List of Priests
The public rites of the Cultus Deorum Romanorum are performed and controlled by a number of different priestly collegia and other special priests and magistrates. Those priestly organizations that ranked below the collegia were known as sodalicia, and there were many "independent" priests of various cults who bore the title sacerdos.
The major collegia in the Imperivm Romanvm are:
- The Collegium Pontificum including the flamines, the virgines Vestales and the rex sacrificus.
- The Collegium Augurum, college of the augures.
- The quindecimviri sacris faciundis.
- The Septemviri epulones.
There is one current minor collegium:
- The collegium Hieralis
There is also the opportunity to found foreign cults within Imperivm Romanvm. These can be as organised or disorganised as needed. The foreign cult also has no official standing within the Imperivm and thus is purely unofficial and needs to be organised by its members.
Becoming a Priest Within the Imperivm Romanvm
The Imperivm Romanvm is always accepting applications for priesthoods at any times. At this current point in time the Senatus Imperii Romani is taking applications whereas under normal circumstances the Collegium Pontificum would take applications.
If you are interested in helping to rebuild the Cultus Deorum Romanorum and the worship of the ancient Roman deities on an official public basis, we would be pleased to hear from you. The Priesthoods in the Imperivm Romanvm are open to everyone who follows the Cultus Deorum Romanorum, with the exception of the Vestals which is exclusive to females. As Priesthood is an important position of responsibility we do ask that you read the guidelines for applications before applying. Any questions about Priesthood should be directed to the Senatus Imperii Romani.
If you would like to become a religious official please first read about the course and submit an application.
Collegium PontificumEdit
The Collegium Pontificum (College of Pontiffs) is the supreme body for matters relating to the sacra publica of the Imperivm Romanvm. It consists of nine pontifices who serve the public rites of the State religion and have general authority to determine the structure and nature of both the public rites and the priesthoods themselves. Voting members are the twelve flamines, six virgines Vestales and the rex sacrorum. They act as the general oversight committee for the public rites of the Cultus Deorum Romanorum and appoint members of the various priesthoods. Some specific administrative duties of the Collegium include: advising the Senate on religious matters, setting the dates of religious festivals, organizing and assisting the Priesthood, and acting as the final arbiters of Sacred Law and religious disputes. It may be called to order by any pontifex, and all the above listed members of the Collegium are able to vote.
Office of the PontifsEdit
For all inquiries and and questions feel free to ask the Office of the Pontifs (pontifices).
Current members of the Collegium PontificumEdit
Rex et Regina SacrorumEdit
The rex and regina sacrorum (King and Queen of the Sacred) are a legally married couple that perform various public rites and make announcements of festival days. First among the Priests and members of the collegium pontificum, but subordinate to the pontifex maximus. The rex and regina sacrorum may hold no political posts.
Rex Sacrorum
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Regina Sacrorum
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PontificesEdit
Pontifices, along with the other members of the Collegium Pontificum oversee most of sacra publica. The title pontifex comes from the Latin for "bridge builder." They are responsible for advising magistrates and private citizens on the performance of public and private rites.
The Pontifex Maximus acts as the Speaker for the Collegium Pontificum, oversees the Comitia Curiata and ritual responsibilities along with the Vestal Virgins.
There are 15 ponitfices including the pontifex maximus.
Pontifex Maximus
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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Pontiff
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FlaminesEdit
The flamines are thirteen high priests who serve specific deities - they are allowed to worship other deities as well. The sources tell us that a flamen was a sacerdos proper, and who was dedicated to the service of a particular deity. A number of sources fix the number of flamines at fifteen (three maiores and twelve minores), however the names of only thirteen of these are known with certainty. The flamines hold public rites on the days sacred to their deity, and oversee the general worship of that deity. The flamines are present in the Collegium Pontificum.
Flamines MajoresEdit
Flamen Dialis
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Flamen Martialis
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Flamen Quirinalis
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Flamines MinoresEdit
Flamen Carmentalis
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The Flamen Carmentalis oversees the cult of Carmentis (Carmenta), a goddess of Prophecy and Oracles. The Flamen Carmentalis leads public rites on the days sacred to Carmenta (e.g. The Carmentalia).
Flamen Cerealis
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The Flamen Cerealis oversees the cult of Ceres, a goddess of Agriculture. The Flamen Cerealis leads public rites on the days sacred to Ceres (e.g. The Cerealia).
Flamen Falacer
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The Flamen Falacer oversees the cult of Falacer, a god of Agriculture. The Flamen Falacer leads public rites on the days sacred to Falacer.
Flamen Floralis
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The Flamen Floralis oversees the cult of Flora, a goddess of Flowers and Spring. The Flamen Floralis leads public rites on the days sacred to Flora (e.g. the Floralia).
Flamen Furrinalis
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The Flamen Furrinalis oversees the cult of Furrina, a goddess of Springs. The Flamen Furrinalis leads public rites on the days sacred to Furrina.
Flamen Palatualis
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The Flamen Palatualis oversees the cult of Palatua, the guardian of the Palatine Hill (the oldest settled part of Rome, therefore making Palatua possibly a goddess of Rome's beginnings.) The Flamen Palatualis leads public rites on the days sacred to Palatua.
Flamen Pomonalis
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The Flamen Pomonalis oversees the cult of Pomona, a goddess of Fruit. The Flamen Pomona leads public rites on the days sacred to Pomona.
Flamen Portunalis
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The Flamen Portunalis oversees the cult of Portunus, a god of harbours and doors. The Flamen Portunalis leads public rites on the days sacred to Portunalis (e.g. the Portunalia).
