Roman Festivals Flashcards
Name two Roman festivals
The lupercalia and saturnalia
When was the lupercalia observed
February 15th
Why was the lupercalia celebrated
-To avert evil spirits and purify the city
-Promote health and fertility
What is the other name for the lupercalia
Dies Febratus
Where did the lupercalia take place
On the Palantine Hill
What were the whips used to whip women in the lupercalia made of
Made of goat skin
What two animals were sacrificed and what spice was used
Goats and dogs were sacrificed, sprinkled with mola salsa
Who made mola salsa
Vestal Virgins
Which god did the lupercalia honour
Lupercus
What was Lupercus the god of
Fertility
Which hero did the lupercalia honour
Romulus
What was Romulus known as in terms of the lupercalia?
King of the Shepherds
What were the priests of the lupercalia called
Luperci
Who were chosen to be luperci
Noble men in Rome
What is the Lupercal
Cave in Palantine hill where the she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus
What is located in the Lupercal
Altar that celebrated the lupercalia
What did the luperci do after the sacrifice
Set off in a race around the foot of the Palantine hill
Why were dogs and goats sacrificed in the lupercalia
Known for their virility(manliness & sex drive)
Outline the sacrifice of the lupercalia
-Animals made to nod in acceptance of the sacrifice
-Mola salsa sprinkled on heads and throats slit
-Blood was collected and was dripped on forehead of participants
-Priests let out a laugh at this point
-Entrails read and if good, sacrificial meat consumed
Who read the entrails of the sacrificed animals
Haruspex
Why would the luperci run the race naked
Ovid explains god Lupercus was naked
What was the only public part of the lupercalia festival
The race
Why would the luperci whip women
To grant fertility
Where does Plutarch say the lupercalia comes from
Evander from Arcadia, Greek ‘Lycaea’ means feast of wolves. Greek origins
What was the symbolism in the sacrificial process of the lupercalia
Dogs sacrificed because Greeks has a sacrifice where they buried dogs
What did Evander bring from Greece to Rome
Woodland dieties
What was Pan a god of
God of cattle, shepherds and flock
What is Pan the greek version of
Lupercus (Roman version)
Why did two young Luperci run around in the Lupercalia
Imitates Romulus and Remus after defeating Amulius
What god was the Saturnalia dedicated to
Saturn
Who was Saturn
A titan who was the father of Jupiter
What is Saturn the god of
Abundance & wealth, sowing and the seed
What did the saturnalia celebrate
End of Winter solstice
What did the end of winter solstice represent
Coming of new light, rebirth and promise of a positive future
What did the saturnalia hope for
A new golden age
Why was Saturn celebrated in the saturnalia
Saturn was the ruler of the golden age, a time of prosperity and abundance
What was the colourful piece of clothing the Romans wore in the Saturnalia called
Synthesis
What would the Romans put on and what did it symbolise
Pilleus symboloised a new start
When and where did the saturnalia start
17th December in the Temple of Roman Forum
Who was allowed to participate in the saturnailia
Everyone, including slaves were allowed to join in festivities
What custom did the saturnalia have that made it comedic
Roles were reversed, masters served dinner and slaves were allowed to speak badly without being punished
What were given as presents in the saturnalia
Sigillania, small wax statues
How did the saturnalia change overtime
Lasted from 17th to 23rd but Augustus shorted it to three days. Claudius extended it to 5 days
What religion was inspired by the saturnilia
Christian celebration of Christmas, similar in terms of gift giving and feasting
Who took part in the saturnalia
-All of society(national holiday)
-Priests of the temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum provided religious officials
What events were involved in the saturnalia
Name 3 events
-Sacrifice
-Public feast
-Gift giving
-Private feast
What was the sacrifice like in the saturnalia
Priests took part with head uncovered in Greek style
What was the public feast like in the saturnalia
-Took place throughout streets of Rome
-Enormous expense & lasted several days, paid by state
-Included statue of Saturn that would sit at the banquet
What did the saturn statue signify in the public feast
Signifies gods presence
What was the private feast like in the saturnalia
-Slaves & masters were equal
-Slaves had power whilst masters served them
