| Floralia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observed by | Roman Republic,Roman Empire |
| Type | Classical Roman religion |
| Celebrations | nude dancing,gladiator contests,theatrical performances,circus events |
| Observances | sacrifice toFlora; ceremonial release of hares and goats; scattering of legumes; colorful garments worn |
| Date | 28 April – 3 May[2] |
| Related to | the goddess FloraFloralia is celebrated for 6 days. |
TheFloralia was afestival ofancient Roman religion in honor of thegoddess Flora, held on 27 April during theRepublican era, or 28 April in theJulian calendar. The festival includedLudi Florae, the "Games of Flora", which lasted for six days under theempire.[3]
The festival had a licentious, pleasure-seeking atmosphere. In contrast to many festivals which had apatrician character, the games of Flora wereplebeian in nature.[4]
Flora is one of the most ancient goddesses of Roman religion and was one of fifteen deities to have her own state-supported high priest, theflamen Florialis. A goddess of flowers, vegetation, and fertility, she received sacrifices(piacula) in the sacred grove of theArval Brothers, an archaic priesthood.[5] Her altar at Rome was said to have been established by theSabine kingTitus Tatius during the semi-legendaryRegal period.[6]Flusalis (linguistically equivalent toFloralia) was a month on the Sabine calendar, andVarro counted Flora among theSabine deities.[7]
TheTemple of Flora was built in Rome upon consultation with theSibylline Books shortly after a drought that occurred around 241–238 BCE. The temple was located near theCircus Maximus on the lower slope of theAventine Hill, a site associated with theplebeians of Rome. Games were instituted for the founding day of the temple (28 April), and were held only occasionally until continued crop damage led to their annual celebration beginning in 173.[8]
Flora Rustica ("Rural Flora") had another temple on theQuirinal Hill, the Temple of Flora Rustica, which may have been the location of the altar erected by Tatius.[9]
The games(ludi) of Flora were presented by theplebeian aediles and paid for by fines collected when public lands(ager publicus) were encroached upon.[10]Cicero mentions his role in organizing games for Flora when he was aedile in 69 BC.[11] The festival opened with theatrical performances(ludi scaenici), and concluded withcompetitive events and spectacles at the Circus and a sacrifice to Flora.[12] In AD 68, the entertainments at the Floralia presented under the emperorGalba featured atightrope-walking elephant.[13]
Prostitutes participated in the Floralia as well as the wine festival (Vinalia) on 23 April. According to the satiristJuvenal,[14] prostitutes danced naked and fought in mockgladiator combat.[15] Many prostitutes in ancient Rome wereslaves, and even free women who worked as prostitutes lost their legal and social standing as citizens, but their inclusion at religious festivals indicates that they were not completely cast out from society.[16]
Ovid says thathares andgoats—animals considered fertile and salacious—were ceremonially released as part of the festivities.Persius says that the crowd was pelted withvetches, beans, andlupins, alsosymbols of fertility.
In contrast to theCerealia, when white garments were worn, multi-colored clothing was customary.[17] There may have been nocturnal observances, since sources mention measures taken to light the way after the theatrical performances.
A rite called theFlorifertum is described by one source[18] as involving the bearing(fert-) of wheat ears(spicae) into a shrine(sacrarium). It is unclear whether the offering was made to Flora[19] or toCeres,[20] or whether if made to Flora it occurred on 27 April or 3 May.[21] Ovid describes aflorifertum in honor ofJuno Lucina on 1 March,[22] a date also celebrated as thedies natalis ("birthday") ofMars[23]in whose conception Flora played a role.