De Agricultura 132
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De Agricultura 132
From Cato's De Agricultura
An offering to Iupiter Dapalis before ploughing
This ritual is recommended by Cato for farmers as a yearly offering for their oxen, to be made when the pear-trees bloom (i.e. in spring) before ploughing begins. The aim is to bring a divine blessing on the oxen as they undertake the ploughing of the fields, in order to ensure a healthy crop and a good yield. However, this ritual could equally be used on the occasion of any important enterprise or undertaking, e.g. opening a new business, buying a house, starting a new job, finalising an important deal, etc.
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Dapem hoc modo fieri oportet. Iovi dapali culignam vini quantum vis polluceto. Eo die feriae bubus et bubulcis et qui dapem facient. | It is proper for the sacrificial feast to be made in this way. Offer to Jupiter Dapalis a cup of wine as great as you wish. It is a festival that day for the oxen and the ox-men and those who will carry out the sacrifice. |
| Cum pollucere oportebit, sic facies: | When it will be proper to make the offering, speak thus: |
| "Iuppiter dapalis, quod tibi fieri oportet in domo familia mea culignam vini dapi, eius rei ergo macte hac illace dape pollucenda esto." | "Iupiter Dapalis, because it is proper for a cup of wine to be given to you in the house of my family for the sacred feast, for the sake of this thing may you be honoured by this, the feast offering." |
| Manus interluito, postea vinum sumito: | Wash the hands, afterwards take the wine: |
| "Iuppiter dapalis, macte istace dape pollucenda esto, macte vino inferio esto." | "Iupiter Dapalis, may you be honoured by this feast offering, may you be honoured by the wine sacrificed." |
| Vestae, si voles, dato. Daps Iovi assaria pecuina urna vini. Iovi caste profanato sua contagione. | Give to Vesta, if you wish. The sacred feast for Iupiter is roasted meat and an urn of wine. To Iuppiter you shall piously profane his [offerings] with [your] touch. |
