Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons^™

Oracula Mortis In The Pharsalia, John F. Makowski

Classical Studies: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Although it departs from epic convention in many ways, most notably in the rejection of the deorum ministeria, the Pharsalia adheres to tradition in the matter of oracles and contains three visitations to a seat of prophecy. Appius goes to Delphi (5. 67-236), Sextus Pompeius to the Thessalian witch Erichtho (6. 413-830), and Cato to the temple of Jupiter Hammon (9. 511-86). The obvious similarities of the situations invite comparison, but no one has as yet attempted to analyze them as a unit.' Such a study, however, will be fruitful because the three episodes have more in common than first …