Kotansky, Roy D.2021-06-282021-06-282020-07-08Acta Classica Universitatis Scientiarum Debreceniensis, Vol. 52 (2016) , 7–200418-453Xhttps://hdl.handle.net/2437/317239This article examines a previously unpublished gold lamella of unknown provenance, datable on palaeographical grounds to the 1st century BCE, give-or-take a half century, either side. The tablet preserves three words written in Greek letters that may contain a GrecoPersian formula of protection in the afterlife for its bearer, Abalala, a name of pre-Islamic extraction. The study compares the formula with those on a number of shorter ‘Orphic’ gold lamellae to show that the tiny piece represents a ‘ Totenpaß’ for the beneficent dead, rather than a protective charm (phylactery) with the usual voces magicae , although the distinction between magic words and meaningful text is not always clear in such instances.application/pdfGold amuletOrphic gold lamellaeTotenpaßGreco-Persian afterlife beliefsAbalalafolyóiratcikkOpen AccessActa Classica Universitatis Scientiarum Debreceniensishttps://doi.org/10.22315/ACD/2016/1Acta Classica Universitatis Scientiarum Debreceniensis152Acta Class. Univ. Sci. Debr.2732-3390