Megalensia

Roman festival

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Megalensia, or Megalesia, was an ancient Roman festival held in April and dedicated to Cybele, the Great Mother of the Gods. A distinctive feature of this festival were the ludi scaenici, which were theatrical performances, including plays and farces. The worship of Cybele, originating from Phrygia in Asia Minor, was brought to Rome in 204 BC. The festival became a prominent occasion for these stage games, which initially featured serious dramas but later focused more on farces and pantomime.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

7 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

ludi scaenici
…the characteristic feature of the Megalensia, or Megalesia, the festival of the goddess Cybele (established in 204 bc). They originally included serious dramas but later, under the Roman Empire, were almost wholly devoted to farces and pantomime. The Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) were celebrated only once in a century.
Read More
…the characteristic feature of the Megalensia, or Megalesia, the festival of the goddess Cybele (established in 204 bc). They originally included serious dramas but later, under the Roman Empire, were almost wholly devoted to farces and pantomime. The Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) were celebrated only once in a century.
Read More