Neptune
Neptune,Italic god of water. He extended his protection to watercourses and to expanses of water threatened by evaporation in the heat of summer as well as to human activities linked with water; hence, under the influence of Poseidon, he could become patron of journeys on water. During sacrifice (Roman), the cooked exta (‘entrails’) were thrown into water (Livy 29. 27. 5); it is in virtue of this capacity that the absurd identification of Consus with ‘Neptunus Equester’, i.e. Poseidon Hippios, takes place, Livy 1. 9. 6. The etymology of his name is quite uncertain; in Etruscan it is Neθun(u)s. His festival is of the oldest series (Neptunalia, 23 July); we know concerning its ritual only that arbours, umbrae, of boughs were commonly erected (Festus 519, 1 Lindsay), but it may be conjectured that its object was to obtain sufficient water at this hot and dry time of...
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