Dialia Explained

In Ancient Roman religious practice, Dialia were sacred rites to Jupiter, performed by the Flamen Dialis. It was not, however, of such necessity that the Dialia were to be performed by the Flamen Dialis; others might also have officiated. We find in the Annals of Tacitus, that if he were sick, or detained by any other public employ, the pontifices took his place.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Annals of Tacitus, III.58:
   • Latin: "saepe pontifices Dialia sacra fecisse si flamen valetudine aut munere publico impediretur."
   • English: "Pontiffs had often performed the rites to Jupiter when his priest was hindered by illness or by public duty." Church, Alfred John et al. Complete Works of Tacitus. New York: Random House. Reprinted 1942.