Decorating the Temple, painted by Luigi Bazzani (1887). In ancient Rome, from the year 19 BC onwards, October 12 marked the date of the Augustalia, the feast of Caesar Augustus. It was declared in commemoration of the consecration of the… Read More ›
Roman
January 1 – The Kalends of January
Happy New Year, everyone! All over the world on the first day of the year, there is drinking, feasting, and fireworks. This day also marks the last day of many people’s holiday vacations, and they are all in for having… Read More ›
November 13 – The Feast of Feronia, Patron Goddess of Freed Slaves
With the harvest season in full swing, it’s time to give thanks to the gods for the bounty that they provided. In ancient Rome, one such festival took place on the Ides of November (November 13) and it was dedicated… Read More ›
March 14 – The Equirria Martia: The Chariot Race of Mars
A Roman Chariot Race, by Alexander von Wagner (1882). Manchester City Art Galleries. Manchester, UK. In ancient Rome, March 14 was the date for the Equirria Martia, a chariot race dedicated to the ancient Roman war god Mars. The Equirria… Read More ›
May 10 – The Rosalia: The Ancient Roman Festival of the Roses
A wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Photograph by Connor Kurtz (June 10, 2007). Public domain image, Wikimedia Commons.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomb_of_the_Unknowns_crack.jpg. In ancient Rome, a festival known as the Rosalia, “the Festival of the… Read More ›
February 27 – The Chariot Race of Februus
February is the month of Februus, the ancient Roman god of purification. The name Februus comes from the Latin verb februa (which may have either Etruscan or Sabine roots), which means “to purge, purify, or cleanse”. The word “fever” is based on… Read More ›
May 1 – Part 1: The Month of Maia, the Ancient Roman Goddess of Motherhood
May is named in honor of the ancient Roman goddess Maia, the goddess of motherhood. Maia was also referred to by the Romans as Bona Dea, “the Good Goddess”. She might be one-and-the-same with Tellus, the ancient Roman “Mother Earth”… Read More ›
April 21 – Happy Birthday, Rome!
A scene from the movie The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964). For many people including myself, it is utterly impossible to imagine a world without Rome. The fabled “Eternal City of the Seven Hills” dominated the ancient world for… Read More ›
April 12-19 – The Cerealia: The Feast of Ceres, the Ancient Roman Goddess of Agriculture
Wheat in a field. Public domain image, Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wheat_in_field.jpg. It is now mid April. The cold chill of Winter has been banished, and there will only be warmer days to come. New green growth is springing up everywhere. The… Read More ›
December 5 – The Festival of Faunus
In the ancient Roman calendar, each month had three special days assigned to it: the Kalends, the Nones, and the Ides. The “Kalends” was the first day in each month, and it’s from this Latin word that we get our… Read More ›
DINOSAURS AND BARBARIANS 
