The earliest known May celebrations appeared with the "Floralia", festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, held from 27 April – 3 May during the Roman Republic era, and the "Maiouma" or "Maiuma", a festival celebrating Dionysus and Aphrodite held every three years during the month of May. The Floralia opened with theatrical performances. In the Floralia, Ovid says that hares and goats were released as part of the festivities. Persius writes that crowds were pelted with vetches, beans, and lupins. A ritual called the "Florifertum" was performed on either 27 April or 3 May, during which a bundle of wheat ears was carried into a shrine, though it is not clear if this devotion was made to Flora or Ceres. Floralia concluded with competitive events and spectacles, and a sacrifice to Flora.