Bona Dea

In Roman mythology, Bona Dea ("the good goddess") was a goddess of fertility, healing, virginity and women. She was a daughter of Faunus and was sometimes called Fauna.

Related Topics:
Roman mythology - Faunus - Fauna

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There was a temple to Bona Dea on the Aventine Hill. On December 4, secret rites in honor of her were held in the house of a famous Roman magistrate. It was an entirely female affair; even paintings or drawings of men or male animals were forbidden, along with the words "wine" and "myrtle" because Bona Dea had once been beaten by her father with a myrtle stick after she got drunk.

Related Topics:
Aventine Hill - December 4 - Myrtle

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Her public festival took place on May 1. No men were allowed to participate.

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The sick were tended to in the gardens outside her temples, where medicinal herbs were grown by priestesses.

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She was associated with the cornucopia, snakes and coins. Her image frequently occurred on ancient Roman coins.

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