THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS OF CURSE TABLETS [DEFIXIONES] IN BRITAIN AND ON THE CONTINENT
Geoff W. Adams
Studia Humaniora Tartuensia, vol. 7 (2006)
Abstract
The central theme of this study is to analyse the idiosyncratic nature of the Romano-British interpretation of the use of defixiones and various ‘prayers for justice’. The prevalence of revenge as a theme within this comparatively isolated Roman province is notable and clearly illustrates the regional interpretation that affected the implementation of this religious tradition. The Romano-British curse tablets were largely reactionary, seeking either justice or revenge for a previous wrong, which in turn affected the motivation that led to their production. This regional interpretation was quite different to their overall use on the continent, but even these examples frequently also exhibit some degree of local interpretation by their issuers.
When approaching this topic, owing to the vast number of curse tablets and other religious inscriptions discovered throughout Europe there will naturally have to be some omissions from this discussion. The term defixio has enough problems in itself, with there being some debate concerning the formula and distinction in this term, which is why the title refers to other religious inscriptions. The nature of this discussion is to focus upon the social and cultural context of curse tablets, so there will be no discussion of the precise literary formulas used in these tablets. While discussing these curse tablets as a whole, I shall also have to limit the focus to two main temple precincts in Britain as well, namely being Bath and Uley. The purpose is to examine the curse tablets from these places within the wider social and cultural contexts in Europe, to attempt to find regional variations and uses for these tablets.
Geoff W. Adams
Studia Humaniora Tartuensia, vol. 7 (2006)
Abstract
The central theme of this study is to analyse the idiosyncratic nature of the Romano-British interpretation of the use of defixiones and various ‘prayers for justice’. The prevalence of revenge as a theme within this comparatively isolated Roman province is notable and clearly illustrates the regional interpretation that affected the implementation of this religious tradition. The Romano-British curse tablets were largely reactionary, seeking either justice or revenge for a previous wrong, which in turn affected the motivation that led to their production. This regional interpretation was quite different to their overall use on the continent, but even these examples frequently also exhibit some degree of local interpretation by their issuers.
When approaching this topic, owing to the vast number of curse tablets and other religious inscriptions discovered throughout Europe there will naturally have to be some omissions from this discussion. The term defixio has enough problems in itself, with there being some debate concerning the formula and distinction in this term, which is why the title refers to other religious inscriptions. The nature of this discussion is to focus upon the social and cultural context of curse tablets, so there will be no discussion of the precise literary formulas used in these tablets. While discussing these curse tablets as a whole, I shall also have to limit the focus to two main temple precincts in Britain as well, namely being Bath and Uley. The purpose is to examine the curse tablets from these places within the wider social and cultural contexts in Europe, to attempt to find regional variations and uses for these tablets.
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