Magicians, Ghosts, Amulets, and Spells: Daniel Ogden on Graeco-Roman Magic
Professor Daniel Ogden takes us on a tour through magic in the ancient world. We discuss the kinds of evidence available (literary texts, recipes like the Greek Magical Papyri, curse tablets, ‘voodoo dolls’, and even the occasional magical implement which survives from antiquity (see the photogra...
Primary Sources
cotton ms vitellius c iii
This manuscript acts as a bridge between the practical herbalism of antiquity and the superstitious safeguards of the Middle Ages. It presents a world where medicine is a matter of both physical chemistry and cosmic alignment, requiring the user to time harvests by the sun and ignore the use of iron
Herbal and Book of Medicine from Animals
The texts of Pseudo-Apuleius, Pseudo-Dioscorides, and Sextus Placitus function as a guide to the medical world of the late antique Mediterranean. You will encounter a system where biology and magic occupy the same space. The authors categorize hundreds of specimens, detailing not just their physical
The Works of Apuleius
Apuleius remains one of the most enigmatic voices of the Roman Empire, serving as a vital bridge between Platonic philosophy and the ancient mystery cults. This collection brings together his most influential works, showcasing his unique perspective as a 'half-and-half Numidian' intellectual who nav
On the God of Socrates
In 'De Deo Socratis,' Apuleius provides a daring ontological blueprint of the cosmos, arguing that the vast space between the perfect gods and 'complaining' humanity is teeming with life. Writing with the flair of a master rhetorician, he introduces the concept of daemons as a 'middle nature'—beings
Apuleius: Apology and Florida
Apuleius: Apology and Florida offers a rare, firsthand glimpse into the legal and social tensions of the second-century Roman Empire. Facing a capital charge of sorcery, Apuleius argues that his scientific interest in anatomy and natural history is a mark of philosophical devotion rather than crimin