office
Haruspex
haruspex
also: haruspices, Etruscan haruspices
A diviner, of Etruscan discipline, who read prodigies, lightning, and the entrails of victims; Cicero's law refers prodigies to the Etruscan haruspices when the Senate so orders.
Reading notes
- On Divination §2.16 the cleft of the liver
The fissum, a crack or fissure in the liver of a sacrificed animal, was read by the haruspices as favorable or threatening. The liver was the chief organ inspected in extispicy.
- On Divination §2.28 haruspicy
The Etruscan-derived art of divination by the inspection of entrails (especially the liver), lightning, and prodigies. Cicero says it should be maintained for the state's sake even though he thinks it false.
- On the Laws §2.21 the Etruscan haruspices
Diviners of Etruscan discipline who interpreted prodigies, lightning-strikes, and the entrails of victims. Cicero's law refers prodigies to them when the Senate so orders, and bids Etruria teach its discipline to Rome's leading men.