Etruscan Roman Remains

by Charles Godfrey Leland

Cast a spell against gossips, deflect unwanted romantic attention, or bring the dead back to life. The renowned 19th-century folklorist and expert on witchy cultures Charles Leland believed he had uncovered the secrets of practical domestic magic as the ancient pagans of Italian Tuscany performed it, and he shared all in this classic 1892 study.
Considered by the author to be his own masterwork, this enthralling work--one still the subject of heated debate among modern pagans, some of whom embrace it while others deny its accuracy--here are detailed examinations of the gods and goblins of the region as well as the time-honored incantations, divinations, medicines, and amulets of the Tuscans.

Genres: Witchcraft, Occult, History, Religion, Magic, Italian Literature, Research

396 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1891

About the author

Charles Godfrey Leland (August 15, 1824 – March 20, 1903) was an American humorist and folklorist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was educated at Princeton University and in Europe.
Leland worked in journalism, travelled extensively, and became interested in folklore and folk linguistics, publishing books and articles on American and European languages and folk traditions. Leland worked in a wide variety of trades, achieved recognition as the author of the comic Hans Breitmann’s Ballads, fought in two conflicts, and wrote what was to become a primary source text for Neopaganism half a century later, Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to any home library for anyone interested in the religion of Antiquity and Italian folklore. All of Charles Leland's writings are wonderful, but this book in particular is of great merit. Leland traveled the Italian country-side and recorded many of the tales from rural folks, some of which still practice the "old religion" both overtly and covertly within the Roman Catholic structure. It is through his recording of these stories that we can see the evolution and continued existence of the Gods of the Ancients. This is a must read for any serious mythographer, folklorist or modern day observer of the Old Ways.

[Jussara Cavalcante]

Complex reading but full of content!!! Very good book for those in search of old culture.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in the 1800’s, this describes mythical creatures, magic spells and other Etruscan history gleaned from artifacts and interviews with Etruscan Italians.

[Walter Five · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very faithful reproduction of the original 1892 publication. It has no editorial footnoting, glossary, or editing of the original text. Leland considered his ''Aradia, Gospel of the Witches'' to be the first chapter of this book. It is invaluable to any who would study the survival of ''the old religion.''

[Michael Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource book for mythologies and recoveries of protective medicines in the ancient traditions.
explains applications and practices of Greek and Etruscan magic and medicine.