Piercing a woman with copper needles may seem like a strange mating ritual, but for the ancient Greeks, this action was part of a love spell.
Classical Studies professor Peter Struck mentioned this spell and others in a talk entitled "Presto Changeo! Magicians in Ancient Times," held last night at the Penn Museum. Struck discussed how magicians in ancient times effected change through spells and mysticism.
The presentation was the penultimate event of the academic year for the Penn Humanities Forum, a program that aims to bring the humanities into the public sphere through lectures and cultural affairs.
The Forum's topic for this year is change, and the program began in September with a discussion of Greek ideas of the concept: "Change since Plato."
Far from your usual academic lecture, Struck's commentary induced many laughs from the diverse audience.
Struck noted that while professional magicians could be found in nearly every market place and were often turned to in times of desperation, these effectors of change were socially stigmatized in ancient Greece.
People used magic to "pursue diverse goals, like success in business or affairs of the heart," Struck said. It was also used for healing purposes and in the context of athletic competitions.
Evidence of ancient spells has been left behind on tablets and papyrus.
These spells could be used to restrain others, protect oneself or achieve stability. They usually involved formulaic incantations, exotic ingredients and invocation of divinities.
The incorporation of the gods creates a fuzzy distinction between magic and religion, Struck said. He compared ritual wedding vows to an absurd spell designed to "keep a man faithful."
As he pointed out, the two are not as different as they may seem at first.
Although people no longer use copper needles to induce affection, contemporary culture is no stranger to concepts of mysticism, Struck said.
From pet psychics to products who promise to magically transform consumers' lives, the notion of magic is alive and well today, Struck concluded.
Forum director Wendy Steiner said last night's examination of "quick change" has brought this year's Forum program "full circle."
"Magic and divination are ancient ways to effect change in the world - to transform one substance into another, to cause people to do things you want them to do," Steiner wrote in an e-mail.
