Februus

Februus
God of purification and the Underworld
Februus and Febris, representing the month of February
Major cult centerAncient Italy
SuccessorFebris[citation needed] (assumed)
GenderMale
Ethnic groupEtruscans and Romans
FestivalsFebrualia
Equivalents
GreekHades/Pluto

Februus is an ancient Italic god of purifications, who was worshipped by both the Romans and Etruscans. He was also worshipped as the god of the underworld by the Etruscans.[1] For them, Februus was also the god of riches (money and gold) and death, both connected loosely to the underworld in the same natural manner as with the better-known Roman god Pluto. Februus' name could mean "the underground [one]" in the Etruscan language.[2]

Februus may have become the Roman Febris,[3] goddess of fever (febris in Latin means fever). These are possibly connected with the sweating of fevers, which was considered a purgative, washing, and purification process.

Februus is possibly named in honor of the more ancient Februa, also Februalia, festival of washing and purification. Februus' holy month was Februarius (of Februa), hence the English ′′February′′, a month named for the Februa/Februalia purification festival which occurred on the 15th of that month. These purification activities occurred at about the same time as Lupercalia, a Roman festival in honor of Faunus and also the wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus, during which expiatory sacrifices and ritual purifications were also performed.[4] Because of this coincidence, the two gods Faunus and Februus were often considered the same entity.

See also

References

  1. ^ Smith, William (1880). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: Earinus-Nyx - Google Books. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. ^ Johannes Lydus, de Mensibus, 25
  3. ^ Barney, Stephen A.; Lewis, W. J.; Beach, J. A.; Berghof, Oliver, eds. (2006). The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville. Translated by Barney, Stephen A.; Lewis, W. J.; Beach, J. A. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511482113. ISBN 978-0-521-83749-1.
  4. ^ Bisagni, Jacopo; Warntjes, Immo (2008). "The Early Old Irish Material in the Newly Discovered Computus Einsidlensis (c. Ad 700)". Ériu. 58: 77–105. ISSN 0332-0758. JSTOR 20696363.
Stub icon

This article relating to an ancient Roman myth or legend is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

This article relating to the Etruscan civilization is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

Stub icon

This article about a deity is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information.

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.