1. of or relating to the fetiales, a college of Roman priests who conducted diplomatic negotiations and declared war
Usage: archaic; historical

1. a member of the fetiales, a Roman priestly college responsible for international relations and war declarations
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The fecial priests of ancient Rome performed elaborate rituals before declaring war.
• A fecial was required to formally announce hostilities to an enemy state.
• The fecial college maintained strict protocols for diplomatic ceremonies.
• Roman fecial law governed the declaration of conflicts with neighboring peoples.