Quirinalia

Quirinalia

February 17

Quirinus was an ancient Roman deity who closely resembled Mars, the god of war. His name is associated with that of the Quirinal, one of the seven hills on which Rome was built and the site of an ancient Sabine settlement that was the seat of his cult. Eventually Quirinus was identified with Romulus, one of the legendary founders of Rome, and his festival on February 17, the Quirinalia, coincided with the date on which Romulus was believed to have been deified. This festival was also associated with the advent of spring warfare, when the shields and weapons of the army, which had been purified and retired for the winter, were brought out. The temple dedicated to Quirinus on the hill known as the Quirinal was one of the oldest in Rome.

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 174
DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 916
FestRom-1981, p. 78
OxYear-1999, p. 81 (c)

Celebration day: Feb 17