The role of prophetic signs in relationship between ancient Romans and the gods

Abstract

In the article I discuss the function of the prophetic signs in the Roman Religion. Signs (auguria, prodigia, omina) are one form of communication with the gods. The Romans dealt with the broad spectrum of signs related to public life. The prodigia for example indicate that peace with the gods has been disturbed. For special cases a collection of oracles written in Greek were consulted (the Sibylline books). Inspired and intuitive divination was mistrusted in Rome because it was uncontrollable.