Agonalia
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 January 9 in the Fasti Praenestini by Verrius Flaccus, albeit in mutilated form.
a.d. XII Kal. Junias
a.d. III Id. Decembres
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.