CL4419 Magic in the Greco-Roman World: Representations and Realities

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Places in the module will be allocated by standard School of Classics Honours Advising procedures, and will be subject to a cap determined annually (typically 15).

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr R T Anderson

Dr R T Anderson
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr R T Anderson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Greek and Roman literature demonstrates a long-lasting fascination with magic, from Homer's majestic and terrifying Circe to Lucan's revolting Erictho and beyond. Tall tales abound: the dead are reanimated, hearts are stolen (sometimes literally) and inanimate objects fetch more water than anyone could ever want. This interest in magic extended well beyond the realm of literature: lead curse-tablets, so-called 'voodoo dolls' and papyrus spell-books for the magician-for-hire indicate a vigorous practical interest too. Whether unlucky in love, tangled in litigation, or thwarted in business, there was (apparently) a spell to help. This module examines magic and related phenomena in Greek and Roman society. We will explore topics such as the connections between magic and gender, the complex relationship between magic in literature and in life, and the recurrent difficulty both then and now of distinguishing magic from science, philosophy and, above all, religion.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Identify and describe the main forms of magical practice used in Greek and Roman antiquity and the contexts in which they were used;
  • Identify and analyse a range of forms of documentary, archaeological and literary evidence for ancient magical practices and beliefs and for ideas about, and attitudes towards, magic and magicians;
  • Identify and account for the differences between the images of magic and magicians presented by different forms of evidence and in different social, political and cultural contexts;
  • Describe and evaluate a range of interpretations of ancient magic presented in modern scholarship;
  • Select the most appropriate forms of evidence to support your argument, including detailed case-studies;
  • Formulate sophisticated arguments about magic in antiquity, including ancient discourses about magic, using appropriate methodologies and evidence.