Augury in Byzantium

Several Byzantine authors showed a special interest in augury, the ancient divination method of predicting the future by observing the flight and sounds of birds. They tried to define it, to distinguish it from other types of ancient divination (e.g., oneiromancy, omoplatoscopy) and to analyse its method of application. The Church Fathers and other writers were against augury, associating it with pagan beliefs and practices. There are also few cases, in which scenes of augury are described (e.g., by Kedrenos). Of particular interest are the terms used by the Byzantines for referring to augury (e.g., οἰωνοσκοπία, οἰωνισμός, οἰωνοσκόπημα, οἰωνομαντεία, ὀρνεοσκοπικόν, ὀρνιθοσκοπία) and to its practitioners (e.g., κορακομάντεις, οἰωνοσκόποι, οἰωνοπόλοι, ὀρνιθοσκόποι). The Byzantine authors often used the term “οἰωνός” (omen) metaphorically and covered a wide range of meanings. Additionally, we will explore how prominent Byzantine scholars and teachers (such as Michael Psellos, Ioannes Tzetzes and Eustathios of Thessaloniki) perceived augury, and how they interpreted the relevant references of the ancient authors.