Prayers of Titus Livius

 

 

Romulus climbed the Capitoline Hill with the spoils of war taken from his dead enemy carried before him on a specially constructed frame. He hung these on an oak, standing where the shepherds held there to be a sacred tree.  At the same time he marked out a precinct around the tree as a templum for Jupiter, and addressing the god by a new title, uttered the following invocation:

 

 1.10.6-7: Jupiter Feretrius, I, Romulus, myself a king and victor, bring to You these arms taken from a king, and in this precinct, whose boundaries I have imagined in my mind and will with purpose trace, I dedicate a shrine to receive the spolia opima which posterity will place here in your honor, following my example, taken from the kings and generals of our foes slain in battle.'

 

Iuppiter Feretri, haec tibi victor Romulus rex regia arma fero, templumque his regionibus quas modo animo metatus sum dedico, sedem opimis spoliis quae regibus ducibusque hostium caesis me auctorem sequentes posteri ferent.

 

Thus is the origin of the first holy precinct dedicated at Rome.

 

 

1.12.4-7: O Jupiter, it was through Your omen that I was led while I laid here upon the Palatine Hill, to establish the very first foundations of the city of Rome. Already the Arx, that fortress wickedly bought, is seized by the Sabines, from whence they, with sword in hand, now advance across the valley against us.  But if You, Father of the Gods and of men, hold back our enemies, at least from this spot, delivering the Romans from their terror, and stay their shameful retreat, then this I vow to You, Jupiter Stator, that a holy precinct and shrine will be built in Your honor as a memorial to remind our descendents of how once the city of Rome was saved by Your aid.

 

 Iuppiter, tuis iussus avibus hic Palatio prima urbi fundamenta ieci.  Arcem iam scelere emptam Sabini habent; inde huc armati superata media valle tendunt; at tu, pater deum hominumque, hinc saltem arce hostes deme terrorem Romanis fugamque foedam siste!  Hic ego tibi templum Statori Jovi, quod monumentum sit posteris tua praesenti ope servatam urbem esse, voveo

 

 

1.18.6-10: Being summoned to Rome, (Numa) commanded that, just as Romulus had obeyed the augural omens in building his city and in assuming regal power, so too in his own case must the Gods be consulted.  Accordingly an augur, who thereafter, as a mark of honour, was made a public priest of the State to permanently serve in that function, conducted him to the Arx and caused him to be seated on a stone [7] facing south.  The augur seated himself on Numa’s left, having his head covered, and holding in his right hand a lituus, as they called the augur’s curved staff without a knot.  Then, looking over the city and the surrounding countryside, he prayed to the Gods, and marked off the heavens by a cardinal line from east to west, designating as “right” the regions to the south, and as “left” [8] those to the north, and fixing then a landmark in his mind that lay opposite to him and as far away as the human eye can see.  Next, shifting the lituus to his left hand and laying his right hand on Numa’s head, the augur spoke the following prayer:  “Father Jupiter, if it is heaven's will that this Numa Pompilius, on whose head I place my hand, should become king of Rome, then may You signify Your will to us with certain signs within the boundaries that I have designated”. He then specified the auspices that he desired to be sent, and upon their appearing, Numa was declared king and so descended from the augural station

 

 Iuppiter pater, si est fas hunc Numam Pompilium cuius ego caput teneo regem Romae esse, ut tu signa nobis certa adclarassis inter eos fines quos feci.

 

 

1.24.3-9: The earliest recorded treaty is this one between the Romans and Albans, to provide for a firm peace among one another’s people.   As not all treaties conclude the same provisions or forms, however, I will describe the forms by which this treaty was made, as tradition has handed down to us. The Fetialis put the formal question to Tullus: `Do you, King, order me to make a treaty with the Pater Patratus of the Alban people?' Upon the king replying in the affirmative, the Fetialis said: `I demand of you, King, tufts of sacred herbs (as a sign that my person shall be inviolable).' The king replied: `Take those that are pure.' The Fetialis brought pure herbs and grasses from the Arx. Afterwards he asked the king: `Do you, King, name me the nuntio to act as herald of the People of Rome, the Quirites, sanctioning also my vessels and comrades?' To which the king replied: `In so far as it may be without harm to myself and to the People of Rome, the Quirites, I do.' The Fetialis was M. Valerius. He made Spurius Furius the Pater Patratus by touching his head and hair with the sacred herb vervain. Then the Pater Patratus, who is appointed for the purpose of making a treaty and giving it religious sanction through an oath, did so by reciting a holy song whose long formula was given in verse, which is not worth while here to repeat.

