Lupercalia

Lupercalia was a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 13 through 31, to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. Lupercalia subsumed Februa, an earlier-origin spring cleansing ritual held on the same date, which gives the month of February (Februarius) its name. The ancient cult of the Hirpi Sorani ("wolves of Soranus", from Sabine hirpus "wolf") practiced at Mt. Soracte, 45 km (28 mi) north of Rome, had common elements with the Roman Lupercalia.

Lupercalia

Lupercalia was a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 13 through 31, to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. Lupercalia subsumed Februa, an earlier-origin spring cleansing ritual held on the same date, which gives the month of February (Februarius) its name. The ancient cult of the Hirpi Sorani ("wolves of Soranus", from Sabine hirpus "wolf") practiced at Mt. Soracte, 45 km (28 mi) north of Rome, had common elements with the Roman Lupercalia.