 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
part of the tradition, but the imperial institution was the primary beneficiary of their intercessions. No
festival was planned without their active participation and presence. The Arval Brethren supervised the
following ceremonies: January 1 and 3 - the Ara Pads Augustae, where vows were taken for the safety of
the state by consuls newly elected and then by imperial or provincial officials; January 7 - an Augustan
anniversary; and January 16 - the reception of the title Augustus.
The Arval also offered prayers throughout the year to Jupiter, Minerva, Dea Dia and to Divus Augustus,
following the emperor's death in 14 A. D. Each emperor then added days to the calendar that he
considered important, a process that became impractical after a time. By the late 2nd century, the
brotherhood had once more slipped from its elevated status, although a number of dedications, litanies and
prayers used by them are extant through inscriptions.
¤ ARVANDUS (fl. 5th century A.D.) Prefect of the PRAETORIAN GUARD during the reign of
Anthemius (467-472). Arvandus was a good friend of the poet and statesman SIDONIUS
APOLLINARIS and, in the emperors name, administered Gaul. His attempts at dealing with the barbaric
hordes pouring into the west caused his eventual downfall. Arvandus attempted to bargain with King
Euric of the Visigoths, with the aim of placating the entire barbarian enemy. He possessed enemies in
Rome, however, and he was brought to the city to answer charges of treason and embezzlement.
Arvandus laughed at the attack, but the Senate condemned him. Despite the appeals of Sidonius
Apollinaris and a half-hearted ally, the magister militum RICIMER, Arvandus was executed. See also
PREFECT OF THE PRAETORIAN GUARD.
¤ AS The principal coin issued by the Republic; came to represent artistically the growing strength of
Rome, as made evident by the use of a ship and a god, Janus, on the reverse and obverse sides. First
issued in the 3rd century B.C., its value as a coin was replaced by the sestertius. By the time Augustus
ruled, asses were reduced to a unit of measurement in COINAGE weight.
¤ ASCLEPIODOTUS (fl. 3rd century A.D.) Prefect of the PRAETORIAN GUARD from 290 to 296
A.D. With a purely military background, a rarity for his era, Asclepiodotus spent much of his career in the
service of Probus on the frontiers, fighting there from 276 to 282. Named a prefect of the Guard, he was
used on a variety of missions but was noted for his British campaign in 296, against the usurper
ALLECTUS. Serving one of the tetrarchs, Constantius I, the prefect commanded an invasion fleet, sailing
with his master to Britain. As the admiral of the flotilla, Asclepiodotus achieved not only a
successful landing but also the distinction of being the only prefect of the Guard ever to hold a naval
position. In Hampshire, later that year, the ex-admiral, now a general, met and defeated Allectus;
Constantius then entered London. Asclepiodotus was made consul in 292.
¤ ASCLEPIUS (also Aesculapius) Greek god of MEDICINE who was imported into the Roman Empire,
attaining immense popularity in the 2nd century A.D. A great physician in Homer's works, he was
elevated to divine status and his cult was centered in the Greek city of Epidaurus. Cures were supposedly
made there, and in 293 B.C., during a tragic plague, the Sibylline Books ordered that a sanctuary be
found in Italy to acquire the aid of the god. An island in the Tiber River was chosen as the site of the
deity's temple.
 |