The Interpretation Of Dreams (Oxford World'S Classics)

'Dreams are products of the mind, and do not come from any external source'Artemidorus' The Interpretation of Dreams (Oneirocritica) is the richest and most vivid pre-Freudian account of dream interpretation, and the only dream-book to have survived complete from Greco-Roman times. Written in Greek around AD 200, when dreams were believed by many to offer insight into future events, the work is a compendium of interpretations of dreams on a wide range of subjects relating to the natural, human, and divine worlds. It includes the meanings of dreams about the body, sex, eating and drinking, dress, the weather, animals, the gods, and much else.Artemidorus' technique of dream interpretation stresses the need to know the background of the dreamer, such as occupation, health, status, habits, and age, and the work is a fascinating social history, revealing much about ancient life, culture, and beliefs, and attitudes to the dominant power of Imperial Rome.Martin Hammond's fine translation is accompanied by a lucid introduction and explanatory notes by Peter Thonemann, which assist the reader in understanding this important work, which was an influence on both Sigmund Freud and Michel Foucault.FeaturesThe only dream-book which has been preserved from classical antiquityProvides an engaging introduction to the history of dreams and dream-interpretation in Greco-Roman antiquityExplanatory Notes elucidate meaning, allusions, and Artemidorus' argumentsIn the post-Freudian age we once again see dreams as potentially significant, but now as revelations of the psyche rather than the future: for the ancients, and Artemidorus, their presumed significance was mainly predictive, and sometimes prescriptiveABOUT THE SERIESFor over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.