Eros and Psyche : being and desire in Acient Love Magic

Abstract

The question of magicians' identity and ambition bas suffered prejudice, at first in ancient sources and, in a second place, in modem historical studies. ln fact, most of scholar works dealing with ancient magic were based on literary sources which reflect a stereotyped image of love magic and enchantments, simplified in order to be accessible to anyone. If these sources remain essential to the understanding of ancient love magic, we can regret that other sources and most particularly deflXions were neglected. Indeed, defixions are the only direct evidence of magic use. This research presents a systematic analysis of Greek, ltalian, Egyptian and African love tablets dated from the Vth century b.c to the Vth century a.d.. It puts back the defixions in their social and cultural context in order to identify men and women who use magic and the goals they pursuit