Agonalia
| Agonalia | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Agonalia |
| Also called | Agonia |
| Observed by | Pagans, practioners of the Cultus Deorum Romanorum |
| Celebrations | Feasts of cake and honey and wine |
| Observances | Animal Sacrifice |
| Date | a.d. V Id. Januarias a.d. XII Kal. Junias a.d. III Id. Decembres |
| Frequency | Annual |
An Agonalia or Agonia was an obscure archaic religious observance celebrated in ancient Rome several times a year, in honour of various divinities. Its institution, like that of other religious rites and ceremonies, was attributed to Numa Pompilius, the semi-legendary second king of Rome. Ancient calendars indicate that it was celebrated regularly on a.d. V Id. Januarias, a.d. XII Kal. Junias, and a.d. III Id. Decembres.[note 1][1].
Purpose
The purpose of this festival is uncertain, however, the offering was a ram, the usual victim sacrificed to the gods of the state; the presiding priest was the Rex Sacrificulus, and the site was the Regia, both of which could be employed only for ceremonies connected with the highest gods that affected the wellbeing of the whole state.
Occasions
The festival took place on varying dates and to varying deities. These dates and the processions are likely to have been as detailed below.
a.d. V Id. Januarias
An Agonium occurs on 9th of January in the Fasti Praenestini by Verrius Flaccus, albeit in mutilated form due to the condition of the relic.[note 2] In Ovid's poem on the Roman calendar, he calls it once the dies agonalis ("agonal day"), then following he exclusively calls it Agonalia, offering numerous and varying etymologies.
It is from this poem we can see how this day was celebrated and what processions were carried out. The priest must ask Janus if he should slaughter the animal, this is an uncommon occurrence and appears to be unique to this festival.
a.d. XII Kal. Junias
The Agonium took place on the 21st of May in the same manner as on the 9th of January. This is apparent from Ovid's Fasti yet again. Quoting:
Ad Janum redeat, qui quaerit, Agonia quid sint: Quae tamen in fastis hoc quoque tempus habent.
This means, look back at January, whoever wishes to know what the Agonalia are: Though they are also located here too.
a.d. III Id. Decembres
This third occurrence of the Agonia or Agonalia shares the date of the 11th of December with the Septimontium or Septimontiale sacrum, which only very late Roman calendars take note of and which depends on a textual conjecture. The relation between the two observances, if any exists, is unknown according to Fowler. A fragmentary inscription found at Ostia that reads: "Agonind" testifies that this festival was dedicated to Sol Indiges.
Declension
Third-declension noun (neuter, “pure” i-stem).
| Case | Plural |
|---|---|
| Nominative | Agōnālia |
| Genitive | Agōnālium Agōnāliōrum |
| Dative | Agōnālibus |
| Accusative | Agōnālia |
| Ablative | Agōnālibus |
| Vocative | Agōnālia |
Notes
- ↑ 9th January, 21st May, 11th December. See Roman Dates for more information.
- ↑ Fasti for more information