Researchers at Heidelberg University have deciphered a rare second-century Roman curse tablet discovered in the Netherlands, shedding new light on the spread of magical practices across the Roman Empire.
The lead tablet, unearthed during archaeological excavations in the Dutch town of Heerlen, contains an ancient Greek inscription invoking deities and demons in the Egyptian magical tradition. The find is considered unusual because most curse tablets recovered from Northern Europe are written in Latin.
The artefact was discovered beneath Heerlen’s town hall square, the site of the former Roman military settlement of Coriovallum in the province of Lower Germania. Measuring just 9.3 by 4.8 centimetres, the tablet was once buried as part of a ritual intended to invoke supernatural forces against an enemy.
Ancient curse tablets, known as defixiones in Latin and katadesmoi in Greek, were commonly made from lead, a material believed to possess binding powers. Such tablets typically contained spells designed to influence legal disputes, athletic competitions, business rivalries or romantic relationships.
To study the inscription, researchers at Heidelberg University's Institute for Papyrology employed Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a specialised photographic technique that combines multiple images taken under varying lighting conditions. The method allowed scholars to reveal details that were difficult to see with the naked eye.
Analysis of the tablet identified three separate groups of characters, including an invocation of supernatural beings written in ancient Greek. Researchers also discovered three magical symbols known as characteres, which were believed to help communicate the curse to divine or demonic powers.
The inscription names four individuals — two men and two women — who are described as fellow slaves. According to Dr Rodney Ast, Academic Director of the Institute for Papyrology, the tablet may have been intended either to curse the four slaves themselves or to invoke supernatural punishment against an unnamed individual on their behalf.
The composition of the group is particularly intriguing. The two men bear Latin names, while the women have Greek names, suggesting a culturally diverse community within the Roman Empire.
Dr Julia Lougovaya, a researcher at the institute, said it is possible that one of the women was responsible for commissioning or writing the curse. She may have originated from Roman Egypt and brought with her knowledge of magical practices associated with communicating with divine powers.
Experts say the tablet provides valuable evidence of cultural and religious exchange across the Roman world. By the early centuries A.D., magical traditions from Egypt, the Near East, Jewish communities and emerging Christian groups were increasingly interacting and spreading throughout the empire.
Professor Joachim Quack, Director of Heidelberg University's Institute for Egyptology, noted that magic occupied an important place in ancient Egyptian society. While protective and healing rituals were often accepted within official religious practice, spells intended to harm others were generally carried out in secret.
Researchers believe the Heerlen tablet offers a striking example of how these traditions travelled far beyond their places of origin and became integrated into daily life across Roman Europe.
The curse tablet is expected to go on public display at the Heerlen Museum. A full scholarly publication of the inscription and its interpretation will also be released, allowing researchers worldwide to examine the rare artefact and its significance for the study of ancient religion and magic.
Header Image Credit : Elke Fuchs, Institut für Papyrologie, Universität Heidelberg
Sources : Universität Heidelberg