feasts celebrated by the ancient Romans, in honour of Liber or Bacchus, and the same with those which the Greeks called *Dionysia*. They derived their name from *liber*, free, a title conferred on Bacchus in memory of the liberty or freedom which he granted to the people of Bocotia; or, perhaps, because wine, of which he was the reputed deity, delivers men from care, and sets their minds at ease and freedom. Varro derives the name of this feast from *liber*, free, because the priests were free from their function, and eased of all care, during the time of the *liberalia*; as the old women officiated in the ceremonies and sacrifices of these feasts.