The Scent of Ancient Magic

Ancient magic was a fundamental part of the Greco-Roman world, with curses, erotic spells, healing charms, divination, and other supernatural methods used to cope with the difficulties of life. Ritual practitioners dominated by the sense of smell, using fragrant incense and perfume to create a sweet and inviting atmosphere for contact with the divine and to alter their own perceptions. Scent and magic became intertwined as metaphors in literature, with fragrant spells representing the dangers of sensual perfumes and smells acting as a visceral way of envisioning the mysterious action of magic. The Scent of Ancient Magic explores the complex interconnection of scent and magic in the Greco-Roman world, drawing on ancient literature and the modern study of the senses to examine the sensory depth and richness of ancient magic.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2022
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

The mystical arts played a significant role in the Greco-Roman society. Curses, love spells, healing charms, divination, and other supernatural techniques were commonly employed to navigate the challenges of life in ancient times. While ancient magic is primarily explored through surviving Greco-Egyptian spellbooks and artifacts such as lead curse tablets, for a Greek or Roman magician, a ritual was a sensory-rich experience characterized by unique flavors, aromas, textures, and sounds. Rituals were adorned with vibrant colors and sensations like fasting and sleeplessness. The sense of smell played a dominant role in Greco-Roman magical rituals, encompassing both pleasant fragrances and unpleasant odors. Ritual practitioners enveloped themselves in clouds of fragrant incense and perfume to create a sweet and inviting atmosphere for divine contact and to alter their own perceptions. They also employed odors as a potent weapon to attack enemies and summon the gods. On the other hand, odorous herbs were equally valued for their medicinal properties and magical uses. In literature, the interplay between scent and magic became intertwined as metaphors. Fragrant spells symbolized the dangers associated with sensual perfumes, while scents served as a visceral means of envisioning the enigmatic actions of magic.

The Scent of Ancient Magic delves into the intricate relationship between scent and magic in the Greco-Roman world from 800 BCE to CE 600. Drawing on ancient literature and contemporary research on the senses, author Britta K. Ager explores the sensory richness and depth of ancient magic. Ager examines how ancient magicians employed scents as part of their spells, to align themselves with divine energy or to employ them as weapons against their enemies. Additionally, the book explores the magicians depicted in ancient fiction, such as the Greek god Hermes and the Roman goddess Venus, who were associated with the art of scent and magic. Through her comprehensive analysis, Ager sheds light on the multifaceted role of scent in the Greco-Roman world, highlighting its significance in religious practices, warfare, and everyday life. The Scent of Ancient Magic offers a captivating journey into the world of ancient magic, providing a fresh perspective on the enduring power of scent in human culture.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472133024