An official diviner or soothsayer in ancient Rome. The augur’s task was to watch for indications of the attitude of the gods towards proposed activities of the state or its officers. They played a key role in choosing or “inaugurating” successive non‐hereditary kings of early Rome. The name was thought to be linked with birds (Latin, aves), since they scrutinized the activities of birds, besides other animals, as well as accidents, and dreams, particularly on the eve of military expeditions and at the moment of important births. All political assemblies of the Roman people were preceded by the taking of “auspices”.