The decadence of Delphi : the oracle in the second century AD and beyond / Kristin M. Heineman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Heineman, Kristin M., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Delphian oracle--History.

Delphian oracle.

Christianity and other religions.

History.

Occultism.

Religion.

Greece--Religion--History.

Greece.

Occultism--Greece--History.

Christianity and other religions--Greek--History.

Christianity.

Greeks--Religion.

Interfaith relations.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

ix, 212 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, 2018.

Summary:

"Examining the final years of Delphic consultation, this monograph argues that the sanctuary operated on two connected, yet distinct levels: the oracle, which was in decline, and the remaining religious, political and social elements at the site which continued to thrive. In contrast to Delphi, other oracular counterparts in Asia Minor, such as Claros and Didyma, rose in prestige as they engaged with new 'theological' issues. Issues such as these were not presented to Apollo at Delphi and this lack of expertise could help to explain why Delphi began to decline in importance. The second and third centuries AD witnessed the development of new ways of access to divine wisdom. Particularly widespread were the practices of astrology and the Neoplatonic divinatory system, theurgy. The monograph examines the correlation between the rise of such practices and the decline of oracular consultation at Delphi, analyzing several examples from the Chaldean Oracles to demonstrate the new interest in a personal, soteriological religion. These cases reveal the transfer of Delphi's sacred space, which further impacted the status of the oracle. Delphi's interaction with Christianity in the final years of oracular operation is also discussed. Oracular utterances with Christian overtones are examined along with archaeological remains which demonstrate a shift in the use of space at Delphi from a 'pagan' Panhellenic center to one in which Christianity is accepted and promoted."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

The history of Delphi

Plutarch and the duality of Delphi

Delphi: sacred space and cultural memory

Theological oracles for Didyma

Theological oracles from Claros

Occult practices: astrology

Theurgy and soteriology

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781472481801

1472481801

OCLC:

982654251