Final answer:
The statement is true; Romans held annual festivals for the dead such as Parentalia and Lemuria, during which they performed various rituals to honor and appease the spirits of their ancestors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the Romans held annual festivals for the dead is true. Ancient Romans had deep respect for their ancestors and participated in various rituals to honor them.
Death masks were made of wax, bronze, marble, or terra cotta from molds taken at the time of a person's death and displayed in homes as part of ancestor veneration practices.
Festivals that involved honoring the dead, such as the Parentalia and Lemuria, were times when Romans would engage in rituals to appease and honor the spirits of their ancestors.
For example, during Parentalia, held from February 13 to February 21, families would visit the graves of their ancestors, bring offerings, and perform rites. Additionally, on May 9, 11, and 13, the festival of Lemuria was observed to exorcise malevolent and restless spirits.
Moreover, within the domestic space, Romans maintained a terrarium, a private shrine for daily ancestor worship, which included small figurines symbolizing the deceased.
These cultural practices highlight the importance of ancestors in Roman daily life and their legacy in rituals connected to the dead.