The order, solemnitie, and pompe, of the feastes, sacrifices, vowes, games, and triumphes: vsed vpon the natiuities of emperours, kinkes [sic], princes, dukes, popes, and consuls: with the custome, order, and manner of their inaugurations, coronations, and annoynting. With a briefe rehearsall of the funerall solemnities at some emperours, kings, and princes burials.

Of the feasts and triumphs in Iulius Caesars natiuity.

THe natiuity of Iulius Caesar vpon the Ide of Iuly, was by himselfe so obserued, that among all imperiall and triumphant feastes, he only celebrated games & plaies, feastes and sacrifices vpon that day, that far exceeded al other feastes and games: and after Caesars death, his Nephew Augustus obserued the like course in remembrance of his Vncle,* 1.1 for he within his owne Pallace in Rotundo Templo kept yearely a solempne feast with all pompe and myrth, to set foorth the remembrance of Caesars natiuity: which feast continued for sixe daies, during which time, the plaies called Ludi palatini were celebrated with Epinician songes of Greece.

Thus, if the Perseans in remembrance of Cyrus byrth, the Macedonians in remembrance of Alexanders byrth, the Siracusians of Tymoleon, the Parthians of Arsaces, the A∣chaians of Aratus, and the Romans in remembrance of Ro∣mulus natiuitie celebrated feastes, games and plaies, with all

solempne pompe, myrth, ioy and all kinde of triumphes, sin∣ging out loud with songes of ioy, called Talassius: Then, O quam te memoremus Eliza.

Let Romanes sing Mamurius song, And sound Talassius fame: We laugh aloud, and clap our hands, And sound Elizas name.

VPon the twentith day of the moneth Munichion, the yoong knightes and lusty Gallants of Athens in moste solemne order with the pompe of Peplon, went in pro∣cession-wise, crowned with Laurell, from the Castle of Minerua to the wood Aricinum to doo sacrifice vnto Diana, with torches, Lampes, and sundry kinde of lights in the night time to honour the natiuitie of Diana,* 1.2 which is set foorth in the feast Elaphoboelea in Februarie, with musick, myrth and the song Hypingos.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Iu. Caesars natiuitie.
• * 1.2

  Elaphoboelea