Divination

From NovaRoma
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
m (Extispicy and Haruspicy: simpler)
m (add introduction)
Line 64: Line 64:
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
The Romans and the various peoples they were in contact with each "...possessed a national ''μαντική'' or ''divinatio'', which was supported by the laws and institutions of the state, and which was guarded from mixture with foreign elements by stringent enactments."<ref>Smith's Dictionary: "Divination"</ref> The distinctive and primary form of Roman divination was the ''[[auspicium]]'', but other types of divination were also used. Oracles of the Greek type were not much used by Romans, but possibly because of influence from the [[Etruscans]], Romans were attentive to signs in nature.
 +
 
==Public divination==
 
==Public divination==
  
Line 70: Line 72:
 
===''Auspicia''===
 
===''Auspicia''===
  
Before performing any public act (e.g., calling a ''comitia'', starting a battle) a magistrate consulted the gods by "taking the [[Auspicium|auspices]]". This consisted of observation of birds (''aves''). The magistrates themselves performed these "''auspicia impetrativa''", and it was up to them to determine how to interpret what they saw. [[Augur]]s served two roles; they could be consulted by magistrates regarding any questions related to the auspices, and the augurs were responsible for creating and inaugurating the ''[[Auguraculum|auguracula]]'', the spaces in and from which the auspices were taken. Three permanent ''auguracula'' existed within Rome itself; on the citadel<ref>''Auguraculum'' on the citadel: [http://staging.digitalaugustanrome.org/records/read/d208f9d0-de97-7b7c-d454-124cf7a9d63a Article at "Digital Augustan Rome"]</ref>, on the Palatine and on the Quirinal<ref>''Auguraculum'' on the Quirinal: Varro, ''Lingua Latina'', Book V</ref>. ''Auguracula'' were also established in other cities and in military camps. ''Auspicia impetrativa'' were narrow in scope, only indicating simple approval or disapproval by the gods of a specific course of action that a magistrate proposed to undertake. These auspices were also limited in space and time since they were valid for one day only and only until the magistrate crossed certain boundaries, such as that between the [[Campus Martius]] and the city proper, the ''amnis Petronia''<ref>On the amnis Petronia and the auspices, see Festus 250: ''Petronia amnis est in Tiberim perfluens, quam magistratus auspicato transeunt, cum in Campo quid agere volunt, quod genus auspici peremne vocatur''.</ref>. Once such a boundary was crossed, the auspices had to be taken again.  
+
Before performing any public act (e.g., calling a ''comitia'', starting a battle) a magistrate consulted the gods by "taking the auspices". This consisted of observation of birds (''aves''). The magistrates themselves performed these "''auspicia impetrativa''", and it was up to them to determine how to interpret what they saw. [[Augur]]s served two roles; they could be consulted by magistrates regarding any questions related to the auspices, and the augurs were responsible for creating and inaugurating the ''[[Auguraculum|auguracula]]'', the spaces in and from which the auspices were taken. Three permanent ''auguracula'' existed within Rome itself; on the citadel<ref>''Auguraculum'' on the citadel: [http://staging.digitalaugustanrome.org/records/read/d208f9d0-de97-7b7c-d454-124cf7a9d63a Article at "Digital Augustan Rome"]</ref>, on the Palatine and on the Quirinal<ref>''Auguraculum'' on the Quirinal: Varro, ''Lingua Latina'', Book V</ref>. ''Auguracula'' were also established in other cities and in military camps. ''Auspicia impetrativa'' were narrow in scope, only indicating simple approval or disapproval by the gods of a specific course of action that a magistrate proposed to undertake. These auspices were also limited in space and time since they were valid for one day only and only until the magistrate crossed certain boundaries, such as that between the [[Campus Martius]] and the city proper, the ''amnis Petronia''<ref>On the amnis Petronia and the auspices, see Festus 250: ''Petronia amnis est in Tiberim perfluens, quam magistratus auspicato transeunt, cum in Campo quid agere volunt, quod genus auspici peremne vocatur''.</ref>. Once such a boundary was crossed, the auspices had to be taken again.  
  
