Synopsis
The ancient Greeks commonly resorted to magic spells to attract and keep lovers--as numerous allusions in Greek literature and recently discovered "voodoo dolls," magical papyri, gemstones, and curse tablets attest. Surveying and analyzing these various texts and artifacts, Christopher Faraone reveals that gender is the crucial factor in understanding love spells. There are, he argues, two distinct types of love magic: the curselike charms used primarily by men to torture unwilling women with fiery and maddening passion until they surrender sexually; and the binding spells and debilitating potions generally used by women to sedate angry or philandering husbands and make them more affectionate.
Faraone's lucid analysis of these spells also yields a number of insights about the construction of gender in antiquity, for example, the "femininity" of socially inferior males and the "maleness" of autonomous prostitutes. Most significantly, his findings challenge the widespread modern view that all Greek men considered women to be naturally lascivious. Faraone reveals the existence of an alternate male understanding of the female as "naturally" moderate and chaste, who uses love magic to pacify and control the "naturally" angry and passionate male. This fascinating study of magical practices and their implications for perceptions of male and female sexuality offers an unusual look at ancient Greek religion and society.
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About the Author
Christopher A. Faraone is Professor and Chairman of Classics, University of Chicago.
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Ancient Greek Love Magic
Published by
Harvard University Press, 1999
ISBN 10: 0674033205
ISBN 13: 9780674033207
Used
Hardcover
Seller: The Anthropologists Closet, West Des Moines, IA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very good. Gray cloth covered hardcover with silver lettering to spine. Dust jacket has sun fading to spine. 8vo. (6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches) Clean text free of marks or underlining. Includes glossary, list of abbreviations, bibliography, subject index, Index of foreign words, index of passages from ancient authors, and an index of Magical Texts. 240 pp. Fast shipping in a secure book box mailer with tracking. The ancient Greeks commonly resorted to magic spells to attract and keep lovers--as numerous allusions in Greek literature and recently discovered "voodoo dolls," magical papyri, gemstones, and curse tablets attest. Surveying and analyzing these various texts and artifacts, Christopher Faraone reveals that gender is the crucial factor in understanding love spells. There are, he argues, two distinct types of love magic: the curselike charms used primarily by men to torture unwilling women with fiery and maddening passion until they surrender sexually; and the binding spells and debilitating potions generally used by women to sedate angry or philandering husbands and make them more affectionate. Faraone's lucid analysis of these spells also yields a number of insights about the construction of gender in antiquity, for example, the "femininity" of socially inferior males and the "maleness" of autonomous prostitutes. Most significantly, his findings challenge the widespread modern view that all Greek men considered women to be naturally lascivious. Faraone reveals the existence of an alternate male understanding of the female as "naturally" moderate and chaste, who uses love magic to pacify and control the "naturally" angry and passionate male. This fascinating study of magical practices and their implications for perceptions of male and female sexuality offers an unusual look at ancient Greek religion and society. Seller Inventory # 202836
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Ancient Greek Love Magic
Published by
Harvard University Press, 1999
ISBN 10: 0674033205
ISBN 13: 9780674033207
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Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Frank Martignon Bookseller, Atlanta, GA, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 2 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Includes a Glossary of technical terms and Biblio. An Index each for Subject, Foreign Words, Passages from Ancient Authors, and Magical Texts. xii, 223 pp. Fine Hardcover w/ Fine dj. Size: 8vo. Seller Inventory # 1234