beard,writing and ritual- a study of diversity and expansion in the arval acta

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Writing and Ritual: A Study of Diversity and Expansion in the Arval ActaAuthor(s): Mary BeardSource: Papers of the British School at Rome, Vol. 53 (1985), pp. 114-162Published by: British School at RomeStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/40310817 .

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WRITING AND RITUALA STUDY OF DIVERSITY AND EXPANSION IN THE ARVAL ACTA

The priestsf heArvalBrotherhoodt Romeduring hefirsthree enturies ftheempire ept detailedwrittenecord ftheir itual nd cultorganisation, earbyyearand day by day.1 nscribed n stone, considerable uantity f thisuniquedocumenturvives; ut,despite tspreservation, any reasoftheArvals' ctivityremain unfamiliar. ew historians f religionhave used this material n theirtreatmentfritual r state ultunder he mpire eventhough herecord ontainsvivid details of

(especially)he summer estival elebrated

bythebrotherhood.

Witness, or xample, uchseeminglyizarre itualpractices s thedistributionf.individual osepetalsamongst he brethrennd thecasting f ars (ollae)downahillside.2 ikewise pigraphists,nproducingxcellent ditions f larger rsmaller)parts fthetext, averarely iscussedwider ssues oncernedwith he nscriptionsa whole. The overall ayoutof thetexthas tended o be ignored; s has also thepressuren space that ed,on occasions, o the nscribingfthe recordnot on theusual marble labs,but on the xposed lanks f tone urniturentheArvals' acredgrove.3 ven thecolourfulignettesf ncient ifehaveonlyrarely een drawnoutofthis odyofmaterial.Who,for xample, s aware oftheproblems, othreligiousand practical, acedbythepriestsn 183,when fig ree ootedn theroof f theirprincipal emple?

The attention fmodern cholars as beenfocused n a verynarrow angeofissues aisedbythe ArvalActa',as this riestlyecordsconventionallynown.On

'Althoughn understandingfparts fmy rgument epends n a (rudimentary)nowledgefLatin, I hope thatthispaperwill be of nterest o non-classicists;or hisreason have providedtranslationsfLatin whereverossible nd haveexplained ometechnical etails hatwill lreadybefamiliar o specialists. s always, am mostgratefulo KeithHopkinsforhisgenerous nd good-humoured riticism;lso toChloeChard,SimonPrice,NicholasPurcell, eterWiseman nd seminargroups n London and Cambridge.JohnScheid,whoseknowledge f the Arvalsand their ult sunsurpassed, indly uidedme around thecurrent xcavations f the Arval Grove and shared hisexpertise.

Allreferenceso theArva]Acta aregiven ydate a.d. unlessndicated) nd,exceptwhere tated,

maybe found n two corpora:W. Henzen,Ada Fratrum rvaliumuae supersuntBerlin, 1874)henceforwardHenzen' and the upplemento thatvolume,A. Pasoli,Acta ratrumrvaliumuae ostannum DCCCLXXIV repertauntStudie richerche,Bologna, 1950). Pasoli's work s less accuratethan hatofHenzenand inanydetailed tudy istext hould lwaysbe checked gainst heoriginalpublication. or discoveriesmore recent han Pasoli's edition,noteespecially:A. Ferrua,BCA 78(1961-62),116-29;S. Panciera,RAL23 (1968), 315-32;J.M. Reynolds, BSR 37 (1969), 158-60;S.Panciera,RPAA48 (1975-76),279-308, .Scheid ndH. Broise,MEFRA92 (1980),215-48;J.Scheid,£/>£43 1981),343-52 withNSc1899, 67and G. Mancini,BCA 55 (1928),275-80- both mitted yPasoli). A full new edition of the Acta is currently eingpreparedbyJ. Scheid. A convenientbibliographyftheActaand cult ngeneralmaybe found n E. Olshausen,ANRW I. 16. 1,820-32.

2See218,May29 (rosepetals: ,5 and 13; ars:a, 29-30). The ritual f hears s explained' ntherecord f the econddayofthefestivalfDea Dia in240 (pag. II, 20-25) as providing 'cena MatriLarum' 'a meal for heMother f heLares').See R. Syme, ome rval rethrenOxford, 980),106-7.

3See218,220.



DIVERSITY AND EXPANSION IN THE ARVAL ACTA 115

the one hand, linguists ave concentrated n theArval hymn, n archaic and

practicallyncomprehensiblehant,

ungbythe

priestst their ummer estivalnd

fully reservedntheActa of218.4On the ther and,historiansf he arly mpirehave mostly een concernedwith a prosopographicaltudy f the texts r withextractingndividual tems f historical' nformation.here is, to be sure, omeinterest ere: the recordednamesof thepriests ave encouraged hestudy fthesocial nd political ackgroundftheArvals s a group;5 heprecise ating f achentry yreferenceo thecurrent onsuls as allowednew names obe added to theconsular asti;6 acrifices erformedn thanksgivingor thediscovery and sub-sequent uppression)fconspiraciesavepinpointedxactly lots o overthrowhereigningmperor;7nd so on. Nevertheless,his almost exclusive tress n theconventionalopics fRomanpolitical istoryasgiven very estrictediewof hematerial s a whole a viewwhich hopetowiden n thecourse f thispaper.8

I havechosen oconcentraten an aspectoftheArvalActa notpreviouslytomyknowledge) iscussed: hat s,thechangingharacter fthewritten ecord ndthefunctionsfwriting ithin heritual ctivityf hebrotherhood.n particular,shall howthat, ontraryo a common ssumption,hese ocuments re notrigidlystandardised.heyarestrikinglyiverse nd they emonstrate marked endencytowardsxpansionndincreasingetail ver he hree enturiesf heir roduction.Proceeding rom hisobservation, shallarguethatthe recordwas not used as apractical oolofreferenceythepriests. he principal unction f thewriting as'symbolic'.9hisargument illbe related o a moregeneral iscussionftheusesofwritingn ancient and other) ocieties.

As a necessaryreliminaryomydetailed iscussionf he exts, shall onsider

brieflyhehistoryf heArvalBrotherhood,tsplacewithin omanreligionnd theextent,ppearance nd general ontent f theActa.

I. THE PRIESTHOOD

The historyf thepriesthoods ill-documentednd ill-understood. lmost ll ourinformationomesdirectly rom he Acta themselves, hose earliestpreserved

4218,May 29 (a, 31-8). Formodern iscussion,ee,for xample,M. Nacinovich, armen rvalevols Rome,1933/4); . Norden,Aus ltròmischenreisterbüchernLund, 1939),109-280;R. G. Tanner,C£U1 (1961),209-38.

5J. cheid, Lesfrères rvales:recrutementtorigineociale ous esempereursulio-claudiensParis, 1975)-henceforward,Scheid,Lesfrèresrvales'; . Syme, ome rval rethrenOxford, 980) with eview yJ.North,JRS73 (1983), 216-18.

6See,recently,. Panciera,RPAA48 (1975-76), 279-308 (esp.279-86).7For xample, 9,frag, ; 87, Sept.22.«Exceptionsothis xclusive tressnclude, or xample: . Ghirassi,MSR 39 (1968), 191-291;R.

Schilling, ommages. Renard (Coll.Lat., 102,Brussels,969),675-9 (reprintednR. Schilling, ites,cuitestdieux eRomeParis, 1979), 366-70).

9I have used theword symbolic' hroughouts a shorthand.t isnotemployednanytechnicalsense,nor withreferenceo one of themany theories fsymbolism5.n fact, t maybest be seen(loosely) s an expressionf thepositivespects fthatqualitywhich describenegativelys 'non-utilitarian'.



116 MARY BEARD

fragments dated to thereignofAugustus.10he Arvalswerenot,however, n

entirelyew

mperialoundation.heirexistences attested ome

yearsbefore he

advent f mpire, yVarrò,writingnthe 0s b.c. He discussed he tymologyf hetitle FratresArvales' nd locatedtheir nterestsirmlyn the phere f griculture:'they arry utpublicritual o that hefieldsmaybearcrops'.11t hasusually eenassumed, artlynthe ight f his ocus ncrops, hat hey elonged oa primitive,rural tratum fRoman religion,nd that, n theprocess furbanisation nd the'decline' oftraditional ult n the ateRepublic,they ntirelyeased to function;until, hat s,theywererevived yAugustus, hopreservedheir griculturalites,but lsodirectedome f heir itual owards he ultof he mperial ouse.12 hat istooextreme view.Varrò,who waswritingn thefinal haseof theRepublic,didafter ll refer o their ctivitiesnthepresentense; nd theres noreason osuppose(despite hesilenceofour literary ources)that their xistence id not continue

unbroken,rom foundationn tjieearlyRepublic.13 evertheless,t seemsfairlycertain hat herewas,at least, hew mpetusn thecult from heearlyAugustanperiod an impetusmarkedmostnotably by the introduction f the regularinscribed ecord f thebrotherhood'sctivities.14

The mainpartofthepriests' raditional eligious bligation entred n thegoddessDea Dia. The precise haracter fthis eitys unclear. omemodernworkhassuggestedhat heshouldbe seen as a primitiveelestial eity,whobecame none way or anotherassociated withagricultural rosperitynd the success ofcrops.15ertaintys mpossible; utwemaynote t leastthemarkedlygriculturalflavour fthemajorfestival f Dea Dia, celebratedby the Arvals each year nMay.16

The other egular ites ftheBrethren,s recordedntheActa,were ertainlyinnovations f the mperial eriod;for heywereconcernedwith hewell-beingftheemperor nd ofthe mperialhouse.Most prominent,hroughoutlmostthewholeperiod overedbytheActa,was the annual vow and sacrifice erformedn

102/20 .c.11De Lingua atina , 85: 'sacrapublicafaciunt ropterea tfrugeserant rva\12See, or xample, cheid,Lesfrèresrvales,35-66.l3The ilence f iteraryvidence s of ittle ignificancenthehistoryf heArval ult. twould,we

must emember,e hard oattest rval ctivityn theprincipaten thebasis f iteraryvidence lone;werely n thechancesurvival fthe nscribed tone exts.

l4Note, or xample, he tatue fAugustuss Arval Vatican,Sala de' Busti, 74 illustratednScheid,Lesfrères rvales,

rontispiece).e cannot

provethat the introductionf nscribed ecord

keeping oincidedwith heAugustanreform5;ut as NicholasPurcellhassuggestedome) it seemscompatible ith therAugustannitiatives,uch s thedisplay f nscribed^/iw/tn theArcusAugustintheForum.

13Thisiew sheld broadlypeaking) ybothChirassi ndSchillingnote8,above).The celestialcharacter fDea Dia isparticularlyuggested ythe inguisticoot i, s in ¿/¿us''bright') nd ¿/ivum'('sky'). n general, uestionsbout thecharacter f ndividualRomandeities eem to memisplaced;Romandeities,s part f pantheon,re understandablenly hroughheir elationshipsof imilarityoropposition)with thermembers f thatpantheon.

l6Details fdays1and2of his estivalre aidout nAppendicesI and III. Day 3 is briefernd isclearly escribedntheActaof87,May20, 183,May20and213,May20.The agriculturalharacteris evidentn,for xample, nday1the onsecrationf he orn nd thebreaddeckedwith aurel 218);and onday2 thewreathswith ars of corn 87) and thepassing ound f thecorn 218).




JanuaryTor thesafety f (pro alute) hereigningmperor nd sometimes lsomembers f his family.17n additionto thisvow, in the first entury .d., thebrethrenerformedn elaborate eries f acrificesn thebirthdaysftheemperorand hisfamily,18nd on theassumptionfhisvarious mperialpowers, nd theiranniversaries.o, for xample, n December4, a.d. 58 (thefourthnniversaryfNero'sassumptionf tribunicianower)thehead of the brotherhood

immolavitnCapitolio b tribunic(iam)otestatemeronis laudiCaesarisAug(usti)GermaniciIovi b(ovem)marem,unonivaccam,Minervaevaccam.19

Theyalso commemoratedxtraordinaryvents hat ffectedhe mperialhousemaking acrifices hen (as I have already mentioned) onspiracies gainsttheemperor erediscovered,rwhen he mperorchievedvictoryn war orreturnedto Rome.On one occasion a.d. 214),wefind hem iving hankspecificallyor he

safearrivalof Caracalla at hiswinter uarters n Nicomedia thecapital of theRoman province fBithynia), fter difficultourneyon whichhe had sufferedshipwreck:

fratres rvales onvenerunt [quoddomjinusn(oster)mp(erator) aes(ar) M AurelliusAntoninusius[FelixAug(ustus) arth(icus)max(imus)Brit(annicus)max(imus)Germ(anicus)ma]x(imus)p(ontifex)m(aximus) (ribunicia) (otestate)XVII, imp(erator)II co(n)s(ul) IIIIp(ater) p(atriae) proco(n)s(ul) alv[us tqueincolumis rosecuritaterovinjciar(um)elicissimead [hjibernaNicomediae ng[ressusit].20

The cultofthe Arval Brethren as centred n a grove bout 7 km.westofRome on the ncientVia Campana,at a placenowknown s La Magliana.Thelayout fthearea is known othfrom eferencesn theActa and from xcavations

whichhave beenundertakennvarious tages ince he ixteenthentury.t was nthe course of these and especially hose of the second half of the nineteenthcentury that hegreatmajorityf urvivingragmentsf he nscribed ecordwere

I7For ariationsnthe tated eneficiariesf hese acrifices,ee,for xample, 7,Jan.24 (TiberiusandLivia); 59,Jan.3 (NeroandOctavia); 81,Jan.3 (Titus,Domi ian,Juliaand their hildren); 05(Trajanalone);231,Jan3 (Alexander everus, uliaMammaea,the enate, he atriand all thedomusdivina 4the ivine imperial)house').

l8See, or xample, 7,Jan.30 (Livia); 38,Aug.31 (Gaius)- see MEFRA 92 (1980),220; 57,Nov.6 (Agrippina); 8,Dec. 15 Nero);69,Jun.5 (Galeria,wife fVitellius). eified mperorsr deceasedmembersf the mperialhousemight lso be so honoured; ee 38, Sept.23 (Augustus); 8,May 24(Germanicus)- ee MEFRA 92 (1980),221.

translation: (The head of the brotherhood)acrificed n the Capitol on account of the

tribunicianower fNero Claudius CaesarAugustus ermanicus for upiter bull,for uno cow,forMinerva cow.

^214 (b, 2-6). Translation: The Arval Brethrenmet becauseour lordEmperorCaesarMarcusAurelius ntoninus ius FelixAugustusi.e. Caracalla), thegreatestonqueror fParthia, hegreatestonqueror fBritain,hegreatestonqueror fGermany,ontifex aximus,nthe eventeenthyearof his tribunicianower,hailed mperatorhree imes, onsulfour imes, atherf hiscountry,proconsul, hrough hegreatest ood fortune nteredhiswinter uarters n Nicomedia safe andunharmed, ringing afety o the provinces.'The circumstancesf the emperor's hipwreckreexplainedn SHA, Caracalla , 8; Dio 78, 16,7. Similarextraordinary'acrificesre recordedn63,April10 (?), thearrival n Rome ofNero,Poppaea and theirnew-born aby daughter; 18,June-August, he rrival fHadrian nRomefor hefirst ime incehisaccession; 13,Oct. 6, Caracalla'sGermanvictory.



118 MARY BEARD

found.MostrecentlyheFrench chool nRomehas renewed xcavation here nd,

althoughmanydetailsof the

historynd

layoutof the area remain

bscure,heir

workhas enabledus to locate several f the cultbuildingsnd has provided omeinsightnto herelativehronologyf he emains.21ngeneral,he ndicationsivenbytheActa have beenconfirmed;ndthemajorbuildingsmentioned hereat leastintheirhird-centuryorm) an nowbe dentified ith easonable ertainty:roundtemple f Dea Dia (whosepodium s stillvisible, bout 25 m. in diameter);22'tetrastyle',sedas a dining oomfor he brethrenlocatedabout 120m. south fthetemple);23 bathbuilding,outh fthetetrastyle.24he circusn which hariotraceswereheldon the econd ayof heDea Dia festival as dentifiedynineteenthcentury xcavatorswithmasonry emains o the westof the temple. n theirjudgementt was about 100 m.in length.25

The ArvalgrovewassacredtothegoddessDea Dia and,as isrecordedn the

Act£, nymishapwithint required xpiation.When,for xample, tree n thegrovewasstruck y ightningr evenwhenusta branch ell ff,piacular' acrificeswererequired.26his ritualwas also demanded when the recordoftheArvals'activitieswas inscribed ach year. Since the ironinscribinghisel was a taboosubstancenthe acredgrove,acrificesereperformednexpiationach time t wasbroughtntothe area or taken ut.27

The ArvalBrethrenhemselvesormally umbered men inaddition othereigning mperor,who servedas a supernumerary.28nce having oined thebrotherhoodbya process fco-option escribedntheActa29) hey erved or ife.The names f hese riestsre recordedndetail ntheActa; and,onthebasisof his

21 historyf he xcavations p tothe 1870s sgiven yHenzen,XI-XX. Forpreliminaryoticesof the recent rench xcavationn theArvalgrove, eeJ. Scheid and H. Broise,Archelogiaaziale 1(Rome, 1978),75-77 (including planofthe rea); MEFRA 92 (1980),215-48; and Les fouilles laMagliana: le lucus t YaedesDeae Diae' in LunarioRomano 983: II Lazio nell'antichitàomana, 97-213. Thisexcavation as revealed tructureslmost ntirelyf everan ate;wecannotyetbecertainwhether rnot these uildingswere imilar oearlier tructuresn the ite.

MFor eferenceso the emplentheActa, ee,for xample, 9,May29; 183,Feb. 8; 218,May 29(a, 25, 29, 31).

23See, or xample, 7,May 19;218,May 29 (a, 18,19). Scheid and Broise Archeologiaaziale ,75-77) apparently cceptthatthebuilding nownn the Acta as the tetrastyle's identical o thatknown s the Caesareum' 'shrine ftheemperors';ee81,May 19; 183,May 19),althoughHenzenhad seen them s two eparate tructurespp. XXI-XXIII).

24See 40,2ndday (pag. II, 6). Thisbuilding as recentlyeen dentifiedn theexcavationsJ.Scheid nd H. Broise,

Archeologiaaziale , 75-6),

althoughefore he

discoveryfthe text f240 the

existence f a bathhouse n theArval antuary as been denied see Henzen,XXIII).25For eferencesntheActa to theArval ircus-games,ee,for xample, 9,May 29; 81,May 19;

120,May 29; 213,May 19. Thisbuilding as notbeen studied ytheFrench eam. Note the over-optimistic) lanofA. Pellegrini1865),reproducedyj. Scheid nd H. Broise, rcheologiaaziale , 75.

^For example,87, Sept. 10; 224, Nov. 7. 'Piacular' sacrificesre sacrifices fexpiationLatin:biaculum)

27Forxample, 1,May 1 and May 13 (appendedto therecord f80); 121,April7 and May ?(appendedto the record f120); 225, April18 and May 5 (appendedto therecord f224).

MIn ddition othe estimonyf heActa, fragmentf hefirst-centuryriterMasurius abinus(preservedn AulusGellius,Attic ights, 7,8) tells storyf he rigin f heArvalBrethrennthe12sonsofAcca Larentia.

«For example,14,May 14; 14,Dec. 15; 86,Feb. 26; 118,Feb. 26.




record, heirdentitynd background ave beenminutelynvestigated.t is clearthat here

were,ver ime,minor luctuationsn the

generalevel f ocialdistinction

possessed ytheArvals s a group.30or themoment, owever,t senough ostressthat as with hemajor olleges f tatepriests) heywere olidlyenatorialnrank.

Within hepriestly roup,therewas a hierarchyftemporaryffices. achmemberprobablytook his turnat these serving, orexample,as magistertheyearly otating eadofthebrotherhood)r asflamenanother nnualofficial, hoseprecise ole sunclear).31he Arvalyearofoffice as almost oterminous ith hecalendaryear, or tranfrom hefestivalf aturnalia 17 December) noneyear othe amefestivalhe next.Thesesame imits lsoprovided heformal tructureortheActa:each year's'records,strictlypeaking,he record fan Arval ear.32

Subordinate o thepriestsamea varietyf ult ervants nd minor fficialsftheArval cult. Theserangedfrom our boysf senatorial amilies, ho assisted t

sacrifices nd joined with thepriests t the communalfeastingt the Dea Diaceremony,33o menwhowereslaves,or, at least,ofservile rigin.Kalatores,orexample, reedmen f ndividual riests,ometimes erformed inor acrificesnbehalf of the brotherhood;34o also did the public slaves (publici),who wereattached s servants ottoany ndividual, ut to thepriesthoods a whole.35 therslaves took morecloselydefined oles n theactivity f thebrotherhood:ne (ormore) edituus as incharge f theday-to-dayare of thetemple fDea Dia- andprobably f hegrove s a whole;36 notary commentariensisrpublicus commentariis)kept preliminaryritten ecord fthe ritual nd administrativectivities f thebrotherhood.37

The endoftheArvalcult s usta littleess hadowy han tsorigin. he main

series f urviving ctastopsnthemiddle fthethird entury,ut the ultdid notat thatpoint ollapse.Thisis provedpartly ya smallfragmentfan inscription,

^See, for xample, he onclusionsfJ.Scheid,Lesfrèresrvales,95-9312-17; 328-30;R. Syme,Some rval rethrenwith he llusive ummary,p. 94-103).

3IOnthe Arval career' thegeneralpattern hat manwould serve sflameneforeerving smagister,ndonly ater ctaspromagister,substituteor hemagisterfhewasabsent), eeJ.Scheid,Lesfrèresrvales,89-90. On the tatus fthe lamen,eeHenzen,V-VI. It appears hat t least nthefirstcenturyhe lamen asvery losely ssociatedwith hemagister;ote, or xample, 8,March 11 thechoice f a new lamen henthemagisterad died noffice.

32Myeferencesre all to theArval

year,aturnalia o

Saturnalia;but this s

equivalento the

calendarvear n all cases but 1 0,whenthefirstntry f theArvalvearfalls n 23 December 19.33SeeHenzen,VI-VII with, or xample, 0, May 30; 213, May 20; 218, May 27 (a, 11-12).^See Henzen,VIII. For their erformancefpiacular acrificeswith hepublic laves), ee 72,

May?; 92,April25 (appendedto therecord f91). Their attachmento ndividual rethrennd theorganisationf their ppointmentsdocumentedn 1 0,May 29.

35Henzen,II-VIII. For theirppointment,ee118,Aug.?; 155,Dec. 11 Their asksncluded hehanding ound f hebreaddeckedwith aurel n the2nddayof heDea Dia festival218,May 29 (a,30)) and (withkalatores)iacular acrifices89, April12: 121,April7).

