Calypso's Cauldron: The ritual ingredients of early-Byzantine love spells

Abstract

In the Greco-Roman world there were charms to increase charisma and affection, viagra potions, aphrodisiacs, spells that led their victim to the instigator, and binding spells that made certain of the impediment of rival suitors or even a third party in a love triangle. Food, drink, and spices played an integral part in the supernatural rituals which aided these "romantic" intentions. Apples could be thrown at a potential mate, the aphrodisiac properties of wine could be utilised for seduction, and various simple or elaborate offerings of food and spices could be presented to eros in order to drive an individual wild with lust. This paper will discuss such uses of food and drink in Byzantine rituals of desire. Furthermore it will consider these actions within their social context, focussing particularly on aspects of gender. Thus it will be proposed that in both the ritualised ingredients and actions of desire can be seen a reflection, and even inversion, of social perceptions and expectations of feminine and masculine behaviour.