in Roman Antiquity, a symbol of authority introduced by the kings, consisting of a bundle of rods, usually of birch, tied together, and containing an axe, the head of which was allowed to project. Officers named lictores were appointed to carry the fasces, and varied in number according to the dignity and importance of the magistrate whom it was their duty to precede. In the regal times of Rome, 12 of these officers, each carrying the fasces, preceded the king whenever he walked abroad. After the expulsion of the Tarquins the consuls were allowed 12 lictors each, but the axes were only borne before one of them at a time. Publicola got a law passed according to which only one of the consuls was allowed the fasces when both these magistrates were in the city at the same time. The other was attended by a single officer, named accessorius. It was also ordained that the axes should be removed from the fasces, unless when the consul was in the camp. The dictator, however, was preceded by 24 lictors, and even in the city was allowed to retain the axes. The praetors were each allowed two when in the city, but when on military service the number was increased to six. The tribunes of the people, aediles, and quaestors, were not allowed lictors in the city; but the quaestors might have them in the provinces.