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The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

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Moon fell down Capua<br />

Goats got woolly fleeces<br />

Hen turned <strong>in</strong>to a cock<br />

Cock turned <strong>in</strong>to a hen<br />

Note: Rasmussen also counts the om<strong>in</strong>a towards Flam<strong>in</strong>ius as omens, but they are not<br />

mentioned <strong>in</strong> the list with the others. <strong>The</strong>y don’t either seem to have been related and treated<br />

as prodigia. <strong>The</strong>y are therefore not likely to have been taken as prodigia(Rasmussen 2003:<br />

63).<br />

216 Liv.22.36.7-9<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> stones on the Avent<strong>in</strong>e Roma<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> stones Aricia<br />

Statues sweated blood <strong>in</strong> Sab<strong>in</strong>is<br />

Blood flowed from a hot spr<strong>in</strong>g several <strong>times</strong><br />

Several persons were killed by lightn<strong>in</strong>g on the Via Fornicate<br />

Note: MacBa<strong>in</strong>s reference to Liv.per.22 as a source is not <strong>of</strong> much help (MacBa<strong>in</strong> 1982: 88).<br />

Livy 22.57.2-6 relates a story <strong>of</strong> the vestal virg<strong>in</strong>s Opimia and Floronia’s breach <strong>of</strong> their vow<br />

<strong>of</strong> chastity. This is taken as a prodigy by Rasmussen (Rasmussen 2003: 64), but is not<br />

counted here. <strong>The</strong> procedure with consultation <strong>of</strong> the sibyll<strong>in</strong>e books resembles that <strong>of</strong><br />

prodigies. That <strong>in</strong> itself is not an argument for it be<strong>in</strong>g a prodigy. <strong>The</strong> books could be used <strong>in</strong><br />

any unusual situation. <strong>The</strong> occurrence also occurs outside the primary list <strong>of</strong> prodigies, which<br />

also suggests that it was not <strong>in</strong> that orig<strong>in</strong>al list.<br />

215 Liv.23.31.15<br />

<strong>The</strong> sea appeared as if on fire<br />

A cow gives birth to a foal S<strong>in</strong>uessa<br />

Statue <strong>of</strong> Juno Sospita sweated blood Lanuvium<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> stones around the temple <strong>of</strong> Juno Sospita Lanuvium<br />

214 Liv.24.10.6-24.11.1<br />

Ravens built nests <strong>in</strong> the temple <strong>of</strong> Juno Sospita Lanuvium<br />

Palm tree bursts <strong>in</strong>to flames Apulia<br />

Blood <strong>in</strong> the sea at the mouth <strong>of</strong> the river M<strong>in</strong>ucius Mantua<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> chalk Cales<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> blood <strong>in</strong> the Forum Boarium Roma<br />

Subterranean spr<strong>in</strong>gs flow with a strong current <strong>in</strong> the Vicus Insteius Roma<br />

Atrium Publicum struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g on the Capitol Roma<br />

Temple struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g on the Campus Volcanus<br />

Temple <strong>of</strong> Vacuna struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Sab<strong>in</strong>is<br />

243

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