Fides
Roman · deity · middle republic · Recorded classification
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
- Fides is the Roman goddess of good faith and the keeping of one's word, with a temple on the Capitol founded in 254 or 250 BCE and a cult the Romans traced to Numa.: Reference treatment of the Temple of Fides and of Fides among the personified virtues given Roman state cult. (secondary)