Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

Exam Questions for April 21st Meeting

Topic: Divination and Astrology

Objective Questions

  • Which of the following objects is NOT frequently used in dream requests?
    1. doll
    2. papyrus leaves
    3. laurel branches
    4. frankinsence
    5. wine

    (Answer: e) (Sharon O'Regan)

  • What different things were analyzed for divination? dreams, birds, snakes, livers, entrails of sacrificed, etc.(Summer Townsend)

  • __________ divination seems closest to religion whereas _______ divination seems closest to magic. (Julie Alvarez)

    Answers: Artificial, natural

  • Define the difference between Natural and artifical Divination. (alex)

  • Define natural and artifical divination and give an example of each.

  • An ancient diviner who anwered specific and individual questions was called a _________. A diviner who answered more general and worldly questions was called a _________. (Melissa Klotz)

    Pythia and Sibyl

  • Cicero acknowledged what two forms of divination?

    (class notes 4/21)(louise mullins)

  • __________________ is divination by carefully observing the flights of birds. (Eric Moore)

  • What is the difference between artifical and natural divination?

    Natural divination is the interpretation of dreams. Dreams are thought to be sent straight from the gods without invoking them. This is unlike augury or haruspices which involve the limits of man placed on nature. They are invoked rather then merely the work of the gods.

  • List three similarities/differences between divination and predestiny. (Chris Roy)

  • ________ were called "the oldest oracle" by Plutarch. (Sheeja Ann Kanacheril)

    Answer: dreams

  • Classify the following as natural divination or artificial divination: 1) dreams, 2) augury.

    Answer: 1) dreams-natural, 2) augury-artificial (Jeremy Bufford)

  • Describe the Christian attitude towards astrology. (Kristina Elenidis)

  • What is the one trait ALL divination has in common?

    (Krista Ernewein)

    Essay Questions

  • What are some of the causes for the resurgance in popularity of the occult?

    (See essay by Truzzi in Lehmann and Meyers.) (Sharon O'Regan)

  • Do divinations defy fate or are they a part of fate?

    Divinations allow for the feeling that you may be able to change fate; there is comfort in knowing your fate; divination is when gods tell you how it will be in certain situations, you may be able to change situations leading up to your fate and thereby change fate. . . (Summer Townsend)

  • Discuss the relationship between eroticism and possession. (Julie Alvarez)

    Answer could include discussions about Apollo and the pythia, St. Theresa, voodoo, etc.

  • How does the developement of social specialization allow the developement of a learned medical professional? (alex)

  • Name and describe the three classifications of medical roles in societies. Give a representitive society for each classification. (Diana Hollenbeck)

  • Why are women Balm healers not seen as witches? How does Jamaican society differ from the ancient world in its views on women? (Melissa Klotz)

  • What distinction, if any, did the Greeks make between miracles and surgery?

    (class notes 4/21)(louise mullins)

  • What are some of the possible explanations of the purpose of divination in a society that believes in the inexorability of fate? (Eric Moore)

  • Does a belief in divination automatically imply a belief in fate and predestination? If so then why would a people try to find out future events if they were unchangeable?

    Yes, divination reflects a preconcieved notion of fate. If things were not predestined, then they could not be known before they happen. The practice of divination allows people to prepare themselves for what is to come. Or, it gives them separate options to take. i.e. If you begin your battle today you will fail, if you wait until tomorrow you will be victorious. Either way an outcome is known to the deity.

  • Discuss the contemporary American attitude towards astrology(taking a pro or con stance). Explain the basic psychological needs/desires that are fulfilled(pro), or why it is not to be believed(con).

  • Explain the concept of ectasy in relation to divination: (Sheeja Ann Kanacheril)

    Arcana Mundi 241-43

  • Discuss the anthropological relationship between different levels of society and the specialization of the "physician". Where does ancient Greece and Rome fit into the scale?

    answer may be found in "The Pshycotherapeutic Aspects of Primitive Medicine" by Kiev in L&M (Jeremy Bufford)

  • Why do you think that the oracles fell? (Kristina Elenidis)

  • Explain why a belief of predestination and divination must coexist in order to fortell the future through divination. (Krista Ernewein)