Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Augur

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

AUGUR (οἰωνοσκόπος). An augur, a Roman priest, who interpreted the will of the gods, or revealed future events from observations taken on the flight and singing of birds. (Liv. i. 36. Cic. Div. i. 17.) They were formed into a college or corporation; and are principally distinguished from other classes of the priesthood, on coins and medals, by a crooked wand (lituus), like a crozier, which they carried in the right hand, and sometimes with the sacred bird, and the waterjug (capis) by their side or on the reverse. The example (Augur/1.1) is from a medal of Marcus Antoninus.

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  Augur/1.1