EQUUM, in antiquity, a holy feast prepared for the gods in times of public danger. The feast was sumptuous, and the gods were formally invited and attended; for the statues were brought on rich beds furnished with soft pillows, called pulvinaria. Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their conches at the most honourable part of the table. The care of the epula belonged to the epulones, and the gods were plentifully served with the richest dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the epulones performed that function for them, and doubtless were competent proxies! No wonder that Pliny solicited Trajan to be admitted of their order.

EPULUM is also used to signify any solemn feast; so we meet with epulum feralis, "a funeral entertainment."