Ancile

The ancile (plural ancilia) was a sacred shield in ancient Rome, believed to have fallen from heaven during the reign of Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. According to legend, an oracle declared that Rome's power would endure as long as the ancile was preserved.

To prevent its theft and ensure its protection, Numa ordered eleven identical shields to be crafted. These twelve shields, including the original, were then entrusted to the care of the Salii, a college of priests dedicated to Mars.

The Salii performed an annual ritual in March (Martius), involving a procession through the city during which they carried the ancilia, chanted, and danced. They wore archaic armor and sang the carmen Saliare, a hymn written in an ancient and largely unintelligible form of Latin. This ritual was seen as vital for the security and prosperity of Rome.

The true appearance of the ancilia is not precisely known. Ancient sources suggest they were oval or figure-eight shaped, differing from the typical round shields used by Roman soldiers. Their shape and origin imbued them with a mystical significance that connected them to the divine favor believed to protect Rome. The loss or damage to any of the ancilia was considered a dire omen.