The Role of Dreams in “Kindling” the Presence of the Divine: A curious Case of Aelius Aristides
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The focus of the paper is dreams mentioned in the Sacred Tales of a Roman rhetor Aelius Aristides. This unique historical source describes the relationship between Aelius Aristides and his patron god Asclepius, and their communication through dreams. The analysis applies methodological tools developed by Tanya Luhrmann to ancient texts. Relevant features of late Greco-Roman culture are used to reconstruct the faith frame in which Aelius Aristides had operated. Dreams depicted in the Sacred Tales are shown as kindling events, as they are called in Luhrmann’s theory, that fostered the creation of a personal bond between Aelius Aristides and Asclepius and assured Aelius that the god is real and willing to communicate with his worshiper.
Source: Studia Religiologica
Author: Krzysztof Pierzchalski
Institution: Jagiellonian University
Language: English
Topic: Classical Antiquity Studies
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410098573