Matralia

[ muh-trey-lee-uh, -treyl-yuh ]

noun

, (sometimes used with a plural verb)

, plural Ma·tra·li·a, Ma·tra·li·as.

1. an annual festival of ancient Rome celebrated by women in honor of the goddess Matuta.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Matralia¹

1895–1900; < Latin Mātrālia ( festa ) (festival) of Māter Mātūta (goddess of dawn); mātrālia, neuter plural of mātrālis pertaining to a mother. See mater, -al ¹

Example Sentences

June 5 was sacred to Semo Sancus; the Vestalia occurred on the 9th, the Matralia on the 11th, and the 222 Quinquatrus Minusculae on the 13th.

From Project Gutenberg

In his capacity as pater matutinus he has a native female counterpart in Matuta, a dawn-deity, who becomes a protectress in childbirth, and as such is the centre of the matrons' festival, the Matralia of June 11.

From Project Gutenberg

In the month of June the mothers celebrated a feast called Matralia, to impress upon themselves their duties towards children; and at another they brought to mind the good deeds of the Sabine women in keeping their husbands and fathers from war.

From Project Gutenberg

The agonales were celebrated in January; the carmentales, in January and February; the lupercales and matronales, in March; the megalesia in April; the floralia, in May; and the matralia in June.

From Project Gutenberg