Pages: 259-267 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp226259267

The paper discusses the features of some magical artefacts — from “white” to black magic. The author of the phylakterion from necropolis of Panticapaeum (point 2) invokes 18 times — this is the number of life in the Hebrew tradition — on the Anonymous (ἀνώνυµος) Judaic God, praying him for protection. A priest of Hermes in graffito from Olbia Pontica (point 3) emphasizes his fidelity to Athene. The silver kantharos from the Artesian fortress (point 4) on Kerch peninsula has the protective abracadabra. The curse (point 5) from the same citadel sends the subject of incantation to the worms.

Keywords: magic, inscription, graffito, ostracon, lead tablet, phylakterion, curse, defixio, abracadabra, formula, deities

Information about author:

Fedor Shelov-Kovedyaev (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences, Professor. National Research University Higher School of Economics, Dept. of Humanitarian Sciences. Khitrovsk Lane, 2/8, Moscow, 107031, Russian Federation
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0002-6846-2856