Voces magicae

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

Voces magicae (singular: vox magica, "magical names" or "magical words") or voces mysticae[1] are pronounceable but incomprehensible magical formulas that occur in spells, charms, curses, and amulets from Classical Antiquity, including Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome.[2]

These formulas may include alternative names of gods or other unusual phrases which may have been intended as the secret, authoritative true name of certain gods.[3][4] 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".[5]

The voces magicae have been said to be related to the Greek Ephesia Grammata.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ John G. Gager (1999) Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World. Oxford University, 278 pages. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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