The "Feriae Augusti" ("Festivals of the Emperor Augustus") were introduced by the emperor Augustus in 18 BCE. This was an addition to earlier ancient Roman festivals which fell in the same month, such as the "Vinalia rustica" or the "Consualia", which celebrated the harvest and the end of a long period of intense agricultural labor. The Feriae Augusti, in addition to its propaganda function, linked the various August festivals to provide a longer period of rest, called "Augustali", which was felt necessary after the hard labour of the previous weeks.