Tales of the Lupercalia Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

First it must be remembered that Rome is one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in the world. Archaeologists have found remains that have been dated back to about 14,000 years ago, and stone tools and weapons that date to about 10,000 years ago. Dating to approximately the 14th century BC, the Palatine Hill, where the Lupercalia was celebrated, contained settlements of shepherds; it is believed, in fact, that the Lupercalia may have had its origins in the pastoral way of life.

The exact origin of the Lupercalia, however, is unknown, but some believe that the rituals might have originated with the ancient Etruscans who are credited with building the city of Rome. According to Roman mythology, the city was founded in 753 BC by Remus and Romulus, and Etruscans were among the Seven Legendary Kings who ruled Rome until the Republic was founded in 509 BC.

While the ancient Romans may have admitted that the origin of parts of the ceremony were unknown to them, and they had no idea why some of the rituals were performed, they were too superstitious to leave anything out!

Answer: February 15

The ancient Romans enjoyed a variety of holidays during the calendar year; on January 9 the Agonalia was held in honor of the god Janus, and on March 15 the Feriae Iovi, sacred to Jupiter, was celebrated. The Veneralia, which honored Venus, took place on April 1.

February 15 was the date of the Lupercalia, also called the "dies Februatus" after the "februa", instruments used in the ritual. The goddess Juno, who was called Juno Februalis during the Lupercalia, was the festival's patron deity. Different sources claim a variety of people may have actually influenced the beginnings of the ancient festival - the Etruscans (as already mentioned), along with Greeks, Latins, and Sabines - all early groups who inhabited the area around Rome and influenced Roman development.

Answer: Wolf

The word Lupercalia is believed to have derived from the Latin "lupus", meaning wolf. The Lupercal Cave, where it was believed the wolf found Remus and Romulus and nursed them until they were discovered by the kindly shepherd who took them home for his wife to raise, was found at the base of the Palatine Hill where the festival began with sacred rites.

These sacred rites were performed in the Lupercal Cave by priests, young men called the Luperci, or brothers of the wolf, who would then run around the Palatine Hill and to the Forum before going back to the sacred cave.

Answer: Goat

According to the ancient writer, Plutarch, a young dog and typically two male goats were sacrificed during the sacred rite that was held in the Lupercal Cave. Why? He claimed that both male goats and young dogs have a strong sexual instinct. Once the sacrifices were made, two of the Luperci were anointed with blood, after which they were expected to break out in laughter. (This was a part of the ritual that even the ancient Romans didn't understand.

They were, however, unwilling to take a chance of leaving something important out, so they laughed!) After the blood was wiped off with wool that had been soaked in milk, the priests prepared for the remainder of the festivity.

Answer: Vestal Virgins

First of all, the ancient Romans are renowned for the fabulous feasting that was done on certain festival days. The Lupercalia, however, was not one of those feasting festivals. The entrails from the goats were roasted on sticks and fed to the people along with salted mealcakes made by Vestal Virgins. Then the drinking began and apparently continued for the rest of the day!

The Vestal Virgins took a vow of chastity to serve Vesta, the spirit of the hearth and fire. Their sacred duty was to keep an eternal fire burning in her temple, which was located in the Forum. Keeping the fire burning was viewed as being paramount to the continuation of the city of Rome and its empire. They also were entrusted with wills and testaments, guarded sacred objects, and were present at sacred rituals, bringing with them the sacred flour, "mola salsa" that was needed at every sacrifice, and, for the Lupercalia, was used to make the mealcakes.

Answer: They would be lashed.

After the male goats were sacrificed, their skins would be used to make thongs, and, according to some accounts, partially clothe the Luperci, who would then would run around the Palatine Hill half naked, lashing at people in the crowd with the thongs. Don't be horrified by this act, though! Being hit with one of the thongs was a good thing. Pregnant women who were lashed would have an easy delivery; women who had infertility problems would become pregnant.

It is said that some women would even stand in the priests' way and bare their skin in order to be sure they would feel the lash!

Answer: Purify the city

October 4 was the harvest festival to honor Ceres; it was a day of fasting. The Saturnalia, when gifts were exchanged and social norms went out the window, was held December 17-23. April 25 was the date of the Robigalia, held to protect the grain harvest from disease.

The purpose of the Lupercalia was to drive any evil spirits from the city and purify it, while at the same time promoting fertility and good health. In fact, the name "February" could have come from a variety of languages, but what they all have in common is the meaning of "purge" or "purification". In Latin, the term is "febris", which means fever, or the purification sweat that comes with a fever; in Etruscan, the word was "februare", which means purging. The thongs that were used to whip the crowds were called "februa".

Answer: Refusal of a crown

To understand the importance of this event in Caesar's life, it must be noted here that Caesar's best friend, Mark Antony, was one of the Luperci, or priests, the day he offered the crown. Not only that, but he was one of the two runners who were dressed in skins, lashing people in the crowd.

In the story told by the ancient author, Plutarch, Caesar was standing in the crowd watching the festivities when Antony ran by and put the crown on his head. It was probably made of a laurel branch that would fasten to the head with a ribbon. Caesar refused the crown; did he hope that the merry crowd would see the situation in a different light and maybe demand that he become king? Or that the gesture would be enough to assuage some worries that he wanted the job?

Answer: Pan

The Arcadian Lykaia was held in the highest mountain in Arcadia, Mount Lykaion, or Wolf Mountain. It is believed that there was a yearly festival, probably at the beginning of May, which served as a sort of a rite of passage for the young men who participated. Pan, the Greek god of shepherds, flocks, fertility, and more, had a sanctuary nearby.

Some believe that the Greeks originally may have colonized on the Palatine Hill, introducing the belief in Pan, who in Rome became known as Faunus, while at the same time initiating their sacred festival, which in time became the Lupercalia.

Answer: False

Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire in 313 AD when he issued the Edict of Milan. Although he banned the building of new temples, at first he showed a toleration of pagan rituals and sacrifices. His successors, however, were not so tolerant. Anti-paganism became the norm, and by the time Christianity was made the state religion of the Roman Empire, during the reign of Theodosius I (381-395), the fire in the Temple of Vesta was extinguished, and even the Olympic Games were banned. Why, then, did the Romans continue to celebrate the Lupercalia even after the fall of the Empire? It is difficult to say, especially when even Pope Gelasius I complained that the celebrants were "vile rabble". Perhaps they were afraid of what might happen if they stopped - afraid in the same way they were afraid to quit doing part of the ritual, even though they had no idea why they were doing it!