divinatio

Divinatio is a Latin term for the act or practice of divination—foretelling or discovering hidden things by supernatural signs or the influence of the gods. The word derives from divinus, “divine,” and the verb divinare, “to foretell or to divine.” In the classical world, divination was an established religious and political practice, central to both public affairs and private decision-making.

The term covers several methods. Auspicium (augury) involved interpreting the flight, behavior, and other signs of birds to determine the will of the gods. Haruspicina (haruspicy) relied on reading the entrails of sacrificed animals. Other forms included interpreting omens, dream divination, and consulting oracles of Greek origin. Public officials, such as augurs and haruspices, advised magistrates and the state on matters from military campaigns to religious ceremonies, while private individuals sought guidance for personal decisions.

In literature and philosophy, divination was a subject of debate. Writers such as Cicero in De Divinatione explored its plausibility and epistemic foundations, illustrating tensions between belief in signs and rational inquiry. Over time, the practice varied in intensity and tolerance across different periods of antiquity, often adapting to local cults, political needs, and philosophical outlooks.

With the rise of Christianity in late antiquity, pagan divination experienced increased scrutiny and restrictions, and official endorsement diminished. Nevertheless, the concept persisted in literary and popular contexts, and the term divinatio remains a useful descriptor for ancient practices aimed at revealing the will of the gods or hidden knowledge through signs and omens.