FERALIA, in antiquity, a festival observed among mong the Romans on February 21st, or, according to Ovid, on the 17th of that month, in honour of the manes of their deceased friends and relations.

Varro derives the word from *inferi*, or from *fero*; on account of a repast carried to the sepulchres of such as the last offices were that day rendered to. Fetus derives it from *ferio*, on account of the victims sacrificed. Voilus observes, that the Romans called death *fera*, "cruel," and that the word *feralia* might arise thence.—Maerobius Saturn. lib. i. cap. 13., refers the origin of the ceremony to Numa Pompilius. Ovid, in his Fasti, goes back as far as Æneas for its institution. He adds, that on the same day a sacrifice was performed to the goddess Muta, or Dumb; and that the persons who officiated were an old woman attended with a number of young girls.

During the continuance of this festival, which lasted eleven days, presents were made at the graves of the deceased, marriages were forbidden, and the temples of the gods shut up. While the ceremonies continued, they imagined that the ghosts suffered no punishments in hell, but that their tormentors allowed them to wander round their tombs, and feast upon the meats which their surviving friends had prepared for them.—For a more particular account of the offerings and sacrifices and feasts for the dead, see Inferiae and Silicernium.

Sometimes at the feralia public feasts were given to the people at the tombs of the rich and great by their heirs or particular friends.