Ancient Egyptian Spells: A Window into Everyday Life

Two German scholars from the University of Würzburg have spent the past five years studying texts from Egypt. These were written between the 4th and 12th centuries AD, using materials like papyrus, parchment, paper, and clay shards called "ostraca. " The texts were in Coptic, a late form of Egyptian that was spoken until Arabic took over after the 7th century conquest. Before Arab rule, Romans had been in charge for hundreds of years. These ancient texts are fascinating because they give us insights into daily life and beliefs during these periods. People used them to influence love and hatred, heal sicknesses, or predict the future. They could be worn as amulets or hidden in enemies' homes. The book "Papyri Copticae Magicae" now presents these magical texts with translations and context. Only around 100 of the roughly 600 surviving texts were previously published together, making this collection very special. It shows how people dealt with hopes, fears, conflicts, and their vision of human and supernatural worlds. Love spells are common, mostly used by men to separate married couples. Other texts focus on health issues like fever or insomnia, even helping with pregnancy. These documents offer a real look at everyday religion and emotions during the transition from ancient gods to Christianity and then Islam. "These manuscripts let us see the reality of religious practices," says Markéta Preininger Svobodova, one of the book's authors. They provide a direct connection to people’s private lives and true feelings during these historical shifts.