Megalesia

[ meg-uh-lee-zhuh, -shuh, -see-uh ]

noun

, (sometimes used with a plural verb)

1. an ancient Roman festival in honor of the Magna Mater.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Megalesia¹

From Latin, short for megalēsia (lūdī) “Megalesian (games),” derivative of Megalē “the great” (from Greek megálē ), epithet of the Magna Mater

Example Sentences

The main public event in the worship of the Great Mother was the annual festival, which took place originally on the 4th of April, and was followed on the 5th by the Megalesia, games instituted in her honour on the introduction of the cult.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the Empire, from Claudius on, the Megalesia lasted six days, April 4-10, and the original one day of the religious festival became an annual cycle of festivals extending from the 15th to the 27th of March, in the following order.

From Project Gutenberg

Page 313—Megalecia amended to Megalesia—"Megalesia, 73."

From Project Gutenberg

There it was placed in a stately temple built for the purpose, and a solemn festival, called Megalesia, was celebrated annually, in honor of Cyb´ele.

From Project Gutenberg

The Megalesia, for example, had been introduced 204 B.C.

From Project Gutenberg