Oneirocritica
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Oneirocritica (The Interpretation of Dreams) is an ancient Greek book on dream interpretation written by Artemidorus in the 2nd century, and is the first known book on the subject. The work is in five volumes, and its autobiographical content comprises most of what is known about its author. The first three volumes were intended for the general public, providing an encyclopedic treatment of the subject matter of dreams, and the remaining two volumes were written for the private use of the author's son, a novice dream interpreter. Artemidorus inscribed the book "Artemidorus of Daldis", despite having been born in Ephesus, to commemorate the little-known birthplace of his mother in Lydia.
Artemidorus suggests that dreams are unique to the individual, and that a person's waking life will affect the symbols in his dreams. He shows awareness of the dreaming mind's capacity to use metaphors in its messages.
Contents |
[edit] Volumes
The book's first three volumes divide dream subjects into major groups, and within them, numbered units interpret an individual subject, each from a few sentences to four pages long. Volume one is dedicated to the anatomy and activity of the human body: 82 units interpret the appearance in dreams of subjects like head size, eating, and sexual activity. For example, unit 52 says, concerning one activity of the body, "All tools that cut and divide things in half signify disagreements, factions, and injuries... Tools that smooth out surfaces predict an end to enmities."
The second volume's 70 units treat objects and events in the natural world, such as weather, animals, the gods, and flying. The section on animals includes mammals (domestic and wild), sea creatures, reptiles, and those that fly. Unit 12 reads, "There is an affinity between all wild animals and our enemies. A wolf signifies a violent enemy... A fox indicates that the enemy will not attack openly but will plot underhandedly." The 66 units of the third volume have less subject cohesion, treating all remaining topics.
Artemidorus moves from dream content to the technique of dream interpretation in volume four, which is addressed to his son. He states that the interpreter needs to know the background of the dreamer, such as his occupation, health, status, habits, and age. The plausibility of dream content should be considered, which cannot be done without reference to the dreamer. The interpreter should find out how the subject feels about each component of the dream. In volume five, Artemidorus presents 95 dreams he collected, for his son to use as practice material.
Artemidorus stresses the empirical nature of his research. "I did not rely upon any simple theory of probabilities but rather on experience and the testimony of actual dream-fulfillments." His research took him to cities in Greece, Italy and its larger islands, and Asia Minor. He indicates that he reviewed all available literature on dreams, and that he spent years consulting with oral interpreters.
[edit] Editions
The first complete English translation was published in 1975 by classicist Robert White as part of his dissertation at Yale University. It includes notes for all volumes and an index of the people and dream content mentioned in the book.
[edit] References
- van de Castle, Robert L. (1994). Our Dreaming Mind. New York: Ballantine Books, pp. 66-69. ISBN 0345396669.
