Two Roman lead curse tablets
Two Roman lead curse tablets
Circa 150-300 A.D.
In their original rolled state, 7.6cm and 7cm long, 0.15-0.3cm thick; weight 94.5g and 155.1g
Provenance:
Dr James Bynon (1926-2017) collection, acquired prior to 2000.
Curse tablets, like the above, were common throughout the Roman Empire, though the UK has the highest number of known examples in Latin. The tablets were usually made of thin hammered lead or pewter in the hopes of passing the cold and heavy attributes of the meal onto the cursed. Inscriptions followed a common formula, invoking a god to bring harm to someone who had wronged the author, and might also include magical symbols to increase the potency of their curse. Before being left in ritualistically important locations like springs and temples, the curse would be either folded or rolled to disorientate the cursed individual. Unlike literature and monument commemorations, Roman curse tablets were written by all classes of people from slaves to high ranking officials. Tablets are often smaller than the present examples. For a larger example, see Portable Antiquities Scheme database, I.D. no. NLM-EA50C0.
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Two Roman lead curse tablets
Circa 150-300 A.D.
In their original rolled state, 7.6cm and 7cm long, 0.15-0.3cm thick; weight 94.5g and 155.1g
Provenance:
Dr James Bynon (1926-2017) collection, acquired prior to 2000.
Curse tablets, like the above, were common throughout the Roman Empire, though the UK has the highest number of known examples in Latin. The tablets were usually made of thin hammered lead or pewter in the hopes of passing the cold and heavy attributes of the meal onto the cursed. Inscriptions followed a common formula, invoking a god to bring harm to someone who had wronged the author, and might also include magical symbols to increase the potency of their curse. Before being left in ritualistically important locations like springs and temples, the curse would be either folded or rolled to disorientate the cursed individual. Unlike literature and monument commemorations, Roman curse tablets were written by all classes of people from slaves to high ranking officials. Tablets are often smaller than the present examples. For a larger example, see Portable Antiquities Scheme database, I.D. no. NLM-EA50C0.
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Time, Location
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