Curse Tablets
Curse tablets, also known as “defixiones” in Latin, are ancient inscribed metal or stone tablets that were used in various cultures throughout history for the purpose of invoking curses or hexes upon individuals. These tablets were typically inscribed with a curse or a prayer, often directed towards enemies, rivals, or wrongdoers. They were made from a variety of materials, including lead, bronze, silver, and occasionally even wood or clay, depending on the culture and the time period. These inscriptions were written in various languages, such as Latin, Greek, and Aramaic, and contained detailed curses, sometimes including the names of the targeted individuals, their offenses, and the desired consequences.
Curse tablets served a range of purposes, including seeking revenge against enemies or competitors. People believed that these tablets could harness supernatural forces or deities to carry out the curses, bringing harm, illness, misfortune, or even death to the cursed individuals. To facilitate the fulfillment of curses, these tablets were often deposited in locations with symbolic significance, such as graves, wells, or bodies of water, which were associated with the underworld or spirits.
The use of curse tablets was closely tied to the religious beliefs of the time. In ancient Greece and Rome, for example, curses were often directed at specific deities associated with vengeance or justice, reflecting the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped during that era. Many curse tablets have been discovered by archaeologists in various regions, including the Mediterranean, the Near East, and Britain, providing valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of ancient societies.
The use of curse tablets also raises questions about the ethical and legal implications in antiquity. Some inscriptions reveal disputes over property, relationships, or other issues, suggesting that individuals turned to curses as a means of seeking justice when legal avenues were inadequate. Curse tablets were most commonly used in the Greco-Roman world from around the 5th century BCE to the 5th century CE, but similar practices have been found in other cultures throughout history.
The recent discovery of a medieval curse tablet in Rostock, Germany, during construction for the Rostock town hall extension, is indeed a unique and significant find. The tablet, initially mistaken for scrap metal, was discovered in a latrine and dates back to the 15th century. This rolled-up lead tablet contains a Gothic minuscule inscription reading “sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith,” which is believed to be a curse against a woman named Taleke and a man named Hinrik, invoking Satan, Beelzebub, and the demonic spirit Berith.
The phrase “sathanas taleke belzebuk hinrik berith” from the medieval curse tablet found in Germany is a mix of names referencing supernatural entities and the names of the individuals targeted by the curse. Here’s a breakdown of the translation and interpretation:
- Sathanas: A variant of “Satan,” a name commonly associated with the devil or a chief evil spirit in Christian tradition.
- Taleke: This is likely the name of one of the individuals targeted by the curse.
- Belzebuk: A variant of “Beelzebub,” which is another name for the devil or a demon in Christian and biblical literature. The name originally referred to a Philistine god and was later adopted in Abrahamic religions as a demon.
- Hinrik: This is presumably the name of another individual targeted by the curse.
- Berith: This is likely a reference to a demonic figure. In demonology, Berith is one of the lesser key demons.
The phrase essentially seems to be a curse directed at the individuals named Taleke and Hinrik, invoking the names of Satan, Beelzebub, and the demonic spirit Berith against them. The exact phrasing and combination of names in this context likely have specific connotations or intentions in the curse’s original cultural and historical setting.
The use of Gothic minuscule, also known as Blackletter or Textura, suggests that the tablet originated between the 12th and 17th centuries. Jörg Ansorge from the University of Greifswald, who led the excavation, emphasized the exceptional nature of this find. Curse tablets, typically associated with ancient Greek and Roman periods, are rare from the medieval era. These tablets, known as defixiones in Latin, were usually folded or rolled up and placed in locations thought to be gateways to underworld gods who could carry out the curses.
In the Greco-Roman society, people believed they could use magic to control the natural world, and curse tablets were a part of this practice. These tablets contained inscriptions, sometimes in cryptic languages or symbols, intended to invoke forces or spirits to carry out specific curses. For instance, some curse tablets from the Roman period were discovered with inscriptions like, “Let all forces and demons help that…” indicating a direct appeal to supernatural entities for assistance.
The Grand Grimoire, a medieval occult manuscript, is another example that reflects the historical fascination with the supernatural and the occult. It contains instructions for rituals, including the summoning of Lucifer, and demonstrates the extent to which people sought to engage with and possibly control supernatural forces.
This discovery not only provides insights into the superstitions and beliefs of the 15th century but also challenges the conventional timeline for curse tablets, which are mostly associated with ancient times, from 800 BCE to 600 CE. The rarity of such finds from the medieval period, particularly the 15th century, adds to the significance of the Rostock discovery.
