Roman mosaic showing a mouse eating a nut
Probably in 222 BCE, when Marcus Minucius Rufus assumed the office of Roman dictator, and Gaius Flaminius magister equitum (deputy dictator in political and military functions), a disturbing event occurred.
During the appointment of officials, a disturbing screech of mice was heard. This event was perceived by superstitious Romans as a bad omen. According to Plutarch, the people refused to choose these men. Valerius Maximus, in turn, claims that they both resigned on their own initiative.
Sources
- Plutarch, Marcellus, 5.3-6
- Valerius Maximus, Factorum et dictorum memorabilium libri novem, 1.1.5
