"Mefitis" goddess that gives health?

  • Maria Federica Petraccia Università degli Studi di Genova
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_GERI.2014.v32.46671
Keywords: Mefitis, Water, Sanctuary, Oracle, Umbilicus Italiae.

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze closely the figure of Mefitis, goddess whose cult is attested in southern Italy, Rome and Cisalpine Gaul. She is a deity difficult to understand, who has ‘plusieurs visages’ and brings together various meanings: celestial, infernal, telluric, of water-springs, salutary, mediatrix; she answers for unions and fertility, with autstanding erotic features. Finally she is the goddess of smelly places. The study is based mainly on literary sources and not on existing archaeological evidences concerning the worship of this deity.

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How to Cite
Petraccia M. F. (2014). "Mefitis" goddess that gives health?. Gerión. Revista de Historia Antigua, 32, 181-198. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_GERI.2014.v32.46671
Issue
Vol. 32 (2014)
Section
Varia

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