A Liturgical Exorcistic Amulet

Abstract

In 1924, Robinson dug up “three feet above the original pavement in the south portion of the colonnade behind the Augustus temple” a bronze tubular capsule (Robinson 1953:172). The silver tablet herewith described was found tightly rolled up inside the bronze tube. On the site, see David M. Robinson, “Roman Sculptures from Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian Antioch),” The Art Bulletin 9 (1926), pp. 5–69; figs. 2,3; further, on the excavations there, including a fourth century Christian basilica, B. Levick, art. “Antioch,” in R. Stillwell, ed. The Princeton Encylopedia of Classical Sites (Princeton, 1976), p. 60f. (with bibliography). Palaeographically, Robinson dates the piece to the 3rd century A.D., though the 4th cent, can by no means be ruled out. The script shows few signs of cursive writing and ligature, with the writing becoming sometimes crowded as it nears the right margin (damaged). Nomina sacra are abbreviated (math) and (math), πνεύμαθα (= πνεύμαθα) is not so abbreviated. The text seems to be marked, at least in the upper portion, by ruling lines, and the bottom quarter of the tablet is uninscribed.