Meditrinalia: Festival of Health (AKA Wine!)

Happy Meditrinalia! Those who are legally allowed to, raise a glass of your favorite wine in cheer- the goddess of health is smiling upon you today!

Meditrinalia is an ancient Roman festival that was celebrated on October 11 in honor of the goddess of medicine, Meditrina. According to legend, the festival marked the end of the vine harvest, and people of Latium began to taste their new wine on this day. Although it was first celebrated in honor of Jupiter, it soon gave rise to a new goddess of healing/medicine, Meditrina, on whom the festival is now named.

The Romans made an offering of wine to the gods on this occasion while reciting

"vetus novum vinum bibo, novo veteri morbo medeor." which translates to

''Wine new and old I drink, of illness new and old I'm cured."

The new wine was thought to hold healing powers. Given that we now know wine is rich in antioxidants, and it can help reduce cholesterol and heart disease, the ancient Romans sure were on to something.

Sources

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Meditrinalia.html

https://historyandarchaeologyonline.com/october-11th-raise-a-glass-to-the-meditrinalia-the-festival-of-good-health-and-wine/

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