feriae privatae

Feriae privatae were ancient Roman festival days observed by families or individuals to honor events of personal or ancestral significance. A notable example was the feriae denicales, a 10-day mourning period following a family member's death. These private festivals were distinct from feriae publicae, which were holidays observed by all Romans, such as the Parentalia, a festival honoring the dead that ran from February 13 to 21. The feriae publicae included fixed annual celebrations (feriae stativae), movable festivals appointed by priests (feriae conceptivae), and festivals commanded during emergencies or after victories (feriae imperativae).12