Step into the world of ancient magic and medicine. Here you will find physicians, sorcerers, demons and ghosts, potions, poisons, love charms and medicines. A murky world of healing, transfiguration, divination, oracles, curses and necromancy which unfolds the origins of some of humankind’s deepest fears and superstitions. In the ancient world the divide between magic and medicine was blurred – a battle between nascent science and traditional superstitions which still haunt us today. This course will cover magic and medicine in the ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece and Rome – cultures who intermingled and influenced each other over the centuries.

DELIVERY MODE

• Online

SUGGESTED READING

• Ankarloo, B., and Clark, S., 1999, Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: Ancient Greece and Rome, Pennsylvania
• Faraone, C.A. and Obbink, D., Eds., 1997, Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion, Oxford
• Kee, H.C., 1986, Medicine, miracle and magic in New Testament Times, NY
• Luck, G., 2006, Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Collection of Ancient Texts, John Hopkins
• Nutton, V., 2004, Ancient Medicine, New York
• Ogden, D., 2008, Night’s Black Agents: Witches, Wizards and the Dead in the Ancient World, London
• Pinch, G., 1995, Magic in Ancient Egypt, Texas

COURSE OUTLINE

• Ancient Egypt
• The Near East
• Greece, Rome and Etruria
• Early Christianity

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the origins, variety and environment of magic and medicine in the ancient Mediterranean world as well as their related deities, practitioners and tools of trade
2. Follow the development and influence of magic and witchcraft over the centuries and its persistence into the early Christian era
3. Gained appreciation of the many forms of intriguing ancient art, artefacts and inscriptions which were used for magical and medical purposes and their locations in collections around the world