6. Whispers from the Gods: How Did Mortals Know Their Will?

Date: 22 March 2024
Time: 02:31:12 CET
Topic: 6. Whispers from the Gods: How Did Mortals Know Their Will?
Tags: Ancient Greece, Mythology, Gods, Communication, Oracles, Signs, Omens, Sacrifices, Divination, Chaldea, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Asia Minor

In the distant past, according to Greek belief, the gods freely walked among humans. This era of direct communication, however, faded into myth by Homer's time, becoming a mere echo of a golden age lost. Mortals could no longer expect to see the gods' forms or hear their voices.

New Modes of Communication:

In these "later and more degenerate times," as the text puts it, new methods emerged for the gods to communicate with humanity:

• Oracles: These sacred places, often centered around a specific deity, allowed communication through priests or priestesses who interpreted the god's pronouncements.
• Signs and Omens: Unusual events were seen as messages from the gods. These included thunder and lightning, sudden storms, eclipses, and even the behavior of birds, particularly those that soared high, believed to possess knowledge of the heavens.
• Sacrificial Practices: The behavior and appearance of sacrificed animals were interpreted as divine messages.
• Strange Coincidences: Unexpected occurrences could be seen as signs, requiring careful interpretation.

The Art of Divination:

The complex skill of deciphering these signs and omens was called divination. It's believed this practice may have originated in Chaldea (Mesopotamia) and reached Greece through Egypt and Asia Minor.

In essence, with direct communication a thing of the past, mortals relied on oracles, unusual occurrences, and the art of divination to understand the will of the gods.