Editing College of Pontiffs (section)

==Role in the Roman State==
During the [[Roman Kingdom|Kingdom]] of Roman history, the pontiffs were primarily ''[[concilia]]'' (advisers) of the kings, but after the expulsion of [[Lucius Tarquinius Superbus|the last Roman King]] in 510 BC, the College of Pontiffs became religious advisers to the [[Roman Senate]].  As the most important of the four priestly colleges, the College of Pontiffs’ duties involved advising the Senate on issues pertaining to the gods, the supervision of the calendar and thus the supervision of ceremonies with their specific rituals, and the appeasement of the gods upon the appearance of [[Omen|prodigies]].

One of their most important duties was their guardianship of the ''[[Glossary of ancient Roman religion#libri pontificales|libri pontificales]]'' (pontifical books). Among these were the ''acta'', ''[[indigitamenta]]'' (lists of invocations or names of deities), ''ritualia'', ''commentarii'', ''fasti'', and ''annales'' (yearly records of magistrates and important events).  These items were under the sole possession of the College of Pontiffs and only they were allowed to consult these items when necessary.

The ''[[Lex Acilia de intercalando]]'' bestowed power on the College to manage the calendar. Thus, they determined the days which religious and political meetings could be held, when sacrifices could be offered, votes cast, and senatorial decisions brought forth.

The College of Pontiffs came to occupy the [[Regia]] (the old palace of the kings) during the early [[Roman Republic|Republican period]]. They came to replace the religious authority that was once held by the king. A position, the ''[[rex sacrorum]]'', was even created to replace the king for purposes of religious ceremonies.

When [[Christianity]] became the official religion of the [[Roman Empire]], [[Pope Leo I]] began using the title ''pontifex maximus'' around 440 to emphasize the authority of the [[pope]]. The term "chief priests" in the New Testament (e.g. Mark 15:11) is translated as ''Pontifices'' in the Latin Vulgate and "high priest" as ''Pontifex'' in Hebrews 2:17.