^Henzen, IX. Note his nvolvementna piacular acrificeollowinghecollapseof a tree n thegrove 91, Nov. 5).

37For is activities s a notary, ee 218,May 30; 240, 2nd day (pag. II, 37-9). Note also hisparticipationna piacular acrifice221, May 9).




THE SURVIVING ARVAL ACTA FOR THE YEAR 87

Keyto ymbols'.I - endof ine n inscribed ext[ ] - allwords r ettersnsquarebrackets resuggestedestorationshere heoriginal ext as been ostthrough amageto the nscribed tones( ) - all words r ettersnroundbrackets re nserted ocomplete bbreviatedwords ntheoriginaltext

So, for xample,n the firstine of the textImperatore)' indicates hat heLatin textused theabbreviationImp',wherewewouldwriteImperatore';[Ca]esare' indicates hatdamagetothe tonehad left nlyesare' egible restoredymodern ditors o Caesare'. Some ofthe onger estorationsin square brackets re, of course, ess certainthan thisstraightforwardxample;they hould beregardeds highly onjectural,ncludednmytext nly omaketheflow f ense asierto follow.

Imp(eratore) [GajesareDomitiano

Aug(usto) >Germ[anicoXIII]/L.

[V]ol[usio]Saturnino

[co(n)s(ulibusl/II [non(as) Ianuar(ias)]/ n Capitolio n pro[naoIovisoptimimaxi]miC. SalviusLiberalis/ raterArvalfis, ui vice C. Iuli Silani] magistri ungebatur,/d collegium frjatrumArvalium ettulit:um di immortales/ropitiato umine uo votaorbis erra[rum],ua[e pr]osalute/imp(eratoris) aesarisdiviVespasianif(ili)Domi[tianiAug(usti)Germanici/pontif(icis)maximi tDomitiaeAug(ustae) c[oniugiseius et Iuliae]/ Aug(ustae) totiquedomui eorumcupide susceptaefrant, xaudieru]nt,/onvenireollegiopriora olvere t novan[uncupare.]/Collegium ecrevit:/[qu]odbonumfaustum elix alutarequ[e it: u]m v[ota]/ on ingerei tpriora olverenur e]tnova[voverentur]/rosalute et incolumitatemp(eratoris) a[es]arisdivi [Vespasianif(ili)]/DomitianiAug(usti) Germanicipontif(icis)max(imi) et DomiftiaeAug(ustae)] coniug(is)/ ius et IuliaeAug(ustae) totiquedomui eorum, ov[i o(ptimo)] m(aximo) b(ovem) m(arem), Iunoni/reginaeb(ovem) f(eminam),Minervaeb(ovem) f(eminam), aluti publica[e popu]li Romani Quiri/tiumb(ovem) f(eminam)./

Eodemdie bidemnarea C. Salvius Li]beralis, [ui v]icemagistri/ungebatur,ure t vino n gne nfóculo ecit mmolaviq uè)/vino,molacultroque ovio(ptimo)m(aximo)b(ovem) m(arem), unonireginae b(ovem) f(eminam),Minervae/b(ovem) f(eminam), aluti publicae p(opuli) R(omani)Q(uiritium) (ovem) f(eminam); xtaaulicoctareddidit./Eodem die ibidem npronao oviso(ptimi)m(aximi)C. SalviusLiberalis rater/rvalis, ui vice uliSilanimagistri ungeba[t]ur,dstante ollegio/ fratrum] rvalium ota pro salute et incolumitateimp(eratoris) aesaris/diviVespasiani f(ili)DomitianiAug(usti)Germanici ontif(icis)max(imi)trib(unicia) ot(estate)/censoris er]petui (atris)p(atriae)etDomitiaeAug(ustae)coniugis ius etIuliaeAug(ustae)/totique ]omui orumnomine ollegi ratrumrvaliumnhaec/ verba] uscepit:/[Iupp]iter (ptime)m(axime), i mp(erator) aesar diviVespasianif(ilius)Domitia[nusAu]g(ustus)Germanicus/ ontif(ex)maximustrib(unicia)potestate) censorperpetuusp(ater) [p(atriae) etDomit]ia Aug(usta)/ oniunx ius et Iulia Aug(usta),quos me sentio dicereviv]entdomusq(ue)/eorum ncolumis rita(nte) d(iem) III nonas Ianufar(ias),quae pro]ximaep(opulo) R(omano),

Quiritibus,/ei

publicae p(opuli) R(omani), Q(uiritium),erunt,et eum diem

eosfquesalvos

s]erva eris x/periculis,iqua sunt runtve nteeum[diem, ventu]mque onum/ta,uti mesentiodicere, ederis, os que ineo sta u] quo nunc unt,/ut eo meliore erva eris, st tu ea itafaxis, u]mtibinomine/ollegi ratrumrvalium o[veaurato voveoe]ssefuturum./Iuno regina, u[ae in verba ovi o(ptimo)m(aximo)boveaurato voveoe]ssefuturum,/uod hodiev[ovi,ast tu ea ita faxis, urn ibi n eadem verbanomine] ollegi/ ratrum frvalium ove auratavoveoessefuturum.]/Minerva, uae [inverba unonireginae ove urata vovi ssefutur]um,uod/hodievov[i, st tuea itafaxis,urn ibi neademverba]nomine/ollegi r[atrumrvalium ove aurata voveo essefuturum.]/Salus publica populiRomani,Quiriftium,uae in verba Iunoni reginae]bove/ urata vovi essefuturum,uod hfodievovi,ast tu ea ita f)axis,/urn ibi n eadem verba nomine olflegi ratrumArv]alium/ove aurata voveo essefuturum./[In colle]gioadfuerunt . Salvius LiberalisNoniusB[assus,A. I]ulius Quadratus,/L. Maec]ius



122 MARY BEARD

Postumus,L. VeratiusQuadratus, P. SallustiusBlaesus,/ L. Venuljeius Apronianus./Isdemco(n)s(ulibus) . .]I idus Ian(uarias) in pronaoaedis Concordiaequae e[st prope/ emplujmdivi

Vespasiani,/ C. Salvius] Liberalis Nonius Bassus fra erArvalis,qui v[ice Iuli/ Silajni magistrifungebatur,dstantibusratribfusrvali/busacjrificiumeae Diae inhunc nnum ic ndixit:/quodbo]numfaustumausftum]sic)felix ortunatumalutar[eque it] mpera ori)/ CaesjariDomitianoAufg(usto)Germanico pontif(ici)max(imo) et DomfitiaeAJug(ustae)/ coni]ugieius et Iul[iaeAug(ustae) totiqjue domui eorum po[puloque Romano,]/ Quiritibusfratfribusque rvalibus]mihique, acr[ificium eae]/Diae eritXVI k(alendas) un(ias) [domi,XIIII k(alendas) u]n(ias) inluco et [domi,XIII k(alendas) un(ias)]/domi. n collegio dfue[runt . Salviu]s Libera[lisNoniusBas]sus,/L. VeratiusQuadratus,L. Mae[cius Postumus,A. I]ulius [Quadratus, P.]/ SallustiusBlaesus./L. VolusioSatur[nino],C. Galpufrnio co(n)s(ulibus) ... vota nuncupata]/n Capitfoliopr]osalutee[t incolumitatemp(eratoris) aesaris DomitianiAug(usti)/Germanici,magisterioC.Iuli Silani,promag(istro) . Salvio Liberale, ovi o(ptimo)m(aximo)]/b(ovem)m(arem), unoniregin[aeb(ovem) f(eminam),Minervaeb(ovem) f(eminam). n collegio]adfueruntmp(erator)Caesar

Domitian[usAug(ustus)Germandcus,. Salvius

Liberalis]/Nonius

Bassus,L. Maecius

Postumus, . [VeratiusQuadratus.]/ •'Isdem o(n)s(ulibus)XI k(alendas)Febr(uarias) nCapitolio d votareddfendatnuncupanda ro]/saluteet incolumitatemp(eratoris)CaesarisDomitfianiAug(usti)Germanici]/magisterio . IuliSilani,promag(istro) . Salvio [LiberaleNonio Basso. In collegio]/ dfuerunt . SalviusLiberalisNonius Bassus etc ]/Iuppiter (ptime)m(axime)Capitoline, [i Imp(erator)CaesardiviVespasianif(ilius)Domitianus]/Aug(ustus)Germanicuspontif[exmaximustribunic(is)otest(ate) ensor erpetuusp(ater)(atriae),]/ex cuius ncolumitatefniversorumalusconstat, uernnos]/ entimus icere, ivet domusque iusincolumis rit a(nte) d(iem) XI k(alendas) Februarias]/ uae proximaep(opulo) R(omano),Qj(uiritibus),efip(ublicae) p(opuli) R(omani), Q(uiritium), runt, t eum diemeumque]/ alvomservaverisx [periculisiqua sunt runtvente um]/ iem ventumq(ue) onu(m ta utinos entimusdicere,dederis]/umq(ue) in eo statu,quo n(unc est,aut eo meliore ervaveris,ustodie]/ isqueaeternia ern[mperi, uod suscipiendompliavi,ut]/voticompotem emp(ublicam) saep[e facias,

ast tuea itafaxis,urn ibi] nom[in]e ollegi ratrumrfvaliumoveauratovove]oesse/ utur[um.]/Isdem co(n)s(ulibus) k(alendis) Febr(uariis)allectusNarcissusAnnianuspublicus oco/NymphiNumisiani d fratres rvales./C. BellicoNataleTebaniano,C. Ducenio Proculo o(n)s(ulibus)XIIII k(alendas) Iun(ias)/ n lucoDeae Diae magisterio . Iuli Silani,curamagenteC./Nonio Basso Salvio Liberale,fratres rvalesDeae Diae sacri/ficiumecerunt. . SalviusLiberalis, ui vicemagistri ungebatur. Iuli Silani, ntelucum naramporcaspiacu/laresuas lucocoinquiendi toperis aciendimmolavit;/eindevaccamDeae Diae honorariammmolavit. . Salvius/ iberalisNoniusBassus, . MaeciusPostumus, . IuliusQuadratus,/ . Sallustius laesus,Q. TilliusSassius ntetrastyloonsederunft]/t exsacrificiopulatisunt,umptisq(ue) raetextistcoronis/piceis ittatisucumDeae Diae ad summotumscenderunt/tperSalviumLiberalemNoniumBassum, ui vicemagistrfi]/ungebatur,tQ. TilliumSassium, uiviceflaminisunge/batur,eae Diae agnamopimammmolarunt,erfectoque/acrificiomnes ure tvinofecerunt.einde coronisn/atis ignisq(ue) nctis . Tillium assium xSaturnalibus/rimisdSaturnalia secunda annuum

magistrum ecer(unt),/tem Ti. Iulium Celsum Marium Candidum

flaminem;einde/n t[etr]astylumesciderunt,biq(ue) in triclinio iscumbentes/pulatisunt admagistrum. IuliumSilanum;post pulas/ ic[i]niatusoleatus um coronapactili osacia ummoto/sup[r]acareares scidit tsignum uadrigis tdesultoribus/i[s]it, raesidente . Maecio Postumo;victores almis t/ oronis rgentéis onoravit./Eademdie Romaedomoapud mag(istrum) . Iulium Silanum demqui in luco cenarunt./XIII k(alendas) un(ias) domoapudmag(istrum) . IuliumSilanumfratres rvales/d consumman-dumsacrificium eae Diae cenarunt,t n/terenam C. SalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus,L. MaeciusPos/tumus,. IuliusQuadratus,P. Sallustius laesus,Q. Tillius/ assius,L. VenuleiusApronian[u]sture tvinofecerunt,/inistrantibusueris atrimist matrimissdem ui/XVI k(alendas) un(ias),etfrugesibatas ad aramrettulerunt;ampadib(us)/ncensis uscanicas ontigerunt,uas percalatores/domibus uismiserunft]./Pu[eri patrimi tmatrimi],ui ad sacrificium eae Diae praest[o/rant, ]iliusMarcianus,




RusonisP. Calvisius/ ] UmbriniM. Petronius remutius,/ -. ./] Priscoco(n)s(ulibus) IIII idus Septiem-

bres)mag(isterio) . Iuli/ Sila]ni nluco Deae Diae, quod ramus x arbore licanaob/ vjetustatemdeciderit,iaculumfactum stpercalatorem t/ p]ublicos./Isdemco(n)s(ulibus) di[b]usSept(embribus)nCapitolio rae dedicatione romag(isterio) ./ IuliSilani mmolavit accamL. MaeciusPost[umus.]Adfuerunft]/n collegioL. MaeciusPostumus, .IuliusQuadratus,Q. Tillius/ assius./Isdem co(n)s(ulibus) X k(alendas) Oct(obres) in Ca[p]itolio ob detecta scelera nefariorum,mag(isterio)/C] Iuli Silani, mmolavitnCapitoliob(ovem) m(arem) mmolavitsic)C. Venu/[leiusApjronianus./ . U[ ] PlotioGrypoco(n)s(ulibus)XVII k(alendas) Mai(as) piaculu[mfactum n luco/Deae Diae percalatore]m tpúblicosob ferrumn[latum cripturaet scalpturae/consummatomagis]terioul[i SJilani./[ co(n)s(ulibus) piaculum actum]d De[ae Diae percalatorem/tpúblicos b] ferr[umelatum... etc ...]/

TRANSLATION

Thefollowingranslationims oprovide key o theLatintext, ather han polished inal ersion.toffersne reasonable endering;thersdifferingn toneoroccasionallynsense)arepossible.

The consulship fImperatorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus, or he thirteenthime, ndLucius Volusius atuminus.

JanuaryOn theCapitol, n theportico fthetemple fJupiter ptimusMaximus,Caius SalviusLiberalis,ArvalBrother, ho wasactingntheplaceofCaiusJulius ilanus,masterof he ollege), nnouncedto the ollege f heArvalBrethren:Since the mmortalods, heir owerpropitiated,ave heardtheprayers f theworld,whichwereeagerlyundertakenor he health ofEmperorCaesar DomitianAugustus ermanicus,he onof hedeified espasian, ontifex aximus,nd ofDomitiaAugusta, iswife,nd ofJulia Augusta nd ofall their ouse, t sright or hecollege ofulfilheir revious owsand toproclaim ewones.

The collegedecreed:May it be good,propitious,ortunatend safe: ince twas right hattheprevious owsshouldbefulfillednd new ones made forthe health and safety f EmperorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus,on ofthedeifiedVespasian,pontifex aximus nd ofDomitiaAugusta, iswife,nd ofJuliaAugusta ndof ll their ouse for upiter ptimusMaximus, bull;for unoRegina, cow;forMinerva, cow;for heCommonHealthoftheRomanPeople,theQuirites, cow.On the ameday, nthe ameplace, ntheforecourtofthetemple)Caius SalviusLiberalis,who wasactingnplaceof hemaster, ith ncense ndwinemade a libationn the irenthebrazier nd offeredinsacrifice ithwine,with arley ake,with heknife for upiter ptimusMaximus, bull;for unoRegina, cow;forMinerva, cow;for heCommonHealthof heRomanPeople, heQuirites, cow;he offeredp the nnards ooked n a jar.On the ameday, nthe ameplace, ntheportico fthetemple fJupiter ptimusMaximus,CaiusSalviusLiberalis,whowas acting nplaceofJulius ilanus, hemaster,with hecollege f theArvalBrethren

resent,ndertook ows nthenameofthecollege ftheArvalBrethrenor hehealth nd

safety fEmperorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus,on of the deifiedVespasian,pontifexmaximus,with ribunicianower, ensor or ife, ather f hiscountrynd DomitiaAugustahis wifeandJulia Augusta nd all oftheir ouse in thesewords:Jupiter ptimusMaximus, fEmperorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus,on ofthedeifiedVespasian, ontifex aximus, ith ribunicianower, ensor orife, ather fhis ountryndDomitiaAugusta, iswife,ndJulia Augusta, fwhom holdthat amspeaking,hall ive and their ousebesafe nthe hird fJanuarywhich hallbenext or heRomanPeople, heQuirites, or he tate f heRomanPeople, heQuirites,nd fyou hallkeepthat ayand them afe rom hatever angers hereare and willbe beforehatday, nd ifyou hallgive happy utcomensuch wayas I holdmyselfomean, nd ifyou hallkeepthemnthat onditionnwhich hey ow areor n a betterne, fyou halldo these hingshus, hennthename ofthe ollege ftheArvalBrethren vow thatyoushallhave agildedbull.



124 MARY BEARD

JunoRegina, n thosewords nwhich vow thatJupiter ptimusMaximus hall have a gildedbull,which havetodayvowed, fyou halldo these hingshus, hennthe amewords,nthenameof he

college f theArvalBrethren,vow thatyoushallhave a gildedcow.Minerva,nthosewordsnwhich have vowed hat unoRegina hallhavea gilded ow,which havetoday owed, fyou halldo these hingshus, hennthe amewordsn thename of he ollege f heArvalBrethren vow thatyoushall have a gilded ow.CommonHealthoftheRomanPeople,theQuirites,n thosewordsn which havevowedthatJunoRegina hallhave a gilded ow,which havetoday owed,fyou halldo these hingshus, hen nthesamewords n thename of the ollege f theArvalBrethren vowthatyoushallhavea gilded ow.In thecollegewere Caius Salvius LiberalisNoniusBassus,AulusJuliusQuadratus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus,uciusVeratiusQuadratus,PubliusSallustius laesus,LuciusVenuleiusApronianus.In the ameconsulship,nJanuary , n theportico f he emple fConcordwhich snearthe empleof hedeified espasian,CaiusSalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus,ArvalBrother, howasactingnplaceofJulius ilanus, hemaster, ith heArvalBrethrenresent, roclaimedhe acrifice o Dea Dia forthisyearthus: r

May.itbe

good,propitious, ropitious,ortunate,uccessfulnd safefor

EmperorCaesar Domitian

Augustus ermanicus ontifex aximus nd forDomitiaAugustahis wife ndfor uliaAugusta ndfor ll their ouse nd for heRomanpeople, heQuirites,nd for heArvalBrethrenndforme,thesacrificeo Dea Dia willbeMay 17,athome,May 19 nthegrove nd athome,May 20 at home. nthecollegewere Caius Salvius LiberalisNoniusBassus,LuciusVeratiusQuadratus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus, ulusJuliusQuadratus,PubliusSallustius laesus.In the onsulshipfLuciusVolusius aturninusnd CaiusCalpurnius vowswereproclaimedntheCapitol for thehealth and safety fEmperorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus,n themastershipf CaiusJulius ilanus,withCaius Salvius Liberalis s pro-masterfor upiter ptimusMaximus, bull;for unoRegina,a cow;forMinerva, cow. In thecollegewere mperator aesarDomitianAugustusGermanicus, aius SalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus,Lucius Maecius Postumus,LuciusVeratiusQuadratus.In the ameconsulship,nJanuary 2,on theCapitol, norder odischargendproclaim owsfor hehealth nd safetyfEmperor aesar DomitianAugustus ermanicus,nthemastershipfCaiusJulius

Silanus,withCaius SalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus s pro-master.n thecollegewere Caius SalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus . etc . .Jupiter ptimusMaximusCapitolinus,fEmperor aesarDomitianAugustus ermanicus,onof hedeified espasian,pontifex aximus,with ribunicianower, ensor orife, ather fhiscountry,nwhose afetyhehealth f ll depends, fwhomwehold thatwe arespeaking,hall iveand his housebesafe nJanuary 2whichwillbe next or heRomanpeople, heQuirites, or he tate f heRomanpeople, heQuirites,nd fyou hallkeep hat ayandhim afe rom hatever angers here reorwillbe before hatdayand ifyoushallgive happyoutcomensuch wayas wehold ourselves omean,and ifyou hallkeephim n that onditionn whichhenow sor na betterne,and ifyou hallguardthe ternityf he mpire,whichhehasennobled yundertakingesponsibilityort, o thatyoumayoften rant he tate tsprayer,fyou halldo these hingshus, henn thenameof he ollege fArvalBrethren,vow thatyoushall have a gildedbull.In the ameconsulship,n February ,NarcissusAnnianuswas chosen s publicslavefor he ArvalBrethrenn the

placeof

Nymphiusumisianus.

In the onsulshipfCaius BellicusNatalisTebanianus nd CaiusDuceniusProculus, nMay 19, nthegrove fDea Dia, in themastershipfCaiusJulius ilanus,withCaiusNoniusBassus alviusLiberalistakingharge, heArvalBrethrenerformedhe acrificeo Dea Dia. Caius SalviusLiberalis,who wasactingntheplaceof hemaster, aiusJulius ilanus,nfrontf hegrove acrificedntothe ltartwoexpiatory igs n expiation orpolluting hegroveand the work to be carried ut there; hen hesacrificed cow as an offeringo Dea Dia. Caius SalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus, ulusJuliusQuadratus,Publius allustius laesus,QuintusTilliusSassius at down nthetetrastylend feasted ff he acrifice,nd taking p their ogaswith urple ordersnd their arlandsmadeof arsof ornwithwoollen ands, hey scended hegrovewith ttendantslearinghewayandthroughalviusLiberalisNoniusBassus,whowasactingnplaceof hemaster,hey acrificed choicelambto Dea Dia and,when he acrifice ascomplete, hey llmadea libationwithncense nd wine.Then,when thegarlandshad beenbroughtn and the statues nointed heymadeQuintusTillius




Sassius nnualmaster rom he oming aturnalia o thenext,ikewiseheymade Tiberius ulius elsusMariusCandidusflamen;hen heywent owntothe etrastyle,nd there ecliningn thedining oom

they eastednthepresencef hemaster aiusJulius ilanus; fterhefeastwearing veil ndsandals,with garlandwovenwith oses,with ttendantslearingheway,heascended bovethe tarting atesandgavethe ignal o thefour-horsehariotsndthe eapers,with uciusMaeciusPostumusresiding;he honoured he victorswithpalmsand silver arlands.On the amedayatRome, nthehouse f hemaster aiusJulius ilanus, he amepeoplewho were nthegrovedined.On May 20, nthehouseofthemasterGaiusJulius ilanus, heArvalBrethren ined tocomplete hesacrifice o Dea Dia, and duringdinnerGaius Salvius Liberalis NoniusBassus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus,Aulus Julius Quadratus, Publius SallustiusBlaesus, Quintus Tillius Sassius, LuciusVenuleiusApronianusmade a libationwith ncense nd wine,withboyswhosefathers nd motherswere till live, he ame as onMay 1 ,servingt table, nd they roughthe onsecrated orn othealtar;with amps it, hey ouched hebowls ?),which hey ent o their omes hroughhekalatores.The boyswhosefathersnd mothers ere still live,who werepresent t the sacrifice o Dea Dia,were

]iliusMarcianus,ublius Ualvisius

,sonof

Ruso, ,Marcus Petronius

Cremutius, son of Uriibrinus,In the onsulshipf and Priscus,nSeptember

10, nthemastershipfCaiusJulius ilanus,n thegrove fDea Dia, because branch ell romnoaktree n accountof tsage,an expiationwasperformedhrough kalator nd public laves.In the ameconsulship,nSeptember 3,ontheCapitol, t thededication f n altaron behalf fthemastershipfCaiusJulius ilanus Lucius Maecius Postumusacrificed cow. Presentn thecollegewereLucius MaeciusPostumus, ulusJuliusQuadratus,QuintusTilliusSassius.In the ameconsulship,nSeptember2,on theCapitol, n account f hedetectionf hevillainy fcriminals,n themastershipf CaiusJuliusSilanus,Caius VeneleiusApronianus acrificedn theCapitol acrificedsic) a bull. n theconsulshipfLuciusU and .... PlotiusGrypus,nApril15,an expiationwasperformednthegrove fDea Dia through kalator nd public lavesonaccount fthe ronforwritingnd engraving eingbroughtn,after hemastershipfJulius ilanuswascompleted.

