Devoir de Philosophie

Neptune

Publié le 22/02/2012

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neptune
Neptune (Neptunus) Roman Originally, a Roman god of freshwater. Neptune became associated with the Greek sea god Poseidon early in Roman history. Unlike the people of Greece, the people of Rome were not seafarers, so Neptune played only a small role in their lives. He did, however, keep many of his freshwater characteristics as he took on the stories of Poseidon, who inhabited the saltwater seas around Greece. The Romans celebrated the festival of the Neptunalia on July 23, the height of summer, when freshwater often was scarce. They would make sacrifices to Neptune in hopes of easing those water shortages. A sanctuary to Neptune stood between the Aventine and Palatine hills in Rome on the spot where a stream once flowed. Neptune, like Poseidon, is often portrayed carrying a trident and riding a dolphin. The eighth planet in the solar system was named Neptune after its discovery in 1846.

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