Flamen
Flamin (Latin: flamines,singular: flamen) was a priest in ancient Rome whose life was devoted to the service of a particular god or deity. The position of flamins,like many other ministers of cults,was lifelong. Among the Flamines,there were three elders: the worshippers of Jupiter,Mars,and Quirinus. Each of them was chosen from representatives of patrician families. There were also 12 younger ones who were chosen from Plebeian families and served minor gods (Vulcan,Flora,etc.). It is believed that the position of the three senior flamines appeared under Numa Pompilius. During the Imperial era,the Flamines of the deified emperors were added to the existing 15 flamines.
Fragment of a bas-relief with a flamin's head. Marble. Bequest of Adra M. Newell. 1-2 century AD
Flamen's Head,3rd century AD
Flamen's Head,3rd century ADThe position of Flamen Jupiter (flamen Dialis) implied a large number of strict rules and taboos. For example,the leg of the bed on which the flamin sleeps should be soiled with dirt,he was obliged to cover his head when leaving the house,not to ride a horse,not to touch raw meat,etc. One of the distinctive signs of the Flamingos was a special headdress called "apex" (Latin apex — vertex). This is a small cap. It is assumed that it was made from the bark of an olive tree. The right to wear the apex was reserved exclusively for Flamingos in ancient Rome. The Flamingos at the beginning of their careers were Julius Caesar and Nero.
Altar of Augustus Ara Pacis with flamines depicted. Late 1st century BC-Early 1st century AD
Fragment of a bas-relief with a flamingo,2nd century AD.Types of flamines
Flamines were divided by belonging to the gods. Those who served the older gods were called flamines maiores,and the younger ones were called flamines minores. Flamines maiores: - Flamen Dialis,responsible for the cult of the supreme god Jupiter; - Flamen Martialis,responsible for the cult of the war god Mars. Prepared rites before the start of the war,consecrated legions; - Flamen Quirinalis,a servant of the cult of the god Quirinus. He was responsible for the peaceful social aspects of Roman life. Flamines minores: - Flamen Carmentalis,cult of the goddess Carmenta; - Flamen Cerialis,a cult of the goddess Ceres; - Flamen Falacer,cult of the god Falacer; - Flamen Floralis,a cult of the goddess Flora; - Flamen Furrinalis,cult of the goddess Furina; - Flamen Palatualis,a cult of the deity Palatia; - Flamen Pomonalis,a cult of the deity of Pomonalia; - Flamen Portunalis,cult of the god Portunalis; - Flamen Volcanalis,the cult of the Volcano god; - Flamen Volturnalis,the cult of the god Volturnalis.
Related topics
A man in Ancient Rome,The Pontiff,Augur,Vestal Virgin
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