Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 6. Kilburn, Kenneth, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1959 (unrenewed copyright).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a prose dialogue between the interlocutor Lycinus and the ancient poet Hesiod, exploring the reality of poetic inspiration and prophetic ability. At the beginning, Lycinus sharply questions Hesiod as to why, despite claiming to have received the power from the Muses to sing of both the past and the future, he has failed to demonstrate any actual prophecies. Hesiod defends himself by arguing that the poetry belongs to the Muses and that he is merely responsible for his own role as a shepherd. Although Hesiod attempts to present the agricultural instructions in Works and Days as a form of useful prophecy, Lycinus dismisses them as mere everyday common sense and practical lessons. Ultimately, the dialogue progresses toward exposing the lack of supernatural prophetic power in the poet, pressing him to admit his ignorance in this regard.