History of Manes Field
In ancient Roman religion, the Manes were the souls of deceased loved ones.
The word was also used as a metaphor to refer to the underworld.
Manes is derived from “an archaic adjective manus—good—which was the opposite of immanis”.
The Manes were offered blood sacrifices. The gladiatorial games, originally held at funerals, may have been instituted in the honor of the Manes.
Seeing as Manes Field currently sits atop an ancient cemetery, it seemed only fitting that it be given the name it has.
Old tombstones can be spotted throughout the Stadium, and on the Eastern most 10 yard line, buried about 16 feet down it is rumored that the lapis manalis, gate to the underworld, is buried.
