The poetical histories being a compleat collection of all the stories necessary for a perfect understanding of the Greek and Latine poets and other ancient authors / written originally in French, by the learned Jesuite, P. Galtruchius ; now Englisht and enricht with observations concerning the gods worshipped by our ancestors in this island, by the Phœnicians, and Syrians in Asia ... ; unto which are added two treatises, one of the curiosities of old Rome, and of the difficult names relating to the affairs of that city, the other containing the most remarkable hieroglyphicks of Ægypt, by Marius d'Assigny ...

CHAP. XIV,

Of some other Divinities.

BEsides these common and universal divi∣nities that we have mentioned the Hea∣thens did fancy others who had a particular kindness, for certain houses and persons.

The domestick Gods were named Lares or Penates they were in shape like Monkies pla∣ced in some private part of the house, or in the Chimney corner, they did honour them as their Protectors, and therefore did make unto them offerings of wine and frankinsence.

They did also imagine that every one was borne with two Genii proper unto his per∣son, named Daemones; the one was the good and favourable, who did perswade him to honesty and virtue, and in recompence did procure unto him all manner of good things proper to our Estates. The other was the Evil Genius, who was the cause of all wickedness and mishap when he did get the upper hand in us.

The Heathens did acknowledge also a Great Goddess, named Fortune, who had in her possession, and at her disposal, the honors, the riches, and the happiness of this life, she did give them and take them away at her pleasure: But this is noted of her, that she was blind, and very unconstant; in her hand was a Wheel that she did turn without cea∣sing,

raising sometimes men on the top of the Wheel, and sometimes casting them down, so that there was nothing setled or assured that did concern her. She was adored by the most part of men, the greatest Princes had one of Gold kept safe with them in their dwellings, that she might be always favoura∣ble unto them: The Goddess Nemesis, or Vindiciae, had an eye upon the crimes and misdemeanours of every one to punish them. The God Momus was worshipped by them, but he grew mightily out of favour, and be∣came odious to all the World, because of his ill qualities; for he had his beginning from Sleep, and the Night: And although he was very slothful and ignorant, he was neverthe∣less one that found fault, and who did prattle of every thing, which did proceed partly from his vanity, and the partly from the ness of his judgment.

* 1.1 The God of particular persons, or of King∣domes, was named Genius; he had a continual eye over them, and did accompany them to the Grave. The Genius of the Roman State was painted with a Horn of abundance in one hand, and a dish full in the other, which was stretched out upon an Altar. The Heathens said, hat their Genii were of a Nature between God and Man, and therefore they imagined them to be the Sons of Jupiter and Terra. All the Stars were reckoned in their number, and therefore they did worship them as the Jews did in the quality of Angels:

They did paint them differently, sometimes as a Serpent, and sometimes as Boys or Girls, or as Old Men; but a Garland of a Palm-tree was always upon their heads, therefore this Tree is named Genialis. In some ancient Medals, the Genius of the Emperour was represeuted as a Man, with a large dish of all sorts of Flowers in one hand, and a Scourge in the other, to ex∣press both rewards and punishments: They thought it not lawful to kill any Creature unto their Genius, because it was not decent that they should cause Creatures to loose their lives, the day on which they received theirs; yet Horace mentions the killing of a Pig of two moneths old. The usual offerings to the Genius were Wine and Flowers; as the men had their Ge∣nii, the Women had also their Junones Goddes∣ses, that did watch over and protect them.

Magnigeni cape thura lubens votis{que} faveto, * 1.2

And

Funde merum Genio.

The Penates were the Gods that were placed in penetralibus domi, in the inner most part of the house, as Guardians and Protectors ••o it: There were the Penates of Cities, of Kingdomes, of Heaven and Earth, and of many eminent dwel∣lings; Aeneas brought his from Troy, that were two young men in a sitting Posture: The Dictator and chief Magistrates of Rome did sacrifice to them when they entered into their Offices, and to the Goddess Vesta.

* 1.3 Lares is another kind of Domestick Gods in Figure, like a Dog: Plutarch tells us, that they were but covered with a Dogs skin, and a Dog was placed next to them, to express the watchfulness and care they had of the house, and their friendship to those who did belong to it. The Fable says, that Lara being condemned to loose her tongue, for revealing unto Juno Jupiters intention of deflouring Juturna; and being sent in Mercuries custody to Hell, by the way he layed with her, and begot two Sons named Lares, from whom these Gods are derived.

