Spell of Attraction

Material: Papyrus
Date: 4th century
Dimensions: 20.7 x 12.7 cm
Findspot: Egypt
Current Location: University of Oslo Library Library Papyrus Collection, P.Oslo I 4 – inv. 434 (PGM XXXIX)

This is an excellent example of a short spell of attraction illustrating three Graeko-Egyptian ritual techniques:

    1. In the centre of the papyrus the practitioner made a drawing of the desired divine action.
    2. To the left and to the right a secret divine name was written down in a decreasing triangular formation: Thattharathauthôlthara (θατθαραθαυθωλθαρα).
    3. Finally, at the bottom, the short demand was communicated to the invoked higher power:

I adjure you by the twelve signs (or: principles, elements) of heaven and the 24 signs (principles, elements) of the world, that you attract Heraklês, whom Taêpis bore, to me, Allûs, whom Alexandria bore, immediately, immediately, quickly, quickly!

Spell of Attraction, papyrus, 20.7 x 12.7 cm, 4th century, Egypt, University of Oslo Library Library Papyrus Collection, P.Oslo I 4 - inv. 434 (PGM XXXIX) © Courtesy of the University of Oslo Library Papyrus Collection
Spell of Attraction, papyrus, 20.7 x 12.7 cm, 4th century, Egypt, University of Oslo Library Library Papyrus Collection, P.Oslo I 4 – inv. 434 (PGM XXXIX) © Courtesy of the University of Oslo Library Papyrus Collection

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