Ancient Rome. The exact origins of Lupercalia are unknown, but the festival has been traced back as far as the 6th century B.C. perhaps overlapping Valentines day. Lupercalia, also called Lupercal, was an ancient Roman pastoral festival observed each year on February 15. The celebration focused on purification of the city and was believed to promote health, fertility, and renewal. Lupercalia was also referred to as dies Februatus , named after the purification tools known as
