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The Lupercalia encompassed a variety of rituals and rites performed by a group known as the Luperci, or Brothers of the Wolf. This brotherhood conducted sacrifices of goats and dogs, with some scholars suggesting the latter animal symbolized the wolf itself. The act of sacrifice was followed by rituals involving the application of blood to the foreheads of Luperci members, who then cleansed themselves using wool dipped in milk, eliciting laughter and merriment.