
Contents
-
-
-
-
-
-
Endnote 1: The debate about the distribution of spoils in the Iliad and the Odyssey Endnote 1: The debate about the distribution of spoils in the Iliad and the Odyssey
-
Endnote 2: “Getting by lot” and the verb lanchano Endnote 2: “Getting by lot” and the verb lanchano
-
Lanchano as simply “to get”? Lanchano as simply “to get”?
-
Etymology Etymology
-
-
Endnote 3: Group distribution and the verb dateomai in Homer, Hesiod, and the Homeric Hymns Endnote 3: Group distribution and the verb dateomai in Homer, Hesiod, and the Homeric Hymns
-
-
2 When Does the Lot Reflect the Will of the Gods? Lots, Oracles, Divination, and the Notion of Moira
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 Lotteries Divine and Human: The World of the Homeric Epics
Get access-
Published:May 2024
Cite
Abstract
The full spectrum of the practices, vocabulary, and values implied in the drawing of lots is apparent already in Homer and Hesiod and was consistent and ubiquitous through the archaic and classical periods. Distributive, procedural, and selective lotteries are manifest both among the gods who draw lots for portions of the world and among humans, distributing booty and catch, selecting soldiers and heroes, dividing an inheritance, and establishing turns. Myths about drawing lots among the gods reflect a general outlook and a mindset. Neither gods nor humans employ the lot to “reveal the will of the gods.” The emphasis is on the community and the egalitarian guidelines of equality and fairness. Aside from a top-down authority, we observe “horizontal,” egalitarian features. Lotteries imply equality of status and merit (eligibility) while defining the exclusive contours of the circle of sharers and participants. The Endnotes discuss distributing booty in Homer and the vocabulary of distribution and getting by lot.
Sign in
Personal account
- Sign in with email/username & password
- Get email alerts
- Save searches
- Purchase content
- Activate your purchase/trial code
- Add your ORCID iD
Purchase
Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.
Purchasing informationMonth: | Total Views: |
---|---|
May 2024 | 5 |
June 2024 | 10 |
July 2024 | 10 |
August 2024 | 4 |
September 2024 | 4 |
October 2024 | 1 |
November 2024 | 6 |
December 2024 | 5 |
January 2025 | 7 |
February 2025 | 7 |
March 2025 | 6 |
April 2025 | 2 |
Get help with access
Institutional access
Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:
IP based access
Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.
Sign in through your institution
Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.
If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.
Sign in with a library card
Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.
Society Members
Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:
Sign in through society site
Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:
If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.
Sign in using a personal account
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.
Personal account
A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.
Viewing your signed in accounts
Click the account icon in the top right to:
Signed in but can't access content
Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.
Institutional account management
For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.