Abstract
This paper examines the structural elements – namely, the roles of invocation and offerings – in the love spells of the Greek magical papyri. This is achieved through an analysis of spells that invoke a specific named deity in order to see, whether an underlying formal structure uniting this group of spells can be discerned. The meaning of invocation as a structural element is studied through the work of E. Szepes, concerning the magical hymns' origin in and departure from cultic hymns. The roles of invocation, ritual offering, and sleeplessness of the victim can be isolated as separate structural elements, repeated in spell after spell.
Highlights
This paper examines the structural elements – namely, the roles of invocation and offerings – in the love spells of the Greek magical papyri
The roles of invocation, ritual offering, and sleeplessless of the victim can be isolated as separate structural elements, repeated in spell after spell
This paper concentrates on the structural elements – namely, the roles of invocation and offerings – and the role of specific deities invoked for assistance in the love spells[1] of the Greek magical papyri.[2]
Summary
This paper concentrates on the structural elements – namely, the roles of invocation and offerings – and the role of specific deities invoked for assistance in the love spells[1] of the Greek magical papyri.[2]. N. O'Neil in Betz, Greek Magical Papyri, 145; Pachoumi, "Erotic and Separation Spells", 310. Website: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/clarc/jlarc elements of the world",18 or "the soul of the one who died prematurely",19 or use the name of a deity in a simile,[20] do not invoke any specific deities and fall outside the focus of this article. This leaves us with 40 spells that clearly are love spells and do invoke specific, named deities:[21] one in PGM III I, 1), one in LXVIII (P.Cairo 60636), one in PGM LXXVIII (P.Heid. 2170), one in SM 45/PGM CI (P.Köln inv. 3323) and one in SM 72/PGM CXXII (P.Wash.Univ. inv. 242/P.Berol. inv. 21243)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
