4care-artefacts

Artefact ID	1616
TM ID	TM 372070
Findspot (DEChriM ID)	28 (al-Bahnasā)
Class	Textual
Material	Papyrus
Writing medium	Sheet/roll
Text content	Subliterary
Language	Greek
Description	P.Oxy. LXXIX 5205, P.Oxy. 79 5205: Magical spell for sabotaging a chariot race This left side fragment (8.5 x 11.5 cm) of a papyrus sheet, containing the beginnings of 17 lines, is missing ca. 10 letters per line, as well as the beginning of the sheet; the bottom margin may be preserved. The text is a sports-related defixio/κατάδεσμος, usually written on tablets, specifically lead tablets, rather than papyrus. Here the writer means to harm the horses of the Blue team at the circus. This is achieved by invoking a number of deities, including Gabriel, Raphael, Michael and Bouel (line 10), as well as the God of Gods (τοῦ θεοῦ τῶν θεῶν, line 13). The verso is blank.
Selection criteria	Christian terms/formulas/concepts
Date from	300
Date to	499
Dating criteria	Palaeography
Absolute/relative date	Relative date
Archaeological context	Found in al-Bahnasā (Oxyrhynchos) during the excavations of Bernard Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt between 1896 and 1907.
Accession number	Oxford, Sackler Library, Papyrology Rooms 39 5B.119/E(5)a

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