Duncan Long

Assignment #6 Daily Life

            Felix had been hiding out down by the Tiber awaiting his passage to Egypt. Escaping the night before, he kept to himself with an effort to avoid contact with other people. Hopefully he wouldn’t bump into any of Claudius’ friends. His ship was to set sail in two days, but before his departure was Lupercalia. Despite his eagerness to leave the city of Rome, Felix felt obligated to attend the festival. Every February for as long as he can remember he has attended. The festival was a symbol for belonging to the community. Felix was desperate to leave the city, but he must enjoy the festival and its wild drunkenness one last time.

            The brisk morning sun had risen and the sacrifice was about to start the festivities for the holiday. The streets of Rome would be filled with drunken Romans today. Lupercalia was Felix’s favorite holiday because it was the one festival for which he knew the true meaning. Most members of the plebian class and all slaves did not have a full understanding of the festivals. However, Claudius, being a member of the upper class, had explained to Felix years before the festival held a theme of sexuality and fertility.  This was the one festival Felix understood. Most of them seemed complex and confusing, but not the Lupercalia.

            The first sacrifice had been performed and Felix was on his second jug of wine. Aristocrats chased women accused of adultery through the streets near the forum. Watching the beatings was part of the festival. Felix had even witnessed women of the equestrian class being beaten. Roaming the streets in a drunken stumble was Felix on his fourth jug. Lupercalia was a relief of his stresses as was for most Romans. It was a day of no work, feasting, and of course drinking.