The Evil Eye and Agoraphobia in the Maql?–Series

Abstract

The belief that certain people have the ability to harm other people or objects with a mere glance may well predate history. References to this superstition are contained in various Sumerian incantations dating to the Old Babylonian period (ca. 2000-1600 B.C.E.). In recent years, Assyriologists have started to develop an interest in the psychology of this ancient superstition. In particular, Markham Geller (2003:115-134) has suggested that the Sumerian incantations, which make up the bulk of evil eye incantations from ancient Mesopotamia, were composed by specialist exorcists to treat paranoid schizophrenia. This article will investigate the possibility that an incantation against witchcraft and the evil eye contained in the well-known Maqlū-series may well have been designed to treat agoraphobia.