Armilustrium
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| Armilustrium | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Type | Classical Roman religion |
| Observances | Ritual purification of weapons |
| Date | October 19 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Mars, god of war |
In
purification rites. The Romans gathered with their arms and armour on the Aventine Hill, and held a procession with torches and sacrificial animals. The dancing priests of Mars known as the Salii
may also have taken part in the ceremony.
Festivals associated with Mars were mainly held in March,
Quinquatrus, another ritual for purifying weapons before the military campaigning season, on March 19; and following the Armilustrium, the Tubilustrium
, "Purification of the Trumpets," on October 23.
Armilustrium also refers to a large open space on the Aventine Hill where the festival was held.[2]
References
- H.H. Scullard, Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic (Cornell University Press, 1981), p. 195.
- ISBN 978-1-108-01272-0.
External links
- Armilustrium (festival) in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities
- Armilustrium (place) in Platner's Topographical Dictionary of Ancient Rome
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