Influence of the four priestly colleges Flashcards
What were the four priestly colleges in the Roman Republic?
Pontifices, Augeres, Quindecemvirs, and Epulones
What were the three main ways the priestly colleges were influential?
Law and order, cultural activity, and military actions.
Which college did the Romans consider as the most important?
Pontifices
What were the three main functions of the Pontifices?
Addressed the senate, judged religious cases, and maintained religious discipline.
What was the main function of the Augeres?
Reading the auspices (of birds and the weather)
What was the main function of the Quindecemvirs?
Upkeeping, protecting, and accessing the Syballine books.
What was the primary function of the Epulones?
Organising the festival for Jupiter?
Who was the chief of the Pontifices?
The Pontifex Maximus
As Pontifex Maximus, what lawful change did Caesar make?
Changes the calendar for 46 BC
Pontiffs influenced the Samnite wars. When and in what way?
295 BC, motivated troops which turned the tide of battle bringing victory
Pontiffs influenced the battle of Cannae, in 216 BC. How so?
By exercising authority to punish Vestal Virgins and Gauls who committed religious crimes. This maintained order.
How did the Augeres amplify their influence?
By influencing the decisions of those with more political power.
What omen did the Augeres read before Tresimene in 217 BC?
Abstinent chickens which foreshadowed grave defeat.
How did Augeres influence elections?
By postponing through the reading of weather.
