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| Fragment of a Sarcophagus with Medea carrying her dead child, marble, ca. 130 BC, Roman, from Italy, find spot unknown |
Spanning roughly 2000 BC to 300 AD, the show explores the place of magic in the ancient worlds of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. What makes it particularly fascinating is the sheer variety of objects on display. There are amulets, sculptures, decorated ceramics, precious metals, and papyri, all created by people seeking, in one way or another, to influence the unseen forces around them.
Far from being an eccentric fringe practice, the collection reveals how deeply magic could be woven into religion and everyday life, even as its status differed considerably from one ancient society to another.
Small but wonderfully focused, Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World is an easy recommendation for anyone interested in the strange ways human beings have tried to negotiate with the unknown. On view at ISAW through December 13, 2026, admission is free.
~By Giovanni di Napoli, September 24th, Feast of the Madonna della Misericordia
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| (L) Promotional banner for Cursed! The Power of Magic in the Ancient World. (R) Funerary Portrait of a Youth Wearing an Amulet, encaustic on linden wood, 150-200 AD, Roman Empire, from Egypt, find spot unknown |
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| Magical Stela of Horus, chlorite schist, 332-280 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown |
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| Statuette of Triple-Bodied Hekate, marble, 1st-2nd century AD, Roman Empire, find spot unknown |
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| Love Charm for Four Women, lead, 3rd century AD, Roman Empire, find spot unknown |
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| Amulet with the Demon Pazuzu, chalcedony, 681-627 BC, Neo-Assyrian, find spot unknown |
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| Curse Tablet, selenite, 3rd century AD, Roman Empire, from Cyprus, find spot unknown |
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| Calyx-Krater (Mixing Vessel) with Odysseus and Circe, terracotta, ca. 440 BC, Greek, made in Athens, find spot unknown |
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| Magical Papyrus with Rituals Addressed to Hekate, papyrus and ink, late 3rd-early 4th century AD, Roman Empire, from Egypt, find spot unknown |
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| (L) Hydria with Medea and Pelias, terracotta, 510-500 BC, Greek, made in Athens, found at Vulci, Italy. (R) Tablet with Ritual to Counteract Witchcraft (Maqlû), clay, 669-631 BC, Neo-Assyrian, from Nineveh (Kouyunjik, Iraq) |
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| Amulet Plaque with Sacred Symbols, gold, 664-30 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown |
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| (L) Amulet with the Demon Lamashtu, obsidian, 900-600 BC, Neo-Assyrian, find spot unknown. (R) Mirror with Medea Offering a Potion to Jason, bronze, ca. 400 BC, Etruscan, find spot unknown |
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| Miniature Coffin with Curse Figure, lead, 4th century BC, Greek, from the Kerameikos cemetery, Athens |
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| (L) Curse Figure, clay with red pigment, 1991-1802 BC, Egyptian, from Saggara, Egypt. (R) Mask of Humbaba, fired clay, 2000-1700 BC, Old Babylonian, from Ur (Diqdiaqah, Iraq) |
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| Papyrus with Spells Against Demons, papyrus with colored ink, 664-525 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown |
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| (L) Magical Gem with Snake-Legged Deity, green and red jasper, 2nd-3rd century AD, Roman Empire, find spot unknown. (R) Magical Gem with Cow-Headed Hekate, black jasper, 2nd-3rd century AD, Roman Empire, find spot unknown |
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| A Priest's Handbook of Spells ("The London Magical Papyrus"), papyrus and ink, 3rd century AD, Roman Empire, from Thebes, Egypt |
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| (L) Pendant Amulet Against the Evil Eye, gold, pearls, and amethyst, 2nd century AD, Roman Empire, find spot unknown. (R) Wedjat Amulet, faience, 664-332 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown |
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| (L) Amulet, faience, 818-332 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown. (R) Amulet of Taweret, faience, 664-332 BC, Egyptian, find spot unknown |
