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The dissemination of divination in roman republican times

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Pl<strong>in</strong>.Nat.2.100<br />

A spark from a star fell to the ground and other strange th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> the sky<br />

75 Obs.60<br />

Events about the army <strong>of</strong> Sertorius<br />

Note: <strong>The</strong>se are omen stories and not take as prodigies.<br />

65 Dio 37.9.1-2<br />

Statues overturned and melted by lightn<strong>in</strong>g on the Capitol Roma<br />

63 Obs.61, Cic. Div.1.19-20, Cic.Cat.3.19-20, Dio.37.25.1-2, Pl<strong>in</strong>.Nat.2.137<br />

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

Person struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g from a clear sky** Pompeii<br />

Someth<strong>in</strong>g burn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the sky<br />

City destroyed by earthquake Spoletum<br />

Bronzetablets struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g became liquid*<br />

* Dio Cassius has this <strong>in</strong> 65 (Dio.37.9.1-2, 37.25.1-2). It is <strong>in</strong>cluded under that year s<strong>in</strong>ce<br />

Dio. Is closer <strong>in</strong> time, more credible and thorough than Obsequens.<br />

** Dio has one prodigy: many lightn<strong>in</strong>g strikes from a clear sky (Dio.37.25). He may have<br />

mixed these two. This is supported by a passage <strong>in</strong> Pl<strong>in</strong>y. Pl<strong>in</strong>y has the prodigy about the<br />

person struck by lightn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Pompei <strong>in</strong> Pl<strong>in</strong>.Nat.2.137 as one. <strong>The</strong>se prodigies are therefore<br />

taken as separate.<br />

Dio.37.25.1-2<br />

Auspices fail<br />

Ghosts seen<br />

Note: <strong>The</strong> first seems to be a ritual fault and is therefore not counted.<br />

62 Obs.61a<br />

Laurel-wreathed fasces were lost to the Dardani<br />

Note: Rasmussen counts this as a prodigy (Rasmussen 2003: 107). I have taken it as an<br />

omen, s<strong>in</strong>ce it is a typical omen story.<br />

60 Obs.62<br />

Light appeared dur<strong>in</strong>g the night<br />

270

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