The Argei: Sex, War, and Crucifixion in Rome and the Ancient Near East
Description:
The purpose of the Roman Argei ceremony, during which the Vestal Virgins harvested made and paraded rush puppets only to throw them into the Tiber, is widely debated. Modern historians supply three main reasons for the purpose of the Argei: an agrarian act, a scapegoat, and finally as an offering averting deceased spirits or Lares. I suggest that the ceremony also related to war and the spectacle of displaying war casualties. I compare the ancient Near East and Rome and connect the element of …
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Date:
May 2012
Creator:
Foust, Kristan Ewin
Partner:
UNT Libraries