09.06.2013 Views

The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Howevere, there are practices <strong>in</strong> which <strong>in</strong>direct prestige makes a significant difference <strong>in</strong><br />

credibility. Concern<strong>in</strong>g the Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books, the priesthood responsible was <strong>of</strong> the same<br />

overall social class as the augurs. <strong>The</strong> only difference was that the Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books were not<br />

associated with Jupiter, but with the Sibyl or Apollo, which were <strong>of</strong> lower status <strong>in</strong> the<br />

Roman pantheon. This difference <strong>in</strong> the prestige level <strong>of</strong> the counter<strong>in</strong>tuitive agent seems to<br />

account for the credibility value be<strong>in</strong>g lower for the Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books.<br />

Utility<br />

In chapter 4 we found that the utility characteristic <strong>of</strong> a practice were a comb<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>of</strong> form<br />

and subject. We identified three different types <strong>of</strong> form: b<strong>in</strong>ary, discrete and rich plus two<br />

types <strong>of</strong> subject constra<strong>in</strong>ts: restra<strong>in</strong>ed and open. <strong>The</strong>se two characteristics can be comb<strong>in</strong>ed<br />

<strong>in</strong> a two by three matrix. Each comb<strong>in</strong>ation corresponds to an actual Roman <strong>div<strong>in</strong>ation</strong><br />

practice.<br />

Form<br />

B<strong>in</strong>ary Discrete Rich<br />

Subject<br />

Restra<strong>in</strong>ed Auspices Public sortition Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books<br />

Open Roman extispicy Private sortition Private extispicy<br />

Table 9.1. Utility <strong>of</strong> Roman <strong>div<strong>in</strong>ation</strong> practices<br />

If we look at the b<strong>in</strong>ary/restra<strong>in</strong>ed form, all k<strong>in</strong>ds <strong>of</strong> auspices fit <strong>in</strong>to this category. An<br />

example is the auspicium ex tripudio where the goal is to determ<strong>in</strong>e whether or not to attack.<br />

Public sortition is also restra<strong>in</strong>ed, but it is a discrete type because two or more alternatives are<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered. An example <strong>of</strong> this is the assignment <strong>of</strong> prov<strong>in</strong>ces. In the practice <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

Sibyll<strong>in</strong>e Books we also see a restra<strong>in</strong>ed practice, but comb<strong>in</strong>ed with a rich form. It is<br />

restra<strong>in</strong>ed because it is only <strong>in</strong> a specific situation, one <strong>of</strong> national crisis, that the senate<br />

orders them consulted. It is rich because it can give a lot more details and <strong>in</strong>formation <strong>in</strong> the<br />

form <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>terpretation and recommendation <strong>of</strong> rites. <strong>The</strong> open practices can be used to give<br />

answers to a wide range <strong>of</strong> questions. Roman extispicy is a b<strong>in</strong>ary and open type because it<br />

answers whether or not what is specified <strong>in</strong> the prayer will come true. In pr<strong>in</strong>ciple anyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

could be asked for <strong>in</strong> a prayer. Private sortition is open because anyth<strong>in</strong>g could be asked, and<br />

discrete because specific alternatives should be attached to the lots used for the draw. An<br />

179

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!