In this Book
- The Seer in Ancient Greece
- Book
- 2008
- Published by: University of California Press
summary
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.
Table of Contents
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- List of Illustrations
- pp. ix-x
- Acknowledgments
- pp. xi-xii
- List of Abbreviations
- pp. xvii-21
- 2. Who Is a Seer?
- pp. 43-92
- 3. The Role and Image of the Seer
- pp. 93-124
- 7. The Art of the Consultation
- pp. 209-231
- 9. Conclusion
- pp. 261-269
- Bibliography
- pp. 249-274
- General Index
- pp. 275-294
- Index Locorum
- pp. 295-305
- Production Notes
- pp. 306-327
Additional Information
ISBN
9780520934009
Related ISBN(s)
9780520259935
MARC Record
OCLC
290580029
Pages
328
Launched on MUSE
2014-01-01
Language
English
Open Access
No