ANA MARÍA SEGHESSO
The belief in the meaning of dreams is ancient, long before Sigmund Freud's theories, as can be deduced from the existence of a book of dreams written 1,900 years ago, in the 2nd century AD, by Artemidorus of Daldis or Ephesus, for scientific and educational purposes.
The book, called "The Interpretation of Dreams," compiled more than 3,000 descriptions of dream content reported by patients who consulted him; it was divided by the author into true dreams, oracles, visions, fantasies, and apparitions.
According to Artemidorus, the key to understanding the functioning and meaning of dreams is symbolism, anticipating psychoanalytic theories.
The meaning of some symbols is quite clear: a ravine or precipice indicates imminent danger; a flowering tree, happiness or prosperity; bathing in clear water means good luck; in dirty or muddy water, the opposite.
A lit candle announces a birth in a family; one that is already lit, success; one that burns weakly indicates distress.
Artemidorus anticipated the Freudian concept of wish-fulfillment and wish-substitution, so that if the dreamer is in love, he will not see the object of his passion in his dream, but will see, for example, a horse, a mirror, a ship, the sea, or a female or male garment (Artemidorus, “Onirocritica” IV I).
It is up to the dream interpreter to discover whether their patient is attracted and to whom.
Being struck by lightning has fifteen different meanings, and only careful discussion, the author warns, can lead to discovering the precise nuance.
The most famous part of Artemidorus's work concerns the “Oedipus Dream” (I 79, text n. 92b) and its variants.
In a detached and competent manner, he examines various types of dreams involving sexual relations with one's mother.
The theme of incest is combined with other studies, such as necrophilia. Each thematic variation in the content of dreams, Artemidorus suggests, has a particular meaning that should be explored in more depth.
Bibliography: "Arcana Mundi, Magia e Occulto nel Mondo Greco e Romano" (Arcane of the World, Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman World) edited by Georg Luck. Arnoldo Mondadori Editore, March 2000.
Conference in Varese, Italy - Palazzina della Cutura
