Ceremonies and Customs
CHILDHOOD
- Pupus/Pupa- Name given to newborn children until their 9th day.
- Dies Lustricus - Ninth day after a pupa/-us was born when s/he was named.
- Bulla- A protective gold charm worn by young boys until they took the Toga Virilis
- Toga Praetexta- A purple bordered toga worn by wealthy young boys until manhood. (Also worn by Senators.)
- Toga Virilis / Toga Libera
- Toga of manhood assumed at the ages of 15, 16, or 17
(when his father judged him mature) a boy would be given
this special white toga and be taken to be enrolled as a
voting citizen.
DINING
- Triclinium - A dining room usually containing 3 dining couches (lecti).
- lentaculum - Breakfast. consisting usually of hard bread or adipata
(honey dipped baked dough similar to "elephant ears").
- Prandium -Lunch. usually a snack left over from the previous night.
- Cena- Dinner
- Gustus- Appetizers, consisting usually of vegetables and an egg dish.
- Prima Mensa- The main course (fish, pork, poultry. etc.)
- Secunda Mensa- Dessert (nuts, fruit - often apples)
- Ab ovo usque ad mala- From eggs to apples-Term for a complete Roman meal.
BATHING
- Balneum- A small bath house
- Thermae- A large bath house
- TEPIDARIUM- A warm waiting room in the bath
- CALDARIUM- A hot steam room (sauna).
- FRIGIDARIUM- A cold plunge-pool.
- Strigiles- A ring of body scrapers used to scrape off oil and sweat
MARRIAGE
- Usus- The simplest form, called Common Law marriage
- Coemptio- Imitates the purchase of the bride from the father.
- Confarreatio- The most elaborate form. Auspices were read by an Augur, and a Flamen presided.
- Ubi tu Gaius, Ego Gaia- Words of consent
- Flammeum- Flame-colored veil worn by the bride who also wore
matching red slippers
Courtesy of "Study Sheets for Latin Cultural Drill Tapes," by Dr. B.F. Barcio, L.H.D.
Pompeiiana, Inc. Indianapolis, IN