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In my paper, I would like to explain that there is an interesting connection between spreading oriental cults and curse tablets. I will show the spreading of these cults through Europe, especially cults of Isis, Seth, Magna Mater or Attis. Concretely I will focus on one of the most important sites dedicated to oriental gods, concerning the defixiones, which is the dual shrine of Magna Mater and Isis in Mainz, ancient Mogontiacum. This site is extraordinary in several ways. However, I would like to primarily focus on the deposition of the thirty-four tablets which were found there. They are interesting according to the fact that their location differs from the tablets found in the other temples and sites, as I will present. Other sites connected with oriental cults mentioned above will be examined in the similar way (tablets from Rome or Athens). The comparison between Greek and Latin tablets will be part of the presentation as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In my paper, I would like to explain that there is an interesting connection between spreading oriental cults and curse tablets. I will show the spreading of these cults through Europe, especially cults of Isis, Seth, Magna Mater or Attis. Concretely I will focus on one of the most important sites dedicated to oriental gods, concerning the defixiones, which is the dual shrine of Magna Mater and Isis in Mainz, ancient Mogontiacum. This site is extraordinary in several ways. However, I would like to primarily focus on the deposition of the thirty-four tablets which were found there. They are interesting according to the fact that their location differs from the tablets found in the other temples and sites, as I will present. Other sites connected with oriental cults mentioned above will be examined in the similar way (tablets from Rome or Athens). The comparison between Greek and Latin tablets will be part of the presentation as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using medieval Cologne as an example, this paper seeks to extract traces of a lay leadership from rabbinic texts of medieval Ashkenaz. It reveals evidence of a culture of leadership and arbitration that was based on Jewish tradition and common sense, rather than an emphasis on talmudic law and argumentation. This is demonstrated by a discussion of known leaders, texts about Cologne Jews, rabbinic statements that criticize Cologne's Jewry for halakhic leniency in favor of economic gain, and cultural assimilation to the Christian environment. The sources presented in this study suggest the existence of a lay leadership entrusted with governance and arbitration, existing in Cologne and possibly other places in medieval Ashkenaz. This system of governance and arbitration seems to have been possible in Jewish communities that had no strong rabbinic presence and probably existed in many places. Only with the arrival of strong local rabbinic authorities did the lay leadership yield its place to rabbinic leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]