Salus

For other uses, see Salus (disambiguation).

Salus (Latin: salus, "salvation") was a Roman goddess. She was the personification of well-being (health and prosperity) of both the individual and the state. She is sometimes equated with the Greek goddess Hygieia, though her functions differ considerably.

In fact Salus is an ancient Roman Goddess that started to be increasingly associated to Valetudo the Goddess of Personal Health, which was the real romanized name of Hygieia. Although a minor goddess, as Salus Publica Populi Romani ('goddess of the public welfare of the Roman people') she had a temple on the Quirinal Hill, inaugurated in 302 BCE. Later she became more a protector of personal health. Around 180 BCE sacrificial rites in honour of Apollo, Aesculapius, and Salus took place there (Livius XL, 19). There was a statue to Salus in the temple of Concordia. Her festival was celebrated on March 30.

Representation

Salus was often shown seated with her legs crossed (a common position for Securitas), leaning her elbow on the arm of her throne. Often, her right hand holds out a patera (shallow dish used in religious ceremonies) to feed a snake which is coiled round an altar. The snake is reared up and dips its head to the patera.

Sometimes her hand is open and empty, making a gesture. Sometimes the snake directs its gaze along with hers. Sometimes there is no altar; the snake is coiled around the arm of her throne instead.

Occasionally, Salus has a tall Staff in her left hand with a snake twined around it; Sometimes her right hand raises a smaller female figure. Later, Salus is shown standing, feeding her snake. This became the commonest pose: she is standing and grasping the wriggling snake firmly under her arm, directing it to the food she holds out on a dish in her other hand. Rarely, Salus is holding a steering oar in her left hand (indicates her role in guiding the emperor through a healthy life). This really belongs to Fortuna.

See also

• Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health
• Sirona, a goddess of health worshiped in East Central Gaul