Curse Tablet: A Powerful Tool for Seeking Justice in Ancient Rome

Curse Tablet: A Powerful Tool for Seeking Justice in Ancient Rome In 1982, a fascinating artifact was discovered in Southampton, England - a curse tablet from the Roman-Greco world. This particular tablet, known as a "price" in Latin, was created around 350 or 400 AD by a man named Muconius. Filled with anger towards the thief who had stolen his cold and silver coins, Muconius sought divine intervention to bring justice to his assailant. The curse tablet was etched upon lead, a material believed to possess a heavy and cold nature that enhanced the power of maledictions. Muconius may have paid a scribe or prepared the curse himself, as the text reads, "Lord Neptune, I give you the man who has stolen the wildus and six argention of Muconius. May you consume his blood and take it away, Lord Neptune." Curse tablets were commonly used during this period to compel wrongdoers in civil and criminal cases. However, Muconius's tablet, like many others, was also used to seek divine intervention in unsolved crimes and personal grievances. These tablets were typically inscribed with a stylus on lead, although other materials such as wooden tablets and papyri were also used. But who is Neptune, the deity repeatedly mentioned by Muconius on his tablet? Neptune is the Roman god of rivers, lakes, and springs, who later became the god of the sea. Depicted as a bearded man holding a trident and often with an angry countenance, he was also associated with earthquakes, storms, and was the patron of horses and horse races. In the Roman Pantheon, Neptune is the son of Saturn and the brother of Jupiter and Hades. The discovery of Muconius's curse tablet provides valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of ancient Rome. It highlights the use of curse tablets as a means of seeking justice and retribution, as well as the significance of deities like Neptune in Roman society. In conclusion, the curse tablet created by Muconius serves as a powerful testament to the belief in divine intervention and the pursuit of justice in ancient Rome. Made of lead and invoking the Roman god Neptune, this artifact sheds light on the fascinating world of curse tablets and their role in addressing personal grievances and seeking retribution.