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Curses have existed since the beginning of human history. For centuries, people have invoked misfortune upon their enemies, often through powerful invocations to divine and supernatural forces. Curse casting, marked by complex rituals, incantations, and words, has sometimes been a specialized profession. In some cases, even objects, particularly human remains, can be imbued with curses.
10. The Curse of the Pella Tablet
In 1986, during excavations of the ancient Macedonian city of Pella, archaeologists discovered a curse tablet. Dating back to between 375 and 350 BC, the Pella tablet is a lead scroll inscribed with a plea. The writer, Dagina, seeks divine intervention to resolve her predicament: Her love, Dionysophon, is on the verge of marrying another woman. Desperate for him, Dagina calls upon the gods for help in love.
The language used on the tablet is far from the formal language of the ancient Macedonian elite, leading linguists to believe Dagina was of a lower social rank. The tablet's linguistic features have confirmed that her Macedonian dialect was rooted in Doric Greek.
Known as 'binding tablets,' invocations such as the Pella tablet were concise appeals to the gods for assistance or curses. Archaeologists have uncovered over 1,600 Greek curse tablets, with the Pella tablet being the earliest known example.
9. The Curse of King Casimir
Just days after the tomb of King Casimir IV Jagiellon was opened by archaeologists in 1973, four of the twelve researchers involved had died. Over the following years, more researchers fell victim to cancer and other deadly illnesses. By the end of this strange chain of events, a total of 15 individuals who had worked with the Polish king’s remains had passed away. Born in 1427, Casimir was known for defeating the Teutonic Order, reclaiming Pomerania, and establishing his dynasty as one of the most powerful in Europe.
Upon Casimir's death in 1492, his body quickly decomposed due to unfavorable weather. Embalmers, in their haste, sealed his coffin with resin, unknowingly turning it into a breeding ground for a deadly fungus. The so-called 'curse' was caused by Aspergillus flavus, a lethal fungus commonly found in ancient tombs and corpses. When the coffin was eventually opened, the fungus spread rapidly, much like the one that is believed to have been behind King Tutankhamun’s 'curse,' which claimed the lives of several Egyptologists.
8. The Curse of Jacques De Molay
By the 12th century AD, the Knights Templar had risen to become one of Europe's most influential organizations. During the Crusades, they accumulated immense wealth, which they utilized in an early form of banking. Rumors suggested they discovered the lost treasure of King Solomon. After a prolonged campaign in the Middle East, Jacques de Molay became the head of the order in 1292.
King Philip IV of France began borrowing heavily from the Templars, never intending to repay them. In 1307, he secretly conspired with Pope Clement V, who removed de Molay from his position. The Templar leader was tortured, imprisoned for seven years, and ultimately burned at the stake in 1314.
Before his death, de Molay cursed his persecutors, declaring that both Clement and Philip would perish within a year, and that Philip’s lineage would be wiped out. Soon after, Clement succumbed to a fatal illness. Then, Philip suffered a fatal stroke. By 1328, all of Philip’s sons and grandsons were dead.
7. The Curse of St. Anne's Well
In 2016, archaeologists discovered an ancient well, believed by some to be cursed, near Liverpool.
The cult of St. Anne once flourished across medieval England. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, is often linked with healing wells. It was believed she bathed in this particular well, known for curing skin and eye ailments. For centuries, a nearby priory of twelve monks took care of the well.
In the 16th century, a fierce dispute erupted over the well’s ownership. Father Delwaney of the priory and his landowning neighbor, Hugh Darcy, both claimed rights to it. Darcy ominously predicted that Delwaney would soon lose access. Just two days later, men of King Henry VIII seized both the priory and the well.
Delwaney allegedly cursed Darcy, and according to legend, collapsed and died immediately afterward. Within three months, Darcy's son fell ill with an unknown sickness and passed away, followed by Darcy himself enduring significant financial ruin. Exactly a year and a day later, Darcy was discovered at the bottom of the well, his head crushed in.
6. Commercial Rivalry Curses
In 2003, archaeologists uncovered the cremated remains of an ancient Athenian woman, accompanied by five lead curse tablets. These tablets, dated to the fifth century BC, were directed at tavern owners, suggesting that commercial rivalry was the likely cause of the curses. In Greek tradition, curse tablets were typically buried underground. While it’s possible that the woman wrote the tablets herself, it’s more likely that her death allowed the spell caster to send the curses to the underworld.
The elaborate language of the curses indicates they were likely crafted by a professional. Notably, the writer calls upon Artemis, a goddess primarily known for her protection of women and girls. Four out of the five tablets were inscribed with curses aimed at different tavern owners, while one remained blank. Each tablet had a nail hammered through it, reinforcing the potency of the curse.
