Classical Athens and the Delphic Oracle Divination and Democracy [Hardcover]

Comprehensive and accessible examination of the Delphic Oracle and the use made of it by the city of Athens.This book provides an exploration of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, where the god Apollo was believed to speak to inquirers through his priestesses. In particular it examines the use made of the oracle by the city of Athens in the period of the democracy (c. 500-300 BC). It shows how important communication with the gods was for the ancient Athenians, and concludes that far from being the first example of a secularized western democracy, classical Athens was always most concerned to do the will of the gods.This book provides an exploration of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, where the god Apollo was believed to speak to inquirers through his priestesses. In particular it examines the use made of the oracle by the city of Athens in the period of the democracy (c. 500-300 BC). It shows how important communication with the gods was for the ancient Athenians, and concludes that far from being the first example of a secularized western democracy, classical Athens was always most concerned to do the will of the gods.This book provides an exploration of the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, where the god Apollo was believed to speak to inquirers through his priestesses. In particular, it examines Athens' use of the oracle c. 500-300 BC. Demonstrating the importance of communication with the gods, and doing their will, in classical Athenian society, Hugh Bowden concludes that ancient Athens was not a secular Westernized democracy as we understand the term today.Introduction; 1. How did the Delphic oracle work?; 2. What did the Athenians think of the Delphic Oracle?; 3. What did historians and philosophers say about the Delphic oracle?; 4. How and why did the Athenians consult the Delphic oracle?; 5. What did the Athenians ask the Delphic oracle?; 6. Why did the Athenians (and other Greek cities) go to war?; 7. Conclusion: divination and democracy; Appendix 1. ConsultlC(