Learn about itLearn onlyHistorical practice
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
A haruspex practised divination by inspecting the entrails of sacrificed animals, mainly the liver and gall bladder of sheep. The Liver of Piacenza, an Etruscan model of a liver found in 1877, is kept in the Municipal Museum of Piacenza.
How it works
The shape and markings of regions of the liver were matched to deities and read as signs of their will.
Notes and limits
Safety: Described as history only. Never harm or kill animals for divination.
At a glance
- Also called
- Haruspex, Aruspicy, Etruscan discipline
- Traditions
- Etruscan, Ancient Roman
- Regions
- Ancient Mediterranean
- You need
- Nothing
- Price
- Free