Seers, or mantis in Ancient Greece, were essential figures in politics, warfare, and daily life. Unlike oracles, who relayed messages from the gods, seers interpreted divine signs—bird flights, animal entrails, dreams, and omens—to predict the future. Their art, called manteia, was believed to be a direct channel to the gods, especially Apollo and Zeus.
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek culture is often associated with its pantheon of gods, heroic epics, and a deeply embedded patriarchal social order. Yet, within this landscape of myths and male-dominated spheres, women did hold prominent roles in specific religious contexts—one of the most striking being the craft of divination. While we
Ancient Greece
The art of the consultation in ancient Greece was never a simple question of “right or wrong” omens
Seers in Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek warfare was saturated with ritual, as generals believed success required more than physical readiness: it needed divine assent
Seers in Ancient Greece
Skepticism toward seers in ancient Greece was both inevitable and, paradoxically, crucial to maintaining the system’s credibility
Ancient Greece
Divination played a crucial role in ancient Greek society. Yet to many modern observers, it may seem alien or even irrational. How could entire armies, political assemblies, and common citizens regularly consult seers, oracles, and omens before making decisions? From battle strategies to complex political alliances, the Greeks wove the
Ancient Greece
The seer in ancient Greek culture occupied a pivotal space between mortal society and the realm of the divine.
Ancient Greece
Combining hereditary lineage, a repertoire of divinatory techniques, and personal magnetism, seers occupied a singular niche in Greek society.