Visualising Ancient Magic — launch

Place: Combined Classics Library lobby, 3rd floor, Senate House 

Presenters: Nicole Iu, Gabriel Bodard 

This temporary exhibit, curated by two experts in Greco-Roman magical text and ritual, and running from March through May, explores transgressive and marginal ritual practice in ancient mythology, literature, art, history, archaeology and theory. We will show examples and images of magical scenes, including 3D printed replicas, rare books from the Classics Library special collections, and notes giving translations, analysis and commentary. Four exhibition cases will be divided into: Mythology and art; Polemic and accusation; Texts; Objects and recipes. The artefacts and texts included in this exhibit illustrate some of the characteristics of magic as conceived in antiquity, such as subversive behaviour, representations of ‘the Other,’ secret and arcane knowledge. As a result, these rituals also demonstrate the ongoing negotiation between private, magical ritual and public, civic religion and tradition. Learn about ancient magical practice and stereotype, see the evidence for yourself, and catch a glimpse of the scholarship, old and new, on the ancient supernatural and occult.

Booking is required to attend the lauch event.