Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran, and Turkey.
A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of production, which includes the relationships that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved.
1. Introduction, Christoffer Theis (University of Heidelberg, Germany), Paolo Vitellozzi (University of Perugia, Italy) 2. Writing on Magical Gems. Reflections on Inscribed Gemstone Amulets of the Imperial Period, Paolo Vitellozzi (University of Perugia, Italy) 3. Gods with Multiple Heads on Gems and Their Inscriptions, Christoffer Theis (University of Heidelberg, Germany) 4. Agency and Efficacy in Syriac Amulets Across the Ages, Nils Hallvard Korsvoll (University of Agder, Norway), 5. Demons in Runic and Latin Lead Amulets from Scandinavia, Rudolf Simek (University of Bonn, Germany) 6. Magical Letters: The Unintelligible Prophylactic Formulae, Edina Bozoky (University of Poitiers, France) 7. Talismans from Early Modern Spain: Morisco (and Old-Christian) Cases, Esther Fernández Medina (University of Warsaw, Poland) 8. Engravers of Sigils and Talismans in the 17th Century Ottoman Society According to the Journal of Evliya Çelebi, Özlem Denis Cosçun (University of Mainz, Germany) 9. Small Letters Against Big Mischances: A Glance at Safavid Amulet Culture, Sarah Kiyanrad (University of Heidelberg, Germany) Bibliography Index
Christoffer Theis is a post-doctoral scholar in Egyptology at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Paolo Vitellozzi is a post-doctoral scholar of Classics at the University of Perugia, Italy.
Reviews for Textual Amulets from Antiquity to Early Modern Times: The Shape of Words
"""This is a valuable overview of magical objects in different cultural milieus, including updated descriptions of magical bowls, Islamic, Norse, and European medieval amulets, and other talismans. A taxonomy of magical gems is also proposed in association with a large iconographical selection."" --Attilio Mastrocinque, Professor of Roman History, University of Verona, Italy"
