Omens and Oracles: Divination in Ancient Greece

ISBN-13: 9780367594985 / Angielski / Miękka / 2020 / 462 str.

Matthew Dillon

Opis

Ancient Greek divination took many forms: observing the flights of birds, inspecting the entrails of sacrificed animals, analysing dreams, and interpreting omens. Professional diviners assisted the concerned with their worries, but individuals also interpreted anything considered ominous, or even oracles. While states and wealthy individuals mad

Spis treści

List of Illustrations

Abbreviations

Preface

1. Ancient Greek writings on divination

2. Diviners of epic sagas

3. Diviners in the historical narrative

4. ‘Interpreting omens from birds’

5. Portents and prodigies

6. Sacrificial entrails and battlefield sacrifices

7. Dreams, dice and the dead

8. Oracular centres of Apollo and Zeus

9. The demise of oracular shrines and the transformation of omens

Bibliography

Index

O autorze

Matthew Dillon is an Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History at the University of New England, Australia, and the author of books and articles, and co-editor of volumes, on ancient Greek history and society, and particularly Greek religion.