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The Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia on the ides of February (15th). The priests performed rites of purification of the city in February. The festival had a dual purpose, to purify and to advocate fertility. The priests would sacrifice goats, the symbol of fertility, and naked men would run through the city (just what route they took is speculative) carrying strips of goat skin. They would strike women who held their hands out with the goat thong, supposedly insuring fertility. This was the festival in which Marc Antony offered Caesar the crown. (If he were running naked, as the ancient writer claim, I have no idea where he would have concealed the crown) In time, this festival merged into the celebration of Valentine's Day.

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Q: What feast did the Romans celebrate on February 15th?
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