noun
- Plural of aruspex; Roman priests or diviners who practiced divination by examining the entrails of sacrificed animals, especially the liver.
Usage: historical; often capitalized when referring to the Roman religious practice; also spelled haruspices
Examples
- The Roman aruspices examined the liver of the sacrificed animal to predict the outcome of the battle.
- Ancient Roman generals consulted with aruspices before making major military decisions.
- The aruspices claimed that the entrails revealed the will of the gods.
- In Roman religion, aruspices held significant political and religious authority.
- The practice of aruspices was an important part of Roman religious ritual and governance.