Alexander

Lucian of Samosata

The Works of Lucian of Samosata, complete, with exceptions specified in thepreface, Vol. 2. Fowler, H. W. and Fowlere, F.G., translators. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1905.

The constant increase in the number of visitors, the inadequacy of accommodation in the city, and the difficulty of finding provisions for consultants, led to his introducing what he called night oracles. He received the packets, slept upon them, in his own phrase, and gave answers which the God was supposed to send him in dreams. These were generally not lucid, but ambiguous and confused, especially when he came to packets sealed with exceptional care. He did not risk tampering with these, but wrote down any words that came into his head, the results obtained corresponding well enough to his conception of the oracular. There were regular interpreters in attendance, who made considerable sums out of the recipients by expounding and unriddling these oracles. This office contributed to his revenue, the interpreters paying him £250 each.

Sometimes he stirred the wonder of the silly by answers to persons who had neither brought nor sent questions, and in fact did not exist. Here is a specimen:

  • Who is ’t, thou askst, that with Calligenia
  • All secretly defiles thy nuptial bed?
  • The slave Protogenes, whom most thou trustest.
  • Him thou enjoyedst: he thy wife enjoys—
  • The fit return for that thine outrage done.
  • And know that baleful drugs for thee are brewed,
  • Lest thou or see or hear their evil deeds.
  • Close by the wall, at thy bed’s head, make search,
  • Thy maid Calypso to their plot is privy.
    • The names and circumstantial details might stagger a Democritus, till a moment’s thought showed him the despicable trick.
    v.2.p.234