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Cursed!: The Power of Magic in the Ancient World
A bewitching study of magical objects from ancient societies, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome
Published with Toledo Museum of Art.
The belief in magic was widespread across ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. In these societies, the world was believed to be populated by divine forces, and magicians (also called sorcerers, witches and shamans) could manipulate supernatural powers through the performance of rituals and recitation of spells to achieve a wide range of aims, including protection from demonic harm, healing various medical ailments, attracting lovers, cursing enemies and even winning in the law courts and at the racetrack. This volume, published on the occasion of the exhibition of the same name at the Toledo Museum of Art, explores how the supernatural was visualized in these societies and how magic was actually practiced in the period from around 2000 BCE to 300 CE. It displays and studies magical objects from each of these regions, including protective objects, written records of spells and images of supernatural beings.
Published with Toledo Museum of Art.
The belief in magic was widespread across ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. In these societies, the world was believed to be populated by divine forces, and magicians (also called sorcerers, witches and shamans) could manipulate supernatural powers through the performance of rituals and recitation of spells to achieve a wide range of aims, including protection from demonic harm, healing various medical ailments, attracting lovers, cursing enemies and even winning in the law courts and at the racetrack. This volume, published on the occasion of the exhibition of the same name at the Toledo Museum of Art, explores how the supernatural was visualized in these societies and how magic was actually practiced in the period from around 2000 BCE to 300 CE. It displays and studies magical objects from each of these regions, including protective objects, written records of spells and images of supernatural beings.
112 pages, Hardcover
Published February 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 18, 2026
This is a lovely small book that I purchased after seeing the special exhibit of the same name at the Toledo Museum of Art. The book contains sections on the four cultures covered in the exhibit (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome). The text describes some of the artifacts on display, as well as some general practices related to magic. The book is filled with wonderful photos of the artifacts, as well as a large selection of color plates at the end.
I enjoyed this, but I'm not sure it would be meaningful if you hadn't been to the exhibit.
I enjoyed this, but I'm not sure it would be meaningful if you hadn't been to the exhibit.
July 19, 2026
This book is exactly what it intends to be, plus a little more. This is a book meant to accompany what must have been a very cool museum exhibit. The accompanying articles describing not just how magic was performed, but also its place in society—not too unlike today where we mock magic but perform it in both churches and cartomancy shops.
Side note—if you’re interested in collecting these types of antiquities, this will be a helpful reference.
Side note—if you’re interested in collecting these types of antiquities, this will be a helpful reference.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews