The translation of Part 2 is adapted from N. Lewis and M. Reinhold, "Roman Civilization: Selected Readings", vol. 2, with some help from a Danish translation by K.F. Rasmussen, "Den augustæiske sekularindskrift - tekst og kontekst". For some comments on the deliberate use of old-fashioned and unfamiliar language in the ceremonies, see A.E. Cooley, in " Religion in Republican Italy", p. 232 ( Google Books ).
The inscription contains a series of documents and narratives, presented in chronological order. The very first decree, in Part 1, has a date in 18 B.C.; all the others belong to 17 B.C. The contents can be compared with a similar inscription, commemorating the Secular Games of 204 A.D., which has recently been translated by J. Rantala, "The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus", App. 2 ( Google Books ).
. . . [As to what the consuls Publius Lentulus and Gnaeus Lentulus] have reported concerning the funding of the Secular Games {Ludi Saeculares}, concerning which it was recently decreed that they should be held [in the next year], it was decided concerning this matter and it was resolved that, since there is nothing in the ancient books saying for what sum of money the board of fifteen for performing sacrifices used [to let out] the Secular [Games on contract], the sum shall be established in accordance with the sum that was recently established by the boards of priests . . . as funding [for the games] that they performed for the safety of Caesar, and that the consuls shall instruct the praetors who [are in charge of] the aerarium to take care that this amount of money is given out and assigned.
In the [following] year, when Gaius Silanus and Gaius Furnius were consuls, on February 17, a decree of the senate was passed, that whatever is needed . . . for the Secular sacrifice shall be let out on contract, using the words that are written below.
[On the same day, in the Curia] Julia; at the writing of the decree there were present:
- Marcus Junius Silanus, son of Marcus, of the Sabatina tribe
- Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus, [son of Lucius], . . .
- Gaius Asinius Pollio, son of Gnaeus, of the Arniensis tribe
- Lucius Vinicius, [son of Marcus, of the Poblilia tribe]
10 . . . Secular [Games . . . it was decided concerning this matter and it was resolved] . . . the money which through the games . . . [that the consuls] for the same matters [shall instruct] the praetors who are charge of the aerarium . . . to take care that [this] amount of money is given out and assigned.
[Imperator Caesar] Augustus, president of the board of fifteen for performing sacrifices, with his colleagues Lucius Censorinus . . ., [Gaius Norbanus] Flaccus, Marcus Cocceius Nerva, Gaius Sentius Saturninus, [Marcus Fufius Strigo, Lucius Arruntius, Gaius Asinius Gallus, Marcus Claudius Marcellus], Quintus Tubero, Decimus Laelius Balbus, Gaius Rebilus, [Marcus Messalla Messalinus] . . . Apollo, Lato, Diana and the Mother . . . 20 [Jupiter] and Hercules the Victors, Jupiter Stator . . . and all the other immortal gods and goddesses . . . [what] has been done by our board, and what we will do in the future . . . should turn out [well] for us and the people and the populace of Rome, abroad [and at home] . . . and that now indeed [there should be] those blessings [for the Roman people, the Quirites] . . . in the one hundred and [tenth year] . . . of the Secular [Games] . . .
. . . [in the night] before [June 1] . . . [until] June [3] . . . you should order . . . of June well and carefully . . . you should order [all] free men to seek . . . on the Capitoline hill in front of the temple [of Jupiter the Best and Greatest] . . . 10 [in front of the temple] of Diana well and in a large crowd . . . [to bring first-fruits] for the gracious {milichei} gods of the crops . . . and you will take careful thought in lawsuits . . . it will be announced [that they should assemble for those] sacrifices . . . [on June 1 and] June 2 and June 3 at night . . . women over 25 years old, to whom . . . to assemble on the Capitoline hill where also a religious ceremony . . . 20 that boys and girls, whose mothers and fathers are still alive, should be assembled to sing [the ode] and to create full choruses . . . and also they will take careful thought of the preparations for these sacrifices and these games . . .
On the same day, an edict was issued as follows: "[The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares: As to how the citizens ought to celebrate] the Secular sacrifice and the Games, which reoccur in the one hundred and tenth [year], we have publicly [given instructions concerning this matter in an assembly], following the manner and the example of our ancestors, [just as Imperator Caesar Augustus wrote to us; and we have also published the instructions on a tablet], so that if anyone did not attend the assembly or did not fully [understand what was said], they may learn what [they should do], and which of them, and on which day they should do it."