In the onsulship anexpiationwasperformed ?. . . through kalator ndpublicslaves n account f ron etc ..

The size of thetablets,nd the ayout f the nscribed extwithin hem, ary.Up to at least155 thetabletswhen omplete)were ll about 1-70m. nheightndthe written extwas arrangedwithin hem n one or twocolumns; o the widthvaried between bout 50 cm. and almost metre.Presumablyhese abletsweremade tofitnto ome tandard rchitecturalontextwithin hegrove maybethestylobate f thetemple f Dea Dia.45Laterin thesecondcentury,he size of thetablets nd their nternalrrangementhanged: hey ecame horter nd broader,with hetext aid out now nthree olumns.46t is a reasonable onjecturehat he

originalitefor heir

isplaywithin he

grovewhether r not the

templefDea

Dia) had beenusedup,and a new one ofdifferentimensions hosen.Shortage f pace nthegrove ausedyetmoredrastic hanges. havealready

mentionedome nstancesnthe arly hird entury, hen hetextwas nscribed n

45See hecleardiagrams nd dimensionsrovided yA. Huelsen,Ephemerispigraphica (1899),esp.347-50 (although edoubts, erhaps easonably,he tandard ssumptione.g.Henzen,X) thatthese ablets ouldhave fitted nto circular uilding.A photographf (nearly omplete) xampleof n earlydocumentsprovided yJ. Scheid and H. Broise,MEFRA 92 (1980),223.

^See, forexample,183,described nd illustrated y A. E. Gordon,Album ofDated LatinInscriptions,I (California, 964),no. 242 withpl. 114. The original imensions f this tonewereapproximately-6 m. (height) y 1-4m. (width).



126 MARY BEARD

theflanksf tone urniturenthegrove.47taboutthe ametimewe sometimesindthe record f a fresh

earcarved noton to a newtablet

howeverhis

mighte

improvised), ut on to theempty owermargins f tablets fearlieryears.Forexample, heActa of213 were nscribed elowthetextof 155,and thoseof219belowthe text f90.48

Each year's ecordwas nscribed nto the tone ogethert the nd of heyear,notday bydayas theritualswere arried ut.Presumablyomerunningecordwaskept on perishablematerials) hroughoutheyearto form he basisofthefinalinscribed exts.49his systemfannualinscriptions attested rom hestyle f thescript lone homogenouswithin hetextof each year,but showing iscernibledifferencesromone twelve month block to the next. But from he 80s it isdocumentedlso n theActathemselves;or he xpiatoryacrificeserformedhenthe ron nscribinghiselwasbroughtnto hegrove andlater aken ut)were hen

annually ecorded. hesesacrificesand so also thecarvingtself generallyookplace nApril, bout fourmonthsfter heend oftheyear nquestion.50arlier nthe firstenturyhere s no direct videncefor he act of nscription,ut on oneoccasion t least t seems o have takenplace much closer o the end of theyear.That was in 69, when the inscribed ecordoriginallyncluded the name of theemperor itelliuswhowas murderedn20or21December 9,only few ays fterthe end of the Arvalyear.This namewas subsequentlyrased;but the obviousimplications that hecarving fthe recordhad takenplaceeithern thefewdaysbefore isdeathor ntheperiod funcertaintyhat mmediatelyollowed.51 e donotknowwhether herewereother ccasions n which herecordwas so promptlyinscribed.

Thisregularnd detailedwritten ecord fpriestlyctivity as, think,niquewithin he Roman religiousystem. f course,written ocuments f various ortsare associatedwiththeorganisationnd practiceof statereligion. nscriptionssurvive, or xample,whichrecordthemembershipistsofcollegesofpriests r

47See bove,p. 114.^For an illustrationf155/213,ee A. E. Gordon,AlbumfDated atinnscriptions,II (California,

1965), pl. 100 A and B.49The askof thecommentariensis,bovep. 119.^From at least87, it was theregular attern exceptwheremprovisationasnecessary) or he

record f an individualear

ooccupy

hewhole fone or twotablets. arlier herecords ad runoncontinuously,achonestarting herever n thetablet he ast onehad finishedsee,for xample, 5and 36 withdiagram f ayoutCIL 2025). Even n these arlydocuments he tyle fthe nscribingclearlymarks ut one yearfrom nother. or a convenientist ofdatesof nscription,ee Henzen,128-30.

51We must ssume hefollowingrecise ourse f vents:1) the ompositionf herunningecordduring69, noting, s appropriate,Vitellius s magisterf the collegeand the presence t Arvalceremonies f his brother . Vitellius whosename was also later erased from herecord); 2) 17December, nd oftheArvalyear; 3) inscribingftherecord,ncludinghenames fVitellius ndhisbrother;4) defeat nd death ofVitellius, 0 or 21 December; 5) subsequentrasure f the names.Notethat Vitelliuswasnotsubject o a formal amnatio emoriaend thattheonly ikely ontext orsuch n erasures nthe arly aysoftheFlavianvictory, henfeelingsgainstVitellius odoubt tillranhigh.




makebriefmention ftheyearly elebrationfthe Latinfestival;52iteraryources

preserveuotationsrom

riestlyooks, uch s those f he

pontificalollegewhich

were concernedwith a variety f religiousmatters: ontificalaw, the correctformulae orprayers nd sacrifices nd so forth.53et none of this material scomparablewiththe record f the Arval brethrenn either cale or content: t ismostlyriefer a more r essperfunctoryist, ather han detailed escription;r,wheremore engthy,tgenerallymbodies rescriptiveeligiousules ather han naccount fritual s enacted nany ndividual ccasion.Perhaps he losest arallelto the Arval Acta liesin the engthynscriptionshichgivea full nd elaborateaccount fthe eremonial fthe eculargames.54et here gaina closecomparisonis nappropriate.he secular ames, elebratednly nce n100 or 110)years,werea specialcase and notpartof theday today ritualofRome. The record f theircelebrationmust bviously e placed n a differentategory romherecord f the

regular ituals f theArvals.Can we be surethat imilar ecordswerenotkeptbyother riestlyolleges tRome simply ailing o survive ecause,perhaps, heywerewritten n perishablematerial, ot stone?Ofcourse,we cannotbe sure. t might ven be suggestedhatthe otal ackof vidence or ocumentsf similarypenanyother riestlyollegecarries ittle orce s a negative rgument. or,after ll, ftheArvalrecord idnothappen tselfobe preserved, ewould be quiteunawareof tsexistence sincenomentionf t s made nany urvivingiteraryource. hissuggestion,hought firstsight lausible,sunconvincingor hefollowingeason.Thehistoryf ther riestlycollegesat Rome, in particular hepontíficesnd augures,s comparatively elldocumented;nd our ancient videncencludes onsiderablenformationn (and

citation rom) heirwritten ocumentsnd manuals fprocedure. et,amongsthisevidence,we find ohint hat hey ept nyrecord omparable otheregularArvalrecord f business nd rituals. he Arvalbrotherhood,n the otherhand,excitedveryittlenterestmong uthorsnantiquity beyondminor etiological pecula-tion n theorigin fthepriesthood.55he silence n their ctivityfwritings ustpartof a general ilenceon their ctivities s a whole. thinkt is a reasonable(though ot ertain) eduction romhis, hat heArvalswereunique, hatno othermajor ollegekept imilarwritten ecords.

III. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARVAL ACTA: DIVERSITY ANDGROWTH

The recordsof the Arval brethren how striking iversitynd variation.Theinscribed etailsof ndividual eremonies ifferedonsiderablyrom eartoyear;and between hefirstentury .c. and thethird entury.d. therewere ubstantial

^Membershipists: .g.,CIL VI, 1976 = /Z,S9338, ); 1977;1978 = /Z,S5024); 979-1983;1984(= ILS 5025); 1985-2008;2009 (= ILS 466); 2010. Latin Festival:CIL VI 2011-2019.

53See, or xample, hefragmentsollectedbyP. Preibisch, ragmentaibrorumontijicumTilsit,1878),reprintedn P. Preibisch, woStudiesnthe omanontíficesNewYork,1975).

*CIL VI 32323 = ILS 5050);32326; 2327 = ILS 5050a);32328-32336.55SeeMasurius abinus nAulusGellius,Attic ights , 7,8 and Pliny,Natural istory8, 2, 6.



128 MARY BEARD

changesnthe haracter f heActa.This smarked,nparticular,y general rendtowards n

increasinglyetailedrecord f theBrotherhood's

ctivity.ThischaracterisationftheActaconflicts ith common ssumptionhat heArvalrecord onsisted fa series fhighly tandardised ocuments. ituals, t issupposed,wererepeatednexactly he ame form ear fter ear nd then ecordedin ustthe ameway;variationsntherecordwere argely estrictedothepersonnelof heBrotherhood,s old namesdropped ut andnewnameswere ntroducedntothe ists fbrethrenresentt any ceremony. hisassumptionertainlyiesbehindmuch pigraphictudy f he exts. ormany mallfragmentsf heActa have beenrestorednto engthyocumentsimplyn theunderstandinghat neyear's ecordmust e nearlydentical oothers froughlyhe amedate;fragmentaryntries,notherwords, recompleted imply ydirect opying rom ther arts f heActa.56

In the llustrations hich ollow, hopeto demonstratehat his ssumptions

(at thevery east) a crudeoversimplification.f course, here re somerepetitiveentriesn theActa,and some standardisedhrases.Many ritualswere,no doubt,performednbroadly he ameway many imes. et the uperficialimilarityf hedocumentsannot, n closer eading,masktheir iversitynd variation.

I havechosen o llustrateomeofthe mportant hangesn theActa from heregular ecord f the festivalf Dea Dia. Thisfestival as themajorceremonynhonour fthe traditional eity f the Arvalcult. t tookplace over three ays nMay,each ofwhichhad a somewhat ifferentharacter. etails from herecord fthefirstwodays themost laborate fthefestival are aid out nAppendicesIand III. For themomentetus note hebroad cheme f hefestival. he firstayof

the eremonies ookplacein thehouseofthemagisterf thebrotherhood here,nthemorning, sacrifice f wine and incensewas performed,n associationwithvarious otherrituals, ncluding heanointing f a statue of thegoddess; n theafternoonherewasfeastingnd another acrificefwineand incense. he seconddayofthefestival asthemostmportantnd tookplace argelyntheArvalgroveitself. herewere hreemain lementsnthe eremonies. hefirst asthe acrificefpigs nd a cow,afterwhich hebrethrenook meal from he acrificialmeat.Thesecondwas the sacrificefa lamb,with wholevariety f associated ituals thesingingf heArvalhymn,he ollingfarsdownthehillsidendsoon;at this ointintheir eremonies hebrethrenlso chose magistero serve or henextyear.Thethird lement onsistedfgames nthe ircusnthegrove, ollowedydinnernthe

eveningt thehouseofthe

magisternRome. The final

ayof

thefestival asmuchsimpler,omprisingustsacrificend dinner t thehouseof hemagister.n additionto these threedays of the ceremony roper,therewas a preliminarylement,conventionallynown ymodern cholarss the ndictio.histookplace nJanuary,when hemagisterf hebrotherhoodaveformalnnouncementindixit)f hedateand place of theDea Dia festivalor hatyear.Full details fthis re providednAppendix .

^Spectacular xamples f his endencyre 77 (CIL VI 2055);M. Aurelius {CIL VI 2092). CILconvenientlyaysoutthe urviving ragmentftext n the efthandage,with herestorationn theright.




Diversity

Let us consider irsthediversitynthewrittenecord f his estival,nd eaveuntillaterdiscussion f the trend owardsncreasingetail n thedocuments. he leastelaborate artofthewholefestival f Dea Dia was the ndictio.or this eason tsrecord rovideshe asiest tarting oint or demonstrationf hevariations oundthroughoutheActa.

The textswhichrefero thispreliminarylement f the festival57o, at firstsight, ive n impressionfhomogeneity.t isclear, n even cursoryeading,hatthe ame ritual nderliesll the ccounts f theoccasion n theActa;for xample,theritual erformednJanuary .d. 21wasbroadly he ameas thatperformednJanuary155. It is also immediatelylear that thesame schemawas consistentlyfollowedveralmost hree enturiesn arrangingherecorded ata. The entrieswere

lwaysdated

byreferenceo the urrent

onsuls;henameofthe

magisterho

proclaimedhefestival asalways ecorded, ith inalmost very ase) thenamesof theotherbrethrenttendingheceremony;hedate and place of the summerfestival,s proclaimed ythemagister,ere lways ncluded; nd there re manyothermarks f imilarityn content nd style.

Within hisframeworkf broad similarity,trikinglements fchangeanddiversitymerge.n order ohighlighthe hanges, have chosen o ist even ointswhichexemplifyiversityt differentevels.They are by no means the onlyexampleswhich ould befound, or rethey ll of qual significance.ndeed someofthepoints, have isolated re, ndividually,rivial. et theaggregate f theseminorndicationsfdiversityas well as their ange is impressive.or we aredealingnot nlywith ifferingatternsnthe nclusion r exclusion f ertain itual

elementsntherecord, utalso with hangesntheformulae fdescriptionnd inthepractical ircumstancessuchas dateand place) of therituals s enacted.1. The firstoint sa general ne: t s clearthat herecord f neyearwas not

generally roducedby close copyingof the recordsof the precedingyears.58Consider,or xample, he urvivingecords etween 8 and63.The texts f58and59appearvery imilar tfirstight. et note hat n58 thedate and location f heMay ceremoniesre recorded s if n direct peech: colon,that s,or invertedcommasmust e nserted etweenTitianomag'and XVI kal un' in order o makesyntacticalense f he entence.n 59,onthe ther and, formf ndirectpeechsused.Note alsothat n therecord f58 the ist fArvals resentt the eremonyfindictios included wice;while n59, nplaceofthe econd ist fnames,sa mere

referenceacktothefirstist: in conlegio dfueruntsdem ui supra criptiunt'.The document f63 incorporatesetmorevariations rom hose ftheprecedingyears. hese nclude hanges fword rder ndvocabulary:hephrasesacrificiumindixit eae Diae' takes heplaceofsacrificiumeae Diae indixit';nd thebrethrenare said to be adhibitis' 'calledtogether') ather han adstantibus''present').

57Inwhat ollows shallnotgivedetailed eferencesheremy tatementsreeasily erifiableromthetexts ssemblednthe ppendices.

^This is not todenythatthere re some clusters' that s,groupingsroundthe ame dateofrecords losely imilarnwording.ee,for xample, 18,120and (ina more ragmentarytate)122(althoughventhese renotabsolutelydentical).



130 MARY BEARD

The points hatfollow re more pecific:2.

Occasionallyll referenceo this itual f

proclamationasomitted rom he

record. o besure, henormal ractice f heArvalbrethren as to ncludementionofthe ndiction their nscribed exts ach year;and where ucha record s nowabsent,the explanation s usuallyto be found,quite straightforwardly,n theincompleteurvival f the documents s a whole. In 110,however,we can bereasonablyertain hat herewas never nymention tall of he eremonyf ndictio.Almost ll ceremoniesre excludedfrom hisyear'srecord nd thereasons or hisapparentlyxceptionalacunaare unclear.59 orourpresent urpose t s sufficientto pointout that even sucha regularpartof theArvals' ritual alendarcan, onoccasion,be absentfrom he nscribed cta.

3. The circumstancesftheritual bothdate and place vary.The ceremonyoí indictioasalways, pparently,erformedetween henones nd desofJanuary,

butthere redefinitettestationso£he eventh aybefore he des (91, 118,120,155),the ixth ay (78, 89), the hird ay (60) andpridie 59). Likewise he ocationof heritual ouldchange.The indictioasnormallyecordeds having akenplaceinthe emple fConcord;but n 59 it s said tohave beenperformednthePantheon.

Even theregularocation f thetemple f Concord svariously escribed.Upto the 80s a.d. it appearsas 'in aede(m) Concordiae'; ater t becomesin pronaoaedisConcordiae'. n 87, exceptionally,hetemple f Concord s itselfocatedas'next othetemple fDivusVespasianus'.Occasionally as in21 and probably 0)theplaceofperformances not mentionedt all.

4. The arrangementsor he ummer estival fDea Dia, as proclaimedn theindictiolso vary.Thereseems ohave beena generalrulethat n 'odd' years he

mainfestival ouldtakeplace on the ixteenthaybefore hekalends fJune 17May), thefourteenth19 May) and the hirteenth20 May); while n even'yearstwould akeplaceonthe ixth, ourthndthird aybefore hekalends27,29and 30May). However, n 59, 63, 68 and 69 thisrule s reversed nd in 90 themagisterannounced hat he ummer estival ouldtakeplaceon a completelyifferentetofdays,beginning ith heeighth aybefore hekalends fJune 25 May). The firstsurvivingecord f the ndictio20 b.c.) shows vengreater ariation rom he aternorm; or n thatoccasion he ummer estival asproclaimed otakeplacenot nMay at all, butearly nJunesometime efore he nones that s,before hefifth).The location nnounced or hefestivalfDea Dia displays reater niformity.henormal ractice erewasfor hefirstayof hefestivalo be fixed omi,he econd nluco tdomi nd thethird omi.

owever,n231,

239and240noplace

sspecified;

n183the ocation fthefirstayisdescribeds Romae, ot domi nd in89 apud r admagistross added to the ocationdomi.

5. The agentofproclamation,s definedn thetexts, id notremain onstantthroughoutheperiodcovered.Up to87, theActa statethat themagisteralone)

59See . Ferrua, CA 78 (1961-62),116-29, speciallyines 1-25of he extwith he ommentaryon p. 120.The onlydetail recorded f Arvalactivityn 110 s the act of nscribinghe record f theprevious ear; hetext hen uns traightn to the ccount ftherituals f111.J.Scheidhasrecentlytried o explainthis trangeacuna,by arguing HommageschillingParis,1983) 215-30) thattherecord f 110 was nscribed,ut na differentocation.Although ossible,uch view ssupportedylittle learevidence.




announced he rrangementsor he ummerestival;ralternativelypassive ormis used 'sacrumndicium eae Diae'

(e.g. 78).

60From87 theresponsibility

or heproclamations said to iewith heBrotherhoods a whole: ithere.g.89,91, 183)'fratresrvalesacrificiumea Diae indixeruntr (e.g. 118,120andvery imilarlyn231) W sacrificiumeae Diae indicendumratresrvalesonvenerunt'.61

6. The actualwords poken ythemagisternproclaiminghe ummer estivalincluding short rayer aresometimesncluded n therecord nd sometimesot.Theyare includedn21 and 38,and thennotagain (as far s we can tell)until 7;they re absentonce more n 89, but thenpresent ight hrough ntil the thirdcentury, henthey re absent n 231,239 and 240.

7. When theverbatim ccount sincluded, hewords ecorded renotalwaysidentical. orexample, heusual ntroductoryormulas Quod onum,faustum,felix,fortunatumalutarequeit eg91, 120,183);butfrom his alutares sometimesmitted

(21 and, almost ertainly, 05 and 155). Likewise here re changes n the statedbeneficiariesf themagisterirayer or oodfortunend health.The emperor,heRomanpeopleand the Arvalbrotherhoods a whole are regularlyncluded e.g.91, 120,183). But on occasion themagisters said to have prayed lso forhimself{mihique-e.g.7,90,91), for he enate senatuir-e.g.45,155,183,186) orfor herule nd power f theemperorimperiootestatiqueius 193).

These nstances fdiversityre typical fwhatmaybe foundn theActa as awhole nd are mportantor hedevelopmentfmypresentrgument. shalldiscussbelow howsharply ncompatible hisdiversitys with mostmodernviewsofthefunctionf heArvaldocuments;nd from his shall uggest new nterpretationftherole ofwriting ithin he ritual ctivityf the brethren.

IncreasingetailThe tendencyoexpansionn theArvalrecord s yetmore triking. superficialglancereveals clearcontrast etween he arliest extsn the eries nd those f hemiddle nd laterperiods: hedocuments f21/20b.c. and a.d. 14 are very tarkrecords,ontaininghebarestdetailsof ritual ctions nd priestlyrganisation;62those, f, ay,the mid-second enturynd lateroften xtendto manytimes heearlierengthnd are marked yan accumulation fdetailon almost ll aspects ftheArvals' ctivity. iversitynters venhere, ndsporadicallyhe mount fdetailin these aterrecords alls ramatically;uttheoverall rend s clearly pwards.

The festival f Dea Dia oncemoreprovides good illustrationf this.Let us

consider eretheexpansionn therecord f the econddayofthe ummer estival(Appendix II). The accountof theproceedingsn218,for xample, lthough otcomplete,xtends oalmost 0 lines. t is at leasttentimesonger han he ccountsof thefirstentury.d. and includes n extraordinaryealth f ritualdetail the

^In theearlyaccounts passiveformulations commonly thoughnot always)usedwhen apromagister,ot magister,onducted the indictio.

6lBut ote that hewordorder f 118 is slightlyifferentrom hat f120.62In 1/20 .c.,for xample,tappears though he extsvery ragmentary)hat herecord f he

indictiofJanuary 0followsmmediatelyfter herecord fthefestivalfDea Dia insummer1.TheActaof 1 describe he ction aken fter treen thegrovehad fallen own nd record wo ooptions;they o notmentionnydetailofthecelebrationf the ummer estival.



132 MARY BEARD

Arvaldance,the textoftheArvalhymn, hethrowingf ars down thehill,the

passingf orn round hebrethrenndso on.

Bycontrastherecord f38 takes

pa merenine hort ines ndmentionsnly heprincipal acrificesfthedayand theafternoonames.63 similar, hough ometimesmore imited,xpansion ccurs ntherecord f thefirstnd third aysof thefestival nd in thatofthe ndictio.

