In my research I aim to show that religion can represent an aid to relieve anxiety in the context of plagues and epidemics, by means of examples taken from the Ancient World (with regard to the Athenian and the Antonine plagues) and the Modern one (focusing on Covid-19 pandemic). What I would like to highlight is that both prayers and religious rituals, as well as superstitious behaviours, contribute to lower the level of anxiety not only for the shared nature of their practice, but also for their compulsive character (namely, their consistent repetition by believers). Furthermore, prayers and superstition can represent a way of controlling the overpowering pandemic by delivering this control to the divine force. As regards the practice of prayers, it is noticeable the idea that was experimented during Covid 19 of using technology as an alternative way of gathering. It is fascinating as much that, in those years, specific prayers were preferred to others, such as Psalm 46 (“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”). As far the ancient pagan world is concerned, superstitious beliefs were widespread: it emerges both from the increase of magical practices, like amulets and exorcisms, and through the diffusion of Asclepius worship, during the Antonine plague. Finally it seems to be an old and rooted belief among the less educated people that a (global) epidemic may be connected to a divine punishment against human sin.

Authors:
Eleonora Grotteria, Boston University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Eleonora Grotteria is a first year PhD student in Classical Studies at Boston University. Her main research fields are Ancient Religion, Anthropology of Emotions and Ancient History, often favoring a connection with the Modern World.

Additional website of interest
http://academia.edu/eleonoragrotteria

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