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DIVINATION

DIVINATION. General info…. Divine communicate directly with human beings Direct visit – appear in person Gods or Fates sent signs 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

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DIVINATION

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  1. DIVINATION

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

  3. 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

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

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

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

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

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

  9. Conclusive evidence that the aliens are coming…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  21. Astrology • 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.”

  22. Astrology… • Not all believed BUT majority practiced in some form or another • Forbidden in 4th Century AD by Christian Emperors • 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)?

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

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

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