Roman Superstitions

1
Roman Superstitions

• Out of numina and Etruscan nightmares
• Lamia boogeywoman ate children
• Lemures Etruscan ghosts of the
• dead
• Werewolves - verspilles

2
Bad Omens

• Stumbling on threshold leaving domus or crossing
  with left (sinister) foot
• Mentioning fire at a banquet
• Cock crow during party
• Black cat entering domus
• Snakes falling from roof into yard
• Anything unnatural (e.g. deformed births/sweating
  statues)
• Odd number at a party and all fall silent
• Bearded woman

3

• Time Specific e.g. marriage on specific
• days
• Place Specific e.g. cutting hair or nails
• at sea or food falling from hand
• to floor at banquet
• Climate Specific e.g. lightening flashes
• Means of Averting Evil whistle at lightening,
  charms spells (e.g. bulla), burning fallen food
  to household gods, lick finger and pass behind
  ear to free of bad thoughts

4
Big Leagues

• Witches Vergil says they can draw the moon from
  the sky
• Carmina spells, usually love or vengence
• Protection from spells wolfs head or wolfs
  beard nailed to door

5
Curses - Defixio

• Dedication of enemy to gods of underworld
• Curse scratched onto lead tablet and nailed to
  tomb, well, cave, etc.
• Defixiones found as far as Africa, Britain,
• and Germany, as well as in Italy
• SOCIAL SAFETY VALVE

6
Religious matters

• Augury especially birds other omens
• sacred chickens with army
• Hepatoscopy Extispicy organs of
• sacrificial victims, especially liver