Robert W. Daniel, Alexander Hollmann, Magica Levantina (Mag. Lev.). Sonderreihe der Abhandlungen Papyrologica Coloniensia, 52. Leiden: Brill, 2025. Pp. xxvi, 372. ISBN 9783506797773.Both volumes look like important contributions, but the first is of particular interest to PaleoJudaica:Jaime Curbera, Inscriptiones Graecae II/III: Inscriptiones Atticae Euclidis anno posteriores. Part 8: Miscellanea. Fascicule 1: defixiones Atticae. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2024. Pp. xiv, 462. ISBN 9783111335780.
Review by
Christopher Faraone, University of Chicago. cf12@uchicago.edu
The curses collected in Magica Levantina were also found primarily in wells, but date to somewhat later periods, when chariot racing became a cultural craze throughout the Empire and created a special and presumably lucrative focus on magical rituals designed to affect the outcome of races. As one would expect given their Levantine provenience, they often reflect the power of the Jewish god and his angels, refer to stories from the Hebrew Bible and a single example was even inscribed in Aramaic. Here we often get a close look at how the originally Greek practice of inscribing lead tablets with curses was adapted to local ideas and beliefs.I noted the Project Magica Levantina several years ago.
I also noted the publication of that Aramaic racing curse amulet here. As that post notes, the late-antique magical tractate Sefer HaRazim includes what amounts to a magical blessing on a race horse. I discuss that passage a bit more here.
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