Curse tablets, bracelets, and culverts

Having wandered around Cheddar Gorge and been duly impressed, we drove to Bath and found a ‘Park-and-ride’ spot that set us up well for heading off to Wales, when we’d finished exploring.

Our first stopping point had to be the Roman Baths, and I was duly impressed that the information wasn’t too dumbed down for us tourists. We spent a lot longer perusing the various exhibits and looking around than I expected.

The first building on the site was constructed around 60-70 CE, and work continued on and off for 300 years. I had to smile at the Wikipedia snippet about the baths that shows up on Google, which says construction was completed in 1897 (It is alluding to the museum). I probably ought to consult with my daughter-in-law before saying anything more and making a complete idiot of myself, as she teaches Latin and has studied all things Roman for years.

To quote Wikipedia: “The tablets were used to ask the gods, place spirits, or the deceased to perform an action on a person or object, or otherwise compel the subject of the curse.” There was a whole industry around them, as a lot of the populace were illiterate, they’d pay people to write their curses for them. Puts me in mind of a new twist on ‘Creative Writing’ courses. I think they are a brilliant idea that should be resurrected. We could have curse calling cards or curse flash cards. I can think of several organizations and wayward objects that I could vent my spleen upon by doing so. It might even be an idea for a series of posts… I could leave one on the errant starter in the van just for … (wait for it) … starters.

And finally, below we have a culvert leading (if my memory is correct) from the spring.   

Copyright © 2016 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.