Plutsrch on Lupercalia, a Roman festival in February:Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anc
Plutsrch on Lupercalia, a Roman festival in February:Lupercalia, of which many write that it was anciently celebrated by shepherds, and has also some connection with the Arcadian Lycaea. At this time many of the noble youths and of the magistrates run up and down through the city naked, for sport and laughter striking those they meet with shaggy thongs. And many women of rank also purposely get in their way, and like children at school present their hands to be struck, believing that the pregnant will thus be helped in delivery, and the barren to pregnancy.Image above from the 1500s, source:http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia -- source link
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