Prophets and Profits

Ancient Divination and Its Reception

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History
Cover of the book Prophets and Profits by , Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781351970358
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 7, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781351970358
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 7, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This volume examines the ways in which divination, often through oracular utterances and other mechanisms, linked mortals with the gods, and places the practice within the ancient sociopolitical and religious environment. Whether humans sought knowledge by applying to an oracle through which the god was believed to speak or used soothsayers who interpreted specific signs such as the flight of birds, there was a fundamental desire to know the will of the gods. In many cases, pragmatic concerns – personal, economic or political – can be deduced from the context of the application.

Divination and communication with the gods in a post-pagan world has also produced fascinating receptions. The presentation of these processes in monotheistic societies such as early Christian Late Antiquity (where the practice continued through the use of curse tablets) or medieval Europe, and beyond, where the role of religion had changed radically, provides a particular challenge and this topic has been little discussed by scholars. This volume aims to rectify this desideratum by providing the opportunity to address questions related to the reception of Greco-Roman divination, oracles and prophecy, in all media, including literature and film.

Several contributions in this volume originated in the 2015 Classics Colloquium held at the University of South Africa and the volume has been augmented with additional contributions.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This volume examines the ways in which divination, often through oracular utterances and other mechanisms, linked mortals with the gods, and places the practice within the ancient sociopolitical and religious environment. Whether humans sought knowledge by applying to an oracle through which the god was believed to speak or used soothsayers who interpreted specific signs such as the flight of birds, there was a fundamental desire to know the will of the gods. In many cases, pragmatic concerns – personal, economic or political – can be deduced from the context of the application.

Divination and communication with the gods in a post-pagan world has also produced fascinating receptions. The presentation of these processes in monotheistic societies such as early Christian Late Antiquity (where the practice continued through the use of curse tablets) or medieval Europe, and beyond, where the role of religion had changed radically, provides a particular challenge and this topic has been little discussed by scholars. This volume aims to rectify this desideratum by providing the opportunity to address questions related to the reception of Greco-Roman divination, oracles and prophecy, in all media, including literature and film.

Several contributions in this volume originated in the 2015 Classics Colloquium held at the University of South Africa and the volume has been augmented with additional contributions.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Relational Ethics of Narrative Inquiry by
Cover of the book Making Digital Cultures by
Cover of the book The Identity of Christian Morality by
Cover of the book Ten Great Economists by
Cover of the book Mentors and Mentoring by
Cover of the book Smart Cities by
Cover of the book Public Health and the Modernization of China, 1865-2015 by
Cover of the book Cleared for Take-Off by
Cover of the book The Myth and Ritual School by
Cover of the book Visual Interface Design for Digital Cultural Heritage by
Cover of the book Baroque Woodwind Instruments by
Cover of the book The Nordic Environments by
Cover of the book Moral Reasoning Vol 2 by
Cover of the book Dream Research by
Cover of the book Resisting Punitiveness in Europe? by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy