in Roman Antiquity, a college of twelve priests, instituted by Romulus, and chosen out of the most noble families, he himself being one of that body. They assisted in the sacrifices of the Ambarvalia, offered to Ceres and Bacchus in May for the prosperity of the fruits of the earth, when they wore on their heads crowns made of ears of corn. The origin of this institution was said to have been as follows. Acca Laurentia, Romulus's nurse, was accustomed once a year to make a solemn sacrifice for a blessing on the fields, her twelve sons always assisting her in the solemnity. On the death of one of them, Romulus offered himself to supply his place, and gave this small society the name of Arecales Fratres. This order was in great repute at Rome: they held the dignity for life, and never lost it on account of imprisonment, banishment, or any other accident. See AMBARVALIA.