Agonalia
(9 January, 17 March, 21 May and 11 December)
Agonalia
Agonalia (also called Agonium Martiale or Agonia) was a Roman holiday celebrated several times in honor of various deities:
- January 9 – in honor of the god of all beginnings Janus;
- March 17 – in honor of the god of war Mars;
- May 21 – in honor of the god of the underworld and the death of Veiovisa (holiday Veiovisa);
- December 11 – in honor of the sun god Sol Indiges.
On the day of the Rex Sacrorum (also called rex sacrificulus) sacrifice a ram (aries) in Regia, asking God for favor and protection against evil and death. The name of the holiday comes from the question, which before the sacrifice was asked by the priest: “Agone?”, Meaning “should I kill?”
The purpose of the holiday was to win the favor of the gods for the fate of the country.
Sources
- Jaczynowska Maria, Religie świata rzymskiego, Warszawa 1987
- Zieliński Tadeusz, Religia Rzeczypospolitej Rzymskiej