When the same consuls and the same members of the board of fifteen for performing sacrifices were in office, [it was reported] to the board that cleansing agents {purgamenta} should be give out 30 and first-fruits should be received; [it was decided] by the board [that cleansing agents shall be given out on the Capitoline hill in front of the temple of Jupiter] the Greatest and in front of the temple of Jupiter the Thunderer, and [on the Palatine hill in front of the temple] of Apollo and in its portico; and first-fruits [shall be received] in the [places written above, and near the temple of Diana on the Aventine and] in its portico . . . and they determined that [the board of fifteen] shall receive the first-fruits in pairs on individual platforms, and also . . .
When the same consuls were in office, on March 25, before the temple . . . it was resolved that . . . the games and the festival and the sellisternia throughout [three nights and three days . . . , which] were decreed by the board, 40 [shall be celebrated . . . from the night] preceding the day of June 1 until June 3 . . . also it was decided concerning this matter . . . present at the writing were Marcus Agrippa, Lucius Censorinus, Marcus Lollius, Lucius Arruntius; [on] May .. , an edict was issued: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares: to avoid inconvenience . . . on May 28 fumigants {suffimenta} [shall be given out, or] on May 29, or on May 30, or on May 31 . . . "
50 On May 23, in the Saepta [Julia] . . . [Present at the writing were [Quintus] Aemilius Lepidus, Lucius Cestius, and Lucius Petronius Rufus . . . the consul Gaius Silanus reported that after a lapse of many [years] the Secular Games would be celebrated [in the present year under the direction of Imperator Caesar] Augustus and Marcus Agrippa, holders of the tribunician power, and that, [because as many as possible ought to view these games] out of religious duty and also because [no one will attend] such a spectacle [again . . . it seemed proper to permit] those who were not yet married [to be present with impunity] on the [days] of these games; [and whereas he asked the senate what it was pleased to do in the matter, concerning this matter the senate decreed as follows: "Since these games] have been ordained for religious purposes and since it is not [granted] to any mortal [to view them] more than once . . . those who [are liable] under the Law on [Classes Permitted] to Marry shall be permitted to view with impunity the games which the masters of the board of fifteen for performing sacrifices will present."
And on the same day in the same place, the same were present at the writing, and the following decree of the senate was passed : "Whereas the consul Gaius Silanus declared that it was appropriate for the preservation of the memory of this great benevolence [of the gods that a record] of the Secular [Games] be inscribed on a bronze and on a marble column, 60 [both to be erected for the future remembrance of the event] in the place where the games would be held, and asked the senate what it was pleased to do in the matter, concerning this matter the senate decreed as follows: The consuls, one or both, for the future [remembrance of the event] shall erect in that place [a column] of bronze and a second of marble on which a record [of these games has been inscribed], and they shall likewise contract for this work and shall order the praetors who are in charge of the [aerarium to pay] to the contractors [the sum for which they have contracted]."
On May 24, an edict was issued: "The board of fifteen [for performing sacrifices declares]: We deem that it should be publicly stated that all free men [and their wives who require fumigants shall go] to collect them no more than once, on May 26 or May 27 or May 28 . . . they shall come with the fumigants to the games . . . they shall bring them by family to the platforms . . . 70 to the temple of Jupiter [the Best and Greatest] on the Capitoline hill . . . and also the women who [will conduct] the sellisternia . . . ought to spread . . . which women and which boys . . . them separately from the rest [of the crowd] . . . [at the temple] of Ops on the Capitoline hill will have been placed . . . "
Fumigants [were given out], as was resolved, [on May 26 and May 27 and May 28, at the places which had been decreed].
On May 29 [the board of fifteen received first-fruits in pairs on individual platforms], at the places which had been decreed, [and an edict was issued: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares]: . . . the matrons who have been designated . . . should assemble on the Capitoline hill . . . [this letter was sent to the individual matrons]: 80 it will be good if the mothers of families, who [have been instructed] to assemble, are on the Capitoline hill from the first hour of the day, so that they may [conduct] the solemn [sellisternia] . . . "
On May 30 in the same way [the board of fifteen received] first-fruits [in pairs on individual platforms, and an edict was issued: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares]: We will commence the Secular Latin Games . . . on June 1 in the (?) second hour of the night . . . also we will commence the Latin Games . . . also when to the ceremonies of the sacred rites . . . we wish everyone to be aware . . . trumpeters [who are accustomed] to play at funerals . . . "
On May 31 as on the previous two days [the board of fifteen received] first-[fruits in pairs on individual platforms] . . .
