Prayer
- Prayer was common in Rome.
- People prayed whenever they were about to do something. Before going to battle, Roman soldiers would pray to Mars(the war god). Before going on a date one would pray to Venus(the love god).
- If someone was unsure of who to pray for, or how to do it, he would go to a temple where he would find a priest who would assist him in his prayer.
- Some temples were dedicated to the gods in general but some where dedicated to particular gods.
- Prayers were sometimes accompanied by sacrifice
Sacrifice
- Although it seems strange to us today, sacrifice was common in the times of the Romans.
- On festivals the Senate or Emperor sacrificed animals on behalf of the people. They could also be sacrificed on behalf of an individual at their expense.
- These sacrifices occurred with a prayer or when someone vowed they would sacrifice and animal in exchange for something such as a safe journey, business success or a good crops.
- Such an event is recorded in the tales of Juvenal, where he sacrifices 2 white lambs to Juno Regina(the queen of the gods, wife to Jupiter, goddess of childbirth and marriage and protector of Rome) and Minerva(the goddess of wisdom) and a young ox to Jupiter(king of the gods, god of the sky), as vowed, upon the safe return of his friend.
- Sacrifices were carried out by the priests.
Divination
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Priests
- Rex Sacrorum-Originally the king, when rome became a republic this the Rex Sacrorum became took the responsibilities of the king. These included running public ceremonies
- The pontifices and the Pontifex Maximus-The Pontifex Maximus was the highest pontifex or priest in ancient Rome -- like the modern Pope. Also like the Pope, once in office, the appointee held his position for life.The Pontifex Maximus chose the Vestal Virgins, flamines, and the rex sacrorum, although at an early point in history, the hierarchy seems to have been different. He kept the Roman historical annals until about 130 B.C. These were called the annales maximi(as in pontifex maximus). The events of the year were posted on a whitened board, displayed at his home, and available for the public to read. The pontifices assisted him in these duties.
- Augures-Augures were responsible for communicating with the goods, especially through divination
- Flamines-These priests were responsible for the worship of particular gods.
- There are many more different types of priest but these are the main ones.