Flamines minores

Flamines minores

A flamen was a specific type of priest (sacerdos) in the ancient Roman religion and one of the oldest classes of the Roman priesthood, with origins likely predating the Republican era. These flamines, of which there were fifteen, were high-ranking members of the College of Pontiffs who administered and oversaw the various cults of the state-sponsored religion, both collectively and individually. The most important of these were the three flamines maiores, who each served one of the gods of the Archaic Triad: Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus. The remaining twelve flamines minores served various minor deities, of whom little is definitively known, with two of their identities even being forgotten. While these original flamines lost most of their cultural and religious significance by the dawn of the Empire, the term flamen went on to be used in reference to priests of the cults of deified Emperors.

Pantheon: Roman Culture: Ancient Roman Civilization: Ancient Rome Period: 750 BCE – 400 CE

Source: Wikipedia