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"The symbolic fasces borne by these officers were probably of Ertuscan origin. The Tarquins are said to have brought them to Rome along with other insignia of the kingly office."—Myers, 1904

Lictors with Fasces

"The symbolic fasces borne by these officers were probably of Ertuscan origin. The Tarquins are said…

An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special tasks of attending and guarding magistrates of the Roman Republic and Empire who held imperium; essentially, a bodyguard. The origin of the tradition of lictors goes back to the time when Rome was a kingdom, perhaps acquired from their Etruscan neighbours.

Roman Civil Servants

An illustration of two lictors, members of a special class of Roman civil servants. Lictors had special…

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young, one older, stand side by side, each holding fasces. Fasces are axes bound to bundles of wooden rods. These lictors function as bodyguards. The men are wearing togas.

Two Attendants, or Lictors, of a King or Consul

Lictors were guards of magistrates who carried fasces to show power to execute. Two men, one young,…