An ancient system of fortune-telling based on the good or evil presage of certain words uttered without premeditation when people came together in any way: Cledonismantia also regulated the words to be used on particular occasions or events. Cicero stated that the Pythagoreans were very attentive to these presages, and according to Pausanius, cledonismantia was a favorite method of divination at Smyrna, where the oracles of Apollo were interpreted.