 

After reciting the conditions of a treaty he said: `Hear, 0 Jupiter; hear me, too, Pater Patratus of the people of Alba! Hear me also, people of Alba! As these provisions have been written in good faith and publicly read from beginning to end from these tablets, and inasmuch as they have today been most clearly understood, so the People of Rome will not be the first to withdraw from these treaty provisions. If, in their public council, they were to do so, with false and malicious intent break this treaty, then, Dispater, on that day, may You bring ruin on the People of Rome, even as today I shall strike this swine, and strike them so much more the greater, as Your power and might is greater.' With these words he struck the swine with a flint knife. In similar words the Albans recited a holy song as their oath through their own dictator and their priests.

 

[3] Priusquam dimicarent foedus ictum inter Romanos et Albanos est his legibus ut cuiusque populi cives eo certamine vicissent, is alteri populo cum bona pace imperitaret.  Foedera alia aliis legibus, ceterum eodem modo omnia fiunt [4] tum ita factum accepimus, nec ullius vetustior foederis memoria est.  Fetiales regem Tullum ita rogavit: “Iubesne me, rex, cum patre patrato populi Albani foedus ferire?”  Iubente rege, “Sagmina,” inquit “te, rex, posco.”  Rex ait: “Pura [5] tollito.”  Fetialis ex arce graminis herbam puram attulit.  Postea regem ita rogavit: “Rex, facisne me tu regium nuntium populi Romani Quiritium, vasa comitesque meos?”  Rex respondit, “Quod sine fraude mea populique Romani Quiritium fiat, facio.”  [6] Fetiales erat M. Valerius; is patrem patratum Sp. Fusium fecit, verbena caput capillosque tangens, pater patratus ad ius iurandum patrandum, id est, sanciendum fit foedus; multisque id verbis, quae longo effata carmine non operae est referre, peragit.

[7] Legibus deinde recitatis, “Audi,” inquit, “Juppiter; audi, pater patrate populi Albani; audi tu, populus Albanus, ut illa palam prima postrema ex illis tabulis cerave recitata sunt sine dolo malo, utique ea hic hodie rectissime intellecta sunt, illis legibus populus Romanus prior non deficiet. [8] Si prior defexit publico consilio dolo malo, tum tu ille Diespiter populum Romanorum sic fento ut ego hunc porcum hic hodie feriam; tantoque [9] magis ferito quanto magis potes pollesque.”  Id ubi dixit porcum saxo silice percussit.  Sua item carmina Albani suumque ius iurandum per suum dictatorem suosque sacerdotes peregerunt.

 

 

1.32.6: The Fetial, veiled, wound a woolen fillet around his head. When he has reached the frontiers of the nation from whom satisfaction is demanded, he says, `Hear, 0 Jupiter! Hear you borders,' naming the particular people whose borders they are, `Hear, 0 Justice! I am the public herald of the Roman People rightly and duly authorized do I come; let confidence be placed in my words.' Then he recites the terms of the demands and calls Jupiter to witness: `If I am demanding the surrender of those men or those goods, contrary to justice and religion, suffer me nevermore to enjoy my native land.' He repeats these words as he crosses the frontier, he repeats them to whoever happens to be the first person he meets, he repeats them as he enters the gates and again on entering the forum, with some slight changes in the wording of the formula. If what he demands are not surrendered at the expiration of thirty-three days, for that is the fixed period of grace, he declares war in the following terms: `Hear, 0 Jupiter, and You Janus Quirinus, and all You heavenly Gods, and You gods of earth and of the lower world, hear me! I call You to witness that this people'-- mentioning it by name-- `is unjust and does not fulfill its sacred obligations. But about these matters we must consult the elders in our own land in what way we may obtain our rights.'

