Today is Ferragosto—the peak of Italian summer and one of history’s most enduring holidays.
Back in 18 BC, Emperor Augustus established the Feriae Augusti as days of rest after the harvest, featuring games, races, and celebrations. When the Roman Empire fell, the Catholic Church cleverly placed the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th, keeping the tradition alive.
This makes Ferragosto one of the oldest festivals still celebrated today, standing alongside ancient traditions like the Chinese Lunar New Year and the Egyptian Wepet Renpet (New Year).
Augustus himself was no ordinary ruler. Julius Caesar’s nephew and adopted heir, he rose to power after defeating Mark Antony in the chaos following Caesar’s assassination, becoming Rome’s first emperor and ending the Republic forever.
The month wasn’t always called August, by the way. Originally Sextilis (the sixth month when years began in March), it was renamed in 8 BCE when Augustus claimed it for himself, just as Julius had taken July from Quinctilis. Many of the emperor’s most significant victories occurred during this time, making it a fitting month for slowing down and celebrating.
And yes, the title “shutting down Italy” isn’t an exaggeration. When Ferragosto arrives, literally everything closes for a day or more. Shops, offices, and restaurants all shut down as Italians head to beaches and mountains to enjoy their well-earned break.
Credits: Cover image photo of the head of Augustus, exposed at The British Museum.
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