Routledge - Prophets and Profits: Ancient Divination Book

Explore the connection between mortals and the divine in Prophets and Profits: Ancient Divination and Its Reception. Published by Routledge, this volume examines how divination served as a vital link to the gods through oracular utterances and various other mechanisms. By placing these practices within their original ancient sociopolitical and religious environments, the book explores why humans sought to know the will of the gods. It covers a wide range of methods, from applying to an oracle where a god was believed to speak directly, to consulting soothsayers who interpreted specific signs like the flight of birds. This study goes beyond religious ritual to look at the practical side of ancient life. Readers can see how personal, economic, and political concerns drove the application of divination. It is an essential resource for those studying ancient history and the religious motivations that shaped early civilizations.