Fides
Roman · deity · middle republic · deity
Fides is the keeping of a promise, and she had a temple on the Capitol for it. The Romans traced her cult to Numa, which is their way of saying it was older than anyone could remember, and her priests sacrificed with the right hand wrapped in white — the hand that is given on an agreement, covered so nothing could defile it. Treaties, contracts and the standing of the Roman people abroad were all referred to her: fides publica was a political asset as much as a private virtue.
Domains
- oaths
Sources
- Reference treatment of the Temple of Fides and of Fides among the personified virtues given Roman state cult.