Oracles and Divination

doi:10.1017/9781009628815.010

Chapter 9 - Oracles and Divination

from Part II - Beliefs and Practices

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Julia Kindt

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Julia Kindt

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Julia Kindt: Affiliation:
University of Sydney

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Summary

This chapter investigates instances of personal divination in the ancient Greek world. This includes the use of oracles, omens, forms of technical divination and the occurrence of prophetic dreams in personal matters that do not articulate the concerns of the polis. The chapter explores what personal issues warranted a consultation of the gods, as well as the scope and limits for individuals to use the divinatory system to their advantage. The chapter shows that consultation with the gods about questions of personal concern (about health, travel and questions of everyday life) was not merely available to the upper classes and those in power, but conducted by everyday people, including women, metics and slaves. Throughout, the chapter carefully distinguishes between what we know about actual personal oracle consultations on the one hand, and their representation in works of literature on the other. At the same time, the chapter presents several themes that run through different kinds of evidence and explores what they reveal about the use and abuse of divine knowledge (and the actions it is made to sanction) in the ancient Greek world.

Keywords

Greek religion personal religion divination oracles omens Dodona Delphi Epidauros Socrates

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Personal Religion in the Ancient Greek World
A Cultural History
, pp. 211 - 231

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009628815.010 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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