ANCILE

The shield of Mars, which, according to tradition, fell from heaven in the reign of Numa, and was accompanied by an oracle, which declared that, while it remained in Rome, the city could never be taken. Its figure was that of an oval compre ed in the middle, so as to be widest near the two extremities. Noma had it preserved in the temple of Mars, to whose priests, the Salii. its care was committed; and at the same time hid eleven more shields made to exactly the same pattern, in order to prevent the genuine one from being distinguished and stolen. Every year, in the month of March, these ancilia were carried round the city by the Salii, with solemn dances and music, for thirty consecutive days, during which time no busine connected with war was allowed to be carried on in the city. [s. 64]