The divine power of the Pontifex Maximus in ancient Rome

The very first Pontifex Maximus ever recorded was Numa Marcius, who took the appointment in the 7th century BCE.

The role was initially intertwined with the city's foundational myths, particularly the legend of Numa Pompilius, Rome's second king, who was said to have established the religious institutions of the city, including the College of Pontiffs.

The College was a body of priests that represented various religious orders within the state religion.

By the 3rd century BCE, the Pontifex Maximus had become a pivotal figure in Rome's religious hierarchy.

As the chief priest of the Roman state religion, the Pontifex Maximus presided over public ceremonies and rituals, ensuring that they were conducted according to ancient tradition.

This included overseeing major religious festivals, managing the calendar, and supervising the Vestal Virgins, who were responsible for maintaining the sacred fire of Vesta and performing other vital religious duties.

In addition to these religious functions, the Pontifex Maximus held significant judicial powers, particularly in matters related to family law and inheritance.

The office also played a key role in interpreting the omens and prodigies that were believed to indicate the gods' favor or displeasure, a task that had important implications for both public policy and private conduct.

As the head of the College of Pontiffs, the Pontifex Maximus was responsible for the administration of the Roman priesthood, including the appointment of new priests and the regulation of their conduct.

This authority extended to the oversight of various cults and temples throughout the city, ensuring that the diverse religious practices of the Roman people were integrated into the official state religion.

During the Roman Republic, the Pontifex Maximus was elected by the College of Pontiffs.

The position was initially open only to patricians, but after the Lex Ogulnia in 300 BCE, plebeians were also eligible for election, broadening the pool of candidates.

However, it was not until 254 BC that the first plebeian held the position: Tiberius Coruncanius.

The tenure of the Pontifex Maximus was for life, a feature that underscored the sacred and unchanging nature of the religious traditions the officeholder was meant to uphold.

This lifelong tenure also allowed the Pontifex Maximus to accumulate considerable experience and authority, further enhancing the prestige and influence of the position.

With the rise of the Roman Empire, the selection process for the Pontifex Maximus changed significantly.

The title became one of the many titles assumed by the Roman Emperor, effectively making the selection of the Pontifex Maximus a matter of imperial succession rather than a religious or electoral process.

As a result, the tenure of the Pontifex Maximus in the imperial period was tied to the reign of the emperor, ending with his death or abdication.

During the later Republic, the role of Pontifex Maximus became a coveted position among Rome's leading politicians.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla, the dictator, was elected Pontifex Maximus in 88 BCE. 

However, it was Julius Caesar who most famously used the office to bolster his political career.

Elected Pontifex Maximus in 63 BCE, Caesar leveraged the prestige and authority of the position to consolidate his power, setting a precedent for future Roman leaders.

Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, became Pontifex Maximus in 12 BCE, symbolizing the transfer of religious authority from the Republic's institutions to the person of the emperor.

This tradition continued with subsequent emperors, including Tiberius, Nero, and Constantine the Great, each of whom used the title to legitimize their rule and reinforce the connection between imperial authority and divine favor.

In the early 4th century CE, Emperor Constantine the Great converted to Christianity and began to promote it within the empire.

Then, in 313 CE, the Edict of Milan legalized Christianity, and by the end of the century, it had become the state religion under Emperor Theodosius I.

While the title continued to be held by Roman emperors, its association with the old pagan religion diminished.

The last emperor to hold the title in its traditional sense was Gratian, who in 382 CE, renounced the title due to its pagan connotations.

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the title of Pontifex Maximus was eventually adopted by the bishops of Rome, the popes, marking a complete transformation in its meaning.

Since Christianity replaced the polytheistic Roman religion, the pope assumed a role similar to that of the ancient Pontifex Maximus, but within the Christian context.

This change highlighted the evolving nature of religious leadership, from a primarily political and administrative role under the Roman Empire to a more spiritual and ecclesiastical role in the Christian era.