ARUSPICES

ARUSPICES,an Order of Priests among the ancient Romans, who foretold Things to come, by inspecting the Entrails of Beasts killed in Sacrifice. See PRIEST and SACRIFICE. The Word is derived from haruga, which signifies the Entrails of Victims; and aspicere, to view or consider. Others say, from ara, and inspicere, to inspect the Altars.— F. Pezron is positive the Word was originally formed of the Celtic aru, Liver; and specio, I look; whence Aruspex: Which being a Word somewhat rude of Pronunciation, they thence formed Aruspex. See AUSPICES. The Doctrine or discipline of the Aruspices, was formed into a precise Art, called Aruspicina. See DIVINATION.