MARC Record from Library of Congress

LEADER: 02431cam a2200349 a 4500
001 2007004264
003 DLC
005 20151215081032.0
008 070130s2008 caua b s001 0 eng
010 $a 2007004264
020 $a9780520252295 (cloth : alk. paper)
020 $a0520252292 (cloth : alk. paper)
020 $a9780520259935 (pbk.)
020 $a0520259939 (pbk.)
035 $a(OCoLC)ocm82367806
040 $aDLC$cDLC$dBTCTA$dBAKER$dC#P$dYDXCP$dOCLCA$dNLGGC$dOUP$dKEC$dALAUL$dDLC
043 $ae-gr---
050 00 $aBF1765$b.F56 2008
100 1 $aFlower, Michael A.
245 14 $aThe seer in ancient Greece /$cMichael Attyah Flower.
260 $aBerkeley :$bUniversity of California Press,$cc2008.
300 $axviii, 305 p. :$bill. ;$c24 cm.
490 1 $aThe Joan Palevsky imprint in classical literature
504 $aIncludes bibliographical references (p. 249-274) and indexes.
505 0 $aProblems, methods, and sources -- Who is a seer? -- The role and image of the seer -- Divination as a system of knowledge and belief -- Disbelief and skepticism about seers: is the best seer the one who guesses well? -- A dangerous profession: the seer in warfare -- The art of the consultation -- Not just a man's profession: the female seer -- Conclusion.
520 $a"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." -- Publisher's description.
650 0 $aOracles, Greek.
650 0 $aProphets$zGreece.
650 0 $aDivination$zGreece.
651 0 $aGreece$xReligious life and customs.
830 0 $aJoan Palevsky imprint in classical literature.
856 41 $3Table of contents only$uhttp://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/ecip0710/2007004264.html