90 On the following night { May 31 } in the Campus Martius near the Tiber [Imperator Caesar Augustus sacrificed to the Fates {Moerae}] according to the Greek rite [nine ewes] as whole burnt offerings, and by the same [rite nine female goats, and he uttered the following prayer]:
"O Fates! As [it has been prescribed] for you in those { Sibylline } books - [and by virtue of this may every good fortune come to the Roman people, the Quirites - let sacrifice be made to you] with nine ewes and nine female goats. [I beseech and pray you, that you may] increase [the empire and majesty of the Roman people], the Quirites, in war and in peace, [and that the Latins may always be obedient; grant] everlasting safety, victory, and health [to the Roman people, the Quirites; protect the Roman people, the Quirites, and the legions of the Roman people], the Quirites, and [keep safe and sound] the state of the Roman people, [the Quirites; be] favourable [and propitious to the Roman people], the Quirites, to the board of fifteen, [to me, to my house and my family; and] deign to accept [this] sacrifice of nine ewes and nine [female] goats, [perfect] for sacrificing. To these ends may you be honoured by the sacrifice of this ewe, may you become favourable and propitious to the Roman people, the Quirites, to the board of fifteen, to me, to my house and my family."
100 After the sacrifice was completed, the presentation of plays was begun at night on a stage without the addition of a theatre and without setting up seats; and 110 matrons, who had been designated by the board of fifteen, held sellisternia, setting up two seats for Juno and Diana.
On June 1 in the Capitol, Imperator Caesar Augustus sacrificed a perfect bull to Jupiter Best and Greatest, and in the same place Marcus Agrippa sacrificed another, and they uttered the following prayer:
"O Jupiter Best and Greatest! As it has been prescribed for you in those books - and by virtue of this may every good fortune come to the Roman people, the Quirites - let sacrifice be made to you with this splendid bull. I beseech and pray you," the rest as above.
At the sacral vessel {atalla} were Caesar, Agrippa, Scaevola, Sentius, Lollius, Asinius Gallus, Rebilus.
Then the presentation of Latin plays was begun in a wooden theatre, which had been erected in the Campus Martius along the Tiber; and the mothers of families held sellisternia in the same manner; and the theatrical performances which had been begun at night were not interrupted.
110 And an edict was issued: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares: Since, insofar as it accords with proper custom, and in like manner has been observed in numerous precedents, whenever there has been a rightful cause for public celebration, it has been decided that the mourning of women should be suspended; and since it seems that it is appropriate both to the honour of the gods and to the remembrance of their worship that that should apply to the time of solemn rites and games and that it should be scrupulously observed, therefore we have decided that it is incumbent on us to issue to women a decree by edict, that they should suspend mourning."
Further, at night near the Tiber, Imperator Caesar Augustus made a sacrifice to the Ilithyiae { Greek goddesses of childbirth } of nine sacrificial cakes, nine popana, and nine phthoes { Greek sacrificial cakes }, and uttered the following prayer:
"O Ilithyia! As it has been prescribed for you in those books - and by virtue of this may [every good fortune] come to the Roman people, the Quirites - let sacrifice be made to you with nine popana, [nine] sacrificial cakes, and nine phthoes. I beseech [and pray] thee," [the rest as above].
On June 2 in the Capitol [(?) imperator Caesar Augustus] sacrificed a cow to Queen Juno, [(?) and in the same place] 120 Marcus Agrippa sacrificed [another], and he uttered the following prayer:
"O Queen Juno! As it has been prescribed for you in those books - and by virtue of this [may every good fortune come to the Roman people, the Quirites] - let sacrifice be made to you with a splendid cow. I beseech and pray you," [the rest as above].
