Fornax, the heavenly personification of the oven, was a revered figure in ancient Roman religion.
The thirty curiae, the oldest divisions of the city created by Romulus from the first three tribes of Rome, celebrated her festival, the Fornacalia, on February 17. The Fornacalia was one of two celebrations that the curiae participated in; the other was the Fordicidia on April 19. The goddess was likely created to provide an explanation for the celebration, which was started to toast the spelt, which was used to make cakes for sacrifice.
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