To the Romans, superstitions were a natural part of life Stones, trees, springs, caves, lakes,...

Ancient Rome

Caesar

Rome During Caesar’s Day

Architecture

Architecture

Architecture

Architecture

Architecture

Architecture

Public street in Rome

Public street in Rome

One of the many Roman temples

One of the many Roman temples

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

To the Romans, superstitions were a natural part of life

Stones, trees, springs, caves, lakes, swamps, mountains, animals and furniture were all thought to host spirits

Children were told stories of nasty creatures that would eat them if they weren’t good

Roman superstitions

Mormo was a terrifying woman with donkey legs

Lamia stalked around looking for children to eat

Romans believed that some houses were haunted, especially if a crime, or murder, had taken place there

Nobody would live in a haunted house and few would enter the building

Roman superstitions

They believed in werewolves

Sea monsters lived in the surrounded seas

Witches and vampires roamed the streets at night and were believed to sneak into the house of a dead man to rob and mutilate his corpse by eating its nose

Roman superstitions

Many believed in amulets and lucky charms

Marriages were planned for certain days and months to prevent being overshadowed by a bad omen

When walking into a house they took care to cross the threshold with their left foot

Roman superstitions

A black cat entering a house, a snake falling from the roof into the yard, or a splitting beam in the house were omens of disaster

Spilling wine or oil could be a sign of bad things to come

To stumble over the doorstep when leaving home was a bad omen and many would choose to spend the day at home

Roman superstitions

If someone mentioned fire at a banquet they could ward off bad luck by pouring water on the table

Nightmares and bad dreams were also signs of bad luck

There are many more superstitions

Roman superstitions

Held for over 1,000 years on February 15th (the Ides of February)

Honored the gods Faunus (“Pan” to the Greeks) and Lupercus, and to honor Romulus (founder of Rome)

Lupus is Latin for “wolf”

Festival of Lupercalia

The Story of Romulus and

Remus

• Twin brothers

• Abandoned by

parents as

babies and put

into a basket

that was put

into the river

• Discovered by

a female wolf

• Wolf nursed

them until they

were found by

a shepherd

The Story of Romulus and

Remus

• After growing

up they decided

to build a city

where the wolf

had taken care

of them

• The brothers

fought over the

location and

Romulus killed

Remus

• Romulus is the

founder of

Rome

Purpose was to ward off evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility

Also dedicated to purging all afflictions and ills before the spring growing season

Prayers asked for abundant crops and many healthy newborn animals

Festival of Lupercalia

The festival began with the sacrificing of two male goats and a dog

Following a feast, priests cut strips of skins from the animals

The priests ran through the city striking women with the animal skins to ensure fertility

It is believed that Valentine's Day began as part of Lupercalia

Festival of Lupercalia

Goat, dog and Cupid