A Guide to Ancient Magic From Mesopotamia to Celtic Britain
Summary
Hosted by Ben Mankowitz, this episode explores the history of magic and witchcraft in the ancient world, tracing its evolution from Mesopotamia to the Roman Empire. The discussion covers how ancient societies blurred the lines between religion and sorcery, examining primary sources like cuneiform tablets, the Book of the Dead, and Greek curse tablets. Mankowitz analyzes the legal frameworks that criminalized harmful magic, such as the Code of Hammurabi and Roman laws against poisoners, while profiling diverse practitioners ranging from Egyptian priests and Babylonian exorcists to Celtic dru…
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