Book contents
- Ancient Christians and the Power of Curses
- Ancient Christians and the Power of Curses
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Plates
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Note on the Cover
- Introduction: Curses, Religion, Aesthetics
- 1 Making Justice
- 2 Substance and Story
- Interlude
- 3 Tongues, Breath, Stutter
- 4 Incantation
- Conclusions
- Ancient Sources
- Bibliography
- Index of Ancient Sources
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
2 - Substance and Story
A Greengrocer and the Pharaoh at Antioch
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 June 2024
- Ancient Christians and the Power of Curses
- Ancient Christians and the Power of Curses
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Plates
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Note on the Cover
- Introduction: Curses, Religion, Aesthetics
- 1 Making Justice
- 2 Substance and Story
- Interlude
- 3 Tongues, Breath, Stutter
- 4 Incantation
- Conclusions
- Ancient Sources
- Bibliography
- Index of Ancient Sources
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
Summary
The curse tablet comments on its own materiality or substance and on the aesthetics of lead, often characterized as cold and unprofitable. It reflects upon its drop location in a well. It uses the story of Exodus and the drowning of the Pharaoh’s chariot. Story and substance are the themes of this chapter. The curse against Babylas uses a fragment of scripture, set within a rhythmic text, to seek some sort of justice for the petitioner.
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- Information
- Ancient Christians and the Power of CursesMagic, Aesthetics, and Justice, pp. 90 - 127Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024