Megalesiacae spectacula: The Megalesian games were celebrated in Rome from April 4-10 in honor of the Phrygian goddess Cybele, known in Rome as Magna Mater, “the great mother” (in Greek megalê means “great, exalted”). This was a season for general feasting and rejoicing in Rome, a time when wealthy Romans invited their friends for such extravagant banquets that the Senate passed a rule limiting such expenditures in 161 BCE. Thus the time provides a fitting setting for Juvenal's satire about living within his means and inviting his friend to a simple meal that is appropriate to his status. This festival was primarily devoted to dramatic performance (ludi scaenici), but chariot races (ludi circenses) were held in the Circus on the last day.

This statue is a portrait of a Roman matron who is depicted with the attributes of the goddess Cybele. Note especially the mural crown, modeled on the walls of a city, which indicates the goddess's connection with war. She was primarily associated with the fertility of wild nature (hence her connection with mountains like Mt. Ida in Crete) and often accompanied by lions; her rites had an ecstatic character and her Asiatic priests, called Galli, were famous for their self-castration.