Flamen
A flamen was a priest of the Roman religion.
The etymology of the word flamen is obscure. Some Indo-Europeanists (namely Georges Dumezil) have attempted to link it to the Sanskrit word brahman; this etymology is controversial.
There were fifteen flamines in the Roman republic. The most important three were the flamines maiores, who served three Roman gods. These flamines were required to be patricians:
A fourth flamen maior was added after 44 BC dedicated to Julius Caesar.
The remaining flaminii, called flamines minores, could be plebeians. Some of the deities they worshipped were rather obscure, which suggests the antiquity of the institution and the pre-republican origin of these priesthoods:
- Flamen Carmentalis, who worshipped Carmentis
- Flamen Cerialis, who worshipped Ceres
- Flamen Falacer, who worshipped Falacer
- Flamen Floralis, who worshipped Flora
- Flamen Furrialis, who worshipped Furrina
- Flamen Palatualis, who worshipped Palatua
- Flamen Pomonalis, who worshipped Pomona
- Flamen Portunalis, who worshipped Portunus
- Flamen Volcanalis, who worshipped Vulcan
- Flamen Volturnalis, who worshipped Volturnus
It is known that there were two other flamines minores during republican times, but the gods or goddesses whom they worshiped are not known. The obscurity of the gods worshiped by the ten flamines minores that are known makes any speculation about the gods of the remaining two doubtful.
The 15 flaminii were part of the Pontificial College which administered state sponsored religion in Rome.
The robe of office of a flamen was a special priestly hat called an apex, and a wollen coat called a læna. When the Imperial cult got under way, further flamines were appointed to worship the divine Roman emperors.
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