Classical Studies Program Presents
An Amulet for Abortion? Ancient Reproduction from a Modern Perspective
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Olin Humanities, Room 203
5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Tara Mulder, PhD
There are hundreds of Greco-Egyptian magical gems from the 1st–4th centuries CE that have been found all around the Mediterranean. Of these, more than a hundred have been identified as “uterine amulets,” distinguished by a symbolic representation of a uterus accompanied by Egyptian deities and Greek lettering. Current interpretations of these amulets reflect an ignorance of female experience in the ancient world, attributable in part to being written by male scholars. For example, most interpretations focus on only a narrow range of uterine conditions that the amulets may be aimed at curing, and they assume abortion was always an unwanted outcome. In fact, it is likely that certain amulets were intended not to prevent but to induce abortion. In this talk I will give an overview of ancient ideologies of reproduction, with a focus on attitudes toward abortion. I will demonstrate what modern scholars have missed in their analysis of the ancient evidence, including medical and scientific texts, magical papyri, and the uterine amulets. Visiting Assistant Professor, Vassar College
For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].
Time: 5:00 pm EDT/GMT-4
Location: Olin Humanities, Room 203