Roman Religious Space & Officials Flashcards
(7 cards)
1
Q
what was templum?
three possible meanings
A
- a rectangular block of space in the sky drawn by the taker of auspices
- a place on earth where augury can be performed (location had to be approved by the gods, e.g. the Senate house or comitium)
- our sense of “temple”
2
Q
what was an aedes?
A
- a temple building or shrine distinct from the templum
- housed an image of the deity being worshipped
- e.g. Temple of Vesta housing the sacred flame
templum r.f. to the entire sacred area (could include multiple aedes)
3
Q
what is sacer//sacrum?
A
- sacred things/matters
- all that is considered to be the property of the gods was sacred
4
Q
what was the pontificial college?
A
- one of the four priestly colleges
- oversaw state religion & rituals
- consulted on private & public religious matters (e.g. adoptions, wills, & inheritance)
- 15 pontiffs led by the Pontifex Maximus (life-long position)
- Pontifex Maximus had authority over other priests (e.g. Vestals & flamines)
flamines = priests dedicated to certain deities
pontiffs = oversaw state-sponsored religion
5
Q
how were members elected into a major pontificial college?
A
- nominated by the college upon the death of a member
- College nominates 3 candidates from within → tribal assembly decides (comitia tributa)
- Flamen of Jupiter (15 pontiffs & flaminae; 3 major, 12 minor) chosen by the Pontifex Maximus
6
Q
who were the Vestal Virgins?
A
- only major state priestesses (OG 4 [est. by King Numa] then 6)
- keepers of the flame of Vesta
- considered civic members of the community
- lived in the Roman Forum
- flogged by Pontifex Maximus if flame goes out
- ritually murdered if they lose their virginity while in office
- sacred phallus
7
Q
what was ritual murder?
A
- killings performed for religious purposes but not as offerings to the gods
- unchatse Vestal Virgins ritually murdered (live burial near city gates)
- Romans differentiate b/w ritual murder (good) and human sacrifice (bad)