This proliferations evident even in the accountsgiven of the routineadministrativeusiness f the brotherhood. onsider,forexample,the recordsconcerninghe cooptionof a new member nto theArval group.The earliesttypicallytated hat hemagisterntroduced newpriestnto the brotherhoodndnamed the (deceased) memberwhose place the new recruit ook. They alsosometimesdded thattheemperor ad indicatedbyletterhisownchoice n theselection. ome later documentsn the series howa marked xpansion; or heyincludenotonly he ext f he mperor'setter ut even uch pparentlyratuitouspiecesof nformations therecord f thedesignof the seal stonewithwhichtheletter*as sealed.64

Onlyone area of the Arval Acta does not reflecthis rend owardsncrease:that s,the reaofvows nd sacrificesnbehalf fthe mperornd hisfamily. erethepictures more omplicated. ne group f heseimperial' eremoniesspresentintherecord rom hefirstentury .c. to thethird entury.d. Right hroughhetextswe find, or xample, he vowand sacrifice erformedythe brethren n 3January achyear for he afetyfthe mperor'.65nd rregularlyromhefirst othe third entury xtraordinaryowsand sacrificesre described, ndertakenorspecial events n the lifeof the emperor victoryn war, the birthof an heir,

recovery romll-health,nd so forth.66ne of the last of these a sacrificencelebrationf victoryfCaracalla n213 is reminiscentn tswordinessf he ateaccounts f hefestivalfDea Dia.67 n contrast othese, owever,nother roup fimperial elebrations ave a quite differentattern frecord n the Acta. Thesacrificesegularly erformeduring heJulio-Claudian eriodon thebirthdayf

63Amere inecount an bemisleading,or he ines f38 are about half he ength fthose f218.Likewise,lthoughherecord f 7 extends o25lines,ts hortine engthmeans hat t s nfactmanytimesmaller hanthe third enturyecord. t is also noticeable hatthe aterdocuments semanymore bbreviationsnd so contain onsiderably ore information'n the amespace.

MFor n early xample, ee14,May 14; 14,Dec. 15. Forthe ater orm,ee 118,Feb.26 butnotethat hevery ragmentaryecord f 43 (althoughearly')probably ontains text f theemperor'sletter. he record f theceremonyfcooption emonstrateslearly he ncompletenessf theArvalActa: lthough ver 150 ArvalBrethrenreknown rom heActa,records f ess han20cooptionsrepreserved.his ncompletenesss due both o the ncompleteurvival f he extsnd (nodoubt)to theincompleteoverage fArvalactivityn theActa as inscribed.

fóTheseecords o some xtent ollowheproliferationf anguage have outlined. here sa peakintheirengthnthe ate econd enturysee,for xample,MarcusAurelius includingheverbatimtext f lengthyrayer), lthough heveryatest ocumentse.g.213,Jan. 3) arehere horterndbyfar he engthiestexts re those f he ate firstenturysee,for xample, 7,where here s a lengthydescriptionf the circumstancesftheceremonys well as a verbatim ccountof theprayers)

^See above, p. 117.67213,Oct. 6.




theruling mperor, isfamilynd somedivi ntirelyisappearfrom hepreservedrecord rom 0 onwards.

imilarlyhesacrifices ocumented

hroughoutmostof

thefirstenturyn the occasionof theemperor's ssumptionf mperial owersand on theanniversaryfthatassumption are completelybsentfrom he Actaafter he end of the Flavianperiod.68

Thispatternf bsences snotthe imple pposite fthegeneral rend owardsincreasing etail n thetexts; or t consistsn thetotaldisappearance f certainrituals fromthe record,not in any move towards conciseness r brevity ndescription.utfarfrom eing rrelevanto the ssuesunder onsiderationere, traises n acute form questionofgreat mportance o any studyoftheArvals'activitynrecord-keeping:owfar o changesn the ext eflecthangesn theritualthat s described, owfar change nrecording ractice tself? oes, for xample,thedisappearance f some mperial ituals rom heArvalActa indicate hattheywere no longerperformedr thattheyWereno longerrecorded?Or, whenthefestival fDea Dia isdescribedwithmuchgreater laboration,rewe toassumechange n the evelofrecord-keepingran increasen theelaboration f theritualitself?t is tothisproblem hatwe now turn.

IV. CHANGES IN RITUAL OR CHANGES IN RECORDING PRACTICE?

The problem have raised s, n the astresort,nsoluble.We have no independentaccountof therituals f theArvalBrethrennd so cannot check' thedescriptionsprovided n theActa againstany external eferenceoint.On the basis of the

inscribed exts lone it is logicallympossible o be certainwhetherhey eflectchangingnd ncreasingitual, r whether hewritingtselfschangingrproliferat-ingaround ritual hatremains airlyonstant.Nevertheless e can deduce whatseemsprobable rnearly ertain rom heevidencewe have.

In a few ases there s little oubt thatthechanges n the record esult romchangesin the ritual being described.This is obviouslytrue with changingcircumstancesintime rplace of he eremonies escribed.When theActa statethat heceremonyf ndiction 59 tookplace in the Pantheon and not the usualtemple fConcord),wemust ssume hat, or easons osttous,the ocation f theritual s performedn thatyearwas changed.Likewisewith omedetailsof thesecond ayof hefestival fDea Dia. In 218,for xample,n theritual eadingup to

theArvalhymnnddance,theBrethrenre said firstopassround he arsof ornamongst hemselves,hen o throwars down thehillside;n 240,bycontrast,hisordersreversed, ith heritual f hearsprecedinghat f he orn.Unlesswe areto magine ere mistakentherecord eeping,t seemsmostikelyhat he rder f

^The disappearanceof theseceremonieswas gradual. Note, forexample, the ceremoniescommemoratingheassumptionftribunicianower. n thereignof Nero the anniversariesf thisassumption erecelebrated57, Dec. 4; 58, Dec.4); underDomitianonlythe firstssumptionwasmarkedn thisway (81, Sept.30).



134 MARY BEARD

thefestivals enacted n 240was incertain espects ifferentrom hatof218.69In othercases we can be sure that the

changesin the record are the

consequences fchanges n recording ractice nd not changes n the ritualasenacted.The process f ooption fnew brethrenrovides clearexample f his.havealreadymentioned hat n the econd enturyheArvals tarted orecord hedesignof theseal on the etters frecommendationeceived rom heemperor.70This cannotmark a changeof habit on theemperor's art;he had presumablyalwayssealed his letters. t marks nstead change n whatthe Arvals chose tomentionn their nscribed ecord.A similardeductioncan be made from hedescriptionf thefirst ayof theMay festival fDea Dia. Details of thefirstay'sceremonies re included n thefirst-centuryecords nlyerratically.ndeed, n atleastnineyearswhere hepreservedextsfull nough oallowcertainty,omentionis made ofthis ay's activityt all. Yet,where he ndictiosrecorded,hedate and

locationof the first ay of theMay festival re alwaysproclaimed.Are we toimagine hat heritualswereformallynnounced, ut not nacted? urelynot.Thevariationsn therecordmusthereagain be due to variationsn thepractice frecord-keeping.71

For mostof the Arval Acta therelationship etween hanges n ritual andchanges n the written extremainsuncertain. redictablyt is only n the lessproblematicnd less nterestingases thatwecanmake the tepbystepdeductionssuch as I have outlined. n theexampleswhichfollowno firm roof s possible.Nevertheless,s I shall how,we canfairlyuggest ow far t s ikelyhat he hangesin thewritten ecord ollowed romhanges n theunderlyingitual.

There s onlyone area oftheArvalActa inwhich majorchange n the text

seems to resultfrom change in the ritualperformed:hat is, the sacrificesundertakenythebrethrenn thebirthdayf theemperornd on theassumption(and anniversaries f the assumption) f imperialpowers.The recordof thesesacrificesied out nthe econdhalf f hefirstentury.d. after hich oint thinktheywerenotperformed.hismay eem urprising.elebrations n thebirthdayftheemperor,n particular, orm large partofthe celebrations ecordedn thevarioussurviving mperialcalendars.The third-centuryeriale Duranum,forexample,presents vastarrayofbirthday estivitiesnotonlythose fthe ivingemperorndhisfamily,utofdivi lso.72s itreasonable o magine hat his ind fsacrificeied out oftheArvalritual t Rome? Whatexplanation ouldbe offeredfor hat hange?

69240pag. II, 21-35) not nAppendix.Note also the equenceof218: anointingf the tatue,followedythe losing f he emple, ollowedythedance andreopeningf he emplesnotmatchedin240.Therethedoors f he emplereclosed, hen hedancetakes lacefollowedythe nointingfthe tatuebefore hetemplesreopened.Againwe are almost ertainly ealingwith change n theorder f heritual sperformed.n theritual f240, eeA. Piganiol, RAI1946, 41-51;butnote hatPiganiol s too eady oassume hangesn theritual s performednderlie hangesn therecord.

70Above,. 132.7lFor ates oftheomission f theceremony,eeAppendix.Note that n87, although here s no

specificecord fthefirstay,theboys erving ood t theArvaltableon thethird ayare said tobethe ame as thosewho served nMay 17, .e. thefirstayofthefestivalsee87,May 20).

72SeeR. O. Fink,A. S. Hoeyand W. F. Snyder,YCIS 7 (1940), 1-222;W. F. Snyder,YCIS 1(1940), 223-317.




Two factorsuggesthat hese ituals easedto be practised. irst, he mperialcelebrations hich

disappearedfrom he Acta are

onlyone element ftheArval

rituals onnectedwith theimperialhouse. Otherelements, heregularJanuarysacrifice nd the irregular acrifices n special occasions,never ceased to berecorded. econdly, s we have seen,therewas a general endencyormore, ndapparentlyrivial, etails f ritual ctivityo be recorded.t is hard toimagine nthese ircumstances,hen thedescription as becoming uller,hata substantialgroupof acrifices as beingperformednd yetnot recorded.

The explanation f the disappearanceof these ceremonies rom heArvalcalendar s of bviousmportancenthegeneral istoryfpagancult tRome n theprincipate,ut iesrather utside he pecificoncerns f his rticle. ufficet tosayhere hat his hange spartof pattern detectmorewidelyn thereligionf thecityofRome (but not Italy and theprovinces) t thisperiod:ritualsdesignedspecificallys celebrations f theemperor nd hisfamily ended o die out as thetraditionalults fthecity ecamemore nd morefocused n the mperial ouse.73I hopeto discuss hisphenomenonlsewhere.

All othermajor changes n the Arval record and particularlyhe trendtowardsncreasing etail result rom hanges n recording ractice,not in theunderlyingitual.The records f thefestival ftheDea Dia once again provideconvenientllustration hichmaybe taken s typical f theActa as a whole.

The limited xpansion videntn therecord fthe ndictiosee Appendix )clearly esults lmost ntirelyromhangesn the evelofrecording.he increasedlength f he aterdocumentserraticallyromhe atefirstentury n) isaccountedforprincipallyy the nclusion f a verbatim ecord f themagisterirayer; his

presumably ad alwaysbeen uttered, ut simplynot recorded.Similarly t isstandardn the ateraccounts odescribe heprecise osition f themagisters hedelivered he prayer:thisobviously eflects o particular hange in the ritualprocess.Therewere,ofcourse,minorvariationsn the wordsuttered nd somelengtheningf theprayer s the mperial itles o be includedgrew.But,byandlarge, here s no indication hattherewereanysubstantialhanges n theritual;where herecordncreased,t s therecordingtself hathasgrownmore laborate.

The case of the secondday of the festival f Dea Dia might eem morecomplicated. an the nine short inesoftherecord f38 reflectxactly hesameritual s the40 orso lines f218?Couldall the trikingeremonial escribedn218have beenperformedn38 without eing ecorded? riefly y nswer o both hese

questionss,yes.Thereare

manyreasons or

his;74ut

principallybelievethat

73Note,or xample,ntheArvalritual he mperialocation f ometraditional ites: noccasionpartofthefestival fDea Dia tookplace in thetemple ftheDivi (deifiedmperors)n thePalatine(AntoninusiusA; 218,May 27). Compare he nitiative fAugustus, ho built shrine fVesta onthePalatine thus topographically)inking imselfnd his mperial owerwith goddess radition-ally associatedwith thesafety f the Roman state.See, in brief, . B. Platner nd T. Ashby,Atopographical ictionaryfAncient ome London, 1929), 557.

74Consider,or xample, herecord f heArvalhymnnddance. n oursurvivingocumentst sonly ver aid out ndetail n218 but t was notperformednthatyear lone. In someotheryears,where verbatimccount s lacking,we find briefmention hat thispartof theritual ookplace(AlexanderA; 240, 2nd day (pag. II, 33-5)). It seemsreasonableto supposethat t was in factperformedveryyearwhetherrnota full or brief) ccountwasgiven n theActa.



136 MARY BEARD

modernuriosityeads us toan anachronisticssessmentf hese ocuments.We restruck

ythe

apparentbizarredetailsof218 the

throwingfthe

ars,theArval

dance,and so forth and we cannot magine hat uch elementswould everhavebeen eft ut oftherecord. t is quiteconceivable, owever,hatforRomanprieststhe three entral eaturesf theday'sritualswere the twomajor acrificesnd thefact hat theemperorGaius initiated hefinal tageofgames.All else,howeverapparently orthyfnote,wassubsidiaryndquitedispensablenanysummaryfwhat ookplace.Both n this ase and in all othermajor nstances f ncreasentherecord, am convinced hatwe aredealingnotwith hangesntheritualbutwithchangesn thepractice frecording.

V. DIVERSITY AND GROWTH: THE DEFEAT OF OUR EXPECTATIONS

The features have isolated n the recordof the Arval Brethrenonfound hecommonassumption hat the Arval Acta are rigidly tandardised ocuments.Diversitynd growtheem urprisingor hreemainreasons.

First, here sa sharp ontrast etween hediversityf heArvalrecordsndthenormal cholarly iew thatRoman ritualwas unbendinglyonservative.t is veryoften tatedthatRoman religious eremonies erecarried utyearafteryear nprecisely he same way, down to the minutest etail. If there was any slightdivergencerom tandard ractice,hewhole eremonyad to berepeated.75havealready ndicated hat ome of thefrequentminor ariations ound n theActathose fplace,date,verbalformulae nd so on result rom ariationsnrituals s

enacted.This sscarcelyompatiblewith he tandard iewofrigid onservatism.tis mportantoemphasisehat heArvalActaare theonlyfull ccounts fregularlyenacted Roman ritual that survive.Contrary o our expectations, hat ritualincorporated profusionf minor ariations nd (as far s we can tell)was neverrepeated fter isruptionr accidentalmishandling.76

Secondly, hehistoryfthecultmightead us toexpectnotan increase, ut agradualdecrease n the evel of recordkeeping.We might easonablyuppose, orexample, hat theoriginal urpose f the nscribed ocumentswas to establishndetail heform f henewritual ctivitiesmposed ntheBrethrenyAugustus;hatis,theActa, s records fprocedure, ere nthefirstnstance o form practical oolofreferenceor hebrotherhood,hile henewritual rocesses ere till nfamiliar.In this

ase,we would

expectthefullest ocuments o be at the

beginningftheseries,with decrease ndetail over time s theBrethrenecameentirelyamiliarwith heritual andas,perhaps, henoveltyf herecord-keepingore ff. n fact,that s exactly heopposite f whatwe havefound.

A subsidiary istorical oint oncerns heavailability fspacefor hewrittenrecord. have alreadymentioned hat from heearlythird enturyhe Brethren

75A acet fRomanreligion ell-documentedythe ncientshemselves;eeCicero,DeHaruspicumResponso2, 23; Pliny,Natural istory8,2, 11. For a full iscussion,eeJ.A. North, BSR 30 (1976),1-12.

7627 pparently ecords ome mistaken ritual, lthough here s no evidence frepetitioninedition fPasoli (n. 1 above) = FragmentaAetatis lane Incertae,n. 16).




were ometimes orced o accommodate heir ecord n the idesoffurniturer onunused ections fearlier ablets.77n the

ightf uch

physical ressures,emightexpect tendencyowards revitynthedocuments.n fact, hetendencyowards

proliferationn the text overcame the obviouspracticaldifficulties.hese latedocuments,n theirmprovisedettings,re someof hemost laboratenthe eries.

Thirdly, hediversitynd growthn the texts s at sharpvariance with acurrentlynfluentialnthropologicaliewoftheroleofwriting ithinntellectualand culturalsystems. ne of the principal exponents f this view or, morecorrectly,etofviews isJ. Goody.Amonghismanymportantontributionso thedebate on the consequences f iteracy',78e has arguedthat literateeligionsiththeir ixedpointof referencein a writtenext], re less tolerant fchange'thanthose eligions hich o not ncorporatewrittenlement.79ral traditions,hat s,easilypermit ariance.Their rituals ndmyth onstantlynd imperceptiblydaptthemselveso changing ircumstances;'hilestillretaining he illusion for t isuncheckable thatthey re performedr told as they lwayshave been. Once awrittenlementsintroduced,owever,hanges ecomemuchmoredifficult,incethey equire n undeniable reakwith he raditionirmlystablishednthewrittentext. his san attractivend often orkablemodel;yet t must lready e clearthatit does notprovide helpful rameworkor nderstandingheArvalActa,with lltheir iversitynd variation.

This incongruenceetween he most trikingharacteristicsf theArvalActaand considered xpectationsf the character fthosedocuments equires urtherinvestigation.n particular, e need toconsiderngreater etailthefunctionf hewritingf the ArvalBrethren;or hope to showthatour mistakenssumptions

aboutthehighlytandardised ature ftherecord re basedupona mistaken iewof therole ofwritingn theBrotherhood.

VI. THE USES OF WRITING

The common iewofthe haracter f heArvalrecord s founded n an assumptionthat t formed practical oolof referenceor heBrethren;hatthewritingwasessentiallyutilitarian5.80 shall argue against this that the characterof thedocumentsnlymakes ense f hewritingftheArvalrecord s seen s essentiallynon-utilitarianctivity.n myview, here s nogoodreason osuppose hat nyoftheArvalActa wereeverused ©r ead at all.

Above,pp. 114,125-6.78Notespecially . Goody nd I. Watt,The Consequences fLiteracy', SSH 5 (1963), 304-45,

reprintednj. Goody ed),Literacyn TraditionalocietiesCambridge, 968),27-68 andj. Goody,TheDomesticationf he avageMind Cambridge, 977). n theseworksGoodytouches nmany hemes,uthisunderlyingoncern s with he mpact f he ntroductionfwritingn the ntellectualrocessesfcommunity.

79J.oody, iteracynTraditionalocieties,ntroduction,(my talics ndexplanatory arenthesis).^I use the ermutilitarian' s a short-handdenoting text hat sproduced norder o be read

and referredo. In this ense, or xample, he writtenminutes f a modern ommitteemeeting re'utilitarian', ince theyrepresent source of informationbout previousdecisions nd provideprecedentsor roposed ction nthefuture.



138 MARY BEARD

Let us consider irstn whatprecise ense utilitarian iewofwritingnderliesmostmodern

pproachesotherecord.Herewe

may usefullyeturno two ofthe

three actorssolated n theprevious ection s reasons or urpriset thediversityandexpansion f thedocuments.

The first f these elates o theposition fwritingn thenewly eformedultunderAugustus. urprise erefollows irectlyromn assumptionhat hewritingfulfilledrincipally utilitarian unction. or the tendency o expansion n therecord eems dd,only f t s assumed hat heBrethren sed hese ocumentsuringtheearlyyearsofuncertaintyn the refoundedult; t seemsodd giventhat thepracticalneed or hedocuments ould havedecreased, ot ncreased s timewentby.

The secondpoint spartofthebroader nthropologicalheoryfthe ffectsfwriting n religious ystemsn general. t is less obvioushere that a utilitarian

functionsbeingproposed; ut thatbecomes lear whenthe teps n theargumentare more arefullyxamined.The theoryupported y Goody,when ppliedto theArvalrecord, emands

thatweimagine hefollowingeries f tagesn theproductionf hedocuments:tthe start f theprocess heArval ritual s performedlet us sayfor he first imeafter henew mpetus rovided y Augustus;t the econd tage hewritten ecordofthat ritual s produced;at the third he ritual s again performed,ollowingexactlythe details of the written ecord,and so exactlymirroringhe firstperformanceftheritual; t thefourthtage herecordsagain produced exactlythe ameas theprevious ecord,nthat tconsistsnan account f xactly he ameritual.And so theprocess ontinues, ithnovariationnteringnto ither heritual

or thewriting.This stepbystepaccountofGoody'sthesis xposes tsunderlyingtilitarianview fwriting.hewritingnd theritual re ocked ogetherecausetherecord foneyear s assumed o be used s a referenceointfor heperformanceftheritualthenextyear.TheArvals,notherwords, ead their ecord ndconsciouslyvoideddivergingrom tsorthodoxy.

These two examplesdemonstrate he incompatibilityf the diversityndgrowthn the recordwith ts assumedutilitarian unction. lthoughneither hethesis fGoodynor thesimpler iew that, n the ightofthecult'shistory, eshould xpect decreasenthe mount fwritten ecord isin tselfnreasonable,bothviewsfail n thisnstance oexplain hecharacter f the urvivingocuments;for

heyoth ssume

practical urposentherecord

eeping.his failureeads us

tosuggest,or hemoment egatively,hat heprincipal unctionftheArvalActawas not utilitarian.

This non-utilitarianature f heArvalwritingsclearlyllustratedna sectionfrom he record hat have notyetdiscussed: he actions akenwhen tree n thegrove or just an individualbranch)collapsed.In one of the earliest urvivinginscriptionsthatof .d. 14),there sa full ecord fthereport otheBrethren hatan aged tree n thegrovehad fallen own and of their ecision hat t should beburntwithin hegrove nd nowoodremoved.81f thewritingf theArvalrecord

8114,firsturvivingntryf theyear thebreakof the tonepreventsxactdating).




formed practicaltool ofreference, e shouldassume that the decisionwouldconstitute

precedent,nd that,when similar ncident

appenedater, eference

would be made back and the established ourse f actionclosely ollowed.n fact,when ater e.g.38 and81) ancient rees rbranchesnthegrove ollapsed,tseemsthat theywere removed fromthe grove afterexpiatory acrifices ad beenperformed.82lthough he record f the action n a.d. 14 superficiallyppearstoprovide guideforfuture rocedure, here s no indication hat t was ever aterreferredo.83

But f heArvalActadid not erve sa practical ecord f heArvalritual,whatdid theydo? I wishnowto characterisehe documentsnd their unctionsmorepositivelynd offers a startingoint hefollowingormulation.

The actofwritingn theArvalcultfprmedartoftheritual ctivitytself nd

itspurpose.was as 'symbolic' s the rites nd sacrificest records.The apparentodditiesnthedocumentsan onlybe understoodf hewritings seenas a ritual nitsownright.

