•  
  •  
 

Abstract

A magical amulet was found in the Roman-Byzantine civic center of Nysa-Scythopolis (Bet She’an). It is made of cobalt glass and engraved with an intaglio design on the obverse and an incised Greek inscription on the reverse. The amulet is related to digestive healing practices that prevailed in the Graeco-Roman world. Medical amulets of this type were widespread and are generally dated to the Roman period (second–third centuries CE); however, an early Byzantine dating for similar amulets has also been suggested. It seems reasonable that magical amulets of the Graeco-Egyptian type were still in use or even newly manufactured, either in Alexandria or in Syria-Palestina, throughout the Byzantine period.

Keywords

art, glyptics, mythology, iconography, linear style, epigraphy

Share

 
COinS