A magical ostracon
september 29th 2014 - Alba de Frutos García
We are officially launching our section devoted to the “Papyrological Highlights” with an ostracon containing a magical spell. This exceptional piece is nowadays preserved at the Abbey of Monsterrat (Barcelona). However, the place of writing and provenance remains unknown. As suggested by the editors, the ostracon may date to VI - VII CE.
Along with the list of magical names or invocations, this ostracon features an illustration of two cute long-necked animals with small feet and bellies filled with magical drawings.
Regarding the text, the general sense does not yet appear to be fully clear. It is written in Coptic but the words in the list show many similarities with Greek magical terms appearing in other sources. According to the editors, the magical ostracon from the Roca-Puig Collection may be an aggresive spell related to the "Typhonic logos". This is to say, a spell addressed to Typhon /Seth and made with malign purposes.
Bibliografía: RAQUEL MARTÍN HERNÁNDEZ – SOFÍA TORALLAS TOVAR, “A Magic Spell on an Ostracon at the Abbey of Montserrat”, ZPE 189 (2014): 175-184.