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God Volcanus |
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"With free rein Volcanus riots amid
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Contributed by Antonia Traiana Severa God Volcanus is one of the Dii Consentes, a group of twelve gods that were especially honored by the ancient Romans. BackgroundThe god Volcanus, Vulcanus or Vulcan may have originally been a favouring nature spirit, perhaps of warmth and the nourishing powers of the earth Who ripens through internal warmth, develops children into adulthood and initiates the earth from winter into spring. As an Italic deity, Volcanus represented the destructive and devouring fires, though He was more often associated with volcanoes and metallurgy. Volcanus had an important cult in Ostia where He was the patron god and protector against fire in the grain storages, which implies that Volcanus had the power to halt fires as well as create them. Varro mentions that Volcanus was a Sabine deity brought into Rome by Tatius. As a chthonic god, Volcanus was initially identified with Vortumnus which comes from the Latin word vertere meaning "to turn". Vortumnus was the Etruscan god of seasonal change and plant growth as well as gardens and fruit. It was later that Italic Volcanus became identified with Hellenic Hephaestus as the god of fire and metalworking, and this association may have arrived as early as the sixth century BCE. Volcanus became one of the Dii Consentes sometime prior to 215 BCE when His temple on the Circus Flaminius was consecrated. According to Vitruvius, the regulations set by the Hetrurian Haruspices (Etruscan diviners) determined that the temples of Volcanus, Mars, Venus and Ceres were all to be laid outside the pomerium (town hall boundary). Volcanus was to have His temple away from the city because of the danger of fire; or perhaps, as with Mars, so that His power would be directed outward onto the enemy, leaving the citizens in peace and without disturbance. Another reason temples to Volcanus were situated outside of the pomerium was that the bonfires and festivals honoring Volcanus could get out of control by excited participants. Volcanoes, earthquakes and lightning were all under the influence of Volcanus, and these occurrences, which were often regarded by the Romans as prophetic, were duly reported to the senate. Religious centers for Volcanus at Rome included the Temple of Volcanus in the Camput Martius (Campus Martius) which was attributed to Romulus, and the Volcanal which was one of the earliest Roman sacred altars located at the western end of the Forum in the same site as the Comitium (area where political assemblies were held). It was here that the lapis niger (The Black Stone), was discovered in 1899 which contains the oldest known inscription in Latin. This inscription, which dates to the sixth century BCE, references a law protecting the state and enjoining the rex (king) to uphold the law. The Volcanal may have possibly been a very early sacellum (open air shrine, sacred to the gods) where sacrifices to Volcanus were performed in conjunction with comitia (political meetings). According to legend Volcanus’ forge was located beneath Mount Etna. It was there that He, together with His helpers, forged weapons for gods and heroes. The name Volcanus became a poetic word for devouring fire as early as the time of Ennius in the 200’s BCE and later evolved into our modern word for volcano. According to Ovidius, Volcanus made the trumpets that are cleansed on 23 May for the Tubilustria. As Volcanus Mulciber He is god of the forge, the one who softens metal for smelting, and later through His association with Hellenic Haephestus, He is also a smith. Volcanus’ other indigitamenta included Volcanus Quietus (Volcanus at rest) Who was propitiated in order to prevent fires, and Volcanus Mulciber, to Whom the flamen Volcanalis (priests of Volcanus) made their offerings at the Volcanalia in which He is identified with Maia (goddess of fertility and growth of living things). The Volcanalia was a festival sacred to Volcanus as the god of fire. On 23 August, feasts were held, great bonfires were lit at night in His honor, and the flamen Volcanalis made offerings. On the banks of the river Tiber, fires were lit on which live fish were offered by the populace. The fish, which could be obtained at the area Volcani (at the foot of the Capitol,) were offered to appease the destructive aspect of Volcanus. The fish were somewhat representative of souls being saved in place of the fish, in order that He would let humans in peace. At the Volcanalia, offerings were also made to Juturna (a water nymph,) Stata Mater (goddess who provides protection against fire,) and Ops Opifera (aspect of Ops, goddess of abundance, bringer of help) who cause fires to cease. This festival took place during the height of the Mediterranean drought and the period of highest risk of fires especially to harvest produce. The Volcanalia may also have helped identify Volcanus as one of the Di Inferi (gods of the underworld.) Roman religious tradition held that only the Di Inferi received sacrifices which were entirely consumed in flames. The manner of this sacrifice and the supposition that the Volcanal was used for cremation of the dead in early Rome, expresses this theory.
Volcanus is still the essence of the god from antiquity. He is still the powerful, foreboding, and relentless force of nature; a masterful engineer between man and survival, creation and destruction. Volcanus can be moved to extremes like a pendulum; shifting his forces in chaotic rhythm between insurmountable catastrophe and steely purpose, generously bestowing each upon us in an uncompromising flurry. Yet this enigmatic god also defines His role as victim and subject of pathos, enduring great humility and misfortune while remaining faithful to service. This divine attribute Constantia (see Virtues page) created a momentous and constant barrage in the ambitious consequence of His remnants and labors, and provided the resources that built a flourishing culture. Volcanus continues to empower us with His tireless perseverance, life-sustaining warmth, and fertilization; gifts which have yielded us many rewards amid the catharsis of an unforgiving legacy.
Volcanus exemplifies the strongest adjuncts to our existence; toil and determination in the aftermath of disaster. The ancient Romans understood the symbiotic and fearful relationship between heat and destruction; reverenced as necessary components to growth and expansion. In the wake of an eruptive singe, a common birthright plants its seeds that restore, replenish and strengthen the succession of both earth and man. These timeless rudiments introduce renewed vitality to both natural and human purpose and remain at the very heart of modern life. Plant your fruit with Volcanus’ blessings, feeling the fertile soil between your fingers, or mend yourself with quiet rest after the proverbial storm. Light a flame honoring Volcanus and His internal warmth, or visit a hot spring or volcanic site to bathe your senses in the vastness and might of His force. Remember Volcanus when you apply the many wonders of modern creation forged from the fires of the earth which remain concerted efforts under the guise of human preponderance. Volcanus is the quiet roar; the unyielding loom of discovery that disrupts our acquiescent parameters and destines us towards a boundless continuum.
Temples in Rome: Circo Flaminio (23 August 300’s BCE), Campus Martius (?) Festivals: 23 May; Tubilustrium, 23 August; Volcanalia Month sacred to: September Offerings: Fish, wine, incense Common Prayers to Volcanus in Antiquity were for: For protection from destructive fires Rite: Ritus Romanus (head covered)
Sing,
clear-voiced Muse,
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