Roman religious terms

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AEDES (sg ''aedes''/pl ''aedes'')
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AEDES (sg) (pl: ''aedes'')
  
 
An ''aedes/aedes'' is a structure, and in Religious terms a shrine or temple building.  ''Templum'' referred to the area marked off as sacred, while the actual structure housing the god's image was the ''aedes''.
 
An ''aedes/aedes'' is a structure, and in Religious terms a shrine or temple building.  ''Templum'' referred to the area marked off as sacred, while the actual structure housing the god's image was the ''aedes''.
  
  
ARA (''ara/arae'')
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ARA (sg) (pl: ''arae'')
  
 
An ''ara'' is an altar, the structure on which a sacrifice is made.  ''Arae'' were often open-air structures, immediately accessible to the public, whether within in Rome or elsewhere.  
 
An ''ara'' is an altar, the structure on which a sacrifice is made.  ''Arae'' were often open-air structures, immediately accessible to the public, whether within in Rome or elsewhere.  
  
  
AUGUR (''augur/augures'')
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AUGUR (sg) (pl: ''augures'')
  
 
The ''augures'' were official diviners for Roman Republic.  Their office was to interpret the will of the gods regarding one or another proposed action.   
 
The ''augures'' were official diviners for Roman Republic.  Their office was to interpret the will of the gods regarding one or another proposed action.   
  
  
AUGURIUM (''augurium/auguria'')
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AUGURIUM (sg) (pl: ''auguria'')
  
 
See ''augur''.  The ''augurium'' was a term for several functions related to the augurs of Rome - the augurs' rites, the augurs' laws, the augurs' compendium of known signs, and even the consecration of a man as an augur.   
 
See ''augur''.  The ''augurium'' was a term for several functions related to the augurs of Rome - the augurs' rites, the augurs' laws, the augurs' compendium of known signs, and even the consecration of a man as an augur.   
  
  
AUSPEX (''auspex/auspices'')
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AUSPEX (sg) (pl: ''auspices'')
  
 
Also a diviner, the ''auspex'' was one who read bird flight (avi-spex, more or less "bird-seer"). This was a divining function and an official duty, taking the readings of the gods' will based on bird flight for projects private or governmental.  The related verb is ''auspico, auspicere'' - to take the auspices.  The word "auspices" is used in contemporary to mean either supervision of a project or the likelihood of the project's success. See ''auspicium'', below.
 
Also a diviner, the ''auspex'' was one who read bird flight (avi-spex, more or less "bird-seer"). This was a divining function and an official duty, taking the readings of the gods' will based on bird flight for projects private or governmental.  The related verb is ''auspico, auspicere'' - to take the auspices.  The word "auspices" is used in contemporary to mean either supervision of a project or the likelihood of the project's success. See ''auspicium'', below.
  
  
AUSPICIA (''auspicium/auspicia'') An ''auspicium'' was a "reading of the birds", of their behavior in a marked portion of the sky (a ''templum'' of airy space).  Magistrates took the ''auspicia publica'' to determine whether planned ceremonies, elections, undertakings of many kinds should be undertaken or not; if the Gods were averse, the undertaking would be postponed.  
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AUSPICIA (pl) (sg: ''auspicium'')   
  
Auspicia appear to have been of five kinds:
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An ''auspicium'' was a "reading of the birds", of their behavior in a marked portion of the sky (a ''templum'' of airy space).  Magistrates took the ''auspicia publica'' to determine whether planned ceremonies, elections, undertakings of many kinds should be undertaken or not; if the Gods were averse, the undertaking would be postponed. 
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 +
Auspicia appear to have been of five kinds: [to come]
  
  

Revision as of 00:15, 21 November 2012

AEDES (sg) (pl: aedes)

An aedes/aedes is a structure, and in Religious terms a shrine or temple building. Templum referred to the area marked off as sacred, while the actual structure housing the god's image was the aedes.


ARA (sg) (pl: arae)

An ara is an altar, the structure on which a sacrifice is made. Arae were often open-air structures, immediately accessible to the public, whether within in Rome or elsewhere.


AUGUR (sg) (pl: augures)

The augures were official diviners for Roman Republic. Their office was to interpret the will of the gods regarding one or another proposed action.


AUGURIUM (sg) (pl: auguria)

See augur. The augurium was a term for several functions related to the augurs of Rome - the augurs' rites, the augurs' laws, the augurs' compendium of known signs, and even the consecration of a man as an augur.


AUSPEX (sg) (pl: auspices)

Also a diviner, the auspex was one who read bird flight (avi-spex, more or less "bird-seer"). This was a divining function and an official duty, taking the readings of the gods' will based on bird flight for projects private or governmental. The related verb is auspico, auspicere - to take the auspices. The word "auspices" is used in contemporary to mean either supervision of a project or the likelihood of the project's success. See auspicium, below.


AUSPICIA (pl) (sg: auspicium)

An auspicium was a "reading of the birds", of their behavior in a marked portion of the sky (a templum of airy space). Magistrates took the auspicia publica to determine whether planned ceremonies, elections, undertakings of many kinds should be undertaken or not; if the Gods were averse, the undertaking would be postponed.

Auspicia appear to have been of five kinds: [to come]


"CAPITE VELATO"

"With the head covered" - the manner in which the Religious officiants of Rome offered libations, sacrifices, and prayers to the Gods. An officiant covered his head by a fold of the back of the toga, an act of piety necessary to the rites.


COLLEGIUM (sg collegium/ pl collegia)

A collegium (a "college") was a Roman association that had a legal authority, whether commercial, magisterial, or religious. Most significant were the College of Pontiffs; the College of Augurs; the Sibylline college called the Quindecimviri Sacris Faciundis and that called the Septemviri Epulonum, seven priests who oversaw public Religious banquets.

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