What is the purpose of the spring festival Terminalia?

The spring festival of Terminalia was primarily focused on honoring the boundaries between farms and land estates. This was a significant aspect of Roman culture, where the delineation of property was crucial for agricultural productivity and social order. During Terminalia, ceremonies were conducted to recognize the borders, often involving the tying of garlands to boundary markers and making offerings to the deities that protected these boundaries, particularly Terminus, the god of boundaries.

This festival did not have associations with grape harvest celebrations, seasonal changes, or the reversal of social roles—these elements are characteristic of other festivals in the Roman calendar. For instance, the festival of Liberalia was dedicated to the celebration of the grape harvest, and the festival of Saturnalia involved the reversal of social roles. Therefore, the focus of Terminalia on property boundaries distinguishes it as a unique celebration centered on agricultural and societal themes rather than those related to harvest or seasonal transitions.