| Floralia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observed by | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Type | Classical Roman religion |
| Celebrations | nude dancing, gladiator contests, theatrical performances, circus events |
| Observances | sacrifice to Flora; ceremonial release of hares and goats; scattering of legumes; colorful garments worn |
| Date | 28 April – 3 May[2] |
| Related to | the goddess Flora Floralia is celebrated for 6 days. |
The Floralia was a festival of ancient Roman religion in honor of the goddess Flora, held on 27 April during the Republican era, or 28 April in the Julian calendar. The festival included Ludi Florae, the "Games of Flora", which lasted for six days under the empire.[3]
The festival had a licentious, pleasure-seeking atmosphere. In contrast to many festivals which had a patrician character, the games of Flora were plebeian in nature.[4]
- ^ Ovid, Fasti, Book 4; T.P. Wiseman, The Myths of Rome (University of Exeter Press, 2004), pp. 1–11.
- ^ Robert Turcan, The Gods of Ancient Rome (Routledge, 2001; originally published in French 1998), p. 69.
- ^ H.H. Scullard, Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic (Cornell University Press, 1981), p. 110.
- ^ William Warde Fowler, The Roman Festivals of the Period of the Republic (London, 1908), p. 92.