Talking heads:‎ Necromancy in Jewish and Christian Accounts ‎ from Mesopotamia and beyond

Emmanouela Grypeou

doi:10.21071/cco.v16i0.1100

Abstract

Relations between Jewish and Christian communities in Late Antiquity involved interactions relating to a complex cultural and religious landscape. An intrinsic aspect of the exchange between Jews and Christians refers to attitudes towards pagan communities in their shared environment as a common discourse pertaining to a symbolic construction of the “Other”. More specifically, a persisting topos was the implication of “pagan” communities and their respective religious specialists in illicit magical practices including necromancy. In the following, a discussion of testimonies regarding variants of necromantic practices in ancient, rabbinic and Christian sources will explore the dissemination and special characteristics of the different necromantic accounts in Late Antiquity and contextualise this peculiar practice of a divinatory “talking head” as evidenced in contemporary Jewish and Christian traditions.

Highlights

Relations between Jewish and Christian communities in Late Antiquity involved interactions relating to a complex cultural and religious landscape
An intrinsic aspect of the exchange between Jews and Christians refers to attitudes towards pagan communities in their shared environment as a common discourse pertaining to a symbolic construction of the “Other”
Necromantic practices referring to an impressive amount and variety of techniques, tools and functions are attested in various cultures and historical periods around the world

Summary

Introduction

Relations between Jewish and Christian communities in Late Antiquity involved interactions relating to a complex cultural and religious landscape. Antagonistic communities, information provided by rabbinic and Eastern Christian sources indicates a communication and shared cultural knowledge in the wider area of Mesopotamia around the 7th/8th centuries. A very specific form of necromancy attested in Mesopotamia required the special preparation and use of a “talking head”. A discussion of testimonies regarding variants of necromantic practices in ancient, rabbinic and Christian sources will explore the dissemination and special characteristics of the different necromantic accounts in Late Antiquity and contextualise this peculiar practice of a divinatory “talking head” as evidenced in contemporary Jewish and Christian traditions

Talking heads in rabbinic sources

Necromancy in the Bible and in the Rabbinic Literature

Necromancy in the Ancient World

Necromancy in Christianity

Talking Heads in Mesopotamia