early egyptian christians made textual amulets with scriptural incipits, especially the opening words of the gospels, the lord’s prayer and psalm 91. these amulets have survived from late antiquity (c. 300–700 c.e.), mostly from egypt. they were written in greek and coptic on strips of papyrus, parchment and other materials in order to cure bodily illnesses and/or to protect individuals from demons.