HIST206 studying for midterm
Challenges of studying supernatural phenomena in historical settings
- The Rationalist vs Romantic Approach
o Rationalist approach: magic never existed, was created by a
corrupt church
o Romantic approach: magic always existed and survived from
pagan times (such as the cult of Diana)
- Euro-centric perspective
Maleficium: sorcery stems from the belief that the cosmos is a unity and that
connections exist between all its aspects, even if hidden. Sorcerers claim
access to this special knowledge, and controls or influences them to achieve
a desired result. EG astrology, entering liminal states, necromancy, prophecy
etc.
Types of magic:
1. Liminal: involves the passing from one state to another when trying to
connect with spirits. Includes preparation via fasting, meditation,
cleansing etc
2. Defensive: involves protection from external forces
- Clay figurines of guard dogs with inscriptions on them 7th century, used
to ptotect communities from elements of the unknown
- Protective amulets with inscriptions and incantations against Labartu
(a spirit that went out with a serpent in each hand attacking children
and their female protectors) in the 9th century
3. Aggressive: involves exerting influence over others
- Lead curse tablets
4. Witchcraft: seen as more sinister and dark, often involves the calling of
spirits, associated with a group who has special skills
- In I SAUMUEL, Saul seeks predictions of the future to know what will
happen in the war. A medium / sorcerer calls up the spirit of prophet
Samuel from the dead
,Mageia
- The ancient Greeks formally defined mageia as the possession by
certain individuals of certain recipes or rites which would help their
clients and damage enemies of their clients.
- Also used as a derogatory label for ritualistic activities characterized as
irrational (often one which is of “others”); understood as a form of
deception performed by shrewd practitioners on immature victims.
(This view was especially shared by Socrates, who believed magic
was a way of taking advantage of the less educated, suggesting those
who practice magic be banned since they are a bad influence to
society.) This was used to denote religions they disapproved of.
- Mageia was performed by magoi, who came from the East or had
studied Iranian traditions. In the bible, magoi are treated as figures of
respect, priests with high status in their communities. In ancient
Greece, magoi had negative reputations and were seen as foreigner
quacks. Pliny saw the magoi of Persia as a dangerous foreign influence
(culturally separate & unfamiliar.)
Cult of Bacchus
- In ancient Rome, Livy saw the cult of Bachus as being problematic as it
was private and mostly women.
- The fact that rituals were private and happening at night in the dark
made it seem more dangerous and associated with inappropriate use
of the supernatural
- The fact that it was mostly made of women threatened the traditional
Roman social hierarchy (patriarchy) where women lacked a formal
voice and were tied to their role as wives and mothers. The social
expectation was for women to be modest and chaste, so the
promiscuity aspect of the cult of Bacchus directly corrupts this Roman
value.
o With the cult inviting men in, it was corrupting more and more
people
- The cult of Bacchus was based on rumor and speculation, with its
imagery surviving thousands of years through different texts and
context
,Religion
- Monotheistic faith, which did not deny the existence of other gods or
other sources of magic but rather states that the true God is elevated
and transcends over all others.
o First commandment “you shall have no other gods rival me”
implies that other gods do exist but teaches which is the correct
one to worship
- Competition between God and local deities; contests set up to show
triumph of ‘true / unified God’ which is depicted to be more powerful
and dependable than other scattered gods
o Elijah vs Ba’al prophets in I KINGS: calling on the name of
god who will light the sacrificed bull meat on fire, Elijah even
made his more wet to show that his God is even more miraculous
o Pharaoh sorcerers vs Moses and Aaron EXODUS: casting
rods which turn into serpents. The sorcerers’ rods did turn into
serpents, showing that other forms of magic and power are not
denied. Aaron’s rod swallowed up all the other rods, showing that
though other magic exists, the power of God is the most powerful
Cult of Isis
- spread from Egypt to Hellenistic work, shaping relationships with the
supernatural in this region
- Osiris is murdered and cut into many pieces by his jealous brother to
usurp the throne. His wife (and sister), Isis, a powerful magician,
searches for the scattered pieces. She reassembles and briefly restores
him to life, conceiving their son, Horus.
