MSS141
Dreams of Antiquity
Reading Questions

Bulkeley, Ch. 1 and Artemidorus: The Interpretation of Dreams

1.  What are the three basic questions about dreaming that Bulkeley uses to organize his book?

2.  Briefly summarize what Bulkeley says about the 3 Western examples he gives: the Bible, Aristotle and Artemidorus. 

3.  How does Artemidorus define his field of research?  Into what categories does he divide dreams?

4.  What do you think of Artemidorus's dream analyses?  In what ways are his interpretations culturally informed?


Patricia Cox Miller.  Dreams in Late Antiquity, ch. 4. "Dreams and Therapy"
The Cult of Asclepius

1.  How does the literature on Hippocrates represent dreams?  How is this different from the Asclepian view? 


2.  Describe the process of dream therapy at an Asclepian healing center.  


3.  What meaning could the snake emblem have had in a healing context?


4.  What happened to the Cult of Asclepius as Christianity became the dominant religion?


5.  What different meanings did the word "magic" have in antiquity?  Why would one consult a magician for a dream?