Motif
Ambiguous prophecy fulfilled by reversal
ambiguous_prophecy_fulfilled_by_reversal
A motif of the Prophecy and Systematic Divination family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.
1 occurrences
1 traditions
greek roman
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Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome ALTARS. / PRIESTS. / SACRIFICES. / ORACLES.; lines 6289-6325 confidence: high
Croesus consults an oracle before war with Cyrus; the reply says crossing a river will destroy a great empire. Croesus crosses, is defeated, and his own empire is destroyed, fulfilling the prediction ambiguously.
Croesus interprets the oracle as favourable, but the predicted destruction of a great empire is fulfilled through the destruction of his own empire.
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