Unsuccessful Sacrifice in Roman State Divination

Abstract

This chapter explores what Romans thought they were doing through sacrifice, and what this can tell us about Roman conceptions of the relationship between gods and human beings. The chapter focuses on those animal sacrifices that Romans believed had been unsuccessful in that they had failed to please the gods. The chapter queries the current consensus that Roman divinatory sacrifices generally proceeded until a favourable sign was obtained (usque ad litationem). It is argued that Roman magistrates took signs from failed sacrifices more seriously than we have often thought, and that this behaviour can be read as evidence that they were anxious about their relationship with their gods.