Quaestiones in magica: Joely Black
Today we welcome Joely Black into the Mysteries of this blog-cult. Joely is a PhD Student at the University of Manchester, her thesis is titled “Practical Magic: Making and Using Magical Objects in Rituals in Late Antique Egypt”. She’s very nearly finished and I really hope to be able to read it as it sound damn cool!
What are you currently researching and how did that come about?
JB: “I study how objects become magical in Roman Egypt, using magical textbooks. It all happened by accident really. I came back to academia after a long break, and decided to study Classics. At an introductory session on epigraphy, I learnt about curse tablets. Then my (now) supervisor discovered a Christian amulet with a tax receipt on the back. I found myself asking all kinds of questions about how these objects became magically effective, and it all followed on from there.”
What was the most recent academic book you bought? Have you opened it yet?
JB: “I haven’t bought any academic books in a while! The last book I got from the library before lockdown was Chris Faraone’s “The Transformation of Greek Amulets in Roman Imperial Times”. I have opened it! I was worried he’d done what I’m doing, and I’d have to change my whole thesis, but he’s doing something slightly different, so I’m safe (for now).”
The hardest question: magic or religion?
JB: “As Stuart McKie said, “It’s all ritual!” But also, I’m all for the idea that it was all experimental. It’s like the science of reaching the gods to get what you want to happen. I feel like I just chucked a bomb into the middle of the magic v religion debate, there!”
AP: ‘The Machiavellian theory of ancient magic’?
Imagine you are on commission and trying to sell me an ancient curse, spell, amulet, or ritual. Choose your favourite and give me the pitch.
JB: “Is your divination skull giving you false predictions? Upgrade now to Kephalomancy 2.0 for a faster, cleaner divination experience. Recommended by all good necromancers and now available at all good stockists.”
2020 has been an undeniable mess. How are you finding the world of academia right now?
JB: “I’m midway through a six month funded extension to my PhD, so I’ve been keeping my head down trying to keep writing. It’s hard work though. I could probably write a whole essay on how I feel about it!”
If you could have a toasty caffeinated beverage with anyone in the field of religious and magical studies, classics, and archaeology, who would it be and why?
JB: “That’s a tough one, because there are so many people doing amazing work right now. I’d love to talk to Chris Faraone about his work on amulets, and Esther Eidinow about victimhood and cursing. I shouldn’t say more, because either one could be my external examiner so…”
AP: I am gate-crashing this coffee shop. Let’s get them here on the blog too!
It turns out that the Oracle at Delphi has turned up again in 2020. I put your name down earlier on and you’re next in the queue. You get one question. What is it?
JB: “Stuart stole my response to that.” AP: Credit where it’s due; shows you’ve done your homework
Hit me with an excellent blog and/or someone on Twitter we should all follow.
@DrHelen Kara – she makes excellent resources to help people become better researchers. I’ve been working on a comic/illustrated blog idea to share my work and I’ve had some invaluable help from her. Also @JoVanEvery for more support for doing good research and staying health in these crazy times.
Previous Questionesin magica:Stuart McKie, Teaching Fellow Barbara Roberts, PhD Student Antony Lee, PhD Student E-J Graham, Senior Lecturer
Get in touch (@adamarchaeology) with offers of participation or to nominate someone I should bother. Remember, this is a safe space for shameless self-promotion.
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