Magic and the Supernatural in the Ancient World

• (obj) What is the difference between natural and artificial divination?
  (answer: Natural divination involves information that is spontaneously revealed. Artificial divination ivolves information that is actively sought)
• (SA) Examine the evidence that suggests Greek astrology had its foundations in Babylonian divinatory practice. Be sure to discuss the transmission of astrology from Babylonia to Greece and also other more specific lines of evidence.

• What are the two forms of astrology? Judicial and Individual
• How does astrology relate to magic, religion, and science?

• Investigate the possible reasons for the prevelence of divination in the ancient world, inlcuding astrology in with divination.
• Give the four divisions in categorizing Astrology and define them.
  (answer: Zach's handout on Astrology, 4-2; Judicial and Horoscopal, Fatalistic and Catarchic)

• 1. List six signs that are used today in astrological predicitons.
• 2. What was the role of Astrology in the Ancient culture society of the Greeks and Romans?

• Discuss the various ways by which astrology can be categorized (judicial, horoscopal, fatalistic, and catarchic).
• What is the difference between the mantis and the prophetes?

• Briefly define and given an example of the following terms: object divination, diviner divination, mediumistic trance
• Discuss societal attitudes toward divination in classical antiquity. Were certain forms of divination more commonly accepted and believed in? Were certain forms prohibited or severely restricted? What determined these differences?

Bradley Laye: blaye@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu

• Q: Briefly describe the characteristics of the "Oracle-Omen-Ordeal" categorization of divination.

  A: Oracle (deliberate, experiment, to induce info. from gods) Omen (observe from the gods) Ordeal (trial to get info. from gods)

• Q: In an essay, discuss the dilemma associated with predestination and its relationship to divination.

  A: If there is predestination, then what's the point of divination (except possibly curiosity)? Zeus's son in the 'Iliad' example (Fates vs. gods).

• The type of divination that requires the practitiner to read a person's palm is called what? A. cheiromancy
• Discuss the difference between prophecy discussed in the Bible and that of the Oracles.

• What were the stoic's beliefs concerning divination, keeping in mind that they subscribed to the idea of pre-destination? class notes 3/31
• Discuss the possible reasons for the popularity of astrology and its function during the ancient world.