Flamen Volcanalis
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The Flamen Volcanalis oversees the cult of Volcanus (Vulcan), God of Fire and smithcraft. The Flamen Volcanalis leads public rites sacred to Volcanus (e.g. the Vulcanalia).
Flamen Volturnalis
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The Flamen Volturnalis oversees the cult of Volturnus, a River God sometimes also associated with the Southeast wind. (Both these aspects may be related to travel and trade.) The Flamen Volturnalis leads public rites sacred to Volturnus (e.g. the Volturnalia).
Virgines VestalesEdit
A priesthood of six women who guard the Sacred Hearth of Rome. The Vestal Virgins oversee the cult of Vesta, Goddess of the Hearth and Fire, and lead public rites sacred to Vesta. The duties of the Vestals included maintaining the fire in the Sacred Hearth of Rome, and making mola salsa (sacred cakes made from spelt flour used in public rites.)
In ancient Rome the Vestals were virgins, in the Imperivm Romanvm this has been replaced by a voluntary vow of chastity for the duration of office. Until the Imperivm Romanvm has completed its Oppidum Project, the Vestals should each keep a Sacred Flame as a symbol of the Sacred Hearth of Rome. The Vestals receive great public respect for their work, and are entitled to be proceeded by Lictors.
The Chief Vestal oversees the efforts of the Vestals, and is present in the Collegium Pontificum.
Chief Vestal
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Vestal
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Vestal
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Vestal
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Vestal
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Vestal
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Collegium AugurumEdit
Nine augures are high priests assisting magistrates in taking the auspices and advising the Senate and the magistrates on various aspects of divination, not the least of which is the proper handling of prodigies and portents. They create templa, or sacred spaces.
Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Augur
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Collegium Duumviri Sacris FaciundisEdit
The duumviri sacris faciundis are the third of the four major sacerdotal colleges. Two sacerdotes are in charge of the Sibylline Books (and their restoration) and responsible for the cultus that were traditionally introduced by their college.
Vir Sacris Faciundis
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Vir Sacris Faciundis
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Collegium Septemvirorum EpulonesEdit
The last of the major sacerdotal colleges, the septemviri epulones are seven sacerdotes who oversee the organization of public religious feasts. The Epulones arrange the Epulum Iovis (feast of Jupiter held on Id. Septembribus) that is attended by members of the Senate and the People, and presided over by the images of the Capitoline divinities: Iuppiter, Juno and Minerva. The Epulones also oversee other public banquets at festivals and games held on other dates. The Epulones are one of the four major sacerdotal colleges, and have sacred as well as organizational duties.
Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Vir Epulones
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Collegium FetialiumEdit
Twenty priests who represent Rome in foreign diplomacy and the making of treaties and declarations of war. In the Imperivm Romanvm the Fetiales act as diplomats with other nations and organizations, and are therefore expected to be well versed in our laws and policy.
Sodales Fratres ArvalesEdit
Twelve priests who compose the oldest priestly college in Rome. The Arval Brethren offer public sacrifices for the fertility of the fields, and preside over the worship of the Dea Dia, a Goddess of Grain and Cereal crops.
The rites of the Arval Brethren are one of the few virtually complete sets of Roman rituals to survive antiquity. In ancient Rome the Arval Brethren met in a grove sacred to the Dea Dia, where there was a circular temple and bath house.
Sodales LuperciEdit
The Luperci ("Wolfmen" Priests who officiate at the Lupercalia) were responsible for purification and fertility, and the festival of Lupercalia is a time of fun and revelry. The exact number of Lupercii is not recorded and may have varied over time.
Luperci Quinctiales (or Quintilii)Edit
Luperci Fabiani (or Fabianii)Edit
Collegium SaliorumEdit
Twenty-four "leaping priests" of Mars and Quirinus who who dance in procession during public festivals of Mars. The Salii are responsible for keeping the sacred ancilia (shields) and dancing and singing the public festivals sacred to Mars. The Salii in antiquity wore archaic armor and carried arms, and would stop their procession at certain places to carry out ritual dances and sing.
Sodales PalatiniEdit
Sodales ColliniEdit
SacerdotesEdit
There are a vast number of major and minor Roman deities that were served by "lesser known" priests and priestesses in the ancient Roman world. Sacerdotes are low ranking priests that tend the temples and shrines, maintain the worship of a deity, and who assist the populace with their worship of that deity. There is no limit on the number of sacerdotes assigned to a single deity.
Please note that since there are many Gods and Goddesses from the Roman World, all the possible Sacerdos Priesthood positions cannot be listed here. If there is a Roman deity that you are interested in serving both publicly and privately, you are welcome to apply to be an official Sacerdos of that deity by applying to the Collegium Pontificum.
Collegium HieralisEdit
The Collegium Hieralis all serve as sacerdotes though cannot move up in their positions due to not practicing as-per true reconstructionism. Many also have divergent beliefs from those presented in the original curriculum.
They also manage regional beliefs and manage other sacerdotes in their province
- Hierus Martialis - Tiberius Marius Scipio
- Hierus Leti - Septimus Geminius Canus
- Hierus Solis Invicti - Decima Equitia Scriptrix
- Hierus Minervae - Servia Aurelia Gemella
CamilliEdit
Camilli are priestly assistants and future priests in training. They are currently:
- Camilli Martialis - Titus Silvius Lupus
- Camilli Bacchi - Lucius Dellius Liberalis
PullariiEdit
Pullarii are priestly assistants to the augures. There are currently no Pullarii.