ABSTRACT
From remotest times, various cultures had traditions concerning the paranormal; stories of miraculous healings, telepathic communication, divination and revelation, besides a fairly full quota of evil omens and daemonic possession. Rulers had periodic 'jubilees' during their lifetime, ostensibly to restore magically their waning powers. Paranormal the process was thought to be, it is known that it was possible to influence the oracle – or, more accurately, its functionaries – to give answers/advice that was politically advantageous to the 'customers', especially if they were highly placed or wealthy officials. Paranormal phenomena of various kinds have been reported in widely different cultures over time and have given rise to all sorts of esoteric movements. Many Greek ideas about the supernatural found their counterparts in Rome. The gods were very similar, and in some cases were virtually identical. But with the success of Roman arms in western Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor came an influx of foreign, 'mystery' religions.
