Browsing by Author "Fritz, Annerie"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Image, words, magic: A case study of the influence of images on the use of amulets from Egypt and Mesopotamia
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Fritz, Annerie; Cornelius, Izak; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Ancient Studies.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis intends to examine to what degree the use of images on certain objects may have influenced the way in which such artefacts had been used. To this end this thesis utilizes ancient amulets from both Egypt and Mesopotamia as case studies. The iconographic method as adapted by Bonfiglio (2016) is applied throughout. This method allows for a closer examination not only of the amulets, but of the image-function relationship and the visual awareness behind the use of images as well. The corpus of this thesis consists of eight amulets of varying types, functions and origin, with supporting examples provided as additional figures in the body of the text. This allows for the focus of the study to remain with images and their role with regards to the use of these objects rather than the objects themselves.The study concludes that while the interpretation of the image as the determinative factor in the use of the amulet may be valid, the eventual ambiguity as to the validity of this interpretation as well as its opposite, in equal measure, may require further study in order to reach a definitive conclusion.