Then [(?) Marcus Agrippa] led the 110 married mothers of families who [had been] designated [(?) by the board of fifteen] in the following prayer:
"O Queen Juno! If there be any better fortune that [may come to the Roman people, the Quirites] . . . we married mothers of families on bended knees [beseech (?) and pray and implore you] that you may increase the empire] and majesty of the Roman people, the Quirites, [in war and (?) in peace, and that the Latins may always be obedient; grant] everlasting [safety], victory, [and health to the Roman people, the Quirites; protect the Roman people, the Quirites, and the legions of the Roman people], the Quirites, and [keep safe and sound] the state [of the Roman people, the Quirites; be favourable and propitious to the Roman people], the Quirites, 130 to the board of fifteen for performing sacrifices, to us and to our homes and families. [This we 110] married [mothers of families of the Roman people], the Quirites, [on bended] knees [beseech (?) and pray and implore you]."
At the sacral vessel were Marcus Agrippa . . .
Plays were performed as on the previous day.
Further, at night near the Tiber [Imperator] Caesar Augustus [sacrificed a (?) whole-burnt pregnant sow to Mother Earth and uttered the following] prayer:
"O Mother Earth! As [it has been prescribed] for you in those [books - and by virtue of this may every good fortune come to the Roman people, the Quirites - let sacrifice be made] to you with a [(?) whole-burnt] perfect pregnant sow. [I beseech and pray you]," the rest [as above].
The matrons held sellisternia on this [day in the same manner as on the previous day].
On June 3 on the Palatine hill, Imperator Caesar Augustus and Marcus Agrippa offered sacrifice [to Apollo and Diana with nine sacrificial cakes], nine popana, and [nine] phthoes, 140 and they uttered the following prayer:
"O Apollo! As it has been prescribed for you in those books - and by virtue of this may every good fortune come to the Roman people, the Quirites - let sacrifice be made to you with nine popana, [nine] sacrificial cakes, and nine phthoes. I beseech and pray you," the rest as above.
"O Apollo! Just as I have offered you popana and have uttered the proper prayer, to this same end may you be honoured by the offering of these sacrificial cakes and become favourable and propitious." Likewise with the phthoes. Prayer to Diana with the same words.
And when the sacrifice was completed, [twenty]-seven previously designated boys and the same number of girls, with both parents living, sang a hymn [on the Palatine hill], and in the same manner on the Capitoline hill. The hymn { Carmen Saeculare } was composed by Quintus Horatius Flaccus.
150 The board of fifteen were present: Imperator Caesar, Marcus Agrippa, Quintus Lepidus, Potitus Messalla, Gaius Stolo, Gaius Scaevola, Gaius Sosius,Gaius Norbanus, Marcus Cocceius, [Marcus] Lollius , Gaius Sentius, Marcus Strigo, Lucius Arruntius, Gaius Asinius, Marcus Marcellus, Decimus Laelius, Quintus Tubero, Gaius Rebilus, Messalla Messallinus.
When the theatrical performances had ended at the . . . hour near the place where the sacrifice had been offered on the previous nights and where the theatre and stage had been erected, turn posts were set up and chariot races were presented, and Potitus Messalla presented trick riders.
And an edict was issued as follows: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares: We have supplemented the customary games with seven days of additional games, commencing on June 5: Latin plays in the wooden theatre which is near the Tiber, at the second hour; Greek musical shows {thymelici} in the theatre of Pompey, at the third hour; Greek stage plays {astici} in the theatre [which is] in the Circus Flaminius , at the fourth hour. "
After an interval of one day, which was [June 4] . . .
160 On June 5 there commenced the [additional] games [lasting seven days, which were added to the customary games: Latin plays in] the wooden theatre, Greek musical shows [in the theatre of Pompey, and Greek stage plays in the theatre which is in the Circus Flaminius].
On June 11 an edict was issued [as follows: "The board of fifteen for performing sacrifices declares]: On June 12 we shall present an animal hunt in . . . [and circus games] . . ."
On June 12, a procession was presented [and] boys . . .
Marcus Agrippa [commenced] the four-horse chariots . . .
All these celebrations were conducted [by the board of] fifteen [for performing sacrifices: Imperator Caesar Augustus, Marcus Agrippa, Lucius Censorinus, Quintus Lepidus, Potitus Messalla], Gnaeus Pompeius, Gaius Stolo, Gaius [Scaevola, Gaius Sosius, Gaius Norbanus, Marcus Cocceius, Marcus Lollius, Gaius Sentius, Marcus Strigo, Lucius Arruntius], Gaius Asinius Gallus, Marcus Marcellus, [Decimus Laelius, Quintus Tubero, Gaius Rebilus, Messalla Messallinus] . . .
{ The rest is lost. }
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