A Roman priest or soothsayer who examined animal entrails, especially livers, to predict the future or understand the will of the gods.
From Latin 'extispex,' combining 'exta' (entrails) and 'specere' (to look at), literally meaning 'one who looks at entrails.' This ancient Roman practice was called extispicy and was considered a serious form of divination.
Extispexes were so important in Roman society that they accompanied armies into battle and advised emperors on crucial decisions—imagine if modern presidents consulted officials about animal livers before making policy! It shows how deeply ancient Romans trusted empirical observation, even if their interpretation methods now seem strange.
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