 

With these words the ambassador returned to Rome for consultation. The king forthwith consulted the senate in words to the following effect: `Concerning the matters suits and causes, whereof the Pater Patratus of the Roman people and Quirites has complained to the Pater Patratus of the Priscus Latins, and to the people of the Priscus Latins which matters they were bound severally to surrender, discharge, and make good, whereas they have done none of these things--say what is your opinion?' He whose opinion was first asked, replied, `I am of the opinion that they ought to be recovered by a just and righteous war, wherefore I give my consent and vote for it.' Then the others were asked in order, and when the majority of those present declared themselves of the same opinion, war was agreed upon. It was customary for the Fetial to carry to the enemy’s' frontiers a blood-smeared spear (of cornel wood) tipped with iron or burnt at the end, and, in the presence of at least three adults, to say, `Inasmuch as the peoples of the Priscus Latins have been guilty of wrong against the People of Rome and the Quirites, and inasmuch as the People of Rome and the Quirites have ordered that there be war with the Priscus Latins, and the Senate of the People of Rome and the Quirites have determined and decreed that there shall be war with the Priscus Latins, therefore I and the People of Rome, declare and make war upon the peoples of the Priscus Latins.' With these words he hurled his spear into their territory. This was the way in which at that time satisfaction was demanded from the Latins and war declared, and posterity adopted the custom.

 

[6] Legatus ubi ad fines eorum venit unde res repetuntur, capite velato filolanae velamen est, “Audi, Juppiter,” inquit, “Audite, fines,” cuiuscumque gentis sunt, nominat; “Audiat fas, ego sum publicus nuntius populi Romani; iuste pieque legatus venio, verbisque meis fides sit.”  Peragit deinde postulata. [7] Inde Iovem testem facit: “Si ego iniuste impieque illos homines illasque res dedier mihi exposco, tum patriae compotem me nunquam siris esse.”  Hanc, [8] cum fines suprascandit, haec, quicumque ei primus vir obvius fuerit, haec portam ingrediens, haec forum ingressus, paucis verbis carminis concipiendique iuris iurandi mutatis, peragit.  [9] Si non deduntur quos exposcit diebus tribus et triginta – tot enim sollemnes sunt – peractis bellum ita indicit: “Audi, Iuppiter, et tu, Iane Quirine, Dique omnes caelestes, vosque terrestes vosque inferni, audite; [10] ego vos testor populum illum,” quicumque est, nominat, “iniustum esse neque ius persolvere; sed de istis rebus in patria maiores natu consulemus, quo pacto ius nostrum adipiscamur.” Cum […] nuntius Romam ad consulendum redit.

[11] Confestim rex, his ferme verbis patres consulebat, “Quarum rerum litium causarum condixit pater patratus populi Romani Quiritium patri patrato Priscorum Latinorum hominibusque Priscis Latinis, quas res nec dederunt [nec solverunt] nec fecerunt, quas res dari fieri [solvi] oportuit, dic,” inquit ei quem primum sententiam rogabat, “quid censes?”  Tum ille, [12] “Puro pioque duello quaerendas censeo, itaque consentio consciscoque.”  Inde ordine alii rogabantur; quandoque pars maior eorum qui aderant in eandem sententiam ibat, bellum erat consensum.  Fieri solitum ut fetialis hastam ferratam aut praeustam sanguineam ad fines eorum ferret et non minus tribus puberibus praesentibus diceret, [13] “Quod populi Priscorum Latinorum hominesque Prisci Latini adversus populum Romanum Quiritium fecerunt deliquerunt, quod populus Romanus Quiritium bellum cum Priscis Latinis iussit esse senatusque populi Romani Quiritium censuit consensit conscivit ut bellum cum Priscis Latinis fieret, ob eam rem ego populusque Romanus populis Priscorum Latinorum hominibus [14] que Priscis Latinis bellum indico facioque.”  Id ubi dixisset, hastem in fines eorum emittebat, hoc tum modo ab Latinis repetitae res ac bellum indictum, moremque eum posteri acceperunt.

