The Romans Provided Gods for Birth, Nay, Even Before Birth, to Death. Much Indelicacy in This System.

Chapter XI.—The Romans Provided Gods for Birth, Nay, Even Before Birth, to Death. Much Indelicacy in This System.

And you are not content to assert the divinity of such as were once known to you, whom you heard and handled, and whose portraits have been painted, and actions recounted, and memory retained amongst you; but men insist upon consecrating with a heavenly life ⁹⁵³ I know not what incorporeal, inanimate shadows, and the mere names of things—dividing man’s entire existence amongst separate powers even from his conception in the womb: so that there is a god Consevius, ⁹⁵⁴ to preside over concubital generation; and Fluviona, ⁹⁵⁵ to preserve the (growth of the) infant in the womb; after these come Vitumnus and Sentinus, ⁹⁵⁶ through whom the babe begins to have life and its earliest sensation; then Diespiter, ⁹⁵⁷ by whose office the child accomplishes its birth. But when women begin their parturition, Candelifera also comes in aid, since childbearing requires the light of the candle; and other goddesses there are ⁹⁵⁸ who get their names from the parts they bear in the stages of travail. There were two Carmentas likewise, according to the general view: to one of them, called Postverta, belonged the function of assisting the birth of the introverted child; while the other, Prosa, ⁹⁵⁹ executed the like office for the rightly born.  The god Farinus was so called from (his inspiring) the first utterance; while others believed in Locutius from his gift of speech. Cunina ⁹⁶⁰ is present as the protector of the child’s deep slumber, and supplies to it refreshing rest. To lift them (when fallen) ⁹⁶¹ there is Levana, and along with her Rumina. ⁹⁶² It is a wonderful oversight that no gods were appointed for cleaning up the filth of children. Then, to preside over their first pap and earliest drink you have Potina and Edula; ⁹⁶³ to teach the child to stand erect is the work of Statina, ⁹⁶⁴ whilst Adeona helps him to come to dear Mamma, and Abeona to toddle off again; then there is Domiduca, ⁹⁶⁵ (to bring home the bride;) and the goddess Mens, to influence the mind to either good or evil. ⁹⁶⁶ They have likewise Volumnus and Voleta, ⁹⁶⁷ to control the will; Paventina, (the goddess) of fear; Venilia, of hope; ⁹⁶⁸ Volupia, of pleasure; ⁹⁶⁹ Præstitia, of beauty. ⁹⁷⁰ Then, again, they give his name to Peragenor, ⁹⁷¹ from his teaching men to go through their work; to Consus, from his sugp. 140 gesting to them counsel. Juventa is their guide on assuming the manly gown, and “bearded Fortune” when they come to full manhood. ⁹⁷² If I must touch on their nuptial duties, there is Afferenda whose appointed function is to see to the offering of the dower; but fie on you! you have your Mutunus ⁹⁷³ and Tutunus and Pertunda ⁹⁷⁴ and Subigus and the goddess Prema and likewise Perfica. ⁹⁷⁵ O spare yourselves, ye impudent gods! No one is present at the secret struggles of married life. Those very few persons who have a wish that way, go away and blush for very shame in the midst of their joy.

Footnotes

139:953

Efflagitant cœlo et sanciunt, (i.e., “they insist on deifying.”)

139:954

Comp. Augustine, de Civ. Dei, vi. 9.

139:955

A name of Juno, in reference to her office to mothers, “quia eam sanguinis fluorem in conceptu retinere putabant.” Comp. August. de Civ. Dei, iii. 2.

139:956

Comp. August. de Civ. Dei, vii. 2, 3.

139:957

Comp. August. de Civ. Dei, iv. 11.

139:958

Such as Lucina, Partula, Nona, Decima, Alemona.

139:959

Or, Prorsa.

139:960

“Quæ infantes in cunis (in their cradle) tuetur.” Comp. August. de Civ. Dei, iv. 11.

139:961

Educatrix; Augustine says: “Ipse levet de terra et vocetur dea Levana” (de Civ. Dei, iv. 11).

139:962

From the old word ruma, a teat.

139:963

Comp. August. de Civ. Dei, iv. 9, 11, 36.

139:964

See also Tertullian’s de Anima, xxxix.; and Augustine’s de Civ. Dei, iv. 21, where the god has the masculine name of Statilinus.

139:965

See Augustine, de Civ. Dei, vi. 9 and vii. 3.

139:966

Ibid. iv. 21, vii. 3.

139:967

Ibid. iv. 21.

139:968

Ibid. iv. 11, vii. 22.

139:969

Ibid. iv. 11. [N.B.—Augustine’s borrowing from our author.]

139:970

Arnobius, adv. Nationes, iv. 3.

139:971

Augustine, de Civ. Dei. [iv. 11 and 16] mentions Agenoria.

140:972

On Fortuna Barbata, see Augustine, de Civ. Dei, iv. 11, where he also names Consus and Juventa.

140:973

Tertullian, in Apol. xxv. sarcastically says, “Sterculus, and Mutunus, and Larentina, have raised the empire to its present height.”

140:974

Arnobius, adv. Nationes, iv. 7, 11; August. de Civ. Dei, vi. 9.

140:975

For these three gods, see Augustine, de Civ. Dei, vi. 9; and Arnobius, adv. Nationes, iv. 7.