In ancient Roman religion, the Fordicidia was a festival of fertility, held on the Ides of April, that pertained to farming and animal husbandry. It involved the sacrifice of a pregnant cow to Tellus, the ancient Roman goddess of the Earth, in proximity to the festival of Ceres (Cerealia) on April 19.
Virgo Vestalis Maxima, the high priestess of Vesta
In ancient Roman religion, the October Horse was an animal sacrifice to Mars carried out on October 15, coinciding with the end of the agricultural and military campaigning season. The rite took place during one of three horse-racing festivals held in honor of Mars, the others being the two Equirria on February 27 and March 14.
Coin with Mars and a bridled horse (Cosa, Etruria, 273-250 BC)
A terra sigillata stamp from Roman Gaul (Musée de la Céramique de Lezoux)
A curse tablet (defixio) aiming to affect the outcome of a chariot race (4th century), from the Via Appia, outside Porta San Sebastiano, Rome
Imperial Roman funerary relief showing a spear-bearing Achilles in a lunate biga, dragging the body of Hector, with a winged figure above