Strategies of Addressing Higher Powers from Graeco-Roman Antiquity to the Latin Middle Ages

URBANOVÁ, Daniela. Strategies of Addressing Higher Powers from Graeco-Roman Antiquity to the Latin Middle Ages. In Magic in Late Antiquity, Objects, Texts and Contexts; Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, 1.-3. 3. 2020. 2020.

Basic information

• Original name: Strategies of Addressing Higher Powers from Graeco-Roman Antiquity to the Latin Middle Ages
• Authors: URBANOVÁ, Daniela.
• Edition: Magic in Late Antiquity, Objects, Texts and Contexts; Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel, 1.-3. 3. 2020, 2020.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60202 Specific languages
• Country of publisher: Israel
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords (in Czech): magické formule; adiuro; exorkizo; defixe; epitafy; amulety
• Keywords in English: magical formulae; adiuro; exorkizo; curse tablets; epitaphs; amulets
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

The adjuration formula epigraphical documents. Every formula contains a verb of adjuration – in Greek orkizo and its compounds, in Latin adiuro or coniuro – in the first person singular or plural with explicit performative utterance. A direct addressee is always implicitly or explicitly present – syntactically this is the object of the verb of adjuration. By mediation clause, we mean frequent prepositional phrases introduced in Greek typically with kata, and in Latin with per. These are supposed to enhance the adjuration by invoking a higher power or an entity making sure that the direct addressee does what they are commanded to do. The desired effect is simply what the author of the inscription wishes to achieve. Occasionally, the adjuration formula may contain a clause promising rewards for the direct addressee should they produce desired effect – or, alternatively, a punishment or a threat if they fail to do so.

Links

• MUNI/A/1014/2019, interní kód MU: Name: Interdisciplinární výzkum klasických jazyků, jejich literatur a příslušných kultur – 2020 (Acronym: Klasické jazyky a kultury)

Investor: Masaryk University, Category A