[287]. According to Strabo, p. 226, this fire-ceremony took place in the grove of Feronia, at the foot of the hill. Feronia may have been a corn- or harvest-deity, and of this Mannhardt makes all he can. We may at least guess that the rite took place at Midsummer.
[288]. Cp. the cult of Zeus Lykaios in Arcadia; Farnell, Cults of the Greek States, i. 41.
[289]. Myth., Ritual, and Religion, ii. 212.
[290]. This peculiar notation is common to this day and Aug. 19 (the Vinalia Rustica), and to the Feralia (Feb. 21). See Introduction, p. [10].
[291]. Ovid, Fasti, 4. 877, asks: ‘Cur igitur Veneris festum Vinalia dicant, Quaeritis?‘
[292]. Varro, L. L. 6. 16; Fest. 65 and 374. The latter gloss is: ‘Vinalia diem festum habebant, quo die vinum novum Iovi libabant.’ Ovid, Fasti, 4. 899, after telling the Mezentius story (alluded to in the note in Praen.), adds
Dicta dies hinc est Vinalia: Iuppiter illam
Vindicat, et festis gaudet inesse suis.
[293]. Ovid, Fasti, 4. 871
Templa frequentari Collinae proxima portae