Epulum Jovis

In ancient Roman religion, the Epulum Jovis (also Epulum Iovis) was a sumptuous ritual feast offered to Jove on the Ides of September (September 13) and a smaller feast on the Ides of November (November 13).[1] It was celebrated during the Ludi Romani ("Roman Games") and the Ludi Plebeii ("Plebeian Games").[2]

The gods were formally invited, and attended in the form of statues.[3] These were arranged on luxurious couches (pulvinaria) placed at the most honorable part of the table. Fine food was served, as if they were able to eat. The priests designated as epulones, or masters of the feast, organized and carried out the ritual, and acted as "gastronomic proxies" in eating the food.

  1. ^ Greswell, Edward (1854). Origines kalendariæ italicæ: nundinal calendars of ancient Italy, nundinal calendar of Romulus, calendar of Numa Pompilius, calendar of the decemvirs, irregular Roman calendar, and Julian correction. Tables of the Roman calendar, from U.C. 4 of Varro B.C. 750 to U.C. 1108 A.D. 355, Volume 3. New York: University Press. p. 397. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  2. ^ Origines Kalendariae Italicae Nundinal Calendars of Ancient Italy, Nundinal of Calendar of Romulus, Calendar of Numa Pompilius, Calendar of the Decemvirs, Irregular Roman Calendar, and Julian Correctio Tables of the Roman Calendar, from V. C. 4 of Varro, B. C. 750, to V. C. 1108 A. D 355. 4 by Edward Greswell, B.D: Vol. 3. University Press. 1854. pp. 397–.
  3. ^ William Warde Fowler (1899). The Roman Festivals of the Period of the Republic: An Introduction to the Study of the Religion of the Romans. Macmillan. pp. 218–.