Dreams as Messages from the Divine
Across the ancient world, dreams were believed to reveal the intentions of gods, spirits, or the universe. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece each developed elaborate systems to decode dreams and understand their hidden meaning.
Egyptian Dream Books
In ancient Egypt, dream interpretation was considered a sacred science. Priests compiled dream manuals describing symbols, omens, and divine messages. Egyptians believed gods communicated through dreams, offering warnings, blessings, or guidance. Temples even had “sleep chambers” where people sought prophetic dreams.
Mesopotamian Omens and Prophecies
Mesopotamians viewed dreams as supernatural events that could predict the future. Clay tablets record thousands of dream interpretations, linking dream events to real-world outcomes. Kings relied heavily on dream interpreters to guide political and military decisions.
Greek Philosophy and the Dream World
In Greece, dreams were connected to both religion and early scientific thought. Followers of Asclepius slept in healing temples hoping for curative dreams, while philosophers like Aristotle and Plato debated whether dreams came from gods or the human mind.
