Material: Gold
Date: 4th century
Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.3 x 0.1 cm (H: 3 1/8 x W: 1 11/16 in)
Findspot: Bosra (Syria)
Current Location: The Walteres Art Museum, 57.1960
This is a rare example of an extensive invocation for gaining favour, glory and victory engraved into a tiny gold lamella. The awesome photo illustrates perfectly how difficult it is to decipher the individual letters, let alone the magic signs! I made a detail-photo of a section engraved with magic signs to show you a close-up of the tablet.
The inscription reads:
Holy and strong, mighty and great-powerful Name, give favour, glory, victory to Proclus whom Salvina bore, before Diogenianus the dux of Bostra in Arabia; before Pelagius the assessor; and before all men small and great; before gods; before demons, in order that he might be justifiably or unjustifiably victorious in any judgment before any judge, before a magister, before all who observe him and who hear him and his words!
Establish him strong! Make [him] a victor over everyone, particularly over Salvina, whom ‘Eve’ bore, who bore Abdancha, Balona, Mikke; in order that Proclus, whom Salvina bore, might receive victory and glory!
Silence, subjugate, and enslave Salvina, whom ‘Eve’ bore; and Abdancha and Balona and Mikke, whom Salvina bore; and all enemies, opponents, and associates; and Diogenianus the ruler; and Pelagius his scholasticus, and assessor; and all opposing parties, small and great; men, women, and children – all who are watching Proclus, whom Salvina bore, the one bearing your holy and unconquerable power!
Source of the translation: https://art.thewalters.org/object/57.1960/
Become my patron for more infographics, research and videos: https://www.patreon.com/ancientmagic