# Artemidorus

> Greek professional diviner (2nd century)

**Wikidata**: [Q445848](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q445848)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemidorus_of_Daldis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/artemidorus

## Summary
Artemidorus was a Greek professional diviner and writer from the 2nd century CE, best known for his foundational work *Oneirocritica*, a comprehensive treatise on dream interpretation. As a specialist in oneirocriticism, he systematized the study of dreams and their meanings, blending empirical observation with superstition to influence later psychological and cultural practices.

## Biography
- **Born**: 200 CE (exact date and place unknown)  
- **Nationality**: Greek  
- **Known for**: Author of *Oneirocritica*; systematizing dream interpretation  
- **Field(s)**: Divination, oneirocriticism  

## Contributions
Artemidorus authored *Oneirocritica* (Greek: Ὀνειροκριτικά), a five-volume compilation of dream interpretations that categorized dreams based on their literal and symbolic meanings. This work synthesized existing traditions and original analysis, establishing a framework for dream analysis that remained influential for centuries. While the exact publication date is unknown, it is dated to the 2nd century CE. The treatise addresses practical applications of dreams, such as predicting future events or guiding decision-making, and reflects contemporary beliefs about divine communication through dreams.

## FAQs
**Q: When did Artemidorus live?**  
A: He was active in the 2nd century CE, with birth and death dates approximated to 200 CE.  

**Q: What is Artemidorus’ most famous work?**  
A: His magnum opus, *Oneirocritica*, is one of the most extensive surviving ancient texts on dream interpretation.  

**Q: How did Artemidorus approach dream analysis?**  
A: He combined empirical methods (e.g., collecting case studies) with symbolic and allegorical interpretations, distinguishing between "true" dreams (prophetic) and "vain" dreams (reflecting daily life).  

**Q: What influenced Artemidorus’ work?**  
A: His writings reflect Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian traditions, as well as his own professional experience as a diviner.  

## Why They Matter
Artemidorus’ *Oneirocritica* is a critical resource for understanding ancient beliefs about dreams and their role in daily life, religion, and medicine. His systematic methodology bridged superstition and rational inquiry, influencing later Islamic and European dream literature. Without his work, modern scholars would lack key insights into the cross-cultural practice of oneirocriticism and its evolution into psychological disciplines like psychoanalysis.

## Notable For
- Author of the seminal *Oneirocritica*, a cornerstone of ancient dream interpretation literature.  
- Professional diviner who practiced in the Roman Empire during the 2nd century CE.  
- Developed a taxonomy of dreams that integrated cultural, physiological, and psychological perspectives.  
- Cited by later scholars, including Sigmund Freud, who referenced Artemidorus in *The Interpretation of Dreams* (1899).  

## Body
### Career as a Diviner
Artemidorus practiced divination professionally, likely traveling across the Roman Empire to consult clients. His expertise in oneirocriticism—a respected discipline in antiquity—positioned him as both a scholar and a practitioner. The *Oneirocritica* reflects his career, as he compiled dream analyses from diverse clients, from ordinary individuals to elites.

### Major Works: *Oneirocritica*
The *Oneirocritica* comprises five books, though some sections are lost to modernity. It categorizes dreams into:  
- **Theorematic**: Directly prophetic (e.g., dreaming of a storm foretells danger).  
- **Symbolic**: Requiring allegorical interpretation (e.g., a snake representing betrayal).  
- **Inanimate**: Dreams about objects or events without clear agency.  

Artemidorus emphasized the importance of the dreamer’s identity, context, and emotional state, arguing that the same dream could have different meanings for different people. For example, dreaming of a crown might signify success for a soldier but misfortune for a private citizen.

### Legacy and Influence
Artemidorus’ work was preserved in Byzantine manuscripts and translated into Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age, ensuring its survival. Renaissance scholars later rediscovered the text, and it was printed in Latin in 1545. Sigmund Freud acknowledged Artemidorus’ contributions in his own work, though he critiqued the ancient writer’s lack of psychological depth. The *Oneirocritica* also informs studies of ancient religion, medicine, and folklore, offering glimpses into daily life and anxieties in the Roman world.

### Documentation and Archives
Artemidorus is cataloged in numerous international authority files, including:  
- **VIAF**: 2495993  
- **GND**: 11865053X  
- **ISNI**: 0000000118769107  
- **LCNAF**: n50074037  
- **SUDOC**: 026692538  

These identifiers reflect his recognition across global academic and library systems, ensuring his work remains accessible to researchers. His biography is also documented in projects like the *Balis* and *LTB* archives, underscoring his enduring scholarly relevance.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. CiNii Research
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Catalogue of the Library of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. CERL Thesaurus
8. Shakeosphere
9. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
10. [Perseus Digital Library](https://catalog.perseus.tufts.edu/catalog/urn:cite:perseus:author.208)
11. Enciclopedia Treccani
12. LIBRIS. 2012