Lupercalia

Lupercalia, literally the festival of the "she wolf," is an ancient Roman holiday observed by pagan cultures between February 13th and 15th. The festival honored Lupa, the she-wolf who sucked the infant founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus. The purpose of the festival was to ward off evil spirits and and bring fertility to the city.

The celebrations took place at the mouth of the Lupercal cave and involved the sacrifice of two male goats and a dog.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: Pagan Rome
2. Date: February 13 - 15
3. Celebrates she-goat that nursed Romulus and Remus
4. Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar opens during the festival of Lupercalia.

Precursor to Valentine's Day

Some historians believe that Lupercalia is a precursor to the modern day St. Valentine's Day. The day before the ancient festival men would draw tickets from an urn and were expected to pursue the woman whose name they drew.

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