This formulationmay seem,at first ight,unsatisfactory:t appears ratherunspecific;truns ounter oa standard rinciple f common ense', hatwhat swrittens ntended o beread; t smacks f he ldarchaeologicalokethatwhatonecannot xplainmay onvenientlyeattributedo ritual urposes'. et, n tsfavour,I putforwardhree oints:t answers heneed tofind non-utilitarianunction ortheArvalrecord;t enablesus (as I shall howbelow)to understandmuchbetter hefeaturesfdiversitynd expansionn therecord; t is compatiblewith mportantconclusions n thepossible sesofwritinghathave been reached nother reas of

ancient nd medieval ulture. t is to these reas ofcomparisonhat turn irst;orthey dd colour nd depthtomypreliminaryormulation.

Symbolic ritingI am here concernedwith documentswhich seem, at first ight,to impart'information',r to classifynd order factualmaterial'.No-onewould,ofcourse,suppose hat ll writingulfilled 'utilitarian' unction;ornstance,muchofwhatwe conventionallynowas 'literature'acks any practicalfunctions a tool ofreferencendmight asily if oosely be regarded s symbolic'. ut nwhat ensecanwriting ith n apparently ractical urpose e said tobe symbolic'? nd howis that ymbolic unctionecognised?et usconsider omeexamples.

Toall

outward ppearances, neof the mostutilitarian

ocumentsfEnglishmedievalhistorys theDomesdayBook. The informationncluded n itssurvey f

England nd the and and legal rightsstablishednd recordedwithin twere,weimagine, onstantlyeferredo and used duringdisputes t law in thefollowingcenturies.hat ispartofourperceptionftheorganisationnd bureaucratisation'ofNormanEngland.

8238, pril18;81Jan. 15.^We cannotbe absolutelyertain hat he arlier ecisionwasnotexplicitlyeversed etween 4

and 38, on a partof the stonenowlost;however here s no evidence o support hisview and nojustificationor ssuminghis o be thecase.



140 MARY BEARD

Yet M. T. Clanchyhas shown learly hat his sa false erception.84n the wocenturiesftert was

compiled, omesdayBookwas

onlyvery arelyonsulted or

factual nformation.tsmain functioneems o have beensymbolic.t asserted hepower fKingWilliam verhisnewly onquered erritory,yreducing owritingall that t contained nd itprovided or heAnglo-Saxonnhabitants vivid ymboloftheir ubjection. his is illustrated y the comment f an Englishchronicler:' . . therewas no singlehide norvirgate f and,nor ndeed it s a shameto relatebut t seemedno shameforhimto do one ox or one cow nor onepigwhichwasthere eft ut andnotputdown nhisrecord'.85 nd ndeed, hetitleDomesday'the titlegivento the bookbyWilliam'sEnglish ubjects neatly ummedup thevisions fthe LastJudgementhat tsexistence voked.

Discussion fDomesdayBookforms artofa full ength tudy y Clanchy ntheusesofwritingnEnglandbetween he leventh nd fourteenthenturies.n this

he discusses hestagesbywhich iteratemodes of thought lowlyreplacedoralmodes after he introduction fwidespreadwritten ecords.The details of hisdevelopmentalcheme o notconcern shere.86 ufficet tosaythat,n dentifyingwhat he regards s a transitional hase betweenorality nd literacy, lanchyprovidesmanyotherexamplesofapparently tilitarian ocumentswhosemainfunction assymbolic.trikingmong hese re some arly hartersonveyingandto monasteries.n contrast o our modern ttitudesoconveyancingocuments,hewrittenontentsf hese harters erenotconsidered fprimarymportance. heyserved nstead s symbolic bjects, s permanent epresentationsf hegrant f andto themonastery.87

Similar nstances f a non-utilitarianunctionnwritingan be found n the

ancientworld.A strikingxample sprovided yrecent esearch yC. Williamson,whohas nvestigatedhefunctionf he nscribed ronze ablets ontaininghe extsofRomanRepublican aws,normally ixed n to thewalls ofRomantemples. hehas shown hat hese ablets ervednoobviously tilitarianurpose; heywerenot,for xample, onsultedwhen heterms fthe awwere ndoubt,norweretheyaidout in any way thatmade readingtheir ontents asy. They served nsteadasymbolic unction:nscribedn bronze nd lodged n sacred pace, they erved swrittenbjectsovalidatethe aw inquestion nd thedemocratic rocesses hroughwhich t had beenpassed.88

These examples erve o make us sensitive o this often eglected) ymbolicfunction fwritingnd to suggest general ontext orunderstandingur docu-

MFromMemoryo Written ecord: ngland 066-1307 London, 1979), 18-21 (henceforward,Clanchy,Memory).

**The nglo-Saxonhronicle:revisedranslationed. D. Whitelockt l., 1961),161-2 quotedbyClanchy,Memory8.

^These areclearlyummarisedy Clanchy,Memory58-65.For a more ecent tudy uilding nClanchy'sworknthis rea,seeB. Stock,The mplicationsfLiteracyPrinceton, 983) especially heintroduction3-11),which ucidly efines hecurrent ield fdebateon thetransitionrom rality oliteracynd itsconsequences.

87Clanchy, emory,05-6.88C.Williamson,Law Making n the omitia fRepublican ome:the rocessesfdraftingnddisseminating,

recordingndretrievingaws nd lebiscitesUnpublished hD Dissertation,ondon,1984).




ments.Neither he medieval ases nor the Roman legal tabletsprovide n exact

parallelwith heArval

Acta;yethenon-utilitarianharacteristicsfboth

helpus to

defyurcultural xpectationsnd to allow to theArvalActaa symbolicole. t nowseems asier to statethattheactivityf thewriting as partoftheactivityftheritual nd notan external, tilitarian ecord f t.

This conclusionhas widerconsequences.Historians nd epigraphers avetended o assume hat nscriptionsulfilledutilitarianunctionnthe ncientworld;that heywereerectednorder o be read.89 nd from his ssumption,heyhavemadegeneralisingonclusions bout the preadofpublic nformationn antiquityand the relationship etween the quantityof inscribedpublic documents nddifferentolitical ystems.t is,for xample, commonplaceo make linkbetweentheadvanceddemocracy fclassicalAthens,whichdependedon a well-informedcitizen ody, ndthe argenumberfpublic nscriptionsoundnthe ity.90n some

cases,theseconclusionsmaybe valid; yetmy analysis fthe ArvalActa wouldsuggest hat the ssues re notalwaysso simple.When one of the most xtensiveinscribed ocumentsftheRomanempire an be shown o havefunctioneds nopractical oolofreference,e should hinkmore arefullybout thefunction f llthe nscriptionse examine.Whywerethey ead?Werethey ven read at all?

I wish now to turnback to the Arval Acta themselvesnd to consider omequestions aised, t least mplicitly,ymydiscussion o far. shall examinemoreclosely hefeaturesfdiversitynd expansion hathavealreadybeen solated, ndfrom his I hope to characterisemore precisely he symbolicfunction f thedocuments.n theabsence ofanybutthe mostmeagre xternal vidence n the

Arval ult, t s mpossibleo delineate he ausesof hegreat xpansion f herecordorgive definitivexplanation f he ymbolicoleof hewriting; et canprovide,at least, fullernalysis f all these eatures. inally,prompted yan apparentlydistantnalogy, shallofferome uggestionsn thetypef xplanation hatwouldbeappropriatenthis ase and on some robableausesof hedistinctiveharacterftherecord.

DiversityThe diversityfthe written ecord as distinct rom hetendencyoexpansionnthewriting presentsoproblem,nthe ight f he ymbolicunctionf herecord.IftheBrethren id not onstantlyse the ecords f arlier ears s a practical uide,it s not

urprisinghat here

were onsiderable ifferencesn

therecords rom eartoyear.This s a sufficientndconvincingeneral xplanation f hediversityf heActa.

^The strengthf this ssumptionwithparticular eferenceoPompeiangraffiti)sdiscussed yW. V. Harris, PE 52 (1983), 87-111 (esp. 102-11).Harris's bjections o thepropositionrebasedlargelyn his stimatefthe mallproportionf hepopulationwho were ble to read. Whilebroadlyinagreement ithHarris's onclusions, y wnobjectionsrisefrommore undamentaloubts boutthefunctionfwritingnancient ocieties. . MacMullen,AJPh103 1982),233-46refreshinglyaisesthe questionofwhy nscriptions ere erected n Rome, but disappointinglyoncludes that the'epigraphic abit' was conditioned ya 'senseofaudience' p. 246).

^See, for xample, . K. Davies,DemocracyndClassical reeceHassocks,1978),66.



142 MARY BEARD

In individual nstances ther actorsmayhave contributedothediversity.heinfluencef the

emperor,or

xample,maysometimes ave

encouragedsudden

fullnessnthe ecord. hiswas,perhaps,he ase na.d. 38,when he nclusion f hewords f theprayer f ndictiounusual t this ate coincidedwith heemperor'stermfofficesmagisterf heBrotherhood.ikewise,hanges f secretary'aswithmodern ommittees)will no doubt have brought hangesofstyle n the docu-ments.91ut suchparticular xplanations, owevermportantn individual ases,take subsidiarylace nanyoverall nalysis o themore eneral rinciple:hat hediversityf theArvalrecord temmed rom hefunctionsfthatrecord.

Theexpansionn the ext: tendencyoselfreferenceThe tendencyowards xpansionn therecord,withoutingeneral) n underlyingincreasentheritual s performed,annotbe treated osimply. et some dvance s

possible n this roblem,fweconsidermore reciselyhenature f he xpansion fthe nscribed exts.The expansionntheArvalActaconsistednthe ccumulation fdetailon the

rituals erformedndthe ultorganisationf heBrotherhood.n the hird enturya.d. manymore lements f heritual ound place nthe nscribed ecord hanhadin the firstentury .c. This characterisations correct, ut notveryprecise.Forsome typesof detail wereneverrecorded; thertypes, nd not those that areimmediatelyredictable, eganto find place.Thisdistinctionequires xamina-tion.

Many itemswere never ncluded n eventhe mostdetaileddocuments f thethird entury.Althought might eem bizarreto construct list oftopicsnever

mentioned y theArvals, t does help to highlighthespecific haracter f theexpansion ftherecord. herewas,for xample,never nyextended escriptionftheBrethrenhemselves;o career ketches ere ttached o their ames, ven ontheirntryotheBrotherhood.92nlya few etailswere dded to thedescriptionfthe hariot aceson the econddayof thefestival fDea Dia: although ythe atefirstentury.d. we findmention f thepresentationfprizes o thewinners,henamesof the uccessfulnd unsuccessfulompetitors erenever ecorded, oranycircumstantialetails f herace tself.93ikewise, e find ogrowthntheverbatimreportingfdiscussion ythe brethrenn problemsfritual nd organisation.Weknow hatthese ookplace as in a.d. 120,whenthey ebatedproblemshathadarisen verthefinancial ontributionsotheBrotherhoodf freedmanalator;etrecordwas nevermade of the

opinionsf ndividualbrethren or thereasons or

their ecision.94he listof uch omissions ouldgo on and on.Bycontrast,ne perhapsurprising)lementnthe xpansion f heArvalActa

is the ncreasingtress n theprocess f their wn construction.he act ofwriting

91n thecaseof theActa we shouldno doubtthink fchanges n theoffice fcommentariensis.^Occasionally single itle s attached o thenamesof thepriests such as 'praetor',consul'or

titleofanotherpriesthood. ee, forexample,14, Dec. 15 thecooptionof [ ] Pompeiumaugurem'; 8,May 1 M. ValeriusMessallaCorvinus,os. describeds cos. es. heprevious ear, .e.57,Nov. 6).

93See, or xample, 1,May 19; 105,May 19; 213,May 19.^See, 120,May 29.




itselfook n increasinglyrominentart nthe nscribed exts. et us consider ome

examples.From he 0sa.d. as I havealreadymentioned,he ct of nscribinghe tones sitself mphasised n the Acta by the annual recording f expiatory acrificesperformedhenthe nscribinghiselwas broughtn and out of thegrove.95hesesacrifices ere hen, s far s we can tell,never mitted rom heArvalrecords ndevengrew n importance ver the centuries. or in the earlierperiod,up to thesecond entury.d., theywere onducted ycult ervantslone; nthe hird enturythey ametobeperformedyArvalBrethrenhemselves,r even themagisterftheBrotherhood. his suggests hatgreatermportancewas then attached to theserituals ssociatedwith he nscription.96

Later texts n the seriescame to include details of the composition f thepreliminarypresumably erishable)written ecord fArvalproceedings.n the

Actaofthethird entury e sometimesind ecorded hename and presence fthecommentariensis,hepublicslave who producedthe first eport f theceremonies,from hich he ater nscribed extwas taken. o, for xample, fter hedescriptionofElagabalus' cooptionnto theBrotherhoodn218,we read:

detulit rimus ornefianusubjl(icus) [a c]omm(entariis) ratr(um) rv(alium)97

On occasion, he aterdocumentslso revealhow the ttendanceists or achof heArval eremonies ere onstructed.ortheymentionhat heBrethrenhemselvesrecordedna book codex)heir resencendperformancef herituals. nce again,the textof218 provides good example this time from hedescriptionf theseconddayof thefestival fDea Dia:

item n circo n fóculo rg(enteo)cespiti rnato extamvacc(inam) redd(idit), t in tetrastyloreversusst, t n odiceavit,tpraetextam eposuit,t npapilione uoreversus,romeridieutemfratres rvalespraetextas cceper(unt) n tetrastyloonveneru[nt]t subsellis onsederunt tca[v]erunte adfuisse t sacrumecisse . . .%

The inclusion f such details ndicates hat the interest f the ArvalActa wasbecomingmore tronglyocused n thewritingtselfnd theprocess f omposition.

Thirdly,ome ater extseem lmost o elevate he ction fwritingbove theaction fritual nd toconceive fritual ctivityntermsf he ayout fthewrittenrecord.That is, for xample,whenreferringo actionsrepeatedwithin singleceremony,heymake cross eferenceotheearlier artof the ritualbysaying hatthebrethrenidwhatwas done or writtenbovesupra); hey o not ay, swemight

expect,thebrethren id whatwas donebefore'.99fcourse, similar xpressionssometimes sed much arliern theActa (and inotherRomandocuments)whenlist fnames srepeated:adfueruntsdem ui supra criptiunt' 'theywerepresent

95Above . 126.%Cult ervants:1,May 1and 13 appended otherecord f80); 121,April and ? (appended o

therecord f120). Brethrenrmagister:21May 9 and ? (appendedtorecord f220); 225April18(appendedto record f224).

97218,May 30.218, May 29 (appendix II).See, for xample, 24,Dec. 10; 218,firsturvivingntryn stone thebreak f he tone revents

exactdating).



144 MARY BEARD

who werewrittenbove').100 ut to refer ack toa list n thisway, n a sense osay'ditto', s

verydifferentrom

describingctions n thoseterms; r, at least, it

representsnly preliminarytagetowards ucha description.Recognitionhat he xpansion f heArvalActa npart onsistedf growing

element f elf-references importantor wo reasons. irst,t reinforces yearlierconclusions n thesymbolic unctionf the documents. heydid not serve s apractical oolofreferenceor heBrethren,rowingnsizeas thepracticalneed forsuch records ecreased;rather, hewritingwas an important unctionn itsownrightnd itsexpansionwasassociatedwith ncreasingntrospectionnd a growingpreoccupationwith the processof theirown composition. econdly, t adds adistinctiveeature o ourdescriptive rofile fthetexts. his featurewillproveauseful oint freferences I turn odiscuss ossible xplanationsor he haracterfthedocuments.

VII. A SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM

I wishfinallyo discuss henature f theproblem fexplanation nd so todeepenourunderstandingfthe trikingxpansion fthedocumentsnd oftheirymbolicfunction. o rabbit s pulledoutofthehat. I have no neatsolution o themanyproblems aisedbythecharacter fthetexts. et byconsideringomeunsatisfactoryexplanations f thegreatproliferationn thewriting nd by some imaginativeextrapolation,think e canappreciate etter ome f hefactors hich eterminedthechanging haracter f theArvalActa and their unction.

Let usfirstunimarises briefly,ut as precisely,s possible he haracteristicsof theActa,as theyhave emergedn the courseofmyargument. here are fourprincipal oints:

1 The Arval Actaformedn 'enclosed'groupoftexts, allingwithin singlecultural ontext nd associatedwith single eligious ractice.

2. Thefunctionf hedocuments asnotthat f practical ool freference.na broad sense t wassymbolic.

3. Between the first entury .c. and the thirdcentury .d. the writingproliferated,o that hetexts fthe atest eriodweremany imesonger han hoseofthefirstentury .c.

4. One element f thisproliferationas a growingmphasis n theactivityf

writingtself.

l0059,an. 12.This formulas alsofrequentlysed ater, speciallywith eferenceotheboyswhoservedt table t thefestival fDea Dia- seefor xample 13,May 20 ministranibus ueris atrimiset matrimisenator(um) ilis raetextatis(ui) s(upra)' ('with ons f enators,oyswhose athersndmothers ere till live, he ame s above'); though ere lso a contrastmaybe drawnwith he arlierstandardmodefor escribinghese oys.Note for xample 7,May 20 ministrantibusueris atrimiset matrimissdem uiXVI k(alendas) un(ias)' ('withboyswhose athersnd mothers ere till live,the same as on May 17,servingt table'). In the earlier ext, eferences made back to somethingoutside herecord May 17,a dayof theceremony);n the ater ntry eferences made (reflexively)backto another artofthe record tself.




These fourfeaturesogether orm distinctive hole;and theyprovide he

backgroundomy

discussionfxplanation

ndmy

ntroductionf omeompara-tivematerial.

Onexplanationsor expansionTwo explanations or hetendencyoexpansionn theArvalActaspring asily omind: irst,hat ur textsimplymirrorhehighlyhetoricalwordy' tyle fRomanofficial ocumentsn the ateempire; nd second, hatthe excessive roductionfwriting, ecording he minutest etails of Arval ceremonies,s related to theacademic,antiquariantone of late Roman paganism. n fact,neither f thesesuperficiallylausible xplanationss adequate,as I shallbrieflyhow.

Legal andimperial ocumentsof hefourthentury.d. arecommonlyeld tobe distinguishedyan excessive,lowerytyle.101hycannot hedevelopmentsn

the Arvalrecordbe seen as partofthegradual growth f thatamplestyle? hesimple nswer s that heproliferationfwritingntheArvalActa wasqualitativelydifferentrom hatregarded s characteristicffourthenturyfficialocuments.TheActa,as I haveshown, xpandedthroughhe nclusion fextradetails n theritual and organisation f the Brotherhoodnd on the processes f theirowncomposition.hey ncorporatedo marked hange n literarytyle. ate imperialofficialocuments,ycontrast,wed their normousength oa highflownhetoric,tothe ong ists f ynonymswhere reviouslyne wordwouldhave beenused),tothe employment f superlatives,rchaisms nd lengthyperiphrases. he twophenomenare, nmyview, uitedifferent.he expansionndetailntheArvalActacannotbe explainedbyreferenceo the xcessivehetorichoughto be characteristic

of the ateEmpire.102The phenomenonf ate paganism' rovides o more onvincingnswer otheproblems f the Arval Acta. There is on the surface similarity etweentheantiquariandetail included n the works f Macrobius and Servius nd variousfeatures fthe ate Arvalrecords.103ne might e temptedosuggest,or xample,that twasantiquariannterestn thepartofthepriestshat ed them orecordn218 the textof their rchaicand almost ncomprehensiblervalhymn.Yet, onreflexion,t seemsunwarranted oexplaintheexpansion four texts etween hefirstndthirdenturies.d. as simplynearly ign f he ntiquarianismupposedlycharacteristicfthefourthndfifthenturies.d. Besides he wkward isjunctionofdates,this xplanation xaggerates hechanges n pagan religionn the later

l01Thistyles clearly haracterisedyR. MacMullen,Traditio 8 (1962), 364-78,quoting omeclassicexamples.MacMullen's overallthesis s that thisobfuscatorytyle s to be linked to theincreasinglyemotend mystifyingormsfgovernmentn the ateEmpire.

IO2I ave used thephrasethoughto be characteristic1dvisedly. am farfromonvinced fthedramatic hange nstyle etween hefirstentury .c. and the ateEmpire hat susually ostulated.See (on these lines) M. Benner, The Emperor ays: studies n the hetoricaltylenedicts n the arly mpire(StudiaGraeca et LatinaGothoburgensia3,Gòteborg, 975) esp. theconclusion, . 191.

IO3See,or xample, heformulaeí evocadonddevotioreservednMacrobius, aturnalia, 9, 7-8and 10-11. The common uppositionere s thatwe are dealingwith n antiquarian agan revivalcentred n the o-called Circle ofSymmachus' see,H. Bloch n A. Momigliano ed), PaganismndChristianityn theFourth enturyOxford, 1963), 193-218.



146 MARY BEARD

empire.For, to oversimplifyomewhat,Roman paganismalways displayeda

stronglyantiquarian' ide,s far ackaswecan trace t.

Consider,or

xample,he

reformsfAugustus: herediscoveryf theLupercal,the revivalftheAuguriumSalutis and the Saecular Games.104 onsider lso thesurviving ragmentsf thewritingsfVarrò,particularlyisAntiquitateserum ivinarum}00hesegiveus ustas arcane and academic a view of Roman paganismas any of the literarycompilationsf hefourthndfifthenturies.d. Therewas no distinctivexplosionof eligiousntiquarianismnthe ateempire,ertainlyone ufficientoexplain hechangesn theArvalActa.106

Theseexplanations, owevernadequate, an neverthelesselpusinconsider-ing how the great expansion n the Arval Acta mightmostappropriately eexplained. et us thinkway,for hemoment,heparticularbjections have ustraised.Bothexplanationswouldstillremainunconvincing.or starting rom hepremisef ome upposed eneral haracteristicf ate Romanculture,hey implyfail ohittheir arget; hey ail hat s toexplain hedistinctiveharacteristicsf heArvalActa.Neither, or xample, ouldeasily ccountfor hegrowing endencyoself-referencen thedocuments. hey are too free-floatings explanations, otsufficientlyelated otheanalysis f the texts.

The close nalysis fthetexts annot,however,ccountfor verything.nlesswesuppose hat hewritingfour texts ookplace ncompleteulturalsolation,wecannotdenythe nfluencen their haracter fexternal actors.We cannot xpectthat n explanation ould be generated rom he texts lone.

