Legend found on Birth story!
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Legend found on Birth story!
Thanks for the legend! I read it also in Arthur Weigall's intro, and this is most interesting.
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ruthaki
- Strategos (general)
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Re: Legend found on Birth story!
Hi Jan, The book where I researched some interesting things about Olympias was titled:
MAGIKA HIERA, Ancient Greek Magic and Religion
Edited by Christopher A. Faranone & Dirk Obbink
New York, Oxford Uni. Press 1991.It included interesting facts and details about binding spells and writing curses, divination, preparing poisons etc. There were references to Nectenabos-Olympias "Historia Alxandre Magni"(Ps-Gallisthenes Ch 1 p3f Kroll) from some book titled "Nektanebos" by M Pieper. It mentions a "dream-sending sympathy doll".
"Nectanebo, a former pharoah and traditionally a 'master in all kinds of magic' appears in form of Ammon to Olympias, not only for her nocturnal dreams but also by day. He convinces the queen about the compatibility of htier horoscopes and tells her in advance what will happen toher in her dreams; then he departs, gathers the requisite magic plants, makes a magic doll out of wax, naming it "Olympias" and a small bed.Lights lamp and concotion of potions,utters invokations, etc. Since Queen wishes her nocturnal experience be repeated by day, he grants her wishes. Alexander is consequently born divine son of Ammon. Nectanabo transforms into the serpant and transmits his powers of Ammon, Dionysos, Herkles, into the as yet unborn Alexander."
There's a whole bunch more. Pretty fascinating reading. Probably all myth but good grist for the historical fiction mill. ruth k.
MAGIKA HIERA, Ancient Greek Magic and Religion
Edited by Christopher A. Faranone & Dirk Obbink
New York, Oxford Uni. Press 1991.It included interesting facts and details about binding spells and writing curses, divination, preparing poisons etc. There were references to Nectenabos-Olympias "Historia Alxandre Magni"(Ps-Gallisthenes Ch 1 p3f Kroll) from some book titled "Nektanebos" by M Pieper. It mentions a "dream-sending sympathy doll".
"Nectanebo, a former pharoah and traditionally a 'master in all kinds of magic' appears in form of Ammon to Olympias, not only for her nocturnal dreams but also by day. He convinces the queen about the compatibility of htier horoscopes and tells her in advance what will happen toher in her dreams; then he departs, gathers the requisite magic plants, makes a magic doll out of wax, naming it "Olympias" and a small bed.Lights lamp and concotion of potions,utters invokations, etc. Since Queen wishes her nocturnal experience be repeated by day, he grants her wishes. Alexander is consequently born divine son of Ammon. Nectanabo transforms into the serpant and transmits his powers of Ammon, Dionysos, Herkles, into the as yet unborn Alexander."
There's a whole bunch more. Pretty fascinating reading. Probably all myth but good grist for the historical fiction mill. ruth k.