Magic Names (Latin)

Abstract

The amulet came from a rudimentary stone sarcophagus dug up from a mound in the southwestern tract of the town plaza, during the erection of a building complex on January 28, 1662. The sarcophagus contained the haphazardly scattered remains of a male skeleton and a tubular capsule of pure gold, sealed at both ends. The gold capsule had rolled up within it a second capsule of bronze, and inside that yet another of silver. The inscribed gold lamella was found very tightly rolled up inside the innermost capsule. Furthermore, the same sarcophagus yielded a small bronze coin of Caracalla; a small, blue glass vessel set in a bronze casing; and an iron knife, thoroughly rusted. In the soil outside the sarcophagus, diggers also found the following bronze objects: a modest helmet broken in two, a plate, two fragmentary necklaces, a head of a satyr, a small jar, and a gold coin. The gravegoods date the find to the 3rd cent. A.D.