Livy presents these as signs of widespread failure in Roman religio. The major prodigies included the spontaneous combustion of weapons, the apparent shrinking of the sun's disc, two moons in a daylit sky, a cosmic battle between sun and moon, a rain of red-hot stones, a bloody sweat on statues, and blood in fountains and on ears of corn: all were expiated by sacrifice of "greater victims". The minor prodigies were less warlike but equally unnatural; sheep become goats, a hen become a cock (and vice versa) – these were expiated with "lesser victims". The discovery of an androgynous four-year-old child was expiated by its drowning and the holy procession of 27 virgins to the temple of Juno Regina, singing a hymn to avert disaster: a lightning strike during the hymn rehearsals required further expiation. Religious restitution is proved only by Rome's victory. COUNT 5
QSN1 What author wrote of disaster prodigies? ANS1 Livy QSN2 What type of sacrifices were required to expiate the minor prodigies ? ANS2 lesser victims QSN3 Of what did the greater prodigies require in sacrifice? ANS3 greater victims QSN4 Of what did Livy think the prodigies proved about Roman religion? ANS4 widespread failure QSN5 What is the only proof of religious success over prodigies? ANS5 Rome's victory