Information AboutLictors |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LICTOR | |
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WHO BECAME LICTORS? Originally, lictors were chosen from the plebs but through most part of the Roman history they seemed to be freedmen. They were, however, definitely Roman citizens, since they wore Toga s inside Rome. A lictor had to be a strongly built man, capable of physical work. Lictors were exempted from military service, received a fixed salary (of 600 Sesterces , in the beginning of the Empire), and were organized in a corporation. Usually, they were personally chosen by the magistrate they were supposed to serve, but it also possible that they were drawn by lots. Lictors were associated with Comitia Curiata and probably originally one was selected from each curia, since originally there were 30 curiae and 30 lictors (24 for two Consul s and 6 for the sole Praetor ) LICTOR'S TASKS The lictor's main task was to attend as bodyguards to magistrates who held '' was accorded a lictor when her presence was required at a public ceremony. The degree of Magistrate 's Imperium was symbolised by the number of lictors escorting him:
Sometimes, lictors were ascribed to private citizens in special occasions, like funerals or political reunions, as a show of respect by the city. ''LICTOR CURIATUS'' The ''lictor curiatus'' (plural ''lictores curiati'') was a special kind of lictor, who did not carry rods or ''fasces'' and whose main tasks were religious. Some thirty in number, they were at the command of the '' Pontifex Maximus '', the high priest of Rome. They were present at sacrifices, where they carried or guided sacrificial animals to the altars. Vestal Virgin s, as well as '' Flamines '' (priests), were entitled to be escorted and protected by one ''lictor curiatus''. In the Empire, women of the royal family were usually followed by two of this kind of lictor. The ''lictores curiati'' were also responsible for summoning the ''Comitia Curiata'' (the Public Assembly) and to maintain order during its procedures. LICTORS IN POPULAR CULTURE
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