Fortune the Daughter of Oceanus, and the servant of the Gods, was carried in a Chariot drag'd by four blind horses, under her feet lay a Globe, in her right hand the Helm of a Ship, and in her left the Horn of Plenty: She had se∣veral Images, Statues and Temples erected to her honour, for the Romans did worship none more than Fortuna: At her right hand did play up∣on a Wheel a young Youth, with Wings upon his shoulders, named Favor, to express how soon her favours may fly away from us. Two Images were remarkable at Rome, Fortuna Calva, and 〈…〉〈…〉 both very signi∣ficant. 〈…〉〈…〉 several Temples built 〈…〉〈…〉 Fortune, one to Fortuna 〈…〉〈…〉 in the Capitol another to Fortuna obsequens, to Fortuna privata, to Fortuna 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the later was near the Temple of Venus; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Fortuna barbata, to Fortuna publica, to Fortuna plebeia, and another to Fortuna mu∣liebris, whose Statue had the power to speak,

as Val. Max. l. 5. cap. 2. informs us; and to several other kinds of Fortune Temples were e∣rected. When Fortune was not favourable to them, they did ••ad her with Curses and Impre∣cations.

Nemesis, the Daughter of Jupiter and Ne∣cessity, was the Goddess of Revenge; she was called Adrastia, because Adrastus built her a Temple; and Rhamnusia, from a place in Greece where she was worshipped: She was painted as Justice is, with a Sword in one hand, and a pair of Balances in the other, with a sad countenance of a Virgin, and piercing Eyes, or with a Bridle and a Ruler. The Heathens did think, that she would either reward or punish all the actions of our life.

The imployment of Momus was to reprove the faults of every one▪ he did not like Vulcans Man, who had not a Window in his brest that his thoughts thorough it might be seen: He was not pleased with the Slippers of Venus, because they made too much noise: He reproved Neptunes Bull, for not having Horns on his shoulders, rather than on his head; and Mi∣nerva's House, because it was not moveable.

Besides these Gods that were worshipped by most Nations, the Romans had several otbers, and of many kinds: Some were called Indige∣tes, who were advanced from the Estate of Men, to the honour of the Gods: Of this number were Hercules, unto whom divers Chappels and Al∣tars were erected in Rome, and many favour∣able Epithets ascribed unto him, as Magnus Vi∣ctor

Triumphator, Defensor, &c. Faunus was another, Carmenta Evanders wife another, and Evander himself, King of the Natives of Italy, Castor and Pollux, Aesculapius, Acca Lauren∣tia, the Nurse of Romulus and Remus, Qui∣rinus, a name of Romulus; from whence comes the word Quirites, the Romans Title.

All the perfections and virtues of the Soul were also adored as so many Goddesses, Mens the mind, Virtus virtue, Honos honor, Pietas, &c. And over every part of a mans life they had particular Gods and Divinities: The young Babes were under the protection of these, Opis, Nascio, * 1.4Vaticanus, Levana, Cumina, Goddes∣ses that did look to the Chill in the Crad e, Rumina that did assist it to suck; Potina, E∣duca, Ossilago, Fabulinus, Carnea, Juventas, Orbona, Volupia, Lubentina-Anculi Dii, were honored by servants. The new-married Couple had several Gods, Jugatinus that did joyn them together, Domiducus he that led the Bride home, Minturna Dea, Virginensis, Cinxia, Mutinus, Deus Pater, Subigus, Dea mater prema, Viriplaca Dea. All these had their se∣veral Offices appointed them in Marriages: The Goddesses of Child-bearing are Mena Dea, Ju∣no, Fluonia, & Lucina, Pertunda, Latona, E∣geria, Bona Dea, Magna Genata, &c.

Murica Dea, the Goddess of Laziness.

Strenua Dea, of Strength and Valour.

Stimula Dea, who prompts men to labour.

Agonius Deus, who did bless their underta∣kings.

Dea Horta, who did perswade them to any business.

Catius Deus, that made them careful.

Volumnus Deus, the God of their Wills.

Adeona & abeona Deae, the Goddesses of their coming in, and going out.

Vitula Dea, the Goddess of Joy or Victory.

