Lictor

• The Lictor was a Roman civil servant who acted as an Aide and Bodyguard to the Roman Magistrates who held Imperium under both the Roman Republic and during the Roman Empire.
• ‘Lictor’ is from the Latin ‘Ligare’ meaning ‘to bind’.

Description

• • The Lictors were usually chosen from Freedmen but on retirement Centurions were automatically accepted.
  • The salary started at 600 Sesterces under Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE).
  • The Lictors carried the symbol of Imperium, a Rod with Fasces which included axes outside the Pomerium.
  • They had the Power of Arrest and Punishment if instructed to do so by the Magistrate.
  • The Lictors moved in a line ahead of the Magistrate, clearing the crowd as he went.
  • The ‘Primus Lictor’ was in charge of the other Lictors and took instructions from the Magistrate.
  • The Magistrate could not dispense with his Lictors.
  • The Vestal Virgins were accompanied by a Lictor during Public Ceremonies.

Number of Lictors allocated to Politicians according to Status:

The number of Lictors allocated to a Magistrate symbolised his level of Imperium.

• • Curule Aediles (x 2)
  • Propraetor (x 5)
  • Praetor (x 6) but reduced to 2 within the Pomerium
  • Magister Equitum (x 6)
  • Proconsul (x 11)
  • Consul (x 12) as did the Kings of Ancient Rome.
  • Emperor (x 12) but after Domitian (81-96 CE) increased to 24.
  • Dictator (x 24) but reduced to 12 within the Pomerium.

Lictor Curiales (Priest Bodyguards)

• • 30 in total.
  • They were under the authority of the Pontifex Maximus the Head of the Roman Church.
  • They did not carry Fasces or Rods.
  • They escorted the Vestal Virgins and other senior Priests.
  • 2 Lictors accompanied the Ladies of the Emperor’s Family.
  • They were present during Sessions of the Comitia Curiata, the Public Assembly.