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Hugh Bowden
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Classical Athens and the Delphic Oracle: Divination and Democracy

by Hugh Bowden (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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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.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0521530814
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0521530811
  3. Publisher
    Cambridge University Press
  4. Publication date
    June 13, 2005
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  7. Print length
    206 pages
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"With Bowden's reminder of the centrality of religion in Athens, the 2,500-year-old city-state turns out to play a more important part in the political education of modern democracy than anyone - even the oracle at Delphi - might have predicted." Dallas Morning News, Joy Connolly

All scholars of Athenian democracy should read this brief, well written book. The publisher deserves praise for its numerous photographs and diagrams, footnotes, scholarly appendix, and extensive bibliography, as well as for publishing the book in an affordable paperback edition. Highly recommended.
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Book Description

Comprehensive and accessible examination of the Delphic Oracle and the use made of it by the city of Athens.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cambridge University Press (June 13, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0521530814
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0521530811
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.47 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

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Hugh Bowden

Hugh Bowden

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I am Professor of Ancient History at King's College London, where I have taught for over twenty years. I have always been interested in the religious practices of ancient societies, and this is a subject I have explored in two books, 'Classical Athens and the Delphic Oracle' (2005) and 'Mystery Cults of the Ancient World' (2010). I think that world events in the last few years have shown that understanding the nature of religion, its origins and its forms is vital for making sense of both the past and the present. I have also written Alexander the Great: A Very Short Introduction (2014). I am married with two children, and live in London, a city I love.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
5 global ratings

Top review from the United States

Robert S. Robbins
5.0 out of 5 stars Know Thy History
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2005
Verified Purchase
Bowden does not consider the psychological significance of the Delphic Oracle and he does not attempt to relate divination to dream interpretation, psychoanalysis, or New Age beliefs and fancies. His interest is strictly historical although he does give more consideration to the Athenians' religious beliefs than other classicists. He argues that the Greeks only consulted the oracle on matters to which human judgement cannot provide an answer. Therefore divination did not invalidate political decisions made democratically by the citizens of Athens, but it was consulted for all religious decisions.

Although Bowden does not discuss contemporary parallels, he implies that the Delphic Oracle is relevant to modern times because certain Western leaders make their decisions to go to war based upon a higher authority rather than the available intelligence. In other words, this book debates the relationship between fundamentalists and democracy.

The book has some black and white photos of the archaeological site, maps of the region, and photos of Athenian vases depicting the Delphic Oracle.
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Top reviews from other countries

Giulio
5.0 out of 5 stars A very interesting book.
Reviewed in Italy on November 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
I must say that I was completely ignorant of greek culture. After reading this book of course I am not more acknowledged than before but now I feel enthusiasm in reading and studying greek history. That is something that is rarely seen in history material. I can say that the main point of this book is that it conveys enthusiasm in the study of these subjects.
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