Simpulum

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The simpulum was a small ladle or dipper used in ancient Roman religious rituals, particularly within the context of libations and offerings to the gods. Its shape, featuring a long handle and a shallow bowl, made it ideal for scooping and pouring liquid offerings such as wine, milk, or water. The simpulum played a central role in acts of devotion, reflecting the importance of ritual purity and precision in Roman religious practices.

In state and household rituals, the simpulum was used to pour libations onto altars, sacred fires, or the ground as offerings to deities. This act symbolized reverence and gratitude to the gods, seeking their favor or expressing thanks for blessings received. The simpulum was often associated with the priestly colleges, especially the Pontifices and Flamines, and its presence in ceremonies underscored the sanctity of the rituals they performed.

The simpulum also became a symbolic element in Roman art and coinage, representing piety and religious duty. It was frequently depicted alongside other ritual implements like the lituus (a curved staff used by augurs) and the aspergillum (a tool for sprinkling holy water). Such imagery served to emphasize the religious authority of figures like emperors or high-ranking priests, who often sought to portray themselves as devout and divinely favored leaders.