(ORDO NEWS) — Separate phrases and even descriptions of actions from the Apocalypse are similar in terminology to those found on the “curse tablets” and in the witchcraft rituals associated with them.
Researchers from the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany) studied the Roman “tablets of curses” (tabella defixionis) and found that ancient magical rituals may have found their way into the last book of the New Testament – the Revelation of St. John the Evangelist.
“Tablets of curses” are called small lead tablets, on which in one way or another the inscription of a certain spell was applied, the purpose of which is to harm the enemy or rival.
We talked about the discovery of the oldest of these “tablets” – its age is estimated at 3200 years. Archaeologists have not yet seen such ancient samples, but in general the collection of such tablets is quite impressive.
For the first time, archaeologists stumbled upon them back in the 19th century. To date, about 1,700 “tablets of curses” have been collected.
All of them are dated to the period from 500 BC to 500 AD and were found on the territory of the Roman Empire – both in the metropolis itself and in the provinces, from Judea and Egypt to Gaul and Britain.
In other words, these “tablets” under the Romans were quite common practice. The curses inscribed on them were intended for opponents in lawsuits, sports, love affairs.
Some composed in the hope of quickly receiving an inheritance or position. And some guaranteed justice: they promised trouble only if the cursed did not keep his promise.
Lead tablets with curses inscribed on them were placed in certain places, for example, in graves or near sacred places, the supposed abode of the spirits of the underworld.
Sometimes the “tablets” were pierced or painted in a certain way. That is, the inscription itself was only part of the ritual, the full implementation of which ensured the effectiveness of the curse.
Scientists led by Michael Hölscher have found that the text of the Revelation of John the Theologian contains both whole phrases similar to the inscriptions on the tablets, and a description of the rituals associated with placing the “curse tablets” in a sacred place.
As an example, the researchers cited a description of an angel who throws a huge stone into the sea with the words: “So the great city of Babylon will be defeated with force, and it will not be found again.”
The same phrase (only mentioning not Babylon, but the name of the cursed) is repeatedly found on Roman tablets.
The last book of the New Testament was written in the 1st century AD and was originally addressed to Christians on the western coast of Asia Minor.
At that time, Rome is persecuting Christians who are forced to arrange secret shelters.
Researchers believe that the description of ancient magical rituals in the Apocalypse is evidence of an attempt at self-preservation by the early Christian community, which was often threatened.
In the seven epistles of the Book of Revelation, Roman rule and the cult of the emperor are portrayed as demonic, satanic phenomena from which the Christian minority sought to fence itself off.
The acceptance of Roman power meant the need to worship not only the emperor (as a living god), but also the main Roman gods, which, of course, was in no way compatible with the foundations of Christianity.
According to researchers, the author of the Apocalypse told readers what rituals could protect them, and he cited ancient rituals as an example.
From the point of view of our contemporary, this looks illogical: how can one talk about dark magic (although, of course, there was no such concept then) to Christians who must rely on God?
But for those who read or listened to Revelation in the 1st century AD, the “tablets of curses” and Christian commandments are questions from completely different spheres of life.
Cursing tablets were so common that their use was considered quite commonplace, providing, for example, security: it was like hiding from danger in a strong house and turning the key in the lock.
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