Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical
Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700)

J 2021

Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700)

FRANEK, Juraj and Daniela URBANOVÁ

Basic information

Original name

Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700)

Authors

FRANEK, Juraj (703 Slovakia, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Daniela URBANOVÁ (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution)

Edition

Listy filologické, Praha, Kabinet pro klasická studia FLÚ AV ČR, 2021, 0024-4457

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Field of Study

60202 Specific languages

Country of publisher

Czech Republic

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14210/21:00129019

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

UT WoS

000804358600002

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-85135298714

Keywords in English

Solomon; Seal; Ring; Magic; Amulet; Phylactery; Magical Nail; Curse Tablet; Late Antiquity

Abstract

In the original language

The parabiblical tradition of Solomon as a magus and an exorcist par excellence is well attested in several literary sources, from the fragments of the first century CE Qumran Caves Scrolls to the fourth century CE Testament of Solomon, an eclectic demonological treatise that described in minute detail the power of the titular protagonist over demons. The belief in Solomon's extraordinary apotropaic powers is further documented by hundreds of Greek-inscribed objects and dozens of magical implements with Semitic inscriptions. In our contribution to the mapping of Solomonic magical traditions, we focus on Latin-inscribed material and collated 10 objects invoking the Jewish king – three circular amulets, three lamellae (two curse tablets and one phylactery), three magical nails, and one amuletic ring. The objects, with one exception datable to the period of late antiquity (c. 300–700), present valuable testimony on the reception of the figure of Solomon in a magical context in the Latin West and serve as a bridge to the later appropriation of the wise builder of the Jerusalem Temple as a master of esoteric knowledge.

Links

GA21-06319S, research and development project

Name: Performativní formule v epigrafických dokumentech antické středomořské tradice

Investor: Czech Science Foundation

Cite

FRANEK, Juraj and Daniela URBANOVÁ. Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700). Listy filologické. Praha: Kabinet pro klasická studia FLÚ AV ČR, 2021, vol. 144, 3-4, p. 273-308. ISSN 0024-4457.

@article{1822725,
   author = {Franek, Juraj and Urbanová, Daniela},
   article_location = {Praha},
   article_number = {3-4},
   keywords = {Solomon; Seal; Ring; Magic; Amulet; Phylactery; Magical Nail; Curse Tablet; Late Antiquity},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0024-4457},
   journal = {Listy filologické},
   title = {Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700)},
   url = {https://www.ics.cas.cz/casopisy/listy-filologicke},
   volume = {144},
   year = {2021}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 1822725
AU  - Franek, Juraj - Urbanová, Daniela
PY  - 2021
TI  - Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700)
JF  - Listy filologické
VL  - 144
IS  - 3-4
SP  - 273-308
EP  - 273-308
PB  - Kabinet pro klasická studia FLÚ AV ČR
SN  - 00244457
KW  - Solomon
KW  - Seal
KW  - Ring
KW  - Magic
KW  - Amulet
KW  - Phylactery
KW  - Magical Nail
KW  - Curse Tablet
KW  - Late Antiquity
UR  - https://www.ics.cas.cz/casopisy/listy-filologicke
N2  - The parabiblical tradition of Solomon as a magus and an exorcist par excellence is well attested in several literary sources, from the fragments of the first century CE Qumran Caves Scrolls to the fourth century CE Testament of Solomon, an eclectic demonological treatise that described in minute detail the power of the titular protagonist over demons. The belief in Solomon's extraordinary apotropaic powers is further documented by hundreds of Greek-inscribed objects and dozens of magical implements with Semitic inscriptions. In our contribution to the mapping of Solomonic magical traditions, we focus on Latin-inscribed material and collated 10 objects invoking the Jewish king – three circular amulets, three lamellae (two curse tablets and one phylactery), three magical nails, and one amuletic ring. The objects, with one exception datable to the period of late antiquity (c. 300–700), present valuable testimony on the reception of the figure of Solomon in a magical context in the Latin West and serve as a bridge to the later appropriation of the wise builder of the Jerusalem Temple as a master of esoteric knowledge.
ER  -

FRANEK, Juraj and Daniela URBANOVÁ. Invoking King Solomon on Latin-Inscribed Objects of Practical Magic from Late Antiquity (c. 300-700). \textit{Listy filologické}. Praha: Kabinet pro klasická studia FLÚ AV ČR, 2021, vol.~144, 3-4, p.~273-308. ISSN~0024-4457.

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