Friday, August 10, 2012

St Patrick and More

On this day in ancient history - March 17:

This day is the traditional date for the death of St. Patrick in A.D. 461. It was also the occasion of two Roman festivals, Liberalia and Agonalia, the victory at Munda (near Cordoba, Spain) of Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. (against Pompey's sons) [see Roman Battles], and the death of Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 180.
Marcus Aurelius
Public Domain

The Liberalia was celebrated with games on the Campus Martius in honor of an ancient fertility god named Liber. Agonalia was a coming-of-age celebration.


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