The Gorgoneion and the Evil Eye: Cultural Importance and Acceptance of Apotropaic Iconography in the Ancient Greco-Roman World
Journal: Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies
Year: 2025

The use of apotropaic iconography, such as the gorgoneion and “evil eye”, was not isolated solely within the taboo field of witchcraft but rather was more commonplace and widely accepted as an appropriate religious practice that thrived in the Greco-Roman World. Understanding the apotropaic nature of specific imagery from the ancient world is key to understanding the reasons behind why these typically fringe magical practices were often routine within this context. The ubiquity of these motifs c