The ancient Romans celebrated many holy days; probably more than is practical for we modern Pagans to attempt to emulate. They didn't have weekends so these feast days were their only days off from work, though Sunday was declared a day of rest by Constantine in the 4th century BCE. Feast days allowed Romans to come together to share what their labor wrought and spend time with their neighbors, as well as take in state sponsored entertainment, and of course serve their Gods. Festivals often included a sacrifice and a communal meal which meant that the poorest people of the city had the opportunity to eat well once in awhile.
A great deal of information about the feast days celebrated by the ancient Romans can be gotten from Ovid's Fasti
Agonalia -The word Agonalia may derive from agonia meaning victim or agonium meaning festival.
Amburbium -Amburbium was a city-wide ritual that took place in ancient Rome during times of great distress. During this time everything in the city was cleansed and purified. There was a great procession three times around the city led by priests after which a hog, a ram and a bull were sacrificed. Some sources say that this ritual was traditionally performed in the middle of February.
Anna Perenna -Anna Perenna fell on the Ides of March (March 15) which would have been the first full moon of the year according to the old calendar. It honored the Goddess of the returning year.
Brumalia -Brumalia is an ancient Roman winter festival incorporating many smaller festivals celebrating Saturn, Ops and Bacchus. The word Brumalia comes from the Latin bruma meaning "shortest day".
Caristia -Caristia, or Cara cognatio, was a Roman feast day that fell on the 22nd of February, between the Feralia and the Terminalia. On this day the family gathered in the home for a big feast of thanksgiving for one another. Fathers were expected to be particularly attentive to their families during this time. Household and hearth deities were honored, but there were no major obligations as far as the state religion was concerned.
Carmentalia -This festival honored Carmenta, Roman Goddess of childbirth, healing and the future on January 11 and January 15. It was primarily a woman's festival.
Cerealia -Cerealia was a 7-day festival celebrated in ancient Rome in honor of the goddess Ceres. The exact dates of the April festival are uncertain: but it may have started started on the Ides of April. The festival involved women in white robes carrying torches in solidarity with the Goddess Ceres/Demeter's search for her lost daughter Proserphina/Persephone and was accompanied by the Ludi Ceriales or "Games of Ceres" in the Circus Maximus.
Compitalia -The Compitalia or Ludi Compitalicii was a festival celebrated once a year in honor of the Lares Compitales, household deities of the crossroads, to whom sacrifices were offered at the places where two or more ways meet. The word comes from the Latin compitum, a cross-way.
Equirria -Horse races were held on this day in honor of the God Mars on February 17th and March 14th.
Feast Of Epicurus -Epicurus was a philosopher in the third century B.C.E. who established a community he called "The Garden". The group accepted women, including courtesans, and slaves and was looked down upon by many of the pillars of society. After his death in 270 B.C.E., his followers celebrated a monthly feast in his honor.
Februa -The ancient Romans called the tools used for purification Februa and the purification rituals performed during the festival of Lupercalia (Also called dies Februatus, the day of purification or purging, February 15th.) were named for these tools, though februa of other sorts were used in other rites as well. The name for these tools was given also to the month in which it takes place, February (On the 15th). The Luperci priests would offer a goat in sacrifice and cut thongs from its flesh, these thongs were the februa. Then they circumambulated Palatine hill striking those that they met along the way with the thongs, which purified them. According to Plutarch1, women of childbearing age especially sought out this purification in hopes of increased fertility and easy childbirth.
Lupercalia -Lupercalia was an ancient Roman fertility festival celebrated on February 15 in honor of Faunus. Priests called Luperci walked through the streets with strips of goatskin with which they struck festival goers in order to purify them and ensure their fertility.
Matronalia -Matronalia was celebrated on March 1st in ancient Rome in honor of Juno Lucina with lambs and cattle.
Megalesia -The Megalesia or Megalenses Ludi is an ancient Roman festival in honor of the Magna Mater (great mother) Cybele that lasted for six days, beginning on April 4th. It celebrated the bringing of Cybele's sacred relic from Pessinus to Rome and the dedication of Her temple by Marcus Junium Brutus in 203 BC. The statue was brought to Rome during the Punic Wars because the Sibylline Books predicted that the Phrygian Goddess would help them defeat Hannibal.
Opiconsivia -Opiconsivia or Opeconsiva is an ancient Roman harvest festival that was celebrated on August 25th in honor of the Goddess Ops or Opis, the Goddess of plenty. The word "consivia" comes from the Latin word conserere, to sow. The Vestal Virgins and Flamines of Quirinus oversaw the festivities which involved a chariot race. Draft animals were crowned with flowers and allowed to take part in the festivities.
Pax -The festival in honor of Pax, the Roman Goddess of Peace, was held on January 3rd. Images of Roman leaders may have been placed at her feet on this day.
Poplifugia -Poplifugia or Populifugia was a Roman festival celebrated on July 5th. Translated from Latin, the name of the festival is: "the day of the people's flight".
Quinquatrus -Quinquatrus is an ancient Roman festival in honor of the Goddess Minerva that began on March 19th and continued for five days. The first, most important day, was the consecration of Minerva's temple and subsequent days consisted of gladiatorial contests, plays, orators, poets, and the consultation of fortune tellers by women.
Saturnalia -Saturnalia was an ancient Roman holiday held from December 17th or the first day of Capricorn, the house of Saturn and lasted from one to five days variously through its history. The celebration of Saturnalia continued into the 4th century C.E.
Tubilustrium -Tubilustrium was an ancient Roman festival in honor of the God Mars that took place on March 23rd and marked the beginning of the campaign season. War trumpets and weapons were cleaned and Priests of Mars called Salii went dancing through the streets.
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