Voces magicae

Magic tablet from Pergamon with Greek voces magicae surrounding each of the figures

Voces magicae (singular: vox magica, "magical names" or "magical words") are Ancient Roman magical words, written in either Ancient Greek or Latin.

## Definition and use

They were compensable, pronounceable, but nonsensical words with alleged arcane origins which were used in spells, charms, and amulets to enhance their magical potency.[1]

The voces magicae were related to the Greek Ephesia Grammata.[1] They may include alternative names of gods or other unusual phrases which may have been intended as the secret, authoritative true name of certain gods.[2][3] As an example: in the Greek Magical Papyri, the first spell of the first papyrus intended to summon a daimon assistant and included the phrase (in translation) "[This] is your authoritative name: ARBATH ARBAOTH BAKCHABRE".[4]

## See also

* Magic in the Greco-Roman world
* Magical formula

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Versnel, H. S. (2012). "Magic". The Oxford Classical Dictionary (4 ed.).
2. ↑ Wilburn, Andrew T. (2012). Materia Magica : The Archaeology of Magic in Roman Egypt, Cyprus, and Spain. University of Michigan Press. p. 71.
3. ↑ Dieleman, Jacco. "The Greco-Egyptian Magical Papyri". Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic. Brill. pp. 283-321.
4. ↑ The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation including the Demotic Spells (Volume One: texts) (2 ed.). University of Chicago Press. 1992. pp. 3-4.

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