 
Whereas ''auspicia impetrativa'' were initiated by magistrates, ''auspicia oblativa'' were manifested by the gods themselves. Any seemingly significant or unusual human or natural event could be seen as an ''auspicium oblativum''. The most extreme of these could be considered as prodigies. ''Auspicia oblativa'' might be observed by a magistrate directly, or they might be brought to the notice of a magistrate. Except for often in the case of prodigies, the magistrate could decide to accept or reject the ''auspicium oblativum''.  
 
Whereas ''auspicia impetrativa'' were initiated by magistrates, ''auspicia oblativa'' were manifested by the gods themselves. Any seemingly significant or unusual human or natural event could be seen as an ''auspicium oblativum''. The most extreme of these could be considered as prodigies. ''Auspicia oblativa'' might be observed by a magistrate directly, or they might be brought to the notice of a magistrate. Except for often in the case of prodigies, the magistrate could decide to accept or reject the ''auspicium oblativum''.  

Revision as of 00:09, 12 May 2010

 Home| Latíné | Deutsch | Español | Français | Italiano | Magyar | Português | Română | Русский | English

Contents

Books

An Introduction to Roman Religion

0253216605.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg
John Scheid, Janet Lloyd (Translator). (2003). Indiana University Presss. ISBN 0253216605
English translation of La Religion des Romains (ISBN 2200263775). A must for all those who wish to know what the Religio Romana was and how it was practiced.
Buy from Amazon: Canada UK USA

On divination and synchronicity : the psychology of meaningful chance

0919123023.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg
Marie-Luise von Franz. (1980). Inner City Books. ISBN 0919123023
very useful Jungian study Contributed by Marca Hortensia Maior
Buy from Amazon: Canada UK USA

Mantikê : studies in ancient divination

9004144978.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg
eds, Sarah Iles Johnston and Peter T. Struck.. (2005). Brill. ISBN 9004144978
BMCR: [1] Contributed by Marca Hortensia Maior
Buy from Amazon: Canada UK USA

The Romans and the various peoples they were in contact with each "...possessed a national μαντική or divinatio, which was supported by the laws and institutions of the state, and which was guarded from mixture with foreign elements by stringent enactments."[1] The distinctive and primary form of Roman divination was the auspicium, but other types of divination were also used. Oracles of the Greek type were not much used by Romans, but possibly because of influence from the Etruscans, Romans were attentive to signs in nature.

Public divination

Public divination in the period of the late Republic consisted of a specific set of procedures that were performed by specific individuals under specific circumstances, but always in connection with some public act or situation that affected the whole of the state.[2] Public divination was not designed to reveal the future, but only to ascertain the will of the gods for determining what action to take in a given situation.

Auspicia

Before performing any public act (e.g., calling a comitia, starting a battle) a magistrate consulted the gods by "taking the auspices". This consisted of observation of birds (aves). The magistrates themselves performed these "auspicia impetrativa", and it was up to them to determine how to interpret what they saw. Augurs served two roles; they could be consulted by magistrates regarding any questions related to the auspices, and the augurs were responsible for creating and inaugurating the auguracula, the spaces in and from which the auspices were taken. Three permanent auguracula existed within Rome itself; on the citadel[3], on the Palatine and on the Quirinal[4]. Auguracula were also established in other cities and in military camps. Auspicia impetrativa were narrow in scope, only indicating simple approval or disapproval by the gods of a specific course of action that a magistrate proposed to undertake. These auspices were also limited in space and time since they were valid for one day only and only until the magistrate crossed certain boundaries, such as that between the Campus Martius and the city proper, the amnis Petronia[5]. Once such a boundary was crossed, the auspices had to be taken again.

