Salacia
A Roman sea goddess. The god Neptune wanted to marry her, but she ran
off and hid from him in the Atlantic ocean. Neptune sent a dolphin to
look for her and when the animal found her it brought her back to him.
Salacia then agreed to marry Neptune, and the dolphin was awarded a place
in the heavens. Salacia bore Neptune three children and is identified
with the Greek god, Amphitrite.
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Salus
("salvation") The personified Roman goddess of health and prosperity,
both of the individual and the state. As Salus Publica Populi Romani ("goddess
of the public welfare of the Roman people") she had a temple on the
Quirinal, inaugurated in 302 BCE (Livius X, 1, 9). Later she became more
a protector of personal health. Around 180 BCE sacrificial rites in honor
of Apollo, Aesculapius, and Salus took place there (Livius XL, 19). Her
attribute was a snake or a bowl and her festival was celebrated on March
30. Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia.
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Securitas
The personification of security, and its goddess. She was invoked to ensure
the stability of the Roman empire.
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Semonia
The Roman goddess of sowing.
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Sentia
The Roman goddess who brought about a young child's first awareness.
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Sibyl
In ancient times a prophetess who, in a state of ecstasy and under influence
of Apollo, prophesized without being consulted. Famous Sibyls are the
Cumaean Sibyl and the Erythraean Sibyl, who revealed to Alexander the
Great his divine descent. The Cumaean Sibyl owned, according to tradition,
nine books of prophecies, which she sold the remaining three to the Roman
king Tarquin.
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Spes
The personified Roman goddess of hope. She had a sanctuary on the vegetable
market. Spes is portrayed as a young woman holding a cornucopia and a
flower.
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Stata
Mater
The Roman goddess who guards against fires, and was thus associated with
Vulcan. She was at times equated with Vesta. A statue of Stata Mater was
located on the Forum.
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Stella
Maris
Star of the Sea. Epithet of Isis, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Venus, Mari-Anna
and the Virgin Mary.
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Stimula
The Roman goddess who incites passion in women (especially in the Bacchae).
She is equated with the Greek Semele.
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Strenua
The Roman goddess of strength and vigor, of Sabine origin. She was worshipped
in Rome at the beginning of the new year. Her sanctuary was in the Via
Sacra.
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