TRA EPIGRAFIA SACRA E MAGIA: EPHESIA GRAMMATA IN MAGNA GRECIA E SICILIA

Abstract

The Ephesia grammata represent a magical formula that appears within the ἐπῳδαί, that is, “Incantations
and Prayers for Salvation” (R. Kotansky) known from epigraphic and papyrus documents dating from the
5th century BC to III-IV AD; these are in total 10 and the oldest specimens come from Sicily and Magna
Graecia. For the more recent texts, a purpose in the private sphere is evident, but at least some of the documents
of V-IV BC seem to have a public purpose, since in these cases the polis invokes the protection of the
gods, probably to fight not only generic evil spirits, but also in historical contexts of difficulty due to wars,
famines or diseases. It is not excluded that these ἐπῳδαί were sung during a religious ritual within a sacred
context.