How did Roman divination seek to learn whether gods approved of political or military actions?

In ancient Rome, divination was a formal religious process used to determine whether the gods approved of proposed political or military actions, rather than simply to predict the future. This practice, known as augury, was conducted by a religious college of augurs who interpreted signs called auspices.12

These signs were categorized into two types:
* Auspicia impetrativa: Signs deliberately sought in response to a specific request, such as observing the flight or feeding habits of birds, or monitoring lightning and thunder.12
* Auspicia oblativa: Incidental signs that occurred unexpectedly, such as the sudden appearance of sacred animals or mundane occurrences like sneezing or the creaking of furniture.12

Augurs were consulted for critical state matters, including the election of magistrates, the convening of the Senate, and the deployment of armies. If the signs were deemed adverse, the proposed action was postponed. Additionally, Romans often employed haruspicy—the examination of animal entrails—to discern divine will, a practice frequently performed by specialists known as Haruspices.23