The Sæculum among the Romans, was properly a period of 110 years, and the Secular games should have been always celebrated after such an interval. The following table, however, of the periods when they were solemnised, will show that this rule was not much regarded. The first were held A. U. C. 245, or 298. The second, A. U. C. 330, or 408. The third, A. U. C. 518. The fourth, either A. U. C. 605, or 608, or 628. The fifth, by Augustus, A. U. Č. 736. The sixth, by Claudius, A. U. C. 800. The seventh, by Domitian, A. U. C. 841. 2-20. 2. Lucidum cœli decus. "Bright ornament of heaven."-4. Tempore sacro. "At this sacred season."-5. Sibyllini versus. The Sibylline verses, which have reference to the Sæcular Games, are preserved in Zosimus, (2. 6. p. 109. seqq. ed. Reitemeier.) They are also given in a more emended form by Mitscherlich.-6. Virgines lectas pue rosque castos. The Sibylline verses directed, that the youths and maidens, which composed the chorus, should be the offspring of parents that were both alive at the time, i. e. should be patrimi and matrimi.—7. Septem colles. An allusion to Rome, and the seven hills on which it was built.-9. Curru nitido diem qui, &c. "Who with thy radiant chariot unfoldest and hidest the day, and arisest another and the same." The sun is here said to hide the day at its setting, and to arise on the morrow a new luminary with the new day, but in all its former splendour. -11. Possis visere. "Mayest thou behold."-13. Rite maturos aperire partus, &c. "Ilithyia, propitious in safely producing mature births, protect the Roman mothers."-16. Genitalis. Compare the explanation of Döring: "Quæ gignentes seu puerperas ope sua levat, genituræ favet, et se propitiam præbet."-17. Producas subolem. "Increase our offspring." -Patrum. "Of the senate."-20. Lege marita. Alluding to the Julian law, "De maritandis ordinibus," holding out inducements for entering the married state, and imposing penalties on celibacy. The end of it was to promote population, and repair the loss occasioned by the carnage of the civil wars. 21-37. 21. Certus undenos, &c. "That the stated revolution of ten times eleven years may renew the hymns and sports, celebrated by cro-vds thrice in the bright season of day, and as often in the pleasing night." The Secular solemnities lasted three days and three nights. -25. Vosque veraces cecinisse, &c." And do you, ye Fates, true in uttering what has been once determined, and what the fixed event of things confirms, join favourable destinies to those already past." The expres sion veraces cecinisse is a Græcism for veraces in canendo. Dictum is equivalent to constitutum a fato.-29. Tellus. The Earth is here addressed as one of the deities, to which sacrifices were ordered to be made, by the Sibylline verses.-30. Spicea donet Cererem corona. "Gift Ceres with a crown, made of the ears of corn." This was the usual offering to Ceres.-16. Nutriant fetus et aquae salubres, &c. "And may refreshing rains, and salubrious breezes from Jove, nourish the productions of the fields."-33. Condito telo "With thine arrow hidden in the quiver." |