INTRODUCTION

Jupiter, Most High, Most Great (Iuppiter Optimus Maximus), an ancient source of Rome’s power, received many a republican general’s vow in moments of military crisis. For centuries his temple atop the Capitol served the spiritual needs of a martial commonwealth.1 Jupiter received too the ministrations of a special priest dedicated to his service. In his Memorable Deeds and Sayings, Valerius Maximus records the death of the old republic’s last Flamen Dialis2:

qua tempestate rei publicae L. quoque Cornelius Merula consularis et flamen Dialis, ne ludibrio insolentissimis uictoribus esset, in Iouis sacrario uenis incisis contumeliosae mortis denuntiationem effugit, sacerdotisque sui sanguine uetustissimi foci maduerunt.