Tablets Romans used to curse others going on show

A rare set of Roman 'curse' stone tablets are going on show in the UK for the first time.

Visitors to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester will have the opportunity to preview the exhibition of the tablets, which were found in the Cotswolds and have been loaned to the museum by the Research I Library in the USA for the next five years.

The tablets were used by Romans, who were deeply superstitious, to try and negatively influence the lives of those who had wronged them.

They will be available to view for the first time during the Cirencester History Festival, which runs from 23 October to 1 November 2026.

Corinium Museum director Emma Stuart said that the tablets are the "first example of this type of artefact we have from the Roman period" and described them as a "wonderful example of Roman revenge".

"Unlike the Roman Baths, we didn't have any examples of curse tablets in our collection until the generous offer was made by Research I Library," she added.

"It's always great to have things in the museum that have been found here, but curse tablets are very rare", said Phillip Brant-Simmons, collections and engagement assistant at the museum.

"It's amazing for us to have even a small piece of this history.

"They're so different from anything else we have in the museum and it's great that people are now getting the opportunity to see them."

The museum will also host a Halloween workshop for children to 'make their own curse tablets' on 31 October.

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