FERIAE, in Roman antiquity, holidays, or days upon which they abstained from work. Proclamation was generally made by the herald, by command of the Rex Sacrorum or Flaminus, that all should abstain from business; and whoever transgressed the order was severely fined.—The feriae were of two kinds, public and private.

The public feriae were fourfold. 1. Statiae, which were kept as public feasts by the whole city upon certain immovable days appointed by their calendar; such were the Compitalia, Carmentalia, Lupercalia, &c. 2. Feriae Consecrationes, which were moveable feasts, the days for the celebration of which were fixed by the magistrates or priests; of this sort were the Feriae Latinae, Paganalia, Compitalia, &c. which happened every year, but the days for keeping them were left to the discretion of the magistrates or priests. 3. Feriae Imperativeae, which were fixed and instituted by the mere command of consuls, praetors, dictators, upon the gaining of some victory or other fortunate event. 4. Nundinae. See the articles NUNDINAE, AGONALIA, CARMENTALIA, &c.

The private feriae were holidays observed by particular persons or families on several accounts, as birthdays, funerals, &c. The feriae belonged to, and were one division of, the dies festi. See FESTI.

Feria Latinae, a festival at which a white bull was sacrificed, and the Latin and Roman towns provided each a fat quantity of meat, wine, and fruits; and during the celebration, the Romans and Latins swore eternal eternal friendship to each other, taking home a piece of the victim to every town. The festival was instituted by Tarquinius Superbus when he overcame the Tuscans and made a league with the Latins, proposing to build a common temple to Jupiter Latiatis, at which both nations might meet and offer sacrifices for their common safety. At first the solemnity lasted but one day, but it was at different times extended to ten. It was held on the Alban mount, and celebrated with chariot races at the Capitol, where the victor was treated with a large draught of wormwood drink.