Haruspices

Haruspices (Sanskrit hirâ, 'entrails;') cf. Gr. chordē, cholades, soothsayers or diviners among the Etruscans, and from them adopted by the Romans, who foretold future events from the inspection of the entrails of animals offered in sacrifice (hence also called extispices), and from the observation of other circumstances connected with the offerings, such as the willingness or unwillingness of the victim to come to the altar, and the flame or the smoke. They took indications also from earthquakes, lightning, and all other extraordinary phenomena of nature called portenta. The haruspices did not equal the augurs in dignity and respect; they were regarded rather as mediums of communication with heaven than as possessing any independent religious authority. They had no organisation like the augurs; they did not, in earlier times at least, form a collegium, nor had they a magister. Their art fell latterly into disrepute, as is illustrated by the well-known saying of Cato that 'he wondered that one haruspex did not laugh when he saw another.' See AUGURIES, and DIVINATION.