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The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

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Sun formed a disc like a shield at sun set<br />

Earthquake cause some build<strong>in</strong>gs to collapse and others to rema<strong>in</strong> stand<strong>in</strong>g Picenum<br />

Noise from arms heard from below<br />

Gold quadriga on the forum sweated on its feet Roma<br />

Note: <strong>The</strong> first prodigy is also found <strong>in</strong> Pl<strong>in</strong>y (Pl<strong>in</strong>.Nat.2.100). MacBa<strong>in</strong> also places the<br />

prodigy <strong>in</strong> Pl<strong>in</strong>.Nat.3.123 this year (MacBa<strong>in</strong> 1982: 99). It is, however, not clear what<br />

motivated this dat<strong>in</strong>g, so it has not been followed.<br />

99 Obs.46<br />

Owl seen <strong>in</strong> the city Roma<br />

Much has been destroyed by storms<br />

Many lightn<strong>in</strong>g strikes<br />

Drops <strong>of</strong> blood <strong>in</strong> the temple <strong>of</strong> Juno Sospita<br />

Earthquake destroys temples Lanuvium<br />

Noise from below heard Nursia<br />

Note: Rasmussen also counts as a prodigy the story <strong>of</strong> two crows, who fought <strong>in</strong> the air<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g a meet<strong>in</strong>g (contio) convened by Sex.Titius (Rasmussen 2003: 99). It does speak for<br />

the identification <strong>of</strong> it as such that it is <strong>in</strong>terpreted by the haruspices, but on the other hand,<br />

the haruspices could <strong>in</strong>terpret anyth<strong>in</strong>g so it cannot be used as pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> anyth<strong>in</strong>g. It seems to<br />

me more likely that it is an omen.<br />

Gel.4.6.1-2<br />

<strong>The</strong> lances <strong>of</strong> Mars moved by themselves <strong>in</strong> the Regia Roma<br />

98 Obs.47<br />

Owl seen above the statue <strong>of</strong> the gods dur<strong>in</strong>g sacrifice on the Capitol Roma<br />

Many lightn<strong>in</strong>g strikes<br />

<strong>The</strong> lances <strong>of</strong> Mars moved by themselves <strong>in</strong> the Regia* Roma<br />

Thunder from a cloudless sky<br />

No head (caput) on the liver dur<strong>in</strong>g sacrifice to Apollo and a snake was found**<br />

Fire between soldiers’ spears <strong>in</strong> the circus<br />

Sacrificial bull broke down**<br />

Ra<strong>in</strong> <strong>of</strong> chalk <strong>in</strong> the theatre<br />

Hermaphrodite<br />

* I believe this prodigy is the same as the one Aulus Gellius mentions (Gel.4.6.1-2). He,<br />

however, has it <strong>in</strong> 99. Rasmussen follows this, but also has it <strong>in</strong> 98 (Rasmussen 2003: 100).<br />

Gellius has it from an <strong>of</strong>ficial decree (senatus consultum). Consequently his testimony takes<br />

priority and the prodigy is most likely to be dated <strong>in</strong> 99. S<strong>in</strong>ce it is <strong>in</strong> the middle <strong>of</strong> the list, it<br />

opens up to the possibility that the whole list is from that year.<br />

** these are not counted as prodigies for reasons stated under the year 166 and 154<br />

265

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