Oracles of the Dead by Robert Temple

Author:Robert Temple
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-07-07T00:00:00+00:00

In the notes to my translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, I explain in detail how the references to “gates,” “doors” and even “blows,” in connection with Hermes/Mercury are astronomical and anatomical references, not merely vague or abstract mythological ones.56

But a full elucidation of the cosmic associations between entrails and the planets is not yet possible. Despite the vast labors of Thulin57 and Deecke,58 details of Greek, Roman and Etruscan extispicy are still vague. Weinstock has listed in passing the Greek terms for parts of the liver.59 They bear such colorful names as: God, Dioskuri, Charioteer, Head, Tongues, Nail, Sword, Doors, Table, Hearth, Mirror, Basket, Knot, River, and Tomb. But some of these may be inaccurate translations, or at least inapt ones. The Greek word machaira, meaning “sword,” for instance, also means “knife.” An alternative word for the same feature of the liver, according to Suidas, is spathe, which can mean “oar blade,” “spatula” or “stem of a palm frond.” How are we to choose?

The Babylonian terminology is every bit as colorful. Babylonian terms for parts of the liver are: Path, Increase, Finger, Strength, Palace Gate, Wellbeing, Station, and Blow-at-the-Front-of-the-Enemy’s-Army! Far greater progress has been made by Assyriologists in identifying these than has been made by classical scholars at their end. But there is still much confusion. If you want your head to spin, try sorting out the terms and techniques of ancient extispicy! A small army of scholars has been working at this for over a century now. Some valuable high ground has been taken, but the final action has not yet occurred. I have pored over a mountain of material in different languages on this tantalizing subject. Although in figure 37 I give a partial mapping of liver features in different languages and traditions, which is the result of dozens of hours of study, I hasten to emphasize that it is strictly tentative and preliminary because so much remains to be done in sorting out the areas and parts of the liver.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.