Roman: The Pontifices + The Augurs Flashcards
Who where the most important college of priests in the Roman world ?
The pontifices
What was the usual number of Pontifices in the Roman world ?
Numbered varies but usually 15
Who headed the pontifices ?
The pontifex Maximus
Give some key points on the Pontifex Maximus ?
The role was life long but gave the holder great power over the college
Who usually held the position ?
The emporer
What does the term ‘pontifex’ mean ?
Bridge builder and could allude to the metaphorical role of the priest bridging the relationship between man and the gods
What where the main roles of the pontifices ?
- Protection of temples
- Regulation of burial and inheritance laws
- Supervision of the religious calendar
Why was controlling the Callander important ?
Gave the pontifices great power over when things could happen
What was the main job of the Aurgur ?
Taking the auspices which means reading the flight of birds, behaviour of animals and direction of the thunder to work out the will of the gods
Was the taking of auspices common ?
Yes in both state business and personal life
When where the three most common times a taking of the auspices was done ?
Before a battle
Before marriage
Before a business transaction
How does the historian Livys recount of how Rome was founded highlight the issue in reading such signs?
Romulus and Remus argued over where to found Rome so reg decided to take auspices
- both got the same symbol of six vultures and it caused a verbal conflict due to different interpretations and led to their fight
What could Augurs be accused of ?
- taking bribes
- interpreting signs in favour of political allies for personal gain
We cannot disprove this so it explains why politics and religion in the Roman world were tightly closed
