The status quaestionis -- Syria and Palestine: a fourth-century background -- Curses for courses: heavy tactics in the hippodrome -- Supernatural sabotage: ensuring a successful livelihood -- Demanding desire: rituals of love and lust -- The apotropaic: protecting good fortune -- Illness and healing: threats and retaliation in a discourse -- Possession and expulsion: experiencing and dispelling -- Conclusion: ambitions, desires, fears and insecurities
Summary
Compelling and clear sighted, this book presents new research using both archaeological and literary sources and provides an in-depth investigation into 'ancient magic' practices from curses to exorcism in antique Syria and Palestine
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 205-216) and index
