08 Feb Magic and Religion in Ancient Corinth
Ronald Stroud (Classical Languages and Literature, UC Berkeley)
Tuesday, February 8 / 5:30 PM
SB Museum of Natural History
Located at the narrowest part of the Greek peninsula, Corinth became famous as one of the greatest commercial centers in the ancient world. From early times Corinth also had a reputation as a center for magic and the occult. Excavations by the American School of Classical Studies have revealed a “cell” where black magic was practiced at night high up on the slopes of Acrocorinth in the Sanctuary of Demeter and Persephone. Stroud will present some of the special magical equipment used in these secret activities, as well as the texts incised on lead tablets carrying curses that were deposited in this shrine.
Sponsored by Archaeological Institute of America, in cooperation with the Ancient Mediterranean Studies program and the IHC’s Ancient Borderlands RFG.
Website: http://www.ams.ucsb.edu/