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 suckled 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. Bates University: Roman Civilization: Lupercalia

The celebrations took place at the mouth of the Lupercal cave and involved the sacrifice of two male goats and a dog.Bates University: Roman Civilization: Lupercalia

Some historians believe that Lupercalia is a precursor to the modern day celebration known as Valentine's Day. The day before the ancient festival, the men would draw tickets from an urn and were expected to pursue the woman whose name they drew. Lupercalia was also a time to celebrate fertility. During a ritual sacrifice, the Roman priests smeared animal blood on the foreheads of two young men. Afterwards, the boys were required to run around slapping people with the skin from the sacrificed goat. Women considered it a great honor and blessing to be slapped with the skin, as it meant they were likely to conceive a child within the coming year.Brooklyn College: Lupercalia