Pontifices

• What were the pontifices in the Roman world?

  The most important college of priests
• How many pontifices were there typically?

  Fifteen
• Who headed the college of pontifices?

  The Pontifex Maximus
• What was the nature of the Pontifex Maximus position?

  It was a lifelong post
• How did the role of Pontifex Maximus change after Augustus' election?

  It was always held by the emperor
• What does the term 'pontifex' mean?

  Bridge builder
• What does the term 'pontifex' allude to in terms of the priest's role?

  The mediator between man and god
• What were the main roles of the pontifices?

  • Protection of temples
  • Regulation of burial and inheritance laws
  • Supervision of the religious calendar
• Why was control of the religious calendar significant for the pontifices?

  It gave them immense power over events