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Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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among the pagan Romans, was a festival celebrated, especially at cross- roads, with plays and banquetings, in honor of the Lares. At the same time, as an atonement to the female daemon, Mania, honey-cakes and onions were offered. All families of Rome at this festival hung on the outside of their houses as many woollen balls as they had slaves, and as many woollen dolls as there were free people in the house, in order that Mania might take these instead of the slaves. It is stated that, originally, at this festival children were sacrificed, which abomination the consul Brutus ended by instituting the above-mentioned substitute.