Feriae Latinae

The feriae Latinae included as Federal feast of Latin Cities of the most important festivals of Roman antiquity. Was held that the Jupiter Latiaris consecrated festival on the Alban Mount. Responsible for the direction and execution of the festival was originally Alba Longa, before its demise after Rome took over this function. During the party rested all war between the Latin peoples.

The feriae Latinae are assigned to the feriae conceptivae, so the festivals that are not tied to a specific date, but had to be carried within a specified period. The consuls had to proclaim immediately after taking office. Since the date of its entry into office changed over time, was also the period for hosting the feriae Latinae ' different, and they were always committed from the imperial period in the summer. The celebrations were all Roman officials had engaged in what was true even for the tribunes of the people who otherwise could not leave Rome. For the duration of the celebrations, a praefectus urbi was nominated for Rome. In addition, an dictator feriarum Latinarum causa, ie a dictator, are intended for the commission of the feriae Latinae if both consuls were absent.

At the festival, which in imperial times by the introduction of games, ludi, was several days, attended by all Latin communities. Had a municipality lost its political independence, it was represented by priests. The meat of a sacrificed bull was distributed among the delegates of all the communities that could say a prayer for the Roman people by their officials. From the 3rd century Christian writer collected the not to be held reproach, it would have been offered at the festival human sacrifice.

Only after the feast was held, the Roman officials were allowed to depart in their provinces. The origin of the celebration could be due to Greek, possibly mediated by the Etruscan origin. On the Alban Mount remains the Calendar of feriae Latinae were found.