Quindecimviri sacris faciundis explained

In ancient Rome, the Latin: quindecimviri sacris faciundis were the fifteen (Latin: quindecim) members of a college (collegium) with priestly duties. They guarded the Sibylline Books,^{[1] [2] [3]} scriptures which they consulted and interpreted at the request of the Senate.^[4] This collegium also oversaw the worship of any foreign gods which were introduced to Rome. They were also responsible for responding to divine advice and omens.^[5]

Originally these duties had been performed by duumviri (or duoviri), two men of patrician status.^{[6] [7]} Their number was increased to ten by the Licinian-Sextian Law in 367 BC, which also required for half of the priests to be plebeian. During the Middle Republic, members of the college were admitted through co-option. Sulla increased the number of priests to fifteen.^[8] The Lex Domitia removed their ability to select their own members in 104 BCE. Afterwards candidates from wealthy Roman gentes would be elected.^[9]

At some point in the third century BC, several priesthoods, probably including the quindecimviri, began to be elected through the voting tribes.^[10]

External links

• Decemviri Sacris Faciundis in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities at LacusCurtius

Notes and References

1. Web site: Linderski . J. . 2016-03-07 . books, sacred and cultic . 2023-01-09 . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics . en . 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.7007. 978-0-19-938113-5 .
2. Book: Walton . Francis Redding . Scheid . John . 2015-12-22 . Cybele . https://oxfordre.com/classics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-1970 . 2023-01-09 . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics . en . 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.1970 . 978-0-19-938113-5 .
3. Book: Pease . Arthur Stanley . Potter . David . 2015-07-06 . Sibyl . https://oxfordre.com/classics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-5903 . 2023-01-09 . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics . en . 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.5903 . 978-0-19-938113-5 .
4. Book: Drogula, Fred K. . Cato the Younger: Life and Death at the End of the Roman Republic . 2019 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-086902-1 . 26 . en.
5. Book: Potter . David Stone . Life, Death, and Entertainment in the Roman Empire . Mattingly . D. J. . 1999 . University of Michigan Press . 978-0-472-08568-2 . 144 . en.
6. Book: Treves . Piero . Bailey . Cyril . Lintott . Andrew . 2016-03-07 . collegium . https://oxfordre.com/classics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-1724 . 2023-01-09 . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics . en . 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.1724 .
7. Book: Beard . Mary . Religions of Rome: Volume 2, A Sourcebook . Beard . Reader in Classics Mary . North . John . Price . Simon . 1998-06-28 . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-45646-3 . 130 . en.
8. Book: Dillon . Matthew . Ancient Rome: A Sourcebook . Garland . Lynda . 2013-10-28 . Routledge . 978-1-136-76136-2 . 140 . en.
9. Web site: North . John . 2016-03-07 . quindecimviri sacris faciundis . 2023-01-09 . Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics . en . 10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.013.5482. 978-0-19-938113-5 .
10. [Andrew Lintott]