Ἐγγαστρίμυθος
ventriloquist
Translated by Jason Karnes6 May 2002Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
[Meaning a] belly-diviner; what some people now [call] a Python,1 but Sophocles [calls] a chest-diviner,2 and the philosopher Plato [calls] a Eurycles, from a diviner of such a kind [named] Eurycles.3 Aristophanes in Wasps [writes]: "mimicing the oracle and device of Eurycles."4 But Philochorus in [book] 3 regarding the art of the diviner also [mentions] ventriloquist women.5
These women used to call forth the souls of the dead. Saul consulted one of them, who called forth the soul of Samuel the prophet.6
These women used to call forth the souls of the dead. Saul consulted one of them, who called forth the soul of Samuel the prophet.6