SAL'II were twelve priests of Mars Gradivus, who formed an ecclesiastical collegium or corporation at Rome. They were chosen from the patricians, and established by Numa to take care of the twelve ancilia, or sacred shields of Mars. The original 'male was said to have been found in the palace of Numa, and was supposed to have fallen from heaven. To secure its preservation, Numa commanded the armourer 31amurius Veturius to make eleven other shields exactly like it ; and the twelve were deposited in the temple of Mars on the Palatine hill, and committed to the care of the Salii. (Liv., i. 20 ; Dionys, ii. 70, 71; Cic., ' Rep.,' ii. 14; Ovid. 'Fast.; ill. 387; Festus, a. v. ' Maui. Vet:) On the calends of March, and on several successive days, the feast of Mars was celebrated by the Salii, on which occasion they carried the shields through the city dressed in their official garments, which consisted of an embroidered tunic with a brazen belt, the trabea, and the apex, or conical sap, with a sword by their side, and a spear or staff in their right hand. They at the same time performed a dance,
and sung hymns or songs called Axamenta in honour of lIamiiriva Veturins, and all the celestial deities, with the exception of Venus, (Ilacrob., Sat,' i. 12; Virg., "En.; viii 236; Varro, De Ling. Let,' vii 26, ed. Mailer.) These songs were in later times scarcely under stood even by the priests themselves. (Quint., i. 6. p. 54, Bipont.; nor.,' Bp.,' ii. 1, 86.) At this festival the Salii were accustomed to partake of an entertainment in the temple of Mars, which was pro verbial for its magnificence and excellence. (Suet., ' Claud.,' 33; Cic. ' ad AtL, v. 9; llor., Carm.; i. 37.) Another corporation of Salii, also consisting of twelve members chosen from the patricians, was established by Tunas Hoatiliva in fulfilment of a vow which he made in a war with the Sabines. These Salii were also called Collini or Agenenses, to distinguish them from the Salii established by Numa, who were surnamed I'alatini. (Dionys. it, 70, iii. 32; N'arro, ' Do Ling. Lat.,' vi. 14.)