science," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 323-327.
• P. Metcalf, "Death Be Not Strange," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 328-331.

Mar. 31 (T) -- Divination

Scribe: Bradley Laye

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 229-305.
• Lucian, Satirical Sketches 137-146, 221-248.
• S. Eitrem, "Dreams and Divination in Magical Ritual" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 175-187.
• L. Mair, "Divination," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 262-269.

Apr. 2 (R) Astrology

Scribe: Nick Katsaounis

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 309-358.
• M. Truzzi, "The Occult Revival as Popular Culture: Some Observations on the Old and the Nouveau Witch," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 405-413.

Apr. 7-9 -- SPRING BREAK

Apr. 14 (T)--Miracles

Scribe: Nick Katsaounis

Required Reading:

• Apuleius, The Golden Ass, Bk 11 (pp. 235-255).
• Luck (1985) 135-140, 153-159.
• J. Neusner, "Science and Magic, Miracle and Magic in Formative Judaism: The System and the Difference" in Neusner et al. (1989) 61-81.
• H. Kee, "Magic and Messiah" in Neusner et al. (1989) 121-141.
• K.L. Jolly, "Magic, Miracle, and Popular Practice: Anglo-Saxon England," in Neusner et al. (1989) 166-182.

Apr. 16 (R) -- --Supernatural Healing

Scribe: Zach Harrelson

Required Reading:

• Luck (1985) 141-152.
• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 134-137.
• A. Lehmann, "Eyes of the Ngangas: Ethnomedicine and Power in Central African Republic," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 138-146.
• A. Kiev, "The Psychotherapeutic Aspects of Primitive Medicine," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 147-151.
• R. Bergman, "A School for Medicine Men," Lehmann and Myers (1997) 152-156.
• W. Wedenoja, "Mothering and the Practice of 'Balm' in Jamaica," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 157-165.
• T. Bass, "Traditional African Psychotherapy: An Interview with Thomas Adeoye Lambo," Lehmann and Myers (1997) 165-170.
• C. Levi-Strauss, "The Sorcerer and His Magic," Lehmann and Myers (1997) 171-180.
• W. Hand, "Folk Medical Magic and Symbolism in the West," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 181-187.

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

Scribe: ?

Required Reading:

• Apuleius, Golden Ass (Bk 11, pp. 235-255.)
• Graf (1997) 96-117.
• H. Betz, "Magic and Mystery in the Greek Magical Papyri" in Farone and Obbink (1991) 244-259.

Apr. 23 (R) -- Modern Cults and Occultism

Scribe: Derek Pepiak

Required Reading:

• Lehmann and Myers (1997) 332-335, 375-377.
• J. Dubisch, "You Are What You Eat: Religious Aspects of the Health Food Movement" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 62-70.
• M. Barkun, "Reflections after Waco: Millennnialists and the State," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 103-108.
• A. Wallace, "Revitalization Movements," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 336-341.
• M.L. Daughtery, "Serpent-Handling as Sacrament," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 347-352.
• J.R. Hall, "Apocalypse at Jonestown," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 353-364.
• J.E. Myers, "Rajneeshpuram: The Boom and Bust of a Buddhafield," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 365-374.
• C. Sagan, "The Burden of Skepticism" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 378-383.
• B. Singer and V. Benassi, "Occult Beliefs" in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 384-392.
• M. Truzzi, "The Occult Revival as Popular Culture: Some Observations on the Old and the Nouveau Witch," in Lehmann and Myers (1997) 405-413.

Apr. 28 (T) -- Conclusions

Scribe: Greg Slater

May 4 -- FINAL EXAM (1:00 -3:00 p.m.)

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Student Evaluation

Students will be evaluated on their class participation (15%), a scribal report (10%), a research paper (25%), a midterm (25%), and a final examination (25%). For the class participation grade, each student will be required to participate in discussion and submit email discussion questions, preliminary examination questions, and peer reviews. Each student will be required to take notes for one class meeting and to publish those notes in a scribal report on the Web. Scribal reports should be up on the Web within one week from the class meeting. These reports will be peer-reviewed. Each student will also write a 10-12 page research paper with complete scholarly apparatus (footnotes and bibliography). Students will turn in a short paragraph with a brief description of the topic of their research papers on Jan. 22. The research topic should be tied to one of the class discussion topics and should focus primarily on the Greco-Roman world (although comparative material from other cultures may be used). On the day on which their topic is discussed in class, students will be expected to provide a brief oral report (no more than 10 min.) on their research. This report will count for 20% of the research paper grade (or 5% of the total grade) and will be peer-reviewed. The written research paper is due one week after the in-class report. The final examination will be held on May 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.