The Roman Curse Tablets of Bath
- Date of account
- Second to fourth centuries CE
- Location
- Roman baths at Bath, Somerset, England
- Source
- model_recalled_reference
- Record updated
- 2026-10-10
Record summary
The Roman curse tablets from the sanctuary of Sulis Minerva at Bath are thin sheets of lead inscribed with appeals concerning stolen clothing, money and other disputes, then deposited in the sacred water. Their texts reveal ordinary concerns, legal language, literacy practices and the interaction of Roman and local religious traditions. They matter for comparison because later stories about “curses” can be grounded in a real ancient ritual practice without assuming supernatural efficacy. The tablets’ wording, dating and find contexts are documented, but the personal identities and outcomes of most disputes remain unknown.
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