The Archaeology of (Roman) Magic Glossary

For my own diabolical needs, here be another inexhaustive list of terms defined by me – this time concerning the jargon association with Roman magic. Again, organic and added to over time.

Abaskantos (Ἀβάσκαντος) – Greek adverb meaning “Free from [injury of] the Evil Eye”. As an adjective: abaskanistos.

Amulet – An object designed to produce an apotropaic effect. 

Apotropaic – possessed of a quality that either prevents negative supernatural effects or promotes positive supernatural effects.

Biaiothanatoi – The premature dead, who usually had died accidentally or violently.

Botanearsis – The rituals, movements, actions, and words associated with gathering or preparing plants for other ritual purposes.

Charakteres – lit. ‘characters’ – non-literary symbols (and not explicit iconography) included on spells.

Defixiones – more correctly, ‘curse-tablets’. Usually lead sheets inscribed with text intended to cause supernatural harm. May be rolled, pierced, deposited in a ‘ritual’ space etc. From the Latin defigere “to fix down”. Defigens = the curser.

Ephesia grammata – Ancient Greek magical formulas, comprising six magical names: ΑΣΚΙ(ΟΝ) ΚΑΤΑΣΚΙ(ΟΝ) ΛΙΞ ΤΕΤΡΑΞ ΔΑΜΝΑΜΕΝΕΥΣ ΑΙΣΙΟΝ (or ΑΙΣΙΑ) aski(on) kataski(on) lix tetrax damnameneus aision (aisia)

Ithyphallic – The state of the phallus when erect

Lamella – Anachronistic(?) Latin word describing a thin metal sheet inscribed in text. Usually gold, silver, or bronze. Contextually different from defixiones.

mageia – lit. “magic”. Emic term used in some Classical texts

Magical gem – a specific type of intaglio comprising a gemstone engraved with images of deities/supernatural beings, apotropaic images, and text.

maguš /magos –  ‘Magian’, first mentioned in the Behistun Inscription. Originally related to a Persian fire priest. 

Materia magica – Anachronistic Latin phrase to describe an undefined group of objects or materials which may themselves be magical in nature, or be ingredients in magical practice and/or rituals. lit. ‘magical materials’

Materia medica – Latin phrase to describe an undefined group of objects or materials which may themselves be medicinal in nature, or be ingredients in medicinal practice and/or ritual. lit. ‘medical materials’

Materiality – The physical, material quality of things and the reactions and relationships that humans (or other agents) have to these.

Necromancy – Control over the dead, in an ancient context this usually relates to summoning spirits. 

Ousia(ουσίά) – lit. ‘substance’. Something incorporated as materia in a ritual. Contemporary use often suggests an organic nature.

Phylactery – A text intending to produce an apotropaic effect. Sometimes synonymous with lamella. From the Greek phylaktêrion (verb: phylassô) “to guard, defend”.

Poppet – Anthropomorphic figure associated with magical rituals, often directly with defixiones. May be described, in accurately, as ‘Voodoo doll’.

Spell – Combination of words spoken or written as part of a magical ritual. May be used in combination with other materia magica.

Sympathy/Sympathetic magic – The idea that ‘like cures like’ (similia similibuscurantur)

Voces magicae (singular: Vox magica) – lit. ‘supernatural names’ – often nonsensical or otherwise unidentifiable words or phrases included in a spell for magical means. Sometimes used as the ‘true name’ of Gods of Demons. 

A very useful glossary of named characters from the Greek Magical Papyri (who may appear in other spells, phylacteries etc.) can be found at the end of Betz, H.D. 1992. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation (2nd Edition.) Available [here].