How did Roman augurs use animal behavior for divination?

In ancient Rome, augurs were priests who interpreted the will of the gods by observing the behavior of birds and other animals. This practice, known as augury, played a central role in guiding political, military, and religious decisions.

They observed flight patterns, calls, and positions of birds—particularly eagles, vultures, and ravens. Favorable signs indicated divine approval, while unfavorable signs were warnings to halt or delay an action.

🦅 Birds as Messengers

Augurs believed that birds were messengers of the gods. The direction a bird flew or the sound it made could foretell success or doom.

🐔 Sacred Chickens

In military contexts, augurs would feed sacred chickens. If they ate eagerly, it was seen as a good omen for battle.

🏛 Ritual Importance

No major public decision—from elections to war—was made without consulting augurs. Their readings held official weight in Roman society.

📚 Legacy of Augury

Though no longer practiced formally, Roman augury influenced later European divination methods and still captures interest in spiritual studies.