What do you do if someone steals your clothes while you’re swimming? (Apart from going home in your bathing suit, that is.) Is there any way to get the clothes back, or to find out who took them? Today we might ask the pool staff to check CCTV, but the Romans couldn’t do that. (They couldn’t go home in their bathing suits, either, because they swam in the nude.) The Romans had a solution: they could use a defixio to appeal to the goddess of their local swimming pool to make the thief give the clothes back. How did that work?
What about preventing stomachaches? Certain Romans could have dealt with that by being more careful about what they ate, but were there any other solutions? Yes: they could get help from the god of tummyache. How did that work?
In this workshop we will explore Roman magic, focussing particularly on defixiones and magical gems. After learning about when, why and how the Romans used these devices and examining some ancient examples, participants will make their own and have the opportunity to find out how well they work.
About the workshop
Half day workshop, 10am - 12pm
Explore Roman magic, focussing particularly on defixiones and magical gems
Make your own magic and test it!
Replicas made of safe, non-toxic, easy-to-carve materials
Set in the unique surroundings of Butser Ancient Farm’s historic buildings
Eleanor Dickey did her D.Phil. at Oxford and is now Professor of Clasics at the University of Reading. She has published numerous books about the ancient world and its surviving texts and has taught at Columbia University in New York, the University of Ottawa in Canada, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Sorbonne University in Paris, Leiden University, and the University of Exeter.
Adél Ternovácz is a PhD candidate in the Department of Classics at the University of Reading, where her research focuses on the re-use of ancient gems as seals in medieval Britain between the late 12th and 14th centuries. She earned her BA in History and MA in Classical Archaeology from Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, and also holds a Master’s degree in Museum Management from the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Budapest.
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The ancient schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 26-31 August 2025, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities.
Included in your ticket
Entrance to the farm, tuition and all the materials.
workshop info
Please wear sensible clothing and footwear for this workshop. Lunch is not included, although sandwiches (subject to availability), hot and cold drinks, and snacks are sold in our gift shop. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic if you prefer!
This workshop is suitable for ages 8-16.
If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, or other questions, please contact workshops@butserancientfarm.co.uk for help!