Salus
Roman · deity · middle republic · Recorded classification
Salus is soundness — of a body, and of the Roman people as a body. Her Quirinal temple was vowed by a consul in 311 BCE and dedicated by the same man as dictator eight years later, and it held famous paintings by Gaius Fabius, who took the surname Pictor from the job. Salus Publica, the safety of the state, was the object of an annual augury; when Rome was at peace the augurs asked whether it was permissible to pray for it at all.
Domains
- healing
- protection
Sources
- Salus is the Roman goddess of safety, health and public welfare, with a temple on the Quirinal vowed in 311 BCE by Gaius Junius Bubulcus Brutus and dedicated in 303 BCE.: Reference treatment of the Temple of Salus and its vow and dedication dates. (secondary)