Ourdifficulty'ies ndecidingwhichxternal actorshouldbeseen s influential

on theprecise haracter fthetexts,specially iven urveryhazy nformationntheArvalcult nd tsorganisationromnysource ther hantheActathemselves.No deductive xplanation or hedevelopmentsn theArvalrecordsever ikely obepossible. havedecided, herefore,oframemy inal uestionnvery road termsand to ask what ind f xplanation or hese evelopments ould seem atisfactory

104On ugustan rchaism,eeA. Wardman,ReligionndStatecraftmongheRomansSt. Albans,London etc. 1982),70-2.

l05Varro,ntiquitateserumivinarumed. Cardauns).Notethefollowingypical ragments:6,onthegods ddedto thepantheon yTitusTatius;51 on the ignificancef heheaddress f heFlamenDialis; 113,on theetymologyf thegoddessRumina. We should,however, ear in mindthat the

processof

excerptionf Varro's work

bylater authors

mayhave

emphasisedven furtherts

antiquarian lavour.106Myiewhere scompatiblewith hat fA. Cameron n Entretiensardt 3 (Ckristianismet ormes

littérairesans'antiquitéardivenOccident),-30,whodebunks he Circleof ymmachus'ndargues hattherewas noparticular aganantiquariancholastic raditiont the nd of hefourthentury. swithreligion,t seemsbetter o seeantiquarianisms an absolutelyraditional eature f iteraryulturenantiquity. herewere,for xample, earnedcommentariesn thepoemsofVirgilfrom lmost hemoment f their ompositionnotethe tudies fHyginusdieda.d. 17),Probus firstentury.d.),Q. CaeciliusEpirota firstentury.c./a.d.).The apparenteakof uchworksn ateantiquitymaybeexplainedby the fact that each laterscholarlywork,drawingon and improvinghe workofitspredecessors,ended oeclipse hose redecessors.he earlierworks hus ell utof he radition, hilethe ater nes survived to create n immediatempressionf concentrationf cholarly ctivitynlateantiquity.




and plausible.What would such an explanation ook like?The followingketchoffers

ustone view, timulated

ya distant

omparativease and

adducingone

feature f the cult organisation f theArvalsunderstandable utside the textsthemselves that s,the ocial status f theBrethren.

VIII. TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE DEVELOPMENTS INTHE ARVAL ACTA

The ncreasen ength f heArvalrecordmaywellbe related othegreater eedfeltbytheBrethren o validate' their itual ctivity,s morepriestsweredrawnfromcircles utside hehighest chelons f the traditionaltalian aristocracy,rom helower anks f the enate nd from hosewhoseoriginayin theprovinces. s the

rites f theBrotherhoodame to be performedncreasinglyymenwhose tatusnrelation o thetraditionaltate ultwai unclear, o also theneedto validate' theritualnwritingncreased. his at least sa reasonable uggestionnd is (as I shallshow)compatiblewith he ncient vidence or heArvalcultand with modelofdevelopmentttestednmuchmorerecentliterary'hanges.

The travel-writingfBritish isitors o taly nthe eventeenthnd eighteenthcenturiesisplays proliferationery imilar o thatwhich havedemonstratedntheArvalActa. Travellers fthe eventeenthentury haracteristicallyescribednonly few inesworks f rt to which heir ighteenthenturyounterpartsevotedpages.Thischange an,at least npart, e linked o the hangingocial tatus f he

travellers. ormost fthe aristocratic isitors f the eventeenthentury,ravel oItalywasmerelyneelementn a socialprestigehey lready ossessed. ormany fthevisitorsn theeighteenthentury,f omewhat ower ocialstatus, heir tay nItaly nd the ontactwith talian works f rtprovided ccessfor hefirstime o anew,higher,evelofprestige: encetheir reater eed to validate' nwritingheirpersonal xperiencesbroad,and hence thegradualproliferationf thetexts.107similar attern f hange and soperhaps similarmpetus ehind he hange)canbedetectedn thedevelopmentsftheArvalrecord, speciallyfweoptfor moreprecise unctionor hewritinghan he dmittedlyague symbolic' unction haveso fardiscussed.

'Symbolic'functionsmay seem to defyprecision.Yet in the case of the

inscribingfthe Roman bronze

egaldocuments,n that of the

compositionndpreservationfmonastichartersndnow nthe aseof eventeenthndeighteenthcentury nglish ravel iterature, e have seenwriting perating ymbolicallyo

107Aypical xample fthis roliferationan be found n twodescriptionsf the eilings fPietroda Gortona in the Pitti Palace. The first The Voyage o talyorA Compleat ourneyhroughtaly by R.Lassels,Gent,who Travelled hroughtalyFivetimes s Tutor to several ftheEnglishNobilityndGentry' London,1670) treats heceilingn less thanone smallpage (p. 181-2) and describes hepreciseayoutofonlyone scene that howing eleucus,Antiochus nd Stratonica).Bycontrast,heaccount of the parvenue Lady Miller {Letters rom taly, describingheManners, Customs,Antiquities,Paintings fthatCountry,n theYearsMDCCLXX andMDCCLXXI, London, 1776) devotes several pagesto work fPietro pp. 159-62) anddescribes ullyach scenedepicted. ee furtherppendix V.



148 MARY BEARD

'validate' theprocesses nderlyinghe text's roduction.108he bronze ablets, or

example,were not referredo for

egalinformation,ut

represented permanentembodiment f the law and ofthedemocratic rocesseswhichproduced t; thetravelwriting epresented symbolic uthenticationf the ourney o Italyand,with t, of the author'sclaims to a loftier ocial status. t is no more than areasonable onjecture; ut letus supposethat thesymbolic unction f the Arvalrecordwas similar.We can then asttheproblem f hedevelopmentf heActa nadifferentormnd asknot implywhy hey xpandedovertime, utwhy herewasan ever ncreasing eedto validateheritual ctivityf theBrethren.

The changingocial tatus f hepriests rovidesas inthe ase ofEnglish ravelliterature) plausible nswer ere. t is wellrecognizedhat heArvalpriestsnderAugustuswere menofthehighest istinction,ften rawn from he traditionalaristocraticamilies f Rome.109eavingaside theslight all n social status t the

end of thefirst entury,o expertlydentified y Syme,110 e can see a cleardifferenceythethird entury,hetime fgreatest roliferationftheArvalActa:manyArvals fthatperiod renotknown ohave heldanyother ost;manywereapparently fprovincial rigin.111n certainrespects hiscontrastmaybe moreapparent hanreal.Some menofthegreatest istinction ere tillmembersftheBrotherhood;112nd some of the unknowns'maybe explainedbyourinadequateinformationn the asti f fficeoldingnthe arly hird entury.113et t s hardtodeny hat here ad been some hiftnthe ocial status f theBrethren,s a group,and that hismight lausibly e related othe hange ncharacter f hedocuments.Major state priestsdrawn fromoutside the traditional trata of the Romanaristocracyoundtheirrelationshipo the traditional ultsof thecityofRome

uncertain;while at the same timepriestswhose originswere more and moredisparate ound heir ocial cohesion s a groupwas under train. oththese actorsunderlay hegreater erceivedneed to validate their itual ctivity and with tperhaps heir wncohesion)bywritingnd record-keeping.

108Forronze egaldocumentsnd charters,ee abovep. 140.109See he table in Scheid,LesfreresArvales,6-101. Note, forexample,such 'traditional'

aristocraticames sAp. ClaudiusPulcher,M. ValeriusMessallaGorvinus,aullusFabiusMaximus,L. Aemilius aullus.

110R. yme, SomeArvalBrethren,4-6.inFor ompleteunknowns'n the third entury,ote,for xample,T. Statilius ilianus, asdius

Aemilianus onoratianus,M. FlaviusAlpinus.Amongst rovincialsn theBrethren,oteM. JuliusGessiusBassus ofprobably yrian rigin) nd P. Aelius Coeranus ofEgyptian rigin).Of course,provincial ackgrounds no indicator f ackofdistinction;ndeedbythethird enturybout 50 percent fthe enatehad such ncestryseeK. Hopkins ndG. BurtonnK. Hopkins, eath ndRenewal(Cambridge, 983), 120-200, able3.15).

II2In addition to P. Aelius Coeranus (cited as a 'provincial' Arval, note 111 see also CIL XIV3586 = ILS 1158), note L. Caesonius Lucillus {CIL XIV 3902 = ILS 1186) and Cn. Catilius Severus,descendant ofthe famous second-century onsul (SHA, Alexander8, 1).

113See heconvenient table in K. Hopkins and G. Burton, oc. cit. (n. 111), table 3.1. Between 193and 235 theproportionofconsuls known in the historical recordfrom heprobable total ofall consulsappointed is about 65 per cent. This compares with about 99 per cent between 30 b.c. and a.d. 17 and93 per cent between 55 and 69.




Many othervariations n thistheme re possible: riteria therthan socialstatus

maybe

suggesteds determinantsfthe

expansionntheArvalActa. These

mightnclude hangesnthepositionf heArval ult nrelation o thewholerangeof traditional agan cultsofthecity; r evenchanges n the roleofthesenatorialorderfrom hich hepriests ere lways rawn) nthe ocial,political nd culturallife fRome. We cannot, s I havestressedefore, e certain. hope,however,hatby ketchingut onepossible xplanation f hepatternfdevelopmentf heArvalActa I have shownwhat orderfexplanationwe shouldhave in mind nd so alsohavefurtherlarified heproblem. hope also to have shownthat thechangingcharacter f thisgroupof nscriptionssuperficially,erhaps, limited pigraphicproblem) an be related o a rangeof ssues entral o ourunderstandingf thesociety,ulture,nd religion ftheprincipate.

Mary Beard

APPENDIX I: THE RECORD OF THE INDICTIO

The followingxtracts,xcerpted rom hefull exts f theArvalActa,provide conspectus fallrecordsf he eremonyiindictio.n thoseyearsn which he urvivingecords f he eremonyreveryfragmentary,havemerely oted his e.g. 193 Veryfragmentary5),ithoutncluding ull etails fthe ew ettersr words hat emain.n thoseyearswheremy ist ncludes o mentionf he ndictio,t stobe assumed hattherecordwhich nce existed o longer urvivesbutsee 110).

The conventionssed nthis nd the ollowingppendicesre the ame s those np. 121 Butnotein addition hatdoublesquarebrackets[ ]] areused to ndicatewords n the tonedeliberately

deleted ratherhan ostbyaccidental amage)and roundbrackets. . .) haveoccasionally een usedto enclosemyownexplanatorylosses dded to text r translations.For the sakeofspace I have notprovided translationfevery xtract, utonlyof some well

preservedepresentativexamples.

20 b.c. ]o P. Silio [co(n)s(ulibus)/ ma]g(isterio)Cn. PompeiQ. f. [sacrificiumeae Diaeindictum/(alendis)] un(iis) [domi,/(nte) d(iem) III n]on(as) Iun(ias) in [lucoetdomi,/pridien]on(as) Iun(ias) [domi./Adfuerunt ]n. PompeiusQ. f.,M. Corn[utus /M.MejssallaCorvinus

a.d. 21 Ti. Caesare IIII, Druso [CaesareII co(n)s(ulibus)]/II eid(us) Ian(uarias),/T. QuinctiusCrispin[us alerianus]/mag(ister)manibusfautis,apite]/ e[l]ato, ubdiv[o, ontra rien/t]em s]acrificiu[mndixit eae]/Diae:/quod bonumffaustum,elix, or]/tunatumq[ueit

p(opulo)R

ornano),Q(uiritibus), ratribus]/quervali[busTi. Caesari

Augu]/stoulia[eAugustae t iberis]/epotibufsotique omui orum/]acrific[iumeae Diae hoc annoerit/a(nte)] d(iem) V[

In theconsulshipfTiberiusCaesar,for hefourthime, nd Drusus Caesarfor he econdtime, nJanuary 1 TitusQuinctiusCrispinus alerianus, hemaster,withwashedhands,withveiledhead, ntheopenair,facing astproclaimedhe acrifice oDea Dia: may t begood, propitious,ortunatend successful or he RomanPeople,theQuirites, orTiberiusCaesarAugustus,or uliaAugusta nd for heir hildren,or heir randchildrenndfor hewholeof their ouse;the acrifice o Dea Dia thisyearwill be

38 q[uod faust]um ]/ Ger[m(anico) . . . so]rori[busq(ue)]/ mih[ique sacrijficiumn [luco domoque]/ C. C[aesa]ris Augusti



150 MARY BEARD

Germanicimagistri rit]:/ (nte) d(iem) VI k(alendas)Iunias [domi],/ (nte) d(iem) IIIIk(alendas) uniasin [lucoetdomi],/ (nte) d(iem) III k(alendas) unias [domi]./

Gaius,uncertain ate.Veryfragmentary.

43 Veryfragmentary.

58 [isde]m o(n)s(ulibus) II idus Ianua]r(ias) in[...?.. adstantibus. SalvioOthoneTitianomag(istro),/ . V]itellio,M. [AponioSaturnino ratribus ]rvalibus acrificium eae Diae[indixitM. Val]erius MfessallaGorvinus o(n)s(ul),/praeunteL Salvio OthoneTi]tianomag(istro):XVI k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi,X[IIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) i]n luco [et domi.XIII k(alendas) un(ias) domi./n collegio dfuerunt. Salv]iusOtho Titianusmag(ister),M. Valerius Messa]lla Corfvinus. . etc . ./ T. Sextiu]sAfricanus.

In the same consulship,nJanuary11 in ...?.. in thepresence f Lucius SalviusOthoTitianus, he

master,ulus

Vitellius,Marcus

Aponius aturninus,rval

Brethren,arcus

Valerius Messalla Corvinus,the onsul,proclaimed he sacrifice o Dea Dia, with LuciusSalviusOthoTitianus, hemaster, ictatingheformula:May 17,at home;May 19, n thegroveand at home;May 20, at home. Presentn thecollegewere Lucius Salvius OthoTitianus, hemaster,Marcus ValeriusMessallaCorvinus,heconsul . . etc. TitusSextiusAfricanus.

59 Isdemco(n)s(ulibus)pr(idie) idus Ianuar(ias)/ n Pantheoastantibus . CalpurnioL. f.Pisonemag(istro)/, . Vipstano Aproniano co(n)s(ule), L. Salvio Othone Titiano, M.AponioSaturn(ino)/,M. Valerio MessallaCorvino, ulpicioCamerino, . SextioAfricano,fratribus/rvalibus, acrificium eae Diae indixit L. CalpurniusL. f. Piso magister,praeeunte/. Salvio Othone Titiano n VI k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi et in IIII k(alendas)Iun(ias) inluco etdomi/ t n III k(alendas) uniasdomi./n conlegio dfueruntsdem uisupra criptiunt./

In the ameconsulship,nJanuary 2, nthePantheon,nthepresencefLuciusCalpurniusPiso, onofLucius, hemaster, aiusVipstanusApronianus,he onsul, ucius SalviusOthoTitianus,MarcusAponius aturninus, arcusValeriusCorvinus,ulpicius amerinus, itusSextiusAfricanus, rval Brethren, ucius CalpurniusPiso, son of Lucius, the master,proclaimedhe acrificeo Dea Dia, with uciusSalviusOtho Titianus ictatingheformula,forMay27athome, orMay29in thegrove nd athome nd forMay30 athome.Presentnthegrovewerethe amewhoare writtenbove.

60 Isdem o(n)s(ulibus) II idus anuar(ias)/ dstantibusulpicioCamerinomagistro,. SalvioOthoneTitiano,C. VipstanoAproniano

63 [is]dem o(n)s(ulibus) pri]die dus anuar(ias)/ inaedemCo]ncordiae acrificiumndixit/[Deae Diae/Q. Tillius]Sassiusmagister ollegifratrum rva/[liu]m omine, dhibitisQ.VolusioSatur/[ni]no, . SextioAfricano, . Salvio Othone/ Titiano] in VI k(alendas)Iun(ias) domi,/III k(alendas) un(ias) in uco etdomi,/II k(alendas) un(ias) domi./I]ncollegio adfuerunt . Tillius Sassius/mag(ister),Q. Volusius Saturninus, . Sextius/Africanus,. Salvius OthoTitianus./

In the ameconsulship,nJanuary 2, n the emple fConcord,QuintusTilliusSassius, hemaster fthe ollegeproclaimedhe acrifice o Dea Dia, inthename oftheArvalBrethren,havingsummonedQuintusVolusiusSaturninus, itus SextiusAfricanus,ucius SalviusOthoTitianus, or i.e. he proclaimedtfor)May 27 at home,May 29 in thegrove nd athome,May 30 at home.Presentn thecollegewereQuintusTilliusSassius,themaster,QuintusVolusius aturninus, itusSextiusAfricanus,uciusSalviusOthoTitianus.




Nero,uncertain ate L. Salvjio O[thoneTitiano/ acjrificiumn dictum/eae D]iae./XVIk(alendas) Iun(ias) dom[i],/XIIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) in luco et domi,/XIII k(alendas)

Iun(ias) domi./n colle[g]io dfuerunt/. SalviusOthoTitianus,/ . Vitellius, . Tillius/Sassius./

69 isdem co(n)s(ulibus)]VI i[dus Ian(uarias) in a]edemConcordiae,/sta[ntibus r]atrib[usArvalibus,mag(isterio) er.] Galbae imp(eratoris) aesaris/ Aug(usti),promag(istro) .S]al[vio OthoneT]itia[n]o [c]ollegifratrum rval(ium)/nominje facrificiumeae Diaeinjdictump]raeeunte . Maecio Postumo:/VI k(alendas)] un(ias) do[mi III k(alendas)Iun(ias)] in luco etdomi, II k(alendas) un(ias) domi./In collegijo dfueruntL. SalviusO]thoTitianus,Q. TilliusSassius, M. Rajecius Taurus, L. MaeciusP]ostumus./

75 Veryfragmentary.

78 Isdem o(n)s(ulibus)VI idus an(uarias) naedeConcordiae dstan/tibusratribusrvalibus

mag(isterio)C. Matidi

Patruini,promag(istro).

Veratio/Quadrato, collegifratrum

Arvalium acrificiumndictumDeae Diàe,/ praeunteL. Maecio Postumo, n diem VIk(alendas) un(ias) dom[i],/III k(alendas) uni(as) in uco etdomi, II k(alendas) un(ias)domi. n collegio dfuerunt/. VeratiusQuadratus,C. VipstanusApronianus, . MaeciusPostumus,/. IuniusTadius Mefitanus, .JuliusQuadratus.

In the ameconsulship,nJanuary , ntheTempleofConcord,n thepresencef heArvalBrethren,n the mastership f Caius Matidius Patruinus,while Lucius Veratius waspromaster,he acrificef he ollege fArvalBrethren asproclaimed, ith uciusMaeciusPatruinus ictatingheformula,orMay 27 athome, orMay 29 inthegrove nd athome,forMay30 at home.Presentnthe ollegewereLuciusVeratiusQuadratus,CaiusVipstanusApronianus,Lucius Maecius Postumus,Caius Iunis Tadius Mefitanus,Aulus JuliusQuadratus.

86 id]us anuar(ias) inaedemConcordiae stantibus ratribusrva/[libus]magisterio/[imp(eratoris)]Caesaris Domitiani Aug(usti) Germanici,promag(istro)L. VeratioQuadra[to, collegi]/fratrumArvalium acrumindictumDeae Diae per L. Veratium[Quadratum]/ romag(istrum),raeeunteQ. Tillio Sassio, n diemVI k(alendas) Iuniasdomi, III k(alendas) [Iun(ias)]/ n luco etdomi, II k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi. n collegioadfuerunt . Veratius/Quadratus promag(ister), . VenuleiusApronianus,A. JuliusQuadratus,C. Salvius/ iberalisNoniusBassus,Q. TilliusSassius,P. Sallustius laesus./

87 ]I idus Ian(uarias), in pronaoaedis Concordiaequae e[st prope/ emplu]mdiviVespasiani/C. Salvius]LiberalisNoniusBassus rater rvalis, uiv[ice uli/ ila]ni magistrifungebatur,dstantibus ratrib[us rvali/busac]rificiumeae Diae in hunc annum sicindixit:/ quod bo]num, faustum, ausftum] sic) felix,fortunatumalutarfequesit]imp(eratori)/ Caes]ari Domitiano Au[g(usto) Germanico pontif(ici)max(imo) et

Domfitiae A]ug(ustae)/ [cohi]ugieius et

Iul[iae Aug(ustae) totiq]uedomui eorum

po[puloqueRomano],/Quiritibus ratfribusquervalibus]mihiquesacrfificium eae]/Diae eritXVI k(alendas) un(ias) [domi,XIIII k(alendas) u]n(ias) in luco et [domiXIIIk(alendas) un(ias)]/domi. n collegio dfue[runt . Salvius] Liberaflis oniusBas]sus,/ .VeratiusQuadratus,L. Mae[ciusPostumus, . I]uliu[s Quadratus,P.]/Sallustius laesus./

Fortranslation,eep. 124

89 Isdemco(n)s(ulibus)VI idus Ianuar(ias),/ n pronavoaedis Concordiae fratres rvalessa[crificium]/eae Diae indixeruntVI ¿(alendas) Iun(ias) domiaput[magistros],/IIIIk(alendas) un(ias) in uco et domi d magistros,III k(alendas) u[nias domi]./n collegiointerfuerunt. IuliusQuadra[tus, ]/P. Sallustius laesus,Q. TilliusSasius sic)[ ]/



152 MARY BEARD

90 magisterioP. SallustiBlaesi11/ inpronaoaedisConcordiae, . Sallustiùs laesusmagister ratrum]Arvaliummanibuslautis, velato capite, sub divo, culmine,contra

orientem,Deae/ [Diae cum collegissacríficiumndixit:quod bonum, faustum, elix,fortunatumalutareque it mp(eratori) aesajríDomitianoÁug(usto)Germanico ontificimáximo t DomitiaeAug(ustae) coniugi ius/ totiquedomui eorumpopuloqueRomano,Quiritibus, ratribusque] rvalibusmihique, acrificium eae Diae hoc anno erita(nte)d(iem)Vili k(alendas) un(ias) domi/a(nte) d(iem)VI k(alendas) un(ias) in uco etdomi,a(nte) d(iem) V k( lendas) Iun(ias) domi]. In collegio dfuerunt . Sallustiùs laesus,L.MaeciusPostumus, . TilliusSassius./

91 Isdem co(n)s(ulibus)VII idus Ianuar(ias)/ n pronao aedis Concordiae fratres rvales/sacrificium eae Diae indixerunt/agisterio. Vera iQuadrati.In pronaoaedisConcor/diae L. VeratiusQuadratus magister ratrum rvalium/manibus autis,velatocapite, ubdivo, columine, ontraori/entem,eae Diae cum collegis acrificiumndixerunt:/uodbonumfaustum elix ortunatumalutareque it/mp(eratori) aesari DomitianoAug(usto)Germanico

ontif(ici)maxsimo %

Domitiae/Augustae oniugiius

totiquedomui

eorum,populoRomano,/ uiritibus,raribus rvalibusmihique;/acrificiumeae Diae hoc annoerit (nte) d(iem)XVI k(alendas) un(ias) domo, (nte) d(iem)XIIII k( lendas)Iunias nluco et domo, a(nte) d(iem) XIII k alendas) Iun(ias) domo./Adfueruntn collegioL.VeratiusQuadratus,L. MaeciusPos/tumus,. Tillius Sassius.

