15 February
Lupercalia
The city was purged of evil when two goats
and one dog were sacrificed at the Cave of Lupa. Whips were made from the skins
of the sacrificed animals and given to two young men who had the blood poured
over them. The men then ran through the streets whipping any women they could
reach.
17 March
Liberalia
Boys who had become 14 in the previous year
were declared to be adult men. After a feast at home the boys joined a
procession that marched around the city calling at 27 sacred shrines and
temples.
7 June
Ludi Piscatori
A festival in honour of the god of the
River Tiber. Fish caught from the river were burned on the altar of the Temple
of Vulcan. Everyone in Rome had the day off work.
6-13 July
Ludi Apollonares
A week-long festival to honour the god Apollo.
The theatres put on special shows while horse and chariot races took place in
the Circus Maximus.
23 July
Neptunalia
A festival in honour of the god Neptune
that involved horse racing. Also a day on which elections were held.
28 August
Sol Luna
A festival honouring the sun and moon with
chariot races and other events in the Circus Maximus.
5-19 September
Ludi Romani
The games honouring the god Jupiter. A
great procession through the streets was followed by chariot racing, horse
racing, athletic contests, theatre shows, gladiator fights and feasting.
15 October
October Horse
This festival honoured the god Mars. It
began with a procession to the Campus Martius, a field north of the city where
the army traditionally practised. Chariot races took place and the lead horse
of the winning team was killed using the sacred spear of Mars. The severed head
of the horse was then nailed to the walls of Rome.
17 December
Saturnalia
This festival began with a procession to
the Temple of Saturn, followed by sacrifices. This was followed by people
giving each other gifts and by feasts and parties held in private houses.
Traditionally slaves had the day off work and gambling was allowed within the
walls of the city.
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