Thesauros Literature biography Ἀίτια Ῥωμαϊκά

Ἀίτια Ῥωμαϊκά

Ἀίτια Ῥωμαϊκά Plutarch
10 But if there is anything else to be said, consider whether it be not true that there is only one matter that needs investigation: why men cover their heads when they worship the gods: and the other follows from this. For they uncover their heads in the presence of men more influential than they: it is not to invest these men with additional honour, but rather to avert from them the jealousy of the gods, that these men may not seem to demand the same honours as the gods, nor to tolerate an attention like that bestowed, on the gods, nor to rejoice therein. But they thus worshipped the gods, either humbling themselves by concealing the head, or rather by pulling the toga over their ears as a precaution lest any ill-omened and baleful sound from without should reach them while they were praying. That they were mightily vigilant in this matter is obvious from the fact that when they went forth for purposes of divination, they surrounded themselves with the clashing of bronze.
10 Or, as Castor Cf. Jacoby, Frag. der griech. Hist. 250, Frag. 15. states when he is trying to bring Roman customs into relation with Pythagorean doctrines: the Spirit within us entreats and supplicates the gods without, and thus he symbolizes by the covering of the head the covering and concealment of the soul by the body.
11 Why do they sacrifice to Saturn with the head uncovered?
11 Is it because Aeneas instituted the custom of covering the head, and the sacrifice to Satum dates from long before that time?

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