Question

Какую роль играли гадание в Риме ?Приведите примеры гаданий

Answer 1

Древнейшим и едва ли не самым важным для римлян видом гадания были ауспиции — наблюдения за полетом вещих птиц. Об этом способе ворожбы речь еще пойдет Дальше, пока стоит только сказать, какую роль сыграл он еще в момент основания Рима. Как известно, братья Ромул и Рем заспорили, где именно следует возвести город. “Уговорившись решить спор с помощью вещих птиц, они сели порознь и стали ждать, а со стороны Рема показалось, говорят, шесть коршунов, а со стороны Ромула — вдвое больше. Некоторые сообщают, что Рем на самом деле увидел своих птиц, а Ромул-де солгал и что лишь когда Рем подошел, тогда только перед глазами Ромула появились двенадцать коршунов”. Раскрыв обман, Рем пришел в негодование, братья поссорились, и Ромул или кто-то из его друзей убил Рема; получив таким образом власть над будущим городом, Ромул ввел гадание по птицам в официальную религиозную традицию (Плутарх. Сравнительные жизнеописания. Ромул). С тех пор при ауспициях римляне всегда отдавали предпочтение коршунам. Важно было все: и с какой стороны появились птицы и их количество, и время, когда они показались. Однако еще важнее было то, как жрецы-птицегадатели истолкуют эти предзнаменования. 
Фуух..

Answer 2

The Role of Divination in Ancient Rome

Divination played a significant role in ancient Rome and was considered an important practice for seeking guidance and predicting the future. The Romans believed that the gods communicated their will through various divination methods, and consulting the gods through divination was seen as a way to gain insight and make informed decisions.

Examples of Divination Practices in Ancient Rome:

1. Augury: Augury was a form of divination that involved interpreting the flight patterns and behaviors of birds. The Romans believed that birds were messengers of the gods and that their behavior could reveal divine messages. Augurs, specialized priests, would observe the flight of birds and interpret their movements and sounds to determine the gods' will. For example, if a bird flew from the right side to the left, it was considered a positive sign, while the opposite direction indicated a negative omen.

2. Haruspicy: Haruspicy was a form of divination that involved examining the entrails of sacrificed animals, particularly the liver. The liver was believed to be the seat of the soul and contained signs and omens that could be interpreted by skilled haruspices. The haruspex would carefully examine the liver's shape, color, and other characteristics to determine the gods' messages. This practice was often used to gain insight into important decisions, such as declaring war or making political alliances.

3. Sortilege: Sortilege involved casting lots or drawing random objects to obtain answers or guidance. This method of divination was used for various purposes, such as predicting the outcome of battles, making decisions, or seeking advice on personal matters. The Romans would use different objects, such as dice, stones, or marked sticks, and interpret the results based on predetermined meanings or patterns.

4. Astrology: Although astrology originated from ancient Mesopotamia, it was widely practiced in ancient Rome. Astrology involved studying the positions and movements of celestial bodies to interpret their influence on human affairs. Astrologers would create birth charts and analyze the alignment of planets and stars to make predictions about an individual's future or to determine auspicious times for important events.

5. Dream Interpretation: Dreams were considered important sources of divine messages in ancient Rome. People would seek the guidance of specialized priests or interpreters to analyze their dreams and uncover hidden meanings. Dreams were believed to be a way for the gods to communicate directly with individuals, providing insights into their personal lives or foretelling future events.

These are just a few examples of the divination practices that played a role in ancient Rome. Divination was deeply ingrained in Roman society and culture, and it influenced various aspects of life, including politics, warfare, and personal decision-making.