Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Ieiunium Cereris

The Ieiunium Cereris was a festival dedicated to Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. Observed on 4th October, the festival involved a period of fasting, during which participants refrained from consuming food.

Figures of Ceres and Proserpina, c. 180 BC, Asia Minor. British Museum. (c) Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin

Date: 4th October
Deity: Ceres
Observances: Fasting

The Ieiunium Cereris was established before the Second Punic War. This festival was celebrated by women in honor of the reunion of Ceres and Proserpina, her daughter. After fasting for nine days, the women, clothed in white and adorned with crowns of ripe ears of corn, offered the firstfruits of the harvest to the goddess.

In 191 BC, the Sibylline Books commanded the introduction of a fast as part of the Ieiunium Cereris. Initially, this fast was observed every four years. However, under Augustus, it became an annual event.