Voces magicae

Voces magicae (singular: vox magica, "magical names" or "magical words") are Ancient Graeco-Egyptian and Roman magical formulas, written in either Ancient Greek or Latin.

Magic tablet from Pergamon with Greek voces magicae surrounding each of the figures

Definition and use

They were compensable, pronounceable, but nonsensical words with alleged arcane origins which were used in spells, charms, and amulets to enhance their magical potency.[1]

The voces magicae were related to the Greek Ephesia Grammata.[1] They may include alternative names of gods or other unusual phrases which may have been intended as the secret, authoritative true name of certain gods.[2][3] As an example: in the Greek Magical Papyri, the first spell of the first papyrus intended to summon a daimon assistant and included the phrase (in translation) "[This] is your authoritative name: ARBATH ARBAOTH BAKCHABRE".[4]

See also

References
  1. Versnel, H. S. (2012). "Magic". In Simon Hornblower; Antony Spawforth; Esther Eidinow (eds.). The Oxford Classical Dictionary (4 ed.).
  2. Wilburn, Andrew T. (2012). Materia Magica : The Archaeology of Magic in Roman Egypt, Cyprus, and Spain. University of Michigan Press. p. 71.
  3. Dieleman, Jacco. "The Greco-Egyptian Magical Papyri". Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic. Brill. pp. 283–321.
  4. Betz, Hanz Dieter, ed. (1992). The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation including the Demotic Spells (Volume One: texts) (2 ed.). University of Chicago Press. pp. 3–4.
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