Roman Terms

Question 1

Imperator

Answer 1

Commander of the army, title Augustus took as leader

Question 2

Numen/numina

Answer 2

Spirits that lived in locations in the natural world. Numen may also refer to the supernatural power that spirits possessed.

Question 3

Religio

Answer 3

Linking or binding, root of word ‘religion’

Question 4

Deus/dea

Answer 4

God/Goddess

Question 5

Lar familiaris

Answer 5

The family lar or spirit

Question 6

Genius

Answer 6

Guardian spirit of a man, giving power to procreate

Question 7

Luno

Answer 7

The spirit of womanhood, giving the power to bear children

Question 8

Paterfamilias

Answer 8

Male head of the household

Question 9

Genius domus

Answer 9

Guardian spirit of the home

Question 10

Lararium

Answer 10

A household shrine for the Lares

Question 11

Sacer facere

Answer 11

To make sacred, root of ‘sacrifice’

Question 12

Macte

Answer 12

Expression ‘may you be replenished’

Question 13

Mola salsa

Answer 13

Mix of coarse flour and salt given in offerings

Question 14

Suovetaurilia

Answer 14

Sacrifice of a pig, sheep and ox

Question 15

Cella

Answer 15

Main room of a temple that housed the cult statue

Question 16

Victima/hostia

Answer 16

Sacrificial victim

Question 17

Haruspex

Answer 17

Priest specialising in haruspicy,
examining entrails for signs

Question 18

Augury

Answer 18

Divination of reading signs of birds

Question 19

Augur

Answer 19

Priest who carried out augury

Question 20

Omina impetrativa

Answer 20

Sought omens

Question 21

Omina oblativa

Answer 21

Unsought omens

Question 22

Bulla

Answer 22

Good luck amulet given to children

Question 23

Usus

Answer 23

Simplest form of marriage through intent to marry and living together

Question 24

Coemptio

Answer 24

Wedding ceremony where bride is symbolically bought

Question 25

Confarreatio

Answer 25

Complex religious wedding ritual

Question 26

Pronuba

Answer 26

Wedding attendant, a woman married to first husband

Question 27

Talassio

Answer 27

Word cried out at weddings, original meaning lost

Question 28

Matrona

Answer 28

A Roman wife

Question 29

Conclamatio

Answer 29

Loud lamentation upon a death

Question 30

Columbarium

Answer 30

Wall with niches in to hold urns of ashes

Question 31

Ustrinium

Answer 31

Crematorium

Question 32

Rostrum

Answer 32

Public speaking platform

Question 33

Kalends/Nones/Ides

Answer 33

Particular days of the month (1st , 5th /7th , 13th /15th )

Question 34

Ludi

Answer 34

Public games

Question 35

Manes

Answer 35

Friendly spirits of the dead

Question 36

Lemures

Answer 36

Mischievous/harmful spirits of dead

Question 37

Pontifex Maximus

Answer 37

Chief priest

Question 38

Pontifex/Pontifices

Answer 38

Priests

Question 39

Rex sacrorum

Answer 39

King of sacred rituals

Question 40

Flamen Dialis

Answer 40

Flamen/priest of Jupiter

Question 41

Quindecimviri

Answer 41

Priesthood of fifteen

Question 42

Pax deorum

Answer 42

Peace of the gods

Question 43

Pietas

Answer 43

Key Roman value of doing one’s duty to the gods, state and family

Question 44

Frugalitas

Answer 44

Simple tastes

Question 45

Disciplina

Answer 45

Character training

Question 46

Industria

Answer 46

Hard work

Question 47

Virtus

Answer 47

Manliness and courage

Question 48

Constantia

Answer 48

Firmness of purpose

Question 49

Ara Pacis

Answer 49

Altar of Peace built by Augustus