Celebrating Other Spirituality 365 Days A Year – Floralia

28 April – 3 May

Floralia

On April 28, 238 B.C., the Romans dedicated their first temple to the Goddess Flora. At the time there had been a food shortage, and, according to the Sibylline Books, the dedication cation of a temple to the Goddess would ward of the impending ing famine.

The festival was designed to ensure that the crops blossomed somed well, so that the harvest would be good. The games and festivities lasted for six days, to May 3. It began with theatrical cal performances and ended with circus games and a sacrifice to Flora.

The Floralia came to be regarded by prostitutes as their feast. The games drew crowds of commoners, and prostitutes were more licentious than during the Saturnalia-December 17 to 23.