Quindecimviri sacris faciundis

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The Quindecimviri sacris faciundis (lit .: "Fifteen men to carry out sacrifices") were one of the four highest Roman priests' colleges .

history

According to the legend constructed later, the Roman king Tarquinius Priscus is said to have used two men to interpret the Sibylline books , which were called Duoviri sacris faciundis . During the republic their number was increased to five, later to ten ( Decemviri sf ). Since the 1st century BC BC (probably the time of Sulla ) the quorum had fifteen members and was accordingly called Quindecimviri sf . This name was retained even when the membership was increased to sixteen under Gaius Iulius Caesar . Since Augustus had the right to appoint unlimited members, it is no longer possible to determine the exact number of members.

Members

Originally only patricians were allowed to belong to the college; since the year 367 BC Chr. Was his membership of equal numbers of patricians and plebeians . As with the other high Roman priesthoods, the Quindecimviri belonged to the socio-political ruling class. As with all priesthoods, membership was lifetime membership.

Well-known Quindecimvirn in the late republic were, for example, Marcus Porcius Cato , Publius Cornelius Dolabella , Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Octavian, the later Augustus , during the imperial period the historian Tacitus .

tasks

The most important task of the Quindecimviri was the preservation and interpretation of the Sibylline Books and the performance of the cult acts prescribed therein. Furthermore, they were connected to the cult of Apollo (although probably only since the 1st century BC) and played the games dedicated to him. In general, they were responsible for exercising and maintaining the cult of non-Roman deities. In contrast to other priesthoods, the Quindecemviri had no office. But they met regularly in the house of one of the colleagues for advice.

literature