Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
closed access
For the ancient Egyptians magic was a means of controlling an otherwise uncontrollable world. The execration ritual was one such means of control. The execration ritual was a magical means of...Show moreFor the ancient Egyptians magic was a means of controlling an otherwise uncontrollable world. The execration ritual was one such means of control. The execration ritual was a magical means of protection and defense against the traditional enemies of the pharaoh as well as against personal enemies. The ritual, which has been compared to modern voodoo, often involved writing the name of an enemy on a figurine and stabbing, breaking or spitting on it before burying it. Evidence of over one thousand of these rituals have been uncovered in locations throughout Egypt and took place from the Old Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period. Often execration figurines have been overlooked and neglected for study in museums around the world, likely because these objects were often purchased in the early history of the museum without a known provenance. Three examples of execration figurines from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo are unique. These limestone figurines were enclosed in travertine boxes, which are comprised of a unique shape. This study explores the probable date, find locations, use and symbolism of these figurines, in an effort to expand the state of knowledge about execration figurines and the ritual for which they were used.Show less
