Augury

Auspices (Latin auspicia (plural ) Singular auspicium, bird's eye view ', from the Latin avis, bird ' and spectare, look ') refers to the practice of Roman cult official who augurs to interpret different signs of the divine will.

Interpretation of divine signs

Here, this interpretation does not refer generally to the future, is therefore not a non-specific divination in the sense that the uncommitted future, for example a person or an institution ( cf. Predestination ) is explained, but the interpretation contains only the divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action. According to Roman custom the auspices had to be obtained prior to all major government actions. This was due by the leading magistrate who could change the interpretation of the augurs. However, the validity of the corresponding action in this case could be challenged about what occurred in the political struggles and in the elections in the late Republic.

Classification of characters

To this end, characters were interpreted, which were divided into two classes: First, the requested characters ( auguria impetrativa ), on the other unsolicited characters ( auguria oblativa ). There are further subdivisions of the characters in different species ( genera ), but not all of them receive and are secured source terms. Well-known characters ( signa ), could be read from those birds were (especially their flight path and screams ) and lightning ( time, place and direction).

Implementation

For the Auspikation was - according to their positions as cultic ritual - a square place determined ( templum ) in the immediate vicinity of the same day held action to which involved the Auspikation, usually a People's Assembly ( comitia ) or a Senate session.

These designated Augur with his crosier ( lituus ) the exact boundaries of the village. This was located in a room or in the open field. Also the orientation of certain Augur: both eastern and south direction are occupied. Required by the magistrate Auspikationen always took place in Rome and had to be replaced there as well if necessary.

The ceremony itself is valid only deficient, a Auguralformel is indeed narrated by Varro, but the source is uncertain. For Rome, are two such observation places auguracula, called in ancient written sources: a was on therefore in arce on the Capitol, another on the Quirinal.

Phrase

From the fact that the official acts of magistrates were always carried out auspicato ( after obtaining the auspices ), the phrase was " under someone's auspices ", ie. , Under his leadership or responsibility

Can sub auspiciis (ie in the presence of Federal President ) are promoted in Austria.