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disagreement that angered Tiberius and may have contributed to his decision to banish all actors from
Rome. The Ludi Augustales was eventually linked to the Ludi Circenses and Ludi Palatini, specifically
under the patronage of the divine Augustus.
Ludi Capitolini -> Games started in 388 B.C. to memorialize the preservation of the capital from the
Gauls with the help of JUPITER. It was decreed that special collegium to organize the games should be
voted from among those who lived on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, although the patricians were
eventually excluded. Aside from the regular festivities, the Ludi Capitolini boasted an unusual ceremony, in
which an old man was paraded through the street dressed as a king. He represented the ancient ruler of
one of the Etruscan cities (Veii), who was marched through the city in 396 B.C., after the defeat of his
people by the Romans.
Ludi Ceriales -> These games were held annually, April 12-19, commencing with the CEREALIA on
April 12 in honor of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. They began in 202 B.C.
Ludi Decennales -> Beginning with Augustus, an emperor could celebrate his 10th anniversary on the
throne with the Ludi Decennales, a demonstration of imperial strength and dynastic vitality.
Ludi Florales -> Begun in 173 B.C. to honor Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. Held from April 28
to May 3, the Ludi Florales was noted for its excessive celebrations and decadence.
Ludi Megalenses -> Also called the Megalesii or the Megalensia, the days from April 4 to 10 were
devoted to the honor of the Great Mother (Mater Magna) CYBELE. In 204 B.C., in the throes of the
Punic War, the oracles insisted that the sacred black stone of Cybele be moved from Asia Minor to a
temple on the Palatine Hill in Rome. The Ludi Megalenses was organized to honor her, becoming a fixed
part of the year around 19 B.C., with most of the performers acting at or near her temple. The Christian
Church terminated the use of the name Megalensia, but the days remained part of the Christian calendar as
a festive period.
Ludi Plebeii -> Series of games first staged in 216 B.C., during the Punic Wars, and traditionally held in
the Circus. The name was derived from the plebian AEDILES who superintended their productions. At first
they were held on a single day, November 15, the sacred Ides of Jupiter, but eventually they were expanded
to 14 days, from November 4 to 17. The Ludi Plebeii lasted into the 4th century A.D.