- Cult focuses on the fertility of Isis and devotion as a wife (her tears for
Osiris were thought to cause the annual flooding of the Nile) and the
resurrection of Osiris (comparisons with resurrection of Jesus and
influences Middle Ages necromancy)
- Isis is associated with the creation of the alphabet and understanding
of magic, a powerful female figure. This had great appeal for women,
filling emotional needs of women (they felt like they could deeply
identify and connect with Isis) which went unheard in other Greek and
Roman religions (patriarchal nature).
, - Initiation to the cult was understood as being chosen by the goddess
herself through visions and dreams both of the individual and the
priest who would perform the rite.
- Can be argued that the cult reinforces traditional roles of women
(devoted wife).
- Augustine of Hippo 5th century: concerned about people following
the cult of Isis, attempts to discourage this. Associated worship of Isis
with demons, does not view it as an actual religion (the way Christians
dealt with their competitors)
Association with women and the devil
- Texts written in the first few centuries of the common era serve as
evidence showing the increasing association of the devil with women.
Book of ENOCH mentions judgement is coming with a great
punishment, and that women are the most susceptible “defiled
themselves with them in all their uncleanness”
- In GENESIS through Eve, women are associated with weakness and
being tempted by the devil. Evil at the time was associated with
temptation and slander
- Lilith influenced the shaping of the imagery of witches in the Middle
ages. Depicted as a female, winged, taloned hands, said to shriek as
she flew through the sky, seduce sleeping men and drink their blood,
have animal companions. This influences perception of the role of
witches and their familiars & suggests the ‘dangerous’ side of women
Theodosian code (428 CE): attempt to codify laws at the time, many of which
were contradictory. Shows the anxiety of the emperor of magic undermining
his authority and threatening his position in power
- Aspirational in nature, unsure how they are applied especially
regarding more private measures within a household
- Haruspex (those who can tell the future) persecuted and people
forbidden from consulting with them. Laws against haruspex
mentioned multiple times, showing that it is being actively practiced
- Magicians and astrologers treated as criminals
- Ceremonies which are performed in public are deemed acceptable
Challenges of studying supernatural phenomena in historical settings
- The Rationalist vs Romantic Approach
o Rationalist approach: magic never existed, was created by a
corrupt church
o Romantic approach: magic always existed and survived from
pagan times (such as the cult of Diana)
- Euro-centric perspective
Maleficium: sorcery stems from the belief that the cosmos is a unity and that
connections exist between all its aspects, even if hidden. Sorcerers claim
access to this special knowledge, and controls or influences them to achieve
a desired result. EG astrology, entering liminal states, necromancy, prophecy
etc.
Types of magic:
1. Liminal: involves the passing from one state to another when trying to
connect with spirits. Includes preparation via fasting, meditation,
cleansing etc
2. Defensive: involves protection from external forces
- Clay figurines of guard dogs with inscriptions on them 7th century, used
to ptotect communities from elements of the unknown
- Protective amulets with inscriptions and incantations against Labartu
(a spirit that went out with a serpent in each hand attacking children
and their female protectors) in the 9th century
3. Aggressive: involves exerting influence over others
- Lead curse tablets
4. Witchcraft: seen as more sinister and dark, often involves the calling of
spirits, associated with a group who has special skills
- In I SAUMUEL, Saul seeks predictions of the future to know what will
happen in the war. A medium / sorcerer calls up the spirit of prophet
Samuel from the dead
,Mageia
- The ancient Greeks formally defined mageia as the possession by
certain individuals of certain recipes or rites which would help their
clients and damage enemies of their clients.
- Also used as a derogatory label for ritualistic activities characterized as
irrational (often one which is of “others”); understood as a form of
deception performed by shrewd practitioners on immature victims.
(This view was especially shared by Socrates, who believed magic
was a way of taking advantage of the less educated, suggesting those
who practice magic be banned since they are a bad influence to
society.) This was used to denote religions they disapproved of.
- Mageia was performed by magoi, who came from the East or had
studied Iranian traditions. In the bible, magoi are treated as figures of
respect, priests with high status in their communities. In ancient
Greece, magoi had negative reputations and were seen as foreigner
quacks. Pliny saw the magoi of Persia as a dangerous foreign influence
(culturally separate & unfamiliar.)
