Roman Festivals

Question 1

Name two Roman festivals

Answer 1

The lupercalia and saturnalia

Question 2

When was the lupercalia observed

Answer 2

February 15th

Question 3

Why was the lupercalia celebrated

Answer 3

-To avert evil spirits and purify the city
-Promote health and fertility

Question 4

What is the other name for the lupercalia

Answer 4

Dies Febratus

Question 5

Where did the lupercalia take place

Answer 5

On the Palantine Hill

Question 6

What were the whips used to whip women in the lupercalia made of

Answer 6

Made of goat skin

Question 7

What two animals were sacrificed and what spice was used

Answer 7

Goats and dogs were sacrificed, sprinkled with mola salsa

Question 8

Who made mola salsa

Answer 8

Vestal Virgins

Question 9

Which god did the lupercalia honour

Answer 9

Lupercus

Question 10

What was Lupercus the god of

Answer 10

Fertility

Question 11

Which hero did the lupercalia honour

Answer 11

Romulus

Question 12

What was Romulus known as in terms of the lupercalia?

Answer 12

King of the Shepherds

Question 13

What were the priests of the lupercalia called

Answer 13

Luperci

Question 14

Who were chosen to be luperci

Answer 14

Noble men in Rome

Question 15

What is the Lupercal

Answer 15

Cave in Palantine hill where the she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus

Question 16

What is located in the Lupercal

Answer 16

Altar that celebrated the lupercalia

Question 17

What did the luperci do after the sacrifice

Answer 17

Set off in a race around the foot of the Palantine hill

Question 18

Why were dogs and goats sacrificed in the lupercalia

Answer 18

Known for their virility(manliness & sex drive)

Question 19

Outline the sacrifice of the lupercalia

Answer 19

-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

Question 20

Who read the entrails of the sacrificed animals

Answer 20

Haruspex

Question 21

Why would the luperci run the race naked

Answer 21

Ovid explains god Lupercus was naked

Question 22

What was the only public part of the lupercalia festival

Answer 22

The race

Question 23

Why would the luperci whip women

Answer 23

To grant fertility

Question 24

Where does Plutarch say the lupercalia comes from

Answer 24

Evander from Arcadia, Greek ‘Lycaea’ means feast of wolves. Greek origins

Question 25

What was the symbolism in the sacrificial process of the lupercalia

Answer 25

Dogs sacrificed because the Greeks had a sacrifice where they buried dogs

Question 26

What did Evander bring from Greece to Rome

Answer 26

Woodland dieties

Question 27

What was Pan the god of

Answer 27

God of cattle, shepherds and flock

Question 28

What is Pan the greek version of

Answer 28

Lupercus (Roman version)

Question 29

Why did two young Luperci run around in the Lupercalia

Answer 29

Imitates Romulus and Remus after defeating Amulius

Question 30

What god was the Saturnalia dedicated to

Answer 30

Saturn

Question 31

Who was Saturn

Answer 31

A titan who was the father of Jupiter

Question 32

What is Saturn the god of

Answer 32

Abundance & wealth, sowing and the seed

Question 33

What did the saturnalia celebrate

Answer 33

End of Winter solstice

Question 34

What did the end of winter solstice represent

Answer 34

Coming of new light, rebirth and promise of a positive future

Question 35

What did the saturnalia hope for

Answer 35

A new golden age

Question 36

Why was Saturn celebrated in the saturnalia

Answer 36

Saturn was the ruler of the golden age, a time of prosperity and abundance

Question 37

What was the colourful piece of clothing the Romans wore in the Saturnalia called

Answer 37

Synthesis

Question 38

What would the Romans put on and what did it symbolise

Answer 38

Pilleus symboloised a new start

Question 39

When and where did the saturnalia start

Answer 39

17th December in the Temple of Roman Forum

Question 40

Who was allowed to participate in the saturnailia

Answer 40

Everyone, including slaves were allowed to join in festivities

Question 41

What custom did the saturnalia have that made it comedic

Answer 41

Roles were reversed, masters served dinner and slaves were allowed to speak badly without being punished

Question 42

What were given as presents in the saturnalia

Answer 42

Sigillania, small wax statues

Question 43

How did the saturnalia change overtime

Answer 43

Lasted from 17th to 23rd but Augustus shorted it to three days. Claudius extended it to 5 days

Question 44

What religious festival was inspired by the saturnilia

Answer 44

Christian celebration of Christmas, similar in terms of gift giving and feasting

Question 45

Who took part in the saturnalia

Answer 45

-All of society(national holiday) -Priests of the temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum provided religious officials

Question 46

What events were involved in the saturnalia Name 3 events

Answer 46

-Sacrifice -Public feast -Gift giving -Private feast

Question 47

What was the sacrifice like in the saturnalia

Answer 47

Priests took part with head uncovered in Greek style

Question 48

What was the public feast like in the saturnalia

Answer 48

-Took place throughout streets of Rome -Enormous expense & lasted several days, paid by state -Included statue of Saturn that would sit at the banquet

Question 49

What did the saturn statue signify in the public feast

Answer 49

Signifies gods presence

Question 50

What was the private feast like in the saturnalia

Answer 50

-Slaves & masters were equal -Slaves had power whilst masters served them