Epulones

The Septemviri epulonum (literally: " Seven men for cult feasts " ), also briefly Epulones were a college of priests of ancient Roman religion. They were the lowest-ranking of the four major urban Roman priestly colleges.

Compared with the other three major colleges the history of Epulonen started very late. In the year 196 BC, a college of first three priests ( tresviri ) was diverted from the pontiffs for relief. Over time the number of members was initially to seven, later - increased to ten - without re- change of name.

The main task of Epulonen was the alignment of a Kultmahls for Jupiter ( Epulum Iovis ) on the occasion of two religious festivals, the Ludi Romani and Ludi plebei. Later she received further cultic duties. After Augustus had changed the functions of the priesthood, the Epulonen were also responsible for sacrifices at the Ara Pacis and the Ara Augusti numinis and for the alignment of different games.

By rank, honor, rights and order the formulas Epulonen the pontiffs, augurs and Quindecimviri were equal. Legally, but they preserved probably always a certain dependence on the Pontifikalkollegium.