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Valentine's Day in Ancient Rome
Feb 11, 2025
Emma Southon, a Roman history expert and author of "A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women," takes listeners on a wild journey through the origins of Valentine's Day. She uncovers the fascinating festival of Lupercalia, filled with quirky rituals like public nudity and goat skin whippings. The discussion links these ancient customs to modern-day romance, exploring how Christianity reshaped such chaotic festivities into the love-focused holiday we know today. Southon’s insights reveal the evolution of love and societal norms throughout history.
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Quick takeaways
- The Lupercalia festival in ancient Rome featured bizarre rituals of goat sacrifice and public whipping, reflecting complex social norms around fertility and masculinity.
- As Christianity spread, the transformation of Lupercalia into Valentine's Day illustrated the shift from pagan fertility celebrations to a focus on romantic love.
Deep dives
The Origins of Lupercalia Festival
The Lupercalia festival, celebrated in ancient Rome around mid-February, was a perplexing event marked by rituals involving goat sacrifice and naked young men running through the streets. The festival drew on various traditions and mythologies, with several theories surrounding its origins, mostly revolving around fertility and purification. Participants would engage in animal sacrifices inside a cave and then proceed to smear blood on their foreheads, creating a bizarre combination of sacred and secular activities. The festival was believed to connect with agricultural cycles, providing a time for men to indulge in debauchery while invoking fertility for both animals and humans.
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