Rituals Pre- and post-battle

**MarcusAureliusAntoninus** · 01-31-2009, 01:22

Once Tarentum fell in 272BC, the whole of southern Italy was basically under Roman control.

I don't really know much on battle rituals...

**Mediolanicus** · 01-31-2009, 11:55

Well, there's the story about that Roman general in that sea battle with Carthage, who threw the holy chickens overboard because they wouldn't eat (then let them drink). If chickens, released from their cages, would storm for the food and peck it, it would be considered a good omen for battle. If they didn't eat, it was a bad omen.
The general lost the sea battle. (I forgot all the names).

And I vaguely remember something about birds warning Roman defenders during the seige and sack of Rome by Brennus, but I could be wrong there

Other than that, look for "the evil eye" (Romans are good at those) and curses and stuff.
Look for the Augures, who would interpret omens.
Looking at organs of ritually slaughtered animals (it has a name but I forgot, but it would be done by the Haruspex) and the flight of birds (auspicium) also were ways to tell how the battle would turn out.

I suppose making offerings of food and incense to the Lares (house gods) to saveguard the pater familias or another family member would be done also.

There's a festival called Equiria, in honor of Mars, held in early spring during which the campaigns for the following campaign season were planned (and possibly pleasing Mars into granting them victory).

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

**Dutchhoplite** · 01-31-2009, 12:12

Well, there's the story about that Roman general in that sea battle with Carthage, who threw the holy chickens overboard because they wouldn't eat (then let them drink). If chickens, released from their cages, would storm for the food and peck it, it would be considered a good omen for battle. If they didn't eat, it was a bad omen.The general lost the sea battle. (I forgot all the names).

Publius Claudius Pulcher at the battle of Drepanum.

He threw all the sacred chickens overboard saying "If they won't eat, let them drink", since they refused to eat before the battle.

And I vaguely remember something about birds warning Roman defenders during the seige and sack of Rome by Brennus, but I could be wrong there

Geese warned the sleeping Romans defenders when the Gauls tried to surprise them.

**Strategos Alexandros** · 01-31-2009, 15:24

Polybius may contain something: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin...ookup=Plb.+toc
I would check for you myself but I don't have the time right now. The search function might find you something else too.

**Cyrus** · 01-31-2009, 18:42

Does anyone have any idea wich chapters of polybius' histories i have to gh through to find the info i need? And thank you all for your answers.

**Cyrus** · 02-01-2009, 18:11

Hello? Would anyone mind answering?

**Mediolanicus** · 02-01-2009, 18:41

Originally Posted by Cyrus

Hello? Would anyone mind answering?

In my experience, people are less helpful when you urge them.

I wouldn't mind answering, but I really don't know which lines of Polybius could be useful.

**Strategos Alexandros** · 02-07-2009, 11:48

Originally Posted by Osprey Greek Hoplite 480-323BC

Some of the captured armour might be used to erect a trophy (tropaion) at the point where the 'turn round' (trope) of the enemy had first occurred. Usually it was nailed to a nearby tree as a monument of the battle.