In Roman Britain people used magic to protect themselves, to gain better health, to fall in love, and to curse wrongdoers. They used arcane words, strange and uncanny materials, and called upon supernatural creatures to make the magic work. This book introduces the subject of magical practices in the ancient world and explores the many incredible ways that this presented itself in Britain in the first four centuries ad. Many different types of magic are featured: prayers written in gold that protected pregnant mothers, rings worn to prevent stomach complaints, and pendants that aimed to help teething infants. Curses written by victims of theft were intended to bring physical ruin on criminals and love charms helped the unlucky in love.

Lavishly illustrated throughout, Adam Parker offers a fascinating insight into the archaeology of magic in Roman Britain.