Salii

[ sal-ee-ahy ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. (in ancient Rome) a college of priests of Mars and Quirinus who guarded the ancilia and led the festivities in their honor.

Example Sentences

“I don’t feel like I’m in a shelter,” said Polina Salii, 11, whose family fled the fighting in Pokrovsk, a town in the east.

From New York Times

The banquets of the Salii were transferred to this temple, a circumstance which led to its identification, from the discovery of an inscription here recording the mansiones of these priests.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, in constant dread lest some of their enemies should succeed in stealing it, they caused eleven other shields to be made, so exactly like the heaven-sent Ancile, that none but the guardian priests, the Salii, who kept continual watch over them, could detect the original from the facsimiles.

From Project Gutenberg

During the month of March, which, owing to its blustery weather, was dedicated to Mars and bore his name, the ancilæ were carried in a procession all through the city, the Salii chanting their rude war songs, and executing intricate war dances.

From Project Gutenberg

Shield of Mars, guarded by the Salii in Rome, 143.

From Project Gutenberg