Cultes publics, agents cultuels et pouvoir à Rome

Abstract

The responsibilities related to public religion in Rome – and more precisely to the sacra publica – are carried out by different actors. Magistrates – especially consuls – play an essential role as actors of the rites and also because they bring the Senate together to discuss religious issues and are thus at the origin of major religious initiatives and decisions. As for the priests of the major colleges, they also celebrate certain festivals and assist magistrates in their religious functions, but they mainly exercise a specific competence in sacred law jurisprudence.

Keywords

• Roman history
• Roman religion
• cultual agents