a kind of divination performed by the throwing of dice, or little bones; and observing the points, or marks turned up. The word comes from ἀκάσις, "lot," and μαντεία "divination." At Bura, a city of Achaea, was a temple and celebrated oracle of Hercules, where such as consulted the oracle, after praying to the idol, threw four dice, the points whereof being well scanned by the priest, he was supposed to draw an answer from them.

Something of this kind seems to have been practised with regard to Jonah.