office

Pontifex Maximus

The chief priest of the Roman state religion.

Reading notes

Cato the Elder, On Old Age §30 having been made pontifex maximus four years after his second consulship
The pontifex maximus was the chief priest of the Roman state religion, head of the college of pontiffs, holding office for life. Lucius Caecilius Metellus held it for twenty-two years.
On the Agrarian Law, Second Speech §18 the elections of the Pontifex Maximus
The chief priest of Rome, since the lex Domitia of 104 BC chosen by a minority of seventeen tribes drawn by lot, because direct popular election of priests was held religiously improper. Rullus borrows this priestly procedure for a secular board, which Cicero exposes as a sham.
On the Nature of the Gods §1.115 Tiberius Coruncanius or Publius Scaevola, the chief pontiffs
Two revered holders of the office of Pontifex Maximus, the head of Roman state religion. Cotta means that Epicurus's writings on piety sound as orthodox as a chief pontiff's, despite undermining all religion.
Fifth Philippic §40 pontifex maximus
The chief priest of the Roman state religion; Lepidus succeeded to the office after Caesar's death. Cicero proposes honouring him for restoring Sextus Pompey to citizenship and ending civil war by negotiation.