Scriptural incipits on amulets from late antique Egypt
Subtitle: text, typology, and theory
By: Joseph E. Sanzo
Series: Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum -- 84. -- Studies and texts in antiquity and Christianity -- 84; Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum -- 84.
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
Published: 2014
Place of publication: Tübingen
Language: eng
Number of pages: 219
ISBN-13: 9783161529658
Copyright date: 2014
Subjects: Quotations; Greek Amulets; Greek Inscriptions; Amulett; Incipit; Inschrift; Bible
Description: "The use of biblical and parabiblical texts on amulets and other apotropaic objects was ubiquitous in late antique Egypt. Among the passages most frequently cited were the opening lines (incipits) of the Gospels, the Psalms, and other scriptural texts. Scholars have repeatedly observed the apotropaic use of such incipits, but have yet to subject them to thorough and focused analysis. In the present volume, Joseph E. Sanzo addresses this scholarly need by offering the first sustained study of the scriptural incipits on Greek and Coptic amulets and other apotropaic objects from late antique Egypt. In addition to providing a catalog and edition of these texts, the author draws on insights from cognitive linguistics, ritual studies, and the history of the book to establish a typology of the incipits and to determine their ritual functions."--
Notes: Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral - Los Angeles) under the title: In the beginnings: the apotropaic use of scriptural incipits in late antique Egypt.

Includes bibliographical references and index.