This four volume study by John Elliott, Professor Emeritus of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Francisco, traces the concept of the Evil Eye belief in the ancient world from Mesopotamia to late Roman antiquity with the particular attention to the Bible and post biblical traditions. The belief in the malevolent effects of the Evil Eye is both ancient and universal.
Throughout history, humans have attributed a variety of adversities and calamities to a fateful glance used because by jealousy, envy or frustration. Unusual eyes could cause harm to the object of their attention. A person to squint or a cataract would be considered to have Evil Eye. It is one oldest and most widespread superstitions in history from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman classic writings as well as folklore from Africa and China. Amulets – objects superstitiously worn in full view to ward off the Evil Eye were worn - blue beads or miniature horns for protection. The Romans raised the middle finger symbolic of the erect penis as contempt against the eye. This was the "digitus infamis” or currently giving one "The Finger."
This four volume set is detailed and scholarly with excellent references and illustrations
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