A Magical Lamella from a Roman Tomb in Campomarino

The burial of a boy and that of a man have been discovered in a small Roman cemetery at Campomarino (Province of Campobasso, Italy) beneath a square platform which was the base of one funerary monument. Among the funerary goods of the man an iron ax, an amulet against the evil eye, and a gold lamella were found. The Greek text written on the lamella is meant to seek protection from angelic beings in favour of a child. These angels were the magical symbols (charakteres) and words themselves which are written at the beginning of the text. Two interpreta- tions of this amulet are presented: it was either worn by the man when he was young, or used by him as a protection for the boy lying in the other tomb, who was a member of his family.