Whereas auspicia impetrativa were initiated by magistrates, auspicia oblativa were manifested by the gods themselves. Any seemingly significant or unusual human or natural event could be seen as an auspicium oblativum. The most extreme of these could be considered as prodigies. Auspicia oblativa might be observed by a magistrate directly, or they might be brought to the notice of a magistrate. Except for often in the case of prodigies, the magistrate could decide to accept or reject the auspicium oblativum.

Sibylline books

In the case of prodigies, the Senate could instruct the caretakers of the Sibylline Books to consult them and then report what they found to the Senate. The Senate would then vote on what action to take. Smith's Dictionary cites Niebuhr as contrasting these oracles, the purpose of which was "to learn what worship was required by the gods" with those of the Greeks which were used to predict future events.[6] Under normal circumstances, foreign cults were restricted to the area outside the pomerium, but the strength of the Sibylline books was such that their recommendations permitted the introduction of foreign cults (e.g., Magna Mater) within the pomerium.

Extispicy and Haruspicy

"Extispicy" denotes the inspection by the person officiating at a sacrifice of the exta (entrails) of a sacrificial victim. If anomalies were present, the sacrifice was deemed to be not acceptable to the gods. Another victim would be chosen and the sacrifice was repeated. A more detailed examination of the entrails is "haruspicy" the origin of which may be found in the Etruscan practice of haruspicy.

Foreign oracles

Under exceptional circumstances the Senate could vote to send a delegation to an oracle. Upon return of the delegation, the Senate would hear its report and then vote on what action to take.[7]

Private divination

Bibliography

Beard, M., 1986. Cicero and divination: the formation of a Latin discourse JRS 76, 33-46

Brause, Francis Albert, 1875. Librorum de Disciplina Augurali ante Augusti Mortem Scriptorum Reliquiae. A Thesis on the extant literary fragments that describe and/or detail augural practice from before the death of Augustus.

Cicero, M. Tullius. De Divinatione. Online at the Latin Library; 1932 Loeb edition: ISBN 0674991702; 2007 edition with commentary: Book 1, ISBN 0199297924.

Denyer, N., 1985. The case against divination: an examination of Cicero's de Divinatione. PCPhS 211, n.s. 31, 1-10

Krostenko, B., 2000. Beyond (Dis)belief: Rhetorical Form and Religious Symbol in Cicero's de Divinatione. TAPA 130, 353-391.

Linderski, J., 1982. Cicero and Roman divination. La Parola del Passato 37, 12-38

Linderski, J., 1985. The augural law ANRW 16.3

Pease, A.S., 1920. Cicero. De Divinatione Libri Duo. Illinois Studies in Language and Literature 6, Urbana, Illinois.

Scheid, John and Lloyd, Janet (Trans.), 2003. An Introduction to Roman Religion. ISBN 0253216605 English translation of La Religion des Romains (ISBN 2200263775).

Schofield, M., 1986. Cicero for and against divination JRS 76, 47-65

Wardle, D. (ed. & tr.), 2006. On Divination Book 1. Clarendon Ancient History Series. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pp. xii + 469. ISBN 0199297916 Review by J. Linderski: http://www.classics.ukzn.ac.za/reviews/07-41war.htm Website: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/series/ClarendonAncientHistorySeries/

References

  1. Smith's Dictionary: "Divination"
  2. Overall discussion here is based primarily on Scheid, Chapter 7, except where noted.
  3. Auguraculum on the citadel: Article at "Digital Augustan Rome"
  4. Auguraculum on the Quirinal: Varro, Lingua Latina, Book V
  5. On the amnis Petronia and the auspices, see Festus 250: Petronia amnis est in Tiberim perfluens, quam magistratus auspicato transeunt, cum in Campo quid agere volunt, quod genus auspici peremne vocatur.
  6. William Smith, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1875). Sibyllini Libri
  7. A delegation to the oracle at Delphi c. 398 BCE: Livy, V. 16
Personal tools