Lupercus

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For the saint of this name, see Marcellus of Tangier.
Topics in Roman mythology
Important Gods:
Legendary History
Roman religion
Greek/Roman myth compared
Other Rustic Gods:

In Roman mythology, Lupercus is a god sometimes identified with the Roman god Faunus, who is the Roman equivalent of the Greek god Pan.[1]

Lupercus is the god of shepherds. His festival, celebrated on the anniversary of the founding of his temple in February 15, was called the Lupercalia. His priests wore goatskins. Lupercus was associated with the Lupercal, the cave where Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she-wolf. He was associated with goats and dogs.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Guralnik, David B., Editor in Chief. “Lupercalia.” Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language. Second College Edition. New York, NY: Prentice Hall Press, 1986. ISBN 0-671-41809-2 (indexed), ISBN 0-671-41807-6 (plain edge), ISBN 0-671-41811-4 (pbk.), and ISBN 0-671-47035-3 (LeatherKraft).