Eine tabella defixionis, die spanischen Vibii Paciaeci und Crassus

Abstract

This contribution presents a first edition with detailed commentary of a 1^st century BCE curse tablet, probably from Ostia. The tablet curses 32 or 33 individuals, mainly freedmen of the Vibii Pac(c)iaeci. The literary sources show that members of this family played an important part in Hispania Ulterior and the civil wars of the 1^st century BCE. A particularly prominent example is that a knight belonging to this family protected Crassus when he was fleeing Cinna. The curse tablet sheds new light on these literary sources and the economic basis of Paciaeci. It finally also offers an alternative explanation for the pseudo-triumph celebrated by Surenas after Crassus’ death.