

The Romans identified Saturn with the Greek Cronus, whose myths were adapted for Latin literature and Roman art. In particular, Cronus' role in the genealogy of the Greek gods was transferred to Saturn. As early as Livius Andronicus (3rd century BC), Jupiter was called the son of Saturn.

The Roman Saturn, however, had two consorts who represented different aspects of the god. The name of his wife Ops, the Roman equivalent of Greek Rhea, means "wealth, abundance, resources." Earlier was his association with Lua ("destruction, dissolution, loosening"), a goddess who received the bloodied weapons of enemies destroyed in war.


According to Varro, Saturn's name derived ab satu, from the word for "sowing." Another of his epithets that referred to his agricultural functions was Sterculius, from stercus, "manure." Agriculture was central to Roman identity, and Saturn was a part of archaic Roman religion. His name appears in the ancient hymn of the Salian priests, and his temple was the oldest known to have been recorded by the pontiffs. It was located at the base of the Capitoline Hill, and a row of columns from the last rebuilding of the temple still stand.

The position of Saturn's festival in the Roman calendar led to his association with concepts of time, especially the temporal transition of the New Year. Macrobius (5th century AD) presents an interpretation of the Saturnalia as a festival of light leading to the winter solstice.



Saturn (Cronus) and Ops (Rhea)

Saturn's wife was Ops. Jupiter was their son.

The cult of Ops was instituted by King Titus Tatius, the Sabine monarch. Later Ops became the patroness of riches, abundance, and prosperity both personal and national.

Originally on August 10, a festival took place in her honor. On December 9, the Opalia was celebrated. On August 25, the Opiconsivia was held. The Latin word ops means "riches, goods, abundance, gifts, munificence, plenty". This word is also related to opus, meaning "work" and, particularly "working the earth, ploughing, sowing". This activity was of old deemed sacred, and was often attended by religious rituals intended to obtain the good will of the chthonian deities such as Ops and Consus, etc.

Ops had a famous temple in the Capitolium. In her statues and coins, Ops is figured sitting down, as chthonian deities normally are, and generally holds a scepter or a corn spike as her main attributes.


Saturn in Roman Religion


Pliny notes that the cult statue of Saturn was filled with oil; the exact meaning of this is unclear. Its feet were bound with wool, which was removed only during the Saturnalia. It wore a red cloak, and was brought out of the temple to take part in ritual processions and lectisternia, banquets at which images of the gods were arranged as guests on couches.

Little evidence exists for the cult of Saturn outside Rome, but his name resembles that of the Etruscan god Satres. The potential cruelty of Saturn was enhanced by his identification with Cronus, known for devouring his own children. He was thus equated with the Carthaginian god Ba'al Hammon, to whom children were supposedly sacrificed. Saturn was also among the gods the Romans attempted to equate with Yahweh, whose Sabbath (on Saturday) he shared as his holy day. The phrase Saturni dies, "Saturn's day," first appears in Latin literature in a poem by Tibullus, who wrote during the reign of Augustus.

