Lucaria
The Lucaria was a festival celebrated between the 19th and 21st July. Despite being recorded on the Roman calendar, the exact meaning and purpose of the festival remain unclear to historians.
Date: 19th-21st July
The festival was held in a sacred grove located between the Tiber River and the Via Salaria, an ancient salt route. The name “Lucaria” is believed to be derived from the word “lucar,” which referred to the forest tax or “sacred receipts of the groves.” This connection suggests that the festival was closely tied to the sacred groves and the spirits believed to dwell within them.
Archaic Romans held a deep reverence for groves and woodlands, considering them sacred places. These unclaimed spaces were believed to be inhabited by spirits, and the Lucaria may have been a ritual to appease or honor these spirits.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 