Ancient Roman Priesthoods: Roles and Rituals

Roman Priesthoods: Keepers of Sacred Traditions

In ancient Rome, priests were very numerous and clustered in colleges. Some were more important than others, and this hierarchy reflected to some extent the organization of their own gods.

The Flamines: Devoted to Specific Deities

The Flamines were priests consecrated to the worship of a particular god. The three major Flamines dealt with Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus. There were also fifteen minor Flamines who took care of other gods and attended sacrifices. The main priest was the Flamen Dialis, dedicated to Jupiter.

The Flamen Dialis: Jupiter's High Priest

The Flamen Dialis had to be a patrician and was required to observe a strict set of rules and taboos in his daily life and clothing. For example, he could not:

• Wear rings.
• Ride a horse.
• Leave Rome for extended periods.

The Pontifices: Overseers of Religious Practices

Originally, there were five Pontifices charged with monitoring religious practices. Their duties included:

• Establishing the proper rituals for the gods.
• Fixing the timing of good and bad days, distinguishing between days dedicated to human activity and those reserved for divine activity.
• Organizing the annual ceremonies.

The Pontifex Maximus stood out, holding a lifetime appointment and considered the true religious authority in Rome. He controlled the other priestly colleges.

The Vestal Virgins: Guardians of Rome's Sacred Fire

The Vestal Virgins were priestesses of the goddess Vesta. There were usually six of them, selected by the Pontifex Maximus from patrician families of Rome when they were between six and ten years old. They served the goddess for thirty years.

They wore distinctive head coverings and had the privilege of granting pardons, even for death sentences. Their main function was to care for the sacred fire that, as a symbol of the country, had to burn without interruption in the Temple of Vesta. If it was extinguished, it was believed that a disaster would befall Rome, and the responsible Vestal was whipped. Vestals also had to maintain their virginity during their thirty years of service.

Minor Priestly Colleges and Diviners

There were also several minor priestly colleges with very diverse functions. Among the most well-known were the Augurs and the Haruspices, both experts in interpreting the signals that the gods sent.

The Augurs: Interpreters of Omens

The Augurs interpreted auspices, especially the flight of birds and the behavior of the sacred chickens.

The Haruspices: Diviners of the Future

The Haruspices divined the future and scrutinized the will of the gods by interpreting his will through studying the entrails of sacrificial victims.

The exercise of a religious function did not prevent Roman citizens from leading a normal life. Priests were often married, had children, and could also hold civilian careers simultaneously.