Curseology, or the study of curses and protective spells, has intriguing roots in the New Kingdom period of ancient Egypt (c. 1550–1070 BCE). During this era, curses were not only integral to religious practice but also deeply interwoven with daily life, law, and funerary rites. The New Kingdom saw a flourishing of the arts, monumental architecture, and an expansion of religious practices, including those around curses intended to protect both the living and the dead.
Key Aspects of Curseology in Ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom
- Protective Tomb Curses
- Purpose and Form: Curses were often inscribed in tombs to protect the deceased from grave robbers and desecration. Such curses invoked the wrath of gods like Osiris or Anubis, warning of divine retribution on anyone who violated the tomb. The penalties often included illness, death, or misfortune in the afterlife.
- Wording and Threats: Inscriptions commonly contained phrases like, “He who does harm to this tomb shall be devoured by crocodiles” or “The gods will curse his offspring.” These warnings were meant to invoke fear and ensure the sanctity of the tomb.
- Example – Tutankhamun’s Tomb: While the “curse of the pharaoh” regarding Tutankhamun is more a modern invention, the tomb still contained inscriptions warning intruders of the wrath of the gods, reflecting an ancient tradition of curses.
- Use of Amulets and Magical Texts
- Amulets and Protective Magic: Amulets were widely used to ward off evil spirits and curses, and people wore them as jewelry or placed them in tombs. For instance, the scarab amulet symbolized rebirth and offered protection against evil forces.
- Magical Texts: The “Book of the Dead” contains numerous spells and incantations that served as protective curses to help the deceased navigate the afterlife safely. These texts often included warnings and protections against potential spiritual attackers or demonic forces.
- Curses in Legal Documents
- Legal Curse Formulae: Legal curses were embedded in contracts, land deeds, and legal decrees to discourage wrongdoing. These curses were often tailored to the contract’s nature, threatening harm or divine punishment for breaking agreements.
- Divine Intervention: Legal curses invoked the gods as witnesses, asking them to punish anyone who breached the contract. This type of curse reinforced the rule of law and social order, ensuring contracts and agreements were respected.
- Temple Curses and Boundary Stelae
- Temple Inscriptions: Curses were also etched into temples to ward off those who might desecrate sacred spaces. Temples dedicated to powerful gods like Amun, Ra, and Hathor often contained curse inscriptions that would protect these spaces from theft or defilement.
- Boundary Stelae: Some temples and cities marked boundaries with stelae (inscribed stone slabs) detailing curses against invaders or those who sought to harm the land. These inscriptions often combined curses with blessings, offering prosperity for those who respected the boundaries and ruin for violators.
- Magical Papyri and Personal Curse Spells
- Personal Curses for Revenge or Protection: While not as common as protective curses, evidence suggests individuals in the New Kingdom sometimes used spells to harm rivals or adversaries. Some papyri contain spells that call for misfortune upon personal enemies, blending curseology with personal grievances.
- Magic in Daily Life: Magical papyri, such as those detailing the workings of specific curses or protections, became a way for people to seek justice outside formal courts, especially when dealing with personal conflicts.
- Ritualistic Curse Practices in Funerary Rites
- Ritual Objects and Curse Implements: Ritual objects, such as figurines or dolls, were used in curse rituals. These objects could represent enemies or harmful spirits and were often buried or broken as symbolic acts to bind or destroy the curse’s target.
- Funerary Rituals: The “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony in funerary rites was a powerful ritual intended to help the deceased move into the afterlife. This ritual involved both blessings and curses to protect the deceased from evil influences and to ensure a safe transition.
Influence of Curseology Beyond the New Kingdom
The belief in curses and protective spells deeply impacted Egyptian culture well into later periods. The study of curseology highlights not only the Egyptians’ fear of supernatural forces but also their intricate understanding of how words, rituals, and symbols could influence both mortal and divine realms. In a society where the afterlife was of paramount importance, curses served as a bridge between worlds, a means of enforcing divine justice and protection.
