This study touches on the vexed issue concerning the relationship of magic and religion; a problem that; despite all claims to the contrary; stubbornly resists losing interest and import. A close reading of ancient Geek and Latin curses written on lead tablets reveals a never fully explored demarcation in terms of legitimacy and illegitimacy between two types. Binding curses (defixiones); on the one hand; were meant to ‛bind´ - that is render powerless - opponents or rivals. Buried in graves; pits or wells; they lacked references to the notion of justification and displayed words and actions of a manipulative nature that modern readers would associate with what we call magic. Marked by secrecy; they were liable to suspicion and social disapproval. Another category of curses on lead; albeit also categorized as defixiones in modern scholarly literature; appears to be of a radically different nature. Often publicised in temples they implored the local god to punish a (mostly) unknown person for having wronged (by theft; slander; or maltreatment) the author. Besides a markedly deferential tone and an attitude of submissiveness; various other characteristics reveal these texts as prayers for justice; thus in our perception being expressions of pious religiosity. The fact that the ancient users were aware of the distinction and acted accordingly evokes a reconsideration of the use of modern notions magic and religion for ancient Greek and Roman curse practice.
#58300 in Books 2016-03-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.24 x .80 x 5.56l; .0 #File Name: 1944229086304 pages
Review
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful. He clearly shows what happens to citizens when their leaders think they can create a perfect society: Millions die or live in stBy Franklin YorkUtopian Road To Hell is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand “progressives†and their foolish desire to create a heaven on earth through social engineering.William J. Murray has provided the reader with a brief; but exhaustively detailed; survey of the history of Utopian political thinkers and leaders throughout history.He clearly shows what happens to citizens when their leaders think they can create a perfect society: Millions die or live in starvation and misery.Utopian central planning always leads to death; slavery; poverty; and cultural stagnation.“Utopian Road To Hell†reveals what life was like in ancient Sparta when every aspect of a person’s life was controlled from birth till death. Murray also describes the devastating result of Sir Thomas More’s “Utopia†on human history and how Utopian thinkers influenced President Woodrow Wilson; Franklin Roosevelt and other so-called “progressives†including Barack Hussein Obama.The result is always the same: Human suffering increases.Murray details the Utopian thinking of such ruthless dictators as Stalin; Lenin; Hitler; Mussolini; Pol Pot of Cambodia; Robespierre during the French Revolution and much more.He also describes the devastating social consequences of such cultural Utopians as Margaret Sanger; founder of Planned Parenthood; who believed in “weeding†out so-called inferior races. Sanger deliberately targeted blacks for extermination!This is a book well worth reading. It would be an excellent text for high school students to inoculate them against the leftist professors they will face in college.Frank YorkHermitage; Tennessee3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy George T. GarlockExcellent in all aspects!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Joachim KempinAn excellent historical review of how utopian views of the world can damage society.
