Skip to main content

IMC 2023: Sessions

Session 1722: Christian Entanglements of the Supernatural in Late Antiquity, III: The Supernatural and the Self

Thursday 6 July 2023, 14.15-15.45

Organiser:Charlotte Spence, Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion & Theology, University of Exeter
Moderator/Chair:Ryan Denson, Department of Classics & Ancient History University of Exeter
Paper 1722-aDreams and Dreamers in Late Antiquity
(Language: English)
Frederick Kimpton, Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion & Theology, University of Exeter
Index terms: Language and Literature - Latin, Philosophy, Religious Life
Paper 1722-bAramaic Incantation Bowls and Christian 'Magic'
(Language: English)
Anne Sieberichs, Onderzoekinstituut voor Geschiedenis en Kunstgeschiedenis (OGK), Universiteit Utrecht
Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Religious Life
Paper 1722-cCurse Tablets and Personal Religion in Late Antiquity
(Language: English)
Charlotte Spence, Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion & Theology, University of Exeter
Index terms: Daily Life, Epigraphy, Pagan Religions, Religious Life
Abstract

During Late Antiquity there was a shift in the religious lives of individuals. What was deemed to be appropriate direct contact with appropriate supernatural forces evolved throughout the period. This panel explores different ways in which individuals experienced and interacted with the supernatural. Kimpton's paper approaches supernatural intervention and internal psychobiology through dream narratives by using the dream theories of Tertullian and Artemidorus and applying to various texts. Spence and Sieberichs focus more on religious identity and the accessing of the supernatural through ritual and the creation of objects. By focusing on curse tablets and Aramaic incantation bowls (respectively) ideas of religious syncretism and how ideas of religion and magic worked together will be drawn out.