Cereialia

The Cerealia is the celebration of the Goddess Ceres, Goddess of grains and cereal crops. It lasts for eight days, and like the Megalesia before it, the Cerealia culminates on its final day. It climaxes with great chariot-races, presided over by the plebeian aediles; white robes are worn at the Games. One of the symbolic rituals of the final day is the release of foxes into the Circus with flaming brands attached to their tails.

Ceres is notoriously a peaceful Goddess and most often accepts offerings of spelt cakes and salt, as well as incense (on old hearths; in veteres focos). In the countryside, people offer milk, honey, and wine on the Cerealia (particularly the final day), after bearing them thrice around the fields.

The Cerealia is traditionally held most dear by persons of the Plebeian class; this association stems from the struggles of the orders.

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