The classical references are: Festus, p. 143 and 385; Dionys., i. 38; Ov., F., i. 56, iii. 791, v. 62 ff.; Varro, L. L., vii. 44; Paul. Diac., p. 15; Lact, I. i. 21. 6; Macrob., i. 5. 10, and 11. 47; Prudent. C. Symmach., ii. 295; Cicero pro Roscio Am., 35. 100; Catull., xvii. 8. 23; Non. Marc., p. 358b.; Liv. i. 21, iv. 12. The modern literature: first and foremost and final, Mannhardt, Wald- und Feldkulte, p. 265 ff., whose explanation is adopted in Roscher's Lexikon; further, Preller, Röm. M.3, ii. 135 ff.; Marquardt, 190 ff.; Grimm, D. M., 733, n. 4. The meaning of the word Argei has received no satisfactory explanation yet. The number of the images is accounted for by the fact that each of the twenty-four quarters of ancient Rome required rain for its crops.

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See Rhein. Museum, 1867, p. 129.

[89]

Macrob., i. 10, 11 ff.; Gell., N. A., vii. (vi.) 7; Plut., Rom., 4. 5; Lactant., i. 20. 5.

[90]

"Exuuntur etiam vestibus populo flagitante meretrices, quæ tunc (i.e., at the Floralia) mimarum funguntur officio" (Lact. l.c.). Cf. Val. Max., 2. 10. 8; Senec., Ep., 97. 7; Mart., 1 præf.; Ov., F., iv. 946, v. 183; Tertull., De Spect., 17; Min. Felix, 25. 8; Augustin, C. D., ii. 27.

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The Arval Brothers wore a harvest-crown, vittis spiceis coronati, C. I. L., vi. 2104a 16. They preserved a sheaf of corn (corn-baby, mother, &c.) from the previous year's harvest; this is the fruges aridas of C. I. L., l.c. 6. They consecrated the old corn, the green corn of the new year, and a loaf, fruges aridas et virides contigerunt et panes laureatos, l.c.; and they sacramentally "ate the god," fruges libatas.

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