Search

[German version] The two festivals ( feriae) of the  Consus, the C., fell on 21 August and 15 December. On 21 August a form of harvest festival was celebrated: the flamen Quirinalis and the Vestals sacrificed first crops from the harvest at the underground altar of the Consus. Then the priests organized games with draught horses and mules; pastoral games are also mentioned (the rape of the Sabines is said to have taken place during these games). We know nothing of the second festival; probably the grain stores were ritually opened up on that day. Scheid, John (Paris) Bibliography Dumézil, 168 L…

[German version] A. Name The name Dĭāna (in older documents sometimes scanned as Dīāna) is derived from dĭus, ‘light as day, shining’; D. is the ‘bright one’. Varro's derivation of the name from Diviana (Ling. 5,68) or Deviana (GRF 226, no. 103) is only of aetiological value. Scheid, John (Paris) [German version] B. Functions Little is known about the original nature of the Italian D. As with all of the goddess' other characteristics, her name is laden with Hellenizing interpretations such that one can hardly approach the original form of Diana. D.…