Di Parentes

The deified ancestors to whom the pater familias, the head of the family, made daily offerings in the domestic shrine. The Di Parentes were further honored with the festival of the Parentalia or dies parentales, a nine-day festival in honor of deceased relatives, beginning on February 13. During these days all temples were closed, people were forbidden to marry, and magistrates appeared without their insignia.

See also Di Penates and Lares.

❧

References

Sources

  • Fowler, William Warde. (1908). The Roman Festivals of the Period of the Republic. London: MacMillan and Co., Ltd., p. 308.
  • Ovid. Fasti ii, 548.
  • von Orelli, J.C. (1828). Inscriptionum Latinarum Selectarum Collectio, 3927; 4084.