5. Broken Assyrian Stele
In 1897, while excavating the ancient city of Dur-Katlimmu, archaeologists uncovered a basalt stele inscribed with an Assyrian curse. The artifact, dating back to 800 BC, is currently divided into two pieces. The British Museum holds the top portion, while the bottom was put up for auction. No efforts are planned to reunite the stele. When intact, the stele would have stood at over 2 meters (6.6 ft) tall, featuring an image of King Adad-Nirari III surrounded by sacred symbols.
The cuneiform inscription invokes the god Salmanu, requesting that he protect Adad-Ninari, his priesthood, and the Assyrian people, while dispersing and destroying their enemies. The inscription also warns future rulers to safeguard the king’s temple and threatens any individual who dares to remove the object from its rightful place.
The Assyrians were experts in propaganda, and steles like this one were a common tool in their arsenal. These inscriptions were used to intimidate foreign representatives, assert royal power, and deter competitors.
4. The City That Jesus Cursed
As recorded in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, Chorazin was one of three cities that Jesus condemned. In these scriptures, Jesus visited the Galilean settlement on several occasions. Its people witnessed his miraculous deeds but rejected him and refused to change their sinful ways. However, this alone wouldn't have provoked the severe Old Testament-style judgment from the Prince of Peace.
In the late 1800s, archaeologists uncovered an ancient synagogue in Chorazin. Built from black basalt, the temple featured a Seat of Moses carved from a solid black stone, as well as snake-headed gorgon sculptures. Jewish tradition foretold that the Antichrist would rise from this cursed city.
Historian Eusebius recorded that by AD 330, Chorazin had already been destroyed by an earthquake, which he attributed to the curse spoken in the Gospels. However, there is no solid evidence to suggest that Chorazin even existed in Jesus’s time.
3. The Curse Of The Sarcophagus
In 1923, archaeologists uncovered the cursed sarcophagus of King Ahiram during excavations at the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos. A hillside collapse revealed nine rock-cut tombs of Phoenician kings. Dating back to approximately 1000 BC, Ahiram’s limestone sarcophagus is the sole known artifact of this enigmatic ruler.
The inscription on the sarcophagus has intrigued scholars for many years. It states that Ahiram’s son, Ittobaal, commissioned the sarcophagus and included a curse to guard it from grave robbers. Unfortunately, this curse failed. When archaeologists discovered the tomb, it had already been raided.
This inscription is also regarded as the oldest known example of the fully developed Phoenician alphabet, featuring 19 of the 22 Phoenician letters. While Egyptian culture and religion significantly influenced Byblos, Ahiram’s sarcophagus showcases a distinct Phoenician style. The design of the king's attire, beard, and hair suggests roots in Northern Syria rather than Egypt.
2. The Croesus Treasure’s Trail Of Misery
In 1965, villagers in Western Turkey stumbled upon a treasure buried in a tomb. The collection of 363 gold and silver objects became known as the 'Croesus Treasure,' named after the 6th-century BC Lydian king. (It is also referred to as the Karun Treasure.)
Soon after, tragedy struck, leading many to believe that the treasure was cursed. One grave robber lost three children in violent circumstances. Another was left paralyzed. A third experienced a bitter divorce, followed by his son’s suicide. The final thief lost his sanity and spent years telling stories about 40 barrels of hidden gold.
New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art acquired the treasure and displayed it as 'Greek' to disguise its true origin. In 1987, just days before the Met would have legally acquired the hoard, the Turkish government took action to reclaim the treasure. After a lengthy six-year legal battle, the Met acknowledged that the treasure had been stolen, and the Croesus Treasure was returned to Turkey.
1. The Wrath Of The Fairies
According to Irish folklore, a curse is said to fall upon a US pharmaceutical company if they proceed with building a factory over a 'fairyfort' in Waterford. The fairyfort, dating back to AD 800, is an Iron Age ring fort. These circular structures once served as farmsteads, with earthen and stone barriers protecting inhabitants from animals and invaders. Over time, the Irish came to associate these forts with mystical beings, including fairies and leprechauns.
West Pharmaceutical Services is disregarding the curse and moving forward with constructing their new facility on the site of the ring fort. Workers had to be brought in from far-flung areas, as the locals refused to assist. While the company acknowledges the archaeological significance of the location and is collaborating with the National Monuments Office to excavate the site before construction, some believe this will not be enough. As those familiar with Irish mythology suggest, it's not a matter of 'if,' but 'when' the factory will be forced to close its doors.
