Prophets and Profits : Ancient Divination and Its Reception
Book Details
Delivery Location
Delivery fee: Select location
Delivery in 28 days
Whether humans sought knowledge by applying to an oracle or whether they used soothsayers who interpreted specific signs there was a fundamental desire to know the will of the gods. This volume examines the ways in which divination linked mortals with the gods, and places the practice within the ancient socio-political and religious environment.
Divination and communication with the gods in a post-pagan world has also produced fascinating receptions and this topic has hitherto been little discussed by scholars. This volume provides the opportunity to address questions related to the reception of Greco-Roman divination, oracles and prophecy, in all media, including literature and film.
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.
Get Prophets and Profits by at the best price and quality guaranteed only at Werezi Africa's largest book ecommerce store. The book was published by Taylor & Francis Ltd and it has pages.
