Roman Mythology- Page 4

Orbona – The Orphan Following the death of a child, Roman parents made a pilgrimage to Orbona’s shrine to offer sacrifices to her. These were not intended as prayers for the deceased

Pales, among the oldest deities of the Roman region, is extremely mysterious: • ÖPales may be male. • Pales may be female. • Pales may even be both. Ancient rumor whispers of

Parcae Origins: Italy The Parcae are the Italian Fates. Their name derives from the Latin root Parere, “to bear” or “to give birth.” They are spinning goddesses comparable to Moirae or Norns.

Postvorta is the spirit of the past, sister of Antevorta, spirit of the future. The two serve in the entourage of Carmenta. They may all be venerated together. Postvorta literally means “after

The names Persephone and Proserpina tend to be used interchangeably. Do they refer to the same goddess? It’s not clear. The clue that Proserpina and Persephone may once have had distinct identities

Vesta, Lady of the Flame, Guardian of the Hearth, was the preeminent goddess of Rome. Her name may derive from a root word meaning “to burn.” Although Vesta is identified with the

Strenia is the goddess of prosperity, abundance, pleasure, and new beginnings. Goddess of the New Year, Strenia presided over the gift-giving incorporated into Roman New Year’s festivities. (This tradition of gift-giving was

Auster In Roman mythology, the southwest wind; called Notus in Greek mythology. SEE ALSO: Roman Mythology SOURCE: Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante &

Augures (watchers of birds) In ancient Roman cult, a group of priests established, according to tradition, by Romulus. Their function, important in Roman life, was not to predict the future but, by

Astraea (starry) In Roman mythology, goddess of justice; daughter of Zeus and Themis; sister of the Moerae and the Horae; sometimes called Dike; she lived on earth during the Golden Age but