LUDI VICTO´RIAE CAE´SARIS
LUDI VICTO´RIAE CAE´SARIS or
VE´NERIS GENETRI´CIS. These were
first celebrated in 46 B.C. by Julius Caesar on the dedication of the temple
of Venus Genetrix, voted at the battle of Pharsalia, which took place on
Sept. 24 (
C. I. L. 1.397); but they appear in the Calendars
as being celebrated in July, from the 20th to the 30th. This is due to the
introduction of the Julian Calendar, according to which July 23, 24 would
correspond to Sept. 24, 25 (
C. I. L. l.c.). They are called
Ludi Victoriae Caesaris by the Fasti
Maffeiani and Amiternini, by Matius Calvena in Cicero,
Cic. Fam. 11.28,
6, and
Suet. Aug. 10; but
Ludi Veneris Genetricis by
App. BC 3.28,
Plin. Nat. 2.93,
Senec.
Quaest. Nat. 7.17,
D. C. 49.42. But Victoria was identified with Venus Genetrix
(Varro,
L. L. 5.62;
Gel. 10.1,
7; Preller,
Röm.
Myth. 389, 707; Mommsen in
C. I. L. 1.397). These
games were
[p. 2.94]administered by a special collegium
(Suet.
l.c.; Plin.
l.c.;
Jul. Obseq. 68 [128]).
[
L.C.P]
