Lŭpercus, i, m. [lupus, and perh. arceo].
I The Roman name of the Lycean Pan (so called because he protected the flocks from wolves), Just. 4, 3, 1.—Far more freq.,
II A priest of the Lycean Pan : nudi Luperci, Verg. A. 8, 663; Ov. F. 2, 267: nec prodest agili palmas praebere Luperco, Juv. 2, 142. There were at first two classes of these priests, the Fabiani and the Quintiliani, to whom afterwards, in honor of Caesar, were added the Juliani, Suet. Caes. 76. At first the priests were chosen only from the herdsmen, but afterwards young persons of the highest rank were received among them: ita eras Lupercus, ut te consulem esse meminisse deberes, Cic. Phil. 2, 34, 85; Suet. Aug. 31.— There were also Luperci at Velitrae, Inscr. Murat. 1, 3.