Lupercalia

Lupercalia was an ancient Roman festival held in mid-February, celebrating fertility and purification. It involved various rituals, including the sacrifice of goats and the blessing of crops. Young men, known as Luperci, would run around the city, playfully striking people with strips of animal skin, which was believed to promote fertility and ease childbirth. The festival also featured matchmaking activities, with men drawing women's names from a box. Over time, Lupercalia evolved and was partially blended into Christian traditions, ultimately influencing the modern celebration of Valentine's Day.