Inancient Roman religion,mola salsa ("salted flour") was a mixture ofcoarse-ground, toastedemmer[1]flour andsalt prepared by theVestal Virgins and used in every official sacrifice. It was sprinkled on the forehead and between the horns ofanimal victims before they were sacrificed,[2] as well as on the altar and in thesacred fire. It was a common offering to the householdhearth.
Servius describes the substance aspius (perhaps "reverently prepared" in this sense) andcastus ("ritually pure").[3] Themola salsa was so fundamental to sacrifice that "to put on themola" (Latinimmolare) came to mean "to sacrifice", hence English "immolation". Its use was one of the numerous religious traditions ascribed toNuma Pompilius, theSabine secondking of Rome.[4]
TheCollege of Vestals would makemola salsa during theVestalia, the chieffestival of the hearth goddessVesta celebrated June 7–15.
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