Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, April 26th, 2025
Saturday in Easter Week
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Encyclopedias
Lectisternium

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Lectionarium
Next Entry
Lector
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links

(Lat. lectus, a couch, and sternere, to spread), a religious festival ceremony among the ancient Romans. It was celebrated during times of public calamity, when the gods were invited to the entertainment, and their statues taken from their pedestals and laid on couches. The lectisternium, according to Livy (5:13), was first celebrated in the year of Rome 354 (on the occasion of a contagious disease which committed frightful ravages among the cattle), and lasted for eight successive days. On the celebration of this festival enemies were said to forget their animosities, and all prisoners were liberated. Brande and Cox, Dictionary of Art and Sciences, vol. 2, s.v.

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Lectisternium'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​l/lectisternium.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile