College of Pontiffs
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The College of Pontiffs or Collegium Pontificum (collegium in Latin means a board or committee rather than an educational institution) was a body of the ancient Roman state whose members were the highest-ranking priests of the polytheistic state religion. At its head was the Pontifex Maximus, who had charge of overseeing various aspects of Roman religious practice.
The title pontifex comes from the Latin for "bridge builder," a possible allusion to a very early role in placating the gods and spirits associated with the Tiber River, for instance.
Membership in the various colleges of priests, including the College of Pontiffs, was an honor offered to members of politically powerful or wealthy families. The post of Pontifex Maximus was eventually assumed by the emperors themselves.
When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, after the decree of Theodosius in 381, the Bishop of Rome became the de facto government of the city as the emperors had moved their administration to Constantinople. Around 440, Pope Leo I began using the title Pontifex Maximus to emphasize the civil authority of the Pope and the continuity of imperial power.
Of the four colleges of priests that existed in Rome, the College of Pontiffs was the most important in terms of the State. The college, besides the Pontifex Maximus, also included the Rex Sacrorum, and the Flamines (the priests who were dedicated to the worship of one god or goddess of which there were three major and twelves minor). The Vestal Virgins were also associated with the College of Pontiffs, though they were not members of the college.
[edit] Role of the College of Pontiffs
The College of Pontiffs were not a religious body as we would associate the term today. Of the different positions within the College, only the flamines were dedicated to the worship of a sole deity. The main purpose of the Pontiffs was to make sure the gods were happy with the state. The pontiffs were responsible for the calendar, which was critical for the proper observance of rituals, festivals, and business. Roman religiosity dictated that everything that happened was tied into some aspect of the divine. During the Regal Period of Roman history, the pontiffs were primarily concilia (advisors) of the kings, but after the expulsion of the last Roman King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus in 510 BC, the College of Pontiffs became religious advisors to the Roman Senate.
The College of Pontiffs came to occupy the Regia (the old palace of the kings) during the early Republican Period. They came to replace the religious authority that was once held by the king. A position, the Rex Sacrorum, was even created to replace the king for purposes of religious ceremonies.
