Gods around the Grave: Hermes and Hekate in early Attic curse tablets

Abstract

Τhe aim of this article is to examine (on the basis of up-to-date and recently published epigraphic material) the ways in which divine powers are involved in early Attic defixiones in order to show that the rubric “chthonian gods” encompasses a variety of divinities and modes of action that are not necessarily or exclusively related to the realm of Hades. To that end, I have used the pair of Hekate and Hermes as my main case study. In curse tablets, these two gods, do not appear to perform tasks that are radically different from their other aspects and functions, although their role in this new context cannot be directly related to specific cults. The study of their epithets (Hermes Chthonios, Katochos, Eriounios, Dolios; Hekate Chthonia, Epitymbia) as well as of select mythical and ritual material attested in curse tablets, not only reveals a concern for the locale of the ritual action but also echoes broader religious and sociocultural realities.