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The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

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Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e books<br />

<strong>The</strong> Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books were books <strong>of</strong> oracles <strong>of</strong> the prophetess, called the Sibyl, written <strong>in</strong><br />

hexameter. It is not known precisely how they were used, but they could only be consulted on<br />

the order <strong>of</strong> the senate.<br />

Technique Noth<strong>in</strong>g is known about the method used to locate passages <strong>in</strong> the Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e<br />

Books. It is probable that some sort <strong>of</strong> randomization, such as lots 179 , was used. Sacred books<br />

<strong>in</strong> themselves seem to <strong>in</strong>spire such processes (Petersen 2007). We do know that the books<br />

were written <strong>in</strong> Greek (Zonar.7.11) and conta<strong>in</strong>ed verses <strong>in</strong> hexameter (Rzach 1926: 2106).<br />

<strong>The</strong>y seem to have conta<strong>in</strong>ed oracles as well as purifications (Parke 1988: 137)<br />

Direct prestige <strong>The</strong> priesthood responsible for consult<strong>in</strong>g the Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books, the<br />

decemviri sacris faciundis, was the third most prestigious <strong>in</strong> the Roman republic and it<br />

counted many who held the highest magistracies (Szemler 1972: 186-187).<br />

Indirect prestige <strong>The</strong> associated counter<strong>in</strong>tuitive agent is not directly specified. Most <strong>of</strong>ten<br />

it is just described as the gods (Lactant.Div.Inst.1.6; Gel.1.19.11). Sibyls were <strong>in</strong> general<br />

connected to Apollo. <strong>The</strong>re is good reason to assume that Apollo was seen to be the ultimate<br />

agent beh<strong>in</strong>d the prophecies (Parke 1988). A further <strong>in</strong>dication that this was the case is that<br />

the decemviri were known as priests <strong>of</strong> Apollo (Liv.10.8.2).<br />

Utility and Credibility value <strong>The</strong> Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books were only consulted on the order <strong>of</strong> the<br />

senate. <strong>The</strong> senate ordered them to be consulted <strong>in</strong> the case <strong>of</strong> prodigies or great misfortune<br />

for the Roman state (Dion.Hal. Ant.Rom.4.62.5). <strong>The</strong> books also specified ritual remedies to<br />

avert the impend<strong>in</strong>g danger. <strong>The</strong>se were <strong>of</strong>ten sacrifices that could be very costly, such as<br />

human sacrifice (Oros.4.13.3). <strong>The</strong> credibility value can thus be seen to be high.<br />

179 Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Parke, Varro, through Lactantius, implies the use <strong>of</strong> lots (Parke 1988: 47, n.20), but that<br />

read<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> Lact.Div.1.6 is only testified by two <strong>of</strong> the manuscripts. <strong>The</strong> fact that sortition oracles were<br />

widespread <strong>in</strong> Italy (see above) does however lend credibility to this possibility.<br />

173

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