festival
Lupercalia
the Lupercalia
also: ad Lupercalia, the Lupercalia
An ancient Roman fertility festival held on 15 February, at which the priests (Luperci) ran half-naked through the city. At the Lupercalia of 44 BC Antony, a Lupercus, offered Caesar a diadem on the Rostra, the central episode of Phil. 2.84-87.
Reading notes
- Thirteenth Philippic §17 The Roman people saw his dejection and his tears at the Lupercalia
At the Lupercalia of 15 February 44 BC Antony, running as a Lupercus, repeatedly offered Caesar a royal diadem before the people. Cicero recalls Lepidus's distress at the scene and brands the offer of the crown Antony's defining crime.
- Second Philippic §84 let us come to the Lupercalia
The Lupercalia (15 February) was an ancient fertility festival whose priests, the Luperci, ran nearly naked through Rome; at the Lupercalia of 44 BC Antony, as a Lupercus, publicly offered Caesar a royal diadem.
- Third Philippic §12 the Lupercalia
At the Lupercalia of 15 February 44 BC Antony, running as a Lupercus, repeatedly offered Caesar a royal diadem before the people. Cicero argues that in attempting to make Caesar king Antony forfeited the consulship and his own liberty.
- Seventh Philippic §1 the tribune of the plebs, the Lupercalia
Business concerning the Luperci, the priests of the ancient February fertility festival; Antony had founded a new college of Luperci in Caesar's honour, the body before which he had offered Caesar the diadem in 44 BC.