Their story
Virtus, the quality of the true man, vir, was shown as an armed woman in a short tunic. Her temple was joined with that of Honos by Marcellus, and one passed through hers to reach his, a lesson in the Roman idea that honour follows courage. Cicero lists her among the qualities Romans worshipped as divine. She appears widely on coins of the emperors.
Best times to give to them
- Before a challenge
- Kalends of each month
What they like being given
- Incense
- Bay leaves
- Wine or grape juice
How to honour them
- Ask her for courage before a hard task.
- Honour her by doing what is right though it costs you.
- Offer to her before honouring Honos.
How they can help you
- Courage
- Self-discipline
- Rising to a challenge
Symbols
- helmet
- sword
- spear
- one bared breast
Sources
- Livy 27.25
- Livy 29.11
- Cicero, De Legibus 2.28
More Roman goddesses
- Juno Queen of heaven and protector of women
- Minerva Patron of craftworkers, teachers and healers
- Venus Mother of the Roman people and goddess of love
- Diana Lady of the woodland grove and the moon
- Vesta The living flame at the heart of home and Rome
- Ceres Mother of the grain and friend of the common people
- Luna The moon, shining through the night
- Libera Partner of Liber in the Aventine triad