Basic info

Collection

Archaeology

Object name

Seal matrix

Inscribed object

Object category

Roman

Description

Thin gold plate, two lines of writing in Greek letters. Described in Eboracum as: "amulet, fragmentary, consisting of a thin gold plate 1in wide by 3/4in, lightly engraved with two lines of writing in Greek letters. Such charms were rolled or folded over and over, into a small compact mass, and then enclosed in a locket. This fragment has broken along its folds at the top and bottom. ... The first line is a meaningless jumble of letters and magical characters (known as the 'voces magicae'). The second line... has been interpreted as a transliteration of the Coptic 'ϕνεβεννουθ' [ PH. N. NOUT] 'Lord of the gods'; but it might be a variant of the Hebrew magic formula, nabis biennouth meaning 'bound by spells', which is common upon 'Chnoubis' amulets (used for digestive ailments) and is often misspelt." Lamella (or thin sheet amulets) like this are rare in Roman Britain; where they are known [eg, Portable Antiquities Scheme: NMS-7BEED8 and BERK-0B6771] they always include Greek lettering, are folded up and placed into an amulet case, usually intended for suspension around the neck. High quality metals used in this manner are frequently used in conjunction with apotropaic rather than cursing functions.

Production date start

71

Production date end

410

Period

Roman