Ch 30 Augury

What is 'augury' in Roman practice?

• Rites to appease the gods

• Study of astronomy

• Use of birds in sacrifices

• Interpretation of natural signs to understand the will of the gods

What does 'auspicia impetrativa' mean?

• Signs that happen without request

• Omens sought from ceremonial ritual

• Prophecies of oracles

• Minor prodigies

How did the augur consult the auspices through birds?

• By interrogating birds

• Through the sacrifice of birds

• By reading the songs of birds

• By observing the flight of birds in a designated area

What was the pullarius doing with the sacred chickens?

• He was selling them

• He was teaching them

• He was providing them with food and observing their way of eating

• He was preparing them for battle

What did it indicate if the sacred hens refused food?

• What did it indicate if the sacred hens refused food?

• Need for a greater sacrifice

• Favorable omen

• Unfavorable omen

How did the augurs distinguish themselves from ordinary people?

• Sword

• Special toga

• Sacred books

• Laurel crown

What was 'prodigium'?

• Daytime ritual

• Sign of favorable gods

• Natural phenomenon

• Unnatural phenomenon indicating great divine wrath

What would happen if a prodigy was reported to the senate?

• The festival was celebrated

• It was ignored

• War was immediately declared

• Investigation and purification were carried out

Match the following Latin words with their definitions.

• curved wooden stick

• lituus

• peace with the gods

• pullarius

• interpreted signs from birds

• auspicia

• auspices/omens

• pax deorum

• cared for sacred chickens

• augures

Why were augurs important to the Romans and their state government?