ABSTRACT
A Roman name for the spirits of the dead in the Underworld, usually called di manes. In later times the term Manes was used in a topographical sense for ‘Underworld’, and was also employed sometimes to refer to its gods, Hades (Pluto) and Persephone (Proserpina). The Romans believed that the Manes of their ancestors (di parentes) emerged from their tombs for a few days every February (parentalia, ‘all souls’ day’, feralia, ‘day of offerings’) when they had to be propitiated with offerings.
