All we know of the cult of the montani on this day is as follows: (1) There was a sacrifice on the Palatium (which seems to have been the first in dignity of the montes) by the Flamen Palatualis[[1166]]; but we do not know to what deity, and can only guess that it was Pales, or Palatua[[1167]]. (2) On this day no carts or other vehicles drawn by beasts of burden were allowed in the city, as we learn from Plutarch, who asks the reason of this, and gives some quaint answers[[1168]]. But the explanations are useless to us, and we cannot even guess whence Plutarch drew his knowledge of the fact, unless it was from personal observation. Let us remember, however, that this was a feast of montani: is it not likely that this was a survival from a time when the farm-waggons of the pagani really never ascended to the ‘hills’?
Prid. Id. Dec. (Dec. 12). EN.
Conso in Aventin[o]. (Amit.)
xviii (Ante Caes. xvi[[1169]]) Kal. Ian. (Dec. 15). NP.
CONS[UALIA]. (MAFF. PRAEN. AMIT. ANT.) FERIAE CONSO
(PRAEN. AMIT.)
For these see on Aug. 21. If the conclusions there arrived at are sound we might guess that these winter rites of Consus arose from the habit of inspecting the condition of the corn-stores in mid-winter[[1170]]. It is this day that has the note attached to it in the Fasti Praenestini, ‘Equi et [muli floribus coronantur] quod in eius tu[tela] ... itaque rex equo [vectus?],’ which was commented on under Aug. 21. See also under Aug. 25 (Opeconsivia); Wissowa, s. v. Consus, in Lex. Myth.; and de Feriis, vi foll.
xvi (Ante Caes. xiv[[1171]]) Kal. Ian. (Dec. 17). NP.
SATURNALIA. (MAFF. AMIT. GUID. RUST. PHILOC.)
FERIAE SATURNO. (MAFF. AMIT.)