The Toledo Museum of Art has opened an exhibition titled 'Cursed!' that explores the widespread use of magic spells and objects in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The show features amulets, inscribed gemstones, and figurines used for purposes ranging from protecting newborns and winning lawsuits to casting coercive love spells.
Curator Dr. Jeffrey Spier positions magic as a fundamental human desire for control, revealing its role as a practical, everyday tool across social strata. The exhibition highlights how magic intersected with fashion, female empowerment, and even statecraft, offering insight into the anxieties and social dynamics of ancient cultures while drawing parallels to modern-day rituals and superstitions.