Consus
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In ancient Roman religion, the god Consus was the protector of grains. He was represented by a grain seed.[1] His altar (ara)[2](p 42) was located at the first meta of the Circus Maximus.[3] It was either underground, or according to other sources, covered with earth, which was swept off during the two Consualia, his festivals on August 21,[4] December 15,[4][1] and on July 7 when the pontiffs held a sacrifice there.[5] He was thus a chthonic god.[2](p 42)
The
Etymology
The
The
Capdeville states that Consus cannot be related to conserere and adjective consivius, and advances the hypothesis that condere might have to be taken in the meaning of "to found" or "establish".[10][11](p 177, note 140)
Ancient sources, Festus included, were very fond of the similar sound of Consus and consilium, and allegorically interpreted his name[7] as relating to "council" or "assembly" (consilium). Moreover,
Function and associations
The festivals of Ops (
Consus became a god associated with secret conferences. The grammarian
So although it is certain that condere and consulere are from two different roots, it looks the character of Consus as hidden master of the Earth was at the basis of the identification with Neptune, as well as the strict affinity of the two gods with the horse.
According to G. Capdeville, it was a customary event that games were held at the foundation of a new settlement. These were connected with rituals that included athletic games such as footraces and marriage games along with invitations to settle in the new town: He mentions the instances of
Consus is perhaps to be identified with "Equestrian Neptune" (Neptunus Equestris).[4] Mule or horse races were the main event of the festival.[3] During the festival horses and mules were garlanded with flowers, and given a rest from work.[3] This fact is ascribed by Capdeville to the fact that Poseidon was the successor of the unknown god of the Arcadian Hippocrateia mentioned by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, who himself was perhaps the successor of a horse god.[11](p 178, note 141) A close connection of Consus with the two Pales and of both with the horse looks apparent.[14]
References
- ^ a b "The festival of Consus". The Colchester Archaeologist. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Lipka, Michael (2009). Roman Gods: A conceptual approach. Brill.
- ^ a b c Aldington, Richard; Ames, Delano (1968). New Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. Yugoslavia: The Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited. p. 209.
- ^ a b c d Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 23.
- ^ a b c
De Spectaculis. V 7.
- ^ Lipka (2009),[2](p57) who cites Tertullian.[5]
- ^ a b del Bello, Davide (2007). Forgotten Paths: Etymology and the allegorical mindset. Catholic University of America Press.
- ^
De Lingua Latina[On the Latin Language]. 6.20.
Consualia dicta a Consus [the Consualia were named for Consus]
- ^
Dumézil, G. (1977). La religione romana arcaica [The Ancient Roman Religion]. Milano, IT. p. 241.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b Capdeville, G. (1973). "Les épithètes cultuelles de Janus". MEFRA. 85 (2): 434. .
- ^ a b c Capdeville, G. (1993). Jeux athletiques et rituels de fondation. Publications de l' École Française de Rome.
- ^ de Vaan, M. (2010). Etymological Dictionary of Latin and Italic Languages. Leyden. s.v.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^
]. 8.636.
Consus autem deus est consiliorum.
- ^ Capdeville (1993)[11](p 180, note 149) also citing
Dumézil, G. (1956). "[article on the mare Viśpala of the RgVeda]". Eranos.[full citation needed]