Abstract
An oft-emphasized psychological approach to the dream experience has long overshadowed the ancient belief that a divine element in human affairs could be interpreted through dreams. Ample evidence for this belief and for dream divination as practiced by military leaders is found in Plutarch’s Lives, yet this has been largely neglected. Examination of the nine dreams in the Life of Alexander and other comparable dreams within their broader historical contexts suggests that dream divination is less marginal than generally thought and that consultation of professional interpreters was customary for kings and military commanders, especially in times of crisis.
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Copyright 2013 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
2013
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