Paolo Costa (Università di Bologna) and his wife, Dr. Germana Graziosi, for their kind permission to study the bowls here presented. The author wishes also to thank Dr. Siam Bhayro (Yale University), organizer of the 'ARAMITH' Conference, for his kindness and thoughtful help, Prof. Shaul Shaked (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem) in acknowledgment of his precious support and useful suggestions, Prof. Fabrizio A. Pennacchietti (Università di Torino) for his indispensable assistance at every moment of both the research and the work on the text of this contribution. Thanks are due to Dr. Ezio Albrile for his constant support as regards cultural and bibliographical problems, Dr. Ruth Henderson (Università di Torino), English language consultant, Mr. Stefano Dorato for computer assistance.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

In a series of Syriac incantation bowls published between 1913 and the present day, a peculiar text is documented. It mentions Rab Joshua bar Peraḥya sitting in a court of law and performing an exorcism against demons, devils, liliths and other evil beings haunting the house of the client. This spell is well attested in Jewish Babylonian Aramaic bowls, and it is now clear that a Jewish Babylonian Aramaic model is the basis for what is found in the Syriac bowls. The new edition of the Syriac bowls featuring this formula recently published by the present author, allows for a reconsideration of the theme of the Jewish divorce formula in Syriac incantation bowls, from both the linguistic and cultural points of view.