In thesameconsulship,nJanuary , in theportico f thetemple fConcord, heArvalBrethren roclaimedthe sacrifice o Dea Dia, in the mastership f Lucius VeratiusQuadratus. n theportico fthetemple fConcord, ucius VeratiusQuadratus, hemasterof the ArvalBrethren, ithwashedhands,withveiledhead, in theopenair,beneaththegable,facing ast,withhiscolleagues, roclaimedhe acrifice o Dea Dia: May it be good,propitious,ortunate,uccessful nd salutary ortheemperorCaesar DomitianAugustusGermanicus,ontifex aximus,nd for omitiaAugusta, iswife,nd for hewhole f heirhouse,forthe Roman people,theQuirites, nd forthe Arval Brethren nd forme; the

sacrificeoDea Dia this earwillbeMay 1 athome,May 19 n thegrove nd athome,May20 at home. Present n the collegewere Lucius VeratiusQuadratus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus, uintusTilliusSassius.

101 [isdem] consu[libusVII idus] Ianuar(ias)/ n pronafo edis Concordi]ae ffratresrvalessacrificiu]meae Diae indixerunt,bique/Ti. Claudius [Sacerdos] Iuflianusmag(ister)fratr(um) rval(ium)manibus aujtis,velatocapite,sub diu, cui/mine,ontraor[ientemsacrifi]ci[umeae Diae cumcolle]gis [ndixit]: uod bo[n]umfaus/tumelix ortunatumsa[l]utare[que it ]mp(eratori) faesariNervaeTraiano]Aug(usto)Germ(anico) totique]/domui eius,populoRomano,Quint i]bus,fra ribus Arvalibus; acrificium] eae [Diaehoc]/ nnoeritXVI k(alendas) uniasdomi, ntediemXIIII k(alendas) un(ias) i[n luco etdomi,ante diemXI]II k(alendas) Iun(ias) d[omi.Ad]/fueruntn colleg(io)Ti. ClaudiusSa[ce]rdos ulianus,Ti. Iu[liusCandidusMariu]sCelsus,C. Ca[ecilius]/ trabo,L. IuliusMarinus Caecilius

Simplex,M.

Valerius Tre]biciusDecianus,

Q?Fulvius

Gillo]/Bittius

Proculus, . Salvius Liber] lisNoniusBassus,L. MaeciusPostumus,Ti.] CatiusCa[esiusFronto]./

105 [i]sd[em o(n)s(ulibus)V]II idus an(uarias)/ inpronao edisConc]ordiaefratres rvalessa/[crumDeae Diae i]ndixerunt,bique/[M. ValeriusTrebici]usDecianus mag(ister)manifbus/autis, apitevel]ato, ubdivo,culmi[ne, ontra/rientem umcolleg]i[sDeaeDiae sacrificium/ndixerunt ic in hunc annjum:/ quod bonu[m faustum felixfortu]natum[q(ue) it]/ mp(eratori)Caesari Nerv[ae Traiano] Aug(usto) Germ(anico)Dae (ico) [totiq(ue)]/ omui iusp(opulo)R ornano),Q(uiritibus), ratribusquervalibus)[sacrificium]/eae Diae hoc annoerit ntediem XVI k(alendas) uni]asd[omi]/ ntediemXIV k(alendas) unias n uco etdom[i nte]diemXIII k(alendas) un(ias) domi.Adfueruntin colleg(io)M. V[aler]ius/ rebiciusDecianus,Ti. IuliusCandidusMafriusCelsus],/ .




AntiusA. IuliusQuadratus, . Maec[iusPostumus,i.]/ uliusCandidus,Ti. CatiusCaesius[Fronto, . Caecilius]/ trabfo],Q. Fulvi[usGillo] Bittfius roculus]./

110 Not recorded.

111 Isdem co(n)s(ulibus) ... id(us) Ian(uarias)]/ npronao aedisConcordiae ratres rvajlessacrificium[eae Diae ]/ laut[is,velatocapite sub divo culmine ]ontraorientem[ ] :/ quod bonum faustu[mfelix fortunatum alutarejque sit Imp(eratori)Ca[es(ari) ]/ fratribusqueA[rvalibus; sacrificiumDea]e Diae hoc ann[oerit ]/XIII k(alendas) un domi.AfdfueruntncollegioTi. IuljiusCandidus[Caecilius ]/Decianus,Ti. IulifusCandidus ]

117 [isdemco(n)s(ulibus)] III idus Ianuar(ias)/ [in pronaoaedis Concordiae fratres rvalessacrum eae Diae indix]erunt,biqueP.Metilius ecundusmagister anibusau[t]is, capitevelato, ubdivo,/ulmine,ontra rfentem,umcollegis eae Diae sacrificiumndixit:/uodbonum faustum elix

ortunatumqueit

imp(eratori)Caesari Nervae Traiano

Aug(usto)Germ(anico)] Dacico Parthico totique domui e[ius pojpulo Rom[ano, Quiritibus,fratribusque/rvalibus: acrificium eae Diae hoc anno erit nted(iem) XVI k alendas)Iun(ias) domi,anted(iem) XIIII k(alendas)easdem n luco et] domiant[e d(iem) XIIIk(alendas) ea]sdem domi. Adfueruntin] collegio P. [MetiliusSecundusmag(ister),/

M. ValeriusTrebiciusDec]ianus,L. AntoniusAlbus, Q. FulviusGill]o BittiusProculus./

Trajan,uncertain ate.Veryfragmentary.

118 Isdem o(n)s(ulibus)VII id us) Ian(uarias)/ npronao edis Concordiae d sacrificiumeaeDiae indi/cendumratres rvales onvenerunt,bique M. V[alerius]/TrebiciusDecianusmagistermanibusautis, velato]/apite, ubdivo, ulmine,ontra rientem,u[mcollegis]/suis ndixit: uod bonumfaustumel[ix ortu]/natumalutareque it/mp(eratori)Caesari

divi Traiani Parthici filio divi Ner[vae nep(oti)]/Traiano Hadriano Augusto totiquedom[ui]/ iuspopuloRomano,Quiritibus,ratribusr vali]/bus; acrificiumeae Diae hocanno erit ntediem/VI k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi,ante diemIIII k( lendas) Iun(ias) in[lu]co et domi,/ nte diemIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi consummabitur.A]dfuerunt/ncollegioM. ValeriusTrebicius ecianusmag(ister),/i. Iulius CandidusCaeciliusSimplex,Ti. Iulius Candi dus],/ . Antonius lbus,P. Metilius ecundus./

In thesameconsulship,nJanuary , in theportico f thetemple fConcord, he ArvalBrethrenssembled oproclaimhe acrificeo Dea Dia and thereMarcusValeriusTrebiciusDecianus, hemaster, ithwashedhands,with eiledhead, nthe pen ir,beneath hegable,facing ast,withhiscolleagues, roclaimed:May it begood,propitious,ortunate,uccessfuland salutary or heemperor aesar Trajan HadrianAugustus,on of the deified rajanParthicus,randson f thedeifiedNerva,pontifexmaximus,nd for hewholeofhishouse,for heRoman

people,he

Quirites,nd for heArvalBrethren;he acrificeo Dea Dia this

yearwillbeMay27athome,May29 inthegrove nd athome,May30 itwillbecompletedathome.Presentnthe ollegewereMarcusValerius rebicius ecianusthemaster, iberiusIulius Candidus CaeciliusSimplex,Tiberius ulius Candi dus], Lucius AntoniusAlbus,PubliusMetilius ecundus.

120 Isdem co(n)s(ulibus)VII idus Ian(uarias)/in pronao aedis Concordiae ad sacrificiumindicendum eae Diae fratres rvalesconvenerunt,ibique]/C. VitoriusHosidiusGetamag(ister)manibusautis, elatocapite, ubdivo,culmine ontra rientem,cum]/ ollegissuis ndixit:/uod bonum austum elix ortunatumalutareque it mp era ori)CaesaridiviTraiani Parthicif(ilio) divi [Nervae]/nepotiTraiano Hadriano Aug(usto) pont(ifici)max imo) totique omuieius,populoRomano,Quiritibus,ratribusque/rvalibus; acrifi-cium Deae Diae hoc anno erit ante diem VI k(alendas) Iun(ias) domi,ante diem IIII



154 MARY BEARD

k(alendas) un(ias) in ucoetdomi, ntediem II k(alendas) un(ias) domiconsummabitur.Adfueruntncollegio . Vitorius osidiusGetamagist(er),M./ValeriusTrebicius ecianus,

Ti. Iulius Candidus CaeciliusSimplex, i. IuliusCandidus,L. Antonius lbus./

122 [isdemco(n)s(ulibus)VII idus Ianuar(ias) in/pronao] aedis Concordiae ad [sacrificiumindice] dum Deae Dia[e] fratresArvalesconvenerunt,bique/P. Corn]eliusGeminusmag(ister)mafnibusautis, elat]ocapite, ubdivo,culmine,contra rientem,umcollegissuis ndixit:/uod bonu]mfaustum elix ort[unatumalutareq]ue it mp(eratori)Caesari[diviTraiani Parthici (ilio)diviNervae/nepotiTr]aiano HadrianoAug(usto) [pontificimáximo,patri pa]t(riae) totiquedomui ei[us populo Romano Quiritibus, ratribusque/Ar]valibus: acrificium ea [Di]ae [hoc anno erit ntediem]VI k(alendas) Iun(ias) domia[nte/ iem III k(alendas) un(ias) in uco etdomi, ntedi]em II k(alendas) un(ias) domiconsummabitur. fdfueruntn collegio P. Go]rneliusGeminus,[ M. Valerius/Iu]nianus,C. VitoriusHosidiusGeta, [ ]./

139[Isdem co(n)s(ulibus)

VII idus) Ian(uarias)/]

npronao

aedis ConcordiaefratresArvalessacrificiumeae Diae indixerur^i.i. Iulius]/ andiduspromag(ister) anibusau[tis, elato

capi]t[e, ubdivo, olumine,ontra rientem]/acrificiumeae Diae cumcollegfisndixit]:/quod bonumfaustum elix ortufnatumalutareque it mp(eratori) aes(ari) diviHadrianifilio/ivi]Traianinepotidivi Nervaepron(epoti) T. Aelio HadrianoAntoninoAug(usto)Pio,p(ontifici)m(aximo),/rib(unicia) ot(estate)] o(n)s(uli) II, p(atri) p(atriae),principiparentiq(ue), (enatui) [p(opulo) R(omano), Q(uiritibus)fratrib(us)/ rval(ibus): acrifi-ciumDeae Diae hocannoerit/(nte) d(iem)XVI k(alendas) un(ias)] domi, (nte) d(iem)XIIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) in luc[o etdomi,a(nte) d(iem) XIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) domiconsummabitur.dfueruntncollegio ]

145 Isdem co(n)s(ulibus) [VII idus Ianuarias/ n pronao aedis] Concordiae fratres rvalessacri[ficiumeae Diae indixerunt,biqueTi. Licinius]Cassius/Cassia]nus promag(ister)manibus autis, elatocapite, [ubdivo,columine, ontra rientem,acrificiumea] e Diae

cum/ [col]legissuis indixit:/quod] bonum faustumfelix fortunatumalutarequesitImp(eratori) a[esaridiviHadrianifilio iviTraianinepoti ivi]Nervae/ ronepoti . AelioHadriano AntoninoAugustoPio pontif(ici)mafximo, rib(unicia) otest(ate)VIII co(n)-s(uli) IIII imp(eratori)I patri patriae princjipi/ arentiquenostro, t M. Aelio AurelioCaesarifilio, t ceterisliberis otique omui iuset senatui opuloque]/RomanoQuiritibusfratribusquervalibus:/acrificiumeae Diae hoc anno erit ante diemXVI k alendas)Iun(ias) domi, ante di[em XIV k(alendas) Iun(ias) in luco et domi, ante diem XIIIk( lendas)]/ Iun(ias) domi consummabitur. dfueruntn collegioTi. Licinius CassiusCa[ssianuspromag(ister)]/. Fabius ulianusHeracleoOptatianus,M. ValeriusHomullus,Ti. IuliusCandid usCaeciliusSimplex]./

155 Isdem co(n)s(ulibus)VII idus Ian(uarias)/in pronao aedis Concordiae fratres rvalessacrificiu[m eae]/ Diae indixerunt,bique C. IuliusM[a]ximus promag(istro)manibus

[lautis],/elato

capite,ub

dio, cuflmine, ontr]aorientem,acrificfiumeae

Diae]cum

collegis uis nfdixit]:/uod bonumfaustumfelix ortunatumque]it mp(eratori)Caesafridivi Hadriani filio]/ ivi Traiani nepoti [divi Nervae pro]nepotiT. Ael[io HadrianoAntonino]/ ug(usto)Piop(atri)p(atriae) pontifici ax[imo ribunic(ia) ot(estate)XVIIIco(n)s(uli) IIII imp(eratori)I]/ etM. Aelio AurelioCaesa[rifilio otique omuieorum tsenatui, opu]loRomano,Quiritibus,ratribus rvalibus:acrificiumeae Diae hocanno]/erit (nte)d(iem)XVI k(alendas) un(ias) domi, n te)d(iem) [XIIII k alendas)easd(em)in ucoetdomi, (nte) d(iem)XIII k(alendas) eas(dem)domicon]/summabitur.dfueruntC. [IuliusMaximuspromag(ister),i. ClaudiusAgrippi]nus, . Valerius unianus./

In thesameconsulship,nJanuary , in theportico f thetemple fConcord, heArvalBrethren roclaimedthe sacrifice o Dea Dia. And there GaiusJuliusMaximus, thepromaster, ithwashedhands,withveiledhead, n theopenair,beneath hegable,facing




eastproclaimed hesacrificeo Dea Dia withhiscolleagues:May it be good,propitious,fortunatend successfulor heEmperor aesar, on ofthedeified adrian,grandsonfthe

deifiedTrajan, great grandson f thedeifiedNerva,Titus Aelius Hadrianus AntoninusAugustusPius, father f his country, ontifexmaximus, n the eighteenth ear of histribunician ower,consul fourtimes, wice hailed imperator,nd for Marcus AureliusCaesar,his on, nd for hewhole f heir ouse nd for he enate, or heRomanpeople, heQuirites, or heArvalBrethren;he acrifice oDea Dia thisyearwill be May 1 at home,May 19 nthegrove ndat home,May20 itwillbe completedthome.PresentwereCaiusIulius Maximuspromaster,iberiusClaudiusAgrippinus, arcus Valerius unianus.

Antoninus ius,uncertain ate.Veryfragmentary.

MarcusAurelius, ncertain ate.Veryfragmentary.

MarcusAurelius, ncertain ate.Veryfragmentary.

183 Isdem[co(n)s(ulibus)]VII idus Ianuar(i¿s)/ n pronao[ae]dis Concordiaefratres rvalessacrificiumeae Diae/ indixferunt],bique Q. LiciniusNepos mag(ister)velato capite,contra ri/entem,sub]divo,columine: uod bonumfaustum elix ortunatumalu/tarequesit mp(eratori)Caes(ari) M. Aurelio [Commodo]]AntoninoAug(usto)Pio Sarmat(ico)/Germ(anico)máximop(ontifici)m(aximo), p(atri) p(atriae), co(n)s(uli) IIII, óptimomaximoque rincipi, iviM. Anto/niniil(io), iviAntonini epoti, iviHadrianipronepoti,diviTraiani/Parthici bnepoti,diviNervaeabnepoti sic), senutui, (opulo) R ornano),Q(uiritibus), ratribusquerva/libus,acrificium eae Diae hoc anno erit nte diem XVIkal(endas) Iunias/Romae, ante diemXIIII k(alendas) Iun(ias) in luco et domi,XIIIk(alendas) Iun(ias) consummabitur/omi. Adfueruntn coll(egio) Q. LiciniusNeposmag(ister), n. Catilius everus,/ . UlpiusAstius r(aetor),M. Antoniusuvenis.

186 [i]sdem o(n)s(ulibus) VII id(us) Ian(uarias)/npronao edisConcordiae ratresrv]al(es)

sacrific(ium)eae Diae infdixerunt,bique/ . FI. Sulpicianus romag(ister),elato]capite,contra orientem, [ub divo, columine:/quod bonum faustum felix fort]unat(um)salutareq(ue)sit Imp(eratori)Caes(ari) M. A[urelioCommodo/AntoninoAug(usto) PioSarm(atico) Germ(anico)max(imo)p(ontifici)m(aximo)]p(atri) p(atriae),co(n)s(uli) V,óptimomaximoq(ue)princ[ipi ivi/Marci Antonini (ilio), iviAnt]on(ini)Piinepoti, iviHadriani profnepoti, ivi Traiani Parthici bnepo]t(i), divi Nervae adnepoti,senatui,p(opulo) R ornano),Q(uiritibus), fratrisbusque/rvalibus; acrificium] eae Diae hocanno erit ntediemVI k(alendas) un(ias) [Romae,/ nte diem III k(alendas) un(ias) i]nluco etdomi, II k(alendas) un(ias) consumm(abitur)omi.Ad[fuerunt/ncollegioT. Fl.Sulpici]anus romag(ister), . ArriusAntoninus, . Anto[nius uvenis]./

193 Veryfragmentary.

231 VII idus [Ianuar(ias)/ n pronaoaedi]s Concordiaefratres rvales onveneruntd indi-cendumsacrificiumeae Diae inXVI, XIIII, XIII kal(endas) un(ias). Adfuerunt. Por/cius Priscusm]ag(ister),P. Ael. Secundinus,M. Saenius Donatus, C. Annius Percen-nian[us ]./

AlexanderSeverus,uncertaindate mag(ister)sacrificium eae Diae cum fratribus]Arval(ibus) in]dic(it): [uod bonum austum/elix ortunatumalutareque it mp(eratori)Caes(ari) M. Aur(elio) Seve]ro Alexandro Aug(usto) p(ontifici)m(aximo) trib(unicia)pot(estate). . ./ co(n)s(uli). p(atri) p(atriae) proco(n)s(uli),divi Magni Ant]oniniP(ii)f(ilio),divi S everinep(oti),et/ uliae MammaeaeAugustaem]atr(i) Aug(usti)n ostri) tcas[trorum t senatus/et patriae, totique d(omus) eorum, s(enatui) p(opulo)q(ue)R ornano), Q(uiritibus),fratribusquervalibus: acrificium eae Diae h]oc anno eritan(te) d(iem) [. . .k alendas) Iun(ias)/domi,anted(iem) . . .] k(alendas) Iun(ias) luco etd[omi, nted(iem) . ./k(alendas) un(ias) domi. Adfuerunttc ]



156 MARY BEARD

239 [isdem o(n)s(ulibus) . .idus Ian(uarias)/ fratresrvalesnaedeConcor] iaecon eneruntad indi/[cendumacrificiume]ae Diae inXVI, XIIII, XIII k(alendas)Iun./ Adfuerunt

Imp(erator)Caes(ar) M. AntoniusGordianusPius] FelixAug(ustus)mag(ister) oll(egii)fratr(um)/Arvalium /P. AeliusCojeranus,T. GaesoniusLu/[cillus L.Fabius Fojrtunatus Victorinus/ in ere] ras voces adclamav(erunt)/t ]•

In the ameconsulship,nJanuary ,theArvalBrethrenssemblednthe emple fConcordtoproclaim he acrifice o Dea Dia forMay 17, 19,20. Presentwere theEmperorCaesarMarcus AntoniusGordianusPius Felix Augustus,master f the collegeofArvalBreth-ren Publius Aelius Coeranus,Titus Caesonius Lucillus, Lucius FabiusFortunatus ictorinus they houted ut withmany voice.

240 [VettioSabino II ...... Venusto o(n)s(ulibu)s,/ II idus Ian(uarias)/fratres rvales ntepronaum edis Concordiae onve]ner(unt)/ad indicendumacrificiume]ae Diae inVI,IIII,

[III Kal(endas)Iun

ias)./,dfuerunt. Fortunatus ictorinus

r]omag(istro)iceFl.

Luciliani/ mag(istri) }[[ ]]tus pr(aetor),C. Ann(ius) Percen/panus aesoniusLucijllus:edictoperlecto aus(t)e tcreb/[risocibus dcjlamaverunt./

APPENDIX II: THE RECORD OF THE FIRST DAY OF DEA DIAFESTIVAL

The followingist ncludes ll notices excerpted rom he full exts) f the first ay of the Dea DiaFestival p to 105. n thoseyears nwhichnorecord orother omment)s listed,t s tobe assumedthat the relevant ection f theArval texthas notsurvived; y contrast he notice Not recorded'indicates hat the relevant ection f the Acta is fully reserved, ut thatthisceremonywas notdescribed.

I have appended o the main istthe record f218,as an exampleofthecharacter f the aterdocumentsn the equence.

21 b.c. Veryfragmentary,utprobably ecorded.

a.d. 14 Not recorded.

38 a(nte) d(iem) VI [k(alendas)] Iunias/C. CaesarAugustusGerma[ni]cusmagister ollegiifratru[m rvalium]/ndomo su a q]uae fuit i. [Cajesarisavi sub diu in ara sac[rificium]/Deae Diae c[oncepi]t./AdfueruntM. FfuriusC]ami[llus],Appius Iunius Silanus,Cn.D[omitius]/Ahenobarbus, Pauljlus Fabiu[s Persijcus, C. Caecina Largus, TaurufsStatilius]/ orvinus, . AnniusVinicianus,C. CJalpurniusiso./

On May 27,Caius CaesarAugustus ermanicus,master fthe ollege fArvalBrethren,n

hispalace,which elonged o TiberiusCaesar,hisgrandfather,n the penair,celebrated nan altar the sacrifice o Dea Dia. Presentwere Marcus FuriusCamillus,Appius IuniusSilanus,Cnaeus DomitiusAhenobarbus, aullus Fabius Persicus,Caius Caecina Largus,Taurus Statilius orvinus, uciusAnniusVinicianus, aius Calpurnius iso.

40 Not recorded.

53 Notrecorded.

59 Not recorded.

66 Not recorded.




69 Not recorded.

72 Notrecorded.81 Ti. Iulio Montano,L. VettioPaullo co(n)s(ulibus)XVI k(alendas) Iun(ias) magisterio .

Iuni Mefitani/ollegifratrum rvalium acrificium,uod conceptum st, n domo Iuni/Mefitani ermagistrumtceterosacerdotes;tem terum pulantes d/magistrum,uerisingenuisenatorumiliis atrimismatrimis inis/trantibusure tvino, eferentibusd araminpataris/

In the onsulshipfTiberius uniusMontanus nd Lucius Vettius aullus, nMay 17, nthemastershipf GaiusJuniusMefitanus,he sacrifice f thecollegeofArvalBrethren, hichhad beenformallynnounced was carried ut) in the houseofIuniusMefitanus, y themaster ndother riests;hennext eastingtthehouse f hemaster, ith reebornoys, hesons f enators, hose athersndmothers ere till live,making fferingsith ncense ndwine,

akingt to the altar n libation ¿lishes.

