March
In ancient times, the end of cold weather was the right time to resume
the year of war campaigns. Thus in Ancient Rome it was considered meet
to pray to Mars, god of war.
On the 1st day of the month, the Kalends, they
re-kindled the perpetual fire representing the life of Rome
at the Temple of the Vestals. Fresh laurels were hung on public buildings.
Then began a nineteen-day
festival with dances of the priestly
college (Salii) being held each day. The dancers
held sacred shields during the ceremony and dined out at a different house
each night.
On March 14 a race of two-horse chariots, the Equirria, was
held on the Campius Martius, a large field outside the city dedicated
to martial training and celebration.
The Tubilustrium of March 23 was a ceremony of purifying the sacred war trumpets.
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