pontufex

pontĭfex ( pontŭ- ), fĭcis [doubtless from pons-facio; but the original meaning is obscure], m., a Roman high-priest, a pontiff, pontifex (cf.:

antistes, sacerdos): pontifices, ut Q. Scaevola pontifex maximus dicebat, a posse et facere,

Varr. L. L. 5, § 83 Müll.; Cic. Leg. 2, 8, 20, on the laws of the Twelve Tables; id. de Or. 3, 19, 73; id. Rep. 2, 14, 26; Liv. 1, 20; Ov. F. 6, 454; Hor. C. 3, 30, 9; 2, 14, 28; 3, 23, 12; id. Ep. 2, 1, 26; Juv. 6, 604. Their chief or president was called Pontifex Maximus, Cic. Agr. 2, 7, 18; id. de Or. 2, 12, 51; Liv. 3, 54; 25, 5 et saep.: MAIOR VESTAE, Inscr. (a. 353 p. Chr. n.) Orell. 3184: pontifices minores, a lower class of pontiffs, minor or sub- pontiffs:

scribae pontificis, quos nunc minores pontifices appellant,

Liv. 22, 57, 3; Cic. Har. Resp. 6, 12; Verr. Fl. Fast. ap. Inscr. Orell. 2, p. 408;

Inscr. Cenot. Pisan. ap. Orell. 643: pontifices seu minores seu maximi,

Lact. 5, 19, 12.—

II.

Transf.

A.

The Jewish high-priest:

Pontifex, id est, sacerdos maximus,

Vulg. Lev. 21, 10:

Caiapham pontificem,

id. Johan. 18, 24.—Hence,

B.

In the Christian period, a bishop, Sid. Carm. 16, 6.