pontifex maximus
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The pontifex maximus was the chief priest and head of the state clergy in ancient Rome. This position was part of the collegium pontificum, or college of priests, which was the most important priesthood in Rome. The pontifices were responsible for administering religious law, overseeing state religious ceremonies, and maintaining the calendar.12
The pontifex maximus held significant authority, acting as a legal advisor on religious matters and overseeing other priests, including the Vestal Virgins. The office was held for life and could be combined with a magistracy. Julius Caesar and later Augustus held this position, and after Augustus, it became permanently associated with the emperor. The title pontifex maximus is now used for the pope.1
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AugustusExpansion of the empire of Augustus…religion, the chief priest (pontifex maximus). In the same year, Agrippa, too, died. Augustus compelled his widow, Julia, to marry Tiberius against both their wishes. During the next three years, however, Tiberius was away in the field, reducing Pannonia up to the middle Danube, while his brother Drusus crossed…
Read More…religion, the chief priest (pontifex maximus). In the same year, Agrippa, too, died. Augustus compelled his widow, Julia, to marry Tiberius against both their wishes. During the next three years, however, Tiberius was away in the field, reducing Pannonia up to the middle Danube, while his brother Drusus crossed…
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ancient RomeThe establishment of the principate under Augustus…when Lepidus died, he became pontifex maximus (he had long since been elected into all of the priestly colleges); in 8 bc the 8th month of the year was named after him; in 2 bc he was designated pater patriae (“father of his country”), a distinction that he particularly esteemed…
Read More…when Lepidus died, he became pontifex maximus (he had long since been elected into all of the priestly colleges); in 8 bc the 8th month of the year was named after him; in 2 bc he was designated pater patriae (“father of his country”), a distinction that he particularly esteemed…
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ChristianityThe views of Eusebius of Caesarea…played the role of the pontifex maximus (high priest) in the state cult—took the central position within the church as well. He summoned the synods of bishops, “as though he had been appointed bishop by God,” presided over the synods, and granted judicial power for the empire to their decisions.…
Read More…played the role of the pontifex maximus (high priest) in the state cult—took the central position within the church as well. He summoned the synods of bishops, “as though he had been appointed bishop by God,” presided over the synods, and granted judicial power for the empire to their decisions.…
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Roman CatholicismInternal factors…the title “supreme priest” (pontifex maximus), which had been the prerogative of the emperor, now devolved upon the pope. The transfer of the capital also occasioned a dispute between Rome (“Old Rome”) and Constantinople (“New Rome”) over whether the new capital should be entitled to a commensurate ecclesiastical preeminence…
Read More…the title “supreme priest” (pontifex maximus), which had been the prerogative of the emperor, now devolved upon the pope. The transfer of the capital also occasioned a dispute between Rome (“Old Rome”) and Constantinople (“New Rome”) over whether the new capital should be entitled to a commensurate ecclesiastical preeminence…
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Roman religionPriestsThe chief priest, the pontifex maximus (the head of the state clergy), was an elected official and not chosen from the existing pontifices. The augures, whose name may have been derived from the practice of magic in fertility rites and perhaps meant “increasers,” had the task of discovering whether…
Read MoreThe chief priest, the pontifex maximus (the head of the state clergy), was an elected official and not chosen from the existing pontifices. The augures, whose name may have been derived from the practice of magic in fertility rites and perhaps meant “increasers,” had the task of discovering whether…
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…class and supervised by the pontifex maximus, or chief priest, the flamines had a distinctive dress, its outstanding feature being the apex, a conical cap. They offered daily sacrifices, and their lives were regulated by strict rules and taboos. The priests’ wives, the flaminicae, served as their assistants and were…
Read More…class and supervised by the pontifex maximus, or chief priest, the flamines had a distinctive dress, its outstanding feature being the apex, a conical cap. They offered daily sacrifices, and their lives were regulated by strict rules and taboos. The priests’ wives, the flaminicae, served as their assistants and were…
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…emerge into prominence under a pontifex maximus, or supreme priest, who took over the king’s duties as chief administrator of religious law. During the republican period the number of pontifices increased until by the time of Julius Caesar there were 16. Included in the collegium were also the rex sacrorum,…
Read More…emerge into prominence under a pontifex maximus, or supreme priest, who took over the king’s duties as chief administrator of religious law. During the republican period the number of pontifices increased until by the time of Julius Caesar there were 16. Included in the collegium were also the rex sacrorum,…
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priesthoodAncient Greece and Rome…life, subordinate only to the pontifex maximus, who was the head of the college of pontifices (“advisors on the sacred law”) and flamines (“priests devoted to a particular god”), 3 of whom were assigned to the gods Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus, the remaining 12 to other deities. The flamen Dialis,…
Read More…life, subordinate only to the pontifex maximus, who was the head of the college of pontifices (“advisors on the sacred law”) and flamines (“priests devoted to a particular god”), 3 of whom were assigned to the gods Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus, the remaining 12 to other deities. The flamen Dialis,…
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Vestal Virgins…6 and 10 by the pontifex maximus (“chief priest”), Vestal Virgins served for 30 years, during which time they had to remain virgins. Afterward they could marry, but few did. Those chosen as Vestal Virgins had to be of the required age, be freeborn of freeborn and respectable parents (though…
Read More…6 and 10 by the pontifex maximus (“chief priest”), Vestal Virgins served for 30 years, during which time they had to remain virgins. Afterward they could marry, but few did. Those chosen as Vestal Virgins had to be of the required age, be freeborn of freeborn and respectable parents (though…
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