Greek and Roman priests

Hierius

Greek, carried out sacrifices, oversaw the correct religious ritual, no specialist training needed, temporary role, male

Mantis

Greek, prophet/soothsayer, had a role of telling the future by looking at the entrails of sacrificed animals, blemishes/imperfections were bad signs, they accompanied armies and read omens before battles

Hieria

Greek, carried out sacrifices, oversaw the correct religious ritual, no specialist training needed, temporary role, female

Augur

Greek, told the future/prophet, specifically from observing the flight patterns of birds

Why did people want to be priests?

Status, good citizens usually wanted to be priest at least once, benefits included front row seats at some theatre performances (Dionysus during Dionysia), attending the Olympic Games (princess of Demeter, no other woman could attend)

Pontifices

The most important collage of priests, usually made up of 15 people and led by the Pontifex Maximus

The Pontifex Maximus

A life long post, elected from existing pontifices and held great power, acted as mediators between man and god (the name means bridge builder)

What was the Pontifex Maximus’ role?

To protect temples, regulate burial and inheritance laws and supervise the religious calendar (this gave them immense power because they could choose the dates that events happened in Rome)

Augurs

Priests who read the flight of birds, behaviour of animals or the direction of thunder to read the will of the gods; most commonly took place before a battle, marriage or business transaction; Roman knowledge of corruption through bribery of sign reading (in favour of political allies or personal gain)

Haruspex

Originally Etruscan, they read the entrails of sacrificed animals through watching the fall of the sacrificed animal, examining the smoke and flames at the altar then inspecting the entrails, and was consulted at important sacrifices like festivals or battles

Vestal Virgins

Roman priestesses of the goddess Vesta in charge of protecting the sacred flame and important documents inside the temple to Vesta

Oracle

Someone who can predict the future by listening to the instructions of the gods