Dancho Penev

April 1, 2015
Preliminary Bibliography 2
1. (1997). PGM VII. In H. Bets, & e. al., The Greek Magical Papyri in
Translation: Including the Demonic Spells (pp. 191-92). University of
Chicago Press.
Note: A recipe for a magic potion with precise listing of materials
inviting functional interpretation. I could try to analyze and suggest a
method for this working/ not working myself; there does not seem to
be any commentary on the same papyrus.
2. Conti, A. (2010). Doping in sports in ancient and recent times. Medicina
Nei Secoli , 22 (1-3), 181-90.
Note: An interesting analysis that strays from the regular love/ health
potion and instead offers a commentary on potions used for
enhancement of sports performance. From our reading in class, we are
familiar with how popular sports could be, especially in the Roman
world, and how magic was used in it. Particularly in the light of the
unclear, sometimes nonexistent boundary between magic potions and
potions with actual physiological effects, this article offers an analysis
of the functional properties of the potions used and also of their
cultural context.
3. Elder, P. t. The Natural History. (M. John Bostock, F. R. S., & H. T. Riley,
Eds.)
Note: A reference book that could be useful to gather information on
specific examples of magic potions or their ingredients. Although
definitely a scholar, Pleny does admit to being influenced by physicians
or more knowledgeable authorities on the subject matter and so his
encyclopedic entries can also be interpreted to offer a commentary on
love potions representative of their prevalent opinions and they were
entrusted with authority by the societies they lived in.
4. Greek. Vulva key. In D. Ogden, Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the
Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook (p. 235). Oxford University
Press, Incorporated.
Note: PGM XXXVI 283-94. IV A.D. This tablet contains instructions for
making a penis lotion that will make a woman love the man who
applies it to his genitals. The ingredients for the lotion include electric
eel bile, honey, and juice from the crow's foot plant, which collectively
invite associations of a sexual lubricant. In his comment, Ogden offers
further sources for enhancing male sexual prowess.
5. Mattern, S. P. (2013). The Prince of Medicine: Galen in the Roman
Empire. Oxford University Press.
Note: Galen rejects the efficacy of potions for love and dream or
thought manipulations as medically nonsensical, yet acknowledges the
seriousness of the problem they present. Mattern offers that despite
Galens dismissal, such potions were very popular in the ancient world.

6. Muller, J. (1998). Love potions and the ointment of witches: historical

aspects of the nightshade alkaloids. Journal of Toxicology: Clinical
Toxicology , 36 (6), 617-627.
Note: Similarly to The Pharmacology of Sacred Plants, Herbs, and
Roots, this article offers a more scientific approach to the ingredients
used in magic potions and ointments to suppose a reason for their
functioning. Particularly useful is that the analysis is situated in the
appropriate historical context. Importantly, as an article published in a
very scientific journal, this source offers an extremely one-sided
perspective on the matter.
7. Plaitakis, A., & Duvoisin, R. (1983). Homer's moly identified as
Galanthus nivalis L.: physiologic antidote to stramonium poisoning.
Clinical Neuropharmacology , 6 (1), 1-5.
Note: This source offers a scientific justification for the work of Circes
potion that she used to enchant Odysseus crew into turning into swine
in Homers Odyssey. The fact that this source is from a work of fiction
is a testament to how magic potions occupied the thoughts of ancient
Greeks as mythological. Of note, the source also speaks to the power
of women through the use of potions.
8. Rives, J. B. (2003). Magic in Roman Law: The Reconstruction of a Crime.
Classical Antiquity , 22 (2), 319-329.
Note: This source offers the Roman perceptions of magic potions now
vs. in the ancient world. Additionally, like The discoverie of
witchcraft, this source offers a perspective on the lawfulness of such
potion. The section includes commentary on both love and hate
potions.
9. Roylance, F. D. (1992). Ancient Notions on Healing Potions Medicine:
Recipes for Everything from Aphrodisiacs to Cough Syrups are found in
the Medical Handbook of a 6th-Century Woman. Los Angeles Times .
Note: Similarly to Circes example in the Odyssey, this source offers a
testament to the influence of women magicians through potions.
Included is the example of Metrodora, whose magic is attributed a
significant scholarly component, suggestive of the blurred line between
science and magic, particularly when concerning potions. To try to
pinpoint said line somewhat, Roylance offers his commentary on how
some magic potions might have reasonably worked (scientifically) and
how some were complete nonsense.
10.Scarborough, J. (1991). The Pharmacology of Sacred Plants, Herbs, and
Roots. In C. A. Faraone, & D. Obbink, Magica Hierra (pp. 138-74). New
York.
Note: A chapter on the pharmacological properties of ingredients that
were used in magic potions. This fits nicely as in comparison with
Ancient Notions on Healing Potions Medicine, because it offers the
modern perspective on very much an identical subject, thereby

allowing me to distinguish the modern vs. ancient perspective on how

the science of magic potions really worked.
11.Scott, R., & Summers, M. (1930). The discoverie of witchcraft. London:
J. Rodker.
Note: This source, as a treatise against witchcraft, is very much biased
against love potions and therefore offers a meticulous critique of them.
Look at: Book VI (Ch.3, 4 poisons, 7 love induced through venome), X (5, 8
how potions are made and opinions, 19 rebuttal of potions), XII (11
counterfeit balms, 22 medicinal lawful charms), XIII (10 explanation of a
venome), last book (Ch. 10 explanation of how love potions can be
bestowed function that results in actual, real power)