 

 

2.10.11 Then Horatius Cocles said, “Holy Father Tiberinus, I pray You may receive these arms and this Your soldier into the propitious flow of Your stream.'

 

Tum Cocles, “Tiberinus pater,” inquit, “Te sancte, precor, haec arma et hunc militem propitio flumine accipias.”

 

 

3.17.6: 0, Father Romulus, grant Your offspring that same spirit by which You once won back the Arx from these same Sabines after it had been captured with gold! Command that they take the same road on which You once lead Your army. See how I, the consul, will be the first to follow in Your footsteps as far as mortal man can follow a god.

 

Romule pater, tu mentem tuam, qua quondam arcem ab his iisdem Sabinis auro captam recepisti, da stirpi tuae, iube hanc ingredi viam, quam tu dux, quam tuus ingressus exercitus est.  Primus en ego consul, quantum mortalis deum possum.

 

 

3.25.7-8: The Aequian general bade the fetiales to recite their message from the Roman Senate to an oak tree.  Let both this oak and whatever gods there are here listen and hear that the treaty has been broken by you, and let Them attend now to our complaint and presently support our arms, as we shall avenge the violation of the rights of the Gods and men alike.

 

Ad quercum iubet dicere.  Et haec sacrata quercus et quidquid deorum est audiant foedus a vobis ruptum, nostrisque et nunc querellis adsint et mox armis, cum deorum hominumque simul iura exsequemur.

 

 

5.21.2-3: Pythian Apollo, inspired by You and Your guiding influence I go forth to destroy the city of Veii.  A tenth part of its spoils I devote to You.  Likewise for You, Juno Regina, who in Veii now dwells, I pray, that after our victory You will follow us to the our City, that soon will become Your City as well, where a holy precinct worthy of Your dignity will be built to receive You.

 

Pythice Apollo, tuoque numine instinctus pergo ad delendam urbem Veios, tibique hinc decimam partem praedae voveo.  [3] Te simul, Iuno regina, quae nunc Veios colis, precor, ut nos victores in nostram tuamque mox futuram urbem sequare, ubi te dignum amplitudine tua templum accipiat.

 

 

6.16.1: Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Regina, Minerva, and all you other gods and goddesses who dwell upon the Capitolium and the Arx, is this how you allow your defender, the protector of your shrines, to be treated, to be vexed and harassed by his enemies in this manner?  Shall this right arm which drove the Gauls headlong from your shrines now be bound and chained?

 

'Iuppiter' inquit, 'optime maxime Iunoque regina ac Minerva ceterique di deaeque, qui Capitolium arcemque incolitis, sicine vestrum militem ac praesidem sinitis vexari ab inimicis? haec dextra, qua Gallos fudi a delubris uestris, iam in vinclis et catenis erit?'

 

 

6.26.6-7: May the Gods Immortal make it so, that happy results shall come from pious acts.

 

Di immortales faciant – tam felix quam pia.

 

 

6.29.2: Be with us, O Gods, You who gave witness to this treaty, and exact swift punishment for the injuries You have suffered and for the injuries that likewise were made upon us by the deception vowed in Your holy name.

 

Adeste, Di testes foederis, et expetite poenas debitas simul vobis violatis nobisque per vestrum numen deceptis.

 

 

7.10.4: Blessings upon you, Titus Manlius, for your courage and your piety to your father’s memory and to your country.

 

'macte uirtute' inquit 'ac pietate in patrem patriamque, T. Manli, esto.

 

 

7.26.3: Whether You are a god or a goddess who has sent this good omen to me, I pray You might attend me with Your favor and protection.

 

Si divus, si diva esse(s) qui sibi praepetem misset, (te precor ut mihi) volens propitius adesse(s).

 

 

8.5: Listen, O Jupiter, to this wickedness.  Listen, too, Justice and Lawfulness!

