Tags: Holiday.
The Veneralia was an ancient Roman festival celebrated April 1 (the Kalends of Aprilis) in honor of Venus Verticordia (Venus the changer of hearts) and Fortuna Virilis (Manly or Virile Fortune).The cult of Venus Verticordia was established in 220 BC during the last years of Rome’s Punic Wars in response to advice from a Sibylline oracle when a series of prodigies was taken to signify divine displeasure at sexual offenses among Romans of every category and class including several men and three Vestal Virgins.