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Document Details : Title: Ritual Cleaning-up of the City Subtitle: From the Lupercalia to the Argei Author(s): ZIOLKOWSKI, A. Journal: Ancient Society Volume: 29 Date: 1998-1999 Pages: 191-218 DOI: 10.2143/AS.29.0.630057 Abstract : This paper is not an analysis of the fine aspects of ritual, myth and etymology. I do not intend to guess the exact meaning of Luperci and Argei, or why the former sacrificed a dog and the latter were bound hand and foot. What I want to examine is the role of the festivals of the Lupercalia and the Argei in the functioning of the Roman community. The best-informed among ancient writers were convinced that these were purification ceremonies. I assume that the ancients knew what they were talking about and propose, first, to establish the nature of the ritual cleanliness of the city, and second, see by what techniques the two festivals achieved that goal. |
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