Fascĭnum
Enchantment by the evil eye, words, or cries, exercised on persons (especially children),
animals, and things, as, for instance, on a piece of ground. The word was also applied to the
counter-charm, by which it was supposed that the enchantment could be averted, or even turned
against the enchanter. Amulets of various kinds were employed as counter-charms. They were
supposed either to procure the protection of a particular deity, or to send the enchanter mad
by means of terrible, ridiculous, or obscene objects. The name fascinum was
thus specially applied to the
phallus (q. v.), or effigy of the male
organ of generation, which was the favourite counter-charm of the Romans. An image of this
fascinum was contained in the bulla worn as an amulet by children, and was also put under the
chariot of a general at his triumph, as a protection against envy. See
Amuletum; and
Malus Oculus
in Appendix.