beLLonA
Publié le 17/01/2022
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(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.