Meaning & use
the Lupercal
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproperspecialist
A cave at the foot of the Palatine Hill in Rome, believed to be where a wolf cared for Romulus and Remus.
Grammar: Used with 'the' and a capital L; it names one specific place, so it has no plural.
Patterns
- the Lupercal cave
- at the Lupercal
According to legend, the twins were found in the Lupercal by a she-wolf.
Archaeologists have long searched for the exact site of the Lupercal.
proper nounproperspecialist
The ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in February in honor of the god Faunus.
Grammar: Less common than 'Lupercalia' for the festival; keep the capital L.
Patterns
- the Lupercal festival
- celebrate the Lupercal
The Lupercal was celebrated with running and sacrifices in mid-February.
In Shakespeare's play, Caesar is warned during the Lupercal.
Common combinations
- the Lupercal cave
- The guide pointed out the supposed entrance to the Lupercal cave.
- the Lupercal festival
- The Lupercal festival involved young men running through the streets.
- at the Lupercal
- In the play, Antony offers Caesar a crown at the Lupercal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- Lupercalia
- The usual name for the festival; 'the Lupercal' more often refers to the cave.
Word family
- Lupercalia proper noun
- The Roman festival of purification and fertility held in February.
Commonly confused: the Lupercal or Lupercalia?
the Lupercal vs Lupercalia
'The Lupercal' is mainly the cave; 'Lupercalia' is the festival held in its honor.
Practice
In Roman legend, what was the Lupercal?
Choose one answer.
The Lupercal is the cave linked to the she-wolf and the twins. A temple, a river, and a December festival do not match the legend or the calendar.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the Lupercal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.