Festival of Lectisternium, Roman Empire

This festival (from Lat. lectum sternere, to spread a couch) was held in honour of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

From the commencement of the 3rd Century the entire Senate celebrated a sacred banquet, with a statue of Jupiter lying on a cushion, and the two goddesses Juno and Minerva in chairs beside him, in allusion to the ancient custom, according to which only men reclined and women sat at table ...

Categories: ancient+rome, deities, festivals, calendar+customs