to the romans, superstitions were a natural part of life stones, trees, springs, caves, lakes,...
TRANSCRIPT
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