Works Hippolytus of Rome (170-235)

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Widerlegung aller Häresien (BKV)

41.

Daß ein auf den Boden gelegter Schädel spricht, bringen sie auf folgende Weise zustande. Er wird aus tyrrhenischem Wachs und Gips geformt; dann, mit der inneren Haut des Rindes überzogen, sieht er wie ein wirklicher Schädel aus, der anscheinend mit allen spricht. Dies geschieht mittels eines Instrumentes, das wir schon bei dem Knaben geschildert haben1. Der Zauberer hat den Kehlkopf eines Kranichs oder sonst eines langhalsigen Tieres präpariert; ein Mitspieler bringt ihn unbemerkt in die Nähe des Schädels und sagt dann, was S. 75 er will. Wenn der Zauberer den Schädel verschwinden lassen will, legt er rings herum eine Menge Kohlen und tut, als ob er räuchern wolle; durch die Wärmeentwicklung schmilzt das Wachs, und so glaubt man, der Schädel sei unsichtbar geworden.

  1. IV. 28. ↩

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The Refutation of All Heresies

Chapter XLI.--Making a Skull Speak.

But putting a skull on the ground, they make it speak in this manner. The skull itself is made out of the caul of an ox; 1 and when fashioned into the requisite figure, by means of Etruscan wax and prepared gum, 2 (and) when this membrane is placed around, it presents the appearance of a skull, which seems to all 3 to speak when the contrivance operates; in the same manner as we have explained in the case of the (attendant) youths, when, having procured the windpipe of a crane, 4 or some such long-necked animal, and attaching it covertly to the skull, the accomplice utters what he wishes. And when he desires (the skull) to become invisible, he appears as if burning incense, placing around, (for this purpose,) a quantity of coals; and when the wax catches the heat of these, it melts, and in this way the skull is supposed to become invisible.

  1. The Abbe Cruice suggests epipleon bolou, which he thinks corresponds with the material of which the pyramid mentioned in a previous chapter was composed. He, however, makes no attempt at translating epipleon. Does he mean that the skull was filled with clay? His emendation is forced. ↩

  2. Or, "rubbings of" (Cruice). ↩

  3. Or, "they say." ↩

  4. Some similar juggleries are mentioned by Lucian in his Alexander, or Pseudomantis, xxxii. 26,--a work of a kindred nature to Celsus' Treatise on Magic (the latter alluded to by Origen, Contr. Cels., lib. i. p. 53, ed. Spenc.), and dedicated by Lucian to Celsius. ↩

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The Refutation of All Heresies
Widerlegung aller Häresien (BKV)

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