Definition:
The art of interpreting divine signs was known as augury (augurium). This form of divination was performed by the Roman augurs (augures) and magistrates. Originally augury was performed by interpreting signs from birds to determine whether a proposed action had divine approval. The customary staff of an augur was the lituus.
Sources:
- Lacus Curtius - Augur Augurium
- "Malevolent Gods and Promethean Birds: Contesting Augury in Augustus's Rome," by Steven J. Green; Transactions of the American Philological Association, (2009)
- Lesley and Roy Adkins: Dictionary of Roman Religion"
Also Known As: Auspicium, Augurium
Examples:
It was on the basis of augury that the legendary Romulus and Remus attempted to settle their dispute as to where the new city that would became Rome should be situated.