Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World
Discussion Questions
Mar. 31: Divination
Derek Pepiak:dpepiak@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- In the time that Lucian wrote, did people believe the Fates or the
other gods were in control of all things?
- Are Artemidorus' specific interpretations of dreams at all similar
to our present day interpretations?
- What's the difference between augurium and auspicium?
Zach Harrelson:zharrel@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What is lamp or lantern magic? What magical role did the specific
lamp fulfill in divination?
- What was the purpose of the "pen" with 7 or 9 inks, used to write
incantations on papyrus or leaves? Were such "pens" used only in
divination or also in other magical rites?
- Luck makes an interesting point that the animals most commonly used in
oracles (fish, snakes, birds) can represent the three realms of water,
earth and air. Did the oracles using one or the other of these animals
apply specifically to events in the corresponding realm? Snakes who ate
when fed at the oracle at Epirus indicated a good harvest, a chthonic
prediction from a chthonic animal. Was this the case in general or just a
coincidence?
Kate Bolin--kbolin@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Why are some forms of divination (oracles, augury) considered
status quo and others (necromancy, etc.) aren't?
- What comparisons/contrasts can be made between Apollo riding
the Pythia in Pharsalia and the Loa riding a worshipper in Vodoun?
- Could the interpretation of dreams as divination be compared
to the modern day interpretations of dreams in the realm of psychiatry?
cwilson2@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Is there any proof that divination actually works?
- What is the proof of divination in antiquity, and how reliable are the
sources?
- What was societies views on divination in antiquity?
Jason Lapkin at dweinbe@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- What were the purposes/reasons for divination in the ancient world?
- Who usually practiced divination? What were these diviners like?
- What gods were summoned in performing divintion? What paraphenalia was
used?
- What are the different types of divination?
- How is divination associated with ancient religion?
- What kinds of divination are practiced today? By whom? How accepted is
modern day divination?
Michelle Arens marens@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- Do the reasons for consulting an oracle or divination in antiquity
differ from the reasons for consulting a mind reader, fortune teller, etc.
today?
- The literary and physical evidence of divination in the ancient world
abounds. What reasons can be put forth for the popularity of such a practice?
- Does each type of divination (dreams, oracles, augury, astrology etc.)
seem to have its own characteristics and specialty, or could have any
divinitory practice theoretically come up with the same prophesy?
Jay Munsch wmunsch@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- How does one contact the divine being in order to receive the oracle?
- Were the prophecies specific or vague? did they fortell events in
the near or far future?
- What power or respect did the oracles have and did that respect wane
at any time? if so when might the power and prestige of oracles lapse?
Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. The only text that distinguishes between divination and dreams is the Faraone text. It is my understanding that divination is caused by human action, whereas dreams come from the gods in most cases-- am I wrong?
- 2. Had anyone before Lucian taken up that very clever and rational argument about providence?
- 3. There is a strong connection between animals and divination (even in today's charismatic sects). Is the belief that gods inhibit or speak through the animals of their own volition or are humans summoning gods to the animal? Who's in control?
Nick Backer: nbacker@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- In L. Mair's article she describes how some African witchdoctors
function in a variety of roles similar to South American shaman. Why
would two cultures, so far apart, have such similar figures in their
societies?
- S. Eitrem's article mentions the assimilation of Greek gods with
Egyptian ones. Have studies ever been conducted where someone analyzed
how two religions become entwined and how a culture reacts to this change?
- I would be interested in discussing whether or not the class believes
in divination, and if so, do they relate it to their religion, nature or
something else?
Bob Fraser:rfraser@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu
- 1. It seems that almost every ancient text, story or myth has some
group of people or one person that wants to know the future. This
knowledge of the future is almost always entirely bad and leads to people
dropping like flies. Why do these ancient peoples keep worrying and
investing worries into the future?
- 2. What would be some examples of common day divination processes or
events that closely resemble the events of a prophetic insight?
- 3. Why were the people so obsessed with the "supposed" knowledge of
the future?