Oriental cults and curse tablets in Europe

Abstract

In my paper, I would like to explain that there is an interesting connection between spreading oriental cults and curse tablets. I will show the spreading of these cults through Europe, especially cults of Isis, Seth, Magna Mater or Attis. Concretely I will focus on one of the most important sites dedicated to oriental gods, concerning the defixiones, which is the dual shrine of Magna Mater and Isis in Mainz, ancient Mogontiacum. This site is extraordinary in several ways. However, I would like to primarily focus on the deposition of the thirty-four tablets which were found there. They are interesting according to the fact that their location differs from the tablets found in the other temples and sites, as I will present. Other sites connected with oriental cults mentioned above will be examined in the similar way (tablets from Rome or Athens). The comparison between Greek and Latin tablets will be part of the presentation as well.