ABSTRACT
The author, in this chapter, progresses from a discussion of the organisation of the games to an analysis of the ceremonies of the first night and day. Before the actual sacrifices, an opening prayer was conducted. The prayer was offered by Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta, and the rest of the quindecimviri members. The Moirae, to whom the first sacrifices were made, was a common name for the three Greek goddesses of destiny; the individual names being Clotho, Atropos and Lachesis. Another ritual which took place in the opening night was the performance of the sellisternium in honour of Juno and Diana by 110 Roman matrons. The first day of the festival was dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus. In evaluating the Severan Ludi Saeculares as a manifestation of imperial power, the role of Jupiter becomes obvious: he was the supreme god, the protector of Rome, but he was also strongly associated with Severus in imperial propaganda.
