Plural of fetialis; the college or order of fetial priests in ancient Rome who handled diplomatic and religious ceremonies.
From Latin fetiales (plural of fetialis). This is a preserved Latin plural used when discussing Roman religious and governmental institutions.
The fetiales represented one of Rome's most important institutions because controlling the diplomatic language and ceremonies gave Rome cultural authority. Their elaborate rituals for declaring war were so respected that other nations recognized Roman declarations, making religion and diplomacy inseparable in ancient statecraft.
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