Romanæ historiæ anthologia An English exposition of the Romane antiquities, wherein many Romane and English offices are paralleld and divers obscure phrases explained. By Thomas Godwyn Master of Arts: for the vse of Abingdon Schoole.

CHAP. 3.

De Legibus religionem spectantibus.

Lex Papiria.

L. Papirius Trib. Pleb. established a law touching the consecration or hallowing of places,* 1.1 that it should be vnlawfull for any to consecrate either houses, grounds, altars, or any other things Iniussu plebis .i. with∣out the determination of the Roman people in their assem∣blies called Comitia Tributa, which determination was al∣waies tearmed Plebiscitum.

Roscia Lex.

L. Roscius Otho Trib. Pleb. preferred a law,* 1.2 that whereas heretofore the Romane Gentlemen did stand promiscuous∣ly with the Commons at their theatrall shewes, now there should bee fourteene benches or seats built for those Ro∣mane Gentlemen which were worth H-S. quadringenta .i. about 3000•• of our English mony. As for other Gentlemē whose substance was vnder that rate, they had a certaine place allotted them by themselues, with a punishment im∣posed vpon them, if they offered to come into any of those 14. benches.

Here we must note that this character H-S standeth for a silver coine in Rome called Sestertius, and is by Rosinus in this place improperly vsed for Sestertium. For this charac∣ter H-S is by our Printers false printed, the true character r 1.3 being LL-S signifying duas Libras (as the the two LL doe intimate) and Semissem which is intimated by the letter S. Where if Libra doth signify no more then the Ro∣mane coyne called AS, then is this opinion touching the character LL-S easie to be confirmed. For divers authors s 1.4 rendring a reason of the name Sestertius, say it was so cal∣led

quasi Semitertius .i. such a coyne as conteineth Duos so∣lidos asses & semissem. This Sestertius, was such a common coyne among the Romanes,t 1.5 that Nummus and Sestertius became at length one to be vsed for the other.u 1.6 Mille hu∣iusmodi ses••ertij vel nummi faciunt vnum sestertium in neu∣tro genere, & conficiunt plus minus viginti quin{que} coronas. According to which rate quadringenta sestertia amount∣eth to 3000^l: and every particular Sestertius is according to this rate, in value about three halfe-pence farthing q.

Clodia lex.

Publius Clodius Trib. Pleb. made a law,* 1.7 by vertue wher∣of the priest called Pessinuntius sacerdos (from the place where he did first exercise those holy rites in the honour of the mother Goddesse) should bee depriued of his Priest∣hood, and the Temple built in the honour of this Goddesse should be bestowed vpon Brotigarus of Gallo-Graecia.

Domitia lex.

Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus Trib. Pleb. enacted a law,* 1.8 that the Colleges of priests should not as they were wont, ad∣mit whom they would into the order of Priesthood: but it should be in the power of the people. And because it was contrary to their religion, that Church-dignities should be bestowed by the common people, hence did he ordaine that the lesser part of the people, namely seventeene Tribes should elect whom they thought fit, and afterward hee should haue his confirmation or admission from the Col∣lege.

Lex incerti nominis de vacatione sacerdotum.

Cicero in his orations mentioneth a law (not naming the author thereof) whereby the priests were priviledged from their service in all warres,* 1.9 except onely in vproares or civill tumults.x 1.10 And these privileges were tearmed Va∣cationes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cic. pro Do∣mo.
• * 1.2

  Cic. Philip. 2. Item pro Muraen.
• r 1.3

  Fr. Matur. in Philip. 2.
• s 1.4

  Chr. Hegē∣dorphinus in Verrinam 1.
• t 1.5

  P. Nannius in Verrin. 5.
• u 1.6

  Ch. Hegen dorph ius in Verrin. 5^am.
• * 1.7

  Cic. pro Sex∣tio item de Arusp. respon▪
• * 1.8

  Cic. Agtar. 2.
• * 1.9

  Cic. Philip. 8. & pro Font.
• x 1.10

  B. Latomus in Philip 7.