21st August is the Roman Festival of Consualia, to honour the god of Consul, and the protector of the harvest, Consul Mars, as a protector of the harvest, was also honoured on this day, as were the household Gods individual families held sacred known as Lars.

Celebrations

During the celebration horses, mules, and assess were led through the streets adorned with garlands and flowers because they were allowed a day off work. (I wonder if on their one day off a year they would have preferred to just graze). Chariot races were also held in the Circus Maximus, which included a race in which chariots were pulled by mules. So those in the race didn’t even get that day off.