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theathenianinspector · 6 years ago

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Most Greeks believed in some form of magic and that certain dangerous individuals could use it to get what they wanted, whether that was turning men into pigs or poisoning the next door neighbour. But how did they react to magic and what did they believe witchcraft was?

Speaking from the 21st Century, it’s pretty difficult trying to find an objective definition of magic in ancient Greece. But a good start would be looking at the myths of Circe and Medea. Both of these mythological women were witches. And both were specifically known for using herbs (pharmaka) to unleash their powers. Circe slips ‘baneful drugs’ into the food that Odysseus’ men consume and then taps them with her wand turning them into swine (Homer, Odyssey 236). While another myth involves her turning the beautiful nymph Scylla into a horrific monster with multiple snapping dog-heads which proceeded to plague unfortunate sailors (and that included Odysseus!), as a result of a jealous rage over the affections of Glaucus

She bruised immediately the many herbs

most infamous for horrid juices, which,

when bruised, she mingled with most artful care

and incantations given by Hecate.

Ovid, Metamorphoses 14.43-7.

Scylla after Circe’ potion.

While Medea used her magic to help Jason steal the Golden Fleece which was being guarded by the dragon which she lulled to sleep with a combination of a potion and songs to Persephone/Hecate (Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 4.123-161). Both mythic figures were seen to have been helpful at times as well as dangerous, controlling powers that were different and even beyond the martial prowess of heroes. A bronze sword was little good if a hero was poisoned or transformed into an animal. Circe initially harmed Odysseus’ crew, but then became a useful ally in helping him converse with the ghosts from Hades; while Medea, after returning to Greece with Jason, would slay her husband’s new wife Glauce with poison and murder her own children.

This attitude of pragmatism and dread was not evident in myths alone. In 4th Century Athens a lady named Theoris was executed after being named a witch for her use of drugs and charms:

‘It was this brother—I pass over the other facts—who got possession of the drugs and charms from the servant of Theoris of Lemnos, the filthy sorceress whom you put to death on that account with all her family.’ Demosthenes, Against Aristogeiton 79.

Being accused of witchcraft could have very serious consequences for women. Not only did the Athenians kill Theoris, but her entire family. Examples had to be made otherwise every politician would have been openly asking for poisons and sorcery to undermine or kill their opponents. Theoris’ charges were implicitly for murder, more specifically by means of poison. The Athenians’ fear of a witch’s poison didn’t arise from thin air. Their legendary king Theseus (slayer of the minotaur) was almost poisoned by Medea, with the consent of his father Aegeus (Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, Epitome 1.5-6). The witches of myth sowed dread among the children, and probably among the adults, of Athens. The way sorceresses straddled that line between natural and supernatural taps into the same source of fear that we feel whenever we imagine monsters of mythology. The word ‘pharmaka’ (drugs) recurs when the Greeks talked about witchcraft. What they meant by ‘drugs’ were the grasses and herbs witches used were from the natural world. It was on the whims and demeanor of the witch if they would be used for harm or benefit; and who would be the victim. She had all the power which derived from her skill and expertise; uncommon traits when referring to ancient Greek women. Although not all magic was organically plant based.

Lead Curse Tablet (left), Curse Figurine in Coffin (right)

The ancients also used curse tablets made of lead which were engraved with whatever harm the individual wanted his foe to suffer. Lead was a cheap material, easy to inscribe and its pitch black colour associated it with darkness and the Underworld. They were then punched with nails as if to hammer in the message to the gods or ghosts. Many tablets were left among graves and tombs outside of cities, so the shades of the dead could read and carry out their bidding. Also placed with the tablets were ancient Greek curse figurines (aka. Voodoo dolls) often shaped in painful positions and placed in coffins. Because graveyards were always outside of the city gates, curse makers were actually making an effort and possibly putting themselves in danger from bandits and wild animals by venturing outside the safety of the city walls. If they weren’t placed in graveyards, they were nailed onto the doors of temples.

“I bind down before the chthonic gods the legal action of Apithamb.al

against Numerius and Dameas, lest he be able to speak in opposition,

lest he be able to speak in opposition to any legal action or to

hate.”

Greek Curse Tablet found in Lilybaeum

We can observe the example tablet which calls for the gods to silence his opponent at an oncoming court session. The above all practical application of dark magic to get what the man wanted. Or, considering that the ancients must have noticed when their curses didn’t happen, maybe this entire ritual was cathartic, or they were hoping for a slim chance of success. Who knows? Notice also the reference to ‘chthonic gods’, a reference to the Underworld deities since dark magic such as poisons and curses were among the domain of the Underworld gods; Hecate in particular, the goddess of witchcraft and magic. Sometimes imagined as a kindly and helpful goddess who helped mortal men achieve their ambitions (Hesiod, Theogony 410-453), she was also revered as a patron by Medea who practised dark arts and was intent on killing her and her husband’s entire family. Did this reflect the character of Hecate’s follower rather than of the goddess herself?

‘By the goddess I worship most of all, my chosen helper Hecate, who dwells in the inner chamber of my house, none of them shall pain my heart and smile at it! Bitter will I make their marriage, bitter Creon’s marriage-alliance, and bitter my banishment from the land!’ Euripides, Medea 395-398

Representation of Hecate

The problem with dark magic and witchcraft was that for all its terrible reputation, ancient Greek heroes and even contemporary mortals could see the advantages of using it. Even Hecate, a goddess of dark magic, necromancy and a resident of the Underworld was initially seen as a powerful benefactor in the Archaic period. Men paid for the services of women like Theoris of Lemnos because they genuinely believed that a little magic could get them what they wanted; whether that was the death of a rival or a cure for impotence. (The latter probably came up more often than we might wish to imagine!) It’s why they also stole away in the middle of the night to graveyards to plant curses. Odysseus himself only beats Circe because he himself drinks a potion made from an herb called Moly that resists her sorcery (Homer, Odyssey 10.302-5). For all the ancients’ flaws, they did value practicality, and they weren’t afraid to play dirty. And Jason’s own father Aeson regained his youth and vigour with Medea’s help; he also killed Pelias, the man who had stolen his throne, with her aid as well.

Medea tricks Pelias’ daughters into chopping up their father.

Sorcery and witchcraft may have led to stigmatisation and possibly even death in the worst cases, but that didn’t mean that the Greeks didn’t see the practical advantage of discretely using the powers of the Underworld or the magics of herbology to achieve their goals. Was this hypocrisy? Kind of.

Happy Halloween,

Dan Tang

The Athenian Inspector

If you want to learn about the Romans, check out: https://romanimperium.wordpress.com/

Witchcraft, Dark Magic and the Greeks Most Greeks believed in some form of magic and that certain dangerous individuals could use it to get what they wanted, whether that was turning men into pigs or poisoning the next door neighbour.

#Circe #drugs #halloween #Hecate #herbs #Magic #Medea #Odyssey #sorcery #Underworld #witchcraft #Women

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