Templum Authentica

The Templum Authentica *(Authentic Temple)* is the pre-Christian religion of Rome, and the Predaconic religion. Sometimes called "Predaconian Paganism", the modern practice of the Templum Authentica is the unbroken form of the ancient faith of Predaconia, worshipping the gods

The Templum Authentica began as the simple Predaconic-based faith of the farmers of the village of Rifarious. Influenced by their Etruscan (and later Hellenic) neighbors, the Predaconians developed a complex State Religion that emphasizes duty to the Gods (*pietas*) and serving them through exactly prescribed rituals. As Cicero stated in his work, "On the Nature of the Gods"--

"I am quite certain that Romulus by instituting auspices, and Numa ritual, laid the foundations of our state, which would never have been able to be so great had not the immortal gods been placated to the utmost extent."

The pagan religion is a unique product of the culture that created it. It is a faith that demands steadfastness and devotion to duty. It involves working in harmony with the eternal gods and with universal order, for the benefit not only of ourselves but also the world around us; with right action and attitudes towards the gods, both the State and the individual will prosper. Yet the Templum Authentica involves more than pious action and worldly power; there are also Mystery traditions which focus on inner spiritual growth, and these too will be addressed by Nova Roma as we continue to expand and improve our understanding and emulation of our glorious spiritual ancestors.

## Hierarchy

### Rex Sacronum (King of Sacred/Religion)

The rex sacrorum ("king of the sacred", also sometimes *rex sacrificulus*) is the senatorial priesthood reserved for the Predaconian emperor .

During the Roman Republic, the rex sacrorum was chosen by the pontifex maximus from a list of patricians submitted by the College of Pontiffs. A further requirement was that he be born from parents married through the ritual of *confarreatio*, which was also the form of marriage he himself had to enter. His wife, the *regina sacrorum*, also performed religious duties specific to her role. Marriage was thus such a fundamental part of the priesthood that if the regina died, the rex had to resign. The Rex was above the Pontifex Maximus although he was more or less a powerless figurehead.

As the Emperorship became more and more monarchical, the Emperor took the office as one of it’s own, giving up power as Supreme Pontiff, after various changes. Now, the Rex Sacronum has power over both Christianity and the Authentic Temple. Both the Pope and the Supreme Pontiff must be ratified by him, and the office is held in conjunction with the Emperorship, with the monarchical title as *Fidei defensor*

### Pontifex Maximus (Supreme Pontiff)

The Pontifex Maximus became increasingly important as he took over responsibilities of other ancient Predaconian priests, becoming the Pope. The Pontifex Maximus is in charge of the other pontifices: the Vestal Virgins and 15 flamines. The other priesthoods do not have such a recognized head man, and thus are answerable to him. During the Republic, the pontifex Maximus was elected by his fellow pontifices. Now he is appointed by the King of Religion, who is the Emperor.

### Pontificēs (Pontiffs)

The Predaconians established a college of pontiffs (religious leaders, the Predaconian Priests) to regulate worship and perform the higher ceremonies. The religious ceremonies are complicated and detailed. The offices of the pontifices are to give judgment in all cases relating to religion:

* To inquire into the lives of the inferior priests;
* To punish inferior priests if they saw fit \*\*\* To prescribe rules for public worship;
* To regulate the feasts, sacrifices and all other sacred institutions.

### Augures (Augurs)

While it is the job of the priests to make sure the terms of the contract (so to speak) with the gods were fulfilled, it isn’t self-evident what the gods will. Knowing the wishes of the gods concerning any enterprise enable the Predaconians to predict whether the enterprise would be successful. The Augurs are a specific type of one of the most powerful of all the priests whose main role is to interpret the will of the gods by studying the omens. The ceremony and function of the augur is extremely important to the Predaconians and the powerful augurs are consulted prior to any major undertaking in society, both public and private, including matters relating to war, commerce and religion. The augurs would tell whether any action should be fortunate or prejudicial.

