Predicting the future in Ancient Greece: between the rational and the irrational (on some traits of Hellenic mentality)

Abstract

Introduction. People of any era, including ancient times, have always had a desire to glimpse into the future. The most common way to obtain information was by consulting oracles, whose answers were considered trustworthy. On the other hand, the inquiries addressed to the gods allow us to understand the peculiarities of the Greek mentality.

Materials and Methods. This topic is explored using a combination of narrative (the works of Herodotus, Xenophon, Plutachus, and Pausanias) and epigraphic sources (lead tablets from Dodona containing questions and requests addressed to the gods). The primary research method is comparative historical analysis and systems analysis, which allows for the comparison and systematization of information contained in the sources.

Analysis. Uncertainty motivates people to seek knowledge they believe is necessary to make the right decision in a given situation. Developing this (presumed) knowledge, which may relate to the past, present, or future, requires external information. Data and interpretations of that data are essential for making sense of the world. For this, we can turn to experts such as psychologists, journalists, or economists. Their external information allows us to consider the situation we find ourselves in. This facilitates decision-making: external information reduces uncertainty because we believe we are guided by reliable information. In the ancient world, especially in ancient Greece, an important part of this external information was divination: the recognition and interpretation of signs believed to originate from the supernatural. The results of divination inspired the sense of confidence, facilitating the decisions we had to make in everyday life.

Results. Thus, any Greek, from king to slave, was a potential client of divination services. Public (official) and private (informal) divination, with or without an expert, was very common. In case of an expert, people either consulted a local expert or traveled long distances to satisfy their need for expert knowledge.