Romans were very superstitious. They believed in many things that they could not logically explain. For example, the old superstition was known – kissing a female mule in the nostrils cured hiccups and a runny nose. It was also believed that some people were capable of hurting others just by looking at them. Such superstition was called the “evil eye”.
Romans believed that seeing an owl symbolized a bad omen. Smelling the cyclamen flower was supposed to prevent the evil charm. The bees, in turn, considered to be messengers of the gods, were to bring good luck.
Moreover, it was a superstition in Rome that if you were talking about a wound or an ulcer, you should not touch the right place, either on yourself or on others, so as not to incur this suffering.
Cicero, in turn, mentions that Romans considered it a bad omen when two oxen defecated at the same time during plowing.
In general, Romans believed that the gods must be satisfied with the offerings and ceremonies. Otherwise, it could be bad luck. Romans also believed that nothing happened by accident. Everything has its rules.
