The Seer in Ancient Greece

Michael Flower

Published by University of California Press 2008

The Seer in Ancient Greece

Michael Flower

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520934009

Overview
Contents

About this book

The seer (mantis), an expert in the art of divination, operated in ancient Greek society through a combination of charismatic inspiration and diverse skills ranging from examining the livers of sacrificed animals to spirit possession. Unlike the palm readers and mediums who exist on the fringe of modern society, many seers were highly paid, well respected, educated members of the elite who played an essential role in the conduct of daily life, political decisions, and military campaigns. Armies, for example, never went anywhere without one. This engaging book, the only comprehensive study of this fascinating figure, enters into the socioreligious world of ancient Greece to explore what seers did, why they were so widely employed, and how their craft served as a viable and useful social practice.

Author / Editor information

FlowerMichael:

Michael Flower is Senior Research Scholar at Princeton University and editor, in collaboration with John Marincola, of Herodotus, Histories, Book IX, author of Theopompus of Chios: History and Rhetoric in the Fourth Century B.C., and editor, with Mark Toher, of Georgica: Greek Studies in Honour of George Cawkwell.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
List Of Illustrations Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	xv
List Of Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	xix
1. Problems, Methods, And Sources Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Who Is A Seer? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	22
3. The Role And Image Of The Seer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	72
4. Divination As A System Of Knowledge And Belief Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	104
5. Disbelief And Skepticism About Seers: Is The Best Seer The One Who Guesses Well? Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	132
6. A Dangerous Profession: The Seer In Warfare Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153
7. The Art Of The Consultation Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	188
8. Not Just A Man’S Profession: The Female Seer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
9. Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	240
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	249
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	275
Index Locorum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	295