Ides of November

November 13: Ides of November

ides of november
ancient Roman table

The Festival of Jupiter occurs on the Ides of November. On the ancient Roman calendar, the Ides fall on the 13th of the month, with an exception of a few months. The Ides were sacred to Jupiter, the god of the sky and thunder and king of the gods in Roman mythology.

The Ides in September and November were Epulum Jovis or Epulum Iovis. Both held great feasts, the first being grander. And both were celebrated during the Ludi Romani (Roman Games) and the Ludi Plebeii (Plebeian Games).

Statues of the gods Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva were set around the dining table. They were served food and wine. At larger events, priests designated as epulones acted as proxies to eat the food. Traditionally Ides activities included leading a white lamb along the Via Sacra to the Capitolium for sacrifice to Jupiter.

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