feriae

In ancient Rome, holy days or sacred festivals. Political and legal business was suspended, and slaves were given a day of rest. There were many fixed feriae during the year, in addition to other festivals held on days that were determined annually, the dates of which were fixed each year, and special festivals at times of danger or victory.

In addition to the public festivals (feriae publicae), festivals could be observed by individual families to celebrate a particular event in their history (feriae privatae).