Analysis Of Bona De The Festival Of The Good Goddess
Bona Dea: The Festival of the Good Goddess
The Good Goddess was one of many female deities, and stood for chastity and fertility, in addition to healing and protection. She also went by Feminea Dea (The Women’s Goddess), Laudanda Dea (The Goddess to the Praised) and Sancta (The Holy One).
Although somewhat shrouded in mystery, scholars now and the men of ancient Rome hypothesized that she was a version of an agricultural goddess, the most recognizable being Damia, the Rome version of Demeter. However, the most likely prediction is that she was related to the god Faunus, and thus the Good Goddess either was related to , or was herself, Fauna, known for prophesying the fates of women.
The goddess had two annual festivals devoted to her, one held …show more content…
This followed the emotion journey from sorrow, to joy. On the opening night, a feast was held during which a priest would pour out wine to the East and to the West while the people chanted for a prosperous harvest. Then a child underwent initiation through use of divine fire. The ceremony peaks with “an ear of grain cut in silence” which was representative of the idea that life continues after death and a better life awaited in the Underworld for those who were a part of the …show more content…
The Bacchanalia was initially introduced to Rome from lower Italy, and the festivals were held in secret three times a year in daylight. Mush like the Bona Dea, they were only attended by women. However, these festivals quickly grew not only to include men, but scandal, as they took place nocturnally up to 5 times a month and were renowned for sex and drunkenness. The pot Livy attributes this ‘corruption’ to the influence of Etruscan events honoring similar deities. Despite the raunchiness, it was still a cult and secrecy was kept about the rites and events going on. Aside from Levy, a significant source of information about this culish festival was provided by an ex-member and prostitute Hispala Faecenia who was fearful for the effects of the cult on her protege and spilled the beans to consul Postimus. The information she provided was presented before the senate and efforts were made to quell this ‘national emergency’ though arrests and executions of
The Good Goddess was one of many female deities, and stood for chastity and fertility, in addition to healing and protection. She also went by Feminea Dea (The Women’s Goddess), Laudanda Dea (The Goddess to the Praised) and Sancta (The Holy One).
Although somewhat shrouded in mystery, scholars now and the men of ancient Rome hypothesized that she was a version of an agricultural goddess, the most recognizable being Damia, the Rome version of Demeter. However, the most likely prediction is that she was related to the god Faunus, and thus the Good Goddess either was related to , or was herself, Fauna, known for prophesying the fates of women.
The goddess had two annual festivals devoted to her, one held …show more content…
This followed the emotion journey from sorrow, to joy. On the opening night, a feast was held during which a priest would pour out wine to the East and to the West while the people chanted for a prosperous harvest. Then a child underwent initiation through use of divine fire. The ceremony peaks with “an ear of grain cut in silence” which was representative of the idea that life continues after death and a better life awaited in the Underworld for those who were a part of the …show more content…
The Bacchanalia was initially introduced to Rome from lower Italy, and the festivals were held in secret three times a year in daylight. Mush like the Bona Dea, they were only attended by women. However, these festivals quickly grew not only to include men, but scandal, as they took place nocturnally up to 5 times a month and were renowned for sex and drunkenness. The pot Livy attributes this ‘corruption’ to the influence of Etruscan events honoring similar deities. Despite the raunchiness, it was still a cult and secrecy was kept about the rites and events going on. Aside from Levy, a significant source of information about this culish festival was provided by an ex-member and prostitute Hispala Faecenia who was fearful for the effects of the cult on her protege and spilled the beans to consul Postimus. The information she provided was presented before the senate and efforts were made to quell this ‘national emergency’ though arrests and executions of