epulones, the pontifex maximusand the other pontifices, the rex sacrorum, and some
of the sodalesserving the imperial cult. Reliefs of the first to third centuries depict
camillior boys holding the guttus(a jug, a narrow-necked vessel; fig. 24.1), the
acerra(box for incense), and sometimes the patera(shallow bowl), which was used
in different contexts in the rituals. Many of the ministriwore a tunica or toga, and
the victimariuswas dressed additionally with a kind of apron called limus(figs. 12.2
and 18.1 above). The attendants carried different vessels for the ritual, of which we
know the names (catinus,lanx, etc.) but often do not know what they looked like
or their exact ritual purpose (Siebert 1999: 25– 63). During processions they also
carried canistra(baskets) and fercula(stretchers or trays) filled with the sacrificial
cakes (fig. 24.1). The victimariiwere responsible for the animal-victims during the
procession and the sacrifice. They guided the victim (bigger animals like pigs, sheep,
Living on Religion 333Figure 24.1 Fragment of a frieze of the Trajanic period, now in Copenhagen
(Fless 1995: pl. 3.2) (photo: Ole Haupt, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen).