Antiquity

In Greek and especially Roman antiquity, the figure of the genius is met, for example, in the conceptualization of a procreative power residing in the male human being. Genius, which is also regarded as a protective divinity, and enjoys cultic veneration, can be ascribed to an exalted personality (as Lat., genius Augusti); but it can also, collectively, be seen in the (Roman) people, and, last but not least, in a place (Lat., genius loci, ‘genius of the place’). The genius comes into view…