Imagine it is the 2nd Century BCE in Egypt, and you have a book of magic in your hand...
What does the word ‘magic’ bring to mind? Many people picture witches in the middle ages, medieval fantasy, or wizards like Harry Potter. However, ‘magic’ reflects a religious and ritualistic aspect of everyday life that has been marginalised (or considered unimportant ) both in the past and present.
This talk will focus on an archive of primary sources known as the Greek ‘Magical’ Papyri that come from Egypt during the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. This was when Egypt had been taken over by the Greeks after Alexander the Great’s invasion in 332 BCE, and then by the Roman Empire in 30 BCE after the death of Cleopatra VII. These manuscripts give evidence of everyday ritual practice, in which divine powers are invoked to assist with human distress. This talk will teach us about the use and production of these ‘magic’ rituals, and their connection to wellbeing.
Presented by Brooke Galluci, graduate at Macquarie University in Ancient History, this is a talk will introduce Brooke's Master's thesis ‘Magic’ and Deviance: Restoring Ritual Practice from the Margins in Graeco-Roman Egyptian ‘Magical’ Papyri . Come learn about eras long gone, Gods now forgotten, and rituals and beliefs in Ancient Graeco-Roman Egypt.
Presented by History Illuminated
About the Speaker
Brooke Gallucci is a graduate of the Ancient History program at Macquarie University and recently submitted her Master of Research in November 2024. She has worked as a Research Assistant on the ARC Discovery Project 'Forging Antiquity: Authenticity, Forgery, and Fake Papyri', and has experience working across the GLAM sector in both museums and libraries. Her research focuses on cultural contact, psychology, emotions and language, specifically in relation to religion and ritual. She is interested in the access we have to other cultures through language and has studied Greek, Latin, Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Italian. Brooke currently works at Sugar Valley Library Museum as a Cultural Experiences Officer.
This talk is suitable for all ages. This event is FREE however donations are warmly welcomed on the night.
Parking and access at Sugar Valley Library Museum
The Sugar Valley Library Museum is located at the Cameron Park Plaza complex, on Portland Drive Cameron Park. There is dedicated Museum parking and accessible parking available adjacent to the building. The venue has no steps and has accessible bathrooms. The venue is easily accessed by public buses.
This event may be photographed and filmed and your image could be used in advertising and promotion by Lake Macquarie City Council. Should you wish to not be photographed or filmed please advise event organisers on entry at the event.
