Roots of Magic Episodes Themed "Interview"

Gideon Bohak on the Pishra de-Rabbi Ḥanina Ben Dosa

We discuss a fascinating text of all-purpose protective and apotropaic magic with a history spanning millennia with the inimitable Gideon Bohak. Attributed to a first-century rabbi, the Pishra may have its roots in late-antique Babylonia, but it was still being copied into the twentieth century, and, who knows? perhaps today.

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Frank Simons on the Mesopotamian Šurpu Ritual

We explore the ancient Mesopotamian ritual-series known as Šurpu with Frank Simons. This interview is a window onto very, very ancient magical practice, but has a surprising amount to tell us about magic today.

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Family Matters: Charlotte Rose on Ancient Egyptian Medical Magic for Women and Children

We discuss the dangerous, liminal space of childbirth and childhood in ancient Egypt. How might the gods, magic, and medicine interact to help make this a less perilous realm? Charlotte Rose has some ideas.

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