User:Mariaheferrante/sandbox

quendiviri edit the # of priests membership types lifelong. longterm, shortterm elaborate on duties add appropriate background information add dates and sources

Priesthoods were an essential part of Roman religion. There were many different organizations with varying jobs and responsibilities. The duoviri (later known as the quindecimviri) were a priesthood whose primary duty was the protection of the Sibylline Books and oversight of the introduction of new deities into the Roman pantheon. The Sibylline Books were a set of prophecies (written in Greek) detailing the fate of Rome. The ancient priesthood was originally made up of two men (hence the duo in their name) but the college grew as time went on and the name of their organization changed in turn. For example, in 376 BCE they increased their number to ten priests and thus they became the decemviri (Beard, et al, 1998 p.28). Eventually, they increased in number to fifteen priests (c. 51 BC) and this is when they became known as the quindecimviri. Though they increased in size after this, their title remained the same. The priests in this college were elected from amongst noble families of Rome (Beard, et al, p.18). The ancient quindecimviri were broken up into groups. Some were elected annually like the Duumviri iuri (iure) dicundo and others such as the Duumviri quinquennales who were elected every 5th year for a year-long stint in the position.While their primary duty was concerned with the Sibylline Books, they also held various municipal positions. They acted as authorities at the Saecular Games, officers of censorship, and some were chief magistrates responsible for carrying out the administration of justice in Rome and the various provinces and territories.

Members of the priesthood were broken up into 3 categories' lifetime members or  , long term members who could leave the order after their teure, and finally short term members. the short term members could rise through the ranks and become a longterm member over time.