Minerva and the "Pueri": reconsidering some Literary Sources

Abstract

The connection between Minerva and Roman pueri, well known archaeologically in the oldest Italic shrines of the goddess and documented by the presence of goddess Iuventas in the cella of Minerva of the Capitoline temple, can be also clearly revealed by a more detailed examination of some ancient sources; in this regard, the literary testimony concerning the practice of minerval, the protection of the goddess on the memory and, lastly, the numerous proofs of Minerva’s patronage on textile handicraft activities are absolutely crucial. Although pertaining to undoubtedly very different fields, such competences of the goddess are reciprocally linked by a common thread, all of them being ascribable to a common genesis originating from the primitive cult of Minerva as tutelary goddess of post-puberty transitional rites.