DIVINATION

General info… Divine communicate directly with human beings Divine communicate directly with human beings Direct visit – appear in person Direct visit – appear in person Gods or Fates sent signs Gods or Fates sent signs Art of interrupting divine will – called divination Art of interrupting divine will – called divination Question: How do we divine the future in the modern world?

21 March - 20 April Aries 24 July – 23 August Leo 23 November – 21 December Sagittarius 21 April - 21 May Taurus 24 August - 23 September Virgo 22 December – 20 January Capricorn 22 May - 22 June Gemini 24 September - 23 October Libra 21 January - 19 February Aquarius 23 June - 23 July Cancer 24 October – 22 November Scorpio 20 February - 20 March Pisces

Augury Flight and song of birds Flight and song of birds Founding of Rome herself Founding of Rome herself Romulus (12 vultures) and Remus (6 vultures) Romulus (12 vultures) and Remus (6 vultures) Yes or no Yes or no It could not fill in the details It could not fill in the details Magistrates Magistrates Establish divine approval or disapproval Establish divine approval or disapproval

Augury – The ‘How to…’ Magistrates sit in open to “take the auspice” Magistrates sit in open to “take the auspice” Accompanied by augur Accompanied by augur Songs, flight patterns, appearance Songs, flight patterns, appearance Quarter of sky Quarter of sky Augur was blindfolded Augur was blindfolded In 99 BC –auguraculum In 99 BC –auguraculum

Sacred Fowls Watching eating habits Watching eating habits Kept in cages – instant answers Kept in cages – instant answers Cake Cake Greedy = good sign Greedy = good sign No interest or refused to leave or tried to fly away = bad sign No interest or refused to leave or tried to fly away = bad sign Roman General - Claudius Pulcher Roman General - Claudius Pulcher ‘Let them drink instead!’ ‘Let them drink instead!’

Lightning Will of gods – flashes of lightning Will of gods – flashes of lightning Sent by Jupiter Sent by Jupiter Sacred spaces Sacred spaces Postpone business Postpone business Political factions Political factions Thunder – omen Thunder – omen December 3 – shortage of fish! December 3 – shortage of fish! Omina impetrativa Omina impetrativa

Unsought Omens Omina oblativa Omina oblativa Appear to anyone/any form Appear to anyone/any form Historian Livy mentions omens: Observed during early years of war against Hannibal Historian Livy mentions omens: Observed during early years of war against Hannibal

Conclusive evidence that the aliens are coming…

Unsought Omens Presented problems… Which divine being? Which divine being? What did it refer to? What did it refer to? Who was it meant for? Who was it meant for? What did it refer to? What did it refer to? What did it mean? What did it mean? Private citizens Private citizens Nemo is OMEN spelt backwards… a sign maybe?

READ PRIMARY SOURCE READ: # 13 – Omens Author:Summarise:QUESTION: What omens are seen? What omens are seen?

The Sibylline books Omina oblativa Omina oblativa Advise the senate – consult books Advise the senate – consult books Collection of oracles Collection of oracles Bought by Tarquin the Proud Bought by Tarquin the Proud From Sibyl of Cumae 6 th Century BC From Sibyl of Cumae 6 th Century BC Sibyl Sibyl Priestess of Apollo Priestess of Apollo Future Future Aeneas Aeneas

READ PRIMARY SOURCE READ: #14 – The Sibylline Books Author:Summarise:QUESTION: Why do slaves get assigned to the men?

Haruspicy Examine internal organs Examine internal organs Imperfections – displeased Imperfections – displeased Bronze model – liver (16 regions) Bronze model – liver (16 regions) Etruscans Etruscans Haruspices (pl.) Haruspex (sing.) Haruspices (pl.) Haruspex (sing.) Priests from Etruria Priests from Etruria Unsought omens if no augur Unsought omens if no augur Professionals (not elected) Professionals (not elected)

Haruspicy 60 in reign of Augustus 60 in reign of Augustus Never an official priesthood Never an official priesthood No prestige and authority No prestige and authority

Dreams Based on old beliefs – sent by gods Based on old beliefs – sent by gods Individuals – not state religion Individuals – not state religion Lucretius – follower of Epicurean philosophy Lucretius – follower of Epicurean philosophy Dreams meaningless Dreams meaningless People believed People believed Suetonius – historian Suetonius – historian Augustus’ life saved by friend – don’t stay in tent Augustus’ life saved by friend – don’t stay in tent Julius Caesar – raped mother Julius Caesar – raped mother

Dreams Livy – about Hannibal Livy – about Hannibal 218 BC Hannibal waiting to invade 218 BC Hannibal waiting to invade Young man – a god – guide him to Italy Young man – a god – guide him to Italy Told not to look back Told not to look back Curious – he looked Curious – he looked Snake Snake Storm cloud – lightning and thunder Storm cloud – lightning and thunder Devastate Italy – took next 15 years Devastate Italy – took next 15 years

Astrology Consult the stars Consult the stars From the East – 2 nd Century BC From the East – 2 nd Century BC Earth – centre of universe Earth – centre of universe Seven bodies: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon Seven bodies: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon Influence whatever they shone upon Influence whatever they shone upon Predetermined future Predetermined future Loopholes Loopholes

Astrology Not universally popular Not universally popular Meaningless to worship gods? Meaningless to worship gods? Try to fulfil destiny Try to fulfil destiny Senate banned astrologers every now and then Senate banned astrologers every now and then Increasingly influential Increasingly influential Augustus – told he would be king Augustus – told he would be king

Astrology Suetonius says that Tiberius was… Suetonius says that Tiberius was… “careless about the gods and religion because he was addicted to astrology and believed everything was ruled by fate.” “careless about the gods and religion because he was addicted to astrology and believed everything was ruled by fate.” Vettius Valens says… Vettius Valens says… “It is impossible for any man by prayers and sacrifice to overcome what is fixed from the beginning.” “It is impossible for any man by prayers and sacrifice to overcome what is fixed from the beginning.”

Astrology Tacitus says that astrologers are… Tacitus says that astrologers are… “a breed of men who betray the powerful and deceive the hopeful” and “were constantly being banned from Rome and were constantly being found there.” “a breed of men who betray the powerful and deceive the hopeful” and “were constantly being banned from Rome and were constantly being found there.”

Astrology… Not all believed BUT majority practiced in some form or another Not all believed BUT majority practiced in some form or another Forbidden in 4 th Century AD by Christian Emperors Forbidden in 4 th Century AD by Christian Emperors HOWEVER – despite this… HOWEVER – despite this… What types of Divination do we still use? Why do we use them? What is the significance? What does seeking to know the future tell us about ourselves (humans)?

READ PRIMARY SOURCE READ: # 15 – Astrology Author:Summarise:QUESTION: What are the dangers of astrology? What are the dangers of astrology?

What impact did the introduction of astrology have on the traditional methods of divination? What explanations might be given for the importance Romans attached to omens and the practice of divination? Discuss