#llgradseminar

Given that this is a blog that aspires to encompass all of classics, us Ancient Historians decided to cross the unholy divide into Literature to attend one of their graduate seminars, wistfully titled 'Dreams' this term. 

Pretentious openings aside (mine, not the seminar's), it is a great idea, and one that will no doubt interest many, perhaps even outside the classical discipline. This week, it was the venerable Professor Chris Pelling who outlined the different thoughts and streams that could pour forth from the rest of the term.

Of course, this is a blog post, not a summary or scholarly review, so I'll try to be brief with my choices of discussion. A theme that loomed large was the position of dream interpretation in society, both the profession and its standing, as well as the meaning and implication of the dreams, whether it comes from 'within' (revealing internal desires and characteristics) or 'without' (divine revelation and signs for the future'. Pelling seemed to settle on ambiguity, stressing context and allowing for nuance to come into the picture, meaning that both could be relevant (cf. Pelling, G&R 44, 198). 

Nonetheless, it seems that it was generally thought that dreams had a impact on real life, and could reveal the future, something perhaps that would seem alien to our sensibilities, where we would concentrate on what a sinister dream may tell us of our personality. Any interested in his distinction should read the late great Simon Price's article on Artemidorus and Freud. 

Two texts for further thought: 

1) Rhodes and Osbourne GHI 102: 

Εὐφάνης Ἐπιδαύριος παῖς· οὗτος λιθιῶν ἐνεκάθευδε· ἔδοξε δὴ αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς εἰπεῖν· ῾τί μοι δωσεῖς, αἴ τύ κα ὑγιῆ ποιήσω;᾽ αὐτὸς δὲ φάμεν ῾ δέκ᾽ ἀστραγάλους.᾽ τὸν δὲ θεὸν γελάσαντα φάμεν νιν παυσεῖν· ἁμέρας δὲ γενομένας ὑγιὴς ἐξῆλθε.

Euphanes, a boy from Epidaurus. This boy slept in the sanctuary suffering from stone. The good appeared to stand beside him and say 'What will you give me if I make you healthy?' and he said 'Ten knucklebones.' The god laughed and said that he would cure him. When day came he departed healthy.' 

2) Herodotus 7.12-18: 

Ἐνύπνια γὰρ τὰ ἐς ἀνθρώπους πεπλανημένα τοιαῦτά ἐστι οἷά σε ἐγὼ διδάξω, ἔτεσι σέο πολλοῖσι πρεσβύτερος ἐών· πεπλανῆσθαι αὗται μάλιστα ἐώθασι [αἱ] ὄψιες [τῶν] ὀνειράτων, τά τις ἡμέρης φροντίζει· ἡμεῖς δὲ τὰς 

πρὸ τοῦ ἡμέρας ταύτην τὴν στρατηλασίην καὶ τὸ κάρτα εἴχομεν μετὰ χεῖρας. 

As for the dreams (n.b different word) that wander around mortals, I shall explain to you what they are like, as I am many years older than you. The dreams that one sees that range most widely concern whatever one is thinking about during the day: and in the last few days we have been particularly concerned with this expedition.