Working with Penguin and The British Museum, The Reading Agency gave reading groups the chance to explore their local museums and tell us all about their favourite discoveries.
Reading groups were inspired by A History of the World in 100 Objects and we’re sharing the best entries on Reading Groups for Everyone.
A Defixio
Ashcroft Arts Centre reading group visited Westbury Manor Museum in Fareham where they were shown around by Emma Hart. The group chose what looks like a dull piece of lead which was found near the Hamble river. However, scratched upon its surface is a glimpse into early Roman religion. The object is a defixio, a type of Roman curse. This particular defixio is addressed to the gods Neptune and Niscus, and dates back to the fourth century.
We loved the story it told. An aggrieved man called Muconius seeks divine retribution and revenge upon thieves who had stolen gold and silver coins from him. He prepared this curse, or Defixio, and cast it to the gods of the water. We enjoyed this age old notion of venting one’s spleen, writing down one’s grievances in the hope of finding a solution, we do so today, not quite curses, but using the written word to alleviate anger. As a reading group we were drawn to this early example of writing in Britain, and the narratives one might create around it.
Contributors: Angela Hicken
With special thanks to Emma Hart of Westbury Manor Museum for her tour and bringing the Museum’s collection to life.
