Voces magicae explained

Voces magicae (singular: vox magica, "magical names" or "magical words") or voces mysticae^[1] are pronounceable but incomprehensible magical formulas that occur in spells, charms, curses, and amulets from Classical Antiquity, including Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome.^[2]

These formulas may include alternative names of gods or other unusual phrases which may have been intended as the secret, authoritative true name of certain gods.^{[3] [4]} 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".^[5]

The voces magicae have been said to be related to the Greek Ephesia Grammata.

See also

• Magic in the Greco-Roman world
• Magical formula

Notes and References

1. John G. Gager (1999) Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World. Oxford University, 278 pages.
2. Book: The Oxford Classical Dictionary . Magic . Versnel, H. S. . Simon Hornblower . Antony Spawforth . Esther Eidinow . 4 . 2012.
3. Book: Materia Magica : The Archaeology of Magic in Roman Egypt, Cyprus, and Spain . Wilburn, Andrew T. . 2012 . 71 . University of Michigan Press.
4. Book: Dieleman, Jacco . The Greco-Egyptian Magical Papyri . Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic . Brill . 283–321.
5. Book: Betz, Hanz Dieter . 2 . 1992 . The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation including the Demotic Spells (Volume One: texts) . 3–4 . University of Chicago Press.