Christian Divination in Late Antiquity

Robert Wisniewski (University of Warsaw) researches the religious transformations of Late Antiquity, and particularly the cult of saints and relics, clergy, demonology, and divination. He is the author of The Beginnings of the Cult of Relics, Oxford University Press 2018.

INTRODUCTION
The current state of research
The evidence and its intricacies
Objectives and plan of the book
CHAPTER 1 - ATTITUDES TO DIVINATION
Pagan divination
Attitudes to non-pagan divination
Legal background
CHAPTER 2 - PROPHETS
The twilight of prophecy in early Christianity
A resurgence of prophecy
Consultation with prophets
Questions and questioners
Self-perception of the prophets
CHAPTER 3 - TAKE AND READ: READING THE FUTURE FROM THE BIBLE
First words heard
First words read
Examination of biblical prophecies
CHAPTER 4 - BOOKS AND BONES
Sortes sanctorum
Sortes Monacenses
The Gospel of the Lots of Mary
Sortes Sangallenses
Codices with hermeneiai
Other divinatory books
Experts and clients
CHAPTER 5 - DIVINATORY LOTS
Oracular tickets
Origins
Inquirers, attitudes and popularity
CHAPTER 6 - INTERROGATING DEMONIACS
Saints and energumens
A Gallic female seer and spiritus pythonis
Pythones, engastrimythoi, ventriloqui, arrepticii
Consultations in Constantinople and Egypt
CHAPTER 7 - INCUBATION
Early developments
'Pagan' and Christian Incubation
Incubation sanctuaries
Incubation in practice
Popularity, resistance and discussions
CONCLUSIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abbreviations
Primary sources
Secondary sources
INDEX