Did you know that the Romans took orders from chickens?

In ancient Rome, chickens weren't merely kept for food, they could supposedly reveal the will of the gods. Through a practice known as augury, Roman religious officials interpreted the behaviour of birds as divine messages. Eventually, priests began keeping specially designated “sacred chickens” so they could consult them whenever important decisions had to be made. (wikimedia commons)

Rome Had Bird Fortune-Tellers: The Romans practised augury, a form of divination that involved observing birds and interpreting their behaviour as signs from the gods. Augurs studied birds including owls, woodpeckers and crows, believing that their actions could reveal divine intentions. These messages were known as auspices. (wikimedia commons)

Enter the Sacred Chickens: Wild birds weren't always conveniently available when Roman officials needed an omen. So priests began keeping sacred chickens that could be consulted whenever necessary. These chickens became particularly important when Roman leaders faced major decisions, especially military ones. (wikimedia commons)

Their Eating Habits Were the Answer: When an omen was required, the chickens were released from their cages and offered food. Their eating behaviour was carefully observed. A chicken that refused to eat was considered a terrible sign, while one that eagerly gobbled its food and even stomped its feet was interpreted as a favourable omen from the gods.

Even Military Decisions Relied on Them: The sacred chickens weren't simply part of a religious ritual. Roman commanders could consult them before major military moves, hoping to determine whether the gods approved of their plans. Their behaviour could therefore influence decisions with serious consequences for Roman armies. (wikimedia commons)

The Commander Who Ignored Them: One famous cautionary story dates to 249 BCE. According to the ancient scholar Cicero, a Roman consul preparing for battle was told that the sacred chickens refused to eat. Instead of accepting the bad omen, he reportedly ordered the chickens thrown overboard, declaring, “Let them drink.” His fleet was defeated, and he was later recalled by the Roman Senate. (wikimedia commons)

Chickens That Could Influence Rome: The sacred chickens reveal just how seriously the Romans could take omens and divine signs. What looked like ordinary behaviour, a bird eating or refusing food—could be interpreted as a message from the gods and potentially influence decisions of state and war. In ancient Rome, apparently, even a chicken could have something important to say. (unsplash)