Septimus Flavius Galarius Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 There were two things said in that episode i thought were odd. One, Titus Pullo mentions that something that will be carved on his tombstone when he dies. Now did the Romans use tombstones? Two, Brutus remarkes how it is Cassius's birthday, and said how he didn't bake a cake for him. Now did the Romans celebrate birthdays and if they did, did they bake cakes for those that were celebrating their birthdays? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Publius Nonius Severus Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 (edited) On the birthday portion. William Smith and others describe birthday celebrations as attached to either a man's Genius (his guardian spirit...one of the lares ) or of a woman's to Juno. Wine, incense, garlands, cakes and general celebration were offered to the Genius. Here is a neat little passage from Ovid discussing one of his birthdays while in exile (hence the negative tone): Ovid, Tristia, Book III.XIII "Behold, the god of my birth, comes, on his day, uselessly Edited February 22, 2007 by Publius Nonius Severus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Publius Nonius Severus Posted February 22, 2007 Report Share Posted February 22, 2007 (edited) Sorry...I forgot to address tombstones. There are plenty of tombstones commemorating the burial of Romans deep into antiquity. Here is a nice one: Tombstone of Marcus Caecilius Edited February 22, 2007 by Publius Nonius Severus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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