AMBARVALIA, in Antiquity, a Feast, or Ceremony among the Romans; celebrated annually, to procure of the Gods a happy Harvest. See FEAST, etc. At these Feasts, they sacrificed a Bull, a Sow, and a Sheep; which, before the Sacrifice, were led in Procession around the Fields; whence the Feast took its Name: from the Greek αμφι, about; or the Latin ambio, I go round, and arvum, Field—Tho, Scaliger writes it Ambarbalia; and deduces it from ambire urbem, to go round the City. From the Beasts offered in Sacrifice, the Ceremony was also called Suovetaurilia. See SUOVETAURILIA. It is not certain whether this Feast was fixed, or moveable; nor whether it was celebrated once, or twice a year; Authors being of different Opinions on both those Heads. The Ambarvale Carmen, was a Prayer preferred on this Occasion; whereof we have the Formula preserved in Caro, C. 141. de Re Rustica. The Priests who chiefly officiated at the Solemnity, were called Fratres Arvales. See ARVALES.
