Ancient Roman Holidays Quotes

“At the Nemoralia [for the goddess Diana]… even the patricians served themselves because servants and slaves were allowed the holiday.”
― Mab Borden, Ancient Roman Holidays

“Roman skepticism and piety were close bedfellows, so perhaps it was considered foolish to believe every in legend, even when tradition demanded an outward show of devotion.”
― Mab Borden, Ancient Roman Holidays

“There is a legend of a spring dedicated to the God near one of the gates of Rome. There, merchants washed their hands, tucked up their tunics and waded in to take some of the water. They used laurel leaves to sprinkle both themselves and their wares with this sacred water, praying to Mercury to wash away any lies they've told for the sake of trade. Then they'd add a prayer that the Gods not be upset when they lie in the future and ask for profit, joy from profit and pleasure from deceiving their buyers. This brings a laugh to Mercury's lips because he himself stole Apollo's cattle.”
― Mab Borden, Ancient Roman Holidays

“The festival [of Sol Invictis] on December twenty-fifth was so popular that it could not be eradicated under Christian rule and was converted to a celebration of the birth of Christ, who was frequently identified with Sun Gods in the early period of Roman Christianity.”
― Mab Borden, Ancient Roman Holidays

“While at first glance the Roman calendar seems awfully packed with sacrifices and festivals, remember that farmers who expect a good yield care for their fields daily—all their fields, not just the garden patch behind the house.”
― Mab Borden, Ancient Roman Holidays