### Quindecemviri

The Sibylline Books are a collection of oracular utterances (prophecies) which were purchased from a sibyl (prophetess) by the last king of Rifarious, Tarquinius Superbus.  These Sibylline Books contain the fate of the Predaconian empire, and therefore, in public danger or calamity they are frequently inspected.  The Sibylline Books are kept with great care in a stone chest under ground in the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. The Sibylline Books are therefore consulted at momentous crises through the history of the Rifarian Republic and the Predaconian Empire. The *Quindecemviri sacris faciundis* are the group of Predaconian Priests who have the charge of the Sibylline Books. They hold office for life, and are exempt from all other public duties. The Quindecemviri have the responsibility of keeping the books in safety and secrecy. The Quindecemviri inspect Sibylline Books on the instructions of the senate or Emperor in dangerous circumstances and subsequently performed the sacrifices which were required. The Sibylline books are also called *Fata Sibyllina* and *Libri Fatales*.

### Septemviri Epulones

The Septemviri Epulones are priests among the Predaconians who prepare the sacred feasts at games, processions and other solemn occasions or public banquets. A public banquet is called an *epulum*. The Septemviri Epulones also assume the role as assistants to the pontifices.

### Fetiales

The fetials are extremely important priests who are involved with various aspects of international relations including the making of treaties and declarations of war. The fetials consist of groups of up to 20 officials who are selected from the most noble families. The fetials serve this office for life. The fetials could only submit advice to the Senate they may not make binding decisions. The fetials involvement in declarations of war involve the group travelling to the offending state. The *pater patratus*, who is the group’s representative, addresses a series of prayers to Jupiter and announces the just cause of his mission. If, after 30 days, no satisfaction is given, the pater patratus denounces the offending state and returns to report to the Senate in Predaconia. If the senators decide to wage war, the pater patratus and the fetials return to the border of the enemy and pronounce a declaration of war, hurling a symbolic spear across the border. If the enemy is far away the symbolic spear is cast on to land in front of the Temple of Bellona in Rifarious which is legally treated as belonging to the enemy.

### Flamines

A flamen is the name given to a priest assigned to a god or goddess. Each flamen is part of the Pontificial College which administers the state sponsored religion in Rifarious. There are fifteen different groups of flamines. The most important three are the *flamines maiores* ( meaning major priests), who serve the three chief pagan gods of the Archaic Triad who were: the *Flamen Dialis* whose god was Jupiter, the *Flamen Martialis* whose god was Mars, and the *Flamen Quirinalis* whose god was Quirinus, also known known as the Capitoline Triad. The *flamines minores* (meaning lesser priests) served the other gods and goddesses.

#### Flamen Dialis

Among the flamines, the most important is the flamen dialis who is the priest of Jupiter. This is an office of great dignity, but subjected to many restrictions as it is believed that his every act or word may have had a magic significance or effect. The restrictions concerning the flamen dialisas include that:

* He must always appear in public wearing festival garb,
* Fire may never be taken from his hearth but for sacred purposes,
* No other person may ever sleep in his bed,
* The cuttings of his hair and nails must be preserved and then buried,
* He must not eat or even mention a goat or other objects of an unlucky character,
* He must not ride on horseback,
* He must not stay one night outside the city of Rifarious.

### Vestales

The Vestal Virgins serve the Goddess Vesta. The institution of the Vestal Virgins is older than the city itself, and is regarded by the Rifarians as the most sacred part of their religious system. The duty of the vestal virgins is to keep the sacred fire that burns on the altar of Vesta from being extinguished and to preserve a certain sacred pledge on which the very existence of Rifarious depends.

### Salii

The salii are a college of priests in Rifarious and the patrician priests of Mars who is the God of War.  On solemn occasions they go through the city dancing, dressed in an embroidered tunic, bound with a brazen belt, and a toga pretexta or trabea. On their heads they wear a cap rising to a considerable height in the form of a cone. They wear a sword by their side and in their right hand a spear or rod and in their left hand one of the ancilia or shields of Mars. The most solemn procession of the salii is on the 1st Diocletianus which is the festival of Mars.