The Lupercalian Festival in Rome (ca. 1578-1610),
sketch by the circle of Adam Elsheimer,
showing the Luperci dressed as dogs and goats,
with Cupid and personifications of fertility.
Image Source: Wikipedia
| Return to Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 1, line 67 |
You know it is the feast of Lupercal. This is puzzling. The feast was a major event, yet at the beginning of the scene, Flavius speaks to the commoners as if the day were only an ordinary working day. Also, the festival of Lupercal was observed February 13 through 15, but the historical Caesar's triumphal procession to celebrate his victory over the forces of Pompey's sons was held in October, not February.