Dedicatio
The Roman name for the consecration of a public sanctuary. The
pontifices drew up the deed of foundation. When they had signified that they
deemed the act permissible, and the consent of the people (in later times of the emperor) had
been obtained, the rite was performed in the presence of the whole
collegium
pontificum. The Pontifex Maximus, whose head was veiled, and with him the
representative of the people, took hold of the door-post with one hand, the former dictating,
and the latter repeating after him, the formula of dedication. The people were represented
usually by one of the two consuls, or a person or a commission (generally of two persons)
elected by the people on the recommendation of the Senate. One of the persons forming the
commission was generally the man who had vowed the dedication. The day on which the shrine was
dedicated was regarded as the day of its foundation, and was inscribed in the calendar as a
festival. See
Inauguratio.
