Dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

M0O FLAMEN. FLAMEN.
was knotted with hones or heavy indented circles plete the list; but there is nothing to prove that
of bronze or terminated by hooks, in which case it these four were Roman and not merely provincial
was aptly denominated a scorpion. The cut below priests.
represents a scourge taken from a bas-relief of the It is generally stated, upon the authority of
statue of Cybele in the Museum of the Capitol at Aulus Gellius (xv. 27), that the flamens were
Rome, and fully justifies the epithet of Horace elected at the Comitia Curiata, and this was doubt(1. c.), horribileflagellum. The infliction of punish- less the case in the earlier times; but upon exment with it upon the naked back of the sufferer amining the passage in question, it will be seen
(Juv. vi. 382) was sometimes fatal (Hor. Sat. i. that the grammarian speaks of their induc2. 41), and was carried into execution by a class tion into office only, and therefore we may conof persons, themselves slaves, who were called elude that subsequently to the passing of the Lex
lorairi. A slave who had been flogged was called Domitia they were chosen in the Comitia Tributa,
falgrio (oaLT-rryias, Philemon, p. 415. ed. Mein.; especially since so many of them were plebeians.
Aristoph. Ran. 502, Equit. 1225, Ll/s. 1242; After being nominated by the people, they were
suastigia, Plautus, passim; Ter. Adoelph. v. 2. 6), received (capti) and installed (inaugurabantur) by
which of course became a term of mockery and the Pontifex Maximus (Liv. xxvii. 8, xxix. 38;
contempt. During the Saturnalia the scourge was Val. Max. vi. 9. ~ 3), to whose authority they were
deposited under the seal of the master. We like- at all times subject. (Liv. Epit. xix., xxxvii. 51
wise find that some gladiators fought with the Val. Max. i. 1. ~ 2.)
flagella (Tertull. Apol. 21), as in the coin here The office was understood to last for life; but a
introduced. The flagellum here has two lashes. flamen might be compelled to resign (Cfzaminio
(See also cut, p. 101.) [J. Y.] abire) for a breach of duty, or even on account of
the occurrence of an ill-omened accident while discharging his functions. (Val. Max. i. 1. ~ 4.)
~'J~ —-~'~(j~ ~ <Their characteristic dress was the apex [APESx]
the laena [LAENA], and a laurel wreath. The
name, according to Varro and Festus, was derived
/ from the band of white wool (fillum, filamen, /lamen) which was wrapped round the apex, and
which they wore, without the apex, when the heat
o< _,TG~act \gtDEID-1- was oppressive. (Serv. Virg. Aesn. viii. 664.) This
etymology is more reasonable than the transformation of pileamines (from pileus) intofilamzines. (Plutarch, Nusm. 7.) The most distinguished of all the
flamens was the Dialis; the lowest in rank the
Ponosnalis. (Festus, s. v. auaximse digcnationis.)
The former enjoyed many peculiar honours.
FLAMEN, the name for any Roman priest When a vacancy occurred, three persons of patriwho was devoted to the service of one particular cian descent, whose parents had been married acgod (DIVISQUms ALaS ALII SACERDOTES, OMNIBUS cording to the ceremonies of confarreatio [M.nFONTIFICES, SINGULIS FLAM1NES SUNTO, Cic. De RIAGE], were nominated by the Comitia, one of
Leg. ii. 8), and who received a distinguishing whom was selected (captuLs), and consecrated (inepithet from the deity to whom he ministered. (zaugurabatzur) by the Pontifex Maximus. (Tacit.
(Horums, sc. flaminum, sienlguli cognomsina iabentt Aen. iv. 16; Liv. xxvii. 8.) From that time forab eo deo quoi sacrafitcivnt, Varro, De Libmq. Lat. ward he was emancipated from the control of his
v. 84.) The most dignified were those attached father, and became suijuris. (Gaius, i. 130;Ulpian,
to Diiovis, Mars, and Quirinus, the Flamen Dialis, Frcg. x. 5; Tac. Ann. iv. 16.) He alone of all
Flanmen AMartialis, and Flamen. Quirinalis. The priests wore the albogalerus [APEX] (Varro, ap.
two first are said by Plutarch (Numn. c. 7) to have Gell. x. 15); he had a right to a lictor (Plut.
been established by Romulus; but the greater num- Q. R. p. 119, ed. Reiske), to the toga praueteota,
her of authorities agree in referring the institution the sella curulis, and to a seat in the senate in
of the whole three, in common with all other virtue of his office. This last privilege, after having
matters connected with state religion, to Numa. been suffered to fall into disuse for a long period,
(iv. i. 20; Dionys. ii. 64. &c.) The number was was asserted by C. Valerius Flaccus (a. c. 209),
eventually increased to fifteen (Fest. s. v. iVcci[axae and the claim allowed, more, however, says Livy,
dignationis): the three original flamens were always in deference to his high personal character thams
chosen from among the patricians, amd styled from a conviction of the justice of the demand.
4ajores (Gaius, i. 112); the rest from the plebeians, (Liv. xxvii. 8; compare i. 20.) The RexSacrificuwith the epithet Minores (Fest. Majores Flanuines). lus alone was entitled to recline above him at a
Two rude lines of Ennius (Varro, de Liozg. Lat. vil. banquet: if one in bonds took refuge in his house,
44) preserve the names of six of these, appointed, the chains were immediately struck off and consays the poet, by Numa,- veyed through the impluviumn to the roof, aend
Volterznalen?, Palcatcsaless,> Fze rinale7s, thence cast down into the street (Aul. Gell. x. 15):
Flowralesnque, Falacrems et Poisonalens fecit if a criminal on his way to punishment met him,
Ilic ides.... and fell suppliant at his feet, he was respited for
that day (Aul. Gell. x. ] 5; Plt. Q. R. p. 166);
to which we may add the Flamen 7Volcsanalis usages which remind us of the right of'sanctuary
(Varro, De Ling. Lat. v. 84), and the FluLze z attached to the persons and dwellings of the papal
Ccarmentalis (Cic. Brut. 14). We find ill books of cardinals.
antiquities mention made of the Virlbialis, Lauren- - To counterbalance these high honours, the Dialis
trtlis, Laviealis, and Lucullaris, which would corm- was subjected to a multitude of restrictions and