Cook, Arthur B.: Zeus: a study in ancient religion (Band 2,1): Zeus god of the dark sky (thunder and lightning): Text and notes (Cambridge, 1925)

512

Lightning as a weapon

(fig. 391)1. Lastly, the paraphernalia of a diviner, discovered in the
lower town at Pergamon and thence transferred to Berlin, comprise
among other items of interest three polished black stones inscribed
on both sides with magical formulae, the text of which is virtually
identical on all three stones (fig. 392)-. It was pointed out by

Fig. 390.

R. Wiinsch that these stones are simply slices of one or more neo-
lithic celts, cut up to serve as amulets. Special virtue was doubtless
attributed to any section of a thunderbolt.

It would seem, then, that the beliefs attaching to neolithic celts
among the modern Greeks can be traced back to classical times.

1 Brigadier-General Sir H. Lefroy in The Archaeological Journal 1868 xxv. 151 f..
C. W. King 'On a Ceraunia of jade converted into a Gnostic talisman' ib. 1868 xxv.
103—116 with pi. ( = my fig. 391), E. T. Stevens Flint Chips London 1870 p. 109 f.,
Sir J. Evans The Ancient Stone Implements, Weapons and Ornaments, of Great Britain?
London 1897 p. 60 f. fig. 11, G. F. Kunz The Curious Lore of Precious Stones Philadelphia
& London 1913 p. 129 fig. and pi. opposite p. 122.

2 A. Conze in the Ath. Mitth. 1899 xxiv. 199 f., R. Wiinsch Ant ikes Zaubergerdt aus
Pergamon (fahrb. d. kais. deutsch. arch. Inst. Erganzungsheft vi) Berlin 1905 pp. 16 f.,
39 ff. pi. 4, figs. 16—20 (=my fig. 392), C. Blinkenberg The Iliunderzveapon in
Religioji and Folklore Cambridge 1911 pp. 16 f. figs. 5 A, 5B (from photographs), 108.
Supra i. 285 n. 1.