Summanus
Summanus is the god of lightning in Roman mythology and the nocturnal equivalent of Iuppiter Fulgur , who manifests itself in the lightning strikes during the day. However, the connection is close, so that Summanus is occasionally used as an epithet for Iuppiter. Such a connection is attested by two inscriptions.
The close connection can also be seen from the fact that there was a picture of Summanus on the roof or in the gable of the temple of Iuppiter Optimus Maximus on the Roman Capitol . This picture was taken in 278 BC. Struck by lightning and fell down. But the head remained gone. The Haruspices then questioned announced that the head had fallen into the Tiber , where it was found. To atone for the event, a Summanus temple was built at the Circus Maximus . Foundation day was June 20th. However, this temple was built in 197 BC. Struck by lightning.
If lightning struck public ground at night, an atonement was made and a lightning grave, a so-called puteal , was built. The Puteal wall corresponded to the enclosure of a sacred area that was not allowed to be entered. The inscriptions on the lightning graves were accordingly fulgur Summanum conditum (for example: “Summanus struck here”) in contrast to the dedication to Iuppiter ( fulgur Dium conditum ).
In the files of the Arval brothers it is reported that when lightning struck the grove of their goddess, Dea Dia , at night, the priests sacrificed two black mutton to Summanus. The black sheep correspond to the white sheep that are otherwise sacrificed to the Iuppiter.
literature
- Rudolf Peter: Summanus . In: Wilhelm Heinrich Roscher (Hrsg.): Detailed lexicon of Greek and Roman mythology . Volume 4, Leipzig 1915, column 1600 f. ( Digitized version ).
- Stefan Weinstock: Summanus. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume IV A, 1, Stuttgart 1931, Col. 897 f.
- Georg Wissowa: Religion and cult of the Romans. Beck, Munich 1902, p. 124f
Individual evidence
- ↑ Pliny Naturalis historia 2,138. Augustine De civitate dei 4.23
- ↑ CIL 5.3256; 5.5660
- ↑ Cicero De divinatione 1.16. Livy Periochae 14
- ↑ Ovid Fasti 6,729ff. Pliny Naturalis historia 29.57
- ↑ Livy Ab urbe condita 32,29,1
- ↑ CIL 6.206
- ↑ CIL 6.205; 10.40; 10.6423
- ^ Wilhelm Henzen (ed.): Acta fratrum Arvalium 1874, p. CCXIV