The augurs were among the most important religious officials in Rome, and their function was specific: they observed and interpreted signs — auspices — that indicated whether the gods approved of a proposed action. Before a general led his army into battle, before a magistrate held a public assembly, before a colony was founded or a treaty ratified, the auspices were taken. A favorable sign meant the action could proceed. An unfavorable sign meant it could not — at least not on that day, in that form. The political implications of this system were considerable, and the Romans who operated it were not naive about the opportunities it created.