beLLonA

(War) Roman The goddess of war, prominent in ancient Rome from the 300s b.c., but likely originally a goddess of the Sabines, a neighboring people who eventually became part of the Roman culture. In the earliest references to Bellona, she appears to be a personification of powerful force and determination, the force needed to lead an army into a successful battle and war. During the early years of the Roman Republic, Bellona was recognized as a powerful deity, known to be fearsome and unrelenting against her enemies. Some Roman historians and poets described her as having snakes for hair, and carrying a bloody whip in one hand and a lance in the other. Bellona was considered a companion, lover, or wife of the war god Mars. Eventually, as Greek mythology gained influence in Rome and Italy, her traits and powers merged with those of Enyo, the Greek goddess of war, a companion of Ares, the Greek god of war. In 296 b.c., a military leader of the Roman Republic, Appius Claudius Caecus, vowed to build a temple honoring Bellona and thanking her for her support in defeating the Etruscans, a people who lived to the north of Rome. He built the temple outside of the city proper, so the goddess could help Rome fend off invaders. Outside stood a pillar. In memory of Bellona, and to summon her help, Roman leaders threw a lance over the pillar as a formal declaration of war against an enemy.