SH+2014-15+P5+Omens

Historical: Emily Gates



During the time of Julius Caesar, the Roman Empire, many people still believed in many superstitions because their understanding of science and the world around them was limited. This is why many people believed in the superstition of the omens or a prophecy about the future. The article “Omens in the Ancient World” stated, “Hence, it may be said that the influence of the Mesopotamian knowledge of omens extended in both space and time. Perhaps, the appeal of omens in ancient cultures had something to do with a part of our human nature, that is to say our desire to explain what is going on in the world” ( Dhwty 1). The ancient world had a huge impact on the people who lived in it. With their knowledge limited to what they could witness many things were created. One of the most famous superstitions is the omen or prediction of the future. Many people believed the stories about omens just as they believed legends about other anomalies because they didn’t have proof that disclaimed them. This is why the history and environment affected peoples beliefs.

Works Cited:

Dhwty. "Omens in the Ancient World". //Ancient Origin//s. Ancient Origins, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"A Superstitious Society." //Omens and Superstitions//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Audience: Elise Hart



Omens were created for those who were not knowledgeable in science. People looked to omens to find a reason for something happening (Omens and Superstitions 1). Early Rome had not had much exposure to science. This left people in the dark when it came to natural disasters and death (Omens and Superstitions 1). Omens have to do with something happening to foreshadow an event that will happen in the future (Omens-Introductory 1). This was the way that people got a sort of closure when people had bad dreams as well as when a bad event happened (Omens 1). Without science people did not have a way to test why something was happening; they had to come up with their own explanation (Omens and Superstitions 1). People who were born in a time before science were gullible enough to believe in omens.

Works Cited:

"Omens." //Encyclopedia of Death and Dying//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"A Superstitious Society." //Omens and Superstitions//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"Omens--Introductory." //The Origins of Popular Superstitions and Customs: Divination and Omens: (11) Omens--Introductory.// n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Cultural: Elise Hart



Omens have influenced culture greatly. Omens originated from a culture where science was virtually non-existent, which then caused the people of Rome to come up with absurd things to justify strange phenomenons (Omens and Superstitions 1). Omens also influenced the laws of the Roman civilizations (Omens and Superstitions 1). Some of the laws that were passed might not have been passed if they did not think of the omens when they were writing them (Omens and Superstitions 1). In culture, people are often scared of death because they do not know when they are going to die or how (Omens). This then lead to the creation of death omens (Omens). These omens were mainly just certain nightmares that people thought meant that death was near (Omens). Omens were always in the back of people’s mind in the Roman civilization.

Works Cited:

"Omens." //Encyclopedia of Death and Dying//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"A Superstitious Society." //Omens and Superstitions//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

Aim:Daniel Marrufo



Omens were ways for the ancient people of rome to “Predict” the future and understand why certain things were happening. Omens were used as signs from the gods as to figure out what would happen ”Many Romans lived their daily lives surrounded with every kind of good or bad omen and silly superstition imaginable due to society's tradition”(Roman Superstitions 1). Back in the days of Julius Ceasar there was a few ways that they would try to do this. They would watch the birds in the sky, “read” the intestine of sacrificial animals and watch the stars to see what they would tell. If a farmer saw that Jupiter(The father of gods) the planet was in alignment with Mars(the god of war) then he would think that there would be a war soon. People were dependent on omens to understand what was going on and how to understand why some things went wrong ”To spill wine, oil or even water could also be the sign that bad things were about to happen”(Omens and superstitions 1). The omens were ways for the poor uneducated class to understand why things happened. The wealthy upper class did not believe in such fantasies because they had been taught that omens were nothing more than superstitious nonsense.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Works Cited: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"A Superstitious Society." //Omens and Superstitions//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.

"Roman Superstitions." //Omnis Rerum Romanitatum//. n.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2014.