A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

GENIUS,

A Divinity, whom ancient Phllosophers esteemed to be the Son of God, and the Father of Men. They allowed a Ge∣nius or Intelligence to each Province, Town and Person, who took care of the Affairs of this World. They allowed also Genius's to Forests, Fountains, Trees, Eloquence, Sciences, and Joy, and it appears by several Medals, particularly one of Nero, GENIO AUGUSTI, GENIO SENATUS, GENIO P. ROMANI, GENIO EXERCITUUM, Upon these Medals the figure of God Genius is represented veiled at the middle of the Body, holding with one hand a Horn of Plenty, and with the other a Cup for the Sacrifice; and before the Sta∣tue there was an Altar, and a Fire thereon. Which agrees with the description that Am∣mianus Marcellinus has given us of the same, in the 25th Book of the Emperor Julianus's Deeds.

Censorinus in his Book intituled de Die Natali, says, that as soon as Men are born, they are put under the tuition of God Genius; and Euclid tells us, that Men have two Genins's, one good and the other bad. Plutarch relates in the life of Brutus, that he saw by night in a Dream a Fantome, by the light of a Lamp that was in his Chamber, and having asked him who he was, he answer'd him, that he was his bad Genius.

Each person offered Sacrifice every year to his Genius, and particularly upon Birth-days, with leven and salted Dough; and some∣times with a Pig two months old, and scattered Flowers and sprinkled Wine to him: and the Sacrifice being over, they made a great Feast for their Friends, and thus the Comedi∣ans was called Genio indulgere, or Genio volupe facere.

In the beginning it was not permitted to swear by the Genius of the Prince; but after∣wards the most solemn Oaths, were those that were sworn by the Genius of the Empe∣ror; and Suetonius assures, that Caligula put many to death, because they refused to swear by his Genius.

Apuleius has writ a Treatise of the Genius or evil Spirit of Socrates. The name of Ge∣nius among some who call themselves Chri∣stians, is given to the good Angels attending Men or States.

The Pagans rank'd Venus, Priapus, and Genius among the number of the Gods, who are intrusted with the care of Men's Genera∣tion.

By these three Divinities, the Heathens un∣derstood nothing else but the fecundity of na∣ture, that brings forth every day so many living Creatures; as Festus says, Genius est Deo∣rum filius & parens hominum, ex quo homines gignuntur; & propterea Genius meus nominatur, quia me genuit; the Genius is the Son of the Gods and the Father of Men, and my Geni∣us is called Genius, because he has begotten me.

This worship was rendered to Nature, not only because of the celestial Intelligence, who presides over our Generation; but also, because of the fecundity of the Stars and Elements, giving Being to so many Crea∣tures.

Censorinus affirms, that there was no bloody Sacrifice offered to Genius; wherefore Persi∣us says, funde merum Genio; for Men would not shed Blood upon their birth-day.

He is called Genius, because he is the God, who is intrusted with the care of Men as soon as they are born. And this Author tells us still, that this Genius never leaves Men, from the first instant of their life to the last; and has a very great Authority over them; and that some Men confounded him with the God Lar, and admitted two Genius's, in Houses where Husband and Wife lived toge∣ther: Eundem esse Genium & Larem multi veteres memoriae prodiderunt; hunc in not maximam, quini∣mo omnem habere potestatem creditum est. Non nulli binos Genios, in its duntaxat domibus quae essent maritae, colendos putaverunt.

The Tabula Caebetis says, that Genius directs those who come into the World the way they should observe; that many forget the Directions; but that yet he gives them warn∣ing, that they are not to mind the Goods of Fortune, which might be taken away from them: Monet Genius id Fortuna esse ingenium, ut & quae dederit, eripiat; and tells them still, that Men, who don't hearken to his precepts, come to a bad end.