Witchcraft and the Occult in the Greco-Roman World

Flashcards covering key figures, concepts, terms, and historical contexts related to witchcraft and the occult in the Greco-Roman world.

What period is known as the Hellenistic period?

Circa 4th - 1st centuries B.C.E.

When did the Roman Empire exist?

27 B.C.E. - 476 C.E.

In Ancient Greek magic, what was Theourgia?

The highest form of magic involving ritual for evoking and uniting with the divine, meaning 'working things pertaining to the gods'.

What did the term Mageia refer to in Ancient Greek magic?

'Magic' or 'sorcery,' originally referring to Iranian astrologers but later individuals claiming knowledge and power for clients, which could be harmful.

What was Goetia in Ancient Greek magic?

The 'lowest' form of magic, involving crude incantations, potion mixing, and spell weaving, associated with charlatans and threats to social order.

What were Magical Handbooks/Papyri primarily?

Collections of spells and instructions, serving as reference material for magicians or ritual experts, or sold to customers for home use.

What were the most common subjects found in Magical Handbooks/Papyri?

Attracting a lover, harming an enemy, and restraining anger/passion.

When were the Greek Magical Papyri texts dated?

From the 2nd century B.C.E. to the 5th century C.E.

In what languages were the Greek Magical Papyri written?

Greek, Coptic, and Demotic.

Who wrote 'The Metamorphosis' (The Golden Ass)?

Apuleius.

In 'The Metamorphosis,' what happens to the main character Lucius after he becomes obsessed with magic?

He is transformed into an ass.

How were physical transformations generally viewed in early Greco-Roman belief systems?

As punishments for acts against the gods.

What is an example of transformation from Ovid's Metamorphoses?

Zeus transformed King Lycaon into a wolf after Lycaon's sons tricked Zeus into eating a sacrificed human corpse.

How did the meaning of the Greek word 'daimon' evolve?

It started as a synonym for 'theos' (God) in Homer, then evolved to spirits inferior to gods (Socrates), and later divided the spiritual world into gods and demons by shifting the dark qualities onto demons (Xenocrates).

What goddess is associated with crossroads, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs, necromancy, and sorcery?

Hekate (Hecate).

Which mythological figures were flying winged women who later became associated with characteristics similar to witches (thieves, cruel)?

Harpies.

What nocturnal creature, described as a vampire-owl that eats babies, later became synonymous with 'witch'?

Striga, Striges, or Strix.

What were Lamias described as?

Half-serpent figures similar to Strix, who seduced men and devoured people, typically children.

What goddess is generally depicted in vase painting holding two torches, with snakes and/or dogs, and often in triple-form?

Hecate.

From which literary work is Circe best known?

Homer's Odyssey.

What did Circe famously do to Odysseus's men?

She used spells and pharmaka to turn them into pigs.

From which literary work is Medea most well known?

Apollonius of Rhodes' Argonautica (Jason and the Argonauts).

What was a significant characteristic of Medea as a witch figure?

She was dominated by 'violent' passion, betraying her people and later Jason (killing his children).

What Greek theatrical convention involved women 'drawing down the moon'?

A comedic or trick act, often seen as performed by those not in a normative social order (old, female, alien) to attract or win back lovers, avoid debt, or collect the moon's power.

What were Roman authorities' general attitudes towards sorcery?

They were intolerant and hostile towards all varieties of sorcery.

What is the difference between 'Veneficium' and 'Maleficium' in Roman law?

Veneficium refers to using substances to cause harm, while Maleficium refers to using magic to cause harm or 'evil deeds'.

Which early Roman legal code was enacted against murderers and poisoners?

Lex Cornelia De sicariis et veneficiis ('The Cornelian Law against Murders and Poisoners') in 81 BCE.

Who were Canidia and Sagana?

Two Roman witches from Horace's poems, described as grave-robbing, poisoning, and summoning the dead.

Who was Erichtho?

A Thessalonian witch from Lucan's Pharsalia, known for necromancy, living in a graveyard, and destructive rituals including sacrificing unborn children.

What were the Bacchanalia?

The Roman version of the festival of Dionysos, which was outlawed by the Senate circa 186 C.E. due to descriptions of lascivious rites.

How did Celsus, a 2nd-century Greek philosopher, try to discredit Jesus' miracles?

He claimed Jesus' father was a Roman soldier and that Jesus performed his miracles through sorcery.

What was the early Christian attitude towards 'magicians' and 'sorcery'?

They developed a strong antagonistic attitude, as seen in the stories of Elymas and Simon Magus.

What is the sin of Simony?

Buying influence in the Church, associated with Simon Magus who wanted to buy the power to heal through the 'laying of hands'.

What conclusions can be drawn about the use of 'magic' in the Greco-Roman world?

Various groups used 'magic' to mark off the 'other,' defining illegitimate, deviant, or dangerous groups, often associating it with women, non-citizens, foreigners, the poor, and slaves.

Who suggested that scholars use the label 'magic' to demarcate specific boundaries, similar to how ancient cultures did?

Jonathan Z. Smith.

According to Smith's criticism, what is problematic about viewing magic in contrast to religion and science?

Religion and science are seen as opposites, making it inconsistent to define magic as opposite to one and similar to the other; it often defines magic negatively, based on what it lacks.

What alternative terminology is suggested as more useful for understanding human behavior than 'magic' as a universal category?

'Healing,' 'divining rituals,' and 'execrating'.

How can the Greek Magical Papyri be better understood, according to a counter-argument to Smith?

In terms of ritual and the role of sacrifice in late Antiquity, particularly concerning the shift to domestic rituals after a retreat from temple sacrifices.