Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks

Private Life 195
Drawing of Hekate, goddess of sorcery, on a lead
curse tablet. Courtesy of the American School of
Classical Studies at Athens.
dren. Many were made of cheap materials, though precious stones
were believed to have special efficacy. Plutarch (Life of Perikles 38.2)
tells us that, even Perikles, a confirmed rationalist, tied an amulet
around his neck when he contracted the plague. It was taken as
proof that the statesman really must be in a bad way “if he was
prepared to put up with such nonsense.” Herbs and plants were
believed to possess magical healing properties. In addition, foreign
and nonsense words were credited with magical powers.
Making Connections
Act out the holding of a symposium. You will need assistance
from a slave in making preparations beforehand. Provide the
room with couches or cushions so that the guests can recline.
Appoint a symposiarch or master of drinking, whose job it
will be to ensure that the proper procedures are followed. You
may decide to have hired entertainers at least at the outset, or
you may prefer to dispense with them altogether. What kind of conversation
takes place? Perhaps there is an urgent matter that is going to be
discussed at a meeting of the assembly. Or perhaps you wish to discuss
a recent dramatic production. Or perhaps the guests wish to exchange
ideas on some philosophical issue. Such discussion would doubtless be
enlivened by the presence of a few educated hetairai. The symposiarch
might take it upon himself to judge who speaks the best.