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Luperci

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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Lupetino, Fra Baldo

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the most ancient order of priests among the Romans. They were sacred to Pan, the god of the country, and particularly of shepherds, whose flocks he guarded. Plutarch derives the name from lupa, a shewolf, and traces their origin to the fabulous she-wolf which suckled Romulus and Remus. They formed originally a college, consisting of two classes: the Fabii, or Fabiani, and the Quinctilii, or Quinctiliani. Julius Caesar instituted a third class, under the name of Julii or Juliani. At first the Luperci were taken from the higher classes of society, but in course of time the whole order fell into disrepute.