THE BIZARRE BATTLE RITUALS OF ANCIENT ROME When you think of ancient Roman warfare, you probably picture armored legions, powerful generals, and grand strategy. What you might not picture is a group of chickens playing a vital role in battle decisions. But believe it or not, sacred chickens were once the military advisors of the Roman Republic — and what they had to say (or rather, eat) could determine the fate of an entire campaign. beaks, it was seen as a good omen and a green light for action. If the chickens refused to eat or acted uninterested, the message was clear: Don’t proceed. The gods were not in favor. When Chickens Called the Shots
One of the most infamous stories involving these chickens came in 249 BCE during the First Punic War. Roman naval commander Publius Claudius Pulcher wanted to attack the Carthaginians, but the chickens gave a bad omen by refusing to eat. Pulcher, annoyed by their lack of cooperation, reportedly threw the birds overboard, saying, “If they won’t eat, let them drink!” Unfortunately for him, his fleet suffered a devastating defeat shortly afterward — a loss many blamed on his disrespect for the sacred ritual. It might sound ridiculous today, but in ancient Rome, religion, superstition, and state affairs were deeply intertwined. Consulting omens was spiritually and politically expected. Ignoring them could spark public outrage or be viewed as inviting divine punishment. The sacred chickens are a strange reminder of how even the most powerful empires often relied on symbols and rituals that seem bizarre by today’s standards. Whether you believe in signs or not, one thing is clear — in Rome, you didn’t mess with the chickens.
These weren’t just any chickens. Known as the sacred chickens of Rome, they were kept and consulted by priests, called augurs, who specialized in
interpreting the will of the gods. These priests didn’t just observe the sky or animal behavior — they observed the chickens’ eating behaviors.
Before a military campaign or major political decision, augurs would scatter feed in front of the sacred chickens and closely
watch how they ate. If the birds pecked enthusiastically, spilling grain from their
INSIDE THE SCIENCE OF SNACKING
“Betcha can’t eat just one.” In much the same way Wendy’s famous “Where’s the beef?” slogan helped popularize the fast food chain in the 1980s, the above statement — or challenge — is synonymous with the marketing of Lay’s potato chips. This pop culture staple has a point, as it’s virtually impossible not to grab a handful or more of the salty treats at a time.
can of soda? Well, that’s because your taste buds aren’t the only things in your body that enjoy the experience. Research suggests that foods high in sodium trigger a heavy dose of dopamine, the hormone that helps us feel pleasure. The burst of energy we feel after chugging down a Coke is due to the spike in adrenaline caused by the drink’s caffeine content. Because of our bodies’ natural inclination to welcome things that make us feel good, we seek out this sense of euphoria as much as possible — making it very hard to stop at a single chip or sip. A bad habit backlash. Since food manufacturers rely on repeat business to survive, it’s safe to assume they’re not in a hurry to skimp on ingredients that cause us to hit the snack aisle — which is precisely why many of them are being sued.
And we have science to thank (or blame) for that.
If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to put down a bag of chips or cookies, the chemical reactions within our bodies caused by consuming junk food are likely the reason. Here’s a look at why our willpower is often no match for our snack food cravings — and what the legal system has to say about it. Why we love unhealthy food. Have you ever felt like you’re on Cloud Nine shortly after eating french fries or drinking a
in an active lawsuit filed by Pennsylvania resident Bryce Martinez. The suit argues that Martinez’s diagnosis of diabetes and liver disease at just 16 years old was a direct result of his regular diet of highly addictive ultra-processed foods. While the verdict remains to be seen, it’s clear that our dietary choices may have more to do with our chemistry than a simple desire to crunch and munch.
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and General Mills are among the 11 defendants
MichiganEstatePlans.com • 888.487.6150
2
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator