200px|Augustus as pontifex maximus(Via Labicana Augustus)  In the Roman Republic, the pontifex maximus was the highest office in the state religion of ancient Rome and directed the College of Pontiffs. According to Livy, after the overthrow of the monarchy, the Romans created the priesthood of the rex sacrorum, or "king of sacred rites," to carry out certain religious duties and rituals previously performed by the king. The rex sacrorum was explicitly deprived of military and political power, but the pontifices were permitted to hold both magistracies and military commands.Roman Public Religion Roman Civilization, bates.edu retrieved August 17, 2006
200px|Augustus pontifex maximus(Via Labicana Augustus) The etymology of "pontifex" is uncertain, but the word has been used since Roman times. In the Roman Republic, the pontifex maximus was the highest office in the state religion of ancient Rome and directed the College of Pontiffs. According to Livy, after the overthrow of the monarchy, the Romans created the priesthood of the rex sacrorum, or "king of sacred rites," to carry out certain religious duties and rituals previously performed by the king. The rex sacrorum was explicitly deprived of military and political power, but the pontifices were permitted to hold both magistracies and military commands.Roman Public Religion Roman Civilization, bates.edu retrieved August 17, 2006
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The etymology of "pontifex" is uncertain, but the word has been used since Roman times.