Lictors are Roman civil servants who were the bodyguards of magistrates during the Roman Empire (and earlier). Lictors have been in use since Roman times and, according to the historian Livy, may have appeared even earlier in the Etruscan civilization.
History and Features
According to Livy, the first lictors were commissioned by the first Roman king Romulus, who appointed 12 of them for his own protection.
The lictors were originally bodyguards chosen from the plebs, but for most of Roman history they were freedmen. Centurions from the legions also automatically became representatives of this position when they retired from the army. They were, however, Roman citizens, as they wore togas and were free to reside in Rome.
The lictor had to be a heavily built man capable of physical work. They were exempted from military service,received a fixed salary (600 sesterces at the beginning of the Empire) and were organized into corporations. Usually they were personally chosen by the magistrate they were to serve, but sometimes they were chosen by lot.
Goals and objectives
The lictors were associated with the Comitia Curiata, and probably one was originally chosen from each curia separately, since there were originally 30 curiae and 30 holders of this office (24 for two consuls and six for a single praetor).
The main task of the lictors was to work as bodyguards of the magistrate, who have an imperium. They carried rods tied with ribbons, with axes wedged into them, which symbolized the ability to execute the death pen alty. These outlandish tools were called fasces, and today they are depicted on most administrative symbols, including those in Russia. The fascia was also the symbol of the Italian Fascist Party.
Reliable bodyguards
The lictor followed the judge everywhere, including the Forum, the house, the temples and the baths. Orderly queues were organized in front of him. If there was a crowd on the way of the magistrate, the lictors made their way through it and ensured the safety of their master, pushing everyone aside, except for the Roman matrons, who were given special honor. They were also required to stand next to the magistrate whenever he addressed the crowd.
Judges sometimes did without such bodyguards. Lictors also had legal and criminal duties: they could, on the orders of their master, arrest Roman citizens andpunish them. The other bodyguards were praetors. Praetors in ancient Rome are the heavily armed bodyguards of politicians and emperors.
Sometimes, on special occasions such as funerals or political meetings, these elite bodyguards were assigned to private individuals as a show of respect from the city. A Roman citizen is a full-fledged resident of a republic or empire, but ordinary citizens were not able to take on the service of such protection.
Curiata lictors
Lictor curiatus (multiple lictores curiati) is a special kind of lictor that did not have twigs or fascia, and whose main tasks were of a religious nature. There were about 30 of them who served under the command of the Pontiff Maximus, high priest of Rome. They were present at the sacrifices, where they carried or led sacrificial animals to the altar. Vestals, flamens (priests) and other high-ranking priests were en titled to be accompanied and protected from such special lictors (this was their main duty).
In the Empire, women of the royal family were usually followed by two bodyguards of this type. The Lictores Curiati were also responsible for convening the Comitia Curiata (public meeting) and maintaining order during it.
Conclusion
Lictor is a very important position in ancient Rome. Not a single magistrate could do without these people.
