This Day in Ancient History: iii nonas octobres

iii nonas octobres

mundus patet – the mundus was a ritual pit which had a sort of vaulted cover on it. Three times a year the Romans removed this cover (August 24, Oct. 5 and November 8) at which time the gates of the underworld were considered to be opened and the manes (spirits of the dead) were free to walk the streets of Rome.

ludi Augustales scaenici (day 1 — from 11-19 A.D. and post 23 A.D.) — festival in honour of Augustus involving primarily mime and pantomime theatrical displays

ludi Augustales scaenici (day 3 — from 19-23 A.D.)

287 A.D. — martyrdom of Palmatius

Blogosphere ~ Today’s Words of Ancient Wisdom: Bad Men Make Everything Bad

About.com Ancient / Classical History: Today’s Words of Ancient Wisdom: Bad Men Make Everything Bad.