Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Fetiales

The Fetiales were a specialized group of priests in ancient Rome dedicated to Jupiter, the patron of good faith. They played a crucial role in Roman foreign relations, overseeing treaties and diplomatic negotiations.

The Fetiales had several key responsibilities:

• Advising the Senate: They advised the Senate on matters related to foreign affairs and international treaties. Their expertise in diplomacy and international law was invaluable.
• Proclaiming Peace and War: They were responsible for formally declaring peace or war with other nations. This involved specific rituals and procedures designed to ensure that the Roman people were acting justly and in accordance with divine law.
• Confirming Treaties: They played a crucial role in confirming treaties between Rome and other nations. They ensured that the terms of the treaty were fair and just and that both sides were honoring their commitments.
• Acting as Heralds: They also served as traveling heralds or ambassadors. They were sent to other nations to deliver messages, negotiate treaties, and represent the interests of the Roman state.

The Riutal of Rerum Repetitio

The Pater Patratus was a fetial, in his role as ambassador, responsible for conducting the ritual of rerum repetitio, a formal declaration of war or a request for restitution. This ritual involved a series of prescribed phrases and actions, designed to ensure that the Romans were acting justly and in accordance with divine law.

The Pater Patratus would announce Roman demands first at the enemy’s frontier, then repeat these demands as he crosses over the border, to the first man he meets, on entering the enemy’s gate, and again on entering the forum in the presence of local magistrates.

If the demands were not met, the pater patratus would declare war within 33 days and returned to Rome to await the resolution of the Senate. Once they have resolved to go to war, a fetial would return to the enemy frontier carrying a javelin with a steel or fire-hardened tip and dipped in blood. He declared war on the enemy and threw the javelin into their territory.