85
Why in the early days did they not allow their wives to grind grain or to cook? Cf.Life of Romulus, chap. xv. (26 d), xix. (30 a).
85
Was it in memory of the treaty which they made with the Sabines? For when they had carried off the Sabines’ daughters, and later, after warring with the Sabines, had made peace, it was specified among the other articles of agreement that no Sabine woman should grind grain for a Roman or cook for him.
86
Why do men not marry during the month of May? Cf. Ovid, Fasti, v. 489.
86
Is it because this month comes between April and June, of which they regard April as sacred to Venus and June as sacred to Juno, both of them divinities of marriage: and so they put the wedding a little earlier or wait until later?
86
Or is it because in this month they hold their most important ceremony of purification, in which they now throw images from the bridge into the river, Cf. 272 b, supra. but in days of old they used to throw human beings? Wherefore it is the custom that the Flaminica, reputed to be consecrate to Juno, shall wear a stern face, and refrain from bathing and wearing ornaments at this time.
86
Or is it because many of the Latins make offerings to the departed in this month? And it is for this reason, perhaps, that they worship Mercury in this month and that the month derives its name from Maia.The mother of Mercury.