Learn about itLearn onlyHistorical practice
This page describes the practice. There is deliberately no automated reading for it — see the notes below.
Background
Babylonians and other ancient Near Eastern cultures read omens from the livers of sacrificed animals, a practice also called hepatoscopy. It is closely related to Etruscan and Roman haruspicy.
How it works
Diviners examined the liver’s features and interpreted them as omens.
Notes and limits
Safety: Described as history only. Never harm or kill animals for divination.
At a glance
- Also called
- Extispicy, Hepatomancy, Liver divination, Bārûtu
- Traditions
- Babylonian, Assyrian, Near Eastern
- Regions
- Middle East & Persia
- You need
- Nothing
- Price
- Free