Asterix and the Soothsayer

Asterix and the Soothsayer is the nineteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). The story revolves around the superstitions of the people at the time (Gauls and Romans alike) and parodies the general gullibility of humanity. It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 652-673 in 1972.

Plot summary

One stormy night, the Gauls - with the exception of Getafix, who is on a druid meeting - are huddled in the chief's hut, fearing for their lives. But then, a man enters the hut in a burst of lightning - it is a soothsayer, who promptly proceeds to see the future for our superstitious Gauls. But not all are impressed; Asterix alone dares question the qualities of this soothsayer, who is in fact a fraud.

Although Asterix can see this, not everyone is convinced, most notably Impedimenta, the chief's wife. Partly out of superstition and partly out of personal ambition, she convinces the soothsayer (known also by the name "Prolix") to remain in official hiding near the village, where she and the other villagers may question him at will. The only two whom she will not permit into the forest are Asterix and Obelix. Obelix in particular has a grudge against the soothsayer, who has threatened to kill Dogmatix in order to examine his guts for predictions of the future.

When Obelix finally thwarts Impedimenta and enters the forest, he finds Prolix there and chases him first up a tree, then out of the forest altogether. Once banished, the soothsayer is arrested by a strictly rule-abiding Roman Optio (a senior officer). The Optio brings Prolix before the Centurion, who decides to make use of the imposter's persuasive voice.

In the village, Impedimenta and Asterix have within moments of each other discovered the absence of the soothsayer, causing consternation among the villagers. Being that Obelix has been beguiled by Prolix's ironically accurate description of Panacea (not mentioned by name), Asterix is blamed for the frightening state of affairs.

Prolix returns within the hour, claiming dramatically that soon the air in the village will become polluted by a divine curse. Terrified, most of the villagers leave their home, to wait on a nearby island for the curse to run its course, as if it were a quarantined virus. Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix stay behind.

The Romans soon arrive to investigate the village, while the Gauls hide in the local undergrowth. Unknown to either, Getafix has completed his conference (which seems to be a facsimile of a twentieth-century scientific conference) and returned. Hearing of the situation, he concocts a witty plan by which to drive out the Romans and teach the villagers a lesson. Using a number of unidentified ingredients, the Druid literally raises such a stink that even the powerful Obelix is affected. The fumes spread to the village, expelling the Romans, Prolix, and Cacafonix the Bard who had sneaked back to find his lyre.

Prolix is baffled; the seeming fulfilment of his prediction has set him to wondering if he is becoming a real soothsayer. On the other hand, the appearance of the foul air has cemented the Centurion's faith in his oracle. He sends word to Caesar that all of Gaul is now conquered ("All?" "All."). But, like Crimus Bonus of "Asterix the Gaul", he begins to desire the Imperial Throne for himself. To pass the time, therefore, he has the soothsayer tell him exaggerated stories of the luxuries emperors enjoy.

Meanwhile, Getafix joins the other villagers on the island to explain The Truth. Here we see a reference to the priestly role of the Druid, when Vitalstatistix begs Getafix to "appease the anger of the Gods, which has fallen upon our poor village." To which Getafix replies "Nonsense!" and proceeds to demonstrate what is really going on.

Inspired by this, the villagers go home, while the Romans deal with their own problems. The Optio is himself confused, because even though the Centurion is convinced that Prolix is a genuine soothsayer, the Optio's own observations tell him otherwise. Though upright and law-enforcing, he is not intellectual and finds himself thoroughly perplexed by the simplest of contradictions. Even his inferior officers regard him as an "idiot".

In the village, trouble is still present. Impedimenta and her fellow women are not convinced that Prolix was a cheat, partly because he only foretold pleasant things for them, such as a business partnership between Vitalstatistix and Impedimenta's brother Homeopathix, each of whom considers the other an arrogant dope.

Asterix has an idea; they might give the soothsayer a surprise, to prove that his predictions are not genuine. The surprise is quite simple; the Gaulish men and women will attack the Roman camp. The plan is successful, and dramatically so. Impedimenta in person beats the Centurion and the soothsayer with a rolling pin, causing her husband Vitalstatistix to look on her with an almost patronizing pride.

Adding insult to injury, the Centurion is visited by two envoys from Rome who have also been beaten up by the Gauls. The man in command, Bulbus Crocus, claims that he was sent to discover whether the Centurion had indeed conquered the rebel Gauls - "AND LOOK WHAT YOUR CONQUERED GAULS DID TO US, BY JUPITER!"

When the Centurion tries to blame Prolix, Crocus answers "SILENCE! YOU ARE DEMOTED TO THE RANKS!"

The Centurion, now reduced to a common soldier, is commanded by the Opito to sweep out the camp alone, under orders to speak properly to a superior officer. Prolix is likewise punished, firstly by the Opito for being a civilian in a military camp and secondly by the Rain-God, Taranis, for swearing to give up soothsaying at the risk of having the sky fall on his head.

The Gaulish village, however, is soon at feast, enjoying themselves for the present and not worrying about the future - with the exception of Cacofonix, who still dreams about being a famous singer.

Film adaptation

An animated film bearing the title Asterix and the Big Fight was released in 1989, however although it contains elements from that album, it is actually more an adaptation of this book. Part of the plot was also used in the first live action Asterix film.

In other languages

• Catalan: L'endeví
• Finnish: Asterix ja ennustaja
• German: Der Seher
• Greek: Ο μάντης
• Italian: Asterix e l'Indovino
• Portuguese: O Adivinho
• Polish: Wróżbita
• Spanish: El Adivino