Pellonia Dea, she that was active in driving away their Enemies.

Fessonia, she who did help the wearied.

Averruncus Deus, that did divert from us all evil.

Angerona, the Goddess of silence.

Laverna Dea, who did bless the Thieves in their Robberies, and unto whom they did offer Sacrifice. They that were under her protection, did divide the Spoil in her Wood, where her Temple was erected; therefore they were called Fures Laverniones.

Naaenia Dea, the Goddess of Funerals, &c.

There were also amongst the Romans the Gods and Goddesses of the Fields, besides the multi∣tude of Nymphs and Satyrs: These were the most noted.

Pales Dea, the Goddess of Fodder, and of Shepherds.

Flora Dea, a remarkable Whore, who gave all her Estate to the people of Rome, upon con∣dition that they would honor her Birth-day with Plays: The Senate to remove the infamy of her life, created her the Goddess of Flowers, and did offer unto her Sacrifice, that she might bless the hopeful encrease of the Fruits and Flowers:

In her honor were instituted the Floralia.

Pamona Dea had a Command over the Ap∣ples, and such like Fruits.

Tutilina Dea, had an eye over the Corn.

Robigus Deus, did preserve the Corn from the infection of the ayr.

Populonia & fulgor Dii, that did keep the Corn from the Thunder.

Pilumnus & Picumnus Dii, the latter is called Sterquilinus, because he taught men to im∣prove the ground with Dung: The first is the God of Millers.

Bubona Dea, of Oxen.

Hippona Dea, of Horses,

Mellona Dea, of Bees.

Jugatinus Deus, who did live upon the Moun∣tains.

Rusina Dea, a Country Goddess.

Terminus Deus, the God of Limits: The people of Rome were commanded to set stones upon the confines of their ground, which were called Terminalia; upon them they did offer to Jupiter every year; and if any was so impudent as to remove them, his Head was to satisfie Ju∣piter, unto whom they were consecrated. These Stones were crowned every year with Flowers, and upon them Milk was offered to Termi∣nus.

Pan was a Field God.

Sylvanus the God of Cattel, and of the Coun∣try.

Priapus, who was the most impure and shame∣less of all their Gods; he was also the God of

Marriners, as well as of the Country, and of * 1.5Gardens: He was painted naked, as all the o∣ther Gods and Goddesses of Love. Feronia Dea was also a Divinity of the Woods, the Wife of Jupiter Anxur in Italy; near her Temple was a large Wood which took fire, but when the peo∣ple did run to extinguish it, of its own accord the fire went out, and the Wood in a moment became green again and flourishing. The Slaves who were to be made free, did receive the badges of liberty in her Temple. It is reported of her Priests, that they did use to go bare foot upon burning coals every year at a set time before the people.

The Romans had encreas'd the number of their Divinities, so that many thousands were reck∣oned; every affection of the mind, and disease of the body, was honoured as a Deity: Such were Pavor, and Pallor, Cloacina, Aius, Locutius, whose Statue gave the Romans notice of the coming of the Gauls. Ridiculus was another God, Tempestas, Febris, Fugia, Forna••x, Ca∣cia, Vicepota, and Volturnus Deus, &c.

And as the Romans did inlarge their Domi∣nions, they did admit all the Gods and Goddes∣ses of strange Nations into their City: There∣fore when Tiberius heard of the Miracles of our Saviour from Pilats information, he desired the Senate that he might be introduced amongst the number of their Divinities, which they had no inclination to do, either because of the place of his Nativity, which was generally hated of all Nations, or because he could n t be rightly wor∣shipped

where there were such a multiplicity of Idle Gods. Now these were the strange Divini∣ties worshipped in Rome, when they had con∣quered the World.

