Guide
Ancient Amulets Found in the Diaspora
3rd–7th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
These amulets are either of unknown provenance or were found in the diaspora. Each is inscribed on a thin sheet of metal, suggesting that they originated in Syria, Palestine, or Asia Minor.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Aramaic Amulet of Unknown Provenance
On your right are very many, on your left is Uzziel, in front of you is Susiel, behind you is Repose. Above these is God’s Divine Presence. Save [Quzm]a son of Salminu from affliction, from (bad) fate…
Primary Source
Two-Sided Magical Amulet
The front of this amulet depicts the binding of Isaac, and the back has four lines in pseudo-Hebrew script. The Hebrew is nonsensical, which suggests that the amulet was made for a Christian client…
Primary Source
Amulet from Oxyrhynchus
Against you, the spirit which is called fever (and) shivering: Be exorcised from the body of Marian the daughter of Esther, from the two hundred and forty-eight limbs which are in her. I adjure you…
Primary Source
Greek Amulet of the Shema‘
- ΣΥΜΑ HearΙΣΤΡΑΗ IstraeΛ ΑΔΩ l, the LorΝΕ ΕΛΩ d is GoΗ ΑΔΩ d, the LorΝ Α d is 1