Bidental

In ancient Roman religion, a bidental was a sacred shrine erected on the spot where lightning had struck.

Creation

Any remains and scorched earth at the spot were to be burned in a hole at the location by priests called "bidentales". Any person killed by the bolt was to be buried in the earth where the lightning hit, as opposed to traditional cremation.

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a two-year-old sheep (called a bidens). Finally, an altar was built, and surrounded by a wall or fence to keep any trespassers away. Occasionally when falling into a state of decay, Bidentals would be repaired or reconstructed.

Significance

Considered sacred space, a bidental was not to be touched, trod upon, or even looked at after completion.

Places being struck by lightning were regarded as a terrifying example of

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References

• "The Divine Thunderbolt." Google Books. Web. 21 Nov. 2015.
• "Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle." Google Books. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
• "P996 Bidental." LacusCurtius • Roman Religion. Web. 23 Oct. 2015.
• "The Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary and Greek Lexicon." Internet Archive. 1849. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.