in Roman antiquity, a ceremony that always preceded a formal declaration of war. It was performed in this manner: first four heralds crowned with vervain, were sent to demand satisfaction for the injuries done the Roman state. These heralds taking the gods to witness that their demands were just, one of them, with a clear voice, demanded restitution within a limited time, commonly 33 days; which being expired without restitution made, then the pater patratus, or prince of the heralds, proceeded to the enemies' frontiers, and declared war.