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The Role of Dreams in “Kindling” the Presence of the Divine: A curious Case of Aelius Aristides

Publication date: 12.2024

Studia Religiologica, 2024, Volume 57, Issue 2, pp. 21-33

https://doi.org/10.4467/20844077SR.24.007.20999

Authors

Krzysztof Pierzchalski
Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School in the Humanities, Jagiellonian University in Kraków
, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4069-3748 Orcid
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Titles

The Role of Dreams in “Kindling” the Presence of the Divine: A curious Case of Aelius Aristides

Abstract

The focus of the paper is dreams mentioned in the Sacred Tales of a Roman rhetor Aelius Aristides. This unique historical source describes the relationship between Aelius Aristides and his patron god Asclepius, and their communication through dreams. The analysis applies methodological tools developed by Tanya Luhrmann to ancient texts. Relevant features of late Greco-Roman culture are used to reconstruct the faith frame in which Aelius Aristides had operated. Dreams depicted in the Sacred Tales are shown as kindling events, as they are called in Luhrmann’s theory, that fostered the creation of a personal bond between Aelius Aristides and Asclepius and assured Aelius that the god is real and willing to communicate with his worshiper.

References

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Information

Information: Studia Religiologica, 2024, Volume 57, Issue 2, pp. 21-33

Article type: Original article

Titles:

English: The Role of Dreams in “Kindling” the Presence of the Divine: A curious Case of Aelius Aristides

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4069-3748

Krzysztof Pierzchalski
Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School in the Humanities, Jagiellonian University in Kraków
, Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4069-3748 Orcid
Contact with author
All publications →

Jagiellonian University, Doctoral School in the Humanities, Jagiellonian University in Kraków
Poland

Published at: 12.2024

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Krzysztof Pierzchalski (Author) - 100%

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Publication languages:

English

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