lemuri

Updated: July 13, 2025

Lemures and Larvæ are often confused, but Lemures is the regular word for the dead not at rest the "Lemuri," or spirits of the churchyard, of some parts of modern Italy. They were evil spirits, propitiated in early days with blood. Hence the first gladiatorial games were given in connection with funerals. Both in Greece and in Rome there were special festivals for appeasing these restless spirits.

Lacy Collison-Morley - Greek and Roman Ghost Stories