87 Not recorded.

89 Not recorded.

90 co(n)s(ulibus),ma]gisterio. SallustiBlaesi I, Vili k(alendas) unias/ indomoP.Sallusti laesimag(istri)I fratres rvales iscumbejntesacrificiumecerunt eae Diae tureet vino; pueri senatorum ilipatrimi/matrimi raetextati um publicisad aram ret-tulerunt]./

In theconsulship f , in themastershipf Publius SallustiusBlaesus for hesecondtime, n May 25, in thehouseofPublius allustius laesus,master or he econd ime, heArvalBrethren,ecliningtdinner, erformedsacrifice ithncense ndwine.Boys, he ons

of enators, hosefathersnd mothers ere till live,wearing ogaewith purpleborder,took ttothealtar.

105 C. Iulio Basso [Cn. AfrjanioDextroco[(n)s(ulibus)/XVI k(alendas)] Iun(ias),/ n domoaputM. [ValeriumTrebicium ecijanum mag(istrum) frjatres r/valesacrififciumeaeDiae ture] inofecerunt,bique/ iscumbentestoralibus egmenta]is sa]crificiumure/inofecerun[t.ueripatrimimatrimi rae]textatiumpu/blicisd ara[mrettuleruntorneliusDola]bellaVerania/[nus ], D. Valer ius Valeriu]sCatullusMes[sallinu]s, .Vin[ spo]rtulis enatum/ est denaris centenis. n colleg(io)] adfueruntM.Valerius rebicfius ecianus,L. Maecius/ ]ostumus, i. IuliusCandidusMfarius elsus, .Metilius/ ab]inus Nepos,Ti. Iulius Candidus,Q. Fulvius[Gillo Bittius]/ roculus,Ti.Catius CaesiusFronto, . AntiusA. Iulius[Qua]/dratus, . CaeciliusStrabo./

In the onsulshipfCaius IuliusBassus ndCnaeusAfraniusexter, nMay 17, nthehouseofMarcusValeriusTrebicius ecianus, hemaster,heArvalBrethrenerformedsacrificeto Dea Dia with ncense ndwine; nd there ecliningt dinner n decorated ouchcovers,they erformed sacrifice ith ncense nd wine.Boyswhosefathersnd mothers ere tillalive,wearing ogaewith purpleborder, longwith hepublic laves, ook tto thealtar,Cornelius olabella Veranianus , DecimusValerius , ValeriusCatullusMessallinus, itusVin Theydinedona sportulaf hundred enariieach. Present n thecollegewereMarcusValerius TrebiciusDecianus,Lucius MaeciusPostumus, iberius uliusCandidusMariusCelsus, ubliusMetilius abinusNepos,TiberiusIuliusCandidus,Quintas Fulvius Gillo Bittius roculus,Tiberius Catius Caesius Fronto,Caius AntiusAulus uliusQuadratus,Caius CaeciliusStrabo.



158 MARY BEARD

218 [isdemco(n)s(ulibus) VI kal(endas) Iun(ias) in Palatio in] divor(um)per AlfeniumAvitianumromag(istrum)ratr(es) rv(ales)prima/ luceture t vinofeceruntt]frug(es)

aridas) etvirid(es) on igerunt) et panes aureatos, t Deam Diam/[unguentaverunt,tfratres rv]al(es) cathedris onsederunt) traetextatisic for raetextati)t ibi praetextasdeposuerunt/AlfeniusAvitianusprom]g is er), Catil(ius) Severus,Statil(ius)Silianus,Sulpic(ius) Pollio, Fl(avius) Archelaus,Armenius/ Peregrinus, ]us Fl(avius)Alpinus. tem postmerid(iem) balneo cathedris onsederunt; einde/ manibus autisc]enatoria lba sumpser(unt)t ntricliniarib(us)iscubuer(unt)tepulati unt. tempueri/[praetextati at]rimiet matrimi enator(um)filin(umero) IIII in cathedius sic forcathedris)onsederunttepulati unt./Fratres r] ales tost pulap sic for ost pulas)upertoralibusegmentatisiscubuer(unt)tt(ure)v(ino) f(ecerunt)tper pueros raetext(atos)/[senat]orumilios tpublic(os)af sic for d) arampertul(erunt)tunguent(a) t coronasacceperuntt nmantelis/pulm]enta (ur)s(us) contigerunt.tem mensa ecundabellario-r(um) divisa est,et sportulas cceper(unt)sacerdotes/mp(eratoris)Aug(usti)et ceterisacerdotes (ui) s(upra) s(cripti) (unt) et rosa(m) soluta(m) diviser(unt),bique felic(ia)

dixer(unt).In the ame onsulship,nMay27,on thePalatine n the emple f heDivi,through lfeniusAvitianus,hepromaster,heArvalBrethren,tfirstight erformedsacrifice ith ncenseandwine ndconsecratedbytouching) arched orn ndgreen orn nd breaddeckedwithlaurel nd anointeda statue f)Dea Dia and theArvalBrethrenat down nchairs,wearingtheir ogaewith purpleborder nd then hey utaside their ogaewith purpleborderAlfenius vitianus romaster,atiliusSeverus, tatilius ilianus,SulpiciusPollio,FlaviusArchelaus,ArmeniusPeregrinus, us, Flavius Alpinus.Then aftermidday,followingbath, hey at down nchairs; hereupon,avingwashed heir ands, hey utontheirwhite inner ress ndthey eclined n the overingf he ouches nd feasted. ikewiseboyswearing hetogawith purpleborder,whosefathersnd mothers ere till live,thesons f enators,our nnumber,atdown n chairs nd feasted. he ArvalBrethren,fter hefeast,eclined ndecorated ouch oversndthey erformedlibationwithncensendwine

andthey onveyedtto the ltar hroughheboys,wearing heir ogaewith purpleborder,the onsof enators,nd throughhepublic laves nd they eceived erfumesndwreathesandthey gainconsecratedbytouching) ortionsffoodnnapkins. hen the econd ourseofdessert as distributedndthepriestsfEmperorAugustussc.thereigningmperor) ndthe ther riests hoarewrittenbove receivedportulae,nd they istributedhe ndividualpetalsofa rose nd then heywished achother oodfortune.

APPENDIX III: THE RECORD OF THE SECOND DAY OF DEA DIAFESTIVAL

I include elow hefull ecordswith ranslation)f he econddayof heDea Dia festivalf38and, nstrikingontrast,18.

38 a(nte)d(iem)IIII k(alendas) unias/ aurus Statilius orvinus romagisterollegii ratru[mArvalium]/ omine n luco Deae Diae vaccam inmolavit;/odem die eodemque oco C.Caesar AugustusGermanicufsmagister]/ollegiifrat(r)umArvalium umAppio Silanoflaminfeeae Diae]/ agnamopimamnmolavit tsignummisit uadrigfis]/tdesultoribus./Adfuerunt aullus FabiusPersicus, n. DomitiusAhenobarbus,M. Furfius]/ amillus,C.Caecina Largus,L. AnniusVinicianus, . Calpurnius iso./

On May 29,Taurus Statilius orvinus, romasterf thecollege, n the name of the ArvalBrethren,acrificed cowto Dea Dia in thegrove; n the amedayand in the ameplaceCaius Caesar AugustusGermanicus,master f thecollegeofArvalBrethren,longwithAppiusSilanus, heflamen,acrificed fat amb to Dea Dia andgavethe ignal o thefour-horsechariots nd the leapers.PresentwerePaullus Fabius Persicus,Cnaeus Domitius




Ahenobarbus,Marcus FuriusCamillus,Caius Caecina Largus,LuciusAnniusViniciañus,Caius Calpurnius iso.

87 See text bove (p. 122,record fXIIII k(alendas) un(ias)),with ranslationp. 124).

218 Item III kal(endas) uniap (sic forunias)/n uco Deae Diae Alfenius vitianus romag-(ister) d aram mmol(avit) orcil(ias)piacul(ares) I lucicoinq(uiendi) toperis/faciund(i);ibi vacc(am) honor(ariam) mm(olavit) t inde n tetrastyloevers(us) ubsellis onsed(it).deindereversusd aram/ xtn sic for xta) eddidit orcillar(es)sic for orciliares)Itemincirco nfóculo rg(enteo) espiti rnato xtam acc(am) redd(idit), t ntetrstylo/eversusest, t ncodice avit, tpraetextam eposuit,t npapilione uo reversus.romeridieutem/fratres rvalespraetextas cceper(unt) t in tetrastyloonvenerumsic for onvenerunt)tsubsellisonsederuntt cacerunt sic for averunt)/e adfuisse t sacrum ecisse,tporciliaspiaculares pulatisunt et sanguempostea. nde praetextati/apitevelatovittas sic forvittis)piceiscoronati ucum ascenderunt t per Alfen(i)umAvitianumpromag(istrum)

agnam/opimammm(olaverunt)thospae

itationemnspexer(unt).

erfectoacriflrosicfor acrificio)mnes ure t vinofecerurft.einde/ eversinaedem nmensa acrum ecerunt

otiis sic for llis) t ante aedem ncespite romag(ister)tflam(en) acr(um) fecer(unt)./Item forasad aram reversi hesauros ederunt; temflam(en)et promag(ister) cyfosarg(enteos) um umpuis/inorepletisnteosteumcerras ferentes)ure tvinofecer(unt),et anteosteum estiterietsic for estiteruntt)duoad frugesetendas/umpúblicossic forpublicis) escideruntt reversi extradederunt,aeva receperunt;einde ab (sic for d)alterutrum ibi redd(iderunt),/t public(is) frug(es)tradider(unt).Deinde in aedemintraver(unt)tollasprecati unt, t osteis pertis erclivumacta/verunt,einde ubsellismarmoreisonsed(erunt)t panes aureat(os)per publicos) partiti unt: be (sic for bi)omn(es)lumemulia/umrapinis cceperunt t deas unguentaverunt,t aedes elusa e(st);omnesforissic for oras) xierunt.bi sacerdotes/lusi, uccincti,ibellis cceptis, armendescindentesripodaveruntnverbahaec: Enos Lases uvate,/e]nosLases uvate, nosLasesiuvate.Neve uaerve sic)Marma (sic) sins ncurrerenpleores, eve uerveMarmar/[si]ns

incurreren pleoris sic),neve uerveMarmar ers sic) incurreren pleoris sic). Saturfu,fureresic)Mars.Limen/sal] ,sta berber. aturfu, ereMars. Limen ali, ta berber. aturfu,fereMars. Limen saiisia (sic) berber./Sem]unisaltemeiadvocapitconctos, emunisalternei dvocapitconctos, imunissic) alternie sic) advocapit/conetjos.Enos Marmoriuvato,enos Marmor iuvato,enos Mamor (sic) iuvato. Triumpe, triumpe, rium/[pe,trijumpe. osttripodationemeinde ignodato publici ntroier(unt)t libellos eceperunt.[

gap ofc ? lines ]/noiaesic) [ ibiquefelicia ixerunt t descideruntucum.Depositis/praetexftiscenatoria lba acc(eperunt)t ]n tetrafstylopulati unt Fercula um ampanis t urnalibusmulsi ingulorum]more o[mpae sic for ompae)n tetrastylujmransier[unt.ostepulassinguli praesentes acceperunt]/ portulas [(denarios centenos) et rosam s]olut(am)acc(eperunt) tpa[rtitiunt.Deinde L. Alfenius vitianus romag(ister)atum]/ umfsit]tricifnium;uperaccepit oronjamtaciliem sic forpactilem) [oseam,et summoto upercarceres ascendit]/signumque [quadrig(is) big(is) desul]toribusmisit, p[r]aeside[n-tibus Catilio]/Severo,Armenio Peregrino,Caesonio]Lucíalo (sic) [ ]t[. ], Novo (sic) [Severo Pio ad cretam.]/Deindeperactfiscircensib]usRomae [reversi?]et in domu[ mag(istri)cenatoria]/lba acceper(unt) t [discumbentesoralibusegmentatisure] t vinofecer[unt,ministrantibusueris]/ atrim(is) t mat[rimisenatorum ilis (ui)] supra; et sacrificioperacto nguenta tcoronas]/ccep(erunt) tmantelfisulment(a) ursuson] igerunt)etsportulas ing[ul]i [acceperunt denarios centenos)]./Mensam secunfdambellariorumdiviserunt]t rosam olutam cceperu[nt biquefelicia ixerunt.]/



160 MARY BEARD

ThenonMay 29, nthegrove fDea Dia, Alfenius vitianus,hepromagister*acrificedtthe ltartwo xpiatory iglets,nexpiation or ollutinghegrove ndcarryingut thework

there;nthe ameplacehesacrificedcow,freelyfferedndthen, eturningo the etrastyle,he sat on the seats.Then,returningo thealtar,he offeredp the nnards f thepiglets.Likewisenthe ircusna silver razier dornedwith urf e offeredp the nnards f he owandhe returnedo the etrastylend recorded is ctionsna book nd took ff istogawithpurpleborder nd returned ohis tent.Beforemidday he ArvalBrethren ooktheir ogaewith urpleborder nd met nthe etrastylend saton the eats ndrecorded heir resenceand thattheyhad performedhe sacrifice nd theydined off he expiatory iglets ndafterwardsff heir lood.Then,putting n their ogaewithpurpleborder,with overedheads,garlandedwith ears of corn,theyclimbedup (the grove)and throughAlfeniusAvitianus hepromaster hey acrificed choice amb and carried ut an inspectionfthevictim or mens.When he acrifice ascomplete,hey ll performedlibationwith ncenseandwine.Thenreturningnto he emple n thetablethey erformedsacrifice or hearsand infront f he emple n thegrass hepromasternd flamen erformedsacrifice.hen

returningutside othe ltar

theyffered

oney;hen heflamennd

promaster,ringingbefore hedoor ilver obletswith essels ull fwine nd incense oxes, erformedlibationwith ncense ndwine, ndthey tayednfront f hedoor, nd twopriests ent own ofetchthe ornwith hepublic laves nd,returning,hey ave t with heir ight and and receiveditwith heireft,hen hey xchangedt between neanotherndhanded t over o thepublicslaves.Thenthey ntered he emplendprayed o thearsand,opening hedoors, hrew hejars down thehillside, hen hey at down on the marble eats and they haredthe oavesdecoratedwith aurel,distributedy thepublicslaves;there hey ll took umemuliaithturnipsnd annointed he tatues f thegoddesses,nd thetemplewas shut.All (whowerenotpriests)went utside,while here hepriestshut n,hitchingp their ogas, aking hebooks n their ands, singing) he ong,danced to thesewords:

ArvalHymn

Thenafter hedance,when he ignalwasgiven, hepublic laves ntered nd collected hebooks.

[Themissingortion ereno doubt ncludednotice f he hoice fmaster or henextyear]

and then heywished ach other oodfortunenddescended hegrove. akingoff heirtogaewith urple order,hey ook ptheirwhite inner ress nd dined nthe etrastyle;nthemanner f procession,raysame nto he etrastyleith ells ?) and arsoimulsumoreachone. After inner ach onepresenteceived giftf hundred enarii ndthey ook hepetals f rose ndwished achother oodfortune. hen thepromagistername)putonhisbroad tripendshawl;heputon naddition garlandwovenwith oses ndwith ttendantsclearing hewayhe climbed p above the tarting ates ndgavethe ignal othefour orsechariots,he two horse hariots nd the eapers,while CatiliusSeverus,Armenius

Peregrinus,aesonius Lucillus, , Novius Severus Pius, ,

presided t thefinish. hen,whenthegameswereover, hey eturned o Rome and in thehouse f name),themagister,hey uton theirwhite inner ress ndrecliningn decoratedcoverletsheyperformed libationwith ncense nd wine,whileboysof senatorial amilywhose athersnd mothers ere till live,waited nthem,nd when he acrifice asfinishedthey eceived ils ndgarlands ndthey icked p theportionsffood gain ntheir apkinsandthey achreceived giftf hundred enarii; hey ivided pthe econd ourse f weetsand received hepetalsofa rose nd thenwished ach other oodfortune.



DIVERSITY ANDEXPANSIONIN THE ARVAL ACTA 161

APPENDIX IV: A COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE: BRITISH TRAVELWRITINGIN THE SEVENTEENTHAND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES

The writingfBritishravellerso Italy nthe eventeenthnd eighteenthenturiesrovides closerparallel or hedistinctiveeatures ftheArvalActa than sperhaps t firstpparent.Althoughhereare obviouslymanyareas of distance nd dissimilarity,heliterary enre n whichearlymoderntravellers ecounted heir xperiencesbroad,describedworks fart, andscapes, he habitsof thenatives nd so forth,resents pattern fdevelopment hichmatches hat oftheArval record nimportantespects.et us return o thefour istinctiveeaturesf heArvalrecordwhich listed boveand make a comparison:

1. LiketheArvalActa, ravelwritingf he eventeenthndeighteenthenturiesormsn enclosedgroup ftexts,ssociatedwith single ultural ctivity:ravel o talybymembers ftheBritish lite.

2. Like theArvalActa, toften ulfilledoobviously tilitarian unction. o be sure, omeof thebookswritten ytravellers id present hemselvess guide-bookslikeour Blue GuidesorMichelinGuides), ohelpfuture isitors.1utmore tervedrincipallys a symbolicValidation* f the travel

undertakenytheir uthor.23. Like theArvalActa, texpanded trikingly.etween he eventeenthndeighteenthenturies,writing roliferated: workof art,forexample,described n one or two brief entences n theseventeenthenturymaybe given lengthyescriptionf20 or 30 lines na bookwritten hundredyearsater.3

4. As inthe ase oftheArvalActa,one element fthe xpansion onsistedn a growingmphasisontheproductionf he exttself.n particular,aterworksn the eriesaystress n thegenesis f hedescriptionhey ive providingnecdotal etails oncerninghevisitor's irstnunciation fhisor herreaction o the andscapeor work fart, nd howthatreactionwas convertedntowritten ext.4

Recent workby C. Chard on Englishtravelwritinghas touchedon theseaspectsof thedevelopmentfthegenre nd hassuggestedhat he hangesnthewritinghouldbe associatedwiththe hanging ole fforeignravelwithin ritishocietynthe even eeth ndeighteenthenturies;ndmore recisely ith he hangingocial tatus f hose ngaged ntravel nd with he hangingulturalrole f

talynthe

perceptionsf heBritish.n the eventeenth

enturyhe ravellersnd writers ere

normally hemselvesmembers f the highest chelonsof society, r, at least,theyweredirectlyassociatedwiththose chelons, erhaps s tutors r companions. ravel to Italyprovided n extraelementwithin cultural nd scholarlyrestigehey lreadypossessed;t did notform rdefine hatprestige.ythemid-eighteenthentury, en nd women f omewhatower ocial tatus mbarked njourneyso taly; ndbyvirtue f heir xperienceshere,hey ained ccess oa cultural restige heydid notpreviouslyossess. s a consequence,hroughoutheupper chelons fBritishociety,ravel o

'Note,for xample, T. Martyn],TheGentleman'suidenhisTour hroughtaly,with correctmapanddirections or ravellingn that ountryLondon, 1787).

*Thenon-utilitarianunctionftheseworks smade clear ntheverbalbattlebetweenG. Barettiand S. Sharp; theirbooksdid notso much offer practicalguide to Italy,but representedheircompetinglaims o a privilegedccess to the foreign5.ee, for xample, . Sharp,Lettersromtaly,describingheCustomsnd MannersofthatCountry,n the Years 1765 and 1766. To which is Annexed, An

AdmonitionoGentlemen ho ass theAlps, n Their Tourthroughtaly London, 1766); A view ftheCustoms,Manners,Drama of Italy,as theyweredescribedn theFrustaLetteraria nd in theAccount f Italy inEnglish,writtenyMr. Baretti; ompared ith he ettersrom taly,writtenyMr. Sharp London, 1967); G.Baretti,An AccountftheManners nd Customsf taly,with bservationsn themistakesf ome ravellers ithregardothat ountryLondon, 1768 second editionLondon, 1769, corrected,with notes and anappendix dded in answer oSamuelSharp,Esq.).

3See bove,n. 107.Compare lsothedescriptionfthePantheonn [J. Clenche]A TournFranceandtalymadeby nEnglishGentleman,675 London, 1676) a brief 3 ines, p.86-7 with hatnT. Smollet, Travels hroughrance nd taly, ontainingbservationsnCharacter, ustoms, eligion, overnment,Police, ommerce,rts ndAntiquitiesLondon, 1766) a lengthy5 lines,pp. 122-5.

4Note or xample he necdotal etailprovided y LadyMiller, ettersromtalyseenote107) I,455; II, 128-9.



162 MARY BEARD

Italy ame to take differentlace ntheformationf ocial status: he appropriationftheforeign'(and thedisplay f that ppropriation) ecame an increasinglymportant,efining,lement fhigh

socialand cultural restige. he proliferationfwritingelates losely o this ransformation.n theseventeenthenturyravelwritingertainlyrovided alidation f culturalxperience.utthevisit oItaly, nd the ccount f t,did notdefine heprestigef hewriter,orgivehim r her ccess oa newlevel fprestige.hewriting as brief.n the ighteenthentury,s a wider ocialgroup mbarked ntravel o taly ndas that ravel ecame n essential lementnthedefinitionfprestige,alidationnwritingf their ersonal xperiencesn Italybecamemore nd more mportant.or it was this hatembodied he laimof he uthor ohigh ocial nd cultural tatus. o thewritingroliferated:otustonelineon eachstatue, uttwenty.5

This explanations convincing recisely ecauseit demonstrates linkbetween hechangingcharacter fthewritingnd thechanging ultural nd social contextwithinwhich hatwriting asproduced.However istant rom hedocumentsf urpagan priesthoodn mperial ome, tserves omakeus sensitiveo thepossibilitiesf complexnterrelationshipetweenwritingnd other lementsofsocialand cultural

ractice.t shows ne

wayof

generatingn

explanationor set of

problemssimilar,n certain espects,o those aisedbytheArvalActa.6

5Typicalhortccounts f he eventeenthenturyre[W. Bromley], emarksn he randeour fFrancend taly atelyPerformedya Person fQuality London, 1692)and A Tour nFrancend taly(seenote3). Laterwordy ccounts, ften ythose f lightlyower ocialstatus,ncludeH. L. Piozzi,ObservationsndReflectionsade n the ourse f ourneyhroughrance, taly ndGermanyLondon, 1789); T.Smollet M.D., Travels hroughrance nd taly see note 3); J. Moore M.D., A View fSocietynd Mannersin Italy,with necdoteselatingosome minentharactersLondon, 1781).

6Throughouthis ppendix havebeenshamelesslyarasitic nChloeChard,whoseCambridge

beard,writing and ritual- a study of diversity and expansion in the arval acta

Documents