It was the festival of Lupercalia held annually on Feb. 15. It was intended to secure fertility and keep out evil. Two male youths, clad in animal skins, ran around the city slapping passers by with strips of goat skin. The the youths were impersonating male goats who were, surprise surprise, considered to be the embodiment of sexuality. First the runners had their foreheads anointed with blood, and then they ran around the Palatine hill, striking at any woman who came near them with their thongs which was supposed to bestow fertility.
All I can say is it that it makes Morris dancing look pretty tame!
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