Return to Table of Contents

Roman Festivals

The Romans celebrated many festivals, which were often public holidays. Each festival had its own religious or social meaning. But, even in the public holidays, business would only be forbidden if it was a very solemn occasion. Festivals were often celebrated with races, games, and performances at the theatre.

There were about 115 festivals every year during the rule of Augustus, but the number increased to over 200 a year during the rule of later emperors. Here are some of the most important occasions:

JANUARY

1st New consuls were sworn in on this day. To thank Jupiter for his protection and guard in the past year, bulls were given as sacrifices to him.

Early January Compitaiia .In the country, a small shrine and an altar was built by all the farmers on the boundary of their farm. Then, they placed a plough and wooden dolls to represent each member of their household there. The next day was a national holiday, and they made a sacrifice which was meant to purify their farmland for the coming year. In the city, the head of each insula. (apartment) made a sacrifice of a hen on an altar which was built at cross-roads, and afterwards, there were three days of celebration.

FEBRUARY

13th -21st Parentalia. This occasion was in honour of the dead parents. The Romans visited their parents' graves, and placed flowers, milk and wine on their graves so the dead wouldn't get hungry or thirsty.

15th Lupercalia<. This ceremony was for women who wanted to have children. Two groups of young men gathered at the 'Lupercal', which was a cave on the Palatine. The youths raced around the hill, as crowds watched. These racers were dressed in sacrificed goatskin, and were smeared with blood. As they ran, they whipped goatskin at the spectators. The women had to stand near the race to be whipped, because the whipping was said to promote fertility. (Here is a link which suggests that the holiday has become today's Valentine's Day.)

22nd Caristia. This was a happy feast which concluded the Parentalia. Families gathered to enjoy a cheerful dinner together.

MARCH

15th This was a festival held for Anna Perenna, the goddess of the year. Sometimes, people believed that they would live the number of years that they could drink in cups of wine.

23rd Tuhilustriurn . On this day the sacred trumpets of war were purified to the God Mars. It was to bring success in the coming battle season.

APRIL

12th-19th Ludi Ceriales. The Romans celebrated a festival in honour of Ceres, the goddess of corn. There were games held on this day and musicians paraded in the streets.

21st Parilia. This ceremony was only celebrated in the country in the first place to keep the sheep from catching diseases, but later it started to take place in the city of Rome as well, as the date was said to have been that of the birth of Rome. Festivities were organised in each area, which included bonfires onto which offerings were thrown.. The people also danced in the flames. This event was ended with a big feast outside.

28th-May 3rd Ludi Florales or Floralia. This ceremony was held to honour the goddess of flowers, called Flora. It was also a celebration of fertility. On this day, the people danced in colourful garlands, and flowers were piled high on tables.

JUNE

24th Fors Fortuna This festival was held in honour of the goddess Fortuna. This was a great public holiday, and the Romans rowed down the River Tiber to two shrines just outside Rome, where sacrifices were made for Fortuna. This was followed by picnicking and drinking for the rest of the day.

JULY

6th-13th Ludi Apollinares. During the republic times, this ceremony was connected to religious occasions to the god Apollo. But, in the Imperial times, it became an excuse for theatrical performances, races and games.

AUGUST

12th Businessmen and traders paid ten percent of their profits to Mercury's shrine on this day. Mercury was known for his cunning and sly practices. The money was used for a feast which took place in public on this day.

SEPTEMBER

5th-19th Ludi Romani . At first, this long ceremony of games, chariot races and theatrical shows was in honour of the god Jupiter, but later, it was not so much of a religious ceremony.

On 13th September, the sacrifice of a cow was given at the temple of Jupiter, and the Senate and all the magistrates had a banquet there. Statues of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva were dressed and placed on the couches with the humans, so they could share the banquet.

NOVEMBER

4TH-17th Ludi Plebeii. There were races, games and performances at the theatre taken place during this festival for Jupiter. On 13th, there was a banquet held for the senators and magistrates.

DECEMBER

Early December Rites of Bona Dea. This was a ceremony to honour ~Bona Dea ("Good Goddess"). She was believed to have protected women. The rituals took place in secrecy, and males were strictly forbidden. Dancing, drinking and worshipping sacred objects may have been involved in the rites.

17th Saturnalia . At first, this ceremony only lasted for a day, but later, it was lengthened to a week. It was begun with sacrifices made to Saturn at his temple. Then young pigs were killed and eaten for dinner the next day and the masters waited on their slaves.

Here is an external link with a list of the Roman festivals. (There are a lot!) The Romans had a lot of superstitions too.