verbenarius

In Roman religion, the verbenarius was a specific type of priest within the body of fetials. The fetials were a group of 20 officials responsible for managing Rome's international relations, including treaties and declarations of war.1

The verbenarius's role involved gathering herbs from the Arx on the Capitoline Hill. These herbs were used in various rituals, such as those performed when seeking redress from another state or when concluding treaties. The fetials, including the verbenarius, performed these ceremonies to ensure that Rome's actions in foreign affairs were perceived as just and to maintain traditional Roman customs. By the late Roman Republic, the fetial institution had diminished, though it was later revived by Emperor Augustus.1