A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

EPULONES,

Ministers of the Sacri∣fices of the Gods. Pomponius Latus relates their History, taken out of a Passage in Cicero de Oratore, viz.

The Pontiffs not being able to attend all the Sacrifices that were offer∣ed at Rome, upon the Altars of so many Gods who were ador'd there, ordain'd three Ministers whom they called Epulones to at∣tend the Holy Feast at the Solemn Games.

He adds, that this Priesthood was very anci∣ent, tho' no Man can tell exactly the time of the Institution thereof. Livy tells us, that it was instituted in the year 553, during the Consulate of Fulvius Purpurio and Marcellus, and that there were but three created upon the motion of T. Romulcius. The priviledge of wearing the Gown edg'd with Purple like the Pontiffs, was granted to them. After∣wards their Number was increased to seven, to whom Julius Caesar added three more to make up the number of ten. Their Duty was to furnish Banquets for Jupiter, and the other Gods of his Retinue, at their publick Sports, or at the Birth of Emperors; where∣fore these Officers were called Epulones, and the Banquet Jovis Epulum.

Jupiter was there lying upon a Bed, with a Pillow under his Head, and Juno with Miner∣va sitting at his sides. The Sacrifice being over, the Gods were served as if they were able to eat; the Epulones performed that Function for them.