The Ancient Art of Aruspicina

​Aruspicina, the practice of interpreting the will of the gods through the observation of the entrails of sacrificed animals, was a significant form of divination in ancient Roman religion. The priests known as aruspices were responsible for performing this practice and were consulted before important decisions such as declaring war or electing officials.

In ancient Roman literature, the practice of aruspicina is mentioned in various works, including Livy's "Ab Urbe Condita," where the author describes how the Roman Republic relied on the practice. The Roman poet Virgil also mentions the practice in his famous epic poem "Aeneid," where the character of Aeneas consults an aruspex named Helicus to determine the will of the gods regarding his journey to Italy.

The specific interpretations of the entrails varied depending on the context, but generally certain organs or parts of the animal were considered to have positive or negative meanings. The liver, for example, was considered to be the most important organ for divination. The size, shape, and color of the liver were all taken into account, and different variations were thought to indicate different things. A large, healthy liver was considered a good omen, while a small, diseased liver was considered a bad omen. The lungs and heart were also examined, with similar interpretations.

The practice of aruspicina was not limited to ancient Rome, it was also present in other cultures of the ancient world. In Etruscan religion, the reading of entrails was a common practice, and in ancient Greece, the practice of divination through animal sacrifice was known as hepatoscopy. In ancient Mesopotamia, the practice of divination through animal sacrifice was known as extispicy.

In modern times, the practice of divination through the examination of animal entrails is not as prevalent, and it is not widely used in any culture or religion. The rituals and methods of divination used in ancient times were specific to the cultures and religions of those times, and many of those practices have been lost or forgotten over time. However, some modern-day practices that are similar include "face reading" in some traditions of Chinese folk religion and the use of tarot cards and crystal balls in some forms of fortune-telling.

Aruspicina may seem like a strange and foreign practice to us today, but it played a significant role in the religious and political life of ancient Rome. It gives us a glimpse into the beliefs and practices of our ancestors, and it serves as a reminder that the quest for understanding the will of the gods is a universal human desire that has been present throughout history.

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