Today is the Vinalia Urbana, the Roman festival of wine. Every year Romans would gather to celebrate the wine harvest, sample the latest wine from the last harvest and pray for good weather. Venus was the goddess of “profane” wine used for everyday drinking while Jupiter was the god of wine that was good enough to be sacrificed to the gods. Jupiter was offered a special treat of the best wine being poured in a ditch by his high priest and was asked for good weather. Venus was honored by prostitutes at Venus Erycina temple where she was asked to grant beauty and popular favor. So tonight hoist a glass (or two) of your finest wine in thanks for this gift of the gods.
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