On August 3, 390 BC, the unthinkable happened – the city of Rome fell to the barbarians. But first, some background information… After a ten year long civil war, the Roman Republic was officially created in 499 BC. Ever since… Read More ›
Roman
June 1 – The Month of Marriage and the Carnal Kalends of Carna
June is the month of Juno, the goddess of women, marriage, and women’s health. Most weddings in ancient Rome took place in June to honor Juno. Even today, there is a tradition of “June weddings”. The poet Ovid states that… Read More ›
May 14 – The Sacrifice of the Argei
This is a follow-up post to another article that I had posted on March 16. I suggest that you read that one before you read this article. To read the article dated to March 16, click here. Ancient writers such… Read More ›
April 4 – The Feast of Cybele
April 4 marked the beginning of a multi-day festival in ancient Rome dedicated to Cybele, the mother of the gods; Cybele is the Roman version of the Greek goddess Hera. Cybele originated from Crete, with her sanctuary atop Mount Berekynthos… Read More ›
April 1 – The Feast of Venus, Changer of Hearts
April is the month of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and April 1 was one of several days in the Roman calendar dedicated to her. April is also the month of Apru, the Etruscan goddess of love; her name… Read More ›
March 31 – The Feast of the Moon
March 31 was the day held in honor of Luna, the divine personification of the Moon. As Ovid says, “The Moon rules the months: this month’s span ends with the worship of the Moon on the Aventine Hill” (Ovid, Fasti,… Read More ›
March 25 – The Hilaria: The Festival of Joy
As a famous ancient Roman proverb says, “Don’t worry, be happy”. Well, not really, but that was the general feeling in Rome every March 25th. Why? Because this was the date of a festival called the Hilaria. If this word… Read More ›
March 23 – The Tubilustrium: Hear the Trumpet’s Call
Ancient Roman re-enactors marching at Xanten, Germany. Photograph by Judith Meyer (June 23, 2012). CC0 Creative Commons. March 23 was the date for an ancient Roman festival called the Tubilustrium. This was a day of important social and military significance,… Read More ›
March 19 – The Feast of Minerva
March 19 marked the beginning of the Quinquatria, “the Festival of Five Days”, spanning from March 19 to 23. This was a five day long celebration of the goddess Minerva, the Roman version of the Greek goddess Athena. She was… Read More ›
March 17 – The Feast of Mars
Today is March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day. While people all over the world celebrate everything that it means to be Irish, things would have been different two thousand years ago. Tradition states that Saint Patrick died on March 17, but… Read More ›
DINOSAURS AND BARBARIANS 