Roman Amulet: Ancient Symbols of Sex, Power, and Protection

When you think of a Roman amulet, a small object worn for magical protection or to attract fortune, often carved with symbols like phalluses, eyes, or gods. Also known as fascinum, it was less a piece of jewelry and more a daily tool for survival in a world where illness, bad luck, and sexual failure were blamed on unseen forces. These weren’t just worn by the poor or superstitious—they were everywhere. Soldiers strapped them to their belts, merchants hung them in shops, and wealthy women tucked them into their undergarments. The Roman amulet wasn’t about fashion. It was about control.

One of the most common forms was the phallic amulet, a carved or molded representation of the male genitalia, used to ward off the evil eye and attract fertility. Also known as fascinus, it wasn’t crude—it was sacred. Romans believed the phallus had the power to deflect envy and misfortune, not just because it symbolized virility, but because it was a direct challenge to the dark forces that threatened life, luck, and sexual success. This wasn’t just about sex. It was about power. The same symbol that protected a child from illness also appeared in brothels, on doorways, and even in the streets of Pompeii. You’d find them carved into pavement stones, worn as pendants, or hung from chariot wheels. The evil eye, a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare, often fueled by jealousy or envy. Also known as fascinatio, was the real target. And the phallus? It was the antidote. Meanwhile, Roman magic, a blend of religious ritual, folk belief, and practical spellwork used to influence fate, health, and relationships. Also known as goeteia, it wasn’t separate from daily life—it was woven into it. Women used amulets to ensure fertility, men wore them to boost confidence in bed, and merchants carried them to keep customers coming. The line between religion and magic was thin. A charm for love might be blessed by a priest, then carried in a pouch alongside a piece of dried herb and a whispered name.

These objects connect directly to the themes in the articles below—how ancient cultures used symbols to navigate desire, power, and fear. You’ll find how Etruscan tomb paintings treated sex as a spiritual passage, how Victorian doctors pathologized pleasure, and how modern myths about female orgasm still echo ancient misunderstandings. The Roman amulet wasn’t just a relic. It was a clue. A clue to how deeply sex, protection, and control have always been tied together. What you’re about to read isn’t just history—it’s the foundation of how we still think about bodies, safety, and desire today.