The Lupercailia: The Sacrifice

Question 1

What did the Luperci sacrifice initially ?

Answer 1

Upon entering the cave they sacrificed Dogs and goats to Lupercus

Question 2

Why where the specific animals chosen ?

Answer 2

They where known for their virility and suites a sacrifice to the god of fertility

Question 3

How where the animals sacrificed ?

Answer 3

Sprinkling mola slasa on their heads
Their throat was then slit after they bowed their head
When the animal had been killed a knife was dipped in the animals blood and drilled into the foreheads of the participants

Question 4

What happens after the blood was dropped onto the heads of the participants ?

Answer 4

It was immediately wiped off with a wool soaked in milk
They where then expected to let out a laugh

Question 5

What happened after the killing of the animal ?

Answer 5

• A hauraspex would read their entrails for positive signs
  1. If the entrails where positive the meat would be eaten and they could drink large amounts of wine

Question 6

Once the feast was consumed what happened ?

Answer 6

The Luperci cut the skins from the animals into strip
Some where sued for covering parts of the body and other used during the race