Terminus
Terminus, the steadfast god of Rome, was the embodiment of boundaries. His presence ensured the sanctity of property lines, borders, and the very foundations of Roman society.
Festivals: Terminalia
The Romans took their boundaries seriously, and Terminus, the god of boundary markers, played a crucial role in ensuring their sanctity. Each boundary stone wasn’t just a marker; it was a point of reverence. To mark its importance, a special ritual was performed. A pit was dug at the convergence of estates, where the symbolic offerings – the bones, ashes, and blood of a sacrificial animal – would be placed. These offerings were accompanied by earthly bounty – crops, honeycombs, and wine – signifying the land’s fertility and prosperity. Finally, the boundary stone itself would be driven into the ground, completing the ritual and solidifying the sacred nature of the division.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 