Lupercalia

Lupercalia, a festival among the ancient Romans, held on the 15th of February, in honour of Lupercus, the god of fertility. When Rome began to seek a Grecian origin for its religious ceremonies Lupercus was identified with Lycæan Pan, and his worship was said to have been introduced by Evander, the Arcadian. Modern scholars place no value on such statements. Lupercus is believed by them to have been one of the oldest pastoral deities of Italy, and everything that is known regarding him and his rites favours this view. These rites were of the rudest and most primitive character, and indicate a high antiquity. Goats and dogs were sacrificed; afterwards the priests (called Luperci) cut up the skins of the victims, and twisted them into thongs, with which they ran through the city striking every one they met, especially women, who put themselves in their way hoping that the god of fertility would be propitious towards them. As the festival is believed to have been at first a shepherd one, this running about with thongs is understood to have been intended as a symbolical purification of the land. The place where the festival was held was called the Lupercal, and was situated on the Palatine Hill. It contained an image of Lupercus, covered with a goat's skin. Lupercalia were also held in other cities of Italy.