in Roman antiquity, the name of an order of priests, instituted by Romulus or Numa; authors not being agreed on this head.

They were originally only three, viz. the flamen dialis, flamen martialis, and flamen quirinus. They were chosen by the people, and installed by the sovereign pontiff. Afterwards, their number was increased to 15; the three first of whom were senators, and called flamines maiores; the other 12, taken from among the people, being denominated flamines minores.

The flamen dialis, or priest of Jupiter, was a considerable person at Rome; the flamen martialis, or priest of Mars, was the second in dignity; and the flamen quirinalis, was the next to him.

The greater flamen wore the robe edged with purple, like that of the great magistrates, had an ivory chair, and sat in the senate. They wore a little band of thread (filamen) about their head; from whence, according to Varro, they had their name. There were likewise flamines, or priestesses, who were the wives of the flamines dialis. These wore a flame-coloured habit, on which was painted the image of a thunderbolt; and above their head-dress they wore green oak-boughs. They are often mentioned in inscriptions.