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¤ AUFIDIUS BASSUS (fl. mid-1st century A.D.) Roman historian who helped lay the groundwork for the
later efforts of TACITUS and others. Philosophical by nature, Bassus wrote several ambitious books,
including Bellum Germanicum (the History of the German Wars), considered praiseworthy by the critic
QUINTILIAN. Bassus also wrote a history of Rome that began with 44 B.C. and probably terminated with
the reign of CLAUDIUS (41-54 A.D.). PLINY THE ELDER planned to continue the work. Only fragments
remain of the Bellum Germanicum.
¤ AUFIDIUS VICTORINUS, GAIUS (d. c. 186 A.D.) Considered the most virtuous counselor and
friend of MARCUS AURELIUS; an old schoolmate of the emperor. Of the senatorial class, Victorinus
served as a legate in Germania, proconsul in Africa and later as prefect of the city. Twice consul, the
second time in 183, he was sent against the Chatti; he ordered home two underlings, one in Germany and
the other in Africa, for displaying greed or corruption. Hated by Emperor Commodus, Victorinus would
have been executed except for his reputation. He died shortly after the fall of the Praetorian Prefect
Perennis.
¤ AUGURIUM CANARIUM The Roman practice conducted in late summer that attempted to
determine the favorability of the coming harvests. The rite was held during the time when Sirius, the
Dogstar, was in ascendancy. See AUGURS AND AUGURY.
¤ AUGURS AND AUGURY The diviners of Rome did not predict the future but rather determined, as
part of their official capacity, whether a given action was proper and accepted by the divinities. The
augurs belonged to four classes of priests, along with the PONTIFICES, the SEPTEMVIRI and the
QUINDECIMVIRI. They formed their own college, originally with three members, but increased
membership to five and then 15 by Sulla's era (c. 80 B.C.). In 47 B.C., under Julius Caesar, the number
was 16.
Augury was a respected practice and the office, especially during the period of the Empire, was
politically powerful. An augur, wearing his toga of office and his wand, conducted ceremonies designed to
determine whether the gods approved of a decision. Two methods were used: auspicia oblativa and
auspicia impetrativa.
Oblativa meant that a sign or portent was unlocked for or unrequested. Most often this pointed to
something horrendous. Portents of doom were never wanted, although the Roman histories were full of
them, especially those concerning the impending deaths of emperors. In 217 A.D., Caracalla's
assassination, according to the historian Dio, was foreshadowed by numerous prophecies and strange
happenings. The signs had all been there, for any trained observer to see with clarity.
Auspicia impetrativa was the more formal and routine process of augury. The Roman legions traveled
with augurs and birds; before battle it was determined whether the ensuing engagement was blessed.
Food was given to usually starved chickens, and, depending upon their appetite, the propitiousness of
action was seen. The use of birds was important, and the etymological root of "augury" may be found in
the Latin avis, or bird, although entrails, especially livers, were also observed, a process known as
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