[200] As already seen, a communal sacrifice meant the eating together of the sacred food, whether the flesh of a victim or grain.
79.

The Suovetaurilia.
The Roman city sacrifice of the Suovetaurilia, as described by M.de Coulanges, is of the greatest interest.

The magistrate whose duty it was to accomplish it, that is in the first place the king, after him the consul, and after him the censor, had first to take the auspices and ascertain that the gods were favourable.

Then he summoned the people through a herald by a consecrated form of words.

On the appointed day all the citizens assembled outside the walls; and while they stood silent the magistrate proceeded three times round the assembly, driving before him three victims--a pig, a ram and a bull.