Liber ab Solemnitas (The Book of Holidays)^189
Martius 1 Sacred to Vesta. Her fires are rekindled by the Vestal Virgins on this day.
Martius 6 Festival day of household gods and goddesses.
Martius 7 Festival day of Juno.
Martius 14 The Equirria—In honor of Mars. Also celebrated on February 27.
Martius 15* Festival of Anna Perenna—On this day there was singing, dancing and
revelry in an order which many might view as excessive. One of the chal-
lenges was to drink as many glasses of wine as one hoped to live. Public
sacrifice and prayer were incorporated in what many consider the most
festive night of the Roman year.
* The Festival of Anna Perenna is actually held on the full moon of
Martius but it is listed here on the 15th for simplicity.
Martius 15–29 Festival celebrating the union and mysteries of Attis and Cybele
Martius 16 and 17 The Bacchanalia —This holiday celebrating Bacchus became so deca-
dent with its intoxicated orgies, that the Roman Senate made it illegal in
186 B.C.E. They went underground and some say such practices have sur-
vived into this day, hidden from the general public.
Martius 17 The Liberalia—Honoring Libertas (Liberty) and Liber Pater. This was
a day to celebrate liberation, and liberation from youth in particular. It
was to the young men of Rome the liberation of their youth and celebra-
tion of their ascension into manhood. It is when boys began wearing the
toga virilis or in modern terms, began dressing as adults. In its associa-
tion with Liber Pater, a sacrifice of sweet cakes made with honey were
baked. These cakes were given to strangers as they passed by, celebrat-
ing the fertility of the land and the liberty that such fertility brings—
enough liberty that food could be given to strangers. The fusing of Liber
Pater and Liberalia into this one day of celebration brought about an
interesting development. When first celebrated in honor of Liber Pater,
a large penis shaped statue was carted around the villages and fields in
an effort to bring fertility to the land. As they passed a farmer’s field, the
farmer would give them wine in thanks for the blessing. I am sure you
can imagine that by modern standards a bunch of drunken men running
around the countryside with a giant penis in tow might seem a bit funny.
Eventually, it must have seemed so to them (although a similar practice
continues in Japan to this day).
With the addition of Libertas, the size of that phallus became smaller
and eventually the cart was replaced by a woman running marathon style
around the village holding up the phallus for all to see. Wine was re-
placed with water as the association with Liber Pater (a god of wine)
faded. Later, the phallus was set on fire and the symbol of masculinity
was hidden in the shape of a torch. Now we know that the Olympic games
were started by the ancient Greeks. But the next time you see that torch
bearer taking a drink from an onlooker, please remember those drunks
and their giant penis in a cart. It might bring a smile to your face. Better
yet, call up a friend on March 17th and wish him or her a “Happy giant
penis day.”r WB Chap 10.p65 189 7/11/2003, 5:54 PM