Vulcanalia was a Roman festival in honour of Vulcan, the god of fire. They were celebrated on August 23. Other deities were also worshipped during this time: Maia, Hora, and Ops. The Temple of Vulcan in Rome was located at the Forum Romanum at the foot of the Capitol. Vulcan’s Tabernacle was also located on the Field of Mars. Interestingly, the Etruscan priests (haruspics) recommended to the Romans that the temple of Vulcan should always be outside the city limits.
During his celebration of Volcanalia, fish and small animals (calf or rusty wild boar) were thrown into the fire. Legends also speak of making a sacrifice to the Volcano of armour and weapons captured from the enemy during the war. He was always summoned when putting out fires.
During Vulcanalia, the Romans also hung their clothes and fabrics in the sun. Such a custom probably resulted from the theological connection of Vulcan with the deified Sun.
Only once in history was Ludi Volcanalici held – in 20 BCE during the reign of Octavian Augustus. In this way, they wanted to emphasize the importance of the signed treaty with the Parthians and the return of the legionary banners lost at the battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE.
When in 64 CE “great fire” broke out in Rome, a series of rites was performed to appease Vulcan’s anger. The later Emperor Domitian, influenced by these events and subsequent fires, established a new altar dedicated to this god on the Quirinal and ordered to sacrifice of a red boar and a calf.
