Lupercal
The Lupercal was a cave at the foot of the Palatine Hill in Rome. In the legend of Rome's foundation, Romulus and Remus were found there by the lactating female wolf who suckled them until they were found by Faustulus. The priests of Lupercus later celebrated certain ceremonies of the Lupercalia there.
In January 2007 Italian archeologist Irene Iacopi announced that she had probably found the legendary cave beneath the remains of Emperor Augustus' palace on the Palatine. Archaeologists came across the 15-meter-deep cavity while working to restore the decaying palace. The first photos of the cave show a richly decorated vault encrusted with mosaics and seashells. The Lupercal was probably converted to a sanctuary by Romans in later centuries. [1]
References
| Roman religion series | |
|---|---|
| Offices | Augur · Flamen · Haruspex · Pontifex Maximus · Rex Nemorensis · Rex Sacrorum · Vestal Virgin |
| Beliefs and practices | Apotheosis · Festivals · Funerals · Imperial cult · Mythology · Persecution · Sibylline Books · Temple |
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