Sphragizoēl: An Unrecognised Deity and the Rise of Angelology

An inscribed object from late ancient Ephesos is re-interpreted as an amulet naming a previously unknown angel, Sphragizoēl. The combination of amulet and angel illustrates the coinage of functional angel names, in this case referencing 'sealing'. Reversed writing produced by impressing the object may have served as an analogy for sealing enemies. The artefact would thus stand between textual amulets and curse tablets.