Lupercalia
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Lupercalia, also known as Lupercal, was a pastoral festival of Ancient Rome observed annually on February 15 to purify the city, promoting health and fertility. Lupercalia was also known as dies Februatus, after the purification instruments called februa, the basis for the month named Februarius.
Lupercalia, oil painting, circa 1635
Lupercalia most likely derives from lupus, "wolf", though both the etymology and its significance are obscure (bronze wolf's head, 1st century AD)
The Lupercalian Festival in Rome (ca. 1578–1610), drawing by the circle of Adam Elsheimer, showing the Luperci dressed as dogs and goats, with Cupid and personifications of fertility
Caesar Refuses the Diadem (1894), when it was offered by Mark Antony during the Lupercalia
Palatine Hill
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The Palatine Hill, which relative to the seven hills of Rome is the centremost, is one of the most ancient parts of the city; it has been called "the first nucleus of the Roman Empire". The site is now mainly a large open-air museum whilst the Palatine Museum houses many finds from the excavations here and from other ancient Italian sites.
View of the Palatine Hill from across the Circus Maximus
Palaces on the Palatine
Palatine Hill from the Colosseum
Massive retaining walls extended the area on the Palatine available for the Imperial building complex.