FLAMEN, fia.'men, a priest of ancient Rome consecrated to the service of a particular divin ity. They are said to have been established by Numa and were at first three in number: flamen Dialis, the priest of Jupiter; flamen Martialis, the priest of Mars, and flamen Quirinalis, the priest of Romulus. These three constituted the famines majores, and were always of the patri cian class. Later twelve famines minores were created, chosen from the plebeians. The famines held office for life, but were removable for neglect of duty or contamination and were re quired to resign and remain single upon the death of their wives, the flaminica, who assisted them in their duties and were governed by the same rules as their husbands. The fMmen was distinguished by the apex, a conical cap in the top of which was fastened a pointed twig of olive wood bound at its base with a lock of wool. He was not required to take an oath, was an ex-officio member of the Senate, was entitled to the use of the toga prcetexta and the curule chair. He was entitled to the assistance of a lictor and for himself and for his house held the right of sanctuary and of pardon. He
could not leave the city for a single night or sleep out of his own bed for three consecutive nights, mount or touch a horse, touch a dead body or engage in a long list of occupations that were considered to contaminate him. The flamens were selected by the Pontifex Maximus from three candidates nominated by the pon tifices. When the emperors were deified they had flamens, as the flamers Augustan. There were also flamines curiales and a fiamen arva/ium. The principal duty of the Amines was to offer daily sacrifices; on 1 October the three Amines ma ores were required to drive to the capitol and to offer sacrifices to Fides Publics, the Honor of the People. Consult Bouche-Leclercq, A., 'Les pontifes de l'ancienne Rome' (Paris 1871) ; Greenidge, A. H. J., 'Raman Public Life' (London 1901) ; Mar quardt, J., 'Romische Staatsverwaltung' (Leip zig 1885); Samter, E., 'Flamines> (in Pauly Wissowa, (Real-Encylopidie der Classischen Altertunisurssenschaft,> Vol. VI, Stuttgart 1907).