Along with established religious rites, magic was widely used in ancient healing. The practice of writing curses or spells on lead, tin, papyri, and gemstones — to attract a potential lover, hurt an undesirable neighbor, or expel the demon of disease — is attested in the Greek world as early as the fifth century BC. Here are some artifacts illustrating the practice of magic at the Egyptian town of Karanis in late antiquity.
The Power of Magic
