(coöptatio). The superintendence and guardianship of the state religion were separated from every political office and intrusted to the pontifical college, which now elected a chief pontiff (pontifex maximus) for life. Under certain restrictions he appointed the three principal special priests (flamines), the Vestals, and others. He selected the king of sacrifices (rex sacrorum), who was to perform certain independent acts of public worship, in order that the gods in their intercourse with the state might not miss the usual royal representative. This official had no political powers and was incapable of holding any political office. The separation of the supreme authority in sacred and civil affairs thus advanced apace, and forms one of the characteristic and important features of the republican constitution.
Institution of the Dictatorship. — Some years after the establishment of the republic, a new office, the dictatorship, was instituted. The office, though not the name, was peculiar to the Romans, and was intended to revive occsionally the old royal authority. The dictator was appointed by one of the consuls, who regularly took this step when, in great emergencies, the senate had declared it desirable. But the consul was not obliged to comply with the request of the senate, nor could he be hindered in making the appointment either by his colleague or by any other authority.
The dictator had no colleague, but was bound to choose immediately an assistant, called a master of horse (magister equitum). His tenure of office was limited to a maximum term of six months. He was as free to allow or refuse an appeal to the people as the king had been, and he enjoyed practically the royal exemption from responsibility for his official acts. The consuls were subject to his authority and exercised their powers only with his permission.
