ancient Rome

The etymology of pontifex from pons facere indicates a connection with the chthonic world. The attitude of pontifex maximus to the cults of the earth is manifested in the care of funeral rites, participation in the ritual of devotio, the cult of Vesta, Dis Pater, Saturn and Vulcan.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the term “manubiae” in the context of the construction activity of magistrates in ancient Rome. The author's arguments show that neither ancient sources nor historiography can resolve the dispute about war booty and manubial construction.