Sanctus, or Deus Fidius, the God of the Sa∣bins; Io, or Isis, a Goddess of the Aegyptians. The Poets inform us, that she was the Daughter of the River Inachus, a professed Whore, yet the Priest of Juno: She perswaded Jupiter to yield to her Lust; but Juno's jealousic pursuing after her Husband, found them together, Ju∣piter in the form of a Cloud, and Isis in that of a white Cow, for Jupiter had changed her that she might not be suspected of his Wife, who un∣derstood his subtilty; therefore she beg'd the Cow from Jupiter, he being afraid, by a refusal, to discover her and his own dishonesty, granted her to Juno, who presently committed her to the custo∣dy of Argus with a hundred eyes; there she con∣tinued in much misery and persecution, until Mercurius was sent from Jupiter to deliver her, he played Argus asleep with his pleasant Musick, intending to steal away the counterfeit Cow; but a Boy, named Hierax, gave notice to Argus, and waked him, as the other was a departing with his prize. Mercurius seeing no remedy, but that he must either neglect Jupiters Com∣mand, or kill Argus, he took a great stone and knockt him dead upon the place, and changed Hierax into a Hawk for his ill Office. Juno was not a little displeased at the loss of her faithful servant, therefore she transformed him into a Peacock, that yet retains the number of his eyes

in its feathers; and she sent some Creatures to vex Isis, so that she became mad, and ran up and down the World, swimming over the Seas into Ionia, unto which she left her Name, as * 1.6also to the Sea that waters that Country: At last she returned back to Egypt, where she married Osiris: Her Son by Jupiter was Epaphus; after her death she was a••lored by the Egyptians; her hair was preserved as a Sacred Relick in her Temple at Memphis; she was honoured as the Goddess of Navigation, and of the Weather: Her Statue was a Cow with Horns, or as some say, a Dogs Head, unto which Ovid alludes, calling her Latrator * 1.7Anubis. The Romans had an extraordinary reverence for this Goddess, al∣though they banisht her, because her Priests had consented to defile her Temple with Whoredomes afterwards she was admitted again: Her Priests were initiated with Blood and Water, they had their Heads and Beards shaven, and did wear all White Linnen Garments: At the entry in of her Temple was the Statue of a Sphynx, to sig∣nifie that she was a mysterious Godd••ss: For her sake the Egyptians did keep in a corner of her Temple a White Cow; when it did die, they did all mourn, as for a Prince, until another was put in the place of the dead Beast.

Osiris, King of Egypt, was her Brother and Husband; he is esteemed the same with Serapis, some call him Dionysius, Ammon, Jupiter, and Pluto. The last name I conceive was granted unto him, because he had such an extraordinary care of the Dead, causing them to be buried in

several places made on t•• purpose near Memphis, to encourage Virtue, and a good life; for if the deceased had not lived well, he was by persons * 1.8appointed to enquire into every mans actions, cast into places of shame and punishment; the Vir∣tuous were interred in beautiful Fields, flou∣rishing with all manner of Flowers. This place was near the City Memphis, encompassed seve∣ral times with the River Nilus, and an old Fel∣low did convey the dead bodies over. By this means this Prince did awe his people into obe∣dience, and a submission to his Laws. And from hence it is that the Poets have borrowed their pleasant descriptions of Hell, as the rest of their superstitious Fables, as several writers informs us. Osiris is also called Apis, in whose Temple a Bull was nourished: Ʋpon the Statue of Osi∣ris was placed a Bushel; this hath given occa∣sion to some to fancy Osiris to be Joseph, who sa∣ved Egypt from the great Famine: It is proba∣ble the Bushel was placed upon Osiris his head, in honour of him.

All the other Gods of the Grecians, Illyrians, Gauls, Spaniards, Germans, and Asian People, were brought and worshipped at Rome, because we have already named them, and given a full account of their beginning and Histories, it is needless to repeat them here again.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Addit. Not. Genius à gig∣nendo, or ab ingerendo; be∣cause he sup∣ports or sug∣gests unto us thoughts.

  Virgil names them Manes.
• * 1.2

  Tibull. lib. 4.
• * 1.3

  Lararium, the place where they were worshipped. There were Lares publici, Lares familia∣res I ares Ho∣stitii, to drive away enemies, Lares Marini, of the Sea; Lares querque∣tulani, of she Oaks. They are also called Praestites Lar∣vae, Lemures,
• * 1.4

  or Vagitanus.
• * 1.5

  Nuda Venus faecunda Pales, Pharetrata Diana, Juno gravis, pru∣dens Pallas, turrita Cybelle.
• * 1.6

  Besides these most noted Gods of E∣gypt, they wor∣shipped there all the Herbs of their Gar∣den, which the Romans were ashamed to imitate.
• * 1.7

  Some thinks this Anubis to be Mercurius as we shall see afterwards.
• * 1.8

  Herodot. sa∣cres Igurn.