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A ''flamen'' was a name given to a Priest assigned to a state supported god or goddess in Roman Religion . There were fifteen ''flamines'' in the Roman Republic. The most important three were the ''flamines maiores'' (or "major priests"), who served the three chief Roman gods of the Archaic Triad. The remaining twelve, two of whom are unknown, were the ''flamines minores'' ("lesser priests"). The 15 ''flamines'' were part of the Pontificial College which administered state sponsored religion in Rome . When the office of ''flamen'' was vacant, a Pontifex could serve as a temporary replacement, although only the Pontifex Maximus is known to have substituted for the '' Flamen Dialis ''. The official costume of a ''flamen'' was a strange hat called an ''apex'' and a heavy wollen cloak called a ''laena''. The ''laena'' was a double-thick wool cloak with a fringed edge, and was worn over the ''flamen's'' toga with a clasp holding it around his throat. ( Maurus Servius Honoratus , ''Commentary on the Aeneid of Vergil'' iv.262; Cicero ''Brutus'' 57). The ''apex'' was a leather skull-cap with a chin-strap and a point of olive wood on its top, like a spindle, with a little fluff of wool at the base of the spindle ( Servius ''Commentary on the Aeneid of Vergil'' ii.683, viii.664, x.270). HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY By the time of the religious reformation of Augustus , the origins and functions of many of the long-neglected gods resident in Rome was confusing even to the Romans themselves. The obscurity of some of the deities assigned ''flamines'' (for example Falacer , Palatua , Quirinus and Volturnus ) suggests that the office was ancient. Many scholars assume that the ''flamines'' existed at least from the time of the early Roman kings, before the Roman Republic . This scholarly opinion is in agreement with the belief of the Romans themselves, who credited the foundation of their priesthood to Numa Pompilius , the second king of Rome. The origin of the word ''flamen'' is as obscure as are some of the assigned gods. Indo-Europeanist Georges Dumezil attempted to link it to the Sanskrit word '' Brahman '', but this etymology is controversial. FLAMINES MAIORES The three ''flamines maiores'' were required to be Patrician s. The '' Flamen Dialis '' oversaw the cult of Jupiter , the sky deity and ruler of the gods. The ''Flamen Martialis'' oversaw the cult of on the days sacred to Mars. The sacred Spear s of Mars were ritually shaken by the Flamen Martialis when the Legions were preparing for war. The ''Flamen Quirinalis'' oversaw the cult of on the days sacred to Quirinus. A fourth ''flamen maior'' was added after 44 BC dedicated to Julius Caesar . When the Imperial Cult got underway, further ''flamines'' were appointed to worship the divine Roman Emperor s. FLAMINES MINORES The ten ''flamines minores'' could be Plebeians . Some of the deities they worshipped were rather obscure:
It is known that there were two other ''flamines minores'' during republican times, but the gods or goddesses whom they worshipped are not known. The obscurity of the gods worshipped by the ten ''flamines minores'' that are known makes any speculation about the gods of the remaining two doubtful. EXTERNAL LINK |
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