What is auspices?

Auspices, deriving from ancient Roman religious practices, refer to the practice of interpreting the will of the gods by observing the behavior of birds. This practice was undertaken by a priest known as an augur. The word itself is derived from the Latin words "avis," meaning bird, and "specere," meaning to look or watch, highlighting the central role that birds played in this form of divination.

In ancient Rome, auspices were crucial for decision-making, especially in public and political matters. They could be sought for a variety of reasons, such as sanctioning military campaigns, public events, or governmental actions. Augurs would interpret signs based on several criteria, including the direction of flight, the types of birds, their behavior, and the sounds they made.

Auspices were categorized into different types, with the most commonly known being:

1. Ex caelo (from the sky): Observations related to thunder and lightning.
2. Ex avibus (from birds): Focused on the behavior and flight patterns of birds.
3. Ex tripudiis (from dances): Analysis of the eating behaviors of sacred chickens, which were made to peck at grain.
4. Ex quadrupedibus (from four-legged animals): Observations of the behavior of domestic animals.

While auspices were predominantly a Roman practice, the concept of interpreting natural signs or omens has parallels in various cultures worldwide. Over time, as Christianity spread through the Roman Empire, the practice of taking auspices waned and was gradually replaced by different religious and cultural systems of belief.

In modern metaphoric use, the term "auspices" can refer to guidance or protection provided by an individual or organization, as in "under the auspices of."