Unmasking Onomacritus. Oracles and literary criticism in Herodotus' histories

Abstract

Herodotus provides the first attestation of the term “chresmologue” («utterer, compiler, interpreter of oracles») in Greek literature. Of the three named chresmologues, Onomacritus of Athens plays the leading role in the most enlightening anecdote, which mixes poetry, oracular manipulation and major political and military decisions (Hdt. vii 6). Although traditionally neglected, this passage has been the subject of active academic debate in recent years. We believe that an in-depth analysis from the perspective of literary criticism can contribute to an increased understanding of not only chresmologues, but also oracles in general in Herodotus’ Histories.