Textual Amulets From Antiquity to Early Modern Times : The Shape of Words

"Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these types of artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran and Turkey. A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to their ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of the production, which includes the relationship that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved."-- Provided by publisher Intro -- Half Title -- Series Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Figures -- Preface -- Contributors -- Chapter 1: Textual Amulets from a Transcultural Perspective -- Chapter 2: Writing on Magical Gems: Reflections on Inscribed Gemstone Amulets of the Imperial Period -- Chapter 3: Of Comprehensible and Incomprehensible Inscriptions: Remarks on Some Gems with Multi-headed Gods -- Chapter 4: Agency and Efficacy in Syriac Amulets across the Ages -- Chapter 5: Demons in Runic and Latin Amulets from Medieval Scandinavia -- Chapter 6: Magic Letters: Unintelligible Prophylactic Formulas -- Chapter 7: The Materiality of Talismans from Early Modern Spain: Morisco (and Old-Christian) Cases -- Chapter 8: Talismans and Engravers of Talismans in the Seventeenth-Century Ottoman Society According to the Journal of Evliyā Çelebi -- Chapter 9: Small Letters against Great Misfortunes: A Glance at Safavid Amulet Culture -- Chapter 10: Final Remarks: Toward a Transcultural View of Magical Writing -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index of Sources -- Index of Names -- Index of Places -- General Index "Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran and Turkey. A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to their ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of the production, which includes the relationship that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved."-- Back cover Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran, and Turkey. A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of production, which includes the relationships that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved. Comparing amulets over time and space, this volume focuses on the function of written words on these fascinating artefacts. Ranging from Roman Egypt to the Middle Ages and the Modern period, this book provides an overview on these artefacts in the Mediterranean world and beyond, including Europe, Iran, and Turkey.0 A deep analysis of the textuality of amulets provides comparative information on themes and structures of the religious traditions examined. A strong emphasis is placed on the material features of the amulets and their connections to ritual purposes. The textual content, as well as other characteristics, is examined systematically, in order to establish patterns of influence and diffusion. The question of production, which includes the relationships that linked professional magicians, artists and craftsmen to their clientele, is also discussed, as well as the sacred and cultural economies involved