This celebration originates from Feriae Augusti (rest of Augustus), which indicates a festival established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC. It was added to the pre-existing Roman festivities, also taking place in August, like the Vinalia or Consualia, to celebrate the harvests and the end of the main agricultural work.
The ancient Feriae Augusti, besides its obvious purpose of political self-promotion, aimed to connect the main August festivals to create an adequate rest period necessary after the great efforts of the preceding weeks.
