SH+P6+2015+Omens

// Roman augur of omens and prophecies //
 * __Audience - Zoey Zhao__ **

When the Roman Empire began in 31 BCE, the technological world was unadvanced. Because of this, ancient Romans attempted to explain the natural world of unexplained phenomena through superstitions such as omens. Franco Cavazzi, the creator of a website dedicated to the history of the Roman Empire explains, “Nightmares were generally seen as omens of bad luck” (Cavazzi 1). A naturally occurring event within humans are dreams and nightmares. However, with the lack of brain research that is present today, the Romans took it upon themselves to explain that the nightmares would result in bad luck. As well as bad dreams, augurs, or interpreters of omens and prophecies, also studied birds. By identifying the type of bird, the speed at which they were flying at, the elevation of their flight, etc., augurs were able to conclude whether the omens were good or bad. These omens influenced the Roman way of life. For example, if a person was to have a bad dream, they might be more cautious, influencing the activities they participated in, what they wore, who they talked to, etc. By directly influencing an empire’s lifestyle, it shows how committed the Romans were to their beliefs. Because of this commitment, it further emphasizes the importance of omens and superstitions to them to explain the natural world, influencing the beginnings of science through pure curiosity.

Cavazzi, Franco. "Omens and Superstitions." // Illustrated History of The Roman Empire //. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
 * Works Cited: **

__** Historical: Elizabeth Ellis **__ // Black Cat "If a black cat were to cross your path, ill omens were on their way" //

Throughout the centuries and especially Before Christ, omens have played an enormous role in the history and also the basis for many laws and ideals set about by important civilizations such as the Romans. The Ancient Romans had many omens and superstitions based on what happened to them in their daily lives and what they thought would anger the gods, causing them to retaliate on the Earth. They thought that if they walked into a house they had to walk through using their left foot first, if a black cat ran into their house they were cursed, etc (Cavazzi). Their omens were also ways to scare their children into behaving such as Kampus or the Bogey Man is to children nowadays, as well as a way of explaining the bad and the unexplainable things in the world to them. Nightmares were taught to be bad omens for what will happen, and keeping on one’s self an amulet would keep away “bad luck” (Cavazzi). Even into today, omens impact the world in how we look at the world and what we do. Some ancient laws were banning women from places with their spindles for fear, and these laws placed into the world dictated how people lived, and what people do/did. Even now, there are those who live in ways of fear for running against the “gods” and trust in these ideas to help them and guide them, such as the saying “rabbit” on the first of the month for financial luck. Omens impact the lives and the ways people leave their lives from the fear to the sense of comfort they hold in having an answer to the unknown.

Cavazzi, Franco. "Omens and Superstitions." //Illustrated History of The Roman Empire//. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
 * Works Cited: **

// Household Gods that the Romans believed in // The author’s purpose of the article “Omens and Superstitions” is to give some insight about what the Roman believed in during ancient times and why. The author explains “The Romans lived in an era previous to this. Their world was full of unexplained phenomena, darkness and fear. To Romans these superstitions were a perfectly natural part in the relationship between gods and men….”(Cavazzi). Although the purpose is not stated directly, the purpose of trying to inform the public of why and what the Roman believed in is achieved. They give steady facts and logical reasons to why the Romans may believe in these omens. The consistent word that pops up is the word “spiritual”. The Romans didn’t have an explanation to most events in the world, so they believed that the phenomenon was caused by spirits and godly figures.
 * __Aim- Rebecca Frostrom__ **

Cavazzi, Franco. "Omens and Superstitions." //Illustrated History of The Roman Empire//. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2016.
 * Work Cited: **

__** Cultural: Ben Dorathy **__

Omens are defined as “ anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future; portent.” (Dictionary.com) In the Greek/Roman times, Oracles claimed to receive omens from the gods that foretold of things to come; disasters, fortunes, heroes, wars, etc. Although today, people don’t believe in prophecies and omens as much. But there are still things we can consider an “omen”. For example we can use technology to predict accurately events like natural disasters. Some of today’s religions still include prophetic omens in their beliefs as well. So, the word has changed little. Only the context in which it is used has changed in our modern world.

 //Seer//

"Omen". // Dictionary.com Unabridged //. Random House, Inc. 05 Jan. 2016.
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