McCallum, Peter (2017) Oracular prophecy and psychology in Ancient Greek warfare. Doctoral thesis, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
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Abstract
This thesis examines the role of oracular divination in warfare in archaic, classical and Hellenistic Greece, and assesses the extent to which it affected the psychology and military decision-making of ancient Greek poleis. By using a wide range of ancient literary, epigraphical, archaeological and iconographical evidence and relevant modern scholarship, this thesis will fully explore the role of the Oracle in warfare especially the influence of the major oracles at Delphi, Dodona,Olympia,Didyma and Ammon on the foreign policies and military strategies of poleis and their psychological preparation for war as well as the effect of oracular prophecies on a commander's decision making and tactics on the battlefield and on the psychology and reactions for soldiers before and during battle. This thesis contends that oracular prophecy played a fundamental and integral part in ancient Greek warfare and that the act of consulting the Oracles and the subsequent prognostications issued by the Oracles had powerful psychological effects on both the polis citizenry and soldiery, which in turn had a major influence and impact upon military strategy and tactics, and ultimately on the outcome of conflicts in the Ancient Greek World.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Prophecy, Psychology, Ancient Greek Warfare |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology D History General and Old World > DE The Mediterranean Region. The Greco-Roman World |
| Divisions: | Theses and Dissertations > Doctoral Theses |
| Depositing User: | Users 10 not found. |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Aug 2017 14:32 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Aug 2017 15:01 |
| URI: | https://repository.uwtsd.ac.uk/id/eprint/774 |
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