Salii

The Salii were from early times priests of Mars, who danced in armor, and sang old hymns.

They were conterminous with the Salii—Ὑπεδεξάμην μὲν μοῖραν τοῦ Σαλίων ἔθνους, Χαμάβους δὲ ἐξήλασα.

It was properly applied to the olive-twig bound round with wool, which was stuck in the cap worn by the flamines and salii.

The Salii celebrated Mars at seed-time—in the month which bears his name, mensis Martius.