Written by Ellen Lloyd – Ĭopyright © & Ellen Lloyd All rights reserved. It is said that even Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca visited Hades and sought Tiresias’ advice. Tiresias descended to Hades, the Underworld but his gift of prophecy was not lost. The story of the unusual, blind prophet was ended when Tiresias died after drinking water from the tainted spring Tilphussa, where he was struck by an arrow of Apollo. In ancient Greece, snakes were regarded as a symbol of regeneration. Tiresias’s encounter with the snakes on two occasions has a symbolic meaning. Readers of Ancient Pages know why a snake is a symbol of medicine and pharmacies. Tiresias’ myths are filled with important symbols. However, the lesson to be learned from Tiresias’ story is that it may be wise to at least take some time and try to view the world from the opposite sex's perspective. We often hear that women and men cannot understand each other, and see the world differently. Tiresias’ transformation into a woman gave him a better understanding of the female psyche and the world women live in. Readers interested in mythology should know that several myths of Tiresias were included in the Bibliotheca and ancient Greek compilation of myths and legends that were arranged into three books. His life story is also featured in some modern novels. There are many ancient works about the interesting prophet Tiresias and his revelations. The blind prophet reveals, it is Oedipus himself who is responsible for the murder. The prophecies of Tiresias can be found in the Odyssey where he talks to the spirits. In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, Oedipus, the king of Thebes demands to know who has killed the previous king Laius. Many of Tiresias’s prophetic visions were based on pictures appearing within the smoke of burnt offerings, but his most reliable source was communication with the dead who gave him answers. Pliny the Elder credits Tiresias with the invention of augury, the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed flight of birds. He listened to birds and understood their language. In order to learn about future events, Tiresias often turned to nature. This is why we call Tiresias “the blind seer.” (Shoshanna Kirk - Greek Myths: Tales of Passion, Heroism, and Betrayal) Tiresias And His Gift Of Prophecy It was the sight of a different sort- prophecy, the gift of prescient knowledge. Zeus pitied Tiresias’s sightless state and offered him a gift. Zeus let out a hearty chortle, but Hera, always a sore loser, struck Tiresias blind. A woman receives nine times as much pleasure from lovemaking as does a man.” When Tiresias came before Zeus and Hera to answer that famous question, “Who enjoys lovemaking more?” he smiled and replied, “That’s simple. Yet, as neither had any proof, the only way to solve the argument was to find someone who knew both sides of the story. Hera was equally unwavering in her opinion. It was true that Hera never strayed, but he couldn’t believe his gender gained more pleasure in bed. Or, at least, you must enjoy lovemaking an awful lot, or why would you always be on the prowl?” Zeus was caught.
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