divination; _auspicia_ needed
in all State operations; close connection with
_imperium_. The augurs were skilled advisers of the
magistrates, but could not themselves take the auspices.
Probable result of this: Rome escaped subjection to a
hierarchy. Augurs and _auspicia_ become politically
important, but cease to belong to religion. State
divination a clog on political progress. Sinister
influence on Rome of Etruscan divination; history of the
_haruspices_ 292-313

LECTURE XIV

THE HANNIBALIC WAR

Tendency towards contempt of religious forms in third
century B.C.; disappears during this war. _Religio_ in
the old sense takes its place, _i.e._ fear and anxiety.
This takes the form of reporting _prodigia_; account of
these in 218 B.C., and of the prescriptions supplied by
Sibylline books. Fresh outbreak of _religio_ after
battle of Trasimene; _lectisternium_ of 216, without
distinction of Greek and Roman deities; importance of
this. Religious panic after battle of Cannae;
extraordinary religious measures, including human
sacrifice. Embassy to Delphi and its result; symptoms of
renewed confidence. But fresh and alarming outbreak in
213; met with remarkable skill. Institution of Apolline
games. Summary of religious history in last years of the
war; gratitude to the gods after battle of Metaurus.
Arrival of the Great Mother of Phrygia at Rome. Hannibal
leaves Italy 314-334

LECTURE XV

AFTER THE HANNIBALIC WAR

Religion used to support Senatorial policy in declaring
war (1) with Philip of Macedon, (2) with Antiochus of
Syria; but this is not the old religion. Use of
_prodigia_ and Sibylline oracles to secure political and
personal objects; mischief caused in this way. Growth of
individualism; rebellion of the individual against the
_ius divinum_. Examples of this from the history of the
priesthoods; strange story of a Flamen Dialis. The
story of the introduction of Bacchic rites in 186 B.C.;
interference of the Senate and Magistrates, and
significance of this. Strange attempt to propagate
Pythagoreanism; this also dealt with by the government.
Influence of Ennius and Plautus, and of translations
from Greek comedy, on the dying Roman religion 335-356

LECTURE XVI