Cult of Bacchus
- In ancient Rome, Livy saw the cult of Bachus as being problematic as it
was private and mostly women.
- The fact that rituals were private and happening at night in the dark
made it seem more dangerous and associated with inappropriate use
of the supernatural
- The fact that it was mostly made of women threatened the traditional
Roman social hierarchy (patriarchy) where women lacked a formal
voice and were tied to their role as wives and mothers. The social
expectation was for women to be modest and chaste, so the
promiscuity aspect of the cult of Bacchus directly corrupts this Roman
value.
o With the cult inviting men in, it was corrupting more and more
people
- The cult of Bacchus was based on rumor and speculation, with its
imagery surviving thousands of years through different texts and
context
,Religion
- Monotheistic faith, which did not deny the existence of other gods or
other sources of magic but rather states that the true God is elevated
and transcends over all others.
o First commandment “you shall have no other gods rival me”
implies that other gods do exist but teaches which is the correct
one to worship
- Competition between God and local deities; contests set up to show
triumph of ‘true / unified God’ which is depicted to be more powerful
and dependable than other scattered gods
o Elijah vs Ba’al prophets in I KINGS: calling on the name of
god who will light the sacrificed bull meat on fire, Elijah even
made his more wet to show that his God is even more miraculous
o Pharaoh sorcerers vs Moses and Aaron EXODUS: casting
rods which turn into serpents. The sorcerers’ rods did turn into
serpents, showing that other forms of magic and power are not
denied. Aaron’s rod swallowed up all the other rods, showing that
though other magic exists, the power of God is the most powerful
Cult of Isis
- spread from Egypt to Hellenistic work, shaping relationships with the
supernatural in this region
- Osiris is murdered and cut into many pieces by his jealous brother to
usurp the throne. His wife (and sister), Isis, a powerful magician,
searches for the scattered pieces. She reassembles and briefly restores
him to life, conceiving their son, Horus.
- Cult focuses on the fertility of Isis and devotion as a wife (her tears for
Osiris were thought to cause the annual flooding of the Nile) and the
resurrection of Osiris (comparisons with resurrection of Jesus and
influences Middle Ages necromancy)
- Isis is associated with the creation of the alphabet and understanding
of magic, a powerful female figure. This had great appeal for women,
filling emotional needs of women (they felt like they could deeply
identify and connect with Isis) which went unheard in other Greek and
Roman religions (patriarchal nature).
, - Initiation to the cult was understood as being chosen by the goddess
herself through visions and dreams both of the individual and the
priest who would perform the rite.
- Can be argued that the cult reinforces traditional roles of women
(devoted wife).
- Augustine of Hippo 5th century: concerned about people following
the cult of Isis, attempts to discourage this. Associated worship of Isis
with demons, does not view it as an actual religion (the way Christians
dealt with their competitors)
Association with women and the devil
- Texts written in the first few centuries of the common era serve as
evidence showing the increasing association of the devil with women.
Book of ENOCH mentions judgement is coming with a great
punishment, and that women are the most susceptible “defiled
themselves with them in all their uncleanness”
- In GENESIS through Eve, women are associated with weakness and
being tempted by the devil. Evil at the time was associated with
temptation and slander
- Lilith influenced the shaping of the imagery of witches in the Middle
ages. Depicted as a female, winged, taloned hands, said to shriek as
she flew through the sky, seduce sleeping men and drink their blood,
have animal companions. This influences perception of the role of
witches and their familiars & suggests the ‘dangerous’ side of women
Theodosian code (428 CE): attempt to codify laws at the time, many of which
were contradictory. Shows the anxiety of the emperor of magic undermining
his authority and threatening his position in power
- Aspirational in nature, unsure how they are applied especially
regarding more private measures within a household
- Haruspex (those who can tell the future) persecuted and people
forbidden from consulting with them. Laws against haruspex
mentioned multiple times, showing that it is being actively practiced
- Magicians and astrologers treated as criminals
- Ceremonies which are performed in public are deemed acceptable
