The Pomerium: A Look at Rome’s Sacred Boundary
The Pomerium was the sacred boundary of ancient Rome, marking the limit of the city’s legal and religious authority. Its origins were steeped in legend, with the story of Romulus and Remus, the city’s legendary founders, playing a central role in its creation.
According to legend, Romulus and his twin brother Remus were abandoned as infants and left to die. They were eventually discovered by a she-wolf who raised them as her own. As the brothers grew up, they decided to found a city on the banks of the Tiber River. However, they disagreed over where to build the city, and a dispute arose that ended in the death of Remus at the hands of Romulus. Romulus then went on to found the city of Rome, and he marked its boundaries by plowing a furrow around it. This furrow became known as the pomerium.
The Pomerium was not only a physical boundary but also a religious one, with important significance for the city’s religious traditions. Every year, a priest would conduct a ritual purification of the Pomerium, which involved the sacrifice of a dog and the recitation of special prayers. This ritual was believed to renew the city’s religious authority and keep it safe from harm.
In the early Republic, only magistrates, religious officials, and the Vestal Virgins were permitted to enter the pomerium. This restriction helped to maintain the separation of sacred and profane space, and also prevented military leaders from entering Rome with their armies. It was believed that allowing an army to enter the city would break the sanctity of the pomerium and bring bad omens.
The Pomerium’s importance extended to military life as well. In pre-Roman civil war times, politicians had to approach the Pomerium with reverence and respect. Military leaders were not allowed to enter the city with their armies, and instead had to disband their troops outside the Pomerium and enter the city as civilians. This helped to establish a clear boundary between civilian and military authority and prevented military leaders from using their armies to seize power. During times of crisis, this prohibition was lifted, and the military could enter the Pomerium. For example, when Rome was threatened by the Gauls in 390 BC, the Senate allowed the military to enter the city and defend it.
However, as Rome expanded and became embroiled in more wars, the custom of excluding military leaders from the city became more difficult to maintain. In the late Republic, generals such as Sulla and Julius Caesar famously entered Rome with their armies, effectively ending the old custom. The pomerium continued to exist as a symbolic boundary, but its religious significance waned.
The Pomerium was a sacred boundary that played an important role in ancient Roman life. Its origins were steeped in legend, and its religious significance was central to the city’s religious traditions. The Pomerium also had important implications for political and military life, helping to establish the principle of civilian authority and prevent military coups. The Pomerium’s legacy lived on long after the fall of the Roman Empire, and its influence can still be seen in the city of Rome today.
