Some archaeologists and epigraphers thus translate the Latin term defixio, (from defigo, nail, enchant, bind, engraving in a magical ritual), enchantment, spell, curse, when studying the defixion tablets of Classical Rome. Many are preserved and also from the Greek period. Roman sorceresses (sagae) used different supports and texts. The ones that have been best preserved are those of lead or another metal. The most picturesque are amatory defixions.
