Neptunus
Roman · deity · pre urban · deity
Roman water-god, originally Italic freshwater-spring deity (etymology PIE *nebh- "wet/cloud", whence "nebula"). The Neptunalia (July 23, riverbank shelter-rite) preserves the Italic origin. Sea-domain came with the Poseidon equation in the middle Republic. Per Wissowa 1912; Dumézil 1970.
Domains
- freshwater springs
- sea post equation
- horses
Powers
- Shake the earth
- Still and raise the sea
Epithets
- Neptunus Equester
Relations
Sources
- Varro LL 5.72, 6.19; Cic. Nat. D. 2.66; Verg. Aen. 1.124-156; Hor. Od. 3.28
- Wissowa 1912; Dumézil 1970