A Day in the Life of the Pontifex Maximus

Claire Stapleton

History 134

29 March 2017

My name is Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, and I have just recently been elected as Romes

pontifex maximus. I previously have been consul after a long battle for the title, and before that I
was a governor, and before that I served as Curule Aedile. My new title as pontifex is something

I value greatly and am humbled to serve as the high priest.

During my earlier days as consul, I oversaw many infrastructure and construction

projects. Big, citywide projects. Now, as pontifex maximus, I am more responsible for religion in

the government, though I still have some power over political issues. I am fairly respected by the

citizens of Rome, as I am doing the work in between the gods and our citizens. I have fought in

previous battles, therefore I am very loyal to Rome and give no mind to our neighboring

territories.

My day begins with overseeing a funeral. I am there to make sure that there is peace with

the gods as this citizen leaves this earth. Part of my responsibility is interpreting omens, and

there are many involved with death. Also dealing with omens, my next task is to superintend a

marriage. There are also many omens from the gods at the time of marriage. As I am looking

over the marriage, one of my duties is to make sure this is a legal marriage between eligible

citizens. After I review it, the marriage is good to go.

After I oversee the morning activities, it is time to buckle down on something very

important. It is the time of year that I prepare the calendar for the next year. This calendar must

be accurate astronomically, but also must take into account the omens I have kept record of this

previous year. I keep track of the celestial signs and their events that have followed the omens so

that our future generations can better understand what the gods are doing. The calendar I am

making begins in March and is 10 months long. My calendar also keeps track of the lunar cycles

and the days corresponding with them.

 As I finish the work I can accomplish in a day with the calendar, I take part in my ritual

prayers and seek insight from the gods on how I can help my citizens and build a bridge between

us and the godly world.