 

Audi, Iuppiter, haec scelera, audite Ius Fasque!

 

 

8.6.5: There is a heavenly power and You do exist, O great Jupiter; not in vain did we consecrate this seat to You, Father of Gods and Mankind.

 

Est caeleste numen, es, magne Iuppiter, haud frustra, te patrem deum hominum hac sede sacravimus.

 

 

8.9.6-8: Janus, Jupiter, Father Mars, Quirinus, Bellona, Lares, You divine Novensiles and You divine Indigetes, deities whose power extends over us and over our foes, and to You, too, Divine Manes, I pray, I do You reverence, I crave Your grace and favour will bless the Roman People, the Quirites, with power and victory, and will visit fear, dread and death on the enemies of the Roman People, the Quirites.  In like manner as I have uttered this prayer so do I now on behalf of the commonwealth of the Quirites, on behalf of the army, the legions, the auxiliaries of the Roman People, the Quirites, devote the legions and auxiliaries of the enemy, together with myself to Tellus and the Divine Manes.

 

[6] Iane, Iuppiter, Mars pater, Quirinus, Bellona, Lares, Divi Novensiles, Di Indigetes, Divi, quorum est potestas nostrorum hostiumque, [7] Dique Manes, vos precor veneror, veniam peto feroque, uti populo Romano Quiritium vim victoriam prosperetis hostesque populi Romani Quiritium terrore formidine morteque adficiatis. [8] Sicut verbis nuncupavi, ita pro re publica <populi Romani> Quiritium, exercitu, legionibus, auxiliis populi Romani Quiritium, legiones auxiliaque hostium mecum Deis Manibus Tellurique devoveo.

 

 

9.8.8-10: To you, immortal Gods, I pray and beseech, that if it was not Your will that the consuls Sp. Postumius and T. Veturius should carry on a successful war against the Samnites, then at least You may deem it enough to have seen us sent under the yoke, seen us compelled to submit to shameful obligations, seen us surrendered to the enemy, naked and in chains, taking all of his anger and hostility upon ourselves. May it be your will that new consuls shall lead fresh legions of Rome in war against the Samnites in the same victorious manner in which all wars were waged before we were made consuls.

 

Vos, Di immortales, precor quaesoque, si vobis non fuit cordi Sp. Postumium T. Veturium consules cum Samnitibus prospere bellum gerere, at vos satis habeatis vidisse nos sub iugum missos, vidisse sponsione infami obligatos, videre nudos vinctosque hostibus deditos, omnem iram hostium nostris capitibus excipientes; novos consules legionesque Romanas ita cum Samnite gerere bellum velitis, ut omnia ante nos consules bella gesta sunt.

 

 

10.19.17-18: If today, Bellona, You grant us victory, a new temple I vow.

 

Bellona, si hodie nobis victoriam duis, ast ego tibi templum voveo.

 

 

19.27.1 ff.: When dawn arrived Scipio emerged from his headquarters in ritual decorum to pray before the advance guard.  He prayed, - Gods and Goddesses who inhabit the land and sea, to You I pray and ask that whatsoever has been done under my auspices and my command, is now being done or shall be done, may prove beneficial for me, for the people of Rome and their children, and for our allies and the Latins, who joined with the Roman army under my auspices in waging war on land and sea.  May Your good counsel and assistance be with me and may You bless all our endeavors with rich increase.  May You guard the welfare and sustenance of our soldiers, allow the victors to return home healthy and safe, and laden with the spoils of victory.  May they bring back honors and plunder to share in my triumphal procession after defeating our enemy. Grant to me and to the Roman people the power of vengeance and the opportunity and means to inflict on our enemies the same as the Carthaginians have striven to inflict against the people of Rome and thereby an example shall be set for others.

 

Ubi inluxit, Scipio e praetoria nave silentio per praeconem facto 'divi divaeque' inquit 'qui maria terrasque colitis, uos precor quaesoque uti quae in meo imperio gesta sunt geruntur postque gerentur, ea mihi populo plebique Romanae sociis nominique Latino qui populi Romani quique meam sectam imperium auspiciumque terra mari amnibusque sequuntur bene verruncent, eaque vos omnia bene iuvetis, bonis auctibus auxitis; salvos incolumesque victis perduellibus victores spoliis decoratos praeda onustos triumphantesque mecum domos reduces sistatis; inimicorum hostiumque ulciscendorum copiam faxitis; quaeque populus Carthaginiensis in civitatem nostram facere molitus est, ea ut mihi populoque Romano in civitatem Carthaginiensium exempla edendi facultatem detis.'

 

 

22.10.2 ff.: In these words, according to this formula he put the question to a vote in the assembly of the people, “Is it your wish and desire, and do you so ordain, that this measure shall be carried out? If the Republic of the people of Rome, the Quirites, is preserved in the coming five years in these wars, as I so desire it preserved, that is, in the war of the people of Rome with the Carthaginians and the wars with the Gauls who are in Cisalps, then let the people of Rome, the Quirites, offer unto Jupiter, as an unalterable vow of sacrifice, whatever this spring shall bring forth from the herds and flocks of swine, sheep, goats, and cattle, whichever are not yet consecrated, from whatever day is set by the Senate and the people.  Let him who makes sacrifice at whatever time my wish, and by whatever rule he so desires, be deemed to have sacrificed in the proper manner.  If a consecrated animal should die, may it not be considered to have broken this vow, may it not be thought a sin.  If anyone unknowingly kills a consecrated animal, let it not be held a deceitful offense.  If anyone steals a consecrated animal, let it not be held a sin against the people or against him from whom it was stolen.  If he unknowingly makes sacrifice on a “black” day, let it be regarded as made properly.  If made at night or in the light of day, whether by a servant or a freedman, let the sacrifice be deemed as properly made.  If sacrifice is made before the day appointed by the Senate and the people, let it not be held against the people but as if the vow was properly and freely resolved.”

 

Rogatus in haec uerba populus: "Velitis iubeatisne haec sic fieri? Si res publica populi Romani Quiritium ad quinquennium proximum, sicut uelim [uou]eamque, salua seruata erit hisce duellis, quod duellum populo Romano cum Carthaginiensi est quaeque duella cum Gallis sunt qui cis Alpes sunt, tum donum duit populus Romanus Quiritium quod uer attulerit ex suillo ouillo caprino bouillo grege quaeque profana erunt Ioui fieri, ex qua die senatus populusque iusserit. Qui faciet, quando uolet quaque lege uolet facito; quo modo faxit probe factum esto. Si id moritur quod fieri oportebit, profanum esto, neque scelus esto. Si quis rumpet occidetue insciens, ne fraus esto. Si quis clepsit, ne populo scelus esto neue cui cleptum erit. Si atro die faxit insciens, probe factum esto. Si nocte siue luce, si seruus siue liber faxit, probe factum esto. Si antidea senatus populusque iusserit fieri ac faxitur, eo populus solutus liber esto".

 

 

 

22.53.10-12: I swear with a deep conviction of mind that I shall never allow myself to desert the Republic of the people of Rome.  If I should willfully break my oath, may Jupiter Optimus Maximus inflict upon me the worst, most shameful ruin, and on my house, my family, and all I possess. 

 

Ex mei animi sententia ut ego rem publicam populi Romanum deserere patiar; si sciens fallo, tum me Iuppiter optimus maximus, domum, familiam remque meam pessimo leto adficiat. 

 

 

24.38.8-9: Mother Ceres, and Proserpina also, and all You Gods above and below who inhabit this city, this hallowed lake and these sacred groves, I pray that You favorably attend us, if we have avoided, rather than given, deceit and falsehoods in taking our counsels

 

Vos, Ceres Mater ac Proserpina, precor, ceteri superi infernique Di, qui hanc urbem, hoc sacratos lacus locosque colitis, ut ita nobis volentes propitii adsitis, si vitandae, non inferendae fraudis causa hoc consilii capimu.