Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine

Use in the book

Theages proposes a sequence. First he and Socrates should try being with one another. If the daimonic does not allow them, they will deliberate whether to turn to someone else or try to soothe “the divine itself that comes to you”. Prayers, sacrifices and whatever else the diviners prescribe are possible means within that second alternative. The proposal is conditional twice over: the difficulty has not yet occurred, and the alternative response has not yet been selected.

The recurrence of “soothing” connects the ending with the opening father-son problem. Demodocus had held Theages back by soothing him until that no longer worked. Now Theages imagines addressing a divine impediment by analogous language of appeasement. This is a dramatic verbal correspondence, not proof that the divine can be managed like an unwilling child. The change of object is precisely what makes the suggestion striking.

Theages also changes his designation from “this daimonic thing” to “the divine itself”. The edition notes the shift. His ritual proposal treats the phenomenon as something that might respond to worship or expert prescription, but Socrates supplies no account of how such intervention would relate to a sign received by divine allotment. His closing assent does not confirm that sacrifices can reverse a prohibition or promise to perform a particular rite.

The distinction between these manteis and the earlier chrēsmōidoi is useful. Bakis, Sibyl and Amphilytus are offered at 124d as bearers of an intelligible professional designation. The final diviners are unnamed, prospective sources of ritual guidance. Merging the two references into one body of named advisers would give the ending people and instructions it does not contain.

Places to read

1. 122aκατεῖχον παραμυθούμενος — Demodocus’ soothing had temporarily restrained his son
2. 131aαὐτὸ τὸ θεῖον τὸ σοὶ γιγνόμενον — Theages now calls the phenomenon “the divine itself”
3. 131aπειρασόμεθα παραμυθεῖσθαι — he proposes trying to soothe it, not reporting a successful act
4. 131aεὐχαῖσί τε καὶ θυσίαις — prayer and sacrifice are the suggested means
5. 131aοἱ μάντεις ἐξηγῶνται — diviners might prescribe additional measures

Translation in this edition

“Soothe” preserves the opening and closing verbal link. “Prophets prescribe” is the rendering for the final phrase; “diviners” clarifies the Greek role without identifying a modern religious office. Note 39 explicitly marks the change from daimonion to theion. The dialogue ends before any ritual is undertaken or evaluated.

Diviner; prophet — μάντις

Diviner; prophet. An interpreter able to prescribe religious measures; these unnamed prospective advisers are distinct from the earlier oracle-singers. Attested: μάντεις (131a). Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine.

Prayer — εὐχή

Prayer. A prayer or religious appeal, proposed as one possible means of conciliating the divine phenomenon. Attested: εὐχαῖσί (131a). Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine.

Prescribe; expound — ἐξηγεῖσθαι

Prescribe; expound. To interpret or set out appropriate measures; the diviners might advise further ways of soothing the divine. Attested: ἐξηγῶνται (131a). Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine.

Sacrifice — θυσία

Sacrifice. A sacrificial rite proposed conditionally alongside prayer; no sacrifice is performed within the dialogue. Attested: θυσίαις (131a). Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine.

Soothe; conciliate — παραμυθεῖσθαι (paramytheisthai)

παραμυθεῖσθαι (paramytheisthai)

Soothe; conciliate. To address reassuringly or appease; Theages proposes trying to soothe the divine if it blocks the association. Attested: παραμυθεῖσθαι (131a). Prayer, sacrifice, and soothing the divine.

Diviners may prescribe (contextual phrase)

131a: ἄλλῳ ὅτῳ ἂν οἱ μάντεις ἐξηγῶνται. The indefinite relative construction leaves open whatever else diviners may direct. Prayers and sacrifices are named, but no particular rite or diviner is specified. The plan is conditional on the association's not being permitted, and no performance